Monthly Favourites | March

No word of a lie, I actually had to check what month it is just then. Is it really April? Cripes. March was indeed a bit of a toughie for me.  Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis may have noticed that my usual blogging schedule went a little topsy-turvy. As the type of person who likes a bit of routine in her life, you can only begin to imagine how much this made my eye twitch with nervousness... however, that ugly, black cloud that some like to call 'the dissertation' is now handed in and I'm slowly starting to get my life back. Wahey! Hopefully, Bird's Words won't be so empty this month - I had visions of seeing tumbleweed bouncing across my blogger homepage if it carried on much longer...

Nevertheless, amidst all that time sat at my laptop referencing clever folk and trying to make myself sound somewhat well spoken (anyone else find themselves shocked at just how many 'therefore's and 'furthermore's seem to spill out when you start typing anything for uni?!) - I've still found the odd bit of time here and there to find myself some new favourites.  Here's what I uncovered last month...

Elizabeth Arden | Eight Hour Lip Cream*

Admittedly, this is a fairly new discovery for me and I've only really been using it religiously over the past couple of weeks, but Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour lip cream has become my go-to lip balm for March.  Ok, so it doesn't last the 8 hours - I shan't lie - but its a very good little tin of balm nonetheless.  I find it much more moisturising than similar products I have in my collection and it's really smooth and soft.  It also smells really fresh and pretty. It does absorb and sink in pretty quick, which is what makes me a little dubious to the 8-hour claim but I find that i have to apply balm much less often when I use this - must be doing some good! I have to say, it does moisturise them very well. I'm not sure if I'd go out and repurchase but it's a nice product to have in my handbag and on my bedside table.

Rimmel Lipstick in 'Undressed'

Ohhh what's a monthly favourites if there isn't a lipstick in there somewhere? This month, I've really gotten into nudes again.  But I've definitely switched up and away from the typical nudes I'd usually wear and gone for something a little more, dare I say, 'grown up'. At 23, that seems a little silly to say - but I've really been getting into brown-ish hues and darker nudes as opposed to milkier ones (not that I was ever into 'concealer lips' but you get what I'm trying to say...) I've really been loving this offering from Rimmel - so much so that I reckon I've worn it almost every day throughout the month.  It's such a lovely colour - it's ever so slightly darker than my lips so when I wear it it still looks like I'm wearing a lipstick as opposed to a tint or a nude balm - and it provides a great deal of definition.  I've had quite a few people ask me about my lipstick this month too - so it must be a good'un! I've also been a fan of Mac's 'Half and Half' which is ridiculously similar (Mac's is a tad darker) - if you're after a dupe - head on over to the Rimmel stand!

Deep Steep | Moisture Stick in 'Lavender and Chamomile'*

I mentioned this in my Love Me Beauty box post earlier in the month and mentioned how intrigued I was (post here).   It's fast become one of my new favourite products to reach for and I've found it so, so handy to have.  For some reason, around this time of year, my skin always seems to go a little itchy and irritable - I always seem to be allergic to something in the air around March time! This moisture stick is so useful - you simply just twist up and apply to skin - you don't really even have to rub it in (i do, but you could get away without it...) It's so simple to use and completely mess free so you can moisturise on the go without looking like a loon with a tin of body butter on the bus.  I tend to use it most on the tops of my arms and it provides instant moisture relief, at the same time as keeping your skin feeling soft through the day. Love it.

Dove | Purely Pampering Body Butter (Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla)

Speaking of body butter... Here's another one! Why do I always seem to have a body butter in my favourites? Nothing like realising you feature one every month to highlight just how quick you get through the stuff, is there?  I threw this one in my basket on a complete whim a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to cut down on the fragranced stuff whilst my skin has been so sensitive and try something a little different. Dove always seems to be a winner for subtle scents so I opted for this one. I can't quite bring myself to use an un-scented product (such a girl...) so I thought this one would be perfect as it's not overpowering.  Firstly, the scent is beautiful - it's very light - but it's got a hint of sweet-ness to it. Secondly, the consistency is gorgeous - really thick and creamy - think Soap & Glory's Righteous Butter but even more so.  It's so dreamy - honestly, grab a tub! I'm so glad I walked past it and decided to take a chance - it's a definite re-purchase.

Eyelure | Naturalites in '020'

These have to be my most re-purchased lashes ever.  I know what you're thinking - but there's nothing to them? Maybe so. But that's exactly why I like them.  They look so natural and blend in to your real lashes so they're almost completely undetectable. They add that little bit of extra volume and thickness without looking like you're actually wearing falsies.  You know when you have one of those mornings when your mascara just doesn't sit right... (no? surely it can't just be me...) these lashes are perfect for those moments. They're super light and I often forget I'm wearing them. I much prefer wearing these to big, dramatic lashes now.  Honestly, give them a go. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Natural looking false lashes so under-rated.

Sanctuary Spa | 'Relax' Reed Diffuser

Yep. That's right. A reed diffuser. I'm aware it's not exactly the most exciting product in the world, nor is it beauty related but it's something I've been loving this month regardless. I'm a sucker for any 'relaxation' product.  This offering from Sanctuary is just the ticket - it smells beautiful - almost oriental - and it isn't overpowering either.  I catch the odd whiff of it when I'm sitting in bed or getting ready of a morning and I just love it. I can't really say much more about it other than it looks pretty sitting on my dresser and it makes my bedroom feel like my own little relaxation haven. Definitely going to re-purchase it as soon as it runs out - although judging by the size of the bottle, I doubt that will be anytime in the near future...

 What have you been loving this month? Any of my favourites tickle your fancy?

Last Minute Holiday Buys

Evening my little cupcakes.  I hope you've all been enjoying today in the sunshine - it's sure been a scorcher i tells ya! I arrived back from London late last night so it's fair to say I've been absolutely cream-crackered all day. For those of you who don't know, I've been on a trip with uni to a big exhibition for 6 days and it's been so exciting to be showing my work - I've had lots of good things come from it including interest in my children's book and potential jobs for the future/placements for summer - I've even had my work featured on a very well known graphic design site so to say it's been successful is an understatement! I'm grinning like a cheshire cat right now (and a very tired one at that...that'll teach me to wear wedges for 10 hours straight ;)).  There's no rest for the wicked though - I jet off on holiday in the early hours of Tuesday morning, so I'm currently in the process of unpacking one case and packing another (nightmare! my floor has never seen so many carrier bags and clothes!) - I definitely feel as if I'm ready for a holiday - I really need to recharge my batteries. Anyway,  I took a drive down to the nearest retail park last week to pick up some last minute bits for my holiday as I won't have chance tomorrow and I thought I thought what better thing to do than show you what I picked up... Everyone loves a holiday haul right?

| St Tropez Self Tan Dark Mousse |

Call me high maintenance, but one cannot simply arrive in a sunny country looking like a milk bottle on legs.  Whenever I go away, I fake tan beforehand so that I don't stick out like a sore thumb once I arrive.  St Tropez is my go-to fake tan. I find the mousse so easy to apply and fuss-free and I like the colour it gives.  I've never tried their dark version before but I thought I'd give it a whirl. I've since tried it and I have to say I think I prefer the normal version - the dark just looks a bit too muddy on me.  I can usually get away with not washing the guide colour off the normal version if I'm going out, but with this one I absolutely have to make sure it's off before I pop out as it looks too much. Oh well - atleast I've tried it.  I'll still use it but I much prefer my St Tropez normal mousse. 

| Tangle Teezer Travel |

I cannot live without my Tangle Teezer - me and that hairbrush are like the ultimate little dream-team and without it i simply can't function and my hair has a mardy.  I travel quite a bit, so I figured I'd whack the travel version in my basket.  It's really handy because it's slightly smaller and has a little protective case so that the bristles don't get damaged in your suitcase.  I took it to London with me and it was a little life saver - it kept my hair from throwing it's toys out of the pram and going all frizzy on me! Just what you need if you're a fellow traveller like me.

| Sanctuary Pore Refining Toner- Travel Size |

Ahh mini products... Every time I go away I relish shopping for mini bottles of stuff.  They're much more interesting and cute than normal sized bottles of stuff!  Sanctuary do some lovely skin care and this is my favourite of the bunch - their Pore Refining Toner.  It keeps my skin looking and feeling fresh and gets rid of any cack (Cack - be gone!) If you're in need of a good toner then it's worth trying this one. I loves it.

| Bourjois Bronzing Primer & Maxi Delight Bronzer |

I really tried not to get sucked in by Bourjois new summer offering. I failed.  Their new bronzing range is really tempting and as soon my holiday was booked I justified grabbing their bronzing primer as I've had my eye on it for a while.  It's said to be similar to the infamous Chanel Bronzer so we will see if it lives up to those claims (i own both so I shall be testing on holiday!)  Their products were on offer so I picked up the Maxi Delight bronzer too.  It's flipping huge. Honestly, the photos don't show the size but it's almost bigger than my head (slight exaggeration there...) I have a review coming up shortly of these 2 - I'm really liking the Maxi Delight at the momento.

| Charles Worthington Mineral Hair Rescue Masque |

My hair is partial to a masque or two.  I picked this one up for my jollydays as my hair tends to get a bit straw-like in the sun. Being blonde it often has the tendency to look really brassy too so I always pick up a conditioning treatment to use half-way through the holiday to refresh and revive my poor little frazzled ends. I really liked the sound of this one.

| Soap & Glory - Archery Brow Pencil |

I've never really tried Soap & Glory's make-up offerings but really wanted to give their eyebrow pencil a whirl.  It has a pencil on one end and a brush tip on the other that works more like a pen.  I really like this so far although I have to say the colour is really light. Now, I'm not a fan of a 'scouse brow' but I do like my eyebrows to look defined and the blonde version is possibly a touch too light - but I still like it anyway as the pen works as a great base for my HD Brows.  Nevertheless, I'd definitely buy one of these again - i really like it so far.

| Batiste - Conditioning Mist with Argan Oil |

When I saw this I had to grab it.  I'm a big fan of Batiste and I'm also a big fan of conditioning hair oil so the two combined was just a must-have! I often smooth a bit of oil over any frizzy-bits after I've styled my hair so this sounded like the perfect finishing touch without the risk of over-doing it with the oil.  I haven't yet tried this but I really cannot wait to give it a spritz - It's such a good idea and something that I haven't really seen on the market yet.  Thumbs up Batiste - you have pleased me.


And so that's yer lot! I have a few reviews coming up involving some of these products I'm sure - but these are just my first impressions.  I'm currently in the middle of packing my suitcase so wish me luck with that - I'm always always overweight with suitcases - give me a weight allowance and I'll bloody well use it (and more!).  Any tips on efficient packing for a girl who loves to take everything including the kitchen sink will be welcome...

Have you tried any of these products?

Sanctuary Skincare | My Current Favourites

I sometimes tend to put off doing skincare posts, simply because everyone is different and what might work for me, won't work for other people - but i've been using the Sanctuary range now since the beginning of June and it's become a firm favourite of mine.  Their skincare range is actually really impressive and suprisingly affordable, and it's one that I know I will continue to go back to. Here's a quick rundown of the products from the range that i'm using religiously at the moment:

Pore Refining Toner 150ml | £9 - This is without a doubt, my favourite product i've tried from the range. I included it in an August favourites post a while back and have since caved in and bought the big bottle. It's really gentle, yet removes every trace of makeup left on my face after cleansing, and it has a really comforting smell to it that isn't overpowering. It sprays out in a mist and can be applied directly to a cotton pad for direct toning, or it can even be used as a refreshing spray throughout the day over your makeup or just to refresh the skin in general. It helps to balance the Ph of your skin, whilst helping to refine and tighten pores - all big thumbs up for me since I do have large pores around my t-zone. Dare I say it, but my skin has looked a million times better since I began using this, and it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or tight after use like other toners i've used in the past.

Brightening Facial Radiance Exfoliator 100ml | £10.50 - This exfoliator contains 'ultra fine apricot granules and grape seed' and smells really fresh. This is great for those days when you feel as if your skin is looking a bit dull and uneven in tone. It's gentle enough to use fairly regularly, but not so much so that it doesn't make a difference. My skin is left feeling super soft and revitalised afterwards and appears smoother in tone.

Deep Cleanse Facial - Fresh Faced Purifying Wash 140ml | £9 - This gentle little facewash helps to balance the skin's moisture levels (which is great for me as I have combination skin) and contains witch hazel, chamomile and cucumber to cool and soothe. It has the same fragrance as the toner, and works really well used side by side. It leaves my skin feeling suitably moisturised and clean - all in all it's just a really nice little cleansing face wash that does what it says on the tin (or tube in this case... and a rather wonky one at that... i always manage to pick up the dodgy one out of everything!)

All items can be purchased from Boots, and it's worth keeping your eyes peeled for their 3 for 2! They also offer some of their products in the mini-range so you can try before you buy.

Have you tried Sanctuary skincare?

 ♥