Tuesday 30 August 2016

August Favourites

August Favourites 1

Favourites posts seem to happen fairly sporadically around these parts, but I was feeling it this month, so I though I would write one. As usual I've been selective, and included a mixture of different things. As far as the makeup goes, though, there's definitely a theme - mid-pink was obviously my preferred colour this month! 

August Favourites 2 - Topshop Bomber Jacket

1. Topshop Bomber Jacket - Is it weird to include a jacket in an August Favourites? Probably. But the summer has been so changeable - sweltering one day and chucking it down the next - that I've found myself reaching for this quite a lot. It's just so easy to throw on over a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt and is a really useful mid-weight, with just enough padding to keep me warm should the weather take a sudden turn for the worse. I find the khaki colour super-flattering, particularly combined with the gold hardware, plus it makes me feel like I'm channeling some uber cool nineties vibes every time I wear it!

August Favourites 3 - Too Faced Color Drenched Lip Cream in Nude Beach

2. Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in Nude Beach - Quite apart from the very Instagram-worthy packaging, this is absolutely gorgeous. Buttery soft and with a beautiful sheen, it feels so comfortable on the lips that it might as well be a lip balm. It gives a decent colour pay-off too, and as I mentioned, I've been loving this mid-pink shade this month! The only negative about this is that it's not particularly long-lasting, but it's so effortless to apply that it doesn't really bother me.

August Favourites 4 - Illamasqua Lipstick in Bare

3. Illamasqua Lipstick in Bare* - Very similar in colour to the Too Faced lip cream, but completely different in formula, this Illamasqua lipstick is fabulously pigmented and gives a perfect matte finish. This has a lot more staying power than the Too Faced product, but it does dry the lips out a little. Still, it's worth it for the finished result, which is a really striking, velvety matte lip. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you will love this.

August Favourites 5

Illamasqua on the left, Too Faced on the right

August Favourites 6 - Avene Cleansing Foam

4. Avene Cleansing Foam* - Anyone who's followed my blog for a while might be aware that my skin has been been on a bit of a roller coaster lately. I've never been blessed with a particularly clear or radiant complexion, but generally speaking, so long as I gave it a good cleanse twice a day and moisturised diligently, it's always been OK. I'd slap on good old Estee Lauder Double Wear and I'd be good to go. But then something happened - possibly the stress and upheaval of moving house twice within as many years - and all of a sudden, my skin was dry and patchy and Double Wear started to look like rubbish on me. I changed skincare products, I changed foundations, and before I knew it, my T-zone was like an oil slick and there wasn't a makeup base in the world that wouldn't simply slide off my face after a couple of hours' wear. I had no idea what to do about it, but when I got the opportunity to try this cleanser from Avene, I decided to go for it in the hope that it might help.

August Favourites 7 - Avene Cleansing Foam

It's a mattifying cleansing foam designed for normal to combination sensitive skin, and comes with a pump dispenser. The consistency is very light - it literally feels like the foamy bubbles you might scoop up in your hands while in the bathtub. It's a fairly strong cleanser, so if you don't have an issue with excess oil I probably wouldn't recommend it as I imagine it would be too drying. If you do, however, I urge you to try it. Avene claims that the skin balance will be restored within days. Mine was restored after a single use. I'm always wary of making dramatic statements when reviewing skincare, but that's what happened. It was obviously exactly what my skin needed. I could see almost immediately that my complexion looked a lot more even, and since I've been using this cleanser, Double Wear looks good on me again and lasts all day just the way it used to. Thank you Avene!

August Favourites 8 - Maybelline Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color in Nude Rose

5. Maybelline Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color in Nude Rose - This was a sneaky purchase made with the intention of spicing up my weekly grocery shop. I only got it a week or so ago but it's been on my nails ever since, so firmly deserves its spot among my favourites. Again it's this pretty mid-pink shade. I always seem to have plenty of white-pink nail polishes, and sheer pinks, and hot pinks. This has clearly filled a void in my life. #firstworldproblems

August Favourites 9 - Maybelline Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color in Nude Rose

August Favourites 10

6. Home Decor - My final favourite of the month is somewhat abstract, so I'm using this catalogue to represent it! We moved into our new home earlier this year, but other than the odd purchase here and there, haven't done much so far in the way of redecoration. This month, Mike's parents spent a week with us and re-painted pretty much the whole downstairs, which was so sweet of them to do for us. They did a fantastic job too, and now I've got the home decor bug! Having new paint on the walls has got me thinking about all the other things I want, like new carpets, curtains, furniture... it could get expensive!

What have you been loving this month?

Kate x


*PR Samples. All opinions, as always, are my own
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46 comments

  1. The top faced lipstick looks gorgeous! I've wanted to try them for ages x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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    1. They really are gorgeous - you won't be disappointed! x

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  2. These are all lovely favourites! :) xx

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  3. Oh, definitely having a freshly painted walls requires some extra new décor :) That nail polish is very pretty and I love the formula of these Maybelline nail polishes! x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    1. This is actually the first one I've had but it definitely won't be the last! I was surprised by how good it is. x

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  4. LOVE the sound of that cleanser. Definitely going to have to give that one a go, thanks! x

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    1. Definitely do! It really is brilliant for combination skin. x

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  5. Both of those lipsticks are gorgeous, they look like such wearable everyday shades!

    Emily xo
    www.emilynewstead.blogspot.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. I've had so much wear out of both of them Emily! x

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  6. These lipsticks are so different in finish, they do deserve being mentioned in your favorites both, despite being a similar color.
    And I completely have the home decor bug as well. We just moved in, and now that we finished unpacking, I want to dive into redecorating. But this is getting expensive way too fast...

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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    1. I know what you mean! It's so addictive though! x

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  7. I love both lip options & the nail polish too - those Maybelline polishes are great! xx

    Beautylymin

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    1. They really are! I want to explore more of this range. x

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  8. Loving that too faced lipstick! The color is super pretty :) And your new bomber jacket is so perfect for fall!
    xoxo

    Ileana

    Novelstyle Blog

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ileana! I'm sure I will get plenty of wear out of the jacket through Fall for sure. x

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  9. The too faced lipstick and Maybelline nail shade is so gorgeous. These are some great products. Love your picks for the month :)

    -Karishma
    http://yourbeautyjournal.com/review-wet-n-wild-comfort-zone-palette/

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  10. Ooh that Illamasqua lipstick is such a dream, what a gorgeous colour and so pigmented too. Love the nail colour too, the perfect natural nude.

    Elle
    www.theellenextdoor.com
    xx

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    1. Thanks Elle. I'm certainly getting plenty of use out of both of them! x

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  11. Love this bomber jacket its really cool!

    Beba, www.bebagottel.com

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  12. Ah this is all absolutely gorgeous - loving your favourites and that nail polish colour is absolutely beautiful too! :)

    Layla xx

    http://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk

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  13. Jacket is beautiful! I love it!
    And great products, love your choies ☺

    Kisses ♥
    http://ivafdiary.blogspot.ba/#_=_

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  14. Not strange at all to include your favourite jacket - not going to lie, I did try it on a few times myself at Topshop! It's so comfy!

    Georgia | The Weekend Attic

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    Replies
    1. It's a great jacket isn't it? So easy to throw on! x

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  15. It's definitely not weird to include a jacket when it's as great as this! Bomber-style, khaki.. perfect! I love your manicure by the way, I'm actually wearing a shade from the Maybelline SuperStay 7 Days range right now too, funnily enough :)

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

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    1. I can't believe this is the first time I've tried that range - definitely need to get some more! x

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  16. Love your items! Especially the Maybelline Superstay nail polish looks very pretty! :)

    www.isabellaschoice.com | Isabella x

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  17. I just purchased the Avene cleanser and I cannot wait to try it! I love Avene products!

    Yiota
    PinkDaisyLoves

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    Replies
    1. Me too! Hope you like the cleanser as much as I do Yiota. x

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  18. Stunning colors!
    Have a nice week-end!
    Gil Zetbase
    http://gilzetbase.com/

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  19. Bomber jackets are so stylish! I love wearing them!
    And I can't stop shopping for them...

    Laura
    https://furiouslychic.blogspot.ch/

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  20. What a beautiful bomber jacket, I love the color :)
    Nati xx
    www.simplyartdicted.com

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  21. Such a great selection of favourites. I love that Toyshop bomber jacket, such a great colour and design. Oh and that TooFaced lippie looks gorgeous. i always have the home decor bug, but never go too mad since we're renting x

    Beauty with charm

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  22. Haha I'm reading this as I wear the exact same bomber jacket! I absoultely ADORE it.

    xo, Christina
    http://www.christinabeex3.com/

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  23. Lovely favourites,
    Those lipstick shades are so pretty

    ZEKALIN

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  24. It is true! Color Drenched By Too Faced, they are all so gorgeous, but the devils leave the lips too quickly.
    Angie | Chocolate & Lipstick | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

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  25. I have been seeing a few foam cleansers making rounds in the beauty blogsphere but I have never tried one. And I do need to try more from Illamasqua, the only thing I've ever tried is the eye liner and it's amazing!

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  26. Love that Illamasqua lipstick! Looks like the kind of colour I always go for, so so pretty!

    www.sandrafsilva.blogspot.co.uk

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  27. I love this favorites post. I feel as those everything is right up my street. From the bomber jacket all the way down to the color of the nail polish. I loved it. I have that Too Faced Lipstick in Naked Dolly and it's some of my favorites! It's so moisturizing! I think I'll have to make a little purchase on that Avene as I love trying skincare. Congratulations on moving! Enjoy decorating :) Great post

    Jay
    blissfulbeautybird.com

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