I wasn’t planning to blog today, but took a notion to gather up the beauty bits I’d really enjoyed using this week and tell you about them. I did a sweep of the windowsill at the top of the stairs where I do my makeup each morning (usually with family squeezing past mid mascara)… it has the best light and I can use the stairs as shelves. Ahem.
Burt’s Bees Lip Crayon in Hawaiian Smoulder is a really pretty deep raspberry pink. I expected these to be akin to Clinique Chubby Sticks, but they are strongly pigmented, with opaque colour paired with a balmy finish, not surprising from the creator of one of my favourite lip balms. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Smokey Topaz is my latest go-to for a sweep of instant colour that lasts all day. This is a true taupe with a metallic finish that can be sheered out with a finger or left quite dense and blended into the crease, my personal favourite. It takes seconds to apply. I’ve just realised that this mini was limited edition, but it’s the same shade as Long-wear Gel Sparkle, which I swatched here. If you prefer a crayon, I’d go for Gold Stone or Golden Bronze Shadow Stick, which I’ve been meaning to pick up for ages!
Roger & Gallet recently released its first eau de parfum in the Fleur de Figieur scent. If you’re not familiar with this brand, it’s best known for Fragrant Water Sprays that you spritz on generously (such as the Bois d’Orange I reviewed here), so I was knocked for six by this heady EDP. It’s still a fruity fig scent, but a much more intense, complex version of the original. The initial spritz is almost too much for me (I find one spray is enough), but it settles on the skin to a soft, sensual scent that will work well in any season. Currently on offer with 1/3 off at escentual.com
Body powder - you what?! I have so many memories of my mum and her talc, which she dispensed into a long handled fluffy pink puff and applied religiously on a daily basis. She still panics if she’s running out, but I hadn’t used it myself for years until recently. SenSpa Talc Free Natural Body Powder is part of a range from an actual spa - and maybe I’m showing my age here, but I’m really enjoying this. The talc-free, skin-kind element of this powder is a big bonus, it smells lovely and is a great natural alternative to deodorant, that is somehow comforting to use.
Amazing Cosmetics make one of my top concealers of all time and their latest release - Line Smoother + Primer - preps the eyes for a smoother, longer lasting application while firming and moisturising the eye area. This is one of those products that instantly plumps up fine lines for a smoother effect, while also treating them long-term. It definitely works on the first count; here’s hoping on the second. The slanted metal tip and mini rollerballs can be used to massage it in, though I still go in with a fingertip to smooth it out.
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer was a Caroline Hirons recommendation and doesn’t disappoint. Applied under makeup it adds instant radiance to the skin and makeup applies smoothly on top. I’m not sure that it adds lasting power, but am hooked on the radiance and find it even makes overly matte bases look better.
Make me golden while I sleep and treat my skin at the same time? Yes please… Vita Liberata Self Tanning Night Moisture Mask is so hydrating that I don’t feel the need for additional moisturiser (very unusual for me) and I wake up looking more human than usual. This leaves my face with a gentle golden glow that’s incredibly natural, camouflages flaws and gives the impression that I had an extra two hours’ sleep!
Which products are you enjoying right now?
