Somehow, it's already the end of February and it's time, once again, to talk through all of my beauty favourites from the past month! I tried quite a lot of new products this month so there's quite a lot of new favourites as a result. But, I really think I've found some utter gems throughout February - like, there's some potential new holy grails in here - so I think we better just get straight on into it!
REVOLUTION PRECIOUS STONES PALETTE IN 'RUBY' - The latest eyeshadow palette I tried from Revolution was yet another success! I was really eager to pick up one of these palettes from the Christmas Range of 2019 - as they look so much like the layout of the Carmi 'Make Magic', which I love - and so far, I'd say I enjoy this one just as much. I firstly really love the warm colour scheme of this palette - full of warm reds, pinks, oranges and purples - and it's one that strikes the perfect balance between neutral and colourful, if you get what I mean! The mattes aren't the most pigmented I've used, but they're not too bad and they build up well - so you can still get them to where you want them to be, it might just take a little more time. They do blend well though! The 'normal' shimmers in the smaller pans are really nice and apply pretty intensely (even without the use of a wet brush or fingertip to apply) - but in all honesty, perhaps the main reason I bought this palette was the larger pans of cream-to-powder shimmers in the middle. And just like the Carmi palette, these are most definitely the star of the show. You need to use your finger to apply them, but they are just gorgeous - so intense and almost foiled-like! I'm so happy I picked this palette up!
REVLON CANDID CONCEALER IN '010 VANILLA' - This was yet another makeup item I picked up after hearing the lovely MakeMeUpMissa raving about it and so far - it's yet another success story! Missa actually suggested this as a good eyeshadow base rather than an actual concealer, so I've been testing it out specifically for that purpose and I have to say I'm pretty impressed so far. Often with eyeshadow bases (especially if I use my concealer as an eyeshadow base), I'll typically need to at least lightly set them with powder before going ahead with applying my shadow on top. However, Missa was raving about how well this concealer works as an eye base as it does not need to be set at all beforehand and still does not crease on your lids. So, I picked it up and gave it a whirl - and I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree! I simply apply some directly to my lids, blend it out with my sponge or a finger and go straight in with my shadows as normal and not only does everything apply beautifully (mattes apply well pigmented and blend seamlessly, shimmers apply really intense and almost foiled-like), it wears impeccably too! No creasing, fading, transferring, smudging - nothing. It's an eyeshadow base miracle! Don't get me wrong - I'll still use my concealer or usual bases as I don't mind having to set them and still get along perfectly fine with that method too - but I can definitely see this becoming a real staple of mine, when I just want to lay down a base and get straight into my eyeshadow...
PRIMARK PRIMER WATER - This was yet another suggestion from MakeMeUpMissa that I just couldn't refuse trying out for myself and I'm really happy with it so far! Everyone knows the trick of 'wetting' your eyeshadow brush before applying your shimmers to help achieve good adherence to the lid, maximum pigmentation and good lasting power - but apparently, this cheap-as-chips primer water from Primark is one of the best to do it with. Not only because it does the job well, but because it's so much more affordable than using a setting spray such as my holy grail Urban Decay All Nighter! So, I gave it a try and I have to agree. I simply pack on the shimmer onto my brush as normal before lightly spritzing it with some of this primer water and oh my, it works like a treat! Especially for slightly more 'lacklustre' shimmers, this really helps to get the most out of them and help them apply with a far more intensely-shimmery, foiled appearance. Again, I think this product is going to be a staple in my makeup stash from now on!
MAYBELLINE HYPER EASY EYELINER - You may not believe it at first but trust me - I think I've found a new favourite liquid liner! We all know by now that the NYX Epic Ink Liner is my holy grail - and has been for a good few years now. Mainly because I simply have not found one that's just as god, if not even better. But, you know what, I think I may have found it now in this one from Maybelline! It's very similar to the NYX Epic Ink in that it's got a super thin (but not too thin) brush tip and is very 'liquidy' - and that's exactly why I love it. It's super pitch black and though is very saturated with product, it's so easy to apply. It glides on the eyes so well and makes creating a super precise, sharp wing pretty foolproof. It dries in no time and doesn't bleed, smudge, transfer or flake off throughout the day at all. I also find it doesn't do that thing some liners do where they almost come off when you go over the same area when applying - if you get what I mean! All in all, I really like this liner and I think it's the closest I've come to one that's just as good as my faithful NYX Epic Ink...
BARRY M UNICORN PRIMER DROPS - I've had this primer sitting in my 'New/To Try' Drawer for a while now and this month was finally the time when I decided to give it a go at last and so far, I've definitely not been disappointed. I really like this face primer! I simply use the dropper to dispense a couple of drops into the palms of my hands, gently smooth it over my face and I really like how it works. It leaves behind a slightly tacky feeling on the skin which really ensures makeup adhere nicely - and I definitely feel this helps my makeup last almost impeccably throughout the day too! It also feels so hydrating on my skin too, leaving behind a lovely glow that my normal-to-dry skin really does appreciate. And whilst not claiming to be a smoothing or 'pore-blurring' base, I'd certainly say this helps in those departments too. All in all, this is a great, all round face primer that I'm really pleased to now have in my collection...
REVOLUTION CONCEAL AND DEFINE INFINITE CONCEALER IN 'C1' - I love the concealers from Revolution. The original Conceal and Define is a great full coverage offering, the Conceal and Hydrate is pretty much the same - just with more of a hydrating formula and satin finish - and so, I was pretty sure I'd get along just fine with this newest addition to the range, Conceal and Define Infinite. And you know what, I really love it! In essence, I'd describe this one as pretty much the same as the classic Conceal and Define Concealer formula-wise - it blends out like a dream, sits so nice and smoothly on the skin and lasts impeccably throughout the day - just with even more coverage! Because, even though the C&D is pretty much full coverage itself, the Infinite is like the fullest of full - if you get what I mean! So, perhaps if you enjoy the original C&D but want even more coverage, or maybe found it wasn't full coverage enough for you - this new version may well be up your street!
OBSESSION PURE BAKE BAKING POWDER IN 'LACE' - I found a new favourite loose powder this month too and - surprise, surprise - it was yet another suggestion from Missa! I was a little apprehensive at first at trying this as in the tub it looks like it may be a touch too dark for my paler complexion but rest assured, this works perfectly for me! Don't get me wrong, as it's not as light/white as other loose powders I've used in the past, so it's not as brightening (especially when baking the under-eyes), but it's not too deep that it leaves a dark cast on the skin. It's just the right colour for me I guess! And the awesome formula and finish makes that even more of a happy discovery - this powder is gorgeous! As I've said before, I personally love to use loose powders for 'baking' areas like my under-eyes and smile lines to really ensure they stay locked in place and crease-free and this has to be one of my favourites I've used! So finely-milled and smooth in texture, easily picked up with a damp sponge to press onto the offending areas and leaves behind a lovely finish on the skin. My skin looks so smooth and flawless and not dry or cakey in anyway at. all. It just feels and looks so lightweight on the skin and it really does keep the areas I've applied it looking as good as first applied, all day/night long!
ESSENCE CONTOURING DUO PALETTE IN 'LIGHTER SKIN' - Onto what is possibly on of my favourite, favourite finds of February - this contour palette right here. And again, this was something Missa put me onto. But, again, I am certainly not complaining as this is yet another utter gem! It's cheap as chips, but does the job so well that it's definitely got the potential to become my new go-to for contour. Inside this palette you get two matte contour shades - one lighter, and one deeper - and both are just awesome. The lighter one appears so fair in the pan it looks almost white, but in reality it's a touch deeper than that so for me, it works just perfectly for sculpting my nose (an area where I always like to use a slightly lighter shade than my usual contour colour). Usually, I have to go in with a lighter hand of my normal contour colour to get this effect but I love how in this palette, a separate shade is right there! Then, the second deeper shade is like my perfect 'normal' contour hue. You know my usual contour fave - NYX's Blush in 'Taupe'? This is almost exactly the same colour as that! Not too light, not too deep and with a slight ashy tone, but without being grey. Both powders also have a gorgeous formula too. They're well-pigmented, but still not too much at once and blend out like a dream! Cheap, convenient, good quality - honestly, I think this will be what I reach for from now on when it comes to contour...
MUA BROW DEFINE MICRO PENCIL IN 'LIGHT BROWN' - You may remember last month I tried this range of brow pencils and though I was more than happy with the formula, I admitted how I needed to tweak the shades I used a little. The 'lighter' shade I originally got for the very front of my brows ended up being a better match for the 'deeper' colour that I use for the main bulk, arch and tail and as a result - I was in need of finding a better lighter colour! There were two which were the best options I had and of them both - this one right here, 'Light Brown', ended up being the winner! The other shade was a little too light, whilst this one is just right...
NYX SLIDE ON GLIDE ON LIP LINER IN 'NUDE SUEDE SHOES' - I found two new lip liners this month that I have become utterly obsessed with! This first one from NYX has been something I've heard raved about for years and finally, I decided it was time to give it a try for myself. And honestly - I have no regrets - this lip liner is so, so good! I already love NYX lip liners from their other ranges but had never given these Slide On Glide On ones a whirl until now. And if this shade is anything to go by - they're so, so good! Fully pigmented from the get-go, super creamy, glide on really smoothly - making getting a crisp, sharp lip line easy-peasy! However, though it is a really creamy texture, it's still easy to control when applying and it stays in place all throughout the day with no issues at all at the same time. The best of both worlds! This mid-toned, pinky brown nude shade is just gorgeous too - almost like my perfect 'MLBB' type colour!
PRIMARK LIP LINER IN 'TOAST' - The second new lip liner love of the month has to be this one from Primark. Again, I saw Missa using this in a couple of her YouTube videos and decided to pick it up to give a try - it was only £1 after all! I've tried many lip liners from Primark before (which are also typically no more than £1 each) and really love them, so it's safe to say I had high hopes for this one to follow suit. And so far - I really like it! A lovely rich, mid-toned, warm brown nude - it's kind of comparable to one of my ultimate favourite nude lip liners, Rimmel's 'Tiramisu' - but even better, this one is even more affordable! And with just as good a formula and finish too. Pigmented, glides on with ease but with enough of a 'waxy-ness' to it that allows for a fully controlled and precise application and ensures it stays in place so well too! Again, I can definitely see this becoming one of my staple, nude lip liners from now on...
I HEART REVOLUTION CHOCOLATE LIP GLOSSES IN 'CHOCOLATE BROWNIE' AND 'CHOCOLATE ORANGE' - Remember when I tried the I Heart Revolution Chocolate Lip Gloss in 'Salted Caramel' sometime last year and basically, fell in love with it? Well, I decided to try two other shades from the same collection having enjoyed that colour and formula so much and so far, I think I've got two new favourites! 'Chocolate Brownie' is a really nice pinky-brown nude, whilst 'Chocolate Orange' is - you guessed it - more of a peachy, orange-toned nude. Both with the same awesome formula and finish as before - pigmented enough to show up, but not too much that it completely overpowers things, super shiny and juicy, not at all sticky feeling and super lightweight feeling on the lips too!
SIMPLE PROTECT 'N' GLOW TRIPLE PROTECT SPF30 MOISTURISER - It's not often that I try out new Skincare as typically, whenever I try a product I like and my skin gets along with - I'll stick with it! However, after my normal day cream finished up recently, I fancied giving something new that I'd seen release lately a try - this one right here from Simple. This whole 'Protect 'n' Glow' Range is pretty new and really caught my attention, so I thought I'd play it safe to begin with and try this day cream out. So far, I really like it. A little goes a long way, it sinks into the skin easily and in no time at all, doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy or heavy and works perfectly well underneath makeup! My skin has been feeling really soft and smooth since I've been using it too, so I think it's been working well in that department aswell...
SOAP AND GLORY 'WONDITIONER' CONDITIONING HAIR MASK - Finally, a new Haircare favourite from - would you believe it - Soap and Glory! As I said in my initial review of this hair mask, if there was one department I never saw myself trying from Soap and Glory - it would be Haircare. However, after they launched a whole range sometime last year, I was quite interested in trying at least one thing from it out. And so, when I was gifted their big festive gift set last Christmas and saw this hair mask was in there - you can imagine how excited I was! This month I finally got round to giving it a try - and so far, so good. This has almost the same consistency as one of their body butters - so thick and rich that it's almost solid - and the only difference I could see at first was the fact this is tinted pink. Luckily, that makes no impact at all on your hair - but the formula certainly does! This leaves my hair feeling so super soft and smooth and looking so shiny and healthy too! There's minimal frizz, my hair holds its style really well - all in all, I feel this could become a new favourite hair mask of mine. Who would have thought it?
So there are all of my February Favourites! A lot of new Makeup, with a few other awesome beauty offerings thrown in for good measure. But all in all, there's definitely a lot of new favourites in here - some which I can almost see becoming new holy grails! Exciting stuff...
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