Tuesday 19 June 2012

On High Rotation: June Favourites.

Being a cosmetic addict beauty lover I acquire an unhealthy amount of cosmetics on a weekly (sometimes daily, let's be honest) basis. While I endeavour to rotate my products and use them all evenly, there are some that are constantly at the top of the pile. Simple because they are fabulous. More fabulous than the rest.

(L-R NARS Bronzer in Laguna, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation #52, L'Oreal  Youth Code Lumiere Serum)
This month I finally gave into Bourjois Healthy Fix Foundation and might I say, WOW! It has bumped NARS Sheer Glow off my counter. Yes, it is that good. The formula + smell + lasting power is hard to compete with. Absolutely adoring it. NARS might make a come back over the summer months, but to be honest I have had a really difficult time finding a winter shade from the Sheer Glow range. And Healthy Mix Foundation is giving me no reason to continue searching.

After seeing the glowing reviews this product received on PRIMPED and all over the beauty blogosphere, I could not resist giving L'Oreal Youth Code Lumiere Serum a go. I have been using it daily for around 3 weeks and have been really pleased with the results. It also smells delectable. Win, win!

Old faithful, even in the depths of winter when I need a bit of contouring to bring my face back to life. My favourite bronzer of all time (isn't it everyone's?!).

(L-R Australis Intensifeye Eyeshadow Trio in Bees Knees, MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack)
With lots of deep reds and berry lipsticks dominating this winter, I like to go for a very nude eye with a slick of eyeliner. The Australis Intensifeye Eyeshadow Trio in Bees Knees is the perfect palette for this look and I have been wearing it constantly.

Perfect for aforementioned slick of eyeliner, MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, is the bees knees (zing!).

(Clockwise from Left) Benefit Brows-A Go-Go Kit, Bourjois Blush in Brun Cuivre 03 and Gorgeous Creme Blush in Peaches and Cream.
I had found peach creme blushes to be quite elusive until I stumbled across this Gorgeous Creme Blush in Peaches & Cream. Gives the perfect warm apricot glow and the consistency of this product is absolutely delightful. I am a double-dipper when it comes to blush. I like to layer powder over creme blush for a long-wearing effect. The blush I have been wearing over Peaches & Cream is Bourjois Blush in Brun Cuivre 03.

Could not live without Benefit's Brows-A Go-Go kit. I have only recently been using shadows to get the perfect brow shape. I have very fair, blonde brows so a pencil just was not doing them justice! While using shadows takes longer in the morning, the result is perfectly groomed brows.

 (L-R) Revlon Lipstick in Fuschia Fever, Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lip Gloss in Lambada
As soon as the weather gets cooler I look forward to busting out my winter warmer (lip) shades. Revlon Fuschia Fever is the perfect berry-toned lipstick. The forumla is tops too - long-wearing, non-drying and just plain fabulous. 

I don't leave the house without my Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lip Gloss in Lambada. The perfect nude/pink gloss that is light and nourishing. It also tastes fantastic so if perfect for my 3:30 snack craving.

Those are my So Hot Right Now products. I look forward to making this post a monthly installment as I churn through my collection!

Friday 15 June 2012

On My Fingertips: Revlon Top Speed #010 Sheer Cotton

Revlon Top Speed #010 Sheer Cotton

High up on my (unofficial) beauty bucket list is finding the perfect nude nail polish. It seems so simple, as there are a ridiculous number of them available at beauty counters in every varying shade. But, perhaps the reason there are so many on offer is because it is so difficult to nail (zing!) the two C's: Colour and Coverage.

One type of nude I always favour when I am aiming for the understated, classic, elegant look on my paws is a bone/ivory nude. This kind of colour is quite neutral and lends itself well to fair skin. When on a recent Priceline visit, I came across Revlon's Top Speed nail polish in #010 Sheer Cotton, which fits the bill in terms of a bone/ivory nude. I am a big fan on the Top Speed formula - it is fast drying (obviously...) and seems to wear well.

Revlon Top Speed #010 Sheer Cotton - Three Coats + Topcoat.

I adore the colour and how it looks against my skin tone. I love the way nude colours tend to elongate the fingers and soften the look of my hands. The only pitfall of this polish, as with every other nude I have tried, is the coverage. Three coats is a standard for nudes to get the perfect matte finish, which means that the lasting power is not as great as it tends to wrinkle and chip because of the thickness of the polish. It is also difficult to touch up nudes because of the number of layers it requires to get a matte finish.

I will absolutely continue to wear this shade, but will continue searching for the perfect (two-coat-only) nude!