This time of year brings mixed emotions. On the one hand I am so happy that Bristish summer time is finally here. I love it that when I leave work that it’s still light outside and I don’t have to wear so many layers which usually ends up weighing me down. On the other hand, once June 21st has been and gone, otherwise known as Summer Solstice (incase you didn’t know, it’s when the sun reaches it’s highest point in the sky and we get the longest day of the year) days gradually become shorter as we start to edge our way into Autumn (what I would give to live in a place where it was warm and sunny all year round!). Anyway, if you haven’t already guessed from the title, it’s time for me to share with you all the fantastic products that I have thoroughly enjoyed using in the past month of June.
Having become accustomed to using waxy brow pencils, first the Sleek Brow Stylist (dark) followed by the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil (Dark Brunette), I had totally forgotten how good my Mac eye shadows were for creating a soft yet natural looking brows. It only occured to me last month whilst away on holiday where I found using the Hourglass pencil a little smeary in the ridiculous heat. Since I’ve been back, I’ve been re-acquainted with Mac Mystery and my angled brush and have been using them everyday since.
Having used Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock n Kohl Iconic Liquid Eye Pencils in Verushka Mink (a deep slate grey) and Elizabeth Violet (a cool toned violet) and fallen completely head over heels for them, I finally went back to get the shade Marlene Midnight, a gorgeous dark navy with a pearlescent sheen, to add to my collection. They glide on ever so smooth with no drag whatsoever, and without much effort hence it’s name “Liquid” to convey the pencil’s fluidity. I’ve definitely been choosing kohl, and in particular coloured kohl, over gel or felt tip liners recently because I find it quick and easy and you can get away with not being as neat or precise. I tend to line right up close to the upper lash line, thickening the line from the midpoint of the eye to the outside corner, finished off with a minute flick. Then I go ahead and line the outer third of the bottom lash line and blend it with a pencil brush to achieve a soft and smudgy look. This is a great way of wearing colour without drawing too much attention.
The next product is one where I couldn’t be so sure if I would like as I’d not been able to swatch it before purchasing nor had I heard or seen anyone that had used it. That’s because it was a Sephora product and unfortunatey for us beauty addicts in the UK, they don’t have any stores over here nor do they have a distributor. The only way you can get them without forking out on a plane ticket to the other side of the pond (they however do have stores in some countries within the EU), is to order them online as the do now ship to the UK. Or you can do as I do, and get someone you know who is going over to the states to and ask them nicely if they can can pick up one or two (or a few) bits for you from the store (thanks sis). The product I’m talking about is the Sephora Collection Microsmooth Baked Sculpting Contour Trio in the shade “Sweet”. As the product name suggests, it’s a 3 in 1 product; a blush, a bronzer and a highlight (or luminizer as they call it on the back of the packaging). It comes in a clear top compact and the 3 products are split from the middle to form 3 uniform triangles. Let me tell you now, this product is a beaut! Admittedly I was a bit sceptical as I don’t ever like to buy before I’ve tried particularly with makeup and especially as more often than not, makeup isn’t refundable (due to hygiene reasons but apparently you can in the US). The bronzer is a warm, golden matte tan and reminds me a lot of the infamous Nars Leguna. It’s practically a dupe! The blush is a cool toned, dusky pink and really pigmented. I normally go for blushes that are more warm, with a peachy/coral undertone as I feel it suits me best but this colour is a sight for sore eyes. Even the highlight is on point. It’s got a mother of pearl, iridescent kind of vibe that really compliments the blush shade. I am totally hooked on this trio and it’s definately got the potential to become a handbag product. It’s certainly giving my Narissist Cheek Kit a run for it’s money (first mentioned here on my blog although Space NK calls it the “blush palette”).
I totally convinced myself that I needed the By Terry Touche Veloutee in my life after watching some of Anna’s (of Viviannadoesmakeup) old videos. I got the shade 3 and thought it would look great as a highlight under the eye area a la Kim Kardashian but a lot less conspicuous. Now when I first tried it, I was a little disappointed as I didn’t think it was light enough for that highlighted effect (but shades 1 and 2 were really stark in comparison). However, the texture was great and it worked a treat as an under eye concealer, just a tad lighter than my non-tanned complexion, so I just dismissed it as another under eye concealer added to my collection (not that I really need another concealer as I’ve got a few on the go at the same time). A very expensive under eye concealer! However, after a two week break on the other side of the world, I’d managed to pick up a bit of a tan and after rummaging through my makeup bag, I thought I’d give the By Terry Touche Veloutee another go. I’m glad I did because now, against mytanned complexion, it is definitely light enough to achieve that flawlessly, highlighted look. Probably a look reserved for nights out. I just hope my tan doesn’t fade too soon!
Being (very) late to the game, I’ve only just discovered the Caudalie Divine Perfect Legs and it really is like makeup for your legs. It’s a light, tinted lotion that has a slight shimmer to it which creates an illuminating faux glow (in other words, fake tan) in an instant. For those already rocking a tan, the Caudalie Divine Perfect Leg claims to both promote and prolong it (that’s where the science bit comes in). I usually find that after I’ve come back from holiday, even though I have managed to acheive a glowing tan to my legs, they are often quite dry and sometimes even scaly (gross, I know). Slapping a layer of the Divine Legs on not only enhances my tan, but the grape oil infused lotion does a good job of providing it with the moisture that it desperately needs.It’s pretty easy to use as 1) it’s a lightweight formulation, b) it’s tinted so you see exactly where you are applying, see where you might have missed a spot and make sure that it’s an even coating, and 3) it dries pretty quickly. The one thing I’m still trying to get used to is the scent. Its quite a hard one to describe but apparently the fragrance is the result of a fusion of grapefruit, pink pepper, rose, cedar and vanilla. It’s not exactly a bad scent but I find that it’s rather overpowering. It might be called “Divine Legs” but there’s nothing stopping you from using it all over (I certainly have). Great for those who want a safe way to achieve a golden glow but don’t have time for gradual tanners.
I did a bit of damage in duty free recently and treated myself to the Jo Malone Blue Agava and Cacao Colonge. I first had a whiff of this whilst in Selfridges after the launch of their Just Like Sunday Home Candle Collection where they released four new candles themed around things that remind you of Sunday relaxation at home. I instantly fell head over heels for the Sweet Almond and Macaroon Home Candle but couldn’t justify paying almost £40 for a candle. I was treated to a complimentary hand massage where I got to experience their luxurious body creams. After the creams came the layering of cologne and that was the moment I had my first encounter with the deliciously sweet Blue Agava and Cacao Cologne. Now how do I even begin to describe the scent of this fragrance? Jo Malone describes it as:
“The rhythm of Latin music — sexy, edgy and persuasive. Fresh limes and zesty grapefruit dance over a heart of blue agava flower. Sea salt cuts through the primitive rawness of cacao to reveal the sensuality of vetiver, cinnamon and musk. A provocative fragrance”.
I think I’ll go with that. I couldn’t describe it any better myself. It’s sweet but at the same time very light, fresh and fruity, and I think it makes the perfect summertime frangrance.
That’s all for June and I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I’d love to hear some of the products that you have been loving this past month, I’m always on the lookout for potential new purchasses (much to the despair of my credit card).