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.

 

blush week 03

Getting into a blush rut can be frustrating when you have as large a blush collection as I do. They taunt me and feel neglected as I continually reach for my Chanel powders and beloved Tarte Exposed, and so when I was reshuffling my Daily Tray I pulled out 5 bright shades to get myself back into loving my blushes once more. I may throw a different shade in between these, but will wear all 5 of them in the coming week or two and then report back with some snaps to share with you.

 

I told you they were bright! I don’t know what made me reach for my crème blushes, but I suppose they are lovely to use in summer to create a dewy cheek look with ease. I tend to use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply all of these blushes, and save my NP Set blush brush* more my more muted powder blushes. I just bought the gorgeous Savvy Cheek Balm in Blissful Blush for $3 from Priceline after seeing it in their most recent catalogue, and I’ve already used it and recommend you grab one to try it out! It’s really pigmented and in such cute wind up style packaging.

I remember my excitement at grabbing the Revlon Photoready Cream blushes, and the shades Flushed and Coral Reef worked much better on me than the pale and sheer Pinched which I sort of regret buying. I haven’t used these in so long, but I know that Tine from Beautyholics Anonymous likes them and I trust her opinion, so back into the rotation they go for me!

 

I adore the YSL Crème de Blush formula, but this bright pink Fuschia Temptation is so strong that I have to be careful about what looks I use it with lest I look like a clown. It is such a happy shade and I’m looking forward to wearing it soon! I’ve only got 3 of the YSL Crème de Blush’s, I look forward to the day a new shade in this formula enters my collection. The lonesome powder blush in my week of cheek is the MAC Archie’s Girls blush that I hunted with all of my might – Prom Princess, from the Veronica section. This is a brilliant colour and I am so happy to bust this out again, I think it will look great with a nice glossy magenta lip.

Now for the swatches!

 

The cream blushes look really dewy, but most dry down to a powdery finish which I top with Maybelline Dream Matte powder anyway. They still give a great glow to the cheek, but mattifying them helps them last longer and tones down the shine on my face during the heat of Melbourne.

Which of these shades would you wear first?

What blush shades do you return to all the time? (I’d love to check them out!)

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty