03 Mar February Favourites

Where is this year going? How is it March already? Well the good news is that hopefully spring is on the way and the weather might actually improve if we all cross our fingers enough! I have been trying out quite a few products this month so here’s what I’ve been loving:

Academie Bronze Express – Introduced to me via January’s PowderPocket box, this is now a firm favourite of mine. When applied with a tanning mitt it goes on so easily, you can see how much you are applying and therefore layer it up as needs be. There is very little smell from it and I haven’t found it to rub off on clothes, this is probably because it dries extremely quickly, so you will need to work fast with it. Also, I would very much recommend applying this with a tanning mitt rather than with your hands or with rubber gloves. My trusted St Tropez tanning mousse has well and truly been shoved off the shelf to make way for this new addition!
Retail Price – €14.95

Buff Make Up HD Foundation – Whilst not a new brand to the market, it’s a new brand to me and boy am I glad I found it. So much so, it’s sneaked its way into this month’s favourites as well as into my make up kit. I’ve been so impressed with this foundation so far that I’ve already started using it on brides for their trials with really great feedback. It’s definitely not for those of you who like the natural look and aren’t used to wearing much foundation as it’s definitely a full coverage foundation with very good pigmentation, so a little goes a long way. Which is just as well, as you only get 20ml in a bottle as opposed to the standard 30ml you do with most other foundations and it costs €30. Buff claim that it’s suitable for all skin types, although I would be very hesitant to use it on very oily skin as I’m not convinced it would last on the skin. As someone who has combination skin, I can vouch that it lasts very well on my skin type. It leaves a really lovely dewy finish to the skin and given it’s HD formula, it’s ideal for brides and editorial work.
Retail Price – €30

Buff Make Up Sheer Glo – Another purchase from Buff Make Up from when I did one of their workshops at the beginning of February with the amazing Tara O’Farrell. This is a liquid highlighter that gives the skin an instant useful glow. Applied after primer and before foundation it helps to give that gorgeous dewy effect. As with the HD Foundation, it can be used on all skin types especially dry and mature skin. I don’t use this during the day, simply because I don’t feel the necessity for it and simply don’t have the time to add another product into my routine. However, I’m using it with brides and clients as well as on night’s out.
Retail Price – €32

Lancôme Artliner – This has totally changed my make up look in the last month and I pretty much use it everyday. I always used to use a liquid eyeliner when I was younger but then as a makeup artist always got used to using a gel eyeliners. Anyway, I’ve rediscovered the benefits of the liquid ones and this is a fantastic product. It’s one of those products that when you mention it to people they say ‘Oh yeah, I use that, it’s brilliant’. I even found it in my mum’s makeup bag this weekend as a daily essential of hers!!! The foam tip is the perfect size to create a feline flick and makes it quick enough to build it up if desired, it glides on easily and is very long lasting.
Retail Price – €28

Blank Canvas F22 HD Dome Face Brush – Again, a new discovery to me thanks to my January PowderPocket box, this brush really impressed me and was great to use with my Buff Foundation. It’s part of their HD Face Collection and can be used for foundation, blush or contour application and with either liquid, cream, powder or mineral foundations. It’s made of synthetic fibres which makes it easy to clean as well. If you’re on the hunt for some good quality make up brushes and don’t want to break the bank in the process, its definitely worth checking out www.blankcanvascosmetics.com as they are really reasonably priced. I will definitely be making some more purchases…next on my wish list is the F20 Flat Buffer Brush.
Retail Price – €13.99

Revlon Lip Butters – I treated myself to a couple of these last month and previously mentioned them in a post (click here). My favourite is Tutti Frutti which I wear all the time, a soft coral, peach colour. As they are similar to a lip balm but with colour and good pigmentation, they do not dry the lips, in fact they are quite hydrating. You can simply dab it on with your finger to give a subtle sheen of colour or build it up to almost a lipstick. Currently available in 21 shades.
Retail Price – €11.20

I’ve really enjoyed testing and discovering lots of new products this month and I’ve had lots of queries for weddings and bridal make up this month, so lots keeping me busy. What products have you been loving this month?

Thanks for reading.
Sara.x