Beauty Favourites // January 2014

 

It has been a while since I've done a favourites post, but I decided that I wanted to share some lovely things that I've been using this month.

Face of Australia Bronzer Tinted Tanning Mousse* - For the first time in a long time I've been using fake tan *gasp* and though I still glow like a ghost, I have been enjoying the tiny bit of colour that I've been getting with this. The fact that it does apply with a tint is infinitely helpful to a klutz like me, and the mousse texture is pretty easy to work with, leaving no streaks thus far (though I did miss a patch which was pretty funny!)

Etude House Sugar Cookie Blush in 002 - Glowy pink cheeks and pretty packaging is a blush fiends dream! I bought this (and some other shades) on my last day of teaching placement, so not only is it pretty it also reminds me of a great accomplishment. Blush win!

Savvy Cheek Balm in Blissful Blush - Such a great texture for a cheap $3 blush, I'm very happy with this coral shade and love how easy it is to blend. This was probably my favourite shade from my recent Blush Week post.

Maybelline Color Whisper in Petal Rebel* - Glossy pink lips are my kryptonite right now, and this little beauty along with my Covergirl Gloss Balm in Haute Pink Twist* have been gracing my lips a lot this month.

 

Maybelline Color Bloom Balms in Pink Blossom and Peach Blossom - A beautiful gift from my friend Carly who was recently in Bali! Adore how these apply clear and deepen quickly, and the stain is such a nice thing to wear under other glosses or lipsticks. I really hope Maybelline brings these to Australia, they would sell so easily!

PureTan Pure Moisture Coconut Body Crème* - The smell of this is summer, straight up. I do wish it was a touch more moisturising for my elbows, but it leaves my skin soft and smelling of coconut so suffice to say I am addicted. Love the whipped crème style texture, swoon!

 

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte MediBac Clearing spf30* - I adore this matte sunscreen, it works brilliantly as a primer underneath makeup and I used it while on holiday in Albury as well as anytime I was outside in January. It doesn't break me out and I find that my makeup is always better when I wear this underneath.

What products have you been loving this month?

Please leave your sunscreen recommendations in the comments below, I want to get my next purchase organised with time to read some reviews!

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

*Provided for consideration, but true favourites. Honesty, always.

 

Grey + Coral - when winter and summer collide

The coral cheek trend has been a bit hit with me for quite a while now (BYS Endless Summer blush trio is the best for coral cheeks!) but now I'm adding a coral lip into my easy summer repertoire. As I think I've mentioned before, come summer time I pack away my lipsticks and bring my lipgloss stash to the front of my collection. Bright and summery glosses like this essence Beauty Beats Groupie at Heart gloss are great to brighten up the face. I also adore the MAC Archie's Girls Kiss and Don't Tell lipglass which is similar but more sticky (in a good way) than this el cheapo option. Since the essence gloss doesn't last very long, I layered it on top of my Maybelline Colour Bloom in Peach Blossom so that colour remained after the glossy effect wore off. Was very pleased with the result! 

In an unexpected wintery twist, I have been using quite a few grey and silver polishes lately, For this mix I chose a base of the nails inc Leather Effect polish* in Old Compton Street (which I am sad to say Charlie has now chewed the top of so the leather lid doesn't look so fresh, cheeky little puppy!) I then dabbed a bit of Sinful Colors Diamonds are Forever on the tips of each nail, and I have to say this cheap silver glitter is something my collection was in desperate need of! I threw a few coats of top coat on to try to get rid of the leather effect and was almost successful, but next time I think I will just use a grey crème and be done with it. I much prefer the other nails inc formulas, the leather look for nails isn't really my thing. I think perhaps I will appreciate the different texture in winter when leather and faux fur are floating my icy boat.

 

Adore the silver glitter tips! The other silver polish I've been trialling is the chrome finish Push & Shove* from the new OPI Gwen Stefani collection, and it is pictured above.

this is my 'wow I love coral and grey' face! note the grey throw rug behind me in this shot - it is my best buddy for couch naps!

 



Are you a fan of coral lips? Are grey tones your thing at this time of year or do you stick to traditional brights in summertime?

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Cotton Candy // Urban Rituelle's Petit Parfum

For someone who claims to be clueless about fragrance, I have amassed a wide collection of bottles filled to the brim with the stuff! My most reached for fragrance of late has without a doubt been my purse sized Urban Rituelle parfum in the scent 'Cotton Candy'.

Coming from the Sweet Treats collection, Cotton Candy is officially described as "A playful, melt in your mouth scent that opens wit ha sweet explosion of rich, spun sugar followed by the warmth of smooth toffee & powdery musk." This scent does invoke cotton candy (or fairy floss as we call it) and I love the uber sweet nature of it, though I can see how some would find it cloying and too much for them.

 

I wore this to work, to dinner, to brunch, literally everywhere I went had a sniff of this. The girls at work would ask every day if they could borrow a squirt or two, and this 12ml bottle was drained quite quickly. I was nearing the end of this when it smashed, and I am thankful that it will only be a mere $13.99 to bring a fresh bottle back into my purse!

 

 

The Cotton Candy fragrance (and the rest of the Sweet Treats range) comes in a variety of forms, and I was kindly gifted a hand cream to match my fragrance. I find the cream a much lighter scent than the parfum, so those who like just a touch of sweetness may prefer these sorts of items within the range. Also available are lip balms, soaps, candles, butter creams and gift sets. The packaging of the gifts sets? Divine, perfect for Christmas so you bet a few people in my corner of the world will have something from Urban Rituelle range under the tree.

 

I have already purchased a new bottle of this, and will probably stockpile some when they seem to be leaving stores. I'm also tempted to get another scent from the collection, but I just can't decide! (Peach Blossom and Pomegranate are calling my name...) Even though it isn't the longest lasting scent I own, I quite like spraying it throughout the day.

 

 Urban Rituelle is available at Myer, Forever New and stores across Australia and internationally. To buy online and for more stockists both Australian and International, click here.

 

Are you a fan of sweet fragrances?

What is your number one fragrance right now?

 

*These products were provided for consideration, but I honesty loved the fragrance and would've raved about it no matter what. I repurchased this with my own money. Honesty, always.