Monthly Favourites - August

Boo Hoo, Summer is at an end!  I do love Autumn but hate that it is the harbinger of Winter and the nights closing in.  Anyway, enough of that, on with my August Favourites:

Philips VisaPure Facial Cleansing Brush

I was lucky enough to receive this brush free as part of a Come Round pamper party.  I use it in the evening with a gel or cream cleanser and sometimes in the morning.  Since using it regularly, my skin is brighter and cleaner with fewer breakouts.  It is an expensive piece of kit, so I don't know how I'd feel about it at full price, but I do love it!  For my full review, see my guest post on Becky's gorgeous blog, Lipgloss and Lashes.  

La Roche-Posay Exfoliating Toner

I use this after double-cleansing on a cotton wool pad.  I swipe it over my skin then leave the cotton pad on my nose, where my pores and blackheads are the worst.  You can really feel the salicylic acid getting to work in a similar way to a peel - it has the same tingly feeling.  My pores are much less visible on my nose than they were a few months ago.  Result!

MAC Blot Film

I have oily skin and in the Summer, it gets even worse.  I have a couple of awful holiday photos where my face is just one big shine ball.  I have always relied on powder to help sort out this issue but this tends to go too far the other way, leaving a dull rather than dewy complexion.  My good friend Kerrie, a MAC make up artist, recommended these and they are fab - they soak up all the oil without having to cake on the powder, leaving the chosen finish of your foundation on your skin.  Basically, you just pat a sheet over any oily patches and it soaks up the grease, leaving you shine free!  

Smashbox Shades of Fame Eyeshadow Palette

This stunning palette was a 30th birthday present from my Auntie Kate who works for Smashbox in New Zealand.  It includes a great range of colours which are steering me away from my neutral/pale shimmer comfort zone.  The shadows feel so smooth and creamy - I know that sounds strange for a pressed powder eyeshadow, but that's how they feel!  They blend beautifully too.  My favourites are Bliss and Praline for a neutral look and Sherbert for a summery, orangey coral pop of colour.  The cream eyeliners blend seamlessy and are both gorgeous colours.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona

Now this foundation probably isn't helping with my shine problem but teamed with a light powder and managed throughout the day with blot film, this is the perfect Summer base for me.  It has sheer/buildable coverage - I build it to medium- and leaves the skin with a beautiful radiant, flawless glow.  The colour is just right for me with a tan so I am making the most of it now.  I think next time I would go for the Matte version though as I think it would be more suitable for my skin type. 

YSL Glossy Stain in 27 Peche Cerra-Colla 

After testing one of these, I knew I had to buy one as the colour and glossiness last so much longer than any other lip product I have tried.  None of the colours available at the moment seem perfect for me (I am searching for no. 12 Corail Fauve on eBay or a blog sale!) but this one is a gorgeous peachy pink that goes with everything.  I bought it with my Boots points so I love it even more!

Diptyque L'Eau de Tarocco Cologne

Recently, I have become more than a little obsessed with Diptyque.  This is my current favourite of their fragrances.  I managed to snap it up at a mega bargain price from the Space NK sale because it is in the old style bottle (and for this reason it seems readily available on eBay at the mo at much less than the £80 RRP).  The perfume is light, airy and delicate, with varied notes ranging from 3 types of orange, grapefruit, saffron, ginger, rose, frankincense and white musk.  My friend described it as smelling like 'fresh air' and want more could you want from a Summer fragrance?  Beautiful.  

What were your August Favourites?  Leave me a link if you have done a post.    

Have you tried any of my favourites?  What do you think of them?