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?

Glossy Box #1 May: Product Reviews

Can you believe that two weeks ago the beauty community were dancing around in their bedrooms with their first ever Glossy Box? It's been two weeks now, a reasonable amount of time to trial the products and find favourites.  For those of you who didn't see any bloggers post on Glossy Box, then this is what we got:

(L-R)

Alterna (Caviar Anti-Aging Rapid Repair Spray)

Como Shambhala (Invigorate Body Lotion)

NARS (Orgasm Illuminator)

Bionova (Bioactive Cleanser for Normal/Dry Skin)

All for Eve (Eve Red Lipstick)

I was extremely impressed with this months box and have used the products in it pretty much every day.  So in order of favourite products, here are my mini reviews.  

#1 - Alterna

I love hair products and this one hasn't disappointed so far.  When I first used it, I applied too close and too near to my roots which made my hair look greasy.  After correcting this, I've fallen in love with it.  It smells gorgeous and leaves an enviable shine to your hair.  It's a perfect size to pop in your handbag if you have a long day ahead and may need a hair touch up here or there.  

Would I re-purchase?

More than likely.  It's a great product to refresh your hair in the summer months and help give it shine during winter, when the cold leaves it limp and lifeless.  

#2 - NARS

I was a NARS virgin before Glossy Box came into my life, and I want to try even more of their products now.  I have used this illuminator in every way possible: mixed with foundation, as a primer, as a highlighter and as a blusher.  For me, I found the best route was as a highlighter, as I can sometimes get quite oily skin I didn't want to promote more sheen by using with foundation/as a base.  It really does give you a gorgeous glow, and in the right light makes you look fresh and healthy.  

Would I re-purchase?

Definitely, although as this is a full size product I don't think I will need to for a while!

#3 - Bionova

Now, when I saw this I was a bit upset, I'd just gotten my Liz Earle and didn't want to part with it.  After trying it out, I realised it was a good cleanser, but perhaps not for my skin as it wasn't for my particular skin type.  It foams up nicely on your face, and leaves it smooth to the touch.  The smell of the product reminded me of a relatives perfume, which gave the product instant nostalgia.    

Would I re-purchase?

At the moment, no.  I am happy with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, but in the future if I found myself wanting to try a new(ish) cleanser then I'd get this one again, but for oily/combination skin.  

#4 - All For Eve by Daniel Sandler

Every girl needs a red lipstick in their collection and this is a gorgeous true rouge.  The only one I had was from a cheap drugstore brand and it didn't work so well.  I haven't used this product solely on it's own, pairing it with a nude colour to tone it down to a gorgeous pink, which I felt more comfortable with.  The consistency is lovely, not at all drying.  

Would I re-purchase?

Probably not.  I would like a deeper red lipstick but I'm interested in the concept of the All For Eve line.

#5 - Como Shambhala

There's no denying this lotion smells gorgeous but I don't usually shower/bathe in the morning, which made this a little weird on application.  My body was slowly winding down for the evening and then all of a sudden it was being startled by the tingle of peppermint.  If I wasn't so in love with my sleeping time, I'd definitely have used this more as it is extremely moisturising and refreshing.  

Would I re-purchase?

Unfortunately no, but perhaps I could find a more 'relaxing' scented moisturiser.  

So 3/5 for a re-purchase isn't bad at all! 

Now to begin the countdown to the June box and the anticipation of will Team Glossy beat their first ever UK box?

  

May Favourites.

Another month is very nearly over, is it just me or does every year fly by even faster?  We'll soon be entering June, an exciting month for me as I start my internship next Monday.  I love May favourite blog posts or youtube videos and decided to jump on the bandwagon.  I have quite a few favourites this month, so we best get started!

Beauty Favourites:

Skincare

(L-R)

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

La Roche Posay Effaclar M

Soap and Glory Hand Food 

Avon Solutions Perfect Tone Night Cream

I've had a great month, skin wise and I think it is thanks to my new routine.  Liz Earle is now a must have in my collection, I really look forward to taking my make up off at night, and it has helped my skin no end!  As I cleanse in the evening, I was looking for a nice night moisturiser and came across the new Avon solutions range.  It has helped even out my skin tone, but it's not 100% there yet.  During the day I use my La Roche Posay to sort out any oilyness before I apply make up.  Summer is all about being soft and supple, and my hands always seem dry so I've been loving my Hand Food, plus it smells amazing.  

Haircare:

(L-R)

Umberto Giannini Sex Bomb Mousse

VO5 Give Me Texture Oomph Powder

Elnette Hairspray

VO5 Miracle Concetration

Trevor Sorbie Heat Protection Spray

I'm all about trying to get beautiful bouncy locks, and all of these products have helped.  I use the mousse most days and it works a treat, but for days I don't use it, i've found the VO5 powders been a great alternative.  I've gone back to my hairspray love, Elnette and been loving it's lightweight feel on my hair.  Dying to try out argan oil i've been using this every time I wash my hair, I'm not sure how much of a difference it's made but my hair soaks it up and it smells gorgeous.  You should never attempt to blow dry or straighten hair without heat protection and this product smells great and really protects your hair.  

Fashion Favourite:

Primark

These shoes have been my go to heel for pretty much the whole month.  I love the colour, it's pretty versatile and goes with a lot.  

Now onto some lifestyle favourites...

TV Favourite:

One Tree Hill Seasons 1-7

I love my Tree Hill collection, and as season 8 has just finished in the US, I've been watching old episodes to hold me over until season 9 starts up!  

Book of the Month:

Alyson Noel; The Immortals: Shadowland

Since finishing university I've had more time to read fiction over fact.  I love anything to do with the supernatural and have been loving this series, which is completely different to Twilight (which I love so very much).  I really recommend this series if you enjoy easy reads that are along the same lines as Twilight/True Blood/The Vampire Diaries.  

So there you have it, what have been your monthly favourites?

Please comment below if you'd like any further reviews on any of the products mentioned or even a book review/TV series review!