February 2018 Beauty Favourites

February Beauty Favourites

February Beauty Favourites

INGLOT 10 Pan Freedom System Palette

I have spoken about my love of INGLOT quite a few times and featured this palette a lot on my blog over the past couple of years, I really do use it all the time so it is only right that I keep putting it in my favourites. The shadows are fantastic quality and the range of colours and finishes is almost overwhelming, it took me ages to finally decide on the 10 shadows to put into my palette but the process was a lot of fun.

I love the palette itself, the magnetic lid which does not budge or come off in your makeup bag, and it is also actually quite slim. The pans are a very decent size and I pretty much have all of my favourite shadows with me in one cute palette. Let me know if you have tried INGLOT eyeshadows & if you have built your own palette too.

Essence Fresh & Fit Foundation

I can’t believe I haven’t spoken about this foundation sooner, I bought it whilst in Amsterdam last September (you can get it in the UK) and it has become one of my most used foundations. It’s a nice creamy consistency, it’s easy to blend and buff into your skin. I’d say it gives a nice even medium coverage, it covers imperfections and blemishes but still feels lightweight on my skin. Which is everything I look for in a base – decent coverage but that feeling that my skin can still breath!

This foundation is enriched with a complex of vitamin b3, e, pro-vitamin b5 and cranberry water, it is fantastic to see a budget-friendly foundation with such fantastic skincare benefits added to their formula. These ingredients are going to help your skin glow, look refreshed and awake.

The staying power of this foundation was for sure better when I used a primer but that is true for most foundations on my skin as I tend to get an oily t-zone. I would say this gave my skin a natural radiance and didn’t settle into my pores. It looks fresh, as the name would suggest and it’s just am easy to wear medium coverage base! I love it.

It comes packaged in a lovely glass bottle with a handy pump, the only drawback is the shade range, although I managed to find a good match for my skin tone this foundation only comes in 4 shades which isn’t so great. I hope they add more options in the future. Overall if you’re looking for a new cruelty-free, vegan foundation then I highly recommend checking out this Essence offering and it is only £5!

Essence Cosmetics Fresh and Fit Foundation

NIOD Photography Fluid Opacity 12%*

This is nothing short of liquid magic! It has been dubbed airbrush in a bottle – so what is it I hear you cry? It is a skin perfecting serum which uses refracting prism technology to even out all skin tone and gives you the most amazing natural healthy glow. It is flipping amazing.

This is a highlighter, primer and serum in one, it instantly blurs imperfections and gives a healthy dewy, even-toned radiance. Designed to create a photo-ready finish on all skin types, this complexion perfector creates a lit-from-within glow in seconds with a wide variety of light-refracting prisms, tone and hue correctors, and photo-finishing technologies.

Apply to your skin alone or under foundation to add sheer radiance and correct discolouration. It can also be mixed with other products for subtle radiance. Used under, over, or mixed with liquid foundation if you prefer more coverage.  It’s such an easy product to incorporate into your makeup routine. I haven’t ever used a product quite like this & I just can’t get across to you just how incredible it is, although I am trying.  I should do a whole post on this one product!

It is also vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free.

INGLOT Eyeshadow Palette Makeup

Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Liquid Highlight

If you’re looking for a subtle more natural highlight then this is the one. It is a nude, pink semi-matte liquid highlight that gives your skin a refreshed, healthy radiance. It is easy to apply, I just use the brush to place the product on the tops of my cheeks and down the centre of my nose – it also looks pretty on your brow bones and I blend it is either with my beauty blender or just my finger. It looks pretty when the light hits it and what I really like is the fact there is no glitter or shimmer. It is a great everyday radiance booster and also looks pretty mixed with your foundation. These little Benefit liquid products last forever and are so easy to throw in your handbag, I often like to reapply throughout the day to refresh my makeup.

MUA LUXE Glow Beam Cushion Highlighter

Not quite as subtle as the Benefit highlighter, this MUA Cushion highlight offers more of a peachy – golden, warm-toned glow. The packaging is pretty although a little bulky and the puff is handy, but I just don’t reach for it. I prefer to use my beauty blender to ensure I apply it evenly. It is a liquid cushion product and I am waiting to see just how long it stays moist as I have a feeling it will dry out pretty quickly, that being said I do love using this as an evening highlight and it can look quite subtle or if you want more on an intense look you can build up the colour & effect to be more intense.

It is always nice to see affordable brands releasing on-trend products so we can all try them and Cushion makeup was certainly popular last year. Have you tried any cushion products, if so are you sold on them or think they’re too much faff.

MUA LUXE Glow Beam Liquid Highlighter

Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Liquid Highlighter

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner

When it comes to drugstore liquid liner Soap & Glory take the top prize, their Supercat liner ticks all of the boxes. It’s pigmented, sets down the perfect amount of product, doesn’t drag and the fine nib allows you to apply either a neat line or build it up to be more bold and thick.

This is a liner that would allow even the most self-confessed eyeliner novice to create the perfect winged liner. The nib gives you full control and isn’t too firm so you can create smooth lines without having to keep going over the same spot which often leads to the product bleeding into fine lines and getting very messy. This is one product everyone needs in their makeup bag (although I am sure most of you already own it). It’s pigmented, easy to use and long wearing.

Soap & Glory Gloss Stick in Nudist

Lip crayons are my goto lip product of choice, I find them so easy to use and this Soap and Glory one is a stunning everyday shade. It is in the colour Nudist and it enhances your lip colour giving them a pretty glossy finish. It’s a natural, subtle shade which has been living in my handbag – I apply it even when I’m wearing no other makeup, it makes me feel somewhat put together. Not only do they give your lips a subtle wash of colour but the formula is also very moisturising, oh & they smell so good too – I think it is a vanilla scent.

Current Makeup Favourites

Real Techniques PowderBleu Soft Complexion Brush*

I mostly use this brush for applying powder foundation but it also works well for blush too. This Soft Complexion Brush has a small, dense head which makes buffing in the powder so much more effective. I also love the long slim handle which feels nice in your hand makes applying my makeup really easy. This collection is stunning and incredible quality, it looks and feels luxurious and that deep blue colour is gorgeous and makes me want to use them all the time.

Let me know what you have been loving this past month & if you’ve discovered anything new that I need to try. I am on the hunt for a new mascara, I’d love it if you’d leave me suggestions in the comments.

My Face Powder Collection

My Most Used Face Powders

Favourite Face Powders

OK so these aren’t all of my powder face products but I try & rotate them so they all get used and these are the ones I want to use more during May. I just have them in two cardboard boxes and I keep them on my vanity so they’re easy to reach.

I have a couple of the Benefit Boxed Powers but Dallas is the one I seem to use the least, although I actually like it a lot. I think its because I need to be more tanned to use it as it can show up quite dark on my skin. It gives the skin a pretty radiance and healthy glow. So now is the perfect time of year to use it more.

Urban Decay The After Glow Highlighter in Sin* is a gorgeous long wearing luminous highlighter. You need so little product and it makes you look radiant. I adore it and think it looks especially pretty when you add a little down the bridge of your nose just to catch the light. Very pretty indeed.

Glo & Ray make some of my favourite blushers, this one in Star Dust is a beautiful peachy pink with an iridescent finish. It gives you a peach flush and that iridescent finish adds a little highlight to your cheeks too. These are great quality and I find them long wearing and easy to blend.

L’Oreal True Match Face Powder in Rose Beige – I haven’t used this a whole lot, but I do like the colour match and it looks and feels lightweight on my skin. It gives a little added coverage which is nice and you get a mirror so that’s a bonus. I’m looking forward to using this more and will update you as to how it holds up in the warmer weather.

Rimmel Stay Matte in Transparent – this used to be my go-to powder for years until I discovered the bareMinerals Mineral Veil and it didn’t get as much love. I know I love this powder and it’s an incredible budget-friendly face powder. It never lets me down & I am happy to be reunited with it.

L’Oreal Glam Bronze Duo – This has been another rediscovery from my collection and I have to say I really like it. You get a light cream shade and a matte bronzer shade. I just use them together and swirl my brush around and use it as a bronzer. Its very pigmented but it gives a natural warmth to my skin. This will be getting lots of love as the weather heats up.

Face Powder Collection

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam – One of my favourite products, I love the packaging and this is also massive. You get so much product, it looks like I have hardly used it but over the years its had a lot of use. It’s a golden highlighter, which needs a very light hand. So a little product goes a very very long way. Great for achieving that summer goddess beach look & I have even used it as eyeshadow. Works well for both.

Urban Decay Bronzer in Bronzed* – Another beautiful matte bronzer, this looks great on my skin and blends well too. It never looks muddy or orange and I like that its matte. Also, the palm tree packaging just screams Summer

bareMinerals Perfecting Veil – if you like your face powder to give you that soft focus look then I think this is one of the best products I have found for that. It always makes my skin look flawless and radiant. Its lightweight and never looks powdery. It’s also really good to dust on throughout the day to keep shine at bay.

bareMinerals Bronzer in Skinny Dip – gorgeous mineral bronzer that gives your skin that beachy sun-kissed look. It’s a lovely warm bronzer and its matte so that’s always a plus. I can’t wait to use this more and really put it to the test.

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Swish & Pop in Ecstasy – This has to be one of the most beautiful products I own & that makes it hard to use (it’s just too beautiful). I was sad that it was sat in a drawer never being used so I have looked it out and have vowed to use it. You get two beautiful peachy pink colours that add a healthy flushed look to your cheeks & the packaging is stunning.

Face Powder Makeup Storage

Physicians Formula Happy Booster in Rose – I haven’t used this much at all since I got it & thought if I didn’t reach for it over the next few weeks I am going to pass it on. It is a pretty pink shade but for some reason, I never go out of my way to use it. So its make or break for this. Watch this space.

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle – Always a classic and I do love it but I have been using it more as an eyeshadow and think it looks beautiful all over the lid. Its brightening and gives a beautiful almost metallic finish.

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot – I have hit pan on this face powder which is almost unheard of for me. I used this so much last year and it was a really great powder. It was good at keeping my t zone oil-free and giving my skin a matte finish without being too dramatic or heavy.

My Most Used Face Powders

Soap & Glory Love at First Blush & Wonderbronze – these are two of my favourite products from Soap & Glory. I like that both products are multi-shade, it means that you get a lovely mix of colours and it never looks quite the same.They’re beautiful quality and add a touch of colour & glow to your cheeks.

Soap & Glory Solar Powder – I have also hit pan on this too & can’t wait to repurchase because the packaging has since been updated to a more robust plastic compact, whereas mine is a flimsy cardboard and has fallen apart. I use this so often and love the natural bronze glow it gives. It’s subtle but very pretty.

Soap & Glory Glow All Out – I’m still at a loss as to how to use this, I find its too shimmery as a face powder and not quite the right colour as a highlighter. Let me know if you use it & ow you make it work.

Favourite Face Powders

Mac Select Sheer Pressed Powder – This is a bit meh and I am just trying to use it up. I have since discovered much better powders and this has been relegated to the won’t repurchase list.

Essence Sun Club Bronzing Highlighter – This is beautiful & it smells of coconut. It’s a wonderful affordable highlighting bronzer. I love the mix of shades. This bronzer gives a subtle warmth to your skin and is the perfect way to pretend you have been on a Summer holiday without leaving the country. Wilko in the UK sells a great range of Essence products.

What powder products have you been loving this month or have any been a little on the disappointing side? let me know in the comments.

*PR Sample

Five Favourite Spring Nail Polishes

Five Favourite Spring Nail Polishes

Five Favourite Spring Nail Polishes

 

Essence Play With My Mint

Essence has such a huge selection of nail polishes in so many colours, textures and finishes. They also release so many cute limited edition collections throughout the year. I think their polishes are incredible quality and have a good opaque consistency. This mint green is a classic Spring shade for me and it lasts without chipping for at least 6 days. These shade looks glossy and vibrant and I like the thick brush, it makes applying my polish so quick and easy. Oh & Essence is cruelty free.

Rimmel Mind The Gap, Victoria

I adore this soft blue shade, it always looks so pretty on my nails. The formula of the 60 Seconds polishes from Rimmel is so good, they dry very quickly (maybe not in 60 seconds) but it is quick. 2 coats gives you a perfect opaque finish, it looks glossy and its such a fresh bright shade. The brush is similar to the Essence one, quite thick and easy to use.

Spring Nail Polish Colours

Deborah Lippmann She Bop

This is my only Deborah Lippmann nail polish and I love it, this shade is beautiful. Its a pink with purple undertones. It applies so well and evenly but its not very glossy so I like to use my Essence gel top coat to give it that pretty glossy finish.

Sally Hansen Casting Call

This is a gorgeous coral peach and it makes my hands look a little healthier when I wear it. I think it gives the illusion I have a tan (when I 100% don’t). It has a lovely smooth finish and is a pretty spring shade, looks cute on your toes too. These Sally Hansen Salon Manicure polishes are really long wearing and are one of my favourite formulas.

Topshop Barefoot

I always have to have a nude polish in rotation, its a shade I wear so often & this one from Topshop is the perfect go to nude. It has a pink undertone and looks classic and sophisticated on the nails. I also really like to wear Nails Inc Porchester Square. The Topshop polishes are very good quality and apply smoothly and dry with a lovely glossy finish. I love the packaging too, the polka dot lids look pretty and these are small enough to travel with too.

I have had a massive clear out of my nail polish collection these past few weeks as I had so many similar shades and polishes I just was never going to wear. I have also noticed that I very rarely wear glitter polishes so have only kept 3. I will do an updated nail polish collection in April so keep an eye out for that.

Let me know what nail polishes you will be wearing this Spring?