What’s in my September beauty bag?

This month my beauty cabinet has been a mix of new skincare – from new brands and old – new favourites in the makeup department and products that fuel my ongoing obsession with pop colour.

I love that you can feel the change of seasons. Even Melbourne got a taste last week.  For me that’s a clear sign to say, out with the old and bring on the new.

With makeup and skincare it’s so easy to just pull out the same things day in, day out.  I’m here to tell you that it’s (almost) just as easy to try at least one new product.

Who knows?  That new product might be the product that makes a huge difference to how your skin looks.  Or it might be the product that gives your makeup look the freshen up it needed.

Here’s what’s been floating my beauty boat this month:

What’s holding my September beauty faves so I can easily see them? It’s a medium-sized Borne Naked handbag liner ($24.95). See below for a special deal for Styling You readers. (Click on this image to enlarge)

1. Integrity Purifying Cleanser $65:  I’ve only just been introduced to this Australian certified organic skincare range and I’m impressed by its no-fuss packaging and products that work.  This cleanser particularly appeals because isn’t it just dandy that while you’re using one lot of skincare to deal with wrinkles, a pimple will rear its ugly hormonal head?  This cleanser is perfect for those days/weeks because it has gentle exfoliation properties thanks to ground azuki beans.  Extracts of chamomile, calendula, green tea also work to give your skin the pep talk it might need on a daily basis.

2. Australis Show Stopper Gloss Stick in Fairy Floss $12.95: Australis continues to amaze and surprise me.  In a good way. Seriously, for very little cash you can have a makeup look that is on-trend and highly pigmented.  This lip crayon/gloss hybrid is no exception.  LOVE the pop of pink colour and love how it feels on my lips.  It’s got a bit of staying power thanks to its semi-stain properties and is super easy to re-apply when out and about. For stockist info, click here.

3. Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara $52:  Most girls’ obsessions with eye lashes started with their first doll. Well, get set girls to re-ignite that obsession. The formula of this mascara together with its brush is designed to work to create that same wide-eyed look.  And I’m here to tell you they’ve nailed it. Even I, who is lacking in the lash department, has had success with this wand. The key is its conical brush tip, which means you can “catch” every lash. Available at Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies.

4. L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Peony Lipstick in Valse Fuschia $24.95:  Apart from the seriously gorgeous packaging, I fell in love at first pout with this limited edition lippie.  It’s all about the power pink, in a natural paraben-free formula, that just screams summer.  It also screams 1988 for me.  But that’s another story.  It’s a gorgeous non-tacky textured lipstick that I happily re-apply throughout the day.  If pink is your thing, then also check out the rest of this range inspired by the peony flower.

5. Napoleon Perdis The Ultimate Contour Palette $45:  Following on with my pink theme obsession, I’ve fallen head over ballet shoes for the latest collection from Napoleon Perdis, inspired by the company’s sponsorship of The Australian Ballet and its performance of Romeo & Juliet.  The collection is dreamy and romantic.  I’m liking the Nude Rose Lip Gloss (same formula as the Lady In Red I talked raved about here) but I’m LOVING this palette.  The reason: if you’ve ever been a little hazy on the steps to achieving a perfect contoured cheek, then this is a no brainer. The three colours you need are in the one palette – and there’s even a diagram to help you get it just right. Genius. On counter September 5.

6. Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Farenheit Fab $34: This baby is not available until September 3. That’s just days away.  I suggest you mark it in your diary now to visit your nearest Benefit counter.  It’s that good. This champagne gold colour has become my eye colour staple.  After concealing with Erase Paste, I dab this on with my little finger right up to the brow.  The eye-popping effect is instant.  I either leave as is or contour with a chocolate brown before adding liner and mascara.  It creates an awesome canvas for eye colour and also acts as a highlighter near the brow and in the eye socket. Can you tell how much I love it?

7. Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner $45:  One of the most asked questions I get is, “can you recommend a non panda-eye eyeliner?”.  Ladies, this is the latest to top my recommendation list.  And I love it, not only for its staying power (12 hours), it’s feather-soft formula and built-in sharpener … I love it for the fact that it comes in nine amazing colours. Instead of black, I’ve been indulging in Rue Saint-Honore, a decadent midnight blue.  A subtle change but an eye-statement none the less.

8. Skin Virtue Pure Line Repair Advanced Eye Renewal Complex $68: Skin Virtue launched in Australia in July.  Its products are developed and produced in Italy and come in two ranges – Super Clear and Pure Nourish.  I swing mostly on the Pure Nourish side, with a bit of a dabble once a month on the Super Clear end of the skincare equation.  This product is from the Pure Nourish range and its a light lotion – almost a serum – aimed at the eye area (I use mine on the upper lip as well). It’s designed to work against fine lines and puffy dark circles, so that’s a winner in my books.

9. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturiser $54 $54: It’s 160 years since Kiehl’s was founded and, to celebrate, the limited edition New York Heritage Collection will be in stores from September to December.  The collection features four historical formulations (in gold and black packaging) that are still customer favourites today:  Ultra Facial Cream and Moisturiser, Calendula Toner and Original Musk Oil.  The Ultra Facial Moisturiser was launched in the 1960s.  Makeup artists love it because its lightweight and silky.  I love it for all of those reasons too but also because it seems to know what my skin needs each day, offering up just the right about of hydration.

Have you found a beauty product this month that you’d love to tell us about?  Share below.  We’re all ears … and face.

*The above products were sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy.  I use Borne Naked handbag liners every day so I’m stoked that they came on board to sponsor this post.

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