May Favourites

I have been so excited to write my first monthly favourites post, so here goes!


May has been so up and down in weather terms, I can't believe it is so nice today but only last week it felt like Winter - well that's England for you I guess.  My big car disaster happened earlier this month - I broke down whilst driving on a busy road and the AA told me to call 999 to close the road - very dramatic!  As of Friday I am the proud owner of a nearly-new Fiat Punto and I can't wait for it to be ready so I can have a car again.  Because of that though, I have decided to join some of you and start a spending ban :(  Let's see how long I can resist!


So, onto my beauty favourites:

Skincare

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
I have been using this twice a day for a couple of months and my skin has never been clearer or had less blemishes (it's still not perfect but one step at a time!).  I love the smell too - although it is fragrance free, it has a light scent that I can't quite put my finger on it but it reminds me of fresh roses or newly cut grass.







Origins Oil Free Night-a-Mins
My skin is oily and I would like it to be brighter with a more even skin-tone.  I am also hitting the first signs of ageing with a few fine lines.  Based on these concerns, this night cream was suggested to me by a lady at the Origins counter in House of Fraser.  It was a good recommendation and has really helped to nourish and improve my skin.  It love the smell too - very fresh and orangey.





NSpa Skin Renewal Gel
The discovery of NSpa has been a bit of a revelation for me.  The range is stocked at Asda and is currently on offer at 2 products for £8.  Everything in the range is paraben free and packed full of great ingredients such as Neroli Essential Oil, Vitamin E, Ginseng and Algae Extract. 




This gel is an exfoliator that uses fruit acids to gently but effectively get rid of dead skin cells.  You massage in the gel for 2 minutes, leave it on for a minute then massage again.  On the final massage, the gel melts into an oil, then you wash it off.  This is such a different and effective product - I can't believe it is only £4!





Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine
I have reviewed this here: http://cloudnineindulgence.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/review-korres-lip-butters.html and it remains my favourite lip product of the moment.  It feels luxuriously soft and creamy and it smells divine (but not of jasmine bizarrely).  I also use it to correct lipstick colours - the Jasmine is slightly pink so can brighten up nudes whereas the pale Guava tones down a bright lip.

Brushes

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
This is the best brush I have used for applying liquid, cream and powder foundation as it buffs into the skin beautifully.  It feels really soft but strong and dense enough to buff well. 

Real Techniques Stippling Brush
I love this for applying cream blush and highlighter as it helps blend the product seamlessly onto the skin whilst maintaining a light touch.

Body Shop Mineral Foundation Brush
I love the Body Shop brushes; they are the softest I have ever used and the large face brush is a staple in my collection.  I recently bought this in the 50% off flash sale and it is perfect for using with my new Bare Minerals foundation.  I can't stop running my fingers over it either - it is just so soft!

Make Up

All of the make up in this month's favourites are from blog sales!


NARS cream blush in Cactus Flower

This a beautiful pink/red gold colour that gives a gorgeous subtle highlight to the cheeks.  I tried to swatch it but the camera just didn't do it justice! Both my friend Lyndsey and I wore it in the pic below though.








Estee Lauder Illuninating Powder Gelee in Topaz Chameleon (limited edition)

Again, I found this so hard to capture on camera but I used it on me and Lyndsey in the pic below.
This has to be used sparingly but is such a beautiful gold highlighter - perfect with a tan.  I love how gorgeous the compact is too - the striking gold lid and reptilian embossed effect of the gelee itself.  Stunning!





Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette

I had been eyeing up this palette for ages and was planning on buying it with my Boots points so I was ecstatic when I saw it in a blog sale for £5 - I repeat £5!  It didn't disappoint either  - a great selection of neutral/nude/pink/brown colours ranging from matte to super sparkly via light shimmer.  This can be used to create a natural day time look or a full-on evening face.  A fantastic set of colours that I am so pleased to own.

Soleil Tan de Chanel

Lyndsey also features this month because she bought me this AMAZING birthday present for my 30th last month.  I have used it just about everyday since then and have barely made a dint in the tub.  I use the Real Techniques Contour Brush to use this to contour my cheekbones and temples, or to lightly sweep across my skin to add some all-over colour.  I have also been dabbing my Expert Face Brush into this before applying my foundation on days when I have a tan but my foundation doesn't!

Lyndsey (far left) and me (2nd left) wearing all 4 of the make up faves:

So there you have it, my first monthly favourites!

As a celebration of  reaching 1,000 Twitter followers, I am running a giveaway of a few of my favourite things.  You can win: a MAC lipstick of your choice, an ESSSIE nail polish of your choice, a pot of KORRES lip butter in Jasmine, a tube of NSPA skin renewal gel and a gorgeous 'live, love, sing, dance' bangle from Adorn Accessories in Stamford, where I got my DogEared necklace from.  They have amazing jewellery and a great range of bags too - mine has been mistaken for a Mulberry several times!

ENTER HERE - good luck!

What have you been loving this month? 

Please leave me a link to your monthly favourites if you have made one.