Current Favourites - March '16

I've jolted myself out of the funk I've been in lately to grab a few products that have been singing to me for this post. It's a general favourite product post rather than the monthly round up that sometimes causes me to drop favourites in order to gather fresh material - am I the only one who subconsciously does this? I think this strategy should help me carve out a natural rotation with my beauty products, because after all I'm a bit of a magpie who flits between things enough as it is.

 

I've actually stuck to a decent routine when it comes to moisture masks and body lotions - I'm enamoured with the Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask* which I tend to leave on overnight, and the Bath and Body Works Sweet Magnolia & Clementine Body Lotion which smells utterly delightful. A handbag favourite that's been much needed for the generally-unwell Bovary household is the Soap & Glory Hand Maid Antibacterial Cleansing Gel*, which always garners compliments thanks to that famous Soap & Glory scent.

Speaking of scent, the return of my staple fragrance has sparked the thought of ridding myself of a host of other bottles in my collection - there are very few days when I don't want to smell of Guerlain Champs Elysees, you know what I mean? I feel stronger when I wear this, and very mature which I like.

Colorpop's Jellyfish Blush was a last minute addition to my cart and don't those always end up being the best part of a haul? The bright shade is intimidating in the pan but on the cheek it brightens me up with ease, and I love the natural glow it adds to my cheeks. Colourpop Wisp Highlighter has also turned me off some of my other highlighters for the time being and I love how fast I can apply it with my fingers - it looks like it would be too dark for me but it blends so easily and I find it perfect. Last but definitely not least is the amazing Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe, part of my recent Too Faced haul that has been getting a major workout from me in the last few weeks. I went through and wore each shade in succession before declaring my love for this, and surprisingly I've used more of the shades Love Hangover and I Will Always Love You than Baby Love which I found pretty surprising given my penchant for neutral blushes? Perhaps the tides are turning...

What is your blush love at the moment?

Have you tried any of the Colourpop cheek products?

-Emma x

*Products provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème in Iced Gold // Swatches, Review, News and BeautyBay purchase

When I heard the rumours fly that Jemma Kidd had gone bust, my thoughts dove to the Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème that had been sitting on my wishlist for an age. I made my way over to Beauty Bay and threw the shade Iced Gold into my basket, and for an extra pound and a half I upgraded to the luxe shipping, with comes with deluxe samples. I received the Session Styling Kit from Sebastian, which contains a stack of hair companions, and some samples from Talika.

 

Jemma Kidd’s Dewy Glow is a light crème highlighter, and despite only having it in my possession for a short time I thought I would post initial opinions and swatches. That way you have the opportunity to buy the item, before they all disappear! This is incredibly lightweight and blends out to a glowy finish rather than something chunky and stark, and I prefer a crème formula to a liquid like Benefit’s High Beam, as I find it sits on the skin more comfortably and doesn’t push the foundation underneath around. It does contain shimmer in the formulation, so bear that in mind if you decide to purchase it. I find that the shimmers are so fine and sheer out well, and is great for popping on top of cheekbones to really bring light to the face. The rubberized packaging is similar to Nars and feels really sturdy, holding 4.25g worth of glowy goodness.

 

 

 

 

 

Jemma Kidd named the shade well, it does have golden tones and a certain ‘iced’ appears which makes it really beautiful. It isn’t pink like Benefit’s High Beam at all, but isn’t as golden as Sun Beam either. It is cooler than Benefit Watts Up, and takes on an almost white appearance when compared to TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, which appears much more yellow toned. I've swatched Iced Gold with one swipe, and then layered it to show how it can be built up.

 

 

 

I think it is a gorgeous addition to my collection, and I’m pleased to have picked it up while it is still around. I’ve heard a lot of positive things about the Jemma Kidd range, so I hope that the company rights itself and continues to impress, and perhaps I will dip my toe into other products from them. (Since I heard the rumours of the company going bust, JK herself has tweeted and confirmed the news.)

Have you tried anything from the Jemma Kidd range?

What are your favourite highlighters, and how often do you reach for them?

 



*I purchased this product, as stated in this post. Honesty, always.

Dior Amber Diamond // Swatch, Photo, Review

The famous Dior Amber Diamond highlighter is spoken of quite often in the beauty world, but it was only when I heard that it was being discontinuted that I decided to bring it into my collection. A golden peachy sort of champagne highlighter, I find this to be a well used weapon in my makeup arsenal.

 Packaging, whether it should or not, makes a difference when it comes to my love for a cosmetic product. If a highlighter comes in flimsy packaging and isn't appealing to the eye, I admit that I would find it harder to love. Luckily, Amber Diamond is packaged beautifully in a sturdy navy blue compact, marked with Dior logos, and comes tucked nicely in a velvet sleeve.

 Though I am at the very fair end of the complexion scale, the tan section in this highlighter isn't too dark for me, though I do tend to wear this when I have a bit of bronzer on as I find it goes well with it. Like the Bobbi Brown shimmer strips you can lean towards certain colours as they are separated within the compact. From what I understand, however, the Dior offering is less frosty on the skin than BB's.

 My favourite way to apply this is with a Real Techniques Contour Brush (which comes in the core collection) and I use it along my cheekbones, down the centre of my nose and sometimes on my cupids bow if I'm really taking my time doing my makeup. It leaves a soft and diffused sort of finish on the skin, and when I know I'll be photographed I use it because I know it makes me look glowy and healthy.

 

 As I mentioned earlier, from what I understand the Dior Amber Diamond highlighter has been discontinued in some countries, so if it is something you're interested in I would hop down to your local counter, or try any online Dior sources you know of.

 

I am really happy to have this in my collection, I've seen this in the HG status of many prolific bloggers and though I have a plethora of highlighters, this is one of my favourites.

 

Have you tried Amber Diamond?

How important is packaging to you?

 

*I purchased this item with my own money. Honesty, always.