February Favourites

We're well and truly settled into the new year with February done and dusted. I can't remember much about February except watching the Oscars and buying too much makeup. Unfortunately, the second thing seems to have carried into March. Most of my picks for February have been products I've mentioned before, so I almost didn't want to do a post to avoid repeating myself. But I guess that's how you know if something's good: when you keep coming back for more.

Melvita Damask Rose floral water
A very straightforward rosewater toner that I've been routinely spritzing after washing my face in the morning. It's a good alternative to my Avene Thermal Spring Water to re-hydrate my skin after cleansing. If it's left to completely evaporate off the face, it can feel slightly tightening and drying. For this reason, I prefer to apply my serum (back on the Indeed Labs Hydraluron, trying diligently to finish it) and moisturiser when my skin's still a little damp from spraying this. Because of its basic, pure composition, I don't find it irritates or stings, even when I get it in my eyes.

Bottom to top (from the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow): Highlight, Sculpt

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow + Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush
This could've easily been featured in last month's favourites as well, but I was toying with the idea of dedicating a separate, full post to it instead. I'll just rave about it here. These two products are worth every penny. Admittedly, the brush can feel a bit stiff initially and it takes some time and a couple of washes to fluff up and become more pliable, but once it reaches that stage, it's the single most effective contouring tool I own. The shape just works for my face in a way no other brush has. The Filmstar Bronze & Glow is an utter revelation. I've used it almost every single day since it arrived. It gives the face a healthy, lifted luminosity and earthy warmth and definition. Charlotte Tilbury absolutely nailed this one. It's honestly surpassed my every expectation. I'm calling it now: I'll be VERY surprised if this doesn't end up in my yearly favourites.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser
My preferred weekend base when I usually can't be bothered with a full face of foundation. My love for the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Nude is still strong, though I suspect my tube is dangerously close to its expiry date (if it hasn't already surpassed it). It's not applying to my skin as smoothly as before, but it's not a total write-off. I just need to put more time and effort into prepping my skin and blending the product in. It's worth it when the result is luminous, dewy, natural-looking skin.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer + Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser looks even better when I conceal areas of redness, blemishes, and neutralise uneven skin tone with my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Classic Beige. The best tool I've found to apply it is the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush. It works just as well as the Domed Shadow Brush which was my concealer brush discovery in July 2013. The Pixiwoo sisters use the two interchangeably to apply their concealer, and it's not hard to see why. The brushes are small enough for fairly precise application (though pinpoint concealing this ain't), but soft and rounded enough to blend product in seamlessly. Sometimes I really wonder why I don't always bother with concealer after my base. The effect might be subtle, but that final skin-perfecting step really does make all the difference.

Australis Velourlips Matte Lip Cream in Pa-ree
"Kylie Jenner lips" seem to be all the rage now, and this is the closest product I've found that achieves that look without going overboard. At first I was intrigued by the shade Pa-ree because I heard rumblings on Instagram it was something of a dupe for Lime Crime Velvetines in Cashmere. While I don't have Cashmere, judging from swatches online, Pa-ree looks to be a much more "wearable" version. It's a contemporary reddish nude that gives the appearance of full, plumped, rosy lips. I would almost go as far as to say this might be my holy grail nude lip colour. It's not "nude" in the pale beige/flesh tone way, it's a "my lips but better" nude that tones down and perfects the natural colouring of my lips, while adding a lil somethin' extra. The matte finish also gives finesse and sophistication. I LOVE the formula of the Australis Velourlips. They're incredible for the affordable price point ($10). I don't find them overly drying and most miraculously, they don't settle into lip lines. I usually apply it straight from the tube haphazardly, then press my lips together and dab with my finger to spread/blend the product. The end result looks like you put in a lot more effort than you actually have.

KIKO Glamorous Eye Pencil in Golden Hazelnut (401)
This has barely left my lower lash line the whole month. I don't know if I've come across a better pencil to define my lower lash line. The metallic copper shade is perfection (goes with almost any eyeshadow, or at least the neutral shades I stick to, and adds more "pop"/liveliness than a black, grey/taupe or darker, conventional bronze), it's long wearing, applies smoothly without tugging on the skin, and doesn't irritate my eyes. It was also €4.20, or $6. Basically, KIKO need to open up a shop in Australia.

l-r: Charlotte Tilbury Highlight, Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt, Australis Pa-ree, KIKO 401