Saturday, June 7, 2014

May Favourites

May was largely uneventful, though I was grateful for the delayed winter Sydney seems to be experiencing. (Also, thank you to those in my last favourites post who left me kind comments in response to the loss in my family.) Warmer temperatures made getting up in the morning just that bit more manageable, though I have been trying to squeeze in every last millisecond of sleep possible. There was a bit of a slowdown in posts, not for any particular reason except that other things in life took precedence over blogging. I've also been purchasing less new makeup (with the exception of two cheeky additions from Mecca Cosmetica), instead making a conscious effort to use and appreciate what I already have.


Dove Triple Moisturising Deep Nourishing Body Wash
I forgot how good this stuff is and was only reminded when I stayed over at a friend's place and she had this in her shower. Why bother with Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser when this exists? It's rich and creamy, lathers up luxuriously, feels so smooth and nourishing on the body, smells of clean, pure, soapy heaven, and leaves the skin pampered and pristine.

Pixi Glow Tonic
I'm now halfway through my bottle and there's been no loss of enthusiasm since I last featured this in my November 2013 Favourites. Some nights after stepping out of the shower, I simply can't be bothered with toner as part of my evening skin care routine, but I really start to notice the difference if I skip it just a couple of times. I feel that Glow Tonic essentially helps to properly prep my skin so it's more receptive to the serums/face oils/moisturisers I apply. It's a very hydrating and gentle toner that doesn't feel harsh or drying despite the presence of chemical exfoliants. With regular, long-term use, it's extremely effective at refining the texture of my skin, making it appear smoother, softer and more plump.


Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow SPF 25 Brightening Makeup in "Cheers to Me" Champagne
My go-to foundation if my skin's spotty and slightly flaky, which it has been lately. Unlike the majority of my bases, I can be fairly confident that this foundation won't result in more breakouts. It's oil-free and water-based, a major selling point that the girl at the Benefit counter emphasised when I bought it. It has medium, buildable coverage and is very forgiving on dry skin.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
My eyeliner of choice in May. Most mornings, I struggle to open the cap of my Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner, I'm trying to preserve the last remnants of my beloved Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, pencil eyeliner just doesn't cut it, gel liner is way too fiddly and time-consuming, so it's Revlon all the way. It might not be the blackest or most budge-proof of felt tip eyeliners, but it's easy to control and draw with for my eye shape. My pen has also lasted forever. Seriously, I've been using it on and off for I can't even remember how long.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in My Two Cents
Since selecting this cream shadow in my last Shop My Stash, I've have been consciously reaching for it more. It's probably the closest thing I have to my treasured limited edition Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper. It serves as a quick, effortless, all-over lid wash for a lazy weekend, but also works well paired with a darker powder eyeshadow like Burberry Midnight Brown for extra definition.

Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies in Blackest Black
Starting to understand why this is Tanya Burr's mascara of choice. I've always liked it, but I feel I've only unlocked its full potential in the last month. I find the trick is to almost close my eye as I'm applying it (the other eye being open of course), so I can really get to the base of the lashes. Doing this helps to thicken, lengthen and curl with maximum impact, good separation and no clumps. The wand allows me to reach the outer corner of the top lashes and works equally well for upper and bottom lashes.


Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum
Already written about it here, so I won't say anything further except that I've basically forgotten all about my other face oils in favour of this serum.

NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm
Still loving this. The perfect finishing step to my nighttime skin care regime. The tiny exfoliating beads are a little unusual but they're a novel touch. The thick paste simply melts into the lips and is soothing without containing menthol, an ingredient I'm partial to when it comes to lip balms (see Maybelline Baby Lips in Relieving Menthol, Blistex Lip Conditioner). The weighty frosted glass jar and refined honey/apricot scent only add to the enjoyment.

33 comments:

  1. Awesome picks! I totally would love to try that nuxe lip balm and the benefit cream shadow. I've got the same shade of benefit foundation in a sample but it's a bit too orangey yellow on me. I'm sorry to hear that last month was uneventful, I do hope you have many better months ahead!

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  2. May was indeed rather uneventful, despite of my 3 week holiday in Asia ^^
    The pixi glow tonic sounds amazing! I have not yet tried anything from pixi but I have heard they have great eye liners!
    Ooh the maybelline falsies, I love it!!

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  3. I like that Benefit foundation. The colours weren't a good match for me though, unfortunately.

    RIKKI POYNTER
    // RIKKI POYNTER MAKEUP

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  4. I really like Dove body wash. As You said it's so simply good :) The big bottle is the best choice :)

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  5. Benefit's creasless cream shadow is my favorite cream shadow. It is probably the only one that doesn't dry out on me. Pixi toner sounds amazing and hydrating. Will have to remember to add to my wishlist for winter must have.

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  6. Dove body washes are my favorites! Really nice post :)

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  7. I am a big fan of Dove body range, their lotions are my favorites. I haven't actually tried their body wash and might just have gotten the push to! :-) I still really quite understood toners, so am basically skipping the step still.. except may be spritzing refrigerated rose water or the caudalie beauty elixir.. which feels soothing.. and only my skin knows if it actually does any good! :-P

    TheConscienceFund

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  8. I really want to try out pixi's glow tonic! I haven't bought it because of their really high shipping :/
    and that eyeshadow is so pretty!! I really need to check it out :3

    Take care, have a nice day!*

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  9. i love the maybelline falsies mascara, such a great high st mascara!

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  10. Great favorites! Yes I love Dove stuff! Smells so good. And that reminds me of dove chocolate... *drools*

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  11. I've used the Dove beauty bars basically my whole life for soap, but that body wash sounds divine! Like the liquid version of the bars? I must give it a go! I think that colorstay liner was the first liquid liner I used, though I have a feeling it was a very old tube as I didn't like it very much! Glad it's lasted so well for you though.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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  12. I really need to try the Maybelline Falsies now. My lashes need all the help that they can get.

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  13. I really, really want to try the Nuxe balm. I live in Melbourne and have found Nuxe products in Priceline, but not the balm. Where did you get yours?

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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    1. The lip balm is definitely available in Priceline - maybe it's just constantly out of stock. I bought mine at a pharmacy while holidaying in Paris last year :)

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  15. Dove do some really nice body washes, they are some of my favourites however when we used to have their blocks of soap by the bathroom sink (long gone) I found that they really dried my hands out.
    Amy x | A Little Boat Sailing

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  16. The Antipodes minis are so tempting- I just wish it was the Aura mask instead of the moisturiser. Pixi Glow Tonic sounds amazing but eBay is extortionate and there's no other way of getting it. :( You're a lucky girl. :P

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    1. Pixi website doesn't ship internationally? I know I'll be a sad bunny when my bottle runs out. But I'm telling myself I'm going to buy the Clarins Exfoliating Toner when that happens :p

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    2. Oh, I just checked and they do, for a flat rate fee of 14.50 pounds. D:

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  17. I love everything you picked! I just started to use the mascara, but the wand just isn't my thing. It is too bendy! LOL.
    The Grass Skirt

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  18. Definitely going to try out the Dove shower gel, since the Nivea in shower body moisturizer isn't working for my dry skin during the Winter times!

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  19. You made me really want to try the Pixi Glow Tonic, so I did and I wasn't disappointed, it's so good! I always notice too if I skip a few days!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  20. I realyl like the Maybelline Falsies mascara too. I'm going to try your eyes closed trick next time I use it!
    Great post!
    Meghan
    www.todaysbeautyobsession.com

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  21. The Falsies is my all time favorite mascara! I can't try a mascara without comparing it to the Falsies!

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  22. I always enjoy reading your posts, I've been so busy with life lately but have been passively keeping up to date with all you posts! I've been using the Nivea In-Shower Body moisturiser which I don't mind, but it definitely leaves an odd rubbery feeling on the skin post-shower. I usually use Dermaveen's Shower and Bath Oil, but I might have a look into this Dove wash! I'm so happy to see Antipodes in Priceline now, although their prices are crazy! And ah, Reve De Miel, my last post just happened to be on it :P Love is as a lip treatment, and its texture is lovely.

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    Replies
    1. I haaatee the Nivea In-Shower thing, lol. I totally understand what you mean by weird rubbery feeling, it's so uncomfortable :S

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  23. Great picks! I would love to try the Pixi Glow tonic, sounds amazing. Maybelline always has great mascara choices, but the falsies is such a good product.
    Carolyn | BLOG

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  24. I'm loving Nuxe Rêve de Miel at the moment, too! Thanks for clarifying re the exfoliating beads, haha - totally wasn't sure if it was just me...
    Also, I think I'm going to have to investigate that liquid eyeliner, as I'm on the hunt for a new one (: x

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    1. I didn't notice the beads at first but they're so prominent now. I like them though, they're kind of an interesting characteristic which is also unexpected and fun :)

      The Revlon liquid eyeliner isn't all that well-reviewed to be honest, I just like it because I have monolids so even if the liner has predominately faded, so long as the extension past my eye/wing is visible, it barely makes any difference. It's just easy to use and I appreciate that my one pen has lasted an absolute eternity!

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  25. I still haven't tried a Benefit Creaseless Cream shadow heh.. It's just that everyone seems to love them! Definitely should go swatch them soon :) Great post Lena! xx

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  26. Ah Nuxe Reve de Miel - couldn't be without it now! Great picks :) x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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