Monthly Beauty Favourites | February 2017

It has been far too long since I've typed up a favourites post for one reason and another but the past couple of weeks I've found myself repeatedly reaching for the same products and thinking 'oh I must put that in this months favourites' and so here it is.

Starting with the KYPRIS Cleanser Concentrate* which I have been using morning and night and who wouldn't with such a high end, luxurious and costly cleanser. As I shared in my original review of the KYPRIS range I don't think I would justify repurchasing at £50 but if I had a spare 'pink one' as my SIL and I call them laying around I might just treat myself. In the morning it's lovely to refresh and awaken the skin and of an evening as my second cleanse my skin feels clean and looks radiant.

As you'll see in my empties post, yes there's one of those returning next week too, I used a mascara that hasn't agreed with me and I was glad to have InstaNaturals Eye Gel* to hand from my trip to Center Parcs. As I explained in that post I was indifferent to this eye gel as I like an eye cream to treat the area I identify most as 'showing my age' but when I was suffering some sensitivity and need something soothing and cooling this product was fantastic. As I suggested it'll certainly come in handy once hayfever season hits.

Moving on to some base favourites and the DHC Quick Film Smoother* which I have been using a primer to soften the appearance of my fine lines. This is a light gel like cream, the type of which I've been enjoying lately as I've found that since I'm not back and forth on the London Underground every day my skin is thanking me for it and more country air than from the London streets. You'll recognise hyaluronic acid but it also contains egg shell membrane (!) which apparently act to firm - who knew. My test with a primer is if I put it on and am almost, I say almost, apprehensive to put on foundation as I think my skin is looking so good without it. Often primers can feel heavy due to silicone and the like but this is so light yet works at plumping the skin that it's a worthy addition to the make up bag.

I'm rather excited that I have been enjoying IXXI Skin Enhancing Daily Defence Care Light Elixir* and found the Medium tint version in my stash as I will definitely be taking this along to St Lucia with me at the end of the month. It is the perfect base when you want a natural 'no make up' look but without being too natural. This will be perfect for the evenings we have a chef preparing our dinner (yes really, this holiday will be the dream!) and know there will plenty of photos taken but I'm reluctant to pile on too much make up and want to enjoy the tan forming.

I know I'm becoming something of a bore talking about the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows but I really really love them. I picked up Iced Latte when I was in Vegas last year and on a friends recent trip to the US I asked her to pick up Eternal Sunshine for me. I think I just need to accept the fact that when I hit the drugstores in Orlando come my November trip I will be buying them all. Iced Latte is a pale champagne shade and Eternal Sunshine is a pale gold that you can build up nicely. On the nights out I've had since Christmas I've always reached for one or the other of these as they're such a quick and easy product to use and look like I've spent far longer on my eye make up. Usually I'm conscious of creasing or wearing metallics and shimmer on my 'older eyelids' but these are so forgiving. And pair them with the DHC Gel Pencil Eyeliner* in brown and I'm good to go. I actually had this eyeliner in situ to photograph when I was getting ready to head out the other evening and so returned to an old favourite, the Chanel Kohl Eyeliner in Brown and was disappointed with the effects. The DHC eyeliner will be a staple going forward.

I am surrounded at home by lip balms, forever reaching for one out of my bedside draw or the box I keep next to my sofa filled with my beauty treats. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Creamy Coconut Flipbalm* is the one by my bedside and the one that always makes me smile since I heard someone refer to it as looking like a brussel sprout. Of course similarities will be drawn to EOS Lip Balms understandably so but for me, aesthetics aside that is where the similarity ends as I'm not a fan of EOS balms, actually casting one aside as I wasn't finding it worked for me. My bedroom is very cold so I find the balm stays solid but still warms onto the lip and glides on easily keeping my lips hydrated and of course there is the scent and faint taste of coconut that we know and love Palmer's for. Interestingly whilst it's sat in my warmer lounge during photography and drafting this post it has become softer and has more slip so I guess depend on your surroundings will depend on how it works for you. Either way it's a product I love to reach for.

Now my lips are hydrated I able to add some colour and that is from the new Benefit lip releases. It's no surprise that Revved Up Red* appears here but I've had equal love for Nude Scandal*.  If you read my initial review the concept is a liner and lipstick in one. You tilt the bullet and apply the liner and then fill in with the wider end, flipping to do the bottom lip. I do find this is a little bit of a gimmick and whilst it works I'm not diligent enough to make sure I  follow 'correct practice' every application and you will find the liner end wears down quicker thus becoming harder to make a definitive line for me I'm happy enough applying as a regular lipstick. I'm currently in the midst of interviewing and am not prepared to abandon my signature red lip but do acknowledge perhaps toning down and this is the perfect shade to feel like myself without being too OTT. And the nude, well as I said I'm not one for being completely happy with a nude lip but Nude Scandal looks fabulous and works great when I'm wearing my L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows and need to pair down the lip colour or if I'm going out for a meal and don't want the hassle of reapplying a red lip.

I'm still yet to hit the nail salon and as such am enjoying relying on my false nails from Rosie Bea and Primark when I want to hide my stubby broken nails. Yes most of these nail kits come with glue and whilst I can work with them I've been using Elegant Touch Brush on Nail Glue for ease - especially as I'm often applying whilst I wait for my taxi to arrive.

First use of a regular nail glue bottle is no problem, second use chances are you're hunting for a pin or similar to clear the blockages and allow the glue to flow. No such problem with the brush on glue which you literally paint on like nail polish. This is genius and is a favourite of both mine and my mums who has just picked up her on bottle.

And finally we are ending with a product which I'm sure will amuse, Bush Oil* which yes is as it sounds, an oil designed to groom your intimate hair area. You simply warm of a few drops of this 100% natural Bush Oil into your hands and then massage through 'your bush' providing an instant sheen.

Now I don't think it's necessary for us to discuss the look we're going for down there but just let it be known that thanks to the likes of Vitamin E, making it a great moisturiser for hair and skin and it's lack of colourants, soap or parabens you can use Bush Oil for a closer shave and it will soften hair follicles for a less painful wax - not that I can vouch for that as I'm too scared to let a waxer go down there (or allow the lengthy growth period!). I can vouch that as a moisturiser of sorts for this area when shaving or using hair removal creams and the likes this is a fabulous product.

If you're into multi use products you can of course use this on cuticles or dry skin and it really does smell lovely, but Bush Oil are clear to let you know that this is a beauty product and not a sex aid and should be fitted into your routine like body lotion. And fear not men, there is a Bush Oil for you too.

What has been on your favourites list this month? Would you be tempted with Bush Oil?

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

Top Four Winter Body Lotions

Applying body lotions seems for many a beauty lover the most unloved task, myself included. I go through phases sometimes enjoying the ritual and others finding it a complete bind but it's something I want to change for many reasons. Today I have four different types of body lotion all which serve different purposes and as such have seen an increase in their usage.

Ameliorate Skin Smoothing Body Lotion link
I first heard about Ameliorate from the British Beauty Blogger and so intrigued was I that I ordered immediately. Ameliorate is your, shall we say treatment body lotion, it's main draw being that it helps improve Keratosis Pilaris what's more commonly known as 'chicken skin'.

I am lucky in that I don't suffer from this in great amounts but do have a patch on one of my legs from crossing them that over the years no exfoliating or body lotion applying has helped and I thought that maybe Ameliorate would do the job, so much so that I paid £27.50 for a tube of body lotion which wasn't sitting in the luxury bracket.

There were some high expectations from me on this product and I'm pleased to say that it met them. Due to it's cost and the realisation that it would have to be applied with frequency to do it's job meant that I have been rather diligent in application and as such have certainly seen a change in the skin's appearance in the area. Obviously I'm not perfect so I have had moments of not using this product and/or using the others that I'll mention so I'm happy that miracles haven't occurred especially as when I'm still crossing me legs and thus causing the main reason for the problem only so much can be done.

It was actually quite rewarding seeing the tube start to empty even if I am mindful of it's cost to replace which I will happily do so. If you suffer from exceptionally dry skin and or chicken skin this is definitely worth looking into.

Roger & Gallet Lait Sorbet Body Lotion* link
When I was asked if I'd like to try the Sorbet range from Roger & Gallet I was keen, especially as I'd always only associated them with soaps for some reason. It's one of those brands that seems to pop up at Christmas or in independent pharmacies that I'd never paid much attention to which will certainly change now.

There are four scents of which I have two, Bots D'Orange and Gingembre. As you can imagine due to my love of Citrus scents Bois D'Orange is my favourite and suited perfectly to this time of year as we move into Clementine and Satsuma season. Each Sorbet body lotion is enriched with botanical oils which help to keep skin hydrated as well as others to leave a luminous finish on the skin. These are my pamper time favourites and the pump bottle is perfect for ensuring tubes aren't slipping out of your hands. The texture is almost gel like yet thinner in that it glides over the skin and sinks in without having to stand around before you can pop clothes on - which is of particularly interest due to the colder evenings. All components of these body lotions makes using them a pleasure rather than a chore.

Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Lotion* link
The Vaseline Intensive Care range of body lotions sits nicely in your no nonsense budget category. A particular favourite of mine is the Cocoa scent although lately it's been the fresh cucumber scent from Aloe Soothe Lotion that has been reached for on days when skin feels a little drier than I would like or I've been a bit overzealous with a razor. I like to use this on my knees and elbows which have slight psoriasis and find this does just the trick to cool the area. This would be amazing in the summer if you were to find yourself with a little sunburn and proved just as useful when I've burnt my fingers on the oven. You might expect a body lotion from the high street for only a few pounds would be watery or sticky but this range sinks into skin nicely and leaves skin moisturised.

How Now Brown Cow Gradual Tanning Cream* link
MooGoo Skincare is a brand I was not familiar with that hails from Australia and specialises in products for psoriasis and eczema suffers. Apparently Gwyneth Paltrow recommended How Now Brown Cow Gradual Tanning Cream in GOOP so I certainly thought it was worth trying. I always find it funny that we faux tan in Summer when the sun is out doing it's thing but come Winter and the festive season when there's more change of us being dressed in our finest and photographed to the max we look like Caspar the ghost. A gradual tanner was just the thing to see me through the next few months with a formula that still acts as a moisturiser for the skin. This is definitely a product for those wanting the subtle effects. Again like Ameliorate I probably do not use diligently enough to see myself go from Caspar to Gisele but it certainly takes of the edge of Winter skin and gives me a warmer colour in between faux tans. This is a very thick cream which does take some working into the skin so you would need to leave some time before popping your pi's on but the yellow tinge of the cream means you are able to see where you have applied. Don't be fooled into thinking my subtle talk means you don't need to wash your hands after this because I made that foolish mistake and was demonstrating some lovely brown patches between my fingers for some time! If you love natural products and a bit of colour to your skin this could be just the product for you.

So there you have some current favourites I'm using at the moment. Let me know in the comments if you're a diligent body lotion user or like me need some encouragement.

*PR Sample