Current Beauty Favourites #23

April was a busy month for me, as all my weekends were taken up with various trips away. As packing and unpacking bags isn't my favourite job, I pretty much kept the same items in my beauty bags for the whole month. Usually, I get bored when I stick with using the same products for too long, especially when it comes to makeup, but not this time.

I think I've found my ideal, eyeshadow palette for Spring, in the form of Dior's 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in 30 Montaigne. Containing a frosted peach, iced champagne, antiqued gold, plum-bronze and a soft, neutral beige, this compact has every shade needed to create a multitude of looks. The outer four all contain shimmer, which I personally prefer for Spring, but the central shade is matte, which allows you to create definition. As you'd expect from such a premium brand, all of the shadows are soft and smooth in texture, with amazing pigmentation and longevity. On the lid, the colours just melt into the skin and need minimal blending to look refined. By the end of the day, the eyeshadow looks exactly the same as when first applied, even when I skip prepping with a primer. This palette would be a neutral staple in any makeup-maven's collection, I'm sure!

I can't stand the feeling of product build-up and grease in my hair, so I end up washing my barnet pretty much every day. Considering how long my tresses are, all of that cleansing doesn't do the quality of my locks any favours. As well as trying to curb my over-washing habit, I've been seeking out less-harsh, shampoos. I've tried a couple of sulphate-free formulas before, but none have really stood  out, until now. Ojon's Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner is one of a new wave of products which combine a shampoo and conditioner, in one. The gentle formula doesn't lather up as much as regular shampoos, so the hair isn't left too stripped and squeaky clean. Ojon and coconut oils, nourish the hair, leaving it soft, shiny and sleek. Used alone, this is a great, quick-fix product that saves time, but I personally like to apply a separate conditioner just to the bottom lengths and ends when I use it. That way, the roots aren't weighed down, but my old, frazzled ends are given an extra, moisture boost. If you have particularly oily hair, then you may want to alternate between using this cleansing conditioner and a clarifying shampoo, to really give your mane a thorough clean.

We all have that one, nude lipstick in our collection that we can turn to whenever we're indecisive about what to wear. For me, that's Estee Lauder's Pure Colour Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Baby. A warm, peachy-nude, it's a shade that instantly lifts and brightens the face, finishing off any makeup look perfectly. Whilst the formula is creamy and hydrating, the lipstick is light in texture and isn't so moisturising that it slips around too much or bleeds over the lip-line. Although the coverage is sheer, it's easy to build up the colour, so it's quick to apply and is great to wear both day and night. Another thing that makes me crazy for this Estee Lauder creation, is the mouth-watering, fig scent that it has. I've actually gone through two lots of this lipstick and my current tube is almost finished, which just proves how much of a staple shade this is for me. Enough said, in my book. PS - how on earth have I managed to alter the shape of the lipstick bullet in such an odd way?!

I know that Spring is all about the pastel hues when it comes to nails, but as soon as I re-discovered Essie's e-nuf is e-nuf in my collection, I wanted to paint it on straight away. Perfect to accentuate a tan (all faux in my case, at the moment), it's a bright, pink creme with a touch of orange to it. Although described as a coral by many, I wouldn't say it's quite there, but I love it all the same. Opaque in two coats, the formula goes on smoothly, without any streaks or lumps and bumps and has a polished, glossy finish. Unfortunately, this shade doesn't appear to be part of the brand's diffusion line, so it's more difficult to track down. That also means that the brush isn't the improved, wider, curved edge version that is easier to use. All is forgiven though, as the shade is too gorgeous to ignore.

Now that the weather is starting to heat up, it's time to ditch the tights/jeans/trousers and expose our legs to the world. Dun, dun, dunnn. After being neglected since September, my pins are in need of some serious TLC and nothing is better at working some skin miracles, than the Eucerin Complete Repair Intensive Lotion. As it's a lotion, rather than a body butter or cream, the formula feels more like a thick gel, which could easily fool you into thinking that it's not heavy enough for very dry skin. It's only when you massage it in that you suddenly realise just how emollient it is. Immediately, skin is soothed and intensely hydrated. If you hate body creams that don't fully absorb, then this one won't be for you. It does leave behind a residue and it does feel slightly greasy, I'll be honest. But, it gives the skin such a healthy-looking, glossy sheen which blurs out any imperfections and it sorts out any dry, flakey patches in no time. To avoid a tacky feeling during the day, I'll slather this onto my skin before bed and wear some long pjs to avoid making a mess of the sheets. In the morning, my skin is baby-soft and glowing and the moisture is locked-in for days. Thanks to the clinical packaging and fragrance-free, urea-infused formula, it may not be the most glamorous product to use, but boy does it do a good job.


Found any new favourite products recently?

AGB X