July BEAUTY favourites

  

It’s been a while since I’ve done a monthly favourites post… I always intend to and then get distracted - must be more disciplined! I gathered these July favourites by zooming in on the hotspots where my most used products gather - from the windowsill where I do my makeup to handbags where I stash essentials when going out for the day. If I can’t find something, the bottom of my handbag is usually where it will be, especially lip products and concealers, my two main topper-uppers.

This month’s favourites are mostly makeup based, but I do have some separate skincare posts coming up.

THE BASE |  Things always get more dewy for me in Summer, with a lighter base, coral lips & cheeks and a smoosh of bronze on the lids. So predictable, but it works!

Oskia Get Up & Glow has been helping me do just that. When I first saw this product I assumed that it was a skincare/makeup hybrid due to its pinky opalescence, but it’s not. This is an energising serum that does add a degree of instant glow, but is much more about what lies beneath, with a cocktail of radiance boosters that don’t disappoint. It hasn’t stolen Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel’s No1 spot (be still my beating heart) but is a lovely addition on days when my skin needs perking up (that’ll be most days then). I also like to press it over makeup with a Barely Cosmetics sponge for an afternoon pep up, a tip from the lovely Kenneth Soh MUA (the process, not these specific products, though he may well be a fan!).

The first time I tried Pixi Illuminating Tint & Conceal resulted in much swooning, ohh-ing and ahh-ing. This is a flipping genius product and I love it lots. Think mega glowy tinted moisturiser with SPF20 and a built in concealer on the end. Genius. Mine is No1 Light Glow. Coverage is minimal, but can easily be topped up with the concealer and it also works beautifully mixed with a little foundation. Probably my favourite Pixi Beauty product to date.

I didn’t come cheek to cheek with a Tom Ford blusher until early Summer - and now I get the hype. Tom Ford Frantic Pink is the precise colour I’d create if I was making my own blush - the perfect coral pink with a glowy finish, wrapped in satisfyingly clunky packaging with a built-in mirror. An instant face pepper-upper that looks beautiful paired with bronzer. (NB For those who missed out on Bobbi Brown’s sell out Calypso Cheek Palette (my review here), this creates a similar effect to all three shades blended.)

As much as I love luxury beauty products, it pains me to pay £29 for a single eye shadow crayon, but I did. Twice. And I can’t deny that By Terry Ombre Blackstar is a total beaut. Bronze Moon is a one sweep wonder… I’ve mainly been wearing it all over the lid, blended up into my  crease and smudged along my lower lash line. It’s daytime friendly and can be smoked out for night, which I usually do with its older sister, Brown Perfection. I find Bronze Moon easier to work with and really do think it’s a suit-all shade that most people will fall for as hard as I did.

I love a lightweight shiny lipstick in Summer and Mii Silkcrème Lip Lover in Crush adds the perfect pop of bright coral. Nourishing lychee and antioxidants make these lipsticks feel really balmy and weightless, with a flattering shiny finish that makes them very wearable for daytime. I never get mega lasting power from this kind of dewy formula, but it’s a compromise I’m happy to make as I love how it looks and feels - layering over the matching lip liner helps add longevity.

FRAGRANCE & HAIR  |  I get asked what perfume I’m wearing every single time I go out in Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino, one of my most complimented fragrances ever. (Laura Mercier Fresh Fig is its closest contender in the compliment stakes). I love that, because who wants a perfume that no-one can smell?! Having said that, this is not an overpowering scent, but a fresh yet  sweet, feel-good one that whisks me away to a tropical island every time I spritz. Kinda convenient since I happen to live on one of the coldest islands on the planet *sniffs wrist again and feels thankful for good imagination*. See my full review here.

I’m a sucker for a mist-on hair oil as I find them so much easier to use than the kind I have to carefully massage in while taking care not to apply an entire dollop on one strand. Label M Therapy Rejuvenating Oil Mist has been my go-to for days when my hair needs extra moisture, added definition, de-fuzzing or just some faux gloss. ie unless it needs washed, I use this. It also smells gorgeous (maybe I should use it when my hair needs washed) and doesn’t weigh my hair down or make it lank, at all. Top tips: use on ends/mid lengths only and don’t spray near a tiled or wooden floor unless you want your nearest and dearest to go on their ear. Guilty, whoops.

So there we go. I started this at tea time and it’s now bed time… which may be why my monthly favourites are more quarterly than monthly! I know, I know I could just say less about each product, but it’s hard when you’re on a roll and really excited about that lipstick…

What’s your current favourite - if you had to pick just one? Oh the pressure!

Best of Beauty 2015

Better late than never, eh? I'd been thinking a lot about whether to blog about my 2015 favourites until a few of you requested it, so here we are. What to include was a bigger decision - oh the pressure! These are my from the heart, most adored and used products of the past year. The ones I'd recommend in a heartbeat (and regularly do), that make my heart flutter a little, every single time - they're just SO good. 

I've a lot to get through as you can see, so will try to restrict this to a product link, brief explanation of my appreciation and a link to any previous reviews. The numbers are just for reference; these aren't listed in any particular order.

SKINCARE & HAIR

1. OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel - gentle rose scented gel that melts into an oily balm on contact, rinses off easily and leaves my skin feeling soft and cherished. The most exquisite cleanser I've ever tried in terms of use. Thankfully my skin likes it too. 

2. Yonka Vital Defense - I really haven't shouted about this enough and it's GORGEOUS. I've saved about a teaspoonful in the tube until I get around to repurchasing. Intensely hydrating and radiance-giving, this feels incredible on my skin. Looks like the packaging has had a pretty update too. 

3. Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum - applied under moisturiser this gives instant, deep hydration - pumped full of hyaluronic acid, it's my skin's favourite drink. This is the best serum I've tried for dehydrated skin, leaving it plump and glowy. It's regularly out of stock, but you can pre-order on the above link. Currently enjoying the new Hydrate moisturiser which I'll review soon.

4. Bumble & Bumble Surf Infusion - not to be confused with the original Surf Spray, this one is designed for dry, coarse hair and leaves me with super soft waves that aren't crunchy or weighed down. Best for longer, thicker hair types and smells like Summer! Full review 

17. Alpha-H Liquid Laser Super Anti-Aging Balm - The one that almost got away, this rascal rolled off when I was photographing the rest but was too good to exclude. If your skin is getting on a bit, feeling parched and looking dull, you need this. A solid balm that melts into the skin and produces instant bliss, not even exaggerating. One of those never want to be without products that I use most nights. Full review

MAKEUP & PERFUME

5. Pixi Illuminating Tint & Conceal (in Light Glow) - This little beauty gives my skin life. Think a glowy primer and tinted moisturiser hybrid, with a built in concealer in the lid for extra coverage. Great worn alone in Summer, I often wear this under foundation when my face needs an extra leg up. It's swoony. Previous review

6. Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Corrector and Concealer - this duo cancels out darkness and adds light under the eyes. No drying, caking or creasing into lines, this is like switching on a light bulb in my eye sockets, with less effort. While I like both a lot, the Corrector is the one with the most magic powers; I imagine you could create a similar effect by using it under your existing concealer. I know a few of you have been using both and appreciating the results as much as I have. A game changer for dark shadows, especially if you're prone to dryness. Full review

I have a serious soft spot for lipsticks - and out of everything - selecting these was the trickiest. I'm never without at least one of these within reach and have used all three at least once a week (if not daily) for months on end. 

7. Clinique Pop Lip in Plum Pop - a soft, creamy, wearable dark mauve/ soft plum that's perfect for every day. I'm a fan of many shades in this line (eg Poppy Pop and Bare Pop) as the formula is superb, but Plum Pop has been my most used. 

8. KIKO Intensely Lavish Lipstick in Mild Sangria - a gorgeous berry red that works really well on my pale skin. I've worn both this and Lusty Peony 01 from KIKO's Rebel Romantic Collection a lot in recent months. See swatches and pics of me wearing both here. 

9. Tarte Coconut Oil Lipstick in Primrose - this deep berry wine lipstick is infused with coconut oil for the most delicious creamy texture with full-on pigment. Great for both day and evening, this is my go-to when I need to bring my face to life. Stunning shade and formula - please bring more of these to the UK please QVC! 

10. Smashbox Double Exposure Palette - the colours and textures in this palette continually pull me away from more neutral options. Well pigmented and buttery soft, they're some of the best formulas I've tried. As you can see, I lean towards the right hand side of this palette, though do dip into the beautiful metallic navy (bottom left) for nights out. Intensified with a spriz of water, the deeper shades make great liner colours too and are so pigmented I only need a little, as you can see, despite regular use. 

11. Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face and Touch Up Brush - dreamily soft, this is the perfect shape and density for seamless application of liquid foundation, while the smaller end pats and blends in concealer as gently as a little finger. 

12. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara - worth the hype, this delivers big lashes with very little effort. Not one to choose if you prefer the natural look, but if like me you can't be bothered faffing with a million layers and want instant drama now, this is awesome. 

13. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon - I reach for this regularly as it's the perfect sweep of metallic bronze eyeshadow in crayon formula. Great with a smudge of Brown Perfection along the lash line. There are cheaper dupes out there, such as KIKO Long lasting Stick Eyeshadow (just ordered a few at half price!), or Topshop Smoke Stick in Fools Gold. Original review. 

14. Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Styler - If the only thing that bugged you about Anastasia Brow Wiz was continually breaking the nib when you put the lid on, then try this. The formula is very similar except this one has no lid on the end with a twist-up nib. Kudos Bare Minerals - it really is the little things! The super skinny nib creates natural looking hair-like strokes and Universal Light is the perfect ashy shade for me. 

15. Tom Ford Frantic Pink blusher - the ultimate coral pink blush with a radiant finish, I appreciate this most on days when no amount of makeup seems to make me look better. This gives my cheeks (and whole face) instant life, for which I'm eternally grateful. A little goes a long way, blends beautifully and it lasts all day. 

16. Viktor & Rolf Flower Bomb - I have a serious weakness for perfume and switch them up regularly, but this velvety, musky floral has hit me the hardest this year. If, like me, you assumed this would be overpowering, try a spritz on your wrist and see how it softens... I can't get enough of it. 

That's all folks! Spot any of your favourites here - or have any recs of your own for me to try?