My Monthly Favourites - September 2015

The month of September has been a bit of a whirlwind for me! I started my new part-time job and I feel like time has just flown by ever since. Although I haven't tried out too many new products this month, I have discovered a couple of new favourites as well as fallen back in love with a few older items in my stash too. So, let's skip the long intro for a change and jump straight into what I have been loving this month!

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturiser - £24.00
Some of you may remember that after winning Katie Snooks' Feel Unique competition a few months ago, one of the products I picked up using my voucher code was this moisturiser from Origins. At the beginning, I used it religiously but then I forgot about it for a little while... until now! I love the gel-like consistency of this product because it is not too rich for my oily/combination skin. It has really improved how radiant and clear my skin looks without make-up on too, which is something that I have struggled with in the past. This is the first thing that I have ever tried from Origins because of the hefty price tag but I am super impressed with them as a brand and I will definitely purchase from them again in the future!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Street Flair - £9.99
You may have seen in my recent Boots haul that I picked up a few new nail varnishes this month and ever since then, this Sally Hansen number has constantly been on my nails! It is a gorgeous dusty lilac colour with a hint of grey within it, which makes it absolutely perfect for this time of year. It is a muted and understated shade but it has such an autumn feel to me! The polish itself is fairly chip-resistant, (especially when it's paired with the matching Miracle Gel top coat too,) and it has a gorgeous glossy, gel-like finish.

Invisibobble Clear Hair Bands (3 Pack) - £3.75
I had seen so many people talking about the Invisibobble hair bands and so I decided to take the plunge last week. Once my hair is tied up up, there is nooo way that I can take down again as my hair would then have a permanent dent and kinks in it. This would always upset me because if I had my hair up at work and then wanted to go out at night time, I would have to completely re-wash it in order to then wear it down! However, now that I have started wearing an Invisibobble, (which looks a bit like a clear telephone cord,) my hair is kink free! The bobble is virtually undetectable and it's so comfortable to wear, it never pulls on my hair or snags it in the slightest. This product is so amazing and I'm annoyed that I didn't pick it up sooner to be honest!

Max Factor Colour Collections Lipstick in Rosewood - £6.99
This Max Factor lipstick has been my biggest re-discovery of the month. I have had 'Rosewood' in my lipstick collection for such a long time now but I have found myself reaching for it a lot lately. It is the most gorgeous warm-toned rose shade that leaves a gorgeous sheen on your lips. Although the longevity of this product is not anything to shout home about, I do love how pigmented and comfortable this shade is to wear. It pairs well with so many different make-up looks too. You should definitely give it a swatch next time you're in Boots and Superdrug!

Lush The Comforter Shower Cream (100g) - £4.75
Last but not least is my favourite Lush shower gel of all time, The Comforter! I had always been a big fan of the bubble bar equivalent of this product, so when they brought out a shower cream I was beyond excited. I cannot even explain how in love I am with this sweet blackcurrant scent - it makes me look forward to shower time, even on cold autumn mornings! I love how soft and moisturised it makes me skin feel, plus it lathers up into a gorgeous pink foam too (which is always a bonus!) Even though it will be quite expensive, once this mini bottle runs out, I would like to buy the enormous 1kg verson which is just shy of £28 but in my opinion, it will be soooo worth it!

So guys, I bet you're glad I skipped the long intro now because that was a very in-depth favourites this month (oops!) I hope you enjoyed reading all about the five products that I have been loving and reaching for the most over the past 4 weeks! What have been your favourites this month? Have you used any of my current favourites before? Please let me know popping a comment down below with all of your thoughts and suggestions!

My All-Time Favourite Drugstore Lip Product

Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks are by far my favourite lip product from the drugstore! I have spoken about them a couple of times now here on my blog and I still cannot get enough of them; especially now I have added a new shade to my collection, as it has made me rekindle my love for them even more! These liquid lipsticks certainly deserve to be raved about as much as possible in my opinion.

First of all, let's just talk about the formulation... it's truly amazing! Velvet is definitely the correct name for this range as these lipsticks glide on so smoothly and feel really buttery on the lips. Of course, liquid lipsticks have a bit of a reputation of drying out your lips but these ones are surprisingly comfortable to wear. They have minimal tackiness to them and are no where as sticky as some other products that I have tried in the past. Plus, at only £8.99, they are much more affordable than say Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick for example.

There are currently 12 shades in the range but I have heard that a few more are being released very shortly in time for autumn. However, below are swatches of the four shades that I own right now from left to right; 01 Personne ne Rouge, 02 Frambourjoise, 10 Don't Pink Of It & 12 Beau Brun.

In the photograph above, the swatches look glossy but after a few minutes they dry down to a lovely mate finish! I have become obsessed with matte formulas over the last year or so because they make bold colours much easier to wear, as they are less likely to transfer or fade throughout the day. I have to say that my favourite shade of the bunch is definitely the newest edition to my collection, Don't Pink Of It, which I featured in my latest Boots haul. I have only had this shade for about a week but I already love it because it is a great everyday shade that does with almost any make-up look or outfit! As for my favourite bold shade, it would have to be Frambourjoise - which is a stunning bright pink shade.

Overall, I think that the Rouge Edition Velvet range is the best lip product in the drugstore for so many reasons. I think they are just incredible! Have you tried out this product before? If so, please let me know in the comment below what is your favourite shade to wear and why?

My Favourite YouTube Channels For Make-Up Tutorials

I am absolutely addicted to watching make-up tutorials on YouTube! In fact, I am subscribed to so many beauty gurus that I've actually lost count. Sometimes, it's pretty hard to keep up with them all! With that being said, however, there a few gorgeous ladies in particular whose content I watch religiously. I love gaining inspiration from other make-up enthusiasts, picking up tips & tricks, as well as seeing which products are really worth the splurge. Therefore, today, I thought that I would tell you all about my top four favourite YouTube channels are right now...

Shaaanxo 
One of the main reasons that I love watching Shannon's make-up tutorials is the fact that she has the same hair colour and skin tone as me, so she often creates looks that would suit me perfectly! I also love how she experiments with such bright colours too - which makes a change from the amount of neutral looks that a lot of other beauty gurus make.

Kathleen Lights
I discovered Kathleen about 6 months ago and I have been hooked on her videos ever since! Her personality really is what draws me in, as she is so likeable and down to earth. I also love how she creates some really stunning drugstore tutorials - which are great for when you don't want to break the bank to achieve a specific look. Plus, she shares my outrageous obsession for liquid lipsticks too!

Jaclyn Hill
Jaclyn definitely creates some of my favourite glamourous make-up looks ever! I love how bold she is both in her artistic abilities and her on-screen presence (her positive energy really is infectious!) She really knows her stuff when it comes to products and I love getting her recommendations for highlighters and false lashes in particular. 

Mirella Belle
Something that really kept me coming back to Mirella's channel week after work was the amount of colourful tutorials she makes! She always comes up with the most amazing and innovative eyeshadow looks. Also, she is never afraid to pair bright eyes with a bright lip too - which is something that would have scared me away in the past! However, she manages to pull it off so beautifully!

So, those are my favourite channels for watching make-up tutorials on YouTube! They provide me with so much inspiration. Who are your favourite beauty gurus to watch online? Also, if you know of any other channels that I should be subscribed too, please let me know by leaving a comment down below. 

Yet Another Mini Boots Haul!

Yet again, I have another mini Boots haul for you all! As per usual, I found myself pacing up and down the aisles putting item upon item in my basket. Of course, this happens on a fairly regular basis for me but I surprisingly haven't bought myself to anything new in a while now (shock horror!) I have only found myself picking up some essentials here and there, rather than discovering new products. However, I decided to treat myself to a few bits and bobs in celebration of starting my new job last week! 

Firstly, I picked up a Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Nail Polish (£6.99) in the shade 'Nude Now.' One of my favourite nudes from China Glaze has sadly dried up and now I have finally found a replacement for it. I have always loved both the formulation and the brush of Sally Hansen products, so I'm sure I'm going to love this one just as much. In the photograph above, the shade seems to look quite peachy and bright but in real life it is waaaay more subtle and nude in colour, I can assure you!

Then, another shade called caught my eye called 'Street Flair,' which is from the new Miracle Gel range (£9.99.) I am really into muted and understated colours right now - especially as we are entering into autumn - so, I just had to have it! I also purchased the matching top coat to go with it, which also cost £9.99. I love the look of glossy gel nails but I hate how hard they are to remove, so this range seems like the perfect fit for me. I cannot wait to apply this shade and see how long it lasts, so I will be sure to report back on my blog soon!

I also decided to pick up another shade of Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick (£8.99) called 'Don't Pink Of It.' I already have three other colours from the range in my collection (Frambourjoise, Beau Brun & Personne ne Rouge,) so you can tell that I am in love with this formula! I wanted to purchase a more wearable shade wasn't too vivid and was appropriate for wearing during the day time and I think this nude-y pink is just perfect for that.

Lastly, as well the products I treated myself to above, I needed to pick up another bottle of my hold grail foundation; Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid Foundation (£7.99.) This foundation is barely spoken about online and it is extremely under-rated but I love it and have done for years now! 'Ivory' is the absolute perfect match for me, as it is the second lightest shade in the range that is yellow-toned rather than pink-toned. It blends seamlessly, is very buildable and gives a gorgeous satin finish to my skin. The only thing that I am slightly concerned about is the 'new formula' sticker on this new bottle, so I hope I still adore it just as much as I did before and fingers crossed that it hasn't changed too much.

So, there you have it guys, those are the five new products that I picked up in Boots! What do you think? Have you tried any of these products before? What have you hauled lately? Let me know, as always, by leaving a comment in the box below!

D&G's Light Blue Sunset In Salina

Ever since I received the original Light Blue as a birthday present back in my teenage years, I have always had a love affair with this infamous Dolce & Gabbana fragrance! So, when I recently smelt the newest scent in the range, I knew I just had to have it. Therefore, my parents ever so kindly picked up a bottle for me whilst on holiday as a gift for looking after everything, (mostly my dog,) whilst they were away! So, today I thought that I would give you a little overview of the newest perfume in my collection and what I think about it so far.

D&G's Light Blue Sunset In Salina Eau de Toilette is a perfect fragrance for every day wear. It is a lovely summer scent, although you can bet that I will be wearing this almost every day as we enter into autumn too! It has strong top notes of vine and violet leaves, as well as base notes of amber, cedarwood and white musk & beautiful heart notes of yellow freesia, orange flower and jasmine. All of these scents combined create the most gorgeous fresh and floral scent, which is right up my alley! Although it isn't the longest lasting scent that I own, I love its subtlety and its warmth. there's something about it that definitely reminds me of a hot summers night abroad!

There are a lot similarities between the original Light Blue and this summer edition, and some of the fragrances notes do cross over, but Sunset In Salina has a much fresher smell. Light Blue is a lot fruitier than this more recent addition as it contains top notes of Sicilian citron. So, in terms of which perfume is better, I'd say it's all down to personal preference!

Sunset In Salina comes in two sizes; 25ml, which will set you back £42.00, and 50ml costing £50.00. However, if you get in quickly, Boots have slashed their prices to £28.00 and £33.33 respectively - which is an amazing saving! 

Overall, even though summer is now over, I would still recommend picking up this perfume as it is absolutely divine! It's a great fragrance that is daytime appropriate and not too overpowering. Have you ever tried D&G's Light Blue before? What is your favourite scent right now? Please let me know by popping a comment down below!

Approaching Autumn

Now that we have entered into September, our summer is well and truly over! Although, autumn time doesn't officially begin here in the UK until the 23rd of September. This makes me extremely sad as I much prefer the hotter months of the year, however, I am really excited about some of the fall fashion trends that are circulating on the high street at the moment! I am obsessed with all things burgundy, khaki green and tan coloured at the moment as you can probably tell by my picks in this post. I am also loving suede and tassels right now, which are obviously one of the two biggest up and coming trends this year!

I am looking to add some of these colours and textures into my wardrobe soon and so today, I thought that I would make a little list of some of the items that I am lusting after. There are some really affordable and timeless pieces out there right now and these are some of my favourites;

Miss Selfridge Star And Moon Ring Set / Miss Selfridge High Neck Grey Tee / Topshop Super Soft Cape / River Island Dark Purple Tassel Front Faux Suede Handbag / Topshop Petite Denim Button Front Skirt / New Look Tan Suede Tassel Side Block Heel Boots

So, those are some of the best pieces that I have seen so far on the high street this autumn! What is your favourite item that I have included in this post? What trends are you going to be rocking as we transition into this new season? As always, let me know by leaving a comment down below!

My Monthly Favourites - August 2015

Hey guys, I'm back with another installment of monthly favourites for you! I have to admit I'm pretty sad that August has come to and end and we have now entered into September. This officially means that our summer is officially over! Soon enough, I'm going to have to start thinking about updating my wardrobe for autumn and donning a coat every time I leave the house - boooo! Moaning aside, however, August enabled me to fall in love with some new products and rediscover an old favourite too. So, let's see what I have been loving throughout the past four weeks!

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - £38.00
It's never been a secret that my favourite UD palette has always been the Naked 2, as cool toned eyeshadows suit me a lot more that warm ones do! However, this month I have been turning to my Naked 3 palette a lot more than usual. Sometimes I just fancy wearing pink hues on my lids instead! A few of my most loved shadows within this gorgeous palette have been 'Limit,' which is a great crease shade, and 'Darkside' or 'Blackheart' for when I have been creating dramatic night time looks. As I'm sure you're all aware by now, these shadows have amazing staying power and pigmentation, which is why this palette has been such a holy grail for me throughout August!

Revlon ColorStay Moisture Lip Stain in LA Exclusive - £8.99
Next up is a bit of a rediscovery for me, as I was raiding my lip product collection the other day and came across this lip stain from Revlon. I used to wear this shade so much back in the day and I'm so happy that I have started using it again. Not only is the formula of the Moisture Stain range incredible due to it's buttery and non-sticky consistency but 'LA Exclusive' is such a flattering colour on my skin tone. The only way I can describe it is as a muted and paler Barbie pink! I highly recommend this shade and the entire range of colours in general, so be sure to give them a little swatch in store next time you're in Boots or Superdrug.

NARS Translucent Loose Setting Powder - £26.50
As some of you may know, my parents got me a little NARS kit with a few products in for my birthday and I absolutely loved it! Although, I was a little dubious of using a loose powder as I had never used one before. However, now I have fallen in love with using this translucent powder to set my under eye concealer. I used to apply my trusty Rimmel Stay Matte all over but using a different powder for under my eye makes me feel so fancy! Now that have become accustomed to this new technique, I really want to buy another loose powder that will brighten up my eye area instead of using this one that has no colour to it.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in Turn On - £13.50
Of course, lip pencils have become very popular again over the past year or so and I heard that the 24/7 Urban Decay range were top notch. So, this year I have purchased two of them! My favourite shade is 'Turn On,' which i the most stunning blue-toned pink! It certainly packs a punch colour wise but it isn't too over the top and that's why I love it so much. It makes a nice change when I don't want to wear a nude lip during the daytime! I also love the formula of these pencils so much; they are super duper creamy and comfortable to wear. Plus, they have great longevity too!

Garnier Ultimate Blends Shine Revitaliser Shampoo - £2.79
Last but not least, I normally use a shampoo that adds volume or thickness to my fine and lacklustre hair but I feel that can build up a horrible residue in my hair from time to time. So, when I want to use a more lightweight and clarifying shampoo, I have been using this one from Garnier. The whole Ultimate Blends range seems to be very popular right now as it gets the job done and you cannot beat the price point! I love the lemon and green tea scent too as it's so refreshing and uplifting in the mornings. It also adds some shine and life back into my hair when it's feeling dull from my volume shampoo as well! 

So, those are my favourites from the month of August. I have loved using them and would highly recommend them to all of my followers! Now, I cannot wait to see what September brings and what I will enjoy using next. What have been you favourite products this month? Have you used any of my favourites before? Let me know by leaving a comment down below!