February Favourites

La Roche Possay Efflaclar Duo - I have been using this for around 2 months now and I really like it. I definitely think this, along with the Liz Earle products have really made an improvement to my skin.

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo & Conditioner - This smells amazing and the scent actually lasts on my hair too. It also makes my hair soft and shiny. I was kindly sent these by Aussie as I had expressed my dislike for the original 3 minute miracle, but am glad to say I am in love with these and will definitely be buying the full size.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and Instant Boost Skin Tonic - You can read my rave review about these products here. Like I said above, since using these my skin has really improved. 

What have you been loving this month? 

Gem x

January Favourites

I cant believe it is February already! January has gone by so fast this year. For me, February is not all about Valentines day, as Valentines day is my eldest sons birthday, and he will be 4 this year. Me and my Fiancé don't really celebrate that day for the reason above. This wont stop me getting involved in some Valentines makeup and nail creations though, so look out for them on the blog soon. 

Anyway, on to the post. I haven't had much of a problem this month in choosing my favourites, as I haven't really had that many...

Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake - A regular now in my monthly favourites. I adore the colour and the finish and how moisturising they are to my lips. My lips have been so dry the last half of the past month and this and Carmex have been the only lip products I could use. Review and swatches here.

Chloe Eau de Parfum - I have been wearing this perfume every day since I got it and it is fast becoming my signature scent. I love how sophisticated yet fresh it smells. Review here.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation -  A purchase toward the middle of January, this had to be included in my favourites as I have been wearing it nearly everyday since I got it. It provides full matte coverage, with out looking at all cakey. Full review here. 

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 101 - I got this in a swap I did with Mel from Mels Wall of Mirrors. I havent reviewd this yet, but I have been wearing it a lot. Its a gorgeous matte dusky pink colour, perfect for every day wear.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - I wear this along with Double Wear on my T-zone, and I stay shine free for the whole day. 

Gem x

October Favourites

You know the drill by now...here are the products I have been loving this October....

1.  MUA £1 Powder I didn't have high hopes for this powder as it was only £1, but it is great! It sets my make-up perfectly and keeps the shine at bay. The only thing I would say is if you are extremely pale, this wouldn't be for you as it is maybe a tad too dark for me. I just make sure to blend down my neck.

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation Now the colder weather has set in I find myself with dry skin. I love this foundation for a dewy winter glow, but have to make sure to use a primer (usually that gal) as it loves to cling to my dry patches otherwise.

3. Burberry Lip Cover Mini in Rosewood I acquired this from a past Glossybox, the Harrods edition I believe. Initially I wasn't sold on the colour but now it is Autumn and lots of bloggers have been embracing darker lips, so I decided to join in! I really like this colour and it is suitable for day or evening wear. The formulation is a dream and it feels very moisturising on the lips. I only wish I could afford to buy a full sized version.

4. Elf Mineral Blush in Joy I cant stand the fact that this is a loose powder and extremely messy, but it is a gorgeous colour. It is very similar to Benefit Dandelion and looks really pretty and delicate on pale skin.

What have you been loving this month?

Gem x

September Favourites

I know I say this every month but....Wow, how quickly did the last month go? I cant believe we are now in October. I am looking forward to Halloween, expect a few Halloween related nails and make up on the blog! Also bonfire night and Disneyland Paris at the beginning of November.

So here are my Favourite products for the month of September;

Denman Strawberry Scented Brush: I won this brush in a giveaway over on http://www.alaurentoherself.com/ and have been using it everyday since I got it. I was using a brush from Primark before this one and there is a huge difference. I leaves my hair smoother and tangle free in less strokes. The best thing about this brush though is the smell. It smells amazing, like strawberries and Cream. 

Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation: Over the summer I have been loving Garnier's oil free BB cream but now that the weather is a little colder I have been favouring more full coverage for my base. I love this foundation as its matte, yellow toned and lasts pretty well on my slightly oily skin. I don't need to wear a powder with this so its great for my 5 minute face routine in the mornings. 

Amie Radiant Dawn Exfoliating Daily Wash: I really enjoy using this scrub. It does exactly what it says on the tin and leaves my skin looking really radiant and lovely and smooth. I love the fact that they only use few ingredients and it is suitable for sensitive skin types like myself. However it is scented, luckily I didn't react to it but it is something to bear in mind if your skin does. It also has a great price point retailing at only £5.75

Amie Skin Shield Daily Moisturiser SPF15: As with the Exfoliating wash, I love the fact it is suitable for sensitive skin and it has a purse friendly price. I love the scent of this moisturiser and it leaves my skin with just the right amount of moisture.

Stila Dry Shampoo: This shampoo is a lifesaver in between washes. I like to wash my hair every other day so this is great to revive second day hair. I find the scent lovely and the powder is finely milled so it blends into the hair really nicely. 

So there are my favourites, what products have you been loving this month?

Gem x

August Favourites

So our summer is now officially over. It was a wash out overall, but living in Wales I have a lot of experience with rain and am used to it.

So here are the products I have been loving in August:

• N-SPA Body Scrub - I got this scrub in a set for my birthday and I love it. I really like the scent, its so refreshing and floral, it has just the right amount of scrub in it  and it leaves my skin lovely and smooth.

• Purity Organic Skincare Regenerating Overnight Moisturiser* - I have been using this moisturiser for about a month now and I love it. It leaves my skin so moisturised and doesn't cause it to flare up, unlike a lot of moisturisers I have tried. It is thick, but this is what I look for in a night time moisturiser as it provides more moisture.

• Avon Glimmer Sticks Diamonds in Black - I love this eye-liner. It is super pigmented, glides on effortlessly and lasts a long time. It has small particles of glitter in it, it isn't too noticeable but it does add a little extra to a smoky eye look. 

• Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains in Cherish and Honey - I own two of these and want them all. I love everything about them from the scent to the consistency. The glossy part of the stain doesn't last too long but the actual stain part lasts all day. I love each shade equally, Cherish is a really unique lavender pink and Honey is a nice plummy pink colour for everyday wear.

• Osmo Berber Oil - I received this in a past glossy box but have only started using it this month. I use it on towel dried hair and it leaves it so smooth and smells amazing, like haribo! My hair is usually quite difficult to tame but after using this it is so easy to style. 

What products have you been loving this month?

Gem x

July Favourites

1. Impulse Love Puzzle review here - A fruity-floral fragrance perfect for summer. I find Impulse so handy as you can just pop it in your handbag and top up as the day goes along.

2. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfecter Oil Free review here - I have been wearing this almost every day in place of foundation. I love the matte finish and the fact that it has skin loving properties. 

3. St Tropez Everyday Body Moisturiser - A freebie from the July issue of Elle magazine, I really like this gradual tanner. I have been using to to keep my tan topped up as there is not much chance of doing it naturally with the weather we have had recently. The results are a natural looking streak-free tan which takes about three applications to build up. 

4. Orly Mini Ancient Jade - I have been loving this colour and wore it during the burst of sunny weather we had recently. Its perfect for summer. 

5. Benefit That Gal Primer - If I have been wearing foundation at all, I wear it with this. It really helps to brighten up my complexion and gives a smooth base for me to apply my make up.

What have you been loving this month? 

Gem x

Monthly Favourites: June

I know I say this every month, but I cant believe July is here already! Here are the five products that I have been loving in June...

• Benefit That Gal Primer
• Benefit Porefessional Primer
• Benefit Eye Bright
• Too Faced Natural Eye Palette
• Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake

Three out of my five products are from Benefit! As you all probably know in the June issue of Glamour UK magazine there was a free gift, which were mini benefit products. I have been loving both the primers so much. I use That Gal when I am going for a more fresh faced natural look, and the Porefessional for when I am going out in the evening and I want shine free long lasting makeup. 

I have had eye bright for ages now, in fact I think I may have gotten this free with Glamour a few years ago! I hadn't really used it much but this month I have been using it in the water line and tear duct. It doesn't last forever in my waterline, but it does last a decent amount of time. If you are unfamiliar with eye bright, it is a very light pink coloured fat pencil, with quite a creamy formula. If used in the tear duct and water line it makes you appear more wide eyed and awake. 

I know I have included the Too Faced Natural Eye Palette in my May favourites but I really do love this palette and again have been wearing it pretty much every day. Its great to create a understated neutral eye look. 

Lastly, I have been loving my Revlon lip butter in Strawberry Shortcake. I love how it acts as a lipgloss and lipstick in one, and I think the colour is quite flattering for my pale skin tone. 

Gem x

May Favourites

I know this post is a little late as we are now 8 days into June (where has the time gone?) but I wanted to share what I have been loving over the month of May.

Yes Nurse Hand Cream

I had this in my eco Glossybox and have been using it pretty much every day since. I love how soft it makes my hands and also that it is quite affordable at £4.95. The fact that it is eco-friendly and natural is also a nice bonus.

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette

If I had been wearing eye shadow in May it would have been from this Palette. I love it so much and you can see from the pictures it is well used. I have the Naked 2, but I rarely use it and opt for this one when I want a barely there subtle eye. The shadows are such good quality and blend so well. I use the top row most and I think 

Velvet Revolver is my all time favourite eye shadow. It is a taupey-brown colour which is perfect for the crease or use all over the lid. As I am fair I also use this as an eyebrow powder and it matches perfectly. When I run out of this I am going to have to repurchase it! 

Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Lotion in Pink A Boo

I got this from the Pound Shop and I love it. It is a multi-purpose highlighting cream which is also very moisturising. It can be used alone as a highlighter or mixed with your foundation for a dewy glow. It is discontinued by Revlon, hence it being in the pound shop now.

For £1 it is an absolute bargain. I know the pound shops have different stock from week to week, and it differs from shop to shop, but it is worth keeping an eye out for it. I have found it available on-line from fragrance direct at £1.99, still a good deal HERE. 

ELF Glossy Gloss in Ballet Slippers

This gloss is brilliant, one of the best I own. Its not too sticky, gives good colour pay off and smells divine. It is usually £3.50 but I got mine when they were on offer for only £1 each! I have another colour, Candy Pink, but this is my favourite. It is a peachy nude colour that looks great alone or layered over a lipstick. I particularity love it with MAC Shy Girl. 

NYX Smudge Brush

This little smudger brush is great for, well, smudging eye shadow! Its also good for using in the crease for more intricate looks, and as a liner brush for powder shadow. It costs £5.50 and is available from the NYX website HERE.

Gem x

March Favourites

I love reading monthly favourites, so I decided to do my own :) So here are my March Favourites...

MAC Creme Cup Lipstick

The first MAC lipstick I have ever owned, and I get what the fuss is all about. Definitely the best quality lipstick I have owned, I love how smooth and creamy it is. I also adore the packaging and I will be buying more! It the perfect nude but with a hint of colour so that it doesn't totally wash me out. I have been wearing this mostly every day this month since I got it. Love it. Mini review and swatch here.

Neals Yard Daily Moisturiser

I got this moisturiser free with a magazine and its worth around £12. Its totally natural, something I like in skincare. I like the lavender smell and the way it goes absorbs quite quickly into my skin leaving it nicely moisturised. It doesn't break me out at all which is another plus as a lot of moisturisers do. I am not sure whether I will buy this again though as it is quite pricey, I'm undecided.

Paul Mitchell Awaphui Wild Ginger Treatment Oil

I got this in the Feburary Glossy box and I love it. The smell is gorgeous, and it leaves my hair really smoothed and tamed. The only problem is I cant find anywhere online that sells this stuff, so if you know of anywhere let me know please!

Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation

My skin has really been playing up this month and I needed a good coverage foundation that is matte, as it is quite oily. This foundation is both of those and is a really nice matte foundation that doesn't look at all cakey. Review here.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Amazing brush, great for applying foundation, highlighter, powder and blush. I would really recommend this brush, its £11.99 and available from Boots. Review  here.

Gemx