March: The Love List

Somehow, it's already time for the third edition of my end of the month series - 'The Love List'. How has that happened, eh? If you've been keeping up with the first and second ones I did - for January and February respectively - you'll know the deal by now, but if not, welcome to my style of 'favourites' post from the month. The time when I sit down, gather together all of my top picks from the past 30 or so days and share them all with you lovely lot. Let's jump right on in...

SOAP AND GLORY 'CALM ONE CALM ALL' BUBBLE BATH - Bath and body-wise, this has become a firm staple in my routine this past month. It used to be a massive favourite of mine back in the day, but somehow along the way I kinda lost my love for it for a little while - until now, that is. This is great for creating a mountain of bubbles and leaving the bath water feeling super soft and silky too. Plus, the fragrance of this stuff is all kinds of delicious - think classic S&G vibes. Mmmmm...

COLLECTION PRIMED AND READY ANTI-FATIGUE ILLUMINATING PRIMER - As for makeup, I have a new primer love from Collection - something which perhaps isn't that surprisingly really, considering how much of a fan I am of their other bases I've tried before. This is a new addition to the line-up and I love it just as much as I thought/hoped I would. It's got that lovely, moisturiser-like texture which doesn't feel at all silicone-y and instead feels more like a last step of Skincare before moving onto Makeup. It applies onto the skin easily and really makes my makeup look and last super good too and as for being 'illuminating' - when you look super duper close up, you can see tiny little reflects of shimmer within the formula, but they're so minute that on the face they simply translate as a 'glow' as opposed to 'glitter'. Phew.

NYX AWAY WE GLOW LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER IN 'CRYSTAL GLARE' - ...But, when I have been wanting all things shimmery in all of the right places, this has been a firm favourite highlighter of mine these past few weeks. Of all of the liquid highlighters I've even come across and tried myself so far, this has to be the best one I've used. The doe foot applicator makes applying super quick and easy and the formula is really rather nice too. It's creamy and strikes the ideal balance between being 'not too thick' and 'not too thin' and so blends out like a literal dream. I find I can apply this on top of my other makeup without it wiping it all away - anyone else struggle with this problem when it comes to liquid highlights? - and the tone of this one in particular is right up my street. Normally, highlighters of this texture come in very icy, cool-toned shades but the colour range of this product made it easy to find one that's more akin to the likes of theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer. A nice, champagne-y, warm glow that just looks gorgeous on the high-points of the face (and basically everywhere else too).

NYX DUO CHROMATIC ILLUMINATING POWDER IN 'SNOW ROSE' - I know, I know - another highlighting product from NYX but they're just bringing it right now with all things glow-related and I just had to give this one a mention aswell. This one is far more cooler-toned and - as the name suggests - has a lovely duo-chrome effect to it. While it does have a primarily white base (ideal for paler skintones like myself), it's got this gorgeous pink reflex to it that gives off something a little different. It's still very much wearable though and I love the finely-milled formula that just sits beautifully on the skin and never looks heavy or cakey too.

RIMMEL SCULPTING PALETTE BY KATE IN 'CORAL GLOW' - This I included in my recent 'Shopping My Stash' post and of all of the products featured, right now this has been the one I've fell back in love with the most. I love every single powder inside of this compact - and normally, I'm not a huge fan of highlighters inside compacts like this, or even blushers in general. However, I find myself reaching for all three of the shades in this and I really like them all. All nicely pigmented (in that there's good colour, but it's still buildable), they blend out easy-peasy and all of the colours complement my skintone and general makeup preferences perfectly. 

NYX LID LINGERIE EYE TINT IN 'SWEET CLOUD' - Eyes-wise, I have become rather obsessed with this stuff. This liquid eyeshadow range from NYX intrigued me and I knew I wanted to give it a go so I picked up just this one shade first off to try and I'm actually pretty pleased I did. I don't really have any experience of eyeshadows in this format so I was a little unsure of how I'd get on, but all in all it's not too bad at all. Simply apply some onto the base of your lid and use a brush or your finger to blend out the edges and you're done! It gives the most stunning shimmery, metallic-like finish to the lid and this light rose gold is just lovely. Just make sure you do one eye at a time to ensure you've got plenty of playtime before things set down but once it does - it ain't moving all day. No creasing, smudging or budging - nada.  

NYX EPIC INK LINER - I such a massive fan of Soap and Glory's Supercat Liner that I thought I would never find something which I enjoy using as much but during March I actually managed to. This new liner from NYX has been the one I've been reaching for and I've been really liking it. The more bendy nib has been something I've had to gradually get used to, but now I have I feel like this has become a pretty straightforward liner to use (or as straightforward as eyeliner can be, that is). It's super fine and the formula is super black and 'wet' so it makes it and realy easy to get a sharp, precise line that's opaque and smooth too. 

MAYBELLINE COLOUR SENSATIONAL NUDE MATTE LIPSTICK IN 'SMOKY ROSE' - Honestly, I haven't used a 'traditional' lipstick in so, so long. With matte, liquid lippies now a firm feature on the makeup scene (and in my makeup stash), it's not a regular occurrence that I reach for one in your standard bullet format but this month I've fallen in love with this new shade from Maybelline. This has a matte finish, but it's more of a creamy matte as opposed to your liquid lipstick-style matte, matte texture and so while it may not be as super long-lasting, it still hangs around for a good amount of time and feels a lot more moisturising and comfortable to wear too. The dusky, pinky mauve shade is right up my street and gives off those perfect nude, MLBB vibes. Mwah!

SLEEK MATTE ME LIP CREAMS - If you're a regular round these parts, you'll probably know of my recent obsession with the Sleek Matte Me Liquid Lipsticks. They are by far one of my favourite formulas from the drugstore I've tried (apart from another which may or may not be coming up below...) - super thin and lightweight; beautiful, opaque colours with a powdery matte finish and super good longevity. I've already fallen in love with a fair few colours so far, but this month - I've added more. The first, 'Bittersweet', has been a feature in the range for a while and I've only now gotten round to picking it up myself. The pinky, almost coral-toned nude is just so pretty and makes for a lovely twist on an everyday lip colour. The second, 'French Fancy', a gorgeous bright, candy pink, I can picture being a staple shade over the warmer months and I literally cannot wait to crack it out, asap.

BARRY M MATTE ME UP LIQUID LIP PAINTS - Other than the Sleek ones, these liquid lipsticks from Barry M have been a huge favourite of mine these past few weeks. Ever since trying the Lip Kits (featuring a Matte Me Up Liquid Lip Paint with matching lip liner) last month, I have been super keen to get my hands on some of the singles and the two I picked up have really hit the spot for me. Same amazing formula, in two just as equally stunning shades and I really love how now I have some more bright and bold options from this range in my stash, compared to the more neutral offerings of the Lip Kits. 'Paparazzi' is a stunning true, classic red; whilst 'Pop Up' is the perfect bright, hot pink and I just know these will be the first two I plump for the next time I'm in the mood to rock something more 'out there' on my lips.

BARRY M SO CUTE-ICLE! CUTICLE OIL - Other than good nail colours, Barry M are great for when you need products to keep your nails in good condition and this latest addition is no exception. I love a good cuticle oil for keeping those nail beds in shape and overall making the area look more moisturised, neat and tidy and this one is a great offering from an affordable, drugstore brand. The coconut-y scent is nice, without being too overpowering and I love the convenience of the standard nail polish applicator, enabling you to literally brush the stuff on and then rub it in with your fingertips. Easy-peasy.

BARRY M HI-SHINE GELLY EFFECT NAIL PAINT IN 'PEANUT BUTTER' - Last, but certainly by no means least - an actual nail paint from Barry M that I have been in love with recently. Considering how I never used to be that into nude nail colours, nowadays I'm starting to finally see the whole hype/obsession with them and have found this one to be my favourite so far. It's the perfect neutral nail hue for me - not too light, nor too dark; with just the right amount of warmth in it without it coming off as orangey in anyway. As always with all of the Gelly formulas from Barry M, things go on super opaque in two coats and with a super shiny, glossy finish too and not gonna lie, I am so super happy to have found this shade. Plus, the name itself is pretty yummy too...

P.S. You may notice this is not the final, final post of March (as is the usual schedule for my 'The Love List' series) so keep your eyes peeled for Friday's post...