January Favourites

I don't know what's been up with the weather this past month. From extreme heat to non-stop rain, I've come down with something in the past few days that I haven't managed to shake, even with lemon and honey, Panadol and baths with eucalyptus oil. Coughing hurts my throat, my voice sounds like death and my mouth feels dry and scratchy. Needless to say, I haven't been terribly enthused with makeup in my current state, though I do have a few standouts from the past month that comprise my January Favourites.

l-r: Benefit Sugarbomb, Rimmel Soft Beige, Laura Mercier Twilight Grey, theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
I've been meaning to buy this foundation for ages after reading not a single bad review. I managed to nab this for just under $10 due to the 50% off Revlon, Maybelline and Rimmel sale at Chemist Warehouse. I was tossing up between Soft Beige and the shade down, True Ivory, but I found it hard to tell the difference between them. Soft Beige is warmer and more orange/yellow than True Ivory, which is more olive-toned, but they seemed more or less the same darkness when I swatched them alongside each other.

In the end, I chose Soft Beige, which turned out to be a mistake since it's way too dark for me. The first couple of times, I didn't use that much product and I had my neck covered, so I didn't notice just how hilariously wrong the shade is for me until I had my hair up and was wearing a scoop neck top. I started to mix it 50/50 with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 52, which is too light for me, and the two turned out to be the perfect combination. The thickness and coverage of the Rimmel mixes with the more fluid, satiny Healthy Mix to form an ideal everyday foundation.

Benefit Sugarbomb
My favourite discovery for the month. Sugarbomb made me believe that a blush could be genuinely easy to wear and work effortlessly with my skin tone. Full post here.

Laura Mercier Eye Colour in Twilight Grey
I've used this consistently since receiving it in Sue's giveaway parcel at the beginning of the month. So pigmented, smooth, easy to blend and with minimal fallout. I use this with my default Maybelline Bad to the Bronze or the purple colour in Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment.

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer
I've come to appreciate this powder highlighter tenfold just recently. I found the trick is to forget about brushes. Use your fingers. The texture is so blendable, soft and almost creamy, and it's so luminous and pigmented, that using the fingers gives the best result. You get better control, you don't overload on product and it blends more seamlessly into the skin. This is a much stronger highlighter than the more subtle Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème, so it's my pick for when you need that extra glow and lift.

Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Cream
I bought this as part of a Clarins "Renewing" Set on Boxing Day, which also contained a Gentle Foaming Cleanser (100ml), Toning Lotion with Camomile (125ml) and Beauty Flash Balm (30ml). I use this at night mixed with a couple of drops of Josie Maran Argan Oil and/or Antipodes Divine Oil. It feels refreshing and intensely hydrating, without being greasy or heavy. It's gently perfumed with an uplifting, soothing scent. The pin hole opening is hygienic and ensures that you have control over the amount that comes out each time. This is the first skin care product I've tried from Clarins and I'm definitely keen to try out more.