June 2013 Favourites

I bought ALOT of new products in June because I was lucky enough to go to London for IMATS. However,as that was towards the end of June I didn't have time to test alot of the products yet so I cannot give my honest opinion on them yet. However, I did fall in love with one or two of them instantly so I think I will have to give them a mention below.

So lets get going.

My skin is misbehaving alot lately. One minute its dry and next I am full of zits, YUK!! The two masks I have  reached for time and time again in June (and in every other month since I purchased them a while back) is the Una Brennan's Superfacialist Rose Hydrate and Tea Flower Deep Clean Masks. Read my full review on these here. These really are amazing masks and are very reasonably priced. When I use these I feel I am using professional quality products but without the steep price tag.

Picture from www.michaeltoddtrueorganics.com

Keeping with skincare again. I am nothing less than obsessed with the Michael Todd Intense Organic Eyecream. I have searched long and hard for a great eyecream that I can wear both night and day and that actually makes a difference to my dehydrated eyes. Oh boy have I found it!!!! This eyecream has a very light texture so it can be worn during the day and doesn't cake your under-eye concealers but at the same time it is so hydrating and the minute I put this on I can see the fine lines (yes I have some) reduce significantly. I will definitely be sticking with this for the foreseeable future. Michael Todd is an american brand I discovered in the last few months and I cannot get over the quality of the skincare for the price they charge. You should take a look if you are in the market for a new skincare regime. I will do a blogpost in the future about this brand and my favs from the range.

Pic from www.stila.co.uk

Moving on to makeup....... I only bought this palette in London but I am seriously in love. I dare to say it but for me its the nicest neutral palette I have ever owned, and boy do I own a few! The Stila in the lights palette consists of (for me) the perfect mix of shimmery and matte shades that allow you to create endless eye looks.  Need I say more.....maybe I will in an upcoming blog post.

Another favourite of mine this month is the eyeliner that comes with the Stila in the lights palette. Its called Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in the shade Damsel and it is the perfect deep brown colour that really compliments the palette well but the most important thing is it stays put for a long time, even on the waterline. Two favourites in one....loving this palette.

I wrote about the Boujour Bronzing Primer in my Summer Lovin' blogpost in mid June. I am crazy about this product. I use it over my foundation as a cream bronzer. It in no way makes my skin look orange or cakey but instead really just makes my skin look radiant and healthy. I will use this even in the winter!!! I am sure of it. Because my skin is breaking out a good bit I am avoiding using fake tan on my face at the moment just incase it irritates it and so I find this is great to help even out the colour of my face to my body.

Pic from www.feelunique.com 

Some days I get oily skin (even though I wouldn't have oily skin...I know skin drama). Soooo to keep this at bay I am loving the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Shade 001 Translucent. This seriously is one of the best oil control powders on the market and it costs like €5.99 (I actually found this here for €4.99, BARGAIN). I would say Rimmel powders in general are a definite must have for every makeup bag. They are great quality for a teeny tiny price.

Pic from www.maccosmetics.com

Mac's Cultured Lipglass has been a fav of mine for a while now but I seem to have become obsessed with it in June. Its the "perfect" pink shade of gloss that just adds sex appeal to your pout without being OTT and dramatic looking.

Pic from www.cocoabrown.ie

I am not into the overly bronzed look lately. I really love having a tan but I hate the "you've been tangoed" look that some girls adore. Instead I love to look naturally golden. I think it suits me (and most people) better and the fake tan seems to wear off better if its not layered too much. To achieve this look I am using the Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan which I reviewed here. This is such an easy tan to use but gives a lovely tan without looking overly fake and unnatural.

Pic from www.theperfumeshop.com

My favourite scent of the month is Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum. What can I say??? You need to smell this to experience it's beauty. The only way I can describe this scent is that it's an oriental floral type scent that to me screams strong sexy woman. And the packaging keeps with the strong sexy team, I just adore the lid, it reminds me of a crown.....

Ok so that's it for my monthly favourites. I just want to mention quickly that I am still loving and using the below products which I have mentioned in previous monthly favourites. This is a true testament to these products because I try ALOT of new products so to continue using something is a big deal and really means that it really works well for me.
I still love all the products mentioned in my April Favourites aswell as the MUA pro brow kit, the Sigma Mrs Bunny Collection (full review here) and Avon's supershock gel liner pencil from my February Favourites. I do still like the other products mentioned in my favourites but I have either found a better alternative or am currently testing another product of this type...stay tuned for updates in the future!

Well I think I have done enough rambling for one day. I hope you all enjoyed the post and be sure to let me know your favourites for this month. Have a beautiful day no matter what you get up to xxxx

Una Brennan's Super Facialist Must Have Face Masks

My skin at the moment is going through a bit of a nightmare phase. One minute it is dry and dehydrated and the next my skin is covered in acne breakouts. So I decided to buy a mask that would help to calm the dryness and also one that would clear out the toxins from my skin and help keep acne under control.

So on a whim I headed to Boots (as you do) and came across the Una Brennan skincare line. I bought (without giving it much thought to be honest) the Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask and the Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask. Since I got these I haven't looked back. I feel that no matter what my skin concern is I can apply either of these masks and my skin will reap the benefits.

So....what do the products claim to do?

Well the Rose Hydrate Mask claims to "Boost skin moisture levels and radiance". This it does. I love using this when my skin is dehydrated but I also love to use it on special occasions when I want my skin to have a glow because it really does freshen and lift the skin. 

This mask can be used on all skin types including sensitive so you don't have to worry about irritation after using it. The ingreadients include White Willow extracts (increases cell turnover), Vitamin E, Urea and Soothing Marhsmallow all of which will hydrate and replenish the skin. 

It states on the tube to apply this one or twice a week but I tend to go between this and the Tea Flower Mask depending on my skin concerns.  I find if you apply this a few minutes before you apply your makeup, rinse, moisturise and then apply your foundation your skin will be subtle and plumped and your makeup will look amazing. Give it a go!!!

The consistency of this mask is almost like a lotion but it is seriously hydrating.

Both masks only cost €10.99 each for a 125ml tube. They are are currently on offer in Boots. The range is exclusive to boots and can be purchased in stores or online at www.boots.ie.

The Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask is one of the best detoxing face masks I have ever tried. It claims to "Clear your skin of dirt, excess oils and toxins which lead to breakouts". Does it stand up to it's claims? Hell yeah!!!! This mask will draw out all your impurities but it doesn't strip the skin of oils like other masks do. I often breakout after using this but its not because my skin is irritated by the product but because this gets rid of all the nasties from your skin, better out than in I say!! I also LOVE this mask for when I have active breakouts because I feel it calms the spots and reduces the ugly redness. My spots don't seem to last as long as they used to because I think this kills them quicker or something like that...

It contains Salicylic Acid which is a skin savior in my eyes as it really aids in unclogging pores and healing acne breakouts. It also contains "oil-absorbing Dead Sea Mud" which is amazing for calming and detoxing the skin and Avacado oil which is great for rebalancing the skin. An all round marvel mix for acne prone skin. 

The consistency of this mask is thick and mud like. When applied to the skin it is wet but as it sets on the face it dries. To remove this I suggest using a hot face cloth as it can be tough to get off sometimes. Hold the hot cloth over your face for a few seconds before removing the mask which will help loosen the product. 

Again this mask can be used one to twice a week for 5 minutes but as I said I rotate depending on my skins condition. Unfortunately I use this one more often as I have acne breakouts alot.

Consistency: Left:Rose Hydrate Right:Tea Flower

Overall these masks are amazing value for money as they really work wonders on the skin. They don't feel over-perfumed or synthetic in any way and I have not had an reaction to them at all (I have very sensitive skin). I adore the smell of them both as you can really smell the ingredients of each one, which usually means that there is a high content of the ingredients in the product and not overly packed with nasty additives. 

I am excited to try other offerings from Una Brennan's range as these two masks have made me a very happy girl. I feel like for every skin disaster there is an Una Brennan Mask to fix it!!