October: Loves and Lusts

It's the 31st October - Halloween - meaning it's the end of the month, so that can only mean one thing - it's 'Loves and Lusts' time! 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 October and also everything I've been placing on my wishlist over the past few weeks. You can find all of my past posts of this type here if you fancy a looksee but for now, lets get started on October...

What I've Loved:

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Autumn Collection - The lovely Tanya Burr released her newest makeup collection at the end of the last month so of course, it was inevitable that I was going to pick up a few pieces. The launch in general is not particularly 'Autumn' in theme (more just items which all coincided to be released this time of year), but all of the products are completely stunning and all very exciting additions to the Tanya Burr Cosmetics family too. If you do want to know more in-depth detail, you can have a read of my full review of the range here, but in brief summary - it's awesome. The new eyeshadow palette is just as lovely as all the others I've tried; the new cream and liquid highlighters are super glowy, yet also incredibly natural-looking at the same time; and the lipsticks are rich, pigmented, and come in a classic cream formula - making them very comfortable on the lips indeed. Once again, very well done to Tanya on yet another amazing launch!

Primark Beauty Strobing Kit Highlighting Powder Palette - Moving onto the bits 'n' bobs I picked up from the Primark Beauty section this month - as part of a kind of Part Two of my 'Testing Primark Makeup' series. Of everything on offer, the highlighters called out to me the most and having given them a try, I am so very pleased I picked them up. This first powder palette features three luminising pigments in varying shades and shimmer-ness. There's your classic icy shade, a bronze and also a mauve-y tone and the former definitely falls into the 'highlighter' category, whereas the latter two you could perhaps get away with using as all-over face powders to give a more radiant look to the skin. They've got quite a bit of kick-back once you place your brush in the pans, but they're very well pigmented considering the affordable price-tag.

Primark Beauty Illuminate Cream Highlighter Palette - Also in the highlighter department in Primark, I picked up another palette - this time, in a cream formula. On first look, this reminded me a lot in terms of concept of the Sleek Highlighter Palette - although you actually get five shades in this one, not four. It also features a lot more pinky, rose-gold inspired shades which makes for a nice change from the usual icy, champagne hues that you typically see and I'm actually rather impressed by it. They're very creamy and blend like a dream and aren't too pigmented - so you can easily sheer them out or build them up, depending on your preference. They're lovely on their own, but also work well as a base for your powder highlighter to adhere on top of and I really like the overall aesthetic of the palette in general too.

Primark Beauty Velvet Matte Lipstick Crayon in 'Hustle' - Finally from Primark's Beauty department, I have a new lip product love. I am a big fan of the whole 'lip crayon' thing and in particular, the ones with the 'velvet matte' finish these claim to have - so all in all, I had high hopes for these. And you know what? I really rather like them. My favourite of the two I picked up is this one, 'Hustle', which is a stunning brick red-toned nude and I love it. As it's got a 'velvet' matte finish, it's not completely matte - so lasts very well, but without the overly drying effect. The pencil format doubles up as both a lip liner and a lipstick so one swipe all-over and you're good to go. Done.

NYX Micro Brow Pencils in 'Taupe' and 'Espresso' - I've finally branched out from my usual brow pencil combo of my L'Oréal Brow Artiste and Soap and Glowy Archery and instead at last jumped on the NYXC Micro Brow Pencil bandwagon. I've known for a while that when I was due for a lil' replenishing in the brow department that I wanted to invest in something from the NY counter, as they've been getting so many good reviews lately, but it wasn't till this month that the time came. I picked up two shades, as I generally like to for my brows - one lighter for the front, one darker for the tail and arch - and I'm really enjoying them so far. It's basically an identical set-up to that of the S&G Archery Pencil - with a tiny pencil on one end and a good spoolie on the other - and I like how the hard texture of the pencil means it's easy to control, easy to create lifelike hairs and has great lasting power.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask - Skincare-wise, I've discovered a new face mask this month which I've properly fallen head over heels for. I'd heard so many rave reviews about this since it's release not too long ago, so a couple of weeks ago I finally decided to just bite the bullet and try it out for myself. Turns out, that was a good call on my part - it's all kinds of awesome. It's a sheet mask soaked in the super-moisturising product which you simply apply onto your face - making you looking very Halloween-esque indeed - leave on for ten minutes or so and then peel off again, massaging in the excess as you go. Afterwards, my skin felt so super soft, plump and hydrated and I could still feel and see the results the next day. What a winner, eh?

Lee Stafford Dehumidifer Spray - Finally for this month's Loves, we're moving swiftly onto al things Haircare and I have really been loving this product lately. I have struggled with having frizz-prone tresses for the longest time and am always up for any products which make it more manageable and while I've come across many which work wonders and I love, this one in particular has to be the best I've used so far. Simply style your hair, spray some of this through like you would a hairspray and that's it - no more frizz. The way I style my hair is the way it stays and it still manages to look and feel completely weightless as if I haven't put any product in at all. Plus - the scent is divine.

Bleach London Reincarnation Mask - Last, but definitely by no means least, another product  for the hair which I've found during October and have fallen in love with. Having dry, damaged hair; another haircare item which I am forever on the hunt for are hair masks. I'm always searching for the next best one and you know what? I think with this one, I may just have found it. Once again, this is another product which I've heard awesome things about and it most certainly lives up to all the hype...and more. It's a super thick, rich and intense mask which completely transforms my parched hair into smooth, sleek tresses and in just one use I can see a noticeable difference in the overall condition of my hair. 

What I'd Love To Have:

Beauty Advent Calendars - Various prices! - Kicking off the Lusts for this month and how could I go without mentioning all of the Beauty Advent Calendars that have gradually started getting announced - and even more excitingly - released! I don't know if it's just me but this year I feel like even more brands and companies are jumping on the hype, resulting in an even larger range of calendars to choose from. Whether I end up investing in one myself for the festive period I'm a little unsure about, so maybe I'll be getting all heart-eyed emoji over them all instead...

New In Makeup From NYX - Let's not even think about it, yeah? - NYX has been a brand I've been obsessed with for some time now. Basically ever since it finally launched here in the UK, I've been gradually making my way through the range and trying out different products and let me tell you, I've certainly come across some proper favourites along the way. This month brings another whole host of new products, with lots of exciting launches for the brand and surprise, surprise - there's a fair few which have caught my eye. There's everything from eyeshadow palettes to metallic liquid lipsticks and I. Want. It. All.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks - £16.00 each - Another month, another liquid lipstick that I've been lusting after. Kat Von D has finally made its way to UK shores in Debenhams (in-store and online), reigniting everyone's love for the brand I feel and while I'm yet to give anything a go, there's a fair few items which I'm very much interested in adding to my collection - namely, the liquid lipsticks. These are so hyped-up in the online beauty world and I really want to try them out too. There's some gorgeous shades in the line-up - 'Lolita', I'm looking at you - and I love the look of the packaging aswell.

MAC Liptensity Lipsticks - £17.50 each - The first mention from MAC in this section of the post and yet again, another product launch this past month that has taken the online beauty world by storm. MAC launches are always rather popular and one product which has forever been a fan favourite are their lipsticks. Their classic range has been around for forever, but this month they've added a new range to the line-up - the Liptensity Collection. Described as an intensely-pigmented lip colour with creamy, satin finish - these sound right up my street - and it's safe to say that there's a handful of shades which have already grabbed my attention. 'Smoked Almond' looks to be the perfect brown-y, caramel-tinged nude and I love it.

Kylie Cosmetics Kyshadow Palette in 'Burgundy' - Around £35.00 - I know, I know - I shouldn't be lusting after another product from Kylie Cosmetics - but while I might know that deep down, it sure as hell doesn't stop me doing it anyway. When the first, original Bronze Kyshadow Palette dropped a few months back - as usual, everyone went mad for it - and to be fair, so far I've heard some pretty good reviews about it. Well, this time around Kylie has added another shadow compilation to her range but with reddy, berry tones included instead. Personally, I love using these kinds of tones this time of year so the launch couldn't have come at a better time and while I know I probably won't end up getting my hands on it, I can dream - ok?

LUSH Autumn/Christmas Collection - Let's not even think about it, eh? - This time of year is always when Lush release their Autumn and Winter Collection for the season and every time it comes around, we all get super excited about it - myself included. There's always a good range of goodies - some old favourites and some newbies - and I cannot wait to go to my local store to pick up a selection. Fingers crossed they've brought my favourite, favourite 'So White' Bath Bomb...

MAC 'In The Spotlight' Collection - £24.50 for the Strobe Cream and £24.00 for the Extra Dimension Skin Finishes - Another new launch from MAC as of late is their 'In The Spotlight' Collection - a range of products that promise radiant glowy skin in an instant. We all love the sound of that and the products themselves look awesome. There's a bunch of new shades of their classic Strobe Cream, plus some new hues of their Extra Dimension Skin Finish Powders. With both liquid and powder highlighters brought to the table - both in a wide range of hues - there really is something for everyone and I don't think I'd be alone in saying that I'm really glad MAC has finally launched a full range of proper illuminators.

L'Oréal L'Or Highlighter - £7.99 - Talking of illuminators, a more drugstore option for those who want the glow, but without the hefty price tag - I give you this newbie from L'Oréal. Although it only feels like yesterday that they brought out their True Match Highlighters (both in Powder and Liquid formulas), they've added another choice to the range and it looks so stunning. I first saw this on one of Alix from I Covet Thee's videos and instantly fell in love. It's got a cream to powder texture which really appeals to me and he colour itself is gorgeous. I'm not usually one to plump for gold-tinged highlighters, but this one looks really pretty and has a cool tone to it which I feel will flatter my paler skin tone a lot more than the warmer, yellow-y golds.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer - £17.00 - Rounding up the Lusts for October is a slightly less exciting inclusion, but still one which I've been thinking about possibly adding to my stash. If you've been reading around these parts for some time now, you probably know that in terms of eye primer, personally, the Urban Decay Primer Potion is where it's at for me. No matter what eye makeup I use, I always have to use an eye primer as my eyelids just naturally make anything and everything crease up within a few hours, but while the UD offering does the job just fine, I've heard a good few people say this one from Too Faced is just as good - if not better - so maybe I'll be investing in this instead next time round.

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 October? If so, let me know!