Welcome to the first edition of my Monthly Favorites. Below you will find a summary of my absolute favorite things from the month gone by whether it be cosmetics, food, movies, music or books. I’m hoping that I can actually keep up with this and that I don’t slack off. Without further ado, in no particular order here are my favorites!
Illamasqua Skin Base #16
I have been using this since it’s release last year and will continue to use it for the foreseeable future because I love how it looks and feels on my skin. I like applying it with my hands after spritzing my face thoroughly with MAC’s Fix+. Fingers are great for working product into the skin. The heat from them combined with the heat in your face makes it really sink in. After a few minutes I take a dry buffing brush and work it into my skin. Sometimes I apply it with a stippling brush if I don’t feel like getting my hands all dirty.
MAC Studio Careblend Powder
As you can see I’ve been dipping into this product quite a lot and that is because I love it. The texture is beautifully smooth and creamy like and sort of melts on contact with your face like butter but it’s a powder! I can stand there buffing and buffing it in all morning. I like using my Real Techniques buffing brush for that job.
MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW45
I was gutted when I found out that MAC discontinued this product in my shade. It is my absolute favorite product for covering under eye circles and spots. When this runs out I’m going to try their Pro-Longwear concealer because I’ve heard/read great things about it… well unless I can find another jar of this stuff somewhere :)
Ben Nye Banana Powder
I mostly use this to set my under eye concealer but it’s great as an all over powder as well. The slight yellow of the powder does not leave any ashiness on my skin and the texture is oh so fine! Definitely a keeper.
Crown C218 Blending Fluff Brush
This is what I’ve been using lately to apply powder with under my eyes to set my concealer. It’s very soft and fluffy and the perfect size for just getting underneath the eyes and the sides of the nose. Love++
MAC Superdupernatural Blush
This is one of my favorite blushes from MAC. It was released with one of the holiday collections a few years ago so unfortunately it is no longer available. Luckily I purchased a backup because I never want to be without it. It’s a gorgeous pinky peach with subtle gold and pink shimmer that just makes my face come to life but still look very natural.
Make Up Store Kakaw Eye Shadow
I recently purchased this to replace my beloved MAC Embark to fill in my brows with. Embark has been out of stock for ages so I hunted around for an alternative and found this. The best part is that not only are they pretty much exactly the same colour but this baby is 3.5 grams compared to MAC’s 1.5 grams so it’s going to last me for ever. Nice one Make Up Store! :)
Rosebud Salve
Okay I know this product is old news but lately it has just been a lifesaver. All of my other lip balms have mysteriously vanished so I’ve been reaching for this quite a lot. I keep it right in front of me for easy access. Even it smells nothing like roses and is pretty much pink Vaseline it’s still a great product.
Mehron Velvet Finish Primer
This is a great primer and lately I’ve been loving it underneath my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish. If I just want to go out quickly and a little coverage I’ll apply some of this, spritz my buffing brush with fix plus and work a little skin finish into my skin. It really does feel like velvet on your face. Try it out, you won’t be able to stop touching your skin!
Lush Lust Soap
Since I purchased this soap I don’t seem to reach for anything else. It’s just smells so beautiful. Every time I open the medicine cabinet that houses it I am hit with a burst of sweet jasmine and it really is intoxicating. I will buy this a million times over. I reviewed this soap earlier this month and you can check out that post here: LUSH Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner and Lust Soap Review
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris: Lumiere Noire pour homme
This has been my go to scent. It’s actually a men’s cologne and I’ve had compliments from both sexes on it so I think it is more of a unisex fragrance. It has notes of Cumin, artemisia, rose, cinnamon and patchouli. Give it a whiff next time you pass through Mecca Cosmetica and see what you think.
That concludes the product section of my favorites. Keep on reading if you want to know what some of my other favorite things were for March 2012!
Favorite TV Show: Dexter – I just got on board… but I am loving it
Favorite Album: Murder Ballads by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Favorite Movie: Summer Wars! If you have not seen it and you like anime then you should check it out :)
Favorite Food: Paneer Tika Masala from Bala da Dhaba. There is a great picture of it in the link provided. It’s sooo good.
Favorite Drink: Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Tea – a friend recently got me hooked on this tea. It’s great on it’s own or with soy milk. You don’t even need to add sugar as it is naturally sweet.
And lastly but cetainly not leastly is my favorite YouTube video for March 2012. It’s a tutorial by the amazing Rottenzombiefairy. Watch and be in awe of her amazing talent!
That’s all for this month. I hope you enjoyed my favorites. Feel free to comment below and let me know what your favorites were.
