Recent Favourites

Hey Dolls :)

I seem to have abandoned monthly favourites in 2011 and I feel a bit funny starting a couple of
months into the year. Instead, I have decided to post occasional favourites posts in their place. So, here are some products I've been using the most over the last couple of months!

1. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

After a brief break up with cleanse and polish, we have been reunited and it feels rather lovely! I got a few comments about my skin in my previous post and I think this, combined with witchazel can take full credit. It really struck me using c+p again, how luxurious it feels which I think comes down to the regularity of a beauty routine. Although to begin with, it can feel like a bit of a palaver with the filling of the sink and the constant washing of muslin cloths. However, being in a routine that replaces a quick couple of swipes with cotton wool, with a sink full of warm water and a muslin cloth is completely worth it.

I really love the c+p pump, I know this sounds odd but it seems really sturdy and well made (I feel like I'm in an episode of Tool Time with Tim) but this in its self is what I love - it's the quality of Liz Earle products that attracts me - I just need to resist the skin care niggles when I feel a little bored of using the same product daily... the grass is definitely not greener.

2. Sephora 230 Crease Brush


This brush was one of my only Sephora Paris purchases - the exchange rate is silly just now, one O.P.I polish, for example, was £20!!!! I've got quite a few sephora brushes now and I'm always impressed with their quality.

The 230 is perfect for crease work, it's quite thin and tapered meaning it gets deep into the crease plus it's really soft and fluffly, and so distributes colour well whilst blending at the same time. I've not had any problem with shedding and it washes well - the only drawback is how long the handle is, I hate not being able to get close to the mirror, though this is just a minor detail. If you can get a hold of it, I definitely recommend it!

3. Make Up Forever Smoky Lash

Smoky Lash has definitely replaced faux cils as my mascara of choice. It adds volume and length without giving you crispy lashes and is a really 'black' black (I hate saying the 'blackest black' but it seems darker than others I've tried, this may just be my imagination).

I love brushes as opposed to plastic wands so this is perfect. The brush really seems to grab on to my lashes meaning the roots of my lashes get coated as well as the ends. It lasts well throughout the day and I haven't had any problems with flaking or smudging(however I was having a little read on make up alley and quite a few people complained of it smudging which is a shame). Formula wise it is quite thick meaning the rim of the mascara does run the risk of getting a little clogged (nothing a wipe doesn't fix) and using a lash comb to avoid clumping.


4. Chi Silk Infusion

In my previous post I showed how I've been wearing my hair a lot, piled loosely on top of my head. However, on days I make a bit more effort, I've been curling my hair with my conical wand and then brushing it through, making really loose waves. However, this method does seem to make my hair a lot fluffier than usual. Confronted with candy floss hair I turned to chi silk infusion and remembered why I loved it so much. As long as you use quite a small amount, the serum calms and controls fly aways and makes my hair lovely and sleek. Also, as my extensions can often look dull as they're not connected to a hair follicle, silk infusion really smoothes them makes them look shiny, making them much easier to blend with my natural hair.

5. M.A.C Peppermint Patti

How long are you supposed to keep nail polish for? I've had peppermint patti for two years and it applies just as well as it did when I first bought it. The polish came out with MAC's sugarsweet collection and I absolutely love it! It's a beautiful pastel mint that's perfect for the lovely spring weather we're having just now. It's a total pain in the bum to apply and probably takes about three coats to get a creamy opaque finish, however the effort is completely worth it!

6. Illamasqua Vanian Eye Shadow


Recently, I've read quite a few reviews regarding illamsqua's eye shadow formula, mainly concerning the colour payoff and the chalkiness. Being honest, Vanian doesn't have the best colour pay off I've ever seen and texture wise it is a little chalky. However, I only use vanian as a brow and cheek highlight so the issues with the formula doesn't cause too many problems.

On the cheek, vanian is one of the prettiest highlights I've ever used, it has a lovely irridescent gold shimmer that reflects the light beautifully. In this way, the lack of colour pay off actually works in its favour as it creates a really subtle, pretty glow.

I actually prefer to use vanian as a cheek highlight to a brow highlight as I prefer to use a matte shadow though it is just as pretty under the brow as it isn't too shimmery or sparkly. I definitely recommend it!

Lots of Love
Nicola
xoxo