Saturday, March 1, 2014

February Favourites

The speed that time seems to be flying at is utterly frightening at times, a not uncommon assessment when we come to the beginning of a new month. Summer is officially over, though the last few days have been prematurely dreary that it felt over much sooner. My skin’s improved from last month but it’s still far from ideal, so I've been focusing on using high quality skin care to keep it happy. I've rediscovered an old foundation love, developed a newfound appreciation for a French lip balm, relied on a near faultless eyeshadow duo, and enjoyed moisturised hands smelling of dessert.


Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm
I’d previously only used this as an occasional treat at night, and wasn't too thrilled with how it fared as a makeup remover. It also always managed to get into my eyes, blinding my vision. I was hardly using it, which seemed like a massive waste given it’s otherwise an expensive, luxurious product raved about by the likes of Caroline Hirons (who called it her “all-time favourite cleanser”). Then one day I woke up and thought to myself, “why not use it in the morning?” I promptly ditched my Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser for the Emma Hardie, and I haven’t looked back. As I’m only washing my bare (half awake) face, I don’t use as much of the balm since there’s no makeup to remove, but I still get to enjoy the incredible fragrance and how it leaves the skin feeling nourished and plump, rather than stripped and dry.

Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream
This has been my daytime moisturiser of choice this month, usually following washing my face with the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. First off, I absolutely love the jar packaging, which I think makes it that extra bit special and appealing. It has a beautiful texture that can take a little bit more work to fully absorb into the skin, but is very hydrating without feeling greasy and heavy. It works especially well as a base for my foundation. Where other moisturisers can reveal dry patches once I've applied my foundation, this one provides a smooth canvas and allows foundation to sink in and blend seamlessly into my skin.


NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji
Featured in my Best of 2012, I returned to Sheer Glow this month and I’m now convinced it’s the best foundation I've tried. The only thing is you really need to properly prep your skin for this foundation to achieve its full potential. Exfoliate, moisturise, slap on your favourite overnight mask, do whatever you have to do to achieve your best possible skin before applying this. Some of my best skin days in recent memory have been after cleansing with Emma Hardie, moisturising with Antipodes, then following up with NARS Sheer Glow. Radiant, airbrushed, plump skin perfection.

NUXE Rêve de Miel
I don’t think I really “got” this lip balm when I first purchased it, but I’m fully converted now. I don’t even reach for my Maybelline Baby Lips anymore (say what?) because it’s been all about this NUXE number at night. It’s the finishing step in my evening skin care routine and it’s been keeping my lips in excellent condition. Bonus points for smelling positively edible. A definite repurchase.


Laura Mercier Crème Brûlée Hand Crème
Speaking of edible products, this hand cream takes the cake. I was browsing David Jones the other day and came across the Laura Mercier counter, where I saw the Crème Brûlée Soufflé Body Crème and hand cream. Remembering Pam’s review, I tried both and it was instant love. I wasn't too sure about shelling out $65 for the body soufflé, so I settled for the hand cream instead, which I purchased from StrawberryNET. This cream absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving no greasy residue. It might not be the most amazing, hydrating hand cream formula I've encountered, but whatever it lacks in performance, it makes up for in scent. I just keep cupping my hands together, bringing them to my nose, and inhaling deeply. Instant sugar hit without the guilt or calories.

l-r: bareMinerals A-Ha, Foreshadow

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 2.0 in The Epiphany
This “brown sugar/ brown truffle” duo consists of the shades A-Ha and Foreshadow. Both are smooth, pigmented, with minimal fallout, though slightly drier than a more creamy, buttery formulation. I don’t know if I could have come up with a better eyeshadow duo that sums up my tastes so succinctly. While I love the shimmery A-Ha for all over the lid, the dark matte brown Foreshadow comes in handy to darken up any eyeshadow look for that extra definition in the outer corner.

54 comments:

  1. The eyeshadow looks perfect for me too! I've been looking for a no-brainer type palette so I'll have to keep an eye out for this one :)


    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. It's a fantastic duo, you really can't go wrong with it :) The bareMinerals e/s formula really impressed me unexpectedly.

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  2. I reeeeally want to try the NARS Sheer Glow.

    RIKKI POYNTER
    // RIKKI POYNTER, MAKEUP!

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    1. I haven't used mine in a while. Will have to slap some on this morning!

      www.sophiemakesup.blogspot.com

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  3. I love the favourites you have this month. Definitely would love to try the NARS sheer glow.

    Stephy ♥ http://dearstephiiie.blogspot.ca/

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  4. These days I veer towards neutrals as well. I have always wanted to try a Nars product. but it's ot available where I live.

    Xoxo

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    1. Oh no, that sucks! Maybe you could try online. Have you tried www.kissandmakeupny.com/nars.html‎?

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  5. yes, it is frightening how time flies, right?? it is march already I can't believe it, and soon July will come!!
    glad to hear you enjoy the creme brûlée hand cream very much! my tube is almost coming to the end, I will def repurchase. I usually apply it before bed as the smell is so relaxing imo. I sometimes cheat and apply it all over my hands and arms as well as I am to stingy to fork out 65€ for the body soufflé. haha..
    oh and it's all about time until I get my hands on NARS sheer glow!!!

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    1. Ugh, tell me about it :( My birthday is in two days, I feel so old and getting exponentially older :p

      You definitely inspired my Laura Mercier purchase. That post you did on the creme brulee hand cream and perfume really stuck in my mind. The fragrance of the hand cream is quite strong which I really like because you can really enjoy it in small doses. I'm trying not to use too much of it but I totally can imagine applying it to arms as a body cream alternative haha :)

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  6. It is RIDIC how fast this year is going ALREADY. STAHP IT!!!
    I love the look of those eyeshadows, and have heard so much about them lately!
    I would love to try Antipodes, everyone raves about their products

    xx
    Michaela // Where is my mind?

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    1. I know right? So crazy. I think I picked the right bareMinerals eyeshadow duo for me, though I wouldn't mind checking out more of their eyeshadows (not that I need any more eyeshadows for the next 5 years minimum). I don't love every single Antipodes product I've tried but generally they're solid :)

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  7. Really cool products! :) xx

    www.ninainthespring.blogspot.com

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  8. Great favourites! And lovely photos! Nuxe Reve de miel is one of my favourite lip balms too!

    MyMakeUpCompulsion

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  9. Taking a while to wrap my head around the 180 degree turnaround on the Nuxe Reve de Miel. And the Laura Mercier Creme Brulee line smells indescribably glorious. I try to surreptitiously sneak a whiff when I pass the counter in DJs. Still figuring out my skincare so I'm a little envious of how satisfying you make your products sound. The BM eyeshadow duo is beauuutiful. I've swatched the duos in Mecca but have yet to really feel chemistry with any of them.

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    1. Everything I had an issue with in terms of the Nuxe balm, I basically just got used to. It's still very different to the majority of lip balms I own which are slippy, but I kind of like that. Can't say the scent/packaging doesn't contribute significantly to my enjoyment though :p My skin has been acting up lately, so it's like one step forward, two steps back all the time.

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  10. I love the Laura Mercier Creme Brulee shower gel which I splurged on a few years back and absolutely love the scent. I will have to get the hand cream to pamper myself :)

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    1. Oooh, the shower gel sounds super indulgent. Like bathing in creme brulee foamy creamy goodness ;)

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  11. I'm on the hunt for the Emma Hardie cleansing balm. I recently decided to go sulphate -free - which means, no foaming cleansers and scrubs...like, no at all. And I'm the hunt for Sulphate-free shampoo's as well.
    I had a horrible reaction to Avènes soapless cleanser - that thing looks like Fairy...I've promoted him to Clean my brushes - and it didn't matter what I was using, my skin as getting break outs, they were getting drier and drier and my T-zone as super oily. Until I went Sulphate-free and started to use the Camomile cleansing butter from The Body Shop for a OCC during night and day. My skin improved so much because of that...the break outs disappeared, my skin is less oily on my T-Zone and feels more moisturised and less dehydrated.

    Anyway, I'm curious about Nuxe's lipbalm and NARS foundation. The bareminerals duo also looks really nice :3
    Take care, have a nice day!*

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    1. Oh no, sorry to hear you had a bad reaction to the Avene cleanser. But glad to hear The Body Shop cleanser has helped your skin out considerably and stopped the breakouts. I might have to check it out once I run out of my Emma Hardie and other cleansers. My skin is super temperamental, I'll have a period of relatively good skin and then it'll just go crazy again. It's really hard to tell what's causing it, though I'm sure my appalling diet of late is contributing :p

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  12. Nuxe Rêve de Miel is a staple in my evening routine, definitely one of my all time favorites :) xx

    beautyvisions.blogspot.com

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  13. Great picks, I really want to try the antipodes cream!

    Kate xo / www.beautybabbles.com

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  14. I loooove the Nuxe lip balm - always saves my lips which get easily irritated by EVERYTHING! It's the last step in my evening skincare routine too (: my sister also loves the Nars Sheer Glow - I should probably get around to trying it one of these days! x

    www.madeleineslittleblog.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. It's a great overnight lip treatment! Hope you get around to trying Sheer Glow, it really is an amazing foundation so long as your skin is cooperating :)

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  15. Love the Nuxe lip balm of course and cannot wait to try the Nars Sheer Glow #somuchhype around that product!

    MISSY IN THE MIRROR

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    1. Absolutely, but this time I feel it's justified :) But only if your skin is generally in good condition and nicely moisturised, it will definitely exacerbate any dry patches if your skin is dry and not exfoliated.

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  16. This is a lovely roundup of products! I have been wanting to try the NUXE lip balm for some time now, I really need to take the plunge and just buy it.
    The Emma Hardie balm is another of these products that I have been wanting to buy too, it sounds great for morning time!

    joy&

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    1. I definitely prefer the Emma Hardie for mornings, for night I prefer something like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish as I find it's more effective at taking off makeup. Hope you manage to try the NUXE soon and you like it :)

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  17. We basically have the same taste. Ha!
    Apart from the antipodes cream that I never tried, I love all the other products. The Laura mercier hand creams especially are amazing. The pistachio is my favourite. :)

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  18. End of your summer equals spring for us!:) Hadn't even considered the bare minerals eyeshadows untill now, that duo looks beautiful x

    AmBlog | Life, Beauty & Anything In Between.

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    1. Spring is such a nice time in the year, especially when the days start getting a bit longer and the flowers start blooming the trees get greener :) I'm really happy with the bareMinerals eyeshadow, the colours are right up my alley.

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  19. That Nars foundation looks so nice. I've been totally in love with their skincare products and eyeliner, so I've been meaning to get more of their products!

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  20. I NEED that eyeshadow duo, it looks so gorgeous! Definitely going on the post-spending ban wishlist! Nars Sheer Glow has been on my wishlist for a really long time but I'm never sure because it's so darn expensive!

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    1. It is pricey but luckily I bought mine in the US while I was on holidays there so it was about $42. Not too bad. I believe it's $68 here from a NARS retailer called Mecca Cosmetica. I would repurchase if I ever ran out of all my foundations (in 2021...)

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  21. Great picks! Nar sheer glow is a product I'm so lusting for :)

    Kayla
    Sheer Beauty Blog

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  22. The bareMinerals eyeshadows look fantastic! What a great duo! I haven't tried anything from the brand before but I'm starting to hear more and more about them. I'll definitely have to try something out some time. xx
    Celina | The Celution | Bloglovin’

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    1. They're best known for their mineral foundation I think, but I'm not too interested in that. I have one mineral powder foundation from Laura Mercier but sadly I bought a shade too light so I never use it :(

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  23. That Laura Mercier hand cream is divine! I tried to ignore her bath & body line by calling them overly gourmand and sweet, but they are delicious. And I keep looking at those bareMineral shadows but can't pick which to start with.

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    1. They are definitely outrageously sweet, but somehow just restrained enough that it's not sickly and grotesque. Though it could venture into that territory for some :p

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  24. I NEED THAT ANTIPODES CREAM. AND NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION.

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  25. That foundation and the lip balm I'd love to have! I've heard so many ladies speak about how moisturizing and lovely that balm is!

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    1. It's got a bit of an unusual texture, it's quite thick and paste-like. It's unlike most lip balms I've tried but it's definitely grown on me :)

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  26. A lovely roundup of products as always!! So many things I've wanted to try forever (the NARS foundation, the lip balm) and now multiple things that have entered my mental list of things I want (that hand cream, the eyeshadow due)… the makeup feels are real right now!

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  27. LOVE the Nuxe lip balm. I've repurchased it again and again and it lasts about 6 months when i use it every night before bed so you definitely get a lot for your money. I love the Laura Mercier hand creams too, I agree they are not the best hand creams I've ever tried but the scents are to die for! My favourite is the Pistache, I can't get enough!

    Emma x

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    1. I can definitely see how one pot could last 6 months, you really need only a small amount each time. We can finally buy the NUXE balm here in Priceline pharmacies, but it's $19.95. Expensive, but I think I'd be prepared to pay a few extra dollars for the convenience of buying it when I need to restock, and the fact it's worth the money given how long it lasts :) Will need to check out more LM hand creams!

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  28. Once again, an amazing round up of products! I love the look of that eyeshadow duo, but after sorting through my stash last week I feel like I shouldn't buy any more shadows in this lifetime. The Vanilla Pod cream sounds delish, I just switched out my Clinique lotion and thank goodness, my skin is much happier now.

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    1. Haha I know the feeling! I just had a bit of cleanup the other day and goodness gracious, need to seriously not buy any more stuff. I'm trying to use up this Rimmel foundation that I know is one of your favs but it's so old, I'm paranoid that it's going to kill my skin :p

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  29. My gosh, all the Laura Mercier body products smell so amazing! I'm lusting after the Fig and Pistachio ones x

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  30. Oh wow that Bareminerals duo is calling my name. I really need to try Antipodes! Ah!!!

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  31. I've just bought the Antipodes moisturiser and the smell alone sold it to me, haha it smells like a cinnamon doughnut :)
    xxx Claire http://wwwclairabelle.blogspot.co.uk/

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