December: Loves and Lusts #DitsyDecember

It's the final 'Loves and Lusts' post of 2015! How has that happened so quickly? It only seems like yesterday I posted my first ever one in the series here! If you're new round these parts of the Interwebz and have somehow failed to see one of my previous eleven posts in this style before, then I'll link them all up here so you can get a feel for how things work. If you're more of a regular reader though, I'm sure you know the deal by now, eh? Let's get started on December's edition...

What I've Loved:

Collection '#YourStyleYourMood' and '#ConcealAndLightLikeAPro' - These two palettes from Collection were amongst four to be added to their ever-growing range recently and I picked up this duo in particular as they looked to be the ones most suited to me and I can confirm I definitely made the right choice. '#YourStyleYourMood' is an eyeshadow palette divided into two different eyeshadow 'looks' - one more golden and olive-toned; the other more pinky/purple-y. All the colours are stunning and work together so well and the shadows themselves are such good quality considering the rather bargainous price. '#ConcealAndLightLikeAPro', on the other hand, is a concealer/corrector palette and I have been willing something like this to appear in the depths of Boots/Superdrug for the longest of times and finally it has and I this certainly does not disappoint. While colour-correcting isn't necessarily something I do every day in my makeup routine, it is handy for special occasions - such as the impending party season. You get everything you need in this handy palette - concealers in a range of tones (with any darker ones doubling up as cream contour), a shimmery but subtle highlighter and a few correctors for various areas of the face. Like the eyeshadow palette, this is brilliant quality for the low price-point and you also get pretty good value for money considering the amount of concealers and correctors you get inside. If you haven't tried these two yet - give them a go!

Maybelline 'The Blushed Nudes' Eyeshadow Palette - Another on the palette front (they basically seem to be all I buy these days, eh?) and this is a newbie to Maybelline's 'The Nudes' eyeshadow palette collection. You'll know if you're a regular round these parts that the original 'The Nudes' is by far my favourite eyeshadow palette from the drugstore at the moment and has to be up there with one of my top picks beauty finds this year. Big statement, I know - but oh my is it a good'un. So when I saw this 'Blushed' version in my local Boots a few weeks back I just had to pick it up (as I documented in the above post) to give it a go and what can I say? I am in love all over again. As the name would correctly suggest, this contains neutral shades of the pinkier variety and being a lover of all things rosey - this is right up my street. Similar to the original 'The Nudes', where there was not one shade I didn't like; this only contains perhaps one or two hues that I am not a big fan of, and I don't think that's too bad at all. All the shade I do like are all very wearable but still 'different' enough to be unique in my collection (a rarity these days), with the addition of a copper and a bright cranberry to name but a few. The shadows are just as good in formula as the ones in 'The Nudes ' too - very buttery and easy to apply, blend and all that kinda jazz and they last so well on the lids.

Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liner in 'Funk' - Onto liners and this has certainly been a firm fave of this past month. With December typically signalling the start of 'glitter season', the shimmer has been out in full force in my makeup routine (or at least as 'full force' as I can tolerate) and this has been something I have reached for frequently as a way to update my makeup routine for the festivities. While this is labelled as an 'eyeliner', I personally love taking some of this on the back of my hand, tapping it onto my ring finger and pressing it onto the inner corner of my eye to middle of my lid and it just works a treat. The colour of this shade in particular is just gorgeous - a very pretty, icy gold - and the metallic finish just gives that subtle sheen to the eyes and instantly transforms a look to being party-ready in a flash. It's the easiest way I've found to wear glitter on your eyes, as the gel formula acts as the glue it needs to adhere itself to the lid without any risk of fall-down. Love, love, LOVE.

Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen - Yes, yes - I know I mentioned this in November's Loves and Lusts post (here), but hey - I think this month I really fell in love with it. With the festive season and fancy makeup on the mind, I was in the mood for liquid liner nearly everyday and this was of course the companion I used to fulfil that urge. This makes winged liner super, super easy and having gotten out of the whole swing of using an actual liquid liner as opposed to kohl pencil for that feline flick, it's particularly good for those who need a refresher or complete newbies.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara 'Intense Black' - An 'old' favourite of mine that you may just have spotted back in April's Loves and Lusts post (here) and it's safe to say I am back on the bandwagon with this one again. Back when I first discovered this little beauty, I went through two tubes before discovering something else and moving on. However, when my Too Faced Better Than Sex recently run out, I decided I wanted to move back down the price scale again and go with something I already knew would work for the party season - and this seemed the best choice for that brief. I went into Boots, did what I had to do and I am loving this stuff all over again. I'd say it's a close dupe for the Too Faced one actually, in that it's very much a 'does it all'-type mascara. Length, volume, lift, curl, separation - you want it...this stuff does it.

Bourjois Rogue Edition Velvet in 'Plum Plum Girl' - Moving swiftly onto the lip category and there's a fair few faves this month for the pout, starting with this that I picked this up in the same 'NIATD' haul-type post I mentioned somewhere above. This is the newest shade addition to the hugely-popular liquid lipstick line by Bourjois and just like all the others I've tried from the collection - it's a good'un. A deep purple-y plum shade that's ideal for these cooler months of the year, just as the name would imply it was. The formula of this is just as good as the others I own from the Rogue Edition Velvet range, in that although a liquid lipstick, once you've applied it - it ain't going anywhere. Seriously. They're really quick and easy throw on and they're so incredibly comfortable to wear that you almost forget you're even wearing it at all.

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in '110 Kiss Of Life' - Now, it's red lips time and it just wouldn't be a December Faves without a mention of some kind of lip product of the rogue variety - would it? Every time I've wanted to rock a red lip (check out this post I did this month for #DitsyDecember for some of my tips) these past few weeks, it has been this lipstick I have been reaching for and it's simply because it is the best red I own in my collection. This is a true, straight-up red - no orangey hue or burgundy tone - just a simple no-thrills rogue. And that's exactly what I've been after this festive season. The formula of these little lippies is brilliant too (just as good as everyone makes them out to be). They're matte and so very long-lasting, but remain very comfortable on the lips and they never feel drying on that pout in any way. Need a new red lippie? Look this way...

MUA Lip Liner in 'Red Drama' - To go alongside the above rogue of choice, I have of course been using a lip liner to help define my lip line; making thing look fuller, more even and also eking out that wear-time even more. This has been my weapon of choice when it comes to red lips for as long as I can remember and still to this day do I love it. It's cheap as chips - £1! - but works just as well as a more expensive alternative. It's creamy so doesn't drag on the lips, yet has enough waxy grip in it to both keep things in place and stop you getting a little carried away with drawing on that lip line.

L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Fixing Spray - Finally for makeup, onto something I never thought I'd be including in this month's Loves and Lusts. You may know by now that in terms of makeup setting sprays, I am by no means a regular user, but for special occasions where I want my slap to last that extra bit longer - it's the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray for me. That stuff has always seen me through and I can genuinely se where it makes the difference, and so I never really thought I'd be interested in finding another which floats my boat as much. However, then I found this beauty from L'Oreal (again included in this post). This is a new launch to their very popular 'Infallible' line and of course there's the usual hype - but amongst that is an actual good product. This acts in just the same way as Urban Decay's offering - meshing all your makeup together, giving it a more perfected look and setting it all down so it lasts, and lasts and lasts.

H&M Beauty Nail Polish 'Gold Rush' and Bourjois Paris 1 Seconde Nail Polish in 'Oh My Gold' - Onto the nail side of things and I have two polishes that I've thoroughly enjoyed lacquering onto my beds during this month. The former has actually featured on my nails a few times these past weeks - once documented here  and the other here - while the two combined was in fact the nail look I decided to sport for Christmas Day (which you can read more about here if you fancy). I wanted an 'All Out Gold' type effect for this year and I feel these two together, alongside a Seventeen Gold Glitter, worked so well in achieving just that. The H&M Beauty one is very yellow in finish and so looks very classically Christmassy, while the Bourjois - with its more icy, ashy hue - helps to balance everything out and make the look a tad more flattering on your nails. Both are super-shimmery (the Bourjois also has a slight metallic effect to it - very pretty) so lacquer both of these on and you are ready to go. Big love for these two beauties this month.
  

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush - And last, but by no means least is a tool favourite for December. Like the Supercat Liner, it's one you may well have spotted back in a previous 'Loves and Lusts' post (June's to be exact) but since I have been loving it again this month I figured it'd be rude not to give it a shout-out once more. While in June's edition I was raving about how good it was for it's supposed use - contouring and sculpting the face - this month I've been loving it for an entirely different use. This is infact a fab foundation brush. Who knew? I certainly didn't until I spotted Nic from Pixiwoo raving about how good her base applies when using the Sculpting Brush. I of course just had to give it a whirl and I can confirm it sure does do a very good job indeed. Similar to the Expert Face Brush (which I also love for foundation) in that it's very short and densely-packed, however the Sculpting Brush has the advantage of an angled finish - meaning it really gets into all those nooks and cranny's of the face, much more so than the E.F or my usual Buffing Brush. I'd definitely recommend giving this a try if you fancy a change-up for the New Year in terms of your makeup application...

What I'd Love To Have:

Barry M's New Nail Care Collection (Out January 2016!) - Not entirely sure yet of prices, but not too long till we find out I guess! - I saw a tweet all about this new nail care range due to be dropped my one my faves in the nail department - Barry M - at the start of 2016 and it straight-away got added to this wishlist. I love painting my nails, but I also love looking after them aswell and this collection seems tailor-made for just that. Comprised of a nail hardener, 7-in-1 treatment and two tinted 'nail masks' (one more creamy, the other more rosey) to camouflage, colour and condition the nails - all of these intrigue me and I will certainly be checking the range out as soon as I spot it in my local Boots or Superdrug...

Topshop Beauty 'Heart of Gold' Nail Polish - £5.00 - This little beauty I spotted in one of Lily Pebbles' Vlogmas videos (Day 13 to be precise) and I instantly fell in love. A metallic icy gold with fine shimmer, ideal for this time of year. Can you sense a theme with some of my picks this month?

Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Mono Shadow in 'Millionaire' - £4.49 - Onto makeup and this has been mentioned many a time as of late in a fair few YouTube videos and of course, there comes a point when you just have to listen up. Admittedly, it isn't perhaps anything particularly 'special' in the way that it's very reminiscent of some shades I already own - but hey, since when has that ever stopped me when it comes to my makeup purchases? A light golden bronze with a shimmery finish that I can imagine just looking stunning washed all over the lid with lots of mascara for a more natural makeup day. A purchase might just have to happen...
 

Kiko Eyeshadow Sticks - £6.90 - currently on offer on their site for £3.40! - Now, these I have Amy Farquhar (her YouTube channel can be found here) entirely to blame for this inclusion. She always raves on, and on about how good these things are and just like the above, I think I may just have to cave and believe in the hype. I know many other bloggers and vloggers too rave about the Kiko brand as a whole, and so while there are some other picks from their range that I've always had on my mental wishlist - at the moment these eyeshadow sticks top the bill.

Covergirl Supersizer Mascara - Around £10.00-ish - Again, another Amy-inspired wishlist item, and I recall her mentioning this throughout many of her videos this year, but the real deal-sealer for me was its inclusion in her '2015 Favourites' video. To me, this is when you really can tell someone's true faves and so - being someone always on the hunt for a new mascara - I just can't help but give it a mention here. I know this also receives hype from the beauty industry as a whole as being a very good lash offering indeed and so, despite it being a US-only item that appears very difficult to get your hands on in the UK, I still want to try it...someday!

NYX Brow Products - Ranging from £5.00-£7.00 - Now this is more a 'set' of products as opposed to just one single item, but the items from NYX's brow arena just seem to be very much in everyone's favour this month and having had a look online at them myself, I can kinda see why. There's everything - from gels to primers; pencils to powders. Although I am more than happy with the products I currently use on my brows, there's still a part of me that wonders how well these compare. There's only one way to find out I guess...

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liners in 'Addiction' and 'Obsession' - Both £3.99 - I love all the other shades of the 'Exaggerate' lip liners by Rimmel - creamy and easy to apply, but still waxy enough to keep you in control of things and make things extra long-lasting on the lips, and these two shades in particular are ones I've seen mentioned a lot these past few weeks. Sam from Pixiwoo used them in a tutorial somewhere - and who am I to quibble with her opinion, eh? I've never really seen them much in-store before (perhaps that's a testament to their popularity... or simply Sam's power over us all) but I'm determined to hunt them down and give them both a swatch to see what all the fuss is about. They both fit the whole 'Kylie Jenner' lips thang we've all gotten into recently nicely. You can never have too many pinky-brown nude lip liners, yeah?

MAC Paint Pot in 'Groundwork' - £16.00 - Back onto the eyes and while I have many a shade of my beloved Maybelline Colour Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows, the MAC Paint Pots always call my name and one day a purchase will have to happen. This shade in particular has been on my mind a lot this month, with - once again - many other bloggers and bloggers talking about it. It light brown hue looks to be very similar in fact to my 'Creamy Beige' one from the Maybelline range - so perhaps I won't be picking this one up just yet if I already own its dupe - but it still looks an absolute beaut anyway.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in 'Cruella' - £19.00 - And, leaving perhaps my most Christmassy-appropriate wishlist item till last... is this little beaut from NARS. Everyone and their dog seems to own at least one of their Velvet Matte Lip Pencils - and this shade especially appears one of their most-popular in the range - particularly during the final month of the year when it comes out to play again, ready and raring to go for the party season. A deep, burgundy-toned red that's much more vampy than the more traditional Rimmel rogue I've been donning all-month long. Again, I'm sure I already own a dupe for this as I have a shade of the Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencils that looks very similar so maybe I'll hold off buying this too just yet - but everyone knows you just need all the red lippies come December. It's basically a rule...

And that wraps up my final 'Loves and Lusts' post for 2015! Hasn't that flown? I can't believe I have now done twelve of these and I just have to say I've absolutely loved putting together every single one. At the moment, the plan is for this feature to remain on Dainty Ditsy for 2016 so you can look forward to another of these popping through your Bloglovin' feed come the end of January when I'll be talking all the things I've been loving and lusting after for the first month of the year!