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Monday 27 February 2017

February: The Love List


Welcome to the second edition of my new end of the month series - 'The Love List'! If you read my first one that I did this time last month - for January - you'll know the deal by now, but if you're new round these parts, this is basically exactly what it says on the tin. A round-up of all the things I loved over the past month and want you share with you lovely lot. So, let's jump right on in, yeah?

BARRY M NAIL PAINT IN 'BEACHY KEEN' - Kicking things off with nails, I firstly have this nail 'paint' from Barry M to rave about. As I explained in the 'Polish Pick' in which I featured this earlier in the month here, while this was a limited edition shade that Barry M released as part of their Summer '16 line-up, it's only now that's I'm getting round to giving it a go - I know, I know - but I can assure you that now I have, it's love. This is a classic, light nude with a traditional crème finish that's completely shimmer free and I really rather like it. It's not too warm toned, nor too cool and ashy and so really flatters my paler skintone nicely and just looks very chic and understated - a welcome change from the kinds of polishes I usually go for.

L'OREAL INFALLIBLE 24HR FOUNDATION IN 'PORCELAIN' - Makeup-wise, I have finally discovered a new foundation that isn't the Bourjois Healthy Mix. Hallelujah! If you've been reading round these parts for some time now, you'll most likely know of my all-out obsession with that Bourjois offering, but I've kinda made a bit of a New Years Resolution to get myself out of the habit of using it daily and actually try and find another base which floats my boat just as much. Of course, it's a little too early to tell if this one meets that high level just yet, but right now it's sure coming close. It blends in super easy, has a nice medium-to-full coverage that can be sheered out or built up depending on your preferences and the finish is neither too matte, nor too glowy - just 'skinlike'. It sits on my skin really nicely, lasts all day long and the colour I've got matches up to my natural skintone perfectly.

NYX BLUSH IN 'TAUPE' - Another sort-of shocker from the makeup arena is the fact I have found a new favourite contour product. And yes, it is technically a 'blush' - but who says makeup products have to be used exactly as specified on the packaging, eh? I picked this up after seeing so many recommendations here, there and everywhere citing this as the perfect contour hue for paler skinned gals like myself. Instantly I knew I had to give it a go and I am so, so glad I did. This is indeed probably the best product I have found so far for sculpting out my face. It's got a nice, ashy tone to it that makes it great for creating the illusion of shadow and depth, but still with a slight touch of warmth to it that stops the whole thing looking completely deadened and unnatural on the complexion. The formula is very well pigmented and applies and blends into the skin like a dream and I feel like this may well become a staple part of my makeup routine from now on...

SOAP AND GLORY 'GLOW ALL OUT' CHEEK STICK - We've had a little chat about contour, so I guess it's only fair to mention a new highlighter that I've been loving these past few weeks too, eh? I never used to be one for cream highlighters in stick form, but nowadays they only seem to be impressing me more and more - with this new addition being no exception. The champagne undertone really flatters my skintone and gives a lovely radiant, glowy look and while it is super shimmery, it's not at all chunky or sparkly. The formula allows you to really work it and mesh it in with your skin and all in all, it makes getting your glow on super easy-peasy.

MUA 'BURNING EMBERS' PALETTE - Another month, another eyeshadow palette that I've well and truly fallen head over heels for. What's new? This time round, a drugstore offering that I saw pop up in a video or blog post sometime a few weeks ago and instantly knew I had to buy myself. When I fist started getting properly into makeup, the eyeshadow palettes from MUA were amongst my favourites from the cheaper brands and so I had pretty high hopes that this would follow suit and you know what? It bloomin' well has - I love it. A slightly bigger shadow compilation than their usual twelve pan offerings, this time boasting a mahoosive twenty five different shades - all equally stunning and all the types of colours I gravitate towards on the regular. There's not one shade inside that I wouldn't get use out of - now that's a rarity when it comes to eyeshadow palettes. As for the formula, they are all of an amazing quality considering the more 'budget' pricepoint. The shadows ae all creamy, well pigmented and apply and blend super well too. The shimmers are intently sparkly and opaque and the mattes are not at all chalky or dry and everything stays in place - with no creasing or fading - all day long. I highly recommend picking this little beauty up, asap.

L'OREAL VOLUME MILLION LASHES 'SO COUTURE' MASCARA - Another Eyes-related item and another one I've become a massive fan of this month. I have heard so many good things about the whole 'Volume Million Lashes' range from L'Oréal and have always fancied picking up one of the many varieties to give a go, but never really knew which one to plump for. Then, the other week, my lovely Sister recommended this version to me, I pretty much immediately picked it up and this month I've cracked it open and I really rather love it. It's definitely a 'drier' mascara that takes a couple of uses to fully break in and become the best it can be - but once it gets there, it's fab. This adds a tonne of length and lift and thickens up my lashes, but still separates them out at the same time. The short, plastic brush makes application easy-peasy, there's no issues with clumping or anything like that and I find it never smudges or flakes off throughout the day too. Love.

BARRY M MATTE ME UP LIP KITS - If you're a regular round here, you'll most likely have seen that February was definitely the month of liquid lipsticks - especially in the 'Lip Kit' form. Until recently, it seemed that the only way of getting your hands on the whole concept of a liquid lipstick and lip liner packaged together as one was to get yourself over to Kylie Cosmetics and pay a rather extortionate amount in shipping and customs fees, but not any longer. This month I tried two new releases, both lip kits - one from Makeup Revolution and one from Barry M. And while I did rather like them both, I have to admit that the Barry M offering just slightly has the edge. All three colours are gorgeous, the lip liners are the perfect blend between 'creamy' and 'waxy' and and the liquid lippies have the most perfect consistency. They're super thin and feel so lightweight on the lips and best of all, they've got the powdery matte finish that I'm always after. No tackiness to be seen and they last all day long!

COLLECTION VELVET KISS MOISTURISING LIP CREAM IN 'CARAMEL' - Kind of sticking with the same 'liquid lipstick' theme, but much more on the 'beginners' end of the spectrum as opposed to the super matte, super long-lasting end in which the above ones fall under. As I mentioned in this post, I'd liken this range from Collection more to the likes of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, which still dry matte on the lips and hang around for a good while - but not to the extremes of 'proper' liquid lipsticks. This is a more of a lighter, comfortable compromise and I really love this 'Caramel' colour - a pretty, brown-toned nude. I saw Fleur (of 'Fleur De Force') raving about it for ages and now I've tried it, I can definitely see why...

RIMMEL #INSTAFIX FIX AND GO SETTING SPRAY - And finally - a new priming water/setting spray that I've discovered this month! As you'll know if you read round these parts a lot, the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is my ultimate go-to in this department, but every so often I am tempted to try other offerings and see how they compare. Not gonna lie, this doesn't necessarily top my holy grail, but it's a good drugstore alternative nevertheless. It's got a nice, fine mist and feels super refreshing and cooling on the complexion. I find it does a pretty good job at both priming and/or setting my face and - a slightly less essential thing - it's got a lovely scent to it aswell.

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