February Favourites

FIND OUT WHAT MY FAVOURITES WERE THIS MONTH

H A I R
COLAB Dry Shampoo LONDON  |  £1.99

The COLAB dry shampoo range released last year by model and blogger Ruth Crilly. It's available in five different scents representing cities; Paris, Rio, London, Tokyo and New York. I picked up the London travel size (obviously because I live in London) and it's perfect to keep with me on my travels. It's much more lightweight than Batiste and doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy after a while. I wouldn't give up on my Batiste just yet, that gives me amazing volume, but this is perfect for on-the-go.

LASHES
Red Cherry Lashes Style #WSP  |  £2.99

I will forever be obsessing over my Ardell Demi Wispies- they are my babies! I placed a big Red Cherry order just before christmas as their lash range was super natural and everyday appropriate. The #WSP (Wispy) is definitely one of my favourite. It's natural with a hint of dramatic in them, and they blend in so well with my actual lashes. What's not to love? For a full review and close up pictures on the ones I own (click here).

E Y E S
Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow Palette Flawless  |  £8.00

Where do I start with this palette?! At only £8, there is only so much you can expect from a drugstore palette. Neutral palettes are so my thang right now, this one especially is so versatile, every colour is wearable- getting you through from day to night. The palette contains 32 colours (browns, purples, greys and a couple greens and blues) and there are a mix of matte and shimmery colours. The texture of the shadows are all different, some more creamier than others and some more powdery. 

L I P S
MAC Taupe  |  £15.50
Barry M Lip Liner in Russet 5  |  £4.99

L - TAUPE  |  R - RUSSET

These lip products are very similar in colour and are both brown toned nudes. Starting off with Mac, the best thing about Mac Taupe is it's such a universal colour, I think it would suit every complexion. It has a matte finish (not to the point where your lips dry out) and is quite long lasting on the lips. A perfect nude for every day.

I love wearing the Barry M lip liner in Russet on its own or under any lipstick as a base. It's a very neutral colour and has a creamy texture so it's super easy to apply. I loved the colour so much I had to stock up!

Inglot AMC Lip Pencil Matte  |  £11.00

Matte finish, very pigmented, long lasting, available in 21 different shades.. what's not to love? I've been using these lippys all month and I'm ready to purchase more in other shades. I have a full review on these (click here) and a couple of cheeky dupes (click here). I definitely recommend swatching these at your next visit to Westfield. 

H I G H L I G H T  &  C O N T O U R
Topshop Highlight in Horizon  |  £10.00
theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer  |  £12.15

L - BAHAMA MAMA  |  R - HORIZON

I kinda went highlighter crazy this month, buying a new one every time I swatched it. I was on the hunt for Topshop's highlighter in Sunbeam which was out of stock EVERYWHERE so I ended up purchasing Horizon. It has a champagney-gold undertone and it is so easy to apply and blend in. It's the perfect natural looking highlighter for dark and tanned complexions. 

theBalm Bahama Mama is a cool toned bronzer which has slightly grey undertones rather than red to prevent the ashy and muddy tone look. It is a matte bronzer (my fav), easy to blend and is very pigmented so a little goes a long way. 

What are your favourites this month?

A Mask That Heats On The Face

The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask  |  £10.00

"This cleansing mask is for all skin types and warms up on contact with wet skin. It leaves the skin feeling clean and revitalised."

I've been using this mask for about a month now and all I can say is WOW! The mask has a heating effect as soon as it's applied (do not worry, this is normal) hence the name Warming Mineral Mask. It's super relaxing and as weird as this sounds, having the warm sensation not only made my skin feel good- but it made me feel good (sort of like having my own pamper session). 

I applied the mask onto my face using my trusty flat foundation brush for an even layer and I let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. I used it towards the end of my bath so the steam from my bath kept the warm sensation going. I rinsed it off as normal with warm water.

Thanks to the wonderful ingredient, kaolin clay- the mask did a fabulous job of drawing out impurities from my acne prone, combination skin. When I first used the mask, couple days later I did notice a couple of new spots on my cheek. Yes, a minor breakout! But that is a good thing. This mask works exactly like the cult Glamglow Supermud and microdermabrasion treatments, where it draws out all the nasty things from under our skin. And they won't be disappearing into thin air will they? They will show on our skin for a couple of days and eventually disappear.

So, after a month in. My face feels amazing! The oils are well controlled, my skin is much tighter and firmer. Every Body Shop product I have used has never let me down, they are always such high quality and this isn't any different. I'd definitely recommend! 

eBay Bargins #3 Elf Matte Lip Colours

A few days ago, I posted a review on the Inglot AMC Matte Lip Pencils (review here) which costs £11 each. As I was going through my makeup drawer today, I found my Elf Matte Lip Colours which are IDENTICAL to the Inglot pencils but a fraction of the price costing only £3.95!

Similarities!

• Have scrappers at the end
• Rotating mechanism (twist tubes)
• Very pigmented
• Matte finishes
• Good range of colours

Differences!

• Elf is much more creamier whereas Inglot is more drying on the lips
• Elf pencils contain a little more product
• Elf does transfer wheres Inglot is full on matte and does not 
• Elf has the colour of the product at the end of the pencil
• Identical packaging, but Inglot is more sturdy & better quality

PRALINE : deep browny nude : MAC SPIRIT DUPE (as seen on dupethat)

TEA ROSE : mauvey pink : MAC MODESTY DUPE

To be honest, although there are a few differences I have no favourite- I have leaned more towards the similarities because I can work with the differences, make any sense? It's all a matter of choice! Both brands have gorgeous (yet different) colours and soon I will be purchasing more from both ranges. 

Where to purchase Elf Matte Lip Colours

EBAY- £5.95 (click here)

please note: they are currently OUT OF STOCK on the Elf website & prices may vary on affiliate sites

TOP THREE: BLENDING BRUSHES

Mac 217  |  £19.00  |  Mac Store/Website

Zoeva 221 / Luxe Soft Crease  |  £6.95  |  BeautyBay

Real Techniques Angled Shadow Brush  |  £29.99 (set)  |  Boots

M A C 217

One of the first blending brushes I owned and probably the only one I needed. The brush is perfect for blending, shading, adding colour onto the lower lash line and I even use it to add my highlighter on the brow bone, down my nose and cheeks- it's definitely a multipurpose brush. Although it is a bit on the pricey side, I have washed it so many times and it hasn't lost its oval shape nor blended any differently.

Z O E V A 221

I remember purchasing this brush sometime last year after Amelia Liana mentioned it on one of her videos as being a dupe for Mac 217- and she was not wrong! It's a perfect dupe/alternative that is a fraction of the price. The brush blends just as good as the Mac 217 (if not, better) however it is much more rounded/dome shaped and it's easier to blend with in the outer corner of the eyes and the crease. I definitely think the Zoeva brushes are worth the hype. 

R E A L   T E C H N I Q U E S   A N G L E D   S H A D O W   BRUSH

(comes in part of a set with 4 other brushes)

Another favourite crease brush, perfect for adding transition colours into the contour of the eyes. This brush is great for those who have smaller eye lids as you can use the top edge to blend in the crease line. This brush is also good for creating the perfect smokey eye as it is cut in an angle which you can use to your advantage to blend the shadow outwards, into the shape of a flick.

What is your favourite blending brush?

Inglot AMC Lip Pencil Matte

I have been a sucker for matte lippys lately. As I was browsing Inglot a few weeks ago, I came across these gorgeous lip liners and just had to purchase a few! They are packaged very well in a classic black pencil tube with a rotating mechanism and a scrapper on the end.

INGLOT states:

"A pencil that is thick enough to use as lipstick, yet it can be sharpened to a fine point for precise application as a lip liner. Avocado oil moisturises, smoothes and regenerates the lips whilst the modern formula ensures a long lasting even coverage with a velvety matte finish."

The AMC range has 21 shades from browns to pinks and berry's to reds. I really wanted them allll but limited myself to only 3. All the colours are gorgeous and wearable, I literally went in and picked these random 3 which caught my eyes first. 

AMC 19 : brown toned nude (SIMILAR TO MAC BOLDLY BARE)
AMC 23 : mauvey pink 
AMC 32 : dusty pink (SIMILAR TO MAC SOAR)

The lip liner is quite drying on the lips and does not glide easily on bare lips so before applying, exfoliate your lips and apply a moisturising balm to create a smooth base for an easy, non-drying application (Lush lip scrub review here). 

• Matte finish, every ones favourite nowadays
• Very pigmented, creamy in texture
• Long-lasting, (around 4-5 hours) once dried it does not budge or transfer
• Perfect lip liner alternative, covers the area in a single swipe
• Paraben-free, YAY!

I would definitely recommend these lip liners/jumbo pencils. With their massive colour range, there is definitely a lip colour to suit every complexion. 

PRICE

£11 each

Yes, a little pricey. But as a hard lip liner, it will last a very long time- plus it doesn't need sharpening. 

Where to purchase Inglot AMC lip pencils

INGLOT stores; Westfields Stratford & Westfields White City

INGLOT website (click here)

Have you tried these Inglot lip pencils?

DUPES FOR ARDELL & MAC LASHES

EBAY FINDS #2 NYX Dupes

As you know, the NYX soft matte lip creams have been out of stock for ages! I have become so obsessed with matte liquid lipsticks recently and have wanted to get my hands on more colours from the NYX range. Whilst browsing a couple months back I came across these- Manhattan Soft Mat Lipcreams. I'm always up for trying out new (unknown) brands, so I gave these ones a go.

I was able to find them in 5 different shades which are named by numbers;

These Manhattan shades make great NYX dupes as listed below. So if you can't get hold of NYX, give these a try. 

NYX Matte Lip Creams

DUPES

1 : deep red : NYX Amsterdam

2 : peach : NYX Antwerp

56k : pink : NYX Milan

95m : pinky brown : NYX Stockholm

95g : warm brown : NYX London

Manhattan Soft Mat Lipcreams

The Manhattan lip creams are exactly the same as the NYX soft matte lip creams with the coloured tube which represents the colour of the lip cream, a doe-foot applicator, vanilla scented product and a super creamy formula. Once applied, the formula will look a little glossy but it dries matte within a minute. Like many matte lip creams, they are not very hydrating so I would recommend a moisturising balm underneath. 

I would definitely recommend these lip creams. They are so affordable, easy to get hold of and have a gorgeous matte finish (without leaving it looking patchy!) They lasted on my lips for roughly 4-5 hours and slightly came off in the inner part of my lips after eating and drinking, which I expected. 

Where to purchase Manhattan lipcreams from
Fragrance Direct - 99p (click here)
Ebay - £1.95 (click here)

Wearing 95m

What do you think of these NYX dupes?

Collective Haul & LIZ EARLE OFFER

LA Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer  |  £5.50

This was definitely an impulse buy from a lovely lady on instagram (lush_lipstickz). She sells these in nearly all the colours and I received my concealers in a day- her delivery is super fast! I've only used these concealers as a highlight and contour and they were very pigmented and easy to blend. 

(these are also sold in BeautyBase Stratford, but they are always out of stock!)

Topshop Highlighter in Horizon  |  £10.00

I am really going highlighter crazy these days! After obsessing over my first Topshop makeup purchase (their bronzer in Mohawk- a gorgeous subtle brown) I thought I'd try another product from their range. I've been on the hunt for Sunbeam for ages but that's out of stock everywhere :(

The Body Shop Red Musk Fragrance Mist  |  £7.50

TBS recently released their new Red Musk range and if your a fan of spicy, cinnamon-y scents then you'll love this- its perfect for winter. 

Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy Gift Set

Back in the days, I remember sneaking into my sisters room and spraying this perfume on me before running off to school. I think I used up more of it than she did! She surprised me with the gift set a couple weeks back and it nearly bought me to tears- bought back those memories. The perfume really is sexy, and it even makes me feel sexy every time I use it (no joke). It's a must have perfume for every girl.

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Pure Purifying Clay Mask  |  £8.99

repurchase: I started using this about a year ago and I loved how it left my skin feeling; soft, less oily and refreshed- perfect for acne prone skin as it contains the key ingredient Salicylic Acid. I can't wait to use to again. 

The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask  |  £10.00

I have heard many positive reviews on this mask, and as a mask hoarder I just had to try it- especially after seeing Patricia Bright go crazy about it in one of her recent videos. Another mask I can not wait to use!

LOreal Paris Colour Riche Exclusive Reds (BLAKE & JLO)  |  £6.99

I originally went into Boots to pick up some of the colours from the nude range, although the colours were gorg, the pigmentation and finish did not win me over so I opted for two reds- one slightly darker than the other. Keep an eye out on my IG for swatches (@_skinfacebeauty).

Kiko Smart Lip Liner (709 & 710)  |  £2.50

It's a very intense, vampy plum- I love my bold lippys and as I don't own many reds, I also picked up 709- another two products I can not wait to use!

above: Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Melted Fig  |  £19.00

There were too many colours in this range to choose from, they looked soo good I wanted them all. I literally did ip dip doo (lol) and ended up purchasing this fuchsia pink. It feels really good on the lips and does not dry them out. 

Sleek Precious Metals Highlighting Palette  |  £9.99

I'm really looking forward to using this highlighting palette as three of the shades are cream based and 1 powder. The highlighting shades could also be used as a brow and inner eye corner highlight. 

A N   A M A Z I N G   L I Z   E A R L E   O F F E R !

Earlier on in the week, my brothers girlfriend told me about this ahhmazing Liz Earle offer on their website (click here);

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish 100ml (review here)

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion 150ml (review here)

Complimentary Cleanse & Polish 30ml

3 Muslin Cloths

all for £14.00 & free delivery

I got carried away and out of excitement I ordered it twice so I'm thinking of doing a small giveaway! The offer ends 15 FEBRUARY 2015 11.59PM so get ordering ladies!

Tea Tree For Under £10

Tea Tree has been part of my skincare regime for a very long time. It was one of the first skincare basics I picked up back when I was at school. So why is tea tree so beneficial for our skin? Tea Tree is a strong antiseptic that can be used to treat insect bites, spots, dandruff, hair treatments and its most important treatment, acne. Here are a few products that I've used throughout the years (and now) that have given me amazing results!

W A S H
The Body Shop Cool & Creamy Wash  |  £5.00

During my acne breakout a couple years ago, this creamy wash was part of my everyday skincare regime. This has a lovely creamy texture which feels so good on the skin. I saw improvement in my skin within a few days of using the face wash consistently. It helps prevent breakouts and reduce scars left from spots. This is great for sensitive and breakout-prone skin. 

T O N E R
Lush Tea Tree Toner Water  |  £7.95

This toner is ahhhhmazing! It feels super refreshing and during the summer months when my skin is combination/oily and it does a great job of controlling the excess oils. I usually spray it directly onto my face and then rub it in or spray onto a cotton pad and wipe onto my face.

N O S E   S T R I P S
Superdrugs Tea Tree Nose Pore Strips  |  £3.99

This is a recent purchase of mine and I really don't know why I didn't discover it any sooner. The strips have to be applied on a clean, damp nose (the area has to be damp to enable to strip to stick). After 8-10 minutes, it's normal for the area will feel stiff and the strip is ready to be peeled off. Say goodbye to bacteria and blackheads. 

M A S K
The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask  |  £10.00

The Body Shop Tea Tree face mask was one of the first masks I ever used during my teenage years. I used it twice a week and saw results very quickly- my spots on my cheek and chin started to disappear and I had less breakouts. The mask comes in quite a thick paste and is easy to layer onto the face. Like all Tea Tree products, this left my face feeling smooth and refreshed.

M O I S T U R I S E R 
Dr Organic Tea Tree Skin Lotion  |  £6.49

This lotion has so many uses; it reduces dry skin and redness, it's great as a hand treatment, keeping your skin moisturised for longer after a shower/bath and treating heat rash. As it is super moisturising, a little does go a long way. Although I love the Tea Tree scent, this lotion is not overpowering at all for those that are not fond of the scent.

O I L
Holland & Barratt 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil   |  £3.99
Tea Tree oil can be used in many different ways. The obvious way, applying it directly onto spots and the oil will encourage the spot to dry it out and eventually disappear. I also mix a drop or two in my skincare products such as a moisturisers, cleansers, face masks, face scrubs and even in my bath. The oil helps kill bacteria that may be sitting on our skin and fight unwanted breakouts. Tea Tree oil is also known to encourage hair growth and is a perfect treatment for a dry scalp.

What are your favourite Tea Tree products?