Beauty Bargains | Blog Sale Buys

Products | Blank Canvas Cosmetics Blush & Bronzer Palette / Mac Lipsticks in 'Cut a Caper' and 'Chatterbox' / O.P.I 'Teal the Cows Come Home' / Benefit 'That Gal' Brightening Primer / Nars 'Copacobana' Multiple/ HD Brows Palette / POP Lid - Eyeshadows Palette / Nars 'Voyage' Eyeshadow

One thing I'm good at is building up my ever growing wish list of beauty bits I want to own. Another thing I'm also pretty good at is spending money on these beauty bits from said wish list.  My bank balance often falls victim to a few too many cheeky 'treats' now and again, but ever since I started blogging it's opened my eyes to the world of blog sales and saving the pennies a little bit more. We're a fickle bunch, us beauty bloggers.  As soon as we've treated ourselves to one new lipstick, we're pretty much already clocking which shade we're going to slip into the basket next time. Our beauty collection grows continuously by the day - and testing and trying new products means that blogging can sometimes turn into a pretty expensive little hobby. It's not always the case though. Being the little cosmetic magpie that I am, I often turn to blog sales now and again to see if I can scout out any bargains. I know, just call me David Dickinson.  I thought I'd put together a little post to show you all what I've managed to pick up the past few months in various blog sales (I'd love to name and link all of the bloggers but I cannot for the life of me remember where I got each product from so for that I do apologise!)

 It is no secret that one thing I'm partial to is a Mac lipstick or two.  At £14 a pop they aren't the cheapest of treats, but I often find brand new Mac lipsticks in blog sales.  We've all been there, got the lipstick and decided that actually, it's not the shade we're after at all.  This is where blog sales come in handy.  I actually manged to find Mac's 'Cut a Caper' in a sale a little while back - a limited edition shade that I wish i'd grabbed when I had the chance but had sold out everywhere the day I decided I'd make a purchase.  It's always worth keeping an eye out for Limited Edition shades - people often buy them in a rush before they sell out, and then realise they actually aren't too fussed and sell them on a few months later when it's been sitting in their makeup drawer. I know I've made the same mistake before! 

I don't think I paid more than £10 for any of these items above and the majority of them haven't even been used - just swatched.  Most bloggers are more than happy to accept offers if you're the haggling type. Personally, if I'm only taking one item I will just take the item for the price stated, but if you're taking more than one item it's worth just asking what the best price they could do them for! Bloggers are a lovely bunch - there's no harm in asking.  If I'm after a certain product, I'll sometimes ask on Twitter if anyone is selling the item, or I'll simply search for blog sales and knock myself out looking through each one (search 'bbloggers sale' on Twitter and you'll come up with a few links) It gets pretty addictive after a while.  It's also a good way to discover new blogs and talk to the people who write them - so many times I've stumbled across blogs I like purely looking around for certain products and end up adding them to my reading list.  It's also a good way to try high end products without the commitment of spending the full whack on something you might not like.  

I haven't yet run a blog sale.  But I have plenty of products I don't use sitting in a drawer somewhere that I'm thinking of selling over summer.  Being the beauty fanatics that we are, it's good to pass on those items we don't like.  Its bound to happen when we're constantly looking for that new 'holy grail' item - it's a very good way of getting rid of the stuff you don't use and selling them on to another blogger to try and test til their hearts content. One man's trash is another man's treasure and all that!  I'm sure you'll see these products I've featured on my blog later down the line - I've already written about a few of them. You can find my review of the HD Brows palette here, or take a look at what 'Teal the Cows Come Home' looks like swatched here.  Both products I really, really love and I don't think I paid more than £5 for either one of them!

Are you a bit of a bargain hunter like me?

What's been your best blog sale buy?

My First E.l.f. Haul | First Impressions & Swatches

And so it finally happened. I placed my first ever e.l.f order. Cue lots of gasps from the bargain-hunter beauty bloggers amongst you all. I'd spent a few weeks twiddling my thumbs and waiting patiently for a certain item to come back into stock, and when it did - I pressed the order button rather swiftly and felt jolly well pleased with myself.  I've sat and read countless blog posts about e.l.f products and had built up quite a lengthy wish list over time - so much so that some of the products I'd written down aren't even stocked anymore! I managed to compose myself, refrain from adding the whole website to my virtual basket and ordered just 4 things (I deserve a pat on the back for that big fat dose of willpower, surely?) - i figured I'd try them out, see if I liked them and then make an even larger order next time I fancied treating myself.  This post is quite photo heavy - I do apologise for those of you who prefer my shorter, snappier variety of post, but you have to understand I was incredibly excited when Mr Postman came a knockin' with this little parcel of bargainous, beautiful goods... Fat kid in a sweet shop doesn't even begin to describe...

Mineral Lipstick | Runway Pink | £5.00

I believe I ordered one of these when there was an offer on - as I definitely didn't pay a fiver (I think I paid £2.50!) Nonetheless, for a lipstick these days it's not a bad price at all and by the looks of this lipstick I shall be ordering another one pretty swiftly regardless of whether or not it's on offer. Runway Pink is a gorgeous salmon pink with yellow undertones.  It's one of those really natural, rose petal pinks that looks very 'vintage' and effortless on the lips.  It's noticeable without being overly pink.  I'd liken it to a lighter, slightly 'watered down' version of Mac's Fanfare if you're familiar with Mac's shade range. I'm so glad I picked this colour out - it's just my cup of tea and the creamy formula glides on smoothly.

 Powder Blush | Peachy Keen | £3.75

I've always wanted to try E.l.f's blushes - and it was extremely hard to pick a shade to try. In the end it was a toss up between this one and 'Candid Coral' - both my kind of shades.  I always lean towards warmer, peach tones when it comes to blushes.  Peachy Keen is a lovely light peachy/orange shade with flecks of gold shimmer running through it.  I'm not entirely sure if it will be too glittery for me just yet - but now summer is coming around I seem to be preferring a subtle glow compared with a matte finish.  I will definitely do a review of this once I've had it on my cheeks. When swatched, it seems really decent quality for the price - the pigmentation is particularly good.

Contouring Blush & Bronzer Cream | St Lucia | £3.75

This is the product that I was waiting for. I finally thought it was time to place an order when their popular 'St Lucia' cream contour palette came back into stock. If you're a regular reader of my blog, you might know that I am a massive fan of contouring - I'm always scouting out new products to use on my cheeks/cheekbones and I'm the first in line to try anything new if it has the word 'contour' in it anywhere.  This palette is a cheap and cheerful little duo containing a blush and bronzer cream. The colours are said to run similar to Nars infamous Orgasm/Laguna duo - I own both of these so it will be interesting to see whether or not they lean towards the high-end favourites. Whether or not they do - I still love the shades and cannot wait to start using them. When I swatched both colours I have to admit a little 'wow' escaped my lips (and that hardly ever happens so I'm hoping they live up to the first impression!) they're incredibly pigmented and smooth in consistency and sweep onto the skin with ease.  They seem creamy and soft - just what I look for in my cream products (I'm not a fan of cream to powder formulations) and I cannot wait to give this a whirl.  The palette is also of good size - much bigger than I envisaged (it's a good bit larger than Nars Laguna - if you're looking for a comparison!)

All Over Colour Stick | Spotlight | £1.50

Of course, I just had to complete the contouring cream palette I'd bought with one of e.l.f's All Over Colour Sticks. I opted for the highlighting shade 'Spotlight' which is the lightest of the bunch.  When it first arrived, I wondered if they'd sent me the wrong shade as it looks rather non-descript in the tube. However, it's a deceiving little devil - as when swatched it shows up incredibly bright - a great deal lighter and more noticeable as a highlight than how it looks in the tube.  I've been wondering if these little sticks are cheap versions of the Nars Multiples (I've recently got my hands on Nars 'Copacabana' so we shall see whether of not they're alike in any way!). I've really got into my cream products at the moment so I had to throw one of these in my basket. For £1.50 you really can't complain and I can't wait to start using it.

Swatches | Runway Pink / Peachy Keen / St Lucia / Spotlight

Of course, this post wouldn't be complete without a little swatch or two! I will definitely do a few reviews on these products once I've been using them a while and let you know how I'm getting on. So far though, I'm so impressed with e.l.f. Their prices are really fabulous and competitive with similar brands on the high street - and for the quality I've seen at first glance I will definitely be ordering again. The packaging is right up my street - sleek, black and simple and all boxed neatly. My favourite so far has to be the contouring cream duo - it's had my name written all over it ever since I first laid my beady eyes on it...

Have you tried any of these products?

What are your thoughts on E.l.f? What would you recommend?

Current Eyebrow Favourite | HD Brow Kit in 'Bombshell'

Even before I started blogging, I wanted a HD Brows kit. When I saw this kit in a blogsale a good while back for around the £6 mark I practically snapped the fellow blogger's hands off for it.  Sadly, I wasn't handed the naturally amazing eyebrows card in life, and after a serious over-plucking mishap when I was about 13 I think it's fair to say that I'm definitely not blessed with the most defined, full brows in the world. Trust me - without a little bit of colour whipped through them they look quite sparse to say the least.  Being blonde, my eyebrows haven't got a great deal of colour to them as it is, and as eyebrows essentially frame your face, I find that I do need a selection of products in order to give me a helping hand. I like them to look naturally defined and noticeably darker than my hair, but not so much so that I end up rocking a scouse brow.  For a good while now I've been happy using my Sleek Eyebrow Kit which comes with the wax and the powder - but ever since I purchased my HD Brows I've been switching back to pure powders a little more.

I bought my palette in the shade 'Bombshell'. I'd always had my eyes peeled for the brunette version (I believe it's called Foxy?) as I must admit I'm partial to a slightly darker brow, but when I saw this I thought I'd just throw caution to the wind and give it a try whilst I had the chance.  I'm so glad I got the blonde version now - the colours are actually quite pigmented and look dark enough without look false. I won't harp on about the kit too much as I'm sure you can all recall the rave reviews that hit your laptop screens a couple of years ago now when people received these palettes in their Glossyboxes, but I really think it's worth a mention on my blog as it's something I've really been loving recently.  The powders themselves are very soft to the touch and really highly pigmented, making them perfect for definition. You definitely don't get any 'fluffy' smudgy edges with these shadows and it's very easy to get a crisp, even line.  Usually, I don't use the brushes that come with kits and palettes, but I actually really like the little brush in this one - the slanted edged one is particularly useful for getting that perfect shape and defining the arch - and the fact it's so travel friendly means it's great for on the go (you even get a mirror in the lid). I personally find a mixture of the two brown shades works a treat for me, and I use the slightly darker one for the arch of my brow.  I pop on a little bit of Mac's Brow Set in 'Beguided' on afterwards to add that finishing touch and I'm good to go. If I want an even more defined look, I will apply a little bit of wax from my Sleek kit beforehand and apply the powders from this set over the top to set the colour from the wax.

The nude shade doesn't show up on me too well unfortunately - and for that reason it doesn't get a great deal of use but I often pop a little bit under the brow bone for a subtle finishing touch.  What I love about the HD Brows kit is that it's so versatile.  You can use the powders as long wearing eyeshadows also - meaning Carbon is perfect for a smokey eye on a night out.  I've used eyebrow powders in the past and have always been a little bit disappointed with the finish and the wear time, but the HD Brows kit really does last all day and stays in place whilst looking natural and groomed. I'd go as far as to say I couldn't be without it in my makeup drawer now. I really do think it's worth browsing blog sales every now and then - I've certainly grabbed some bargains! If you spot a product you've always wanted to try but never been able to get your hands on or never been able to justify the price tag - then it's a really good way to try something out. I picked up an barely used Nars Multiple the other week and am so glad I found it as I'd never felt entirely sure about parting with £30 for one! I shall be doing a post on blog sales soon - I've found some really good things from my fellow bloggers and it's a really good way to discover things you might not have discovered before.

Have you found any bargains in any blog sales recently? If you have one running currently then let me know - I'm getting quite the bargain hunter! David Dickinson eat your heart out, pal!

KMS California | Tame Frizz Range

KMS California Tame Frizz Range* | Link | Frizz Fighter Kit |

If you know me, you'll know that one thing I'm really fussy about is my hair.  I often spend a little more on my hair care, and have a drawer full of my favourite treatments (honestly it's like there's a little hair product pick 'n' mix going on in there).  Recently, I had the chance to try the new 'Tame Frizz' range from KMS California. A brand I actually hadn't tried before but one that my mum uses often (my mum's also a bit of a hair fanatic so if she uses something and likes it then I can often rest assured that I will like it too..), Tame Frizz is the new offering that aims to do just what it says on the tin - Tame your frizz! Now, I've been struggling no end just recently to keep frizzy-bits at bay! I won't harp on about this but I've been noticing changes in the texture of my hair just recently due to medication I've been taking - so to say this range interested me is an understatement as my hair has been a little unmanageable at times and quite a bit drier than what I'm used to.

| Tame Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner |

Before I go into what I think about the performance of the shampoo and conditioner - let me tell you that they smell absolutely divine.  I have to say it's one of the nicest smelling shampoo & conditioner sets I've used - it almost has hints of vanilla to it and leaves your hair smelling beautiful after you've blow dried.  It doesn't take much to get a good lather going on with the shampoo, and when used alongside the conditioner you really do notice how smooth your hair is upon rinsing out.  I noticed a bigger difference after I'd used the products for a couple of weeks or so - of course, it leaves your hair silky soft from first use but it lives up to it's claims of controlling humidity after you've used it a few times.  It's moisturising but not overly so - so if you're more in the market for a moisture surge for very dry hair then it might interest you to know they do a Moisture Repair range (I stole some off my motherbear and it's lovely).  Tame Frizz seems to concentrate more on controlling fly aways and frizzy bits - and leaves your hair smooth to the touch and easier to brush through afterwards.

| Tame Frizz De Frizz Oil |

If I had to pick a favourite product from the range it would be this one.  As a person who hoards hair oils, I thought 'do I really need another?'. Well...Yes. Yes I do.  You can use this oil just as you would any other hair oil - applied to the ends of the hair after washing and towel drying.  It really does work a miracle on my hair, and I find it best to use when my hair is dry.  I find the top layers of my hair sometimes get a little bit frizzy, but with a couple of pumps ran through lightly it banishes any sign of fly aways in an instant and leaves the hair feeling moisturised a soft without looking greasy.  It's lighter than some oils I own (it's not as thick or heavy as some) which makes it perfect for more multi-purpose use - either when your hair is wet or dry.  I really recommend trying it when your hair is having a bit of a cruddy day - it smooths it out and adds a little extra shine and moisture to hair that's lacking a bit of life. It also adds heat protection - little fruity bonus there!

| Tame Frizz Smoothing Lotion |

Another one of my favourites from the range and I reckon I'll be buying this pretty soon.  I use the smoothing lotion like a finishing touch to my hairstyle - a small amount rubbed into the palms of your hands and lightly smoothed over the top layers of the hair or through the ends and provides a smoothing effect; banishing any frizzy-bits and generally just adding that finishing touch. You can also use it when you're hair is damp depending on what works for you. I really like this one - smoothing cremes are something I've used since I was a teenager and I find them so beneficial for those days where my hair looks a little dishevelled!

| Tame Frizz Taming Creme |

The Taming Creme is very similar to the smoothing lotion, but just with that extra bit of hold that the lotion doesn't provide.  It's ever so slightly thicker in consistency but works in more or less the same way - adding that extra bit of control if your hair is being particularly devilish!  It adds heat protection which is really handy and can be applied to hair wet or dry. It's quite lightweight to say it adds a little bit of hold - so if you want a bit of control but don't want to weigh your hair down with sprays or heavy styling products then it's worth giving something like this a whirl.

Overall, I really like the KMS California Tame Frizz range and am so glad I've been introduced to a brand I know I will go back to. Would I buy into the range in future? Absoloutely yes.  The hair oil is something I couldn't live without now despite my array of different bottles and brands that I have - I find it the most lightweight and versatile oil I currently own, and I really love the effect it gives on dry hair. It's worth mentioning that their 'Frizz Fighter' kit also comes with an anti-static comb (not pictured) - really handy for those untameable days! I really want to try their Moisture Repair shampoo and conditioner next - and can imagine using them alternatively with the Tame Frizz will work wonders for me and my hair.  You can find KMS California on Look Fantastic, Beauty Bay and Feel Unique, and also in salons across the country. You can have a nosey at their website here and discover more about the ranges they do.

Have you tried KMS California?
What product from them would you recommend if you have?

Nivea Daily Essentials | Express Hydration Primer

One thing that's very important in my daily regime is moisturising and priming my face ready for the day ahead.  I look far from bright eyed and bushy tailed when I first wake up in the morning so a good refreshing moisturiser is what I need in order to prep my skin.  I rarely apply my makeup without priming my skin first - I find it's such an important step and I can really tell if I've missed it out.  When I first heard of Nivea's Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer - I trawled the shelves of town in order to find a pot.  I've been trying it now for the past couple of weeks - and I must admit I do like it - but I do have mixed opinions on it. Let me explain why...

First off - I love the fact there are two versions of the primer depending on your skin type. I have normal/combination skin and don't have a great deal of dry or oily patches - so to have a version tailored for my skin type impressed me.. I often find moisturisers too heavy or too light for me so it was nice to have the choice between this one and the 'dry sensitive' version.  The consistency itself is really lovely - I find it very refreshing and the gel-like texture sinks in very quickly. It feels very fresh, light and cooling.  It provides a smooth, even base ready to apply your makeup and I find it does it's job with making your foundation base easier and smoother to apply to the skin.

As for the 'primer' qualities - I do agree it helps to keep makeup in place however, I still get on better with my trusty Loreal Studio Professional primer as I find it holds my makeup a great deal more.  If you have a long working day and need your makeup to stay put through a bit of hard graft then you might be better opting for a more heavy duty primer.  This said, I do find it makes a difference compared with when I haven't applied it at all- it certainly does help to smooth out your skin and gives it that lovely flawless finish.  I can imagine this will work better for me on holiday or in the height of summertime when I really don't fancy smoothing a layer of my usual primer onto my skin - it is very much a light, fuss-free base. It's a product I will most probably be packing in my suitcase when I jet away this year, that's for sure!   If you've tried primers in the past and hate the feeling of them then I really recommend giving this a try - it's just like a regular moisturiser just with that extra added benefit of providing a smooth base for your makeup. It does help it to stay a good couple of hours or so longer than if you hadn't applied it - its just there are better primers out there if you want a longer lasting finish.  If you're an 'on the go' kind of girl and just want to whack on a moisturiser and go - then I urge you to try this.  It's a really lovely product and I enjoy using it purely as a refreshing moisturiser when I need a bit of a boost of a morning.

Have you tried Nivea Express Hydration Primer? What were your thoughts?

Sinful Colors Nail Polishes | Collection & Swatches

Swatches - clockwise from far left | Unicorn / Cloud 9 / Pinky Glitter over 290 / 290 / Dare Devil / Timbleberry / Soul Mate / Let Me Go

Show me a blogger who doesn't love a good nail polish. Ever since I was a little girl I've loved painting my nails pretty colours and it's just something I find relaxing to do of an evening. If ever I have a spare fiver and fancy treating myself, I'll often pop a nail polish in my basket on a stroll through Boots.  For me, nail polish is just one of those instant almost-guilt free pick-me-ups - they don't cost the earth and you're never stumped for choice. They're just colourful, pretty little bottles of happiness and rainbows for me. I'm very much a nail polish magpie!  It comes as no surprise then, that I recently treated myself to a selection of new summery shades  from Sinful Colors.  I spotted them a while back on a casual mosey around the shelves of Boots, and at £1.99 I couldn't resist. I bought myself my first bottle and I've been hooked ever since (this was only a couple of weeks ago so to say I now have 8 is saying something!). They're just really good quality polishes, and the shade range is amazing.  They offer everything from pastels, to brights, glitters and darker 'classic' shades.  The application is lovely and I haven't found a 'gloopy' one yet - the bottles are also of really good size - much bigger than your average bottle o' polish! Smashing. I thought I'd give you a run through of the shades I picked out...

Unicorn | A pastel yellow
Cloud 9 | A vibrant, bright orange with teeny-tiny shimmers
Pinky Glitter | A pink glitter polish with a pink coloured base
290 | Bright fluorescent pink (it's much brighter in person than shown on the nail-wheel)
Dare Devil | A vibrant fuchsia with shimmers (this is so bright in person - the photo doesn't do it justice!)
Timbeberry | Reddy-coral
Soul Mate | Warm toned pink
Let Me Go | Pearlescent purple/lilac which changes to blue in the light depending on how you look at it.

What I love about these polishes is the amount of coats it takes to get them fully opaque - I kid you not, I could probably have gotten away with one coat of 'Timbleberry' and 'Soul Mate'. Personally, I prefer two coats anyway to coat any bits I may have missed with the first one but these 2 shades are so impressive.  The rest are very similar - they're not at all sheer and require very little building up at all. Honestly - you'll have to try them to believe me! They're amazing. Probably the best nail polishes I've ever had for pigmentation on first 'swipe' - big claims!  Of course, this does vary with the pearl-y finish ones.  'Let Me Go' takes a while to build up but this is one that I'd wear over a lilac polish anyway.  Even the pink glitter impressed me. I haven't yet worn this on the nails, but when painting the nail wheel I expected the colour pay off to be a bit sheer and not too great (as with most glitter polishes) so I painted a coat of '290' to layer it up with.  But the swatch above of 'Pinky Glitter' on its own is just 3 coats and it actually looks pink. I'd probably still layer it - but I was still impressed with the finish of it.  The polishes themselves dry fairly glossy - aside from '290' which dries quite matte.  I've applied a glossy top coat on top of each swatch purely so you can see what the finished result is with each one - I love glossy nails so this is just a step I never really leave out. I couldn't live without my top coat!

My personal favourite has to be 'Dare Devil' - it's the most vibrant pink fuchsia purple I own and it looks amazing with a bit of a tan. I also really love the vibrant orange colour of 'Cloud 9' - I cannot wait to wear this in the height of summertime or on holiday! I'm usually not one for orange polish but I made an exception with this one - it was just too stunning to ignore. Overall, I really recommend Sinful Colors and I can imagine my collection won't stop here.  I honestly really love them to bits and for £1.99 each they're an absolute steal.

Have you tried Sinful Colors? Which shade takes your fancy?

May Favourites

Change of scenery for the ole' bloggles today.  The sun was shining so I thought I'd make the most of it - the neighbours must think I'm a right nutter sat out in the garden, photographing a pile of lotions and potions.  The weather has been undoubtedly warmer of late (hooray) and it's fair to say we have been spoilt just recently with a day or two of sunshine.  I tend to switch up my routine as soon as the slightest hint of summer rolls around - I banish my wintery cosmetics to the bottom of my makeup drawer and go a little crazy for cream products and anything coral...

| Garnier Ambre Solaire | After Sun - Hydrating Tan Maintainer |  

Okay. Not the most exciting of products to kick off my monthly favourites, but it's one that I swear by through Summer. I've had countless bottles of this stuff now and when I jet away on holiday, rest assured I have one in my suitcase.  It's such a lovely little after sun - it smells like holidays and is cooling and calming and the gel-like consistency sinks in really quickly.  Nothing special I hear you say? No, I suppose not - aftersun is aftersun after all. But this one helps to maintain your tan. It contains a teeny-tiny amount of false tan that helps to deepen the natural tan you already have - without smelling of typical false tan.  It's very subtle, but there's something about it that really does work - and heaven forbid they ever discontinue this. Garnier - you have been warned ;)

| Garnier | BB Cream in 'Light' | 

Most bloggers I know really aren't a fan of this. I think I must be in the minority that really get on with Garnier's BB Cream.  It was the first one I ever bought. I've branched out and tried many others, but I always come back to this one.  I don't have oily skin in the slightest so I guess this is why I find it works for me - it's very creamy and moisturising.  It's just perfect to 'slap on and go' when I'm having a lazy summer morning or if it's really warm and I don't want to have foundation sitting on my skin but still want a light bit of coverage. The sun protection in it just adds to it's appeal in the summertime.  I personally really like it and find myself continuously going back to it.

| Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in 'Pinched' |

An old favourite of mine and one that I always reach for as soon as the weather warms up.  It's such a lovely cream blush - it's not too drying (I'm not a fan of cream to powder blushes) and it's not greasy - for me, it's just the perfect, light consistency that makes this blush one of my top summer products. I'm a fussy little madam when it comes to cream blushes - and Revlon have got it spot on with this one.  It's very subtle - so on darker skin tones or on deeply tanned skin it's not the most pigmented of blushes - but this is what I like about it. I've been opting for a dewy, bronzed look just recently so I don't want my blush to be too overpowering. A quick sweep of this with my Real Techniques Stippling brush of a morning and I'm good to go.

| Models Own Nail Polish in 'Blueberry Muffin' |

I tried so hard to resist this. I really did.  I'm a sucker for blue polish and I lost count of the amount of times I shuffled past this on the shelf... I finally caved.  It's such a lovely shade of powdery, pastel blue, and to say it's such a light shade it really does show up on the nails which is what I love about it so much.  Oh..and it also smells of blueberry muffins - what more could I ask for?!

| Lord & Berry | Luminizer Stick in 'Moon' |

I won't say too much about this, since I already have a full review here, but I've really been loving this just recently.  Similar to the Nars Multiples, you simply twist the product up and apply straight to the areas of the face you wish to highlight.  It's such a lovely shade and very easily blendable.  It's effortless. If you're a newbie to cream highlighters or just fancy something a bit different from powders - it's worth giving this a whirl.

| Origins | Super Spot Remover | 

A cult favourite amongst beauty bloggers everywhere so I'm sure you've all heard of this little miracle worker. I've been reaching for it a lot this month as I've been on and off medication and my skin has had a little strop as a result.  This bottle may look tiny, but my goodness it packs one heck of a punch and stops any spots right in their tracks (it also lasts a lot longer than you'd imagine - I'm not even halfway through mine and I've had it since Christmas).  If you pop it on as soon as you feel that 'tingle' then it more often than likely won't even surface.

| Balance Me | Balancing Face Moisturiser |

I've written a whole post on this moisturiser (you can read that here) so I won't say too much - but it's a fabulous product for combination/normal skin and really helps to balance your skin.  It sinks in quickly and leaves your skin really smooth to the touch - making it perfect for using both morning and night.

| Chanel | Tan De Soleil 'Bronze Universal' | 

I've included this in a couple of posts before and it's featured in my 'How I Contour' post here if you fancy a nosey at how I use it.  It's just such a versatile product and one that I always reach for. Even when the sun isn't shining.  It can be buffed in over foundation or worn underneath to give a bronzed glow.  I sometimes use it for contouring my cheekbones and the consistency is just perfect - I haven't touched my powder bronzers in quite a while because of this little gem!

| Rimmel Lipstick in 'Nude Pink' | 

May saw me rediscover one of my old favourites in the lipstick department.  I'm a big fan of Rimmel lipsticks (especially the Kate Moss ones!) but this shade is one that I always return to.  It's more of a nude coral than a pink as the name suggests, and it looks really lovely with a tan.  The slightly frosted finish is surprisingly flattering - and although it's not everyone's cup of tea, I really love it. I love nude lipsticks for daytime, and the coral tone to this one is just perfect for summer.

And there we have it. My monthly favourites for the month of May.  I'm sure now I've stacked up all of my cream products and summery stuff that the weather will go back it's usual cruddy self.. but this month has really got me into that 'summery mood'. I'm just about to sit down and look for some late holiday deals now...wish me luck!

What have you been loving this month?