Monthly Favourites: August 2012.

Oh gosh, I am super late with this and I haven't done a monthly favourites post for ages. I was doing so well, I don't think I missed one for over a year and then, well, I'm not really sure what happened. I guess I fell into a rut of using the same products over and over & I'm not sure if seeing the same things a lot is a little boring? I imagine it is! I've been discovering a few new products recently that have fast become staples in my every day routine, which I'm so happy about because I love discovering new things! 

MAC Face & Body foundation. 100ml - £26.50. 50ml - £20.50. // Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki♦ - $16. 

MAC Face & Body foundation has been a staple product for me all summer. Even though it hasn't been super hot in England I have been loving a sheer coverage foundation and this is absolutely perfect. Once it's on and set, it doesn't budge at all until I take it off at night which I think is amazing. I love that it doesn't highlight any dry patches on my face and it only takes a few seconds to buff into the skin. My new favourite brush to apply this foundation with is the Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki. This is the first Sigma brush I have ever tried and I must say, I'm so impressed with it. Don't get me wrong, I still really like the ELF Studio Powder Brush for foundation but this Sigma brush is particularly amazing with MAC Face & Body. It's dense but super soft and it blends foundation like a dream, it's one of those brushes that does all the hard work for you.

No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water. £9.

I was on the look out for something I could get on the high street that could replace my Bioderma which is fast running out, and I found the No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water. No 7 isn't usually a brand I gravitate towards in Boots but I'm so happy that I had a look because I think this is a really lovely product. It's super gentle on the skin and removes pretty much all of my face make up before I go on to cleanse with my Neal's Yard Chamomile Cleanser. I don't like using this on my eye make up because it stings my eyes a little but it works like an absolute dream on my face make up. I picked this up with a £5 off voucher but I would happily pay full price!

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate♦ - £30.

Another skin care item that I have fallen in love with that I will talk about in more detail in another post is the REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate. I think this is a miracle in a pot, I really do. I've been using this for around a month now and I have noticed such a huge difference in my skin. I honestly couldn't be happier. It promises to renew the complexion giving a radiant and youthful glow and it absolutely delivers. It deserves a post all to itself!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer. £23.50. // Japonesque Safari Chic Bronzer Brush♦ £19.50.

Ever since I added Benefit Hoola Bronzer to my make up collection I have been reaching for it every single day. I really like that it's quite cool toned so it doesn't look orange on my fair skin and a little bit goes such a long way. Even though it's undeniably pricey, I can see this lasting pretty much forever as you get a lot of product in the pan. My new favourite brush for applying bronzer with is the Japonesque Safari Chic Bronzer Brush. Not only is the cutest brush I have ever seen, it manages to pick up the perfect amount of product and it's super soft. I look forward to this step in my make up routine every day!

OXY Seaweed Power Clear Pore Exfoliant♦ £5.99.

I have been trying out a few products from the OXY Seaweed Power range and the Clear Pore Exfoliant is by far my favourite product. My skin was getting really blemishy and within a couple of days of using this, my skin had completely cleared up. It has quite a gritty texture and a really fresh scent which I really like. I didn't find that it irritated my skin at all and it worked wonders on my skin in such a short space of time. The only thing I don't like so much is the packaging. The product has quite a runny texture and the hole in the cap is quite large so if you're not careful, lots of product comes running out.

NARS Penny Lane Cream Blush. £20.50.

NARS Penny Lane cream blush is pretty much the only blush I've been reaching for and I absolutely adore it. I'm sure this has been in my favourites before because it just looks beautiful with any make up look. It doesn't look very special in the pan but it manages to subtly sculpt my cheekbones while adding a nice flush of colour at the same time. It's also the perfect layering blush, pretty much any shade looks absolutely beautiful over the top of it!

Rimmel Rose Libertine nail polish. £3.69.

I was in Tesco doing a boring food shop and got distracted by the beauty aisle, as you do, and I found Rose Libertine nail polish sitting on the Rimmel stand. I had just stopped biting my nails and thought I'd treat myself to a pretty nail colour. This has fast become my all time favourite nail polish. The colour is beautiful, the brush is nice and wide so application is super quick, it dries fast and doesn't chip easily. I will definitely be having a look at more polishes in this range!

Revlon Lip Butters in Lollipop and Sweet Tart. £7.99.

Finally my last favourite is a bit of a rediscovery. I've had these Revlon lip butters for ages, I loved them at the start and then they got lost at the back of my lip drawer and forgotten about. I was after a super bright pink & as I was rummaging through to see what I already had I rediscovered these and fell in love with them all over again. I know not everyone is a fan of these but I adore the colours and the fact they feel so comfortable on the lips. They're easy for on the go, really pigmented and quite hydrating as well. They're a little pricey for the amount of product you get but I still love them!

What was your favourite product during August? 

xoxo

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P.S. I posted this in video form over on my YouTube channel. It would mean the absolute world if you would like to subscribe. I've made it my new goal to post regular videos & I'm excited for the challenge!