February Top Picks

Now I feel like my blog has become a bit more established, I thought some new varieties of posts might be nice to mix things up a bit.  So alongside any reviews I write, I'm going to do a monthly pick of my top 5 products, and some other top monthly things too.  Also, I wanted to send smiley 'hello's and 'thank you's to the new followers I've gained recently!

February's been an odd month this year; normally it's cold and depressing, but this month has seen freezing and sun bathing.  It's also seen the beginning of a couple of big university projects, so there's been lots of thinking this month!  Here's my February top picks:

1.  Skincare Product:  The Body Shop Mattifying Day Cream

Long name aside, this face cream is my daily moisturiser and helps to keep my crazy skin under control.  I blogged about it here, and explained my love for this day cream.  My oily skin ruins my make-up on a daily basis; this day cream helps to prolong my 'made up' face.  I wouldn't say it's the best moisturiser however, and if my skin is particularly dry I need something a little stronger.  But for it's primary purpose, this wins me over every time.

2.  Hair Product:  Lee Stafford Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist

I've been using the Lee Stafford Flat Iron Protection Mist since I was in school (many moons ago..) and although I've occasionally deviated, I've always come running back.  I love the smell, it doesn't leave residue in my hair, does what it promises and doesn't cost the earth.  I use this every day and can't see myself using anything else.

3.  Make-up Product:  Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick #08

Blogged about here, I expressed my love for this lipstick.  You may think I'm joking when I proclaim I wear this every day.  I'm not.  It's transferred to every hand bag I use and applied every morning.  The colour is perfect, it smells lovely and the staying power isn't too bad either.  I also don't find I need to apply lip balm as much either, which means I can have deep rosy lips all the time instead.  Hooray!

4.  Tool:  Origins Facial Brush

I spoke about this here.  I've been using this for pretty much all of February, twice a day, without fail.  I'm still not sure on the cleanser to use with it, but for the time being a Clean & Clear mild daily wash is doing fine.  My acne is getting better in leaps and bounds, my pores look better and my skin looks clearer too.  I don't find brushing my face too strenuous to need an electric one just yet either!

5.  Wildcard:  Elegant Touch Flawless French Manicure

My original blog about this was in December when I bought the kit for my mum for Christmas (here), and this month I purchased a set for myself.  I've found the trick with these is to apply lots of top coat and if the corners begin to lift, glue them back down before they catch on something!  Mine lasted well over a week and still looked beautiful when I took them off - only because I wanted a change.  My nails were a bit dry and ragged when I took them off, but needless to say, they weren't weak and had grown loads!  A wonderful alternative to acrylics/gels and look just as good.

And just a few other favourites from February that are less make-up related...

T.V. Show:  Grimm

I cannot stop watching this programme.  Although it scares the living daylights out of me, it's absolutely brilliant.  New to the UK for February on Watch, it seems to really have gone under the radar.  But I can assure you, this is not one to miss!  Think detective/thriller with a heavy supernatural theme, accompanied by the perfect amount of jumpy moments and horror film tactics, this one's a real winner for me.

Music:  Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Lana's album was received with mixed reviews and some saying it was depressingly boring.  Despite this, I think it's a great album and keep listening.  Who can ignore her sparkly tooth and amazing fashionably relaxed outfits?

Read:  Parrotfish - Ellen Wittlinger (Amazon link)

I read this for my Queer Literature module and couldn't put it down.  It's a young adult novel, so easy to read, but gives a direct insight into Grady's challenge in changing from 'girl' to 'boy' whilst juggling family pressure, high school and friendships.  The novel raises lots of issues that'll leave you questioning how we view society and what actually denotes someone as 'man' or 'woman' and why.

xx

Open Wide: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers (here) - Purchased through Buyapowa

Comes with box and spare insert, not photographed.

It's no word of a lie that Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers are some of the best (maybe even the best) in the business.  Endless amounts of make-up artists use these eyelash curlers, which by anyone's standards, says a lot.  I've never really been a user of eyelash curlers, but more recently I decided that they're a tool I really wanted in my make-up bag.  I began my search, and came to the conclusion I needed the Shu Uemura ones.

Buyapowa listed this co-buy three times over a couple of days before I finally managed to grab mine - unlucky for me, I just kept missing them!  And trust me, they go fast.  I was however, the lucky buyer to get them for free with the co-buying incentive, so I was ecstatic.  By the way, Buyapowa's service was fantastic; I couldn't recommend them enough.  Great prices, cheap postage and well packaged, quick delivery; you couldn't ask for more!

They arrived, I glanced over the instructions and set to work.  Having never properly used eyelash curlers before, I found it a little tricky.  I'm getting better, but still haven't quite mastered holding, squeezing (but not too hard, or too long) so that my eyelashes don't just bend in half.  It's something which I assume just comes with practice!  Some days I manage to get beautiful, big curling lashes; others, a bit bent.. 

Ultimately, the mascara is probably the next most important thing next to the eyelash curler.  If you don't use the right one, the curl flops and you're left looking like sad elephant (long, floor-facing eyelashes.. No? Google it.)  I've got a few different mascaras in my possession, even ones that are supposed to curl lashes, which leave me with days of disappointing elephant eyes.  Only the Collection 2000 Big False Lash Effect mascara holds something more like big, curled eyelashes; although next, I think I need to repurchase my old favourite, Max Factor False Lash Effect.  When you want big, curled lashes, you need a brush that both separates and combs whilst building volume and length.  Unfortunately, many mascaras just don't cut it for me!

Despite the mascara problems, my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers have been a daily staple; whether I'm mascara-ing or going natural, these exceptional curlers open up eyes and give incredible eyelashes.  I'm not yet sure if this actually enables me to see more... but I've decided that can be saved for a later experiment, since first, I need to find a mascara that does these babies justice!  Oh, and I haven't included a photo of my curled lashes because 1) I haven't perfected using them just yet, and 2) Every photo I take I just look unflatteringly like a bug.  Sorry!

xx

Going Gaga For A Half Moon Manicure

Not being a fan of the new pointy nail trend, I needed another slightly wacky nail design.  Cue, the alternative half moon manicure.  I think Gaga was rocking this updated 1940s nail art a while back, but since I had no equipment for a classic half moon style, I had to go pointed and modern.

I began with a base of Sally Hansen Double Duty, layered on the Nails Inc. 'Oxford Circus', cut squares of tape and angled (with minimal precision!) near the cuticle when 'Oxford Circus' had dried, and layered on OPI 'Skull & Glossbones' (blogged about here).  Peeled off the tape, covered in Seche Vite Top Coat and hey presto!

It's a little messy since it's the first attempt. Even so, I can't stop looking at my nails..

xx