August Favourites

So here is my first ‘Favourites’ post and I am really excited to share with you what I am loving this month.  I love trying new makeup and beauty products, but never do I just buy anything and everything without researching it, reading reviews, analysing the ingredients as well as establishing what exactly it’s going to do for me and will I really benefit from this product?  Let’s get started.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

I have been going through a phase of changing my foundation over the last 2-3 months.  I have always been a huge MAC girl and have used their foundation for the last 5-6 years.  But recently, I have found the foundation just hasn’t been sitting right on my skin, which can happen as our skin changes over time and products we can’t live without suddenly become products we certainly can live without.  So, as I do, I started to research foundations and I came across the Giorgio Luminous Silk Foundation,  I watched some reviews on YouTube and read a ton of reviews on Google, before I decided to go ahead and purchase it.  I cannot tell you how happy I am with this foundation.  It’s one of the easiest foundations to apply and just sinks into my skin when I apply it.  Even after a 9 hour day, when I come home from work, this foundation looks exactly how it was applied when I put it on in the morning, bar a little shine which does not bother me as this just looks healthy.  When you hear ‘luminous’, you may think, shiny, shimmer etc, but this foundation give you an incredible yet subtle glow which looks completely natural and makes your foundation look like skin.  This is a clear winner and now part of my daily makeup routine.  It is a little pricey but, in my eyes, completely worth it.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer – Custard

One thing I cannot be without is concealer.  Concealer not only brightens the under eye area, but conceals blemishes which foundation may not completely do.  I have been using a mac concealer, and again have just not been happy with it over the last few months.  I know a lot of people suffer from the creasing effect under the eye, which is the one thing I have never been able to figure out and don’t think I ever will.  I am not sure why it has taken me so long to purchase this concealer, but I can see myself using this for a very long time.  I only have very slight creasing by the end of the day (as long as you powder) and looks as fresh as it did when first put on in the morning.  Big thumbs up from me.  I apply this with my fingers rather than a brush as I feel it gives a more natural finish.

Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade

This product is fabulous.  I am really fussy about my eyebrows and this product really allows you to shape and fill in your brows without looking cakey.  This stuff won’t budge all day long come rain or shine.  I actually now use this product to help me tweeze my eyebrows into the perfect arched shape, and will do a separate post on this with step by step instructions.

MAC Lipstick – Kinda Sexy

I am completely and utterly in love with this colour and it will definitely be joining my top favourite MAC lipsticks.  It is a nude coral colour which is great for my skin tone.  It’s a matte lipstick so can be a little drying, so its worth adding a little vaseline or lip gloss on top to avoid the dry flaky look.  I am currently using this every day and am completely addicted to it.

The Balm Betty-Lou Manizer AKA “The Bronzing Bandit”

I am not usually a fan of shimmer bronzer, but having seen this on YouTube, I loved the way it really gives you a sun kissed glow without you looking too shimmered out.  I recommend this product, it’s incredible.  Sometimes, if I want a more dramatic look, I layer this on top of the Chanel Soleil Tan De Soleil and they both really compliment each other.

Kevin Aucoin Celestial Powder – Candlelight 

I am really big on highlighter and the Kevin Aucoin Celestial Powder has been on my wish list for some time now.  I love building up highlight for an evening out but I still like to apply a subtle hint during the day as I am totally against matte, flat makeup and love skin that looks natural and glowing.  This highlight is stunning, it isn’t overly pigmented yet provides the perfect highlight without looking too powdery or shimmery.  I feel like I am not even wearing any highlighter and my skin is producing the natural highlight all by itself : )

Chanel Soleil Tan De Soleil

OK, where have I been and what have I been doing without this bronzer?  I am a huge bronzer girl and have tried all sorts under the sun.  I can honestly say I have found the perfect bronzer which I see joining my staple all time favourites.  I love cream products as they always give you a more natural look.  This is so easy to apply, almost velvet like, has no shimmer whatsoever and is the perfect shade of brown, with not hints of orange at all.  Some bronzers look ‘dirty’ but this instantly perks up your skin as if you have just come back from a day at the beach! Perfect! And it smells so fresh and gorgeous. Totally addicted!

So those are my August favourites, but to be honest can see most of them becoming firm beauty favourites of mine.  Are you loving any of the products I have mentioned?  Don’t forget to subscribe if you like what you read.  I’ll see you soon. X.O.