5 Favourites

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I did my October favourites post, however, there are some other products I have also been loving that previously didn't quite get the mention they deserve. First is one of the most amazing books I honestly think I have ever read. Think of it as a beauty bible/beauty manual that all girls need. It is Sali Hughes Pretty Honest. I can't believe just how much Sali has managed to fit into this book, and without spoiling anything all I can say is that everyone should have a copy of this. 

Next is the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. I don't use this everyday, but tend to save it for special occasions but it just glides over your skin and helps your make up go on so much more smoothly. The lady on the Clarins counter compared it to poly-filler, which doesn't sound so appealing at first but after using it I now see what she means, and it is definitely a good thing (trust me). 

The next product is the Clinique High Impact Mascara. I have been a Loreal only Mascara girl for about seven years, but after using a sample I had of this, my head has been turned. I still love my Loreal Telescopic, but this mascara from Clinique is perfect for length in a more natural way. 

Another new product for me is The Body Shop Honey Bronzer. I have seen other bloggers talk about this, and I fancied trying something new. This is a great bronzer, because it is so natural and easy to wear. It doesn't look too dark or create any harsh lines even on my fair skin. 

Finally, the last product I have been loving is the Colab Dry Shampoo in the New York scent. As someone who is incredibly reliant on dry shampoo, and also someone who has tried almost every other brand of dry shampoo, I needed to give this a go. I really like this dry shampoo, it is not white or chalky in the hair, and does not feel sticky or greasy like some other brands do (i'm looking at you Herbal Essences and Aussie). It's not the best for creating volume, but the main thing I look for in a dry shampoo is not the volume it gives, but how much oil it absorbs from my hair. I have also tried the London scent but my fave so far is this New York one. This is a great product with a great price tag - kudos Ruth Crilly. 

Sunday Night Pamper Routine

Sunday is a day of rest, relaxation and bubble baths! I love having a little pamper time on a Sunday evening, and I thought I would share a few of my favourite steps from my pamper routine.

The first I do is run a warm bubble bath and really unwind. When I have my bath, I like to sit my I-pad up at the end and watch youtube videos, while also reading through a few blog posts on my phone. I'm not the kind of person who can just lay and soak, I need to be reading or watching something. I love to use a Lush Bath Bomb, particularly Butterball, but this weekend I had none available so used some Marks and Spencers bath crystals. While I am in the bath I also like to use a face mask. Recently I have been using an old favourite, Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask. 

When out of the bath I like to paint my nails ready for the week. Tonight I used Topshop's Lacquered. Another thing I love to do for the week is tan. An overnight tan is so quick and easy to do on a Sunday evening, and my tan of choice is Xen Tan Deep Bronze Luxe in the shade Dark. 

Finally, I like to unwind before bed with a bit of reading. I have been loving and re-reading Lauren Conrad's Beauty. I love to use books like this for a bit of blogging inspiration and this is one of my personal faves. It is also great at helping you understand different reasons as to why your skin may be acting a certain way, and as mine has been playing up a bit lately I love referring back to this for help. 

October Favourites

So another month has flown by, and it is once again time for a monthly favourites. I have been venturing outside of my normal routine in recent months, and experimenting with different eye and lip products as you will soon see.

My first favourite is skincare product from one of my favourite brands Estee Lauder. It is their Idealist Pore Minimising Serum. I think that serum is a really important part of any skincare routine, and it is always the product I see noticeable results with. This serum is quite thick, but glides onto skin really smoothly when used underneath your normal moisturiser. I find that it reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores and helps my make up go on more smoothly. I see it almost as more of a treatment version of my beloved Kiehls Microskin Blur. 

Onto make up, first up are two eye products. I have been loving Make up Revolution Redemption Palette Iconic 2. This is a pretty infamous product in the beauty blogging world due to its uncanny resemblance to the much loved Naked 2 Palette but for a fraction of the price. I love the quality of the shadows and the warm golden neutral tones which are right up my street. All of the shades are so wearble and can all be easily taken from day to night. This has no fall down below the eye and is just a great affordable palette. Need I say more? The other product is more high end and is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in the shade Champagne Diamonds. I remember my mum telling me at a young age that gold shadows suit blue eyes and help make them really pop and clearly my mum was right. This shimmery gold pencil is the one suggested for blue eyes and I have received so many compliments every time I have worn it. It is great on its own especially due to its speed and ease of application, but it is also great worn with the Make up Revolution Palette (this is how I have been using it mostly!). It is also perfect to use below your bottom lash line as it is not too harsh but much more subtle which is how I prefer my waterline shadow to be. 

Finally are two new lip products. I have mentioned before that I am not a massive lover of any lip products but lately I have really been experimenting and am surprised at how much I am enjoying the new looks. Okay, so I may not be fronting a bold red lip just yet, but I am definitely preferring something on my lips, whether it just be a sheer pink gloss or a sleek nude lippy to really complete my make up look. The two products I have been reaching for are the MAC Lip Lustre in Patisserie and the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk. Patisserie is a perfect 'my lips but better' pinky nude shade, but when used with Pillow Talk it really comes alive. This lip liner makes your lips appear more plump but in such a natural way. I have been using it either all over my lips, or as a liner along with Patisserie and I am really loving the results. Perhaps now I have conquered my fear of lip colours I will become slightly more adventurous so watch this space.