February Favourites

It seems like my makeup during the weekdays hasn't deviated from my normal routine for the longest time. It's only on the weekends that I'm inspired to try out something new or use a product that I haven't picked up in a while. This month, I've been favouring a more minimal (or bare-faced) approach on my "off" days. If I can't be bothered with makeup at all, I've enjoyed the sheer coverage and oil control of my first non-Asian BB cream, a natural pink lip and a multipurpose coral tint that I've finally figured out how to use.

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover
I couldn't get back to this nail polish remover fast enough after using (and hating) the ineffective and offensive-smelling Sally Hansen Acetone-Free Fast & Gentle Polish Remover. My favourite thing about this Cutex one, apart from the fact it just works a whole lot better at removing nail polish, is that it doesn't smell like nail polish remover. Most nail polish removers I've tried have an overwhelming, sharp chemical stench that makes taking off your polish a generally unpleasant experience. Not this one. Any chemical scent is mild and it smells more like cocoa butter. It's truly unique in that respect, and I'll happily repurchase when I run out.

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Combination to Oily Skin in Light
I've been meaning to try this after reading Dawn's glowing review and seeing Lisa Eldridge use it in her Kylie Minogue video. This has become my go-to for when I don't feel like wearing foundation, but still want to even out my skin tone with light, natural coverage. It goes on smoothly with fingers on a freshly moisturised face. I'm impressed with the oil control — on really hot summer days, this only gets slightly dewier with time, but in a soft, luminous way that actually makes it better. My only caution is that it overflows when you first open it, so it's best to keep it upright and avoid squeezing the tube.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection in Comfort Zone
I've been neglecting my Urban Decay Naked palettes and instead, paying much more attention to Comfort Zone. For the longest time, I was desperate to acquire this palette (along with the Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment), but once it was finally mine, my enthusiasm waned. It's taken me a while to come around, but my appreciation for it grows the more I use it. My favourites are the left crease colour all over the lid and the two bottom shades applied along the upper lash line and slightly blended out. The duochrome of the right "Definer" shade is a thing of beauty. Small warning: the bottom left shade has A LOT of fall out. It's also much closer to a straightforward black than the rich, shimmery bronze that it looks like in the pan, which is the only minor disappointment of this palette for me.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon
Despite having a ridiculous number of lipsticks, I barely wear them the vast majority of the time. During the day, if I'm not wearing nothing on my lips, I usually prefer a safe and sheer option. A little something to add some colour and moisture, but nothing that screams lipstick or is too noticeable. That's when Woppin' Watermelon is the perfect choice. It's a neutral, rosy pink that still has a bit of juiciness. It's softly glossy, fairly hydrating and buildable in colour. And I just love the look of it. The packaging is A+ in my book.

Benefit Cha Cha Tint
I've always liked Cha Cha Tint, but never used it much. That changed when I found an easier way to apply it. Dabbing a bit of the tint on your hand, then dipping your finger into the product to blend onto the cheek, gives you much more control than applying the product directly to your finger, and then to your cheek. (Whatever you do, don't apply this directly to your cheek, unless you want a red dot on your face all day.) The only downside to applying it to your hand first is that it does leave a stain. I can live with that. Though I have a million coral/peachy blushes, what I love about Cha Cha Tint is that it's neither shimmery nor matte. It never looks powdery or shiny on the cheeks. It just melds into the skin completely and invisibly. Sparingly and carefully applied, it gives the face a fresh, youthful, pinky-peachy-coral pep.