May Favourites

Another month down, another favourites post.  May has been a busy month, I've finished university and have been working up in London but it's also been a month for rediscovering old favourites, or perhaps products I once discarded.  

As with April, there's only one skincare product, as I've found a skincare routine I'm pretty happy with and I didn't want to bore you by banging on about the same products.  The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo is another one of those crazily hyped products that almost everyone has heard of and tried.  This product is supposed to correct and unclog pores to eventually leave you with clearer looking skin.  It's also quite mattifying and makes for a great base under foundation.  I use this in the mornings before moisturiser and my skin has definitely been a lot better lately (*touches wood*).  I've had this since the beginning of the year and I'm yet to run out, but if you're looking to buy it, it's currently on 3 for 2 at Boots.  Speaking of Boots, I dug out No7's Essentially Natural Foundation in Calico from my stash and have been setting it with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural this month for the perfect luminous complexion.  Essentially Natural is a buildable light coverage foundation which leaves a natural finish to the skin. 

Cream products have definitely had a moment in May.  First of all, my new love in the form of the Bourjois Cream Blushers. I have shades Nude Velvet and Rose Tender and they are both beautiful.  I reviewed them earlier this week so I won't bore you with the same details but they are pigmented, smooth to apply and give a gorgeous colour to the skin.  The next cream product is one I have a love hate relationship with.  I've had the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze for a while now and whilst I love the colour (anyone know of a similar powder shade?), I find it always slides off my eyelids too quickly and up until this month I just threw it to the back of my drawer.  Whilst for me it's not the most long lasting colour, I still use it and in conjunction with the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, I find it lasts a little bit longer.  This with a slick of mascara and a nude lip is a quick and easy, good to go look, which is something I've needed whilst working in London.  Another look I've been enjoying comes in the form of the Naked Basics palette.  For an easy everyday look, I've been applying Walk of Shame over the entire lid, whilst using Naked 2 for added definition in the crease.  

So those are my May favourites, but what have you been loving this month?

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

When it comes to eyeshadow palettes, theres only one brand on everyone's lips and that's Urban Decay.  They have a fantastic range of extremely pigmented, soft, creamy eyeshadows but their best known kits are the Naked series.  They launched the original Naked palette a few years ago now and since then it's become a beauty must have.  Following the success, they introduced the Naked two, featuring cool toned shades and then finally the Naked Basics was born.  The palette features six neutral shades, five of them completely matte - something that customers felt was lacking in the last two palettes.  From left to right we have:

Venus - The only shadow with some shimmer to it, it makes a great brow highlight or inner tear duct colour for brightening up the eye area.  

Foxy - A yellow toned cream matte shade, great for covering up redness on the lids. 

Walk of Shame (W.O.S) - A true cream colour and my personal favourite for all over the lid, it gives a subtle wash of colour.  

Naked 2 - A darker brown/beige colour that can be used in the crease to define an everyday eye look, or used all over the lids as a smoky eye base.  

Faint - A warm toned brown which works well as a crease colour or for filling in brows.  

Crave - A true matte black that can be used as a softer eyeliner alternative, or used to create maximum impact with a smoky eye. 

The Naked Basics is the perfect beginners palette, as it has everything you need to create both day and night looks.  My favourite combination is W.O.S swept across the lids with Naked 2 blended into the crease, finished off with Venus in the inner corner of the eye and also the center of the lid to brighten the look.  It's a compact palette, no bigger than an iPhone 5 in size and comes with a mirror, making it a good travel choice.  The shadows are great quality, they are soft and creamy, making them easy to blend across the lids and they're extremely pigmented, so you never need much on your brush.  They're long lasting when used with a primer (I never wear eyeshadow without).  At £20 (currently £17.80 at Beauty Bay), this is the cheapest of the three in the Naked family and it's a definite must if you're just getting into the world of eyeshadow or if like me, you're just looking to add to the family.  

Which is your favourite in the Naked series? 

Birthday Wishlist

My 21st birthday is fast approaching (25th February) and with it comes the question: What would you like for your birthday?  Initially I wasn't at all excited about the big 2-1 thanks to dissertation blues, but now I've handed the buggar in and made some concrete plans, I've started counting down the days.  So I best answer the question on everyones lips.  

1.  Return to Tiffany's Heart Tag with Key Pendant - As it's such a big birthday, I would like something memorable.  I received a Links bracelet for my 18th, so for my 21st I'm wishing for this Tiffany's necklace with the key charm - synonymous with the birthday.  

2.  Stella by Stella McCartney Eau De Parfum - I'm almost out of the bottle I bought back in June at the airport and as it's my favourite everyday scent, I'd definitely like another bottle for my dresser.  

3.  Tickets to see Viva Forever - I'm a big girl band fan, I'm off to see Girls Aloud at the beginning of March but my first love lies with the Spice Girls.  After hearing so many rave reviews and watching the ITV documentary that was on over Christmas, it's something I would definitely like to go watch.  

4.  Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - It wouldn't be right if I wasn't wishing for something beauty related.  I prefer wearing matte eyeshadows and the original Naked palette lacks in those, so I'm excited to (hopefully) try this out! 

Now I've answered the question, it's back to counting down the days.