April Favourites

Although it seems like a lifetime ago, April was a pretty exciting month for me. However, exciting as it was, I was fully burning the candle at both ends, and the tube strikes were my breaking point - I was so exhausted that I thought it best to take a few weeks off from the blog, as something had to give. Exhaustion rant aside, let's talk about the best beauty bits of April.

Blink//Nourishing Brow Oil

Last month, I was introduced to the world of threading. A revelation, I was super pleased with how clean and sharp my brows looked after my appointment at Blink Brow Bar (At The Bluebird in Chelsea, FYI, I would highly recommend). Whilst there, I spoke to the technician about how unhappy I was with my uneven brows. One is less arched than the other and, although it's probably only noticeable to me and brow professionals, I was keen to get them sorted. She told me to use Blink's Nourishing Brow Oil every night and come back to have the shape altered to the way I wanted it. I was a little sceptical, assuming she was after commission, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. I must say, it's really been working. The blend of natural ingredients have really been helping my brows to grow at break neck speed, and on top of that, I find them a lot easier to tame in the mornings. Now there's an added bonus!

Burt's Bees//Replenishing Lip Balm

In terms of lip care, I've never really strayed from Lanolips. It does it's job wonderfully, as well as tasting and smelling pretty divine. It is, however, around the £10 mark and, being a gal on a budget, I just don't really have the money to be throwing at beauty products at the moment. Enter Burt's Bees. These beautiful little balms are just over £3, and are my new weapon of choice for keeping my peckers moisturised, beautified and healthy. With 100% natural ingredients, I keep thinking that it would be a great idea to get one for my desk, one for my bag, one for work etc, but I think bulk buying might defeat the thrifty mission I am currently on. We shall see.

Marc Jacobs//Daisy Sunshine

I bought this in Singapore at the end of last Summer, and adored it. Unfortunately, before I could get much use out of it, it was Autumn and I had to put it aside in favour of something a little less summery. As soon as the sun came out for more than two days in a row, this baby came straight out of retirement and I've been loving using it ever since. It reminds me of a limited edition Impulse Shakers spray called Melon Madness from my early teens that I adored, so has the added benefit of being a bit of a nostalgia kick for me. I will definitely be wearing this for the duration of Summer, although knowing England, it's been and gone, and we'll be dusting off our parkas again before May is out.

The Body Shop//Vitamin E Moisture Cream

Another beaut of a product that's been getting a lot of use recently is The Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Cream. I won't harp on about it too much, as I gave it a full review here. I will say that it's been exactly what the doctor ordered in terms of restoring and maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion.

Colour Club//Goldstruck

This one of my April favourites was a Birchbox discovery. This gem of a polish is a neutral, understated soft gold, and looks so beautiful and summery on my tips. I don't think it's a colour I would have picked out for myself, but it's definitely going to be a summer staple for me. That's the beauty of Birchbox people, who, coincidentally, this shade is exclusive to, so they've pretty much ensured I remain a loyal customer. Clever trick there, Birchbox! I also really like its mini size. It's not often I say that about a product, but I can never manage to finish a full size polish before it gets gloopy, so this petite bottle is perfect for me.

Jurlique//Citrus Hand Cream

I love Jurlique products, and I've been having a bit of a moment with their hand cream for the past few months. I love using the lavender one before bed, but it's the Citrus Hand Cream that I've gone a little crazy for. I can't get enough of the scent, it's so delicious! On top of that, its rich, creamy texture feels so luxurious and nourishing, that I just can't stop slathering it on my mitts! A little tube of heaven, right there.

Allure Magazine//April 2014

My final favourite from April - my first ever copy of Allure Magazine. I feel like a real beauty blogger now.

As I'm so behind, I'm not going to ask what your April Favourites were. Instead, what products are you coveting for these sunnier days? Let me know!

S.

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Skin Saviours

I'm usually quite lucky with my skin and, although always leaning towards the dry side, I never really have any problems with it. However, every now and then, whether it be due to diet, stress, or time of year, it needs a little nurturing. Here are the three products I reach for most when I want some extra help.

For Breakouts//Alpha H Liquid Gold

This stuff, quite frankly, is a good skin day in a bottle. If ever I have a bit of a spotty day, I wipe a little of this on my visage before bedtime, reassured by the promise that I will wake up with clearer, brighter, plumped up skin, feeling fantastic and ready to take on whatever the day might have to throw at me. It does sting a little when you apply it, which I actually quite like as I know it's working. Also, it smells a bit like a shot (not selling it too well am I?) but the fact that it's not packed with perfume is an attribute I also really like. It's a bit on the pricey side, but it works, and is definitely a product worth investing in. It really is 'like having a facial in your sleep.'

For Congested Skin//Origins Clear Improvement

If ever my pores are feeling a little on the clogged side, I reach for this Origins offering, as I know I'll be left with a fresher feeling complexion after I use it. A charcoal mask that I use about once a week, it's gentle enough that I can use it all over my face, whilst still packing quite a punch and clearing my pores considerably. I've tried other charcoal masks, all of which tend to leave me quite red without making an awful lot of difference, so Origins really comes out on top for me. 

For Dry Skin//Jurlique Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Face Oil

When my skin needs an extra kick of moisture, which is most of the time, I turn to Jurlique's face oil. I much prefer oils, particularly at this time of year when I really dislike applying cold creams to my person, and Jurlique are, in my opinion, the best of the bunch. I apply a few drops of this to my face every night before bed, pushing it into my skin, and wake up with softer, silkier feeling skin, which is substantially less dry than when I tucked myself in.  

And there you have it. A little insight into how I deal with my skin when it starts to misbehave. What are your go to products for when your skin starts to pose a problem? Do you like any of the same brands as I do? Let me know!

S.

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