June Favourites

It's time for this months beauty favourites post, with a random chucked in for good measure.  June 2013 has been one of those months I wont forget for a long time to come.  Just this past week I graduated from university with a 2:1 in Fashion Journalism, which I am beyond proud of and I'm now on to the next chapter of my life  - one that doesn't involve education for the first time in 16 years.  More of that in an upcoming post, now let's get onto my favourites for the month of June.  

I've begun running out of some of my favourite skincare products and as I don't have the cash to splurge on repurchases just yet, I've been pulling out products that have started to gather dust.  I've had the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleanser since January, but have only really gotten into it this month. It smells like peaches and has a peppermint twist which is cooling on the skin.  It's great at getting make up off and leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed.  I've also been using Origins Drink Up Intensive in place of a moisturiser two times a week to give my skin a moisture boost.  This is a popular face mask in the bloggersphere - it's one you pop on and leave overnight.  It can be quite tacky so it's definitely one to put on 30 minutes or so before you get into bed, but by morning you're left with soft, plumped up skin that's ready for make up.  I also rediscovered an old favourite in the form of perfume this month.  I've had CK IN 2 U for a few years now and I love the smell around this time of year.  It has notes of Amber, Vanilla and Cedar.  

As I mentioned earlier, I graduated this week and so wanted to give myself a summer glow to take the edge of my extremely pale skin.  I've tried out a couple of different mousse tans but St Tropez is by far the best. If you're afraid of tanning, like I once was, the guide colour really helps to blend out any streaks and leave you with a flawless finish.  The product dries quickly and takes up to four hours to develop, so I usually pop this one before bed and let it do it's thing overnight.  I've also been enjoying Essie's Tart Deco, which turned out to be a great match for my graduation dress.  The formula is creamy and opaque, needed only two coats for maximum colour.  A lip product I've been reaching for all month is Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in 'Boy', for a quick and easy swipe of colour that's easy to reapply during the day.  These lipsticks are extremely moisturising and have that iconic Chanel scent to them.   

A non-beauty related favourite this month is in the form of a TV series.  I've been bitten by the Grey's Anatomy bug, after my sister-in-law insisted I would love it.  I love American drama's, my favourite being One Tree Hill and I've fallen head over heels for Grey's.  If you've never watched it, it's set in a hospital and follows Meredith Grey who begins life as a surgical intern.  It features the likes of Katherine Heigl, Eric Dane and my newest crush Patrick Dempsey.  

So that's it, another month of 2013 done and dusted.  

What are you're favourites this month?

Essie Diffusion Line Nail Polish

(L-R: Watermelon, Tart Deco, Sexy Divide and Fiji)

For years I've stuck to Barry M's Nail Paints, not really knowing any better until I discovered the world of beauty bloggers and vloggers. Since then there has been an unbelievable amount of talk about Essie.  I'd even read that the Queen's hairdresser had requested Essie's 'Ballet Slippers' - the only shade she would wear.  I'd never got round to purchasing any colours before it's Boots and Superdrug launch a month or so ago as they were hard to find and once you had they were around £11 each.  When I saw the stand in my local Boots, I gravitated towards it, knowing I wanted the infamous Fiji but also picking up a few more along the way.  

My Essie collection began with 'Tart Deco', 'Sexy Divide' and 'Fiji'.  As soon as I got home, I applied 'Tart Deco' to my both my fingers and toes.  I wore 'Fiji' which is a gorgeous pale pink shade, to my nephews christening.  It's a nice muted, sophisticated shade great for weddings, christenings and other special occasions.  I picked up 'Sexy Divide' as it's very much similar to my favourite Barry M colour 'Vivid Purple' which is slowly running out.  It's a shade that I will no doubt be wearing a lot over autumn and winter.  Watermelon is my latest addition to my collection. I was drawn to this colour over all the other colours as it's a bright pink but without being too fuchsia. 

Before the Boots and Superdrug launch the polishes formulation and brushes were changed as part of the 'Diffusion Line'.  The new formula is extremely thick, creamy and opaque.  I found that one coat is enough with most of the shades I have, maybe two with 'Fiji'.  The brushes have been re-worked and are now a lot wider making application a lot less time consuming with only one or two swipes needed per nail.  As for the staying power, I'm impressed.  When I first applied 'Tart Deco', I put it through the ultimate test - a shift at Tesco.  My nails always break or chip when I'm at work but miraculously this manicure stayed in place.  It did start chipping around 3-4 days after which I was really pleased with.  

Essie's Diffusion Line is available in most Boots stores (I have yet to come across them in Superdrug but you can get them online here) and are £7.99 each.  I'm looking forward to building up my collection with more colours.  

Which Essie shade is your favourite? 

Follow me on She Said Beauty here!