Monthly Favourites | December

Evenin' all! I do hope you've all had an amazing Christmas. I don't know about you but it's gone far too quick for me. I love the whole build up to the big day and the past few weeks really do seem to have flown by - I don't feel as if I've had chance to fully take it all in.  It's always over in the blink of an eye.  We're now onto the dregs of the Quality Street tin (the ones that nobody likes) and I can't help but feel slightly sad that I won't be able to pop into Costa for a cheeky orange hot chocolate anymore. Anyway, post-Christmas glum-ness aside, I thought I'd put together my final favourites post of the year. I wasn't going to do a December favourites this month considering I'm in the process of typing up my '2014' collective posts, but it seemed a shame not to to sum up the final month of the year with a few bits and pieces...

Chanel // Soleil Tan De Chanel 'Bronze Universel'  // £32.00 // Link

I adore this product - it's one that I always go back to.  It's such a nice little touch of luxury to have in my collection. I've been using it as an all over bronzing base recently and it just looks so much more natural as opposed to a powder bronzer.  I've been buffing this into the skin (after applying my foundation) using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and it just gives the most amazing, smooth and flawless finish.  I concentrate it around the outside of my face - buffing into the sides of the forehead, temples and outer cheekbones to give a naturally bronzed and sculpted look.  

Mac Lipstick in 'Half n Half' // £15.50 // Link

Oo not another 90s inspired nude lip! Although I'm a big fan of the infamous 'Velvet Teddy' lipstick, I much prefer the constancy of 'Half n Half' and think it's very much an unsung hero of the Mac lipstick world.  It's virtually the same shade - maybe slightly lighter - but is much creamier and glossy due to the 'amplified' finish. I adore it.  For a closer look, head on over to my 'Mac Lipstick Collection' post here. 

Boutique at Sainsburies Lip Gloss in 'All the Tea in China' // £6.00 //

You've got to hand it to Sainsburies - they've got an absolutely smashing lip gloss here! It's more akin to a lip laquer in terms of application and pigmentation - the colour is almost opaque (if you've ever tried Tanya Burr's range I'd liken it to those) and is so understated and classy.  I bought this a few months ago and it looked far too 'foundation-y' on my summer skin, but now that I'm paler it works a treat.  It works well on its own, giving a beautifully glossy nude appearance, but also works well layered on top of brown toned lipsticks.  The taupe hint really compliments brown undertones and looks very on trend for the season. 

Arran Aromatics 'Honey and Lemon' Lip Balm // £3.50* // Link

I've already featured this product in a recent post here, but I just had to include it again. It's become my bedside staple! I apply it every night before bed and let it work it's magic overnight.  I'll also apply it in the morning before I apply my makeup as it sinks in really nicely, instantly making the lips feel smoother and perfectly prepped for further product.  It gives a lovely glossy appearance to the lips and works well over lipsticks if you're applying it through the day.  The scent is so soothing and gentle, and the screw-top pot is so handy and lightweight - I've thrown it into my handbag on a couple of occasions and much prefer this over a typical lip-balm stick (they're often too waxy for my liking).  This one is super quenching and treats dry lips in an instant.

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Lover' // £21.50 // Link

I really didn't expect to see this blush popping up on the bloggles anytime soon considering it's one of my summer favourites.  However, a year or so ago, I remember really enjoying it through the winter months.  I'd wear it to my uni lectures in a bid to make myself look slightly more awake (even if i felt far from it!) and I just find the finish of it so lovely.  It's a gorgeous bright pastel-y peach which works so well on both tanned and pale skin - the matte finish is also really flattering and gives that perfect 'flawless' finish.  I have to say this is one of my most loved blushes ever - it might even be my all-time favourite.  There's something about it that just works for me and despite being quite a bright, unique shade - i find it so easy to wear.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter / Illuminator (LE) 

Ahh I hate featuring Limited Edition products in posts because there's no way of providing links (sorry!). This was actually a summer product released a couple of years ago so I apologise for the lack of availability.  I never actually used it when I first got it (my mum gave it to me) simply because I didn't think it was my sort of shade - however, I've really been enjoying it recently. I've mainly been using it on my décolletage for evenings out as it just makes your skin look so delicate and perfected. It looks lovely on the tops of the cheekbones though, especially when worn with a matte blush and subtle bronzer.  The rose gold colour is really pretty at this time of year and not to mention the packaging - the matching rose gold compact is just beautiful.

Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Blush in 'Whisper' // £17.25 // Link

I won't say too much about this blush as I already have a full post here - but I adore this gorgeous pinky-coral shade from Jane Iredale.  The blush has a slight sheen running through it which is really fab for dull winter skin.  I've been alternating a lot between this shade and my Illamasqua blush, often applying it over my Benefit 'Majorette' cream blush which I featured in last month's favourites.  

Swatches L-R // Chanel Bronze Universel // Illamasqua Lover // Jane Iredale 'Whisper' // Elizabeth Arden Illuminator // Mac 'Half n Half' // Boutique Gloss in 'All the Tea in China'

Have you tried and loved any of these products? Is there anything here that tickles your fancy!?

Tanya Burr Lipglosses | Review & Swatches

No you're not listening to a broken record - it's just me harping on about Tanya Burr's lip glosses -  again. They've made a few appearances on Bird's Words the past few weeks and I decided it was about time I dedicate a full post to them - it would have been rude not to.  It's not often I'll bother to post about a lip gloss - those of you who've followed me for a while will know that they don't exactly float my boat but Tanya Burr's new range caused quite a stir in the blogging world just recently and, never one to miss out on a good product, I decided to try them for myself.  I was seriously impressed right from the beginning - from the shade names, colour choice and overall appearance.  I suppose you wouldn't expect anything less from Tanya, would you? If anyone's going to hit the nail on the head when it comes to attracting the attention of a beauty blogger - it's her!

I opted for the sophisticated and understated 'Chic' for my first purchase.  It was a challenge and a half trying to choose from the range of shades available but I settled on one I knew I'd get a lot of wear out of.  I'm a big fan of brown-toned nudes and pink hues so it's fair to say that 'Chic' was right up my street! It instantly jumped out at me.  I've been wearing this constantly since I bought it and it looks lovely worn on it's own or worn over a lipstick to add dimension or enhance a matte shade.  As I'm jetting away on holiday (I'm probably sitting on a sun lounger lapping up the rays as we speak - yep - who's an organised little tinker scheduling posts whilst she's away?!) I decided I simply had to try one of the more vibrant shades too. Let's just say I spent a great deal in time in Superdrug that day.  Tanya knows how to get a bright just right doesn't she? ;) (oohhh yes - pulling out the rhymes and all now...)  After much debate, I decided on 'Let's Travel the World' - a gorgeous bright, orangey red.  I'm a big fan of Mac's Lady Danger in the summertime and I just knew it would be the perfect companion for shades like this.  I wasn't wrong.  It isn't quite as opaque in finish as 'Chic', but it certainly still delivers in the pigmentation stakes.  Both of them are definitely comparable to lip lacquers - you could easily wear either of them on their own without the need for anything underneath.

The packaging is definitely another one of the selling points for me.  The sleek tube and nicely sized doe-foot applicator only add to the appeal and the fact that they smell so delicious is just the icing on the cake.... Seriously, they smell so good - like strawberries and cream with a hint of vanilla goodness. Yummy.  Longevity wise, wear time is pretty impressive.  I get much more wear out of these than I do from my lighter lipsticks and lip butters.  The big issue I usually have with glosses would be the consistency, but these ones are just about bearable.  I won't say that they aren't a little sticky - because they do have that slight tacky feel to them - but they don't feel heavy or annoying to wear in the slightest and they glide on so easily and smoothly.  Overall, I have to say it's a big thumbs up from me for Tanya's lip product range.  I can't wait to grab more colours and I'll certainly be expanding my collection in the near future I'm sure.  I have my sights set on 'Exotic Island' next - a gorgeous bright, blue toned pink.  Price-wise, these glosses are fairly reasonable at £6.99 and you'll often find them in with offers for slightly cheaper - you can find the range on Feel Unique here, and also in Superdrug stores or online here.

Have you tried Tanya Burrs range? What's your favourite shade?

Bev Ridge & Friends | Lip Gloss Trio

Bev Ridge & Friends | Distracted By Shiny Things - Lip Gloss Trio* | £10.00 [link]

A while back, I received an email all about a new website for beauty fans and fellow bloggers called 'Baobella'. After having a mooch around on the site, I began to think of it like a Pinterest/weheartit purely for beauty lovers - with all sorts of social media-typed features packed in. You can upload swatches and makeup looks you've created for others to see and comment on, as well as creating a little online list of brands and products you love.  If you're a beauty fan and haven't yet heard of the site, it might be of interest to you and it's worth having a play around on! The lovely bunch at Baobella very kindly sent me a little treat when they first launched in the form of these little tubes of sparkly goodness, and I thought I'd share them with you all - if you're looking for a pretty gift for a friend or simply looking for a little treat to yourself, then 'Bev Ridge' and friends offer some lovely bits and pieces (some of which I actually picked up for stocking fillers at Christmas time).

The lip glosses come packaged in a lovely decorative box, complete with little floral lids which are coated in a sort of paper-y material, which adds such a unique twist. One thing I really do like is the quirky packaging!  The lip glosses themselves are really nice - if you've read my blog before you'll know I'm very fussy when it comes to lip glosses. They are ever so slightly on the sticky side but not so much that I can't wear them - they're not too thick in consistency which is a big plus point for me, as it makes them more comfortable to wear. My favourite shade has been the mid-pink shade which has teeny-tiny flecks of shimmer running throughout it (seen above in my swatches) - it's just perfect for everyday wear and looks really pretty worn on its own (in the photograph) or over a lipstick. I do like a little gloss to my lips - as you can probably see I have natural lines on my bottom lip and matte formulations ofter don't look too flattering on me due to this - so having a little gloss to slick over the top is rather handy! I really like the baby pink shade - if you know me you'll know I'm partial to a nude pink lipstick or two, and this pairs really well with a tonne of my pink lipsticks - I actually find this shade the least sticky of them all.  If you're after a little gift for a lip gloss fan then it's worth having a look into these - the designs are really quirky and fun, and the little Hawaiian-inspired patterned paper lids on these glosses are just so cute. Not to mention that your purse will surely thank you for it!  Oh - and to top it all off, they smell gorgeous - very sweet and girly. Just my cup of tea.

Have you tried anything from Bev Ridge & friends?

Have you got yourself a Baobella profile? If so, do pop a little link in the comments for me to have a nose!

Rimmel Apocalips | 'Big Bang' 'Galaxy' & 'Luna'

Rimmel Apocalips | £5.99 each

When I first heard about the Rimmel Apocalips hitting the stores, I knew straight away they would be a winner in my books. So much so, I actually got into town superly-duperly-extra-specially early on the day they were released so that I could get my mitts on a few of them before the rest of the beauty bloggers in my area got there first. Yes.. I know... we are talking extreme measures here but surely you fellow bloggers know that as soon as there is hype created over something, rest assured the shelves of Boots and Superdrug will be empty within days - and I just couldn't risk such a thing happening. I simply HAD to have my pick of every single shade. I settled on 'Luna' - a bright orangey peach, 'Galaxy' - a rich purple-plum shade and 'Big Bang' - a classic bright red.  Already I'm really regretting not buying more. These lip lacquers are right up my street. Let me explain why...

Firstly, these little beauties are essentially a lipstick, a stain and a lipgloss all packaged to perfection into one tube. I wore 'Big Bang' on a recent night out and never before have I been so excited by a drugstore lip product on first application - the coverage is completely opaque right from the start. The consistency is thicker than a gloss, almost creamy in texture, but I don't find it at all sticky - once on it feels like any regular glossy/creamy lipstick (and that's coming from someone who cannot stand the majority of lipglosses on the market..fussy little madam, I know). I went out for drinks the night I wore this and it was still going strong a few hours later. The colour was almost exactly the same as when I'd applied it earlier (even after sipping drinks). Admittedly, the gloss does wear off after a while, but you are left with a satin-finish stain that still looks bright and smooth in texture on the lips. I find them to be the perfect lip product rolled into one - you're essentially skipping the need for gloss over the top, and are still getting the benefit of a lip stain and a pigmented lipstick. The doe-foot applicator is also surprisingly easy to use - and I managed to get a pretty even line without too much hassle.  I've recently been looking into the YSL Glossy Stains, and these are very similar in concept - just with a smaller price tag!

Big Bang has to be my favourite so far - it's such a wearable, classic red and looks so bright once applied. Luna is a lovely shade for every day wear - and I find it looks really nice dabbed over Mac's 'Shy Girl' for a more toned down look.  Galaxy admittedly isn't for everyone - I'm still unsure as to whether I can pull this one off but I don't own any other shade like this in my collection and I must have been feeling somewhat daring when I took it to the till! Lastly, I love the space-related shade names and the shape of the packaging (easily pleased) - it adds a little dose of quirkiness that helps to set them aside from any other products on the shelf.  It goes without saying that you will most certainly find me lurking around the Rimmel aisle sometime this week.  I really want to get my hands on 'Celestial' next - sadly, it's out of stock everywhere near me right now. Never mind... I shall sit and twiddle my thumbs, wait patiently for it to make an appearance and in the meantime I shall stock up on the rest of the collection.. I really love the shade range and simply need them all in my life. Like.. now.

Have you tried the Apocalips? What were your thoughts?

♥

Barry M Lipgloss Collection

Barry M Lipglosses | £3.99-£4.49 each 

L - R / 9 - Cherry Glitter / 5 - Bubblegum Pink / Limited Edition - Strawberry /  2 - Toffee / 3 - Strawberries & Cream / Glossy Tube - Iridescent Violet Glitter /

Admittedly, I'm the fussiest little madam you will ever meet when it comes to lip gloss.  I am a huge collector of lipstick and if i ever treat myself to something then rest assured it will be a lip product, but one thing I really struggle with is glosses. I've tried all kinds - stains, long-wear, cheap as chips, high-end.. the lot. And so far none of them I've found have come close to my trusty Barry M's.  I hate feeling like I've dunked my lips in PVA glue or chip fat.. (hmm lovely thought for you all there..) but Barry M have ticked the box for a fuss-free lipgloss for me.

Barry M glosses are available in an array of shades (although i do wish they had a few more red/brighter options) - and so far I have 6 in my collection. Each one smells like the name of the colour (toffee is by far the yummiest in my opinion) and are decently pigmented to provide colour pay-off even without lipstick underneath.  They aren't the most long lasting but they don't feel sticky at all which is what matter the most to me with a gloss.. they just smooth on really easily and I don't feel the need to wipe it straight off again! I slightly prefer the gloss wands over the glossy tubes - just because I much prefer a doe-foot applicator as there is more control over how you apply them to the lips. Those who find glitter lip products might find the glitter glosses slightly irritating but the texture and consistency overrides this for me and I just find them very comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Overall they're just really good little lipglosses to have in your collection - and if like me, you can't stand lipglosses, then give these a go - they're currently the only ones I can wear with ease and I will without a doubt be completing my collection for the full set (next in line is the coral shade!) You can view the collection here.

What is your favourite lipgloss? I'd love to discover some more fabulous ones!

♥