I've been fairly fickle with concealers in the past until I came across the NYX Above & Beyond Full Coverage Concealer* which I used exclusively through December and January. This product definitely surprised me because NYX is very hit and miss for me. I received this to try before NYX expanded their range in Australia and I think this is definitely one to try. It's a fantastic multi-task product for blemishes, redness and under the eyes that blends well and doesn't crease.
February, however, saw the return of my obsession with mineral makeup. I had a clean-out/organising sesh of my makeup collection and with nostalgia and fondness found the Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation which was all I wore throughout high school. I thought this was still on shelves but apparently it had been discontinued which I found out when Maybelline announced it would be returning to Australian shelves! Either way you can still find this and I would 100% recommend it as it is a beautiful foundation that is easy to apply and lasts well throughout the day.
For blush I've hardly reached for anything else over the Blush Up! Blush in Heat Wave from Essence. A gorgeous bright ombre blush, it is perfect for a pop of colour on the cheeks and certainly packs a punch in terms of pigmentation for its very reasonable price tag. I've also been loving a bit of bronzey glow - bronze glow...for summer? groundbreaking! - which is super easily achievable with the NYX Baked Blush in Ignite*. These blushes are pretty much a bronzer, blush and illuminator all in one and I love a good multi-tasker! However, these are really hard powders so you will go crazy if you just swipe your brush over the top trying to pick up pigment. I suggest scratching the surface with the back of a brush and then go in with your brush. Finally for face products, another favourite this month has been my NYX Blush in Taupe. The contouring trend is huge right now, but to be honest I have no idea what I'm doing and the amount of contouring palettes available is overwhelming. I pulled out Taupe which has been in my collection forever and it's just what I need to create a contour look I'm comfortable with.
Since I splurged big time of Tarte when Sephora opened in Sydney, their eye products have been my absolute favourites over summer. I have been rotating 3 of their mascaras I just can't get enough! Lights, Camera, Flashes is amazing for big, dramatic lashes with heaps of volume, Gifted gives a similar effect, but not as dramatic as the wand is natural fibre and gives more of a 'fluttery' effect and finally Light, Camera, Lashes gives amazing length, volume and separation all in one, reminding me a lot of my favourite Hypnose Mascara. However, I have to say my one true love this entire summer has definitely been the Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette that was part of the Bon Voyage holiday set - yes, it is no longer available. The shadows are are the best I have ever used and I definitely recommend picking up the Tartelette palette which is available from Sephora NOW!
Surprisingly my favourite lip products from the summer are all very neutral. While I reached for a bold lip often, I absolutely fell in love with these three products. Swept up in the Kylie Jenner lip craze I became obsessed with the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in 063 'Eastend Snob' which I used to overdraw and then fill in my lips. I absolutely love the colour of this - its a pinky nude which suits my colouring and I got so many compliments wearing it, it became a staple for my everyday look. Secondly I came across the Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in 'Jive' for $3 in a bin a Priceline. Once I realised it was so cheap because it was being discontinued I scoured every Priceline in a 20km radius to pick up a backup. The colour is amazing - a cool toned pink that is my perfect everyday shade and is very similar to the other Australis lipstick 'Preppy' which has been a favourite for ages. Finally, I couldn't go through summer without having a coral gloss in my handbag. 'Bright Side of Life' from the Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss range was my pick and I think I used up half the tube!
Finally I wanted to share some skincare favourites and other body bits! An absolute essential for me has been the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen. I got the matte look version which is fantastic for under makeup and I'm happy to say I'm in the habit now of wearing sunscreen every day. Whilst I was being very conscientious about sun safety I still wanted a bit of colour so when I wore shorts and skirts people wouldn't be blinded by my white legs. I did quite a bit of research on self tan products because self tanning is a little terrifying to me. I ended up try the Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturiser. I am so so impressed by this product, not only because it builds a really natural tan but it is so moisturising and using it every day has made an incredible difference to my normally dry and flakey skin. A completely non-scary tanning product I'll continue to reach for even as summer slips away.
So there are all my favourites from the whole of summer. Sad to see summer go but it doesn't look like the weather is going to cool down any time soon anyway! What have been some of your favourites from the last month or so?
xx Catherine
* These products were provided to me for consideration. Honestly as always!
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