I’ve been a bit lax on posting about my favourite products lately and sometimes catch myself raving about the latest thing and realise I’m not sharing enough about the ones that make it into my everyday stash. If I was to share all of those bits, we’d be here for days, so believe it or not this is a heavily edited selection of the beauty products I’ve been loving this month. Maybe it would be easier if I made this a weekly thing…
I’ve divided everything into makeup, hair and skincare - these are the products that have made my heart beat a little faster this month…
MAKEUP
A mix of old favourites and new releases that moved straight to favourite status and ended up being used every day. As you can see. You don’t mind if my makeup looks a little loved do you? I think it’s kind of endearing, like an old teddy. Kinda.
Ok, starting bottom right and going clockwise, we have:
Bobbi Brown Calpyso Cheek Palette: 2 matte and 1 shimmer blush in pinky coral tones that work beautifully both separately or swirled together; lightly (with a duo fibre brush) or as a bright pop of Spring colour.
Soap & Glory Solar Powder (on 3 for 2) had to be mine after I heard multiple bloggers rave about it. I now know why - its cool tones are very flattering on pale skin and give such a natural finish. The darker shade works as contour; the light adds subtle warmth and mixed together they add a lovely bronze that doesn’t look ridiculous on my Winter pallor.
Smashbox Double Exposure palette was my first foray into the brand’s eye shadow and boy am I impressed. Velvety, buttery soft and beautifully blendable in a mix of matte and shimmer day to evening shades. This isn’t the last you’ll be seeing of this. Out of all this month’s favourites, this is hands down my Number One recommendation.
BD Secrets Dream Shine Highlighter is part of Barbara Daly’s repackaged collection for Tesco - and gives a subtle, glowy highlight rather than in your face glitter. It’s a liquid cream with a pump mechanism and looks lovely alone on cheek and brow bones, or mixed with foundation for a radiant look.
KIKO Crystal Eyeliner in 02 Technological Brown is a metallic taupe with fine shimmer, which adds definition and a pretty sheen while looking soft and natural. It comes in a twist up pencil with built in sharpener, sets quickly and has brilliant lasting power, akin to others at 2-3 times the price. I also have the Reflect Burgundy shade (dark copper-plum) and will definitely buy more of these.
Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Styler in Universal Light is a repurchase of an old favourite. Brilliant for blondes (similar to the lightest Anastasia Brow Wiz), this twist up pencil has a spoolie at one end, is quick and easy to use and lasts all day on my brows.
Real Techniques Bold Metals Pointed Crease brush gets better the more I use it - or the more I get used to using it! I use this a lot for applying precise colour in the crease as well as blending out liner. The point applies the colour while the sides blend it softly and it works well on a half open eye. Oh and it’s super soft.
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in So Hap’pink is my favourite of 3 new colours in this line. It’s a lovely everyday bright that adds a pop of really wearable colour that isn’t too in your face - stronger than a nude, softer than red or fuchsia. I’ll swatch all three for a separate post this week.
Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer in Light Beige has floated in and out of my stash for months and become a daily staple as it’s really the most versatile concealer I’ve tried. It’s the only one I have that works equally well on under eye shadows, redness and blemishes, can be sheered out or built up, has good lasting power, doesn’t sit in creases or accentuate dryness. Pretty amazing right? PS Think I’ll try Light Golden next time - this comes in so many shades, another big plus!
HAIR
I’ve made quite a few new hair discoveries lately, which I’ll feature soon, but these two are my new must haves.
Bumble & Bumble BB Straight Blow Dry is a styling cream for curly, frizzy hair which tames, heat protects and adds a little natural hold. I only need a small amount of this and it really does make a difference, even on my very unruly fringe! NB I rarely use this for straightening, more to smooth waves and add shine!
Ojon Rare Blend Tamer is a finishing/ touch-up treatment for flyaways and frizzies, which works really well on baby hairs and tames that annoying layer of surface fuzz on my crown. It has a serum texture and is really easy to apply with the mascara-style wand. I mainly use this most for touch ups throughout the day (handbag size helps) and to give up-dos a more polished, sleek finish. PS it doesn’t leave my hair oily or crispy.
SKINCARE
Burt Bees Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint has taken up residence on my bedside table - it’s really softening, 100% natural, keeps my lips hydrated all night and I love the fresh scent.
Clarins Camomile Toning Lotion is great for dry skin, with Alpine Herbs, Linden and Camomile to soften and rebalance. Even the scent of this is soothing and I love to use it after cleansing, pre-serum.
S5 Calm Serum has a lovely milky texture that feels instantly soothing on my sensitive-prone skin. It contains marine bioactives and peptides to reduce redness, sensitivity and skin stress, while hyaluronic acid plumps skin and locks in moisture. My skin often feels in need of calming and I think this has really helped.
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme is one of those moisturisers that’s an absolute joy to use. I love the texture; it’s super hydrating and feels delicious on my skin, every time. Not a dry patch in sight since using this.
Have you tried any of these products - or would you like to? If you only treat yourself to one, I can’t recommend the Smashbox Double Exposure palette enough!
