September: Loves and Lusts

It's the end of the month, so that can only mean one thing - 'Loves and Lusts'! I'm sure you all know how things work by now but if not - today I'm going to talk you lovely lot through all of my favourite products from the month and also everything I've been lusting after (and will most likely be included in next months 'Loves and Lusts'). You can find all of my past posts of this type here if you fancy a looksee but for now, lets get straight on with my September Edition...

What I've Loved:

Real Techniques 'Highlight and Glow Set' and 'Multi Task Set' - You all know by now that whenever there's a new launch from Real Techniques, I'm more than likely to be all over it and this one was certainly no exception. As soon as I laid my eyes on these two, I knew I had to add them to my ever-growing (and slightly out of control) collection and oh my, am I glad I did. The former contains three brushes catered towards getting your glow on, whilst the latter has a line-up comprised of tools that are all designed to be multi-tasking. Having tried them all out, it's safe to say it's love once again. As usual, the brushes are of amazing quality for such a bargainous price and not only have I gained a few new brush designs which have filled some gaps in my stash nicely (yes, there were a few gaps believe it or not) I've also got a couple of back-ups of some of my old favourites - what more could you want, eh? 

Real Techniques 'Miracle Mini Eraser Sponges' and 'Miracle Sculpting Sponge' - Also new-in from the same brand are a selection of new makeup sponges that have joined the classic 'Miracle Complexion Sponge' that we all know and love. Personally, I have well and truly been converted to the whole makeup sponge thang over the past year, so picked these two up to try and and so far, so good. The Mini Eraser Sponges are basically like small versions of the original Complexion Sponge and I really, really like them. They're great for bopping in creams and powders round the smaller areas of the face and like the name suggests, they also come in handy used dry as a way of erasing all those makeup mishaps. The Sculpting Sponge is also an awesome new addition to my makeup routine - and surprisingly so. I wasn't expecting to 'get' this one as much, but once you get the hang of it, it makes for a great method of applying and blending products to sculpt and streamline your face. I really enjoy using it damp with cream contours or highlighters to work them into the skin and I loves it. A surprising find, but a good'un nevertheless...

Fleur De Force x Eylure Lashes in 'Petit Fleur' and 'Fully Fleur' - Rounding up the selection of 'Tools' for this edition of 'Loves and Lusts' are a couple of new pairs of lashes from the lovely Fleur of Fleur De Force's range. I have tried and loved a fair few designs from her collection in the past and these two are by no means any exception. Both inspired by her hugely-popular 'Fleur Loves' design - they're equally gorgeous both on and off the peepers themselves. 'Petit Fleur' is my new favourite natural, everyday-friendly lash - minimal on length, maximum on volume - and being of the same three-quarter design as 'Fleur Loves', super easy to apply and wear too. I also really like 'Fully Fleur' for the days when I fancy something with a little more 'Oomph', but still relatively wearable at the same time. I have already stocked up on them both as I adore them so much. I love supporting the Blogger/Vlogger community and even more so when the products are bloomin' awesome and exceed all my expectations - and these lashes (plus the range in general) certainly tick that box for me. Well Done Fleur!

Barry M 'Flawless Mist and Fix Dewy Makeup Setting Spray' and 'Flawless Hydro Fix Primer Water'  - Moving onto makeup and starting off with a couple of makeup-related sprays from good ol' Barry M. While it was indeed only last month when I was raving once again about how much I love Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray, these past few weeks I've found another budget alternative which I think may just be the best I've sampled so far. Being a lover of all things glowy - I just had to give the 'Dewy' version a go - and all in all, I like it a lot. It 's a breeze to apply, sets everything in place all day long and gives the skin a really radiant look. I've also really been enjoying using the 'Hydro Fix Primer Water' as a different kind of priming step. Typically, I'm used to slathering primers on my face much like a moisturiser, but this is of a different format which you spray over your face instead and while at first I was a tad sceptical, having given it a fair few goes - I'm impressed. It feel very refreshing and cooling to use and I notice my skin feels and looks far more hydrated afterwards. Any makeup I apply on top goes on like a dream and I can definitely notice a slight smoothing effect in regards to pores and smile lines. I'll always be a fan of UD's offering, but for a cheaper alternative this one's certainly not too darn bad at all.

Collection Primed and Ready Powders in 'Invisible' and 'Illuminating' - It seems like recently I've been trying and loving new powders here, there and everywhere and considering for what felt like the longest of time I was entirely loyal to the Rimmel Stay Matte - it sure makes a change, that's fo' sho'. I really enjoyed the MUA one I tried not so long ago, but this month I got the chance to test out these two newbies from Collection and I see just how they compare to what I've tried before (again, in my last 'New In At The Drugstore' post). I was probably the most eager to try the 'Illuminating' version, as that immediately stood out to me as a perhaps cheaper, not the same but similar version of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in terms of the radiant, luminous effect they're supposed to give. And you know what? All in all, while it did take some practising and experimenting, I like it. Used with a light hand and just where you want it, it really does do the job of mattifying, while still keeping things looking fresh and alive.

L'Oréal True Match Powder and Liquid Highlighters in 'Icy Glow' - It wouldn't be a 'Loves and Lusts' without some kind of mention of a highlighter (or ten) and this month, I'm fully armed with two - one powder and one cream. L'Oreal have finally jumped on the glowy bandwagon and brought their highlighting offerings to the table and I have to say, I'm liking them so far. Both formulations come in two shades - one catered for use pale gals and one for darker skintones - and of course, I plumped for the former of the two. The powder contains a split pan containing three icy, shimmery tones that whether used separately or mixed together - create a gorgeous sheen on the skin. The liquid version is equally as pretty and again works like a dream on my pale complexion. It's more of a light pinky tone, but once applied onto the skin it simply gives a pretty sheen on the skin and looks 'natural', but still noticeable (if that makes any sense at all). It blends like a dream onto the skin, requires the tiniest amount (seriously, this stuff is pigmented) and can even be worked over a powdered finish without things moving around and going cakey. Winner!

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24Hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow in 'Fantasy' - Onto all things Eyes and first up I have not exactly a new favourite product, but more so a new favourite shade. I think you lovely lot all know by now how big a fan I am of the Maybelline Color Tattoos - as I know many others are too. Basically, they're little cream eyeshadow pots which you blend over the lid and can be worn alone or as a base for a traditional powder shadow and they. are. awesome. I've got many shades that I love, but this month I tried a couple of new additions to the range and one of them may just have reached that status too. 'Fantasy' looks very similar in the pan to 'On And On Bronze' (a firm favourite of mine - and many others too), though once applied onto the lid, it's much more cool-toned and almost has a slight khaki green undertone to it. It's perfect for this time of year when you may be looking to go slightly more dramatic on the 'ol peepers and can be applied more liberally for a real punch of pigment, or simply sheered out depending on your preference.

Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara in 'Radiant Black' - I have a new favourite mascara this month and surprisingly so, as I never really discover a new lash offering that take my fancy as much as some I've tried before that regularly. However, these past few weeks I have and - yet another surprise - it's from Bourjois. I have never sampled any mascaras from the brand in the past, but picked this one up to try after seeing so many people raving on and on about how amazing it was. And you know what? I have to agree. It gives my lashes such great length, lift and thickness - while still separating them out nicely too. The formula is intensely rich and black and despite not being waterproof, lasts well throughout the day with no smudging or flaking to be seen. I think I may just need to see what else Bourjois have on offer for the lashes...

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Lip Paint in 'Stripped Down' - For the lips I have one product which I've been loving these past few weeks, ever since I discovered it as past of this post again. These lip paints are new-in from Maybelline and I really like them (going from this shade I've tried). Housed in a squeezy tube with a sponge tip applicator, this is kind of a hybrid between a lipstick and a lip gloss - almost a liquid lipstick but without the matte finish. It's not super shine-free, but it's not too glossy either and so can be easily applied, feels very comfortable on the 'ol pout and wears evenly too. Especially with the beige, brown-toned nude I plumped for - it hardly requires that much maintenance at all!

Maybelline Nail Polishes - Another inclusion from Maybelline - this time, nails-related. You may well have noticed that this month, I have been all over the lacquers from Maybelline. I featured a couple here in my last 'New In At The Drugstore' post, used them together here for a 'Polish Pick' and featured yet another completely different shade here too. All completely beautiful hues; all super pigmented, glossy and long-lasting. If you're after a new affordable nail polish (or five), I'd certainly point you in the direction of Maybelline.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads - Finally for the 'Loves' section of this post and rounding things off with a Skincare item that I 'Tried and Tested' in this post. You may remember in my August 'Loves and Lusts' I was raving on about how much I was loving the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads. Basically, they're an acid toner/exfoliating step which you sweep over your skin and just like that - you're done. I really rather liked them in terms of how they improved the texture and appearance of my skin, but having only picked up a small, travel-friendly pack; I soon ran out. While I enjoyed using them, rather than repurchasing, I picked up these ones from Nip + Fab to try out instead - having wanted to test them out for a while too. And I have to say, I'm liking them so far. They feel a tiny little bit more harsh on my skin (but still not harsh, harsh if you get what I mean) and dare I say it - I think they actually do more for it than the First Aid Beauty offering. They still don't irritate my rather-sensitive skin - which is a miracle in itself to be honest - and I definitely can notice how much brighter and smoother it is when I've been using these consistently. They come in at an even more affordable price than the ones from FAB and now I've got a bigger tub, I can see these lasting me for some time...

What I'd Love To Have:

Zoella Lifestyle and New Zoella Beauty Products - Unsure of the prices right now! - This month featured the launch of not only some new products to the classic range from Zoella Beauty, but also the release of Zoella Lifestyle! I am a big fan of Zoe (as I have been for around 5 years now) and so I am always intrigued and interested in her endeavours, and I have to say that everything looks all kinds of amazing. The Beauty additions feature a few products which I cannot wait to get my hands on (the new body scrub - I'm looking at you), while the Lifestyle range is packed with more copper and marble than you could ever need. What more could you ask for, eh?

Tanya Burr New Collections - Ranging from £6.99-£8.99 - Now this is a very exciting inclusion for this post as not only is it again from another Internet gal, but it's also available today! While Tanya herself has been teasing us with just what her new collection is comprised of for a little while now, it's only just become available for us all to get our hands on. With a new eyeshadow palette (as you know - I love these), capsule wardrobe of lipsticks and a whole host of different highlighting produts - there's something for everyone and I'll admit, I have already been on Superdrug and Feel Unique to source out my initial top picks for a post coming very soon...

Rimmel Magnif'eyes Eyeshadow Palettes - £7.99 each - Moving onto makeup and although it was only a couple of weeks ago that I did my last 'New In At The Drugstore' post - containing a handpicked selection of some of the newest additions to Boots and Superdrug - I've been spotting some more items that are fresh off the press and so I think I may just have to do another in the near future. These new eyeshadow palettes from Rimmel are amongst the new releases and I am very eager to try them out. They've finally gotten on board the eyeshadow palette bandwagon, launching three compilations in a variety of neutral shades. From cool tones to warm tones and everything in-between - I think these are bound to be popular.

L'Oréal Colour Riche Gold Obsession Lipsticks - £6.99 each - Now for something a little bit different. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before (yet alone from the drugstore setting) and whenever that happens - I'm bound to be keen to give it a try. Metallic lips are becoming a huge thing and so L'Oréal have clearly jumped on that trend and created another range from the famous Colour Riche Lipstick line - which I, and many others love - but this time, with every shade mixed with pure gold. There's your classic lippie shades - nude, red, pink, berry - and also a straight-up gold pigment; all of which can be worn alone, or layered on top of another lip product of your choice to add an instant illuminated effect.

NYX Liquid Suede Liquid Lipsticks (New Shades!) - £6.50 each - Also for the ol' lips are some new shades from the NYX Liquid Suede line. These liquid lipsticks are hugely popular and while I'm yet to give them a go, they've been on my to-try list for what feels like forever. So what better excuse than now, when they've announced they are to add another twelve shades to the line-up? To go alongside what they've already got on offer, there'll soon be some more classic shades, plus a few more 'out there' colours - so no doubt, there'll be something there to please everyone, no matter what you're after.

New-In Makeup Revolution Products - Unsure of the prices right now! - I really like Makeup Revolution as a brand. They clock in as one of the most budget, budget brands out there; and yet their products look super professional and act so too. They're recently added a few new palettes and some brow pomades to their ever-growing range, plus some brushes that are very much akin in terms of appearance to the famous Artis brushes (yanno, the ones which look a little like toothbrushes). So I guess if you're in the market to try out the whole concept without actually forking out a heck of a lot of money - perhaps Makeup Revolution is the place to go.

Collection Velvet Kiss Moisturising Lip Creams - £2.99 each - Collection seem to be continually bringing out new products these days and I most certainly am not complaining as they are one of my favourite affordable brands (as they have been since I first got into makeup) and the majority of the time, I love what they release. I'm not sure whether these are an entirely new product, or if they are simply replacing another which they currently have on sale as on first look - they both appear almost identical to each other. Whatever way, these look really nice and come in a very pretty selection of shades too so I think I might just have to picked one (or two) up...

Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paints (New Shades!) - £4.99 each - Nails-wise, Barry M have announced a whole host of new shades for their Coconut Infusion range which first launched in the Summer. As expected, this collection features a whole host of Autumn/Winter-inspired hues and having looked at the collection online, it's safe to say there are a few which I've already got my eyes on. I really like the formulation of this Coconut Infusion range, so fingers crossed (literally) that this new range is just as awesome.

Barry M Glowmance Soft Focus Cream - £5.99 - Also fresh off the press from Barry M is this new illuminating primer. If you haven't guessed by now - I am all about the highlighting products right now - and so this new launch couldn't have come at a better time to be honest. Aswell as promising radiant skin, this also claims to smooth out the texture of it too - hence the 'soft focus' tagline. This stuff pretty much looks to be exactly what I look for in a primer, so I may just have to pick it up...

Sleek 'Cleopatra's Kiss' Highlighting Palette - £9.99 - Yes, I know - another highlighting product. Who ever said you could have too many? I fell instantly in love with the 'Solstice' version a couple of months ago - much like everyone else - and so I was more than just a little excited when I got wind of this shade selection being added to the line-up. This contains slightly more bronze-y hues, but having given the swatches a close inspection they still look rather wearable for a wide variety of skintones. Sometimes it's nice to mix things up with something a little warmer on the 'ol cheekbones (and everywhere else I like to slather on the highlighter) and if the quality is anything like that of 'Solstice', I'd say this is definitely a release to get excited about.

So there we have everything for this month's edtion of my 'Loves and Lusts'! I hope you've had  a good month and I will see you lovely lot same time, same place next month for yet another check-in. Is there anything you've been loving or lusting after during September? If so, let me know!