April 2016 | Beauty Favourites

It's a very make up heavy favourites post today as I  reverted to something of a lazy make up routine the past month and all these items tick the box for that. First up I'll start with some products you may recognise from my Superdrug Haul.

Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer is making waves in the beauty community and I jumped straight on that bandwagon and can say that for me the hype is deserved. I've never been one to just conceal and go but on weekends when I'm even less inclined to wear make up but want to make something of an event I've been sweeping this on, adding some Chanel Les Beiges Powder and I'm good to go. It doesn't crease under the eyes, far outweighing others I've tried and lasts all day. Another plus is it looks far more higher end and is less messy than other offerings in my collection.

The Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipstick in Devotion has been a big hit, as has the formula of this product. I did return to Superdrug to look at other shades but none sparked any excitement as Devotion did so I left empty handed and stuck with this favourite. A subtle shade of pink but not too subtle that it looks like I haven't bothered at all it goes with almost every outfit. The slightly chalky feeling texture goes on like silk and dries down without drying lips out so I'm crying for lip balm later. I can reapply throughout the day without fear of cracked lips although this is certainly a longer lasting product compared to others. It's definitely worth checking out if there's a shade that you like.

Next is L'Oreal's Brow Artist Plumper which has quickly replaced my former love of the Maybelline BrowDrama. With a much more sensible, smaller brush this is far easier to brush my brows out and fill in any gaps very quickly. It dries quickly and is far hardier against my annoying habit of stroking my eyebrows and definitely requires more effort to displace and ruin my efforts.

Carrying on my lazy make up theme I've been reaching for the Seventeen Mono Eyeshadow in Rose Quartz on a daily basis with my Zoeva 227 Definer Brush* for a quick eye make up look. Again I've never been a one lid colour and go kind of girl, even with my simple eye make up routines I'd always add something into the crease, outer corners and some sort of liner, until now. The Zoeva 227 is a worthy contender for Mac's famous 217 of which I have many but it's the 227 I've reached for. Blending out Rose Quartz on my lids and some mascara I'm happy enough with my make up to be seen in the office. The Mono Eyeshadows are compact, pigmented and last a day in the office which often is all I'm looking for.

As I continue my make up declutter I've pulled out Covergirl Blush in Pretty Peach that has been sitting in the draw for ages following a US Beauty Haul.  Hailed as a dupe for Mac Melba Blush it's become a firm favourite if not for the cheap and unpleasant packaging. I've been reaching for this a lot as the sun shines and it gives a nice soft glow.

Painting my nails is a chore I don't enjoy and I'm always torn between painting with normal polish multiple times or wearing gels and having the chore of removing to reapply. First world problems of course but I've settled on painting for nails as it feels like an easier process at times. Another Covergirl product and this is the red polish they brought out in their Star Wars range. It's your standard shade of red but applies nicely, if the brush is a little small for my liking. I get a good few days out of this before any wear starts to show.

Finally I'm throwing a skincare item in which has become a big hit as we hit hayfever season. I've recently been testing some products from F.O.Y and the stand out for me at the moment is the Revitalising Eye Gel*. This is very much a gel and I think I need to start keeping in the fridge for some extra cooling properties to soothe my itchy eyes. The packging is rather luxe for an eye cream and whilst it's not the ideal travel companion it's nice sitting atop my dressing table.

What have you been loving this month?

*this post contains press samples

US Drugstore Beauty Gifts

Whilst I miss my friend terribly since she moved to the USA I can't deny that I do love it when she sends me a parcel, particularly like the one I received at Christmas. Filled with beauty products from the US, many I was or am unable to get hold of in my local Boots made it all the more special.

First we'll start with the dinky kit from Benefit featuring my favourite primer, Porefessional and Licenced to Blot Mattifyer in handy travel sizes. Both accompanied me on my recent trip to Florida. Admittedly I didn't need to use Licenced to Blot but the primer was used daily as it often is back home and it was great not to have to take up space with the larger tube.

The Star Wars Mascara recently featured in my favourites post and was an instant hit despite my scepticism of the thin wand. Lashes Long Are Mine - apologies but couldn't resist a Yoda style speech! Following the Star Wars theme was one of the nail colours from the collection in my signature red. I've yet to try this out yet but I'll report back.

Another favourite from the past month was the Lorac Riesling Romance palette from the 2015 holiday collection. Again Lorac has not let me down and this palette is perfect for throwing in your make up bag and covering all eventualities.

The Milani offering on my recent trip to Florida was limited so I was even more glad that Rose included the Fierce Foil Eyeshine Quad in Florence in my gifts. I've not yet used this but I've had a swatch and they seem very interesting. The two darker shades are very pigmented, especially the bronze shade and I imagine it'll be lovely. The lighter two seem to have more of a shimmer or shine but as I say I need to play with them a little more before passing judgement. They're damp in texture and very creamy so it's going to be an interesting one.

Finally is a lipstick from Elf and their moisturising lipstick line, in the shade Velvet Rope. This is more of an orangey red so I'm saving this for when the sun shines a little brighter and it might even be a competitor for my favoured NYX Butter Lipstick in Coral Red.

What product from the USA would be on your beauty wishlist?

January 2016 Beauty Favourites

I had intended to resume posting last week but with today, 1st February being a Monday and life still offering it's daily challenges I thought I'd give myself the extra week to get ahead with scheduling.

You will have noticed I missed out on Decembers favourites and whilst that was because I only had two offerings and their favoured state remained throughout the past couple of week I've bundled together to share with you today.

Starting with the Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette. Whilst December should've been a time for glitter and sparkles, and yes there was some of that, for the most part time was short and as such leisurely make up routines were not high on the agenda. That said I wasn't ready for make up free and still wanted to look my best and the Tarte palette is perfect for that. Everything you need bar your usual base, mascara and lipstick are housed in this palette taking any decision making about what to wear away. After applying base I can pick up this palette, throw the additional products in my bag and put on in a matter of minutes. You can see some swatches and in my earlier post.

Another palette which I've swiftly fallen in love with is the Lorac Riesling Romance Eyeshadow Palette which was released as part of the Christmas 2015 collection and sadly no longer available to buy. My friend Rose sent this as part of my Christmas gift and whilst I'm sure the shades of brown are blah to some of you to me it was perfect and was the only eyeshadow selection I took on holiday to Florida with me. Like all Lorac eyeshadows the colours are pigmented and creamy and blend like a dream.

Another gift from Rose was the Covergirl Star Wars Darkside Mascara. I'm by no means an uber Star Wars fan but I do love themed packaging and a bit of fun and was excited to try this. I was surprised considering the chunky packaging that there was such a thin plastic brush but it's worked a dream. The size of the brush allows you to coat all your lashes and they fan out and lengthen nicely to give the right balance for a dramatic day look. I rarely coat my bottom lashes in mascara but have used this. Covergirls offering shows gimmicks aside you can still create a good product.

Whilst I'm desperate to try the new foundation from Chanel's Les Beiges range it was Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid that accompanied me to Florida last month and reminded me how much I love it. Whilst holidaying my skin tends to be in much better condition as I'm better rested and relaxed and strangely tend to be more diligent with skincare regimes. This is a light coverage base which makes skin look as 'healthy' as they claim. I've spoke of it before and you may remember it was one use from a magazine sample that led me to making the full sized purchase. Despite being such a light coverage it gives a flawless natural base and I was quite pleased how my skin would look in my Disney selfies. My enthusiastic use means I'm currently squeezing every last drop as it reaches empty and I will definitely be repurchasing.

And finally Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit perfume the scent I might love even more than my 'signature' Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. A limited edition from yesteryear, recently returned and only available at the flagship store on Regent Street it was well worth every penny. Cheesily it's like a comforting hug especially at this time of year. I left this fragrance behind whilst on holiday and it brought an immediate smile back to my face when I returned and the chilly weather meant I was able to return to spritzing this long lasting, sweet yet mature scent.

What have you been loving this month?