MONTHLY BEAUTY FAVOURITES | September 2017

It feels longer than the couple of months its been since I last hit publish on a blog post and despite the impromptu break I have still been photographing and testing products 'behind the scenes' so I have plenty to hit publish on over the coming weeks. A good place to start is always by sharing my recent favourites and the first is a welcome return to reading. 

During my redundancy period reading certainly fell to the wayside without a regular commute and any journeys I did make were typically spent on my phone scrolling through social media or indeed preparing for job interviews. As the commute is now once again part of my daily routine books are making a reappearance although it's been a slow start with a couple of books that I just couldn't find myself reaching for until I picked up Beauty by Louise Mensch who you may know as Louise Bagshawe. The story of Dina Kane and her rise to power, dragging herself up from poverty and battling old adversaries. This is simply chick lit with a darker edge, enough to keep me interested rather than a basic boy meets girl tale and the story of Dina making her way in the beauty industry was enjoyable and I was keen to keep turning the pages despite knowing how it was likely to end. As a read to remind me of the enjoyment reading brings me this was it and my only criticism was the somewhat eye rolling description of Dina being such beauty and therefore allowing her such success or opportunity which added less weight to the additional struggle and hard work she was shown as putting in to build her success. 

Along with reading I've slipped back into old skincare habits but a few gems from Aldi are helping me get back on track and the Lacura Caviar 3 Minute Mask is one that also works to combat my excuse of not having enough time. I don't particularly enjoy the process of face masks despite acknowledging the benefits. Clay masks are great for congested skin but so messy and sheet masks similarly so whilst requiring a stance to ensure the mask doesn't slip and so on the excuses continues. The Caviar range from Aldi has already made waves over the years for it's comparisons to the uber expensive and luxurious La Prairie range and whilst I can fully understand the realities of skincare product duping is not really possible in the same way make up can be I do find that I can get on very well with some budget alternatives. For £6.99 the Lacura Caviar 3 Minute Mask is formulated to remove dead skin cells with caviar extract to moisturise your skin. If I've been slack with my regime, perhaps from one too many late nights a quick boost from the mask does the trick and even if your skin is tip top then using this before nights out and applying layers of make up ensures that you're looking your best.

I was very excited to receive a bottle of Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Foundation* although you would think that for my years of blogging and the beauty products that have passed through my hands I would be less prone to making assumptions or judgements about products before I have so much as swatched on my hand, let alone tried on my skin. I presumed that this foundation would be heavy but it is anything but. As it's blurb will tell you on the website it is a 'youth promoting skincare and foundation in one' and Joan Collins is known for looking fabulous as a mature woman so clearly paid great attention to working on a foundation that fellow older ladies would enjoy. 

Containing hyaluronic acid to moisturise your skin and ensure that it aids the base in which you're applying the foundation I found the finish quite flawless and radiant as it suggests. I would refer to this as a medium coverage foundation but you could easily build it up should you require although I prefer the coverage it provides as often the heavier coverage I reach for the more suffocated my skin feels and makes my fine lines more evident. It is very similar in formula to Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Foundation.  

I must also give top marks to the Joan Collins Timeless Beauty website for assisting with the shade of foundation you will need. I was able to pick, nervously, the shade I thought would suit for me based on their recommendations and it was perfect for me. They give guidance on your undertones and the like rather than simple listing shade numbers or names - we all know how those shade names can vary brand to brand.

To prep my skin for the aforementioned foundation I have been loving GOSH Primer Plus+ Skin Adaptor* which is sold as a primer which will enhance any skin tone. Before I continue I did see this in action an event with GOSH and some of the women of colour commented that it was a little ashy so that's something to bear in mind although for my pink undertoned skin I have been able to work well with it. It's quite different to other primers I've used as it doesn't have that silicone feel to it when applied, nor does it feel fluid and hydrating as it's quite a dry formula. That said on the days when I lean towards oilier skin but it does even my skintone out and create a smoother appearing canvas for me to layer make up on. 

Finally has been to remove that wonderful foundation I've been using Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil. I had this travel sized bottle in my ready to go bag of travel minis but as I continue to work through my stash I decided to dig this out and try out and very pleased I have. It's a beautifully smelling thick cleansing oil which melts away make up without leaving my skin crying out for moisture. I don't wear particularly heavy make up and will remove the bulk of any eye make up with a micellar water before I use the cleansing oil as my first cleanse but I find there is no leftover dirt and it is all removed with this first cleanse. I've mentioned how I can be lax with my skincare regime but using this product gives me an extra incentive to head to the bathroom sink and kick things off.

What products have you been enjoying recently?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Monthly Beauty Favourites | June & July 2017

It's extremely cliched at the end of each month to exclaim 'where did this month go' but really, where did July go? It was only as I was sitting last weekend thinking I really must sit down and hit publish on my June favourites when I realised that people were sharing their July favourites so in blogging terms I was definitely behind.

It then occurred to me that the month had moved so quickly that I hadn't even made my usual notes for the coming month of items that would appear the following month and it was still many of these being staples in my everyday routines.

Enough with the excuses and let's have a look at what products have made an impression of late, starting with Imperial Leather Banana Bath Cream. Yes Imperial Leather heard 'my' pleas and brought out the accompanying bath cream for my much loved shower gel. This makes a nice break from either the muskier or zesty scents I often find in my bath room and pairs wonderfully with the Coconut Shower Gel from Aldi if I want to have a little cocktail in the bathroom.

A frustrating hit in recent weeks has been the Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser, frustrating as it was only available for a limited time and I didn't have the foresight to stock up. I do hear it's back in November so take note if you're looking for an affordable Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish dupe. As I shared when I first tried out this cleanser it's indistinguishable to it's higher end counterpart. I enjoy a creamy cleanser for days when I'm disinterested or too tired in double cleansing and the like and I find them especially nice for a morning cleanse of a weekend when I'm preferring to go make up free.

I wasn't too keen on Urban Beauty United Brush* No 22 (the brand has had a redesign since so products are numbered differently) for make up application and then one evening when I wanted to apply a clay mask I reached for it rather than using my fingers - especially with stiletto nails - and found I much preferred the application method. Using the brush to apply face masks has seen me using less than I need and distribute far evenly. How do you apply your face masks?

Finishing the skincare favourites is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Mist*, a new release in the Anthelios line. SPF is really key to your skincare regime but I must confess outside of my holidays I tend to rely on the SPF in my skincare and make up items than applying a separate cream but the new Anthelios Face Mist has changed that. I apply a layer after my moisturiser and only particularly sunny days over make up whilst it's handy size makes it perfect to throw in your handbag for touch ups throughout the day.

Whilst I wouldn't rely on this in sunnier climes for days when I only see the light of day during my commute to work I find it works perfectly. I was skeptical at it's mist name but it really does apply as such and has a nice scent which makes it a pleasure to use and again, how it would sit on top of make up was of concern but it doesn't interfere at all. It's a product I will definitely repurchase and use, even for my trip to Florida later in the year, this will be ideal throughout the day to add more coverage.

Before I would even call myself a 'beauty blogger' I shared my purchase of the Bare Minerals Foundation and it's one I've repurchased often although not used so much in recent years. Again please don't judge me for how old these foundations might be but I recently rediscovered it as I was working my way through decluttering my make up collection and have been using it regularly as skin has been oiler due to the (occasional!) warmer days.

Whilst the Bare Minerals Original Foundation as a loose powder isn't ideal for travelling at home I find it quick and easy to use, and it's allowed me to play with some cream products and change up the way I do my make up which has been fun. Such is my enjoyment of late I have already used up one pot and have started on a second I had in my stash.

When I'm in a hurry in the morning, or just feeling generally lazy about my make up and want to apply and go it's the GOSH Contour'n Strobe Kit* in Light I've reached for. As I shared in my earlier review this palette pairs perfectly with a red lip, another of my lazy day saviours.

When I first received the Nip+Fab Make Up Mascara* I compared it to the YSL and it's certainly proved as much as since I have been using it has dried up in exactly the same way as that would - luckily this is a much cheaper product for repurchasing and it's finish would see me do so without worrying that it does dry out and clump very quickly.

I'm not sure if my final beauty favourite is strictly 'allowed' as I have only used once but I loved it so much I felt it only right to share. Mac Fly By Twilight foiled eyeshadow was part of the Faerie Whispers collection I picked up over a year ago and a few weekends ago as I got ready for a party was the first time I'd used it since buying it.

I tend to pick bronze and browns for my eye make up but I liked the change with some silver and this eyeshadow applied wonderfully. A spray of fix plus gave more pigment and sparkle but it was thick enough to not cause a bad finish on 'older eyelids'. It's definitely one I'll bringing out for party time in the future.

I'm going to end my favourites with something a little different and the website Foxella. It was mere days before I started my new job i saw a Tweet from Jane at BBB tagging Foxella, had a nosey as one does and then fell into a black hole of celebrity gossip and 'blind items'. In short Foxella is a celebrity gossip site that shares gossip about celebrities indirectly but adds the suggested celebrity the gossip refers to in it's post. As I can't bear to add views to the Daily Mail, even for their sidebar of shame, Foxella has filled that void so I can be sure to Keep Up With Khardashians and other such celebrities from the Z to A list. I follow them on Twitter and find it's the simplest way for me to keep 'informed' and will tell anyone who is a fan of such salacious gossip that this is the site to follow. Often I will print screen particularly 'interesting' gossip and sharing with friends creating shock, conversation or denial as we see fit. Predominantly it is American celebrities that feature and some I am not familiar with and will skip over but you find the odd British celebrity featured such as the Beckhams and One Direction members. One such hungover day I actually scrolled through the entries since I'd discovered Foxella and read every one - it was the perfect day. Judge me accordingly but I dare you to dip into the site and not become like me anticipating the next tidbit that appears in your Twitter feed. 

What have you been loving this month, or indeed the past two months?

*this post contains press sample and affiliate links

New In Make Up | June 2017

There has been a lot of make up coming way this month so today I wanted to start with a few pieces that have mixed results, starting with the GOSH Contour'n Strobe Kit* in Light. I'm new to the GOSH brand and the Contour'n Strobe Kit has been a great place to start.

My first impressions on receiving this quad were that the highlighter was a little too subtle and the blush lacking in to make it something I would reach for often - how wrong I was. This is the perfect pick up and go palette when I'm over running for work and want to have a full face of make up without hunting out individual products.

The highlighter is subtle, but not that it goes unnoticed but balances well for office wear and the blush is in the same ilk as Wet n Wild's Rose Champagne and Milani's Luminoso in that that add something to the cheeks but compliment my often worn red lip perfectly.

I'm not really one for contouring and tend to swirl my brush in the two shades and warm up my face as I see fit but the option is there should I need it. I must also give a nod to the size of each of the four pans. So often palettes of this type can have tiny pans which means you can barely run an eyeshadow brush across them.

All the four powders have a silky texture with no dustiness meaning the shades aren't in danger of mixing, in fact despite it's use I think it's one of my cleanest looks palettes. I'm still struggling to not reach for this daily and show some love to other products but when something appeals to my laziness whilst delivering what can I do. 

I'm already earmarking this as perfect for my trip to Florida later in the year. Knowing that I will be making a few purchases on the trip I want to travel as minimally as possible where my cosmetics are concerned this would be perfect as well as working for what I expect will be a daily red lip.

There was much excitement when Sleek's Distorted Dreams collection* arrived with the comment 'oh I like Sleek' from my sister in law and my niece demanding that I put some on her which is why I broke the bloggers cardinal role and you will see one of the pans has a finger swipe in it before I was able to photograph.

Unfortunately my excitement didn't match theirs but I must stress I think my age and making peace with my lifestyle means that the current trend for metallics and holographics is not really one for me although I did have some fun playing with it.

First up is the Sleek Make Up Distorted Dreams Highlighting Palette* which is just something that will not work for my mature skin and oily eyelids I'm afraid. I found the holographic pigments were too chunky and the creams too oily. On my cheeks it highlighted every pore and whilst I loved the blue and greens on my eyes they're definitely something I'd need to apply over a base to give them a chance of holding.

If I was heading to Ibiza, festivals or had some such event on the cards I would be inclined to keep hold of this but otherwise it's heading to my sparkle loving sister. I think it's something a more younger person would enjoy although at £10.99 it is perhaps a little more pricey than I would expect to pay.

Likewise the Sleek Make Up Metallic Matte Me Lip Cream* in Roman Copper is just something I won't be rocking in the office but do like nonetheless. If I were heading off on my holidays or perhaps still in my redundancy then I'd find myself wearing this more over the Summer and it has a great pigment and metallic shine whilst still comfortable to wear. I am currently trying to streamline my make up collection and working on lips at the moment and I have faced facts that I do not enjoy a matte nude lip, but throw this metallic lip cream over the top and I'm good to go. These lip creams are only priced £4.99 and currently on 3 for 2 so they're a more affordable way to follow the trend this Summer.

Next is a 'dupe' for the beauty blender and the B. Blending Sponge* which I think on first appearances most of us would be unable to tell the difference. Having developed such a love for my Beauty Blender and being put off by the B. Sponges firmness in comparison it took me some weeks before I finally got to working with this affordable version. At just over £3 this is a worthy contender, even just for use on those in between days when you're washing your tools. I've found I have to dampen the B. Blending Sponge more so than the higher priced version but with a dowsing of Mac Fix+ it's doing great things especially for blending my concealer.

Finally is a product from the much talked about Nip+Fab Make Up range of which I'll have a post coming up next week but today it's the mascara, my favourite product that I'm sharing with you today. The Nip+Fab Make Up Mascara* formula reminds me so much of my once beloved YSL which is perhaps why I'm so in love. From the cone shaped brush which I find makes application a breeze to a thick formula which elongates and curls the lashes that even I ask myself if I'm false eyelashes. As mentioned its formula really reminds me of YSL so much so in the latter weeks I've been using as it's drying out I feel it getting thicker and drier - not that it's affecting it's application. We are in the midst of hayfever season right now but I can't believe I'm not experiencing any fall out or smudging from this mascara - it could very easily become a holy grail and is certainly filling the gap since I said goodbye to Tartes Lights Camera Lashes.

What new make up have you discovered this month?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links