July Favourites

HOW is it August. I don't understand. July was mostly cold, which encouraged as much sleeping in as possible and lazy makeup practices. I was experimenting with the newly released CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation but the shade I bought, Buff Beige (825), proved too light, so I had to mix it with Rimmel Wake Me Up in Soft Beige (200), which kind of defeated the point. The rest of the time I was relying on Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation but I never felt completely satisfied with it. Near the end of the month, I crawled back to my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. There was a tonne of skin care experimentation going on in July, but nothing I found particularly revolutionary. All that cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising and treatment didn't seem to make any noticeable difference. If anything, I started to break out, mostly on the lower half of my face, which I tried to remedy with Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimising Patches from Priceline's skin care goodie bag. It was quite the novelty to paste transparent oval stickers onto my spots and peel them off in the morning. Can't say they did much, but at least I half used up something.

Grown Mandarin and Rosemary Leaf Body Cream
There's a bit of a funny story with this one, and by funny, I mean sad, and by sad, I mean pathetic. I spotted this body cream at Priceline one day, slashed down to $20 (normally $50). The only problem was there were none left. I tried some of the cream from the tester, really liked it, and lamented not scoring such a bargain. That night, I did some research online, trying to find a similar price point, but failed. I then simply couldn't get this stupid body cream off my mind. I'm sure there's a psychological phenomenon that can account for my behaviour. I would've never looked twice at it had it not been so reduced in price (me? Body moisturisation?), but missing that opportunity, I now wanted it regardless. In the end, I purchased it from Myer when they had 25% off Grown. Nowhere near $20, but at least there was some discount. The cream reminds me a lot of Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm. I did a side-by-side ingredients comparison and there are a lot of commonalities (including sweet almond oil, macadamia seed oil, wheatgerm oil, mandarin orange and carrot root extract). The scent when I'm applying it to the skin is a bit more sharply herbal/leafy than the sweet-but-tart citrus I was hoping for, but it's a pleasure to use nonetheless and sinks into the skin quickly, leaving no greasy or sticky residue.

Caudalie Divine Oil
I've featured this in a previous favourites, but I've relied on it heavily this month as well. Once we get over the distinctive, rich scent (which I've warmed to considerably) and how it's a bit drier than other face oils, it manages to be a truly versatile, high performing product. The luxurious 100ml spray bottle is much easier to use than the mini 15ml cylinder from the Caudalie Must Have Set. I typically spritz one pump into my night cream and then rub my palms together to mix them, then massage it onto my face. I find the Divine Oil adds that much-needed boost to my regular moisturiser as I sleep. I wake up to generally smoother looking, well-hydrated skin that looks just that bit clearer, plumper and more well-rested. I've also really enjoyed adding it to purified water and making my own goodness-knows-what toner in a small, generic pump bottle. When I've slept in way too late on Saturday and can't be bothered washing my face, I do this 3 step routine of Avene Thermal Spring Water, Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist and my DIY water/Caudalie spray. For reasons that elude me, it leaves my skin feeling toned and looking softly polished and radiant.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème in Rose Gold
Another product that I've written about before, this was basically the only highlighter I used this whole month. I think my appreciation for my Dewy Glow has intensified threefold with the knowledge you can't get this anymore. As time goes on, I'm just so grateful that I bought it off BeautyBay back in the day. This is one of the more subtle highlighters that I have, which I find more suitable for everyday wear. I prefer the skin-tone peachiness of Rose Gold to more champagne (yellow) or pearly (pink/white) options. It glides onto the face without being overly emollient or slippery, barely requires any blending for a seamless finish and has surprisingly good wear time for a cream product. I've had it since February 2012 and haven't even hit pan yet, so hopefully it'll last me for some time to come.

Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush
The Pixiwoo sisters are always using this brush and the Deluxe Crease Brush for their concealer, and with the breakouts I'd been having, I finally gave the Domed Shadow Brush a go for that purpose. Instant love. I use my Maybelline Fit Me concealer, dabbing it onto my spots directly with the applicator, then start feathering the edges of the blemish out with the brush, blending the concealer into the surrounding skin as delicately as possible, patting on the spot itself to smooth the surface without moving the concealer around too much. My technique still requires a bit of fine-tuning and practice, but the results aren't anything you can get using just your fingers (trust me, I've tried). This brush has become an absolute necessity if I'm applying concealer for the purpose of covering up spots. I've even made a makeshift cover for it with a discarded plastic tube and sticky tape so I can pop this in my makeup bag without worrying it'll become contaminated. I'm interested in finding something with a pointy tip for even more accurate concealing.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze
If we're keeping these favourites real, then this has to make an appearance. I've already mentioned Bad to the Bronze in countless other posts, so I'll try not to harp on. Basically, this stuff is the best. It's both a primer and a base, as well as a standalone eyeshadow. Ridiculous lasting power. Metallic finish without being overly chunky, shimmery or glittery. So easy to whack on. Ideal everyday colour, not too warm-toned or cool. Other shadows blend nicely with it. Not too soft so it slides all over the place and goes on patchy, not too dry so it's impossible to get any product and hard to blend. My brainless, automatic, go-to choice, time and time again.

l-r: Maybelline Bad to the Bronze, Jemma Kidd Rose Gold