January Empties

Here are my beauty empties for this month and whether I would choose to repurchase them or not. The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter - Have used this for years and it's still a firm favourite of mine. Definitely one that I enjoy using in the colder months because it's so thick and moisturising. Repurchase? Yes. Crystal Spring Salt Of The Earth Deodorant Spray (review) - I made the switch to all natural deodorants about a year ago and have mostly been using this brand. It's fragrance free and works great, no problems at all! Repurchase? Yes. Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream - Received this when it was free with a magazine and although I've liked other Cowshed products, I didn't think much of this. It wasn't particularly moisturising in my opinion. Repurchase? No. Ceteum SCR Gold Creme De Lite - From a Boudoir Prive box, this smelt awful like talcum powder or something! Didn't rate it much as a moisturiser either. Repurchase? No. Lush Glogg & Snow Fairy Shower Gels - I love these, they smell so good. Repurchase? If they bring them back this year, then yes!



Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser in Shade 03 - Really liked this, has more of a foundation formula than a traditional tinted moisturiser but it was really good and non-greasy for my oily/combo skin. Repurchase? Yes, will get a full size when my current foundation has run out. The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Day Cream - Didn't like this much, don't think it's right for my skin. Repurchase? No. Burts Bees Honey Lip Balm - One of my all time favourite lip balms, like ever! I always end up going back to this and usually have a spare one around somewhere. Repurchase? Yes. Witch Concealer Stick - I do like this for covering blemishes but will probably try Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection next. Repurchase? Probably not. OPI Nail Envy Mini - Another product that I do like (review) but I've switched to using Trind for now. Repurchase? Maybe. Vinies Luminous Skin Mask - That face mask from Boudoir Prive. I thought it was OK but nothing amazing and the smell was a bit too off-putting for me. Swapped the other sample pot. Repurchase? No.

Have you used up any beauty products this month?

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January Book List

A round-up of the books I've read this month. I did start the first two back in December which explains why there is quite a few this time round:- 11/22/63 by Stephen King - I haven't been all that keen on King's non-horror ventures in the past, so I was a little sceptical about his foray into time-travelling with 11/22/63. I mainly picked it up because I was interested in what his take would be on the Kennedy assassination and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, some parts could have been edited out without losing much to the story (this is another of his 'thick' books), but for the most part, this was a gripping thriller that transported me straight into 60s America. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert - This was a fascinating book. It's centered around a young girl called Rachel who is suspected of having leprosy and sent away to live on a nearby leper colony. The place and setting of Moloka'i is incredibly vivid; you can really imagine yourself on this island and eating the local food etc. The characters are interesting and the story is gripping in an emotional but heartwarming kind of way. I also enjoyed the political undertones about Hawaii in the time before the 21st century.



The Greenpeace Story by Michael Brown & John May - An interesting and comprehensive book which covers the story of how Greenpeace was founded in the 70s right through to its ongoing global presence in 1990. All of its highlights are detailed here, such as it's high profile campaigns which brought about real tangible change in legislation around the world, as well as its low times, which include the dramatic bombing of the Rainbow Warrior ship by French spies. It's a really inspiring read laid out like a scrapbook and filled with photos. The Somnabulist by Essie Fox - *Won via Goodreads Giveaways* A light and fun read, one of those books that you can get through really easily. It's a 'gothic' mystery set in Victorian times. The writing is generally good throughout, but the many mysteries and family secrets that the story is based around are very predictable and the characters are a little bit too overly cliched for my liking. Still, it served its purpose of keeping me entertained.



Looking For Alaska by John Green - One of the most emotional coming-of-age novels I've read. I loved the protaganist Miles, this young boy who doesn't have any real friends and goes off to a private school in search for his 'Great Perhaps'. He becomes best friends with his roomate and falls in love with a rebellious girl called Alaska, but it all ends in tragedy, awww! For a YA it's pretty damn good and I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone. Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide by Peter Redman - I picked this up because I've always struggled with writing essays and it came highly recommended by OU students. Whilst this covers everything you need to know about structure, what tutors are looking for etc, I find that it seriously overcomplicates itself. If you're looking for essay tips, you'd be better off getting a copy of The Good Study Guide and reading the writing chapters in that. Far North by Marcel Theroux - Wow, this book is seriously good! I was absolutely hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down. It's a brutally realistic story following the main character, Makepeace, and her struggle for survival in a bitter post-apocalyptic world. It's bleak, depressing and disturbing, so of course I instantly fell in love and must declare it as one of my all time favourites. If you'd liked the solitude of The Road, but wanted some more flesh to the story, then you'll probably love this.



Last Exit To Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr - It may be because I've read so many typically 'violent' books already, that I've become somewhat desensitized to a lot of it, but I found this difficult to get into. The 'tell it like it is' prose began to grate on me right from the start. The story itself describes the very worst of people and how their despair quickly escalates into hellish situations, but I quickly found it tiresome. The Secret History by Donna Tartt - I loved this book, so many people have recommended this to me over the years so I'm pleased to have finally finished it. The story is fantastic, I loved the setting, the characters, everything! The only reason why I wouldn't call it an all time favourite is because it's just so damn long that I don't think I'd ever re-read it personally, but it's a great book and one I seriously recommend everyone to read at least once.

Have you read any good books this month?

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NOTD: Zoya - Nimue

Zoya's Nimue is a dusky purple that has a silver metallic shimmer running through it. The formula is a little thinner than other Zoya polishes I've tried, but still delivered an opaque finish in two coats. I wasn't all that sure on the colour when I first bought it but it's one that has started to grow on me the more times I wear it.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! x

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Carmine Box - January

Look what arrived today, the lovely Carmine box! Like everything New Year themed at the moment, this month's box has a focus on 'a fresh, new start'. Here's what was inside mine:-



(1) Balance Me Extra Care Radiance Face Oil, 5ml sample. I saw this advertised on Naturismo's e-newsletter the other day and had made a mental note to myself to find out more about it. So what great timing to receive a sample?! This face oil is 100% naturally active and features a whole host of exotic sounding ingredients such as Amazonian buruti nut, yarrow, camellia oils etc. I'm really liking the Balance Me brand at the moment so I look forward to trying this out, will probably use it before going to bed.



(2) Eldora False Eyelashes in style B158 - I'm not a big false lashes wearer, but these do look really nice. When I do wear falsies, I always opt for the more natural looking ones but that have that extra OOMPH, so these look like they may suit me. Will do a separate post on these when I wear them :)





(3) Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Satin Taupe, full size. Another item I was pleased to see in the box was this creamy eyeshadow stick. I've been looking for a colour similar to the one I was sent, and this is exactly what I was after! It's really nicely pigmented and soft with a generous amount of glossy shimmer to it.



(4) Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturising & Brightening Cream, 10ml sample. I received a sample of this from a Boudoir Prive box a few months back that I still haven't used yet. Judging from everyone's reviews of this though, I'm 90% certain I'll love it so I wasn't annoyed about getting another one. I do think I may be starting to accumulate a stash of beauty box products that I haven't gotten around to using yet though!



(5) Westlab Himalayan Pink Salt, sample bag. This is a natural mineral rich detoxifying treat for your skin that looks pretty, but I don't really use bath salts because I find that they sometimes irritate my skin. I might swap this or use it in a foot soak instead. I appreciate that it fits in well with the detox/new you theme though and I like how the sample bag is the perfect size for one bath.

Online offer codes:-
- 10% off full size Balance Me Face Oil w/ CARMINE2012 @ balanceme.co.uk (expires 1st March)
- 50% off when you spend £15 or more from Eldora w/ eldoracarmine2012 @ eldorashop.co.uk (expires 29th Feb)
- £5 off when you spend £25 on Korres products w/ WILDROSE6 @ houseoffraser.co.uk (expires 31st March)
- 30% off the Detox and Revive Kit w/ 4321 @ westlabshop.com (expires 1st March)

Summary: Another great box from Carmine, lots of things for me to try out and I love, love the Eyeko eyeshadow stick!

Did you get a Carmine box this month? Which Eyeko shade did you get? If you sub to more than one box, how do you feel about getting the same samples?

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3 of the Best Hair Oils

This time last year, I had never tried hair oil treatments before. The idea of putting any kind of 'oil' into your hair seemed so strange to me, surely it would be turn your locks into a greasy mess? Why was everyone raving about them? So I tried a couple and now I can't get enough of them! I thought I'd do a quick post on three of my favourites and explain how I use them and get them to work for me:-

Moroccan Oil is the beauty classic of hair oil treatments, adored and used by countless women worldwide. I had always steered clear of it in the past due to its perfumed scent but it's one that has certainly grown on me. I received a sample 10ml bottle in a goody bag a couple of months ago and immediately had to try it. I use Moroccan Oil when my hair feels especially dry or is looking dull and unloved. The medium-thick oil consistency absorbs into the hair so well and never looks greasy or leaves any residue. I always use it after I've shampooed and towel-dried my hair, and then I'll either leave a tiny amount in my ends for an hour or so to deeply condition or for a shorter period of time before blow-drying. It always leave my hair feeling soft and looking healthy, plus the smallest amount goes such a long way.

Macadamia Oil is like Moroccan Oil's little sister and I use it in the same way (on towel dried hair, mainly before drying/styling). The 10ml sample bottle shown above was obtained through a Boudoir Prive box. It's incredibly similar in many ways to Moroccan Oil; its oil consistency is pretty much the same, it delivers nearly identical results (if I'm nit-picking, I'd say that Moroccan Oil is ever so slightly more moisturising) and a tiny amount also goes a long way. The main difference is in the scent, with Macadamia Oil being much more subtle and not as lingering as Moroccan Oil, so sometimes I prefer using this one, and it's cheaper than Moroccan too.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Oil is not strictly a hair oil as such. It's an amazing multi-purpose dry oil that also works wonders on the skin and in baths. Nuxe is a much lighter oil in consistency and I only ever use this one on dry hair to smooth away frizz and add some nourishment and gloss to my lengths. The main trick with getting this to work in the hair is to just use a very small amount, rub it between your palms first and then smooth it over the lengths. Goodbye frizz! Nuxe is great for those in-between shampoo days and for when you're in a rush and have no time for styling. It also have the best scent out of all of these in my opinion, it simply smells amazing in a light and clean kinda way.

Do you use hair oils? Which ones are your favourites?

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NOTD: Barry M - Spring Green

Been suffering a bit with the January blues this week, mainly due to the weather being so grim (seriously it feels like it has been raining every single day this month!). Thankfully, it'll nearly be over, so I can't wait for Spring and to see some actual sun! In anticipation, I'm wearing Barry M's Spring Green in the hope that it might bring some better weather soon :)

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MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

I treated myself to this little beauty the other week and have been wearing it virtually every day. MAC Paint Pots are little round pots of cream eyeshadow and they are amazing! They don't crease at all, last all day, and have great pigmentation so I find them very easy to wear. Because they don't crease, you don't need a primer underneath or you can use Paint Pots as primer, and layer eyeshadows over them for a more intense look. Rubenesque is a gorgeous peachy gold shade that's subtle enough to wear in the day time if you like your shimmers, and are also perfect for evenings out when you want to look glam, but not OTT glam. Swatches above shows it in natural daylight (back of hand) and below on the lids with flash, which shows it best.



Do you like MAC Paint Pots? What shades do you have?

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Tried & Tested: Barefoot Botanicals SOS

I was lucky enough to win these Barefoot Botanicals products in a giveway hosted by the lovely Beauty Passionista. As Britain embraces this recent frosty cold snap and plays havoc with dry skins everywhere, I thought it was the best time to put these two products to the test. Barefoot Botanicals have developed a special SOS range which is specifically targeted towards those with extremely dry and sensitive skin, as well as sufferers of eczema and psoriasis. Their natural therapeutic formulas are free from synthetic chemicals such as paraffin, parabens, SLS, as well as artificial colours, fragrances and animal ingredients. My skin does have flare ups of eczema from time to time and definitely dries out in cold weather, so I was more than happy to win these products to try out.

I received the Daily Rich Body Lotion which has a whole host of skin soothing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Jojoba, Argan & Macadamia Oils, as well as pure essentials oils of Orange Blossom & Lavender which makes this cream smell subtly gorgeous. If you've ever had to use eczema creams from a chemist, you'll certainly appreciate the smell of this one instead! The formula is nice and light, absorbs into the skin quickly and soothes any dry areas and irritation really well. I have always used Lush's Dream Cream when my skin has gotten bothersome in the past, but I definitely like the scent of this better. I also received the accompanying Soothing Face & Body Wash which is a creamy (has the same consistency as the body lotion), non-foaming cleanser that can be used all over. Its ingredients feature Evening Primrose & Jojoba Oil, Burdock Botanical Extracts, as well as pure essential oils of Geranium & Lemon Tea Tree which give it a refreshing scent. It's a simple, yet effective and gentle wash that will get you clean without upsetting your skin. My only criticism is that you have to use a lot of the product to wash with so the 200ml might not last as long as you think it would.

Summary: If your skin is being aggravated by the cold weather and you're looking for all natural products that work, then I'd certainly recommend these two from Barefoot Botanicals. They are quite pricey (the body lotion retails for £18.70, body wash £13.60) but they worked for me in this cold weather, so they might work for you too.

What are your winter skin saviours?

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Ecotools Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set

One of my favourite beauty gifts that I got for Christmas, has to be this Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set from Ecotools. I have wanted to try out this brand for ages so I was over the moon when I unwrapped this! For those unaware of Ecotools, they are a fantastic 'earth-friendly' company who make a whole range of make-up brushes & beauty related accessories from natural, sustainable and recycled materials. For example, all of the brushes in the above set have a handle made from bamboo (a highly sustainable plant), a ferrule made of recycled aluminum and the bristles are synthetic Taklon which is 100% cruelty free. Pretty neat!

The above set comprises of six brushes all wrapped up in a cosmetic pouch roll made from natural cotton and hemp. So you have the following:- (1) Blush brush, which is similar in size and shape to ELF's Complexion Brush. This is lovely and soft, as well as being the perfect size for all manner of powder applications. I've used it with blush, bronzer and translucent powder so far and it's worked really well. (2) Eye Shading Brush, this is good for applying base colours over the lid. (3) Eyeliner Brush, perfect for using with gel/cream eyeliners, as well as being the right shape for filling in your brows. (4) Lash and Brow Groomer, pretty simple and does the job. (5) Concealer brush, nice and flat for blending with, but soft enough to use under the eyes too.

Summary: these are all excellent quality brushes and the set is ideal for taking with you travelling thanks to the handy pouch roll. It's great to find a set of make-up brushes that are really good AND are kind to planet. Doesn't get much better than that if you ask me :) I REALLY want to try out more of these!



P.S I also randomly picked up one of their packs of Sustainable Facial Buffs after my Konjac sponge finally fell apart after three months of use and began to biodegrade itself. In this pack you get two buffs and they're double-sided. The front side is made from natural loofah and the reverse side is made with viscose from bamboo. To use it, you just pick which side you want, wet it and apply your cleanser/face wash. I find that the front side exfoliates really well, whereas the smoother reverse side feels like an ordinary flannel/face towel so would be better for those with sensitive skin. I do like this, especially the exfoliating side, but it does soak up a lot of water and requires slightly more than 24 hours drying time between uses. However, the pack cost just under £3 and I'll more than get my money's worth out of it by using the exfoliating side.

Have you tried / do you want to try anything from Ecotools?

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Tried & Tested: Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer

I picked this sample up from a Benefit counter last weekend. Initially I was after a sample of Porefessional but they were all out (that thing is selling like hot cakes too!). If you've ever been to a Benefit counter, then you'll know that the MUAs won't let you leave empty handed, even if you're only browsing like I was. I briefly mentioned that I was looking to try out some kind of primer, and asked if they had any of those little sachets of That Gal lying about. Immediately, she fetched me this sample tube, chatted to me about it for what felt like an hour, and finally away I went. You've got to hand it to those Benefit MUAs, they can talk for England!

Anyway, onto the product. Benefit's That Gal is a 'brightening face primer' which can be worn alone, under or over makeup to, you've guessed it, brighten your complexion.



Straight out of the tube, it's a baby pink liquid which has the consistency of a body lotion. This is completely different to any primer I've tried before texture wise and felt a little greasy. The scent of it is like a mix between fruity and floral which I didn't like at all, but then again I want most of the products that I put on my face to be fragrance free.




It blends seamlessly into the skin and gives it a pretty dewy finish as you can see above. I noticed an instant brightening effect to my face, with the pinkness of That Gal perking up my olive complexion nicely (plus, I think if you're much paler then this will be even more perfect for you). So far, so good.

When it came to applying my tinted moisturiser, this is where I ran into some trouble. Instead of having that common silky smooth type feeling that a lot of primers have, That Gal left something of a slightly greasy/tacky residue which made blending a pain in the ass. It felt like the tinted moisturiser was getting 'stuck' on top of the That Gal and required a lot time for blending it properly. I don't usually use a foundation brush when I apply tinted moisturiser, but had to with this one because using my fingers just wasn't budging it. I tried it with my foundation the next day and that was even worse because it was a thicker consistency and took even more time to blend as you'd expect. Once everything was blended properly, the 'brightening glow' had vanished and it looked like I hadn't applied any That Gal at all. At the end of the day, I didn't notice any difference in the primer prolonging my makeup either. When I tried That Gal over foundation, the same thing happened and it just seemed to disappear completely into the foundation with no 'glow'.

Summary: That Gal is brilliant if you wear it on its own on naked skin. You'll really see a brightening difference and I think this would be great for summer or taking on holiday when you don't wear much makeup. However, if you need any kind of coverage and want to wear it with tinted moisturiser/foundation, then this probably won't do anything for you. Also the claims of it being a 'primer' in the traditional sense are pretty much to be ignored in my opinion.

Have you tried That Gal? What do you think?

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Amarya Organic Beauty Box - January

My first beauty box of 2012 is from Amarya, and I was a little apprehensive to see what was inside because this month's box was tiny and very lightweight. I needn't have worried though because...



...there was a full size Dr Hauschka product! Wow! Given that Amarya seem to like to include a lot of Dr Hauschka goodies in their boxes, I had been crossing my fingers that they would include a full size item soon, so I was more than pleased with this. Wrapped in a very pretty purple butterfly bag was their award winning Rose Day Cream which retails for about £24. In the enclosed leaflet, it says that this is made with "the extract of over 1,075 organic rose petals in every tube", which sounds pretty incredible. I can't wait to use this and I'm glad that I didn't get this for Christmas because I had been eyeing it up for some time.



Also included in the box were these two samples. I received a 5ml sachet of John Masters Organics Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser which states that it's "the perfect cleanser for oily/combination skin" which suits me perfectly. The second sample is a 3ml tube of Caudalie Radiance Day Fluid which smells nice and has SPF10.

Summary: For me, if the only item included in the box had been the Dr Hauschka cream, I would have been happy anyway. They are a high-end brand that I really like, but due to finances, I can't always afford to try them out. The two samples are tiny but they seem like they will suit me, so I'll definitely use them up at some point. Though I can imagine you'd be feeling pretty disappointed right now if you didn't like the Dr Hauschka cream.

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Inika Mineral Eye Shadow in Gun Metal

In the middle of a New Year cleaning spree earlier, I came across this eyeshadow looking all unloved at the back of one of my make-up drawers. I rarely wear silver eyeshadows, so this must have come to me with a magazine. I do like the sleek packaging of this little pot (the matte black lid with the gold script and frosted sides is definitely a design winner), so I wanted to show it a little love by swatching it. I've not heard much about this brand before, but Inika's products are certified vegan, cruelty free, and free from a whole host of nasties such as parabens, GM ingredients etc. Like most loose eyeshadows, it can be used as it is for a more subtle look or used wet for a much more intense colour. Personally, I generally like my metallics on the shinier side, so I'd definitely opt for wet with this one and think it would make for a great evening party look.

Have you tried anything by Inika? Do you like metallic eyeshadows?

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NOTD: Zoya - Petra

This shade Petra, from Zoya's Smoke and Mirrors collection, is unbelievably pretty in real life. The photo doesn't give it enough justice. Petra is a dusky purple/grey/taupe that looks like all three in varying lights. Like all of the other Zoya polishes I've tried so far, application is smooth and easy in two coats.

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Beauty Classic: YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

Quite possibly the most famous cosmetic item ever to be invented, Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat is revered as the holy grail of all highlighters, or the 'magic clicky light pen' as us bloggers like to call it. From its luxe gold packaging to its light inducing liquid formula, it's no wonder that one of these beauty classics is sold somewhere in the world every 20 seconds and is the UK's number one luxury beauty product.

But what actually is this miracle product?

Firstly, it's NOT a concealer. A lot of people still seem to purchase this thinking it's a magic concealer but it's not! It's a highlighter. If you use it to try to cover up dark circles under your eyes, it's not going to work because it draws light to the areas of your face that you apply it. So if it's used as an under-eye concealer, it's only going to make it look ten times worse than it already is because you're drawing attention to your dark circles. The concealer association that Touche Eclat has seems to have only worsened in recent years, due mostly to the fact that there a myriad of copycat products out there which are specifically marketed as concealers. Touche Eclat is a highlighter and to get this product to work for you, should only ever be used as a highlighter.

How do I use it then?

Like any other highlighter, you use Touche Eclat to bring light to your face. It delivers that much desired radiant glowing finish to your makeup. Apply it to the top of your cupid's bow to make lips look fuller, at the inner corner and outer corner of your eye to make eyes look bigger and more awake, down the centre of your nose to make your nose look smaller etc. Easy!
Any downsides?

Although the original shade (No.1 swatched above) is the one that is spoken of the most, it won't suit all skintones, which is why YSL launched new shades last year, so always make sure to pick one that will work with your skintone. Aside from that there's really only the price tag which is around £25, and the fact that it's hard to tell when the pen is running out.

£25 is too expensive for me, are there any cheaper alternatives?

There are LOADS of wannabes, many of which are primarily concealers and not really ideal highlighters. However, I have tried (and still use quite regularly) The Body Shop's Lightening Touch pen which is a great hybrid product. It gives you the benefits of a highlighter, as well as being able to use it for concealing undereye circles too. It's priced at £14 which is a more affordable option.

What do you think? Do you use Touche Eclat or a similar product?

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Tried & Tested: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Gloss

Soap & Glory are a brand that has some real winners in its skincare range. Their Hand Food hand cream has been a staple budget beauty buy for years, and The Righteous Body Butter regularly features in many bloggers favourites lists. They're also gaining ground with their make-up line and I decided to try out one of it's most talked about cosmetics, the Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Gloss. I tested Pink Apricot (a natural looking peachy pink) and Nude (a very sheer nude brown), swatches above. The colours are sheer, formula is super sticky but they do have a pleasant chocolate orange type scent. They retail for about £9 each but you can usually get them much cheaper in 3 for 2 offers/sales at Boots etc.

As the name suggests, this is a lip plumping gloss, which has a special formula to get those lips looking BIG. The exact 'science' that Soap & Glory use in their description of the product below,

"Extreme formula lip plumping gloss, with scientifically-proven plumping microspheres that explode in volume up to 10x when they come in contact with water. (They’re like tiny, dehydrated little sponges that expand when you apply them onto your lips). Soap & Glory have also formulated Sexy Mother™ Pucker with a rare circulation enhancing ingredient that gives your lips a little ‘electric’ buzz, to move more blood around the area, creating the swelling effect mentioned above."

So does it work? The verdict:

Not really! Well, I didn't notice much of a change, certainly not enough of a plumping effect to warrant it being shown in photos. However, I certainly got the 'electric buzzing' sensation which was AWFUL. I've tried plumping glosses in the past and can handle a mild tingling, but this was something else. The sensation lasted for nearly 15 minutes as well and immediately after it stopped, I quickly checked in the mirror to see if there was any extra fullness to my lips, and went and scrubbed it off! To add to the over the top sensation, the glosses are incredibly sticky and wouldn't come off with just water. For me personally, these are a definite miss.

Have you tried these? What did you think?

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NOTD: Ciate - Wait Until Dark

I've worn this so many times since it came free with a magazine a couple of months ago, but each time I forgot to snap a quick pic of it. Ciate's Wait Until Dark is a gorgeous deep purple with a little metallic shimmer to stop it from looking completely flat. As with most Ciate polishes I've tried, this delivers in just two easy coats.

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December Favourites

I hope everyone had a great New Years! I'm a bit late doing this post due to the festivities, so here are my beauty favourites from last month:-



Barry M Translucent Powder in Medium - One of the best budget friendly (I think this was under £6) powders I've tried so far. It's finely milled and absorbs excess oil from the face to leave your make-up set and matte. Plus it's packaged in a generous size compact with a huge mirror. Elf Studio Line Cream Eyeliner in Black (swatch) - My new go-to eyeliner! Easy to use, with good pigmentation and staying power. Unbelievable that this is just £3.50! Japonesque Travel Size Smudger Brush - The perfect shape and size for doing a quick smokey eye with soft bristles. Barry M Lipgloss Wand in Toffee (swatch) - My new favourite nude lipgloss, so pretty for wearing everyday and non-sticky. Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss in Tokyo - Another non-sticky, everyday colour that I've been wearing a lot since receiving in last month's Glossybox.



Zoya Nail Polish in Zeeka (NOTD) and Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Razzle Dazzle (NOTD) have been my recent favs for my nails. Elf Studio Line Complexion Brush - Another budget favourite, this brush really is perfect for applying any kind of loose powder and has the absolute bargain price tag of £3.50! Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask - I've been raving recently about this face mask and would recommend it to anyone with troublesome oily/combination skin. KMS California Freeshape Quick Blow Dry Spray - I wasn't all that excited to try this when I first saw it in my Carmine box, but I popped it into my travel bag and tested it out over the holidays. WOW! It really does cut your blowdrying time in half and left my hair wonderfully frizz free and soft without any product residue. Amazing stuff!

What were your beauty favs for December?

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