Oh MY, aren’t you looking utterly gorgeous today. Hope you’re feeling that way too.
It’s time again to delve into my bathroom cabinet and see what I’ve been trialling on my skin, hair and face.
Each month, dozens of new beauty products land on my desk (and I frequent all manner of beauty counters and supermarket aisles) for possible trial, review and feature here. It’s a hardship situation, that’s for sure.
For a product to make it on to this monthly beauty favourites post, it has to be pretty damn special – to me.
What I feature may not work for you but I hope I can point you in a new direction if you’re looking to change things up in the makeup, skincare and hair care department.
I know each and every one of you have your own personal guidelines and budget restraints so, while I can’t be all things to all people with each product mentioned, I can offer a diverse mix in my top five each month.
In December, those 50 products – plus any others I’ve included in beauty advice posts here on Styling You – will be up for a spot in my Top 20 beauty products for 2016. Here’s a look at what made the cut in 2015.
This month, I’m featuring these five products.
1. Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF 30 in Perfect Nude $13.95: I’ve been a card-carrying member of the Lanolips fan club since day 1. I can’t go to sleep without Lanolips Golden Ointment on my lips and I have a collection of all the tinted balms … including this new little number, Perfect Nude. Creator Kirsten Carriol played with 20 different colour samples – and made friends and family play with them too – to arrive at this nude balm, a nude that looks great on any lips. In the short time my lips have been acquainted with the Perfect Nude, they are very happy indeed. It’s got more pink in a nude than I normally wear but it really does work. Stockists (made in Australia, not tested on animals, no artificial fragrances, petroleum, PEGs, mineral oil, sulphates)
2. Fake Bake Amplify Gradual Tan $29: With the weather showing no signs of turning to winter and giving me permission to hibernate my legs for the duration (excepting two weeks in Hawaii late June), I’ve not slowed down my salon tan addiction. One of my hot tips for prolonging your salon spray tan is to switch from straight moisturiser to gradual tan moisturiser from about day three. I’ve been using the new Amplify with great success – there’s an immediate “skin-perfecting” result – kind of like a what you get from a BB Cream on your face, followed by deeper colour within a hour or two. I love that it fades naturally too … no unsightly patches. (not tested on animals, no parabens or artificial preservatives)
3. Ultraceuticals Ultra Red-Action mosituriser $79: I’ve been having regular Ultraceuticals facials at Beauty on Latrobe since I wrote this post about LED light facials. I’m getting great results with my skin and one of the reasons why is that my therapist, Clare, has been targeting the redness/sensitivity in my skin, strengthening my skin and treating this particular concern. This moisturiser is very much supporting at home what’s being achieved in the salon. It’s bringing down the redness – there is a visible difference and my makeup is not having to work as hard for an even complexion but it’s been a fabulously hydrating formula as well. At the moment I’m using it night and day but with a sunscreen over the top in the day. (not tested on animals, paraben and synthetic fragrance free)
4. Mecca Cosmetica In a Great Light Compact $60 (refills $42): This baby slipped into my carry-on bag on a recent trip to Sydney (damn you Mecca and your Brisbane Airport-convenient-shopping-location). I’ll admit I was seduced by the pretty packaging and the promise of SPF-packed luminous coverage but since we’ve gotten to know each other at home, it’s been love. This product is known as cushion makeup. I only know that it’s called cushion makeup on account of receiving a David Jones email alert last week, telling me it was so and that there were six others I could be choosing from. Not surprisingly, it’s a trend that’s evolved from Asia (specifically South Korea) as it is the collective quest of the women in these countries to have blemish-free, even-toned skin. Hence, why we have BB creams. Cushion makeup works by dispersing just the right amount of liquid foundation on to the accompanying sponge and then you dab the sponge on your face for even coverage. This Mecca one provides a light to medium coverage that is buildable and perfect for my every day – plus the SPF is a spectacular bonus. I’m wearing Fair. (Made in Australia)
5. Monsoon Berry 100% Natural Hair Mask $17.95: This hair mask is based on an centuries-old, southern Indian recipe, featuring native plants, seeds and berries that support, strengthen and cleanse your hair. It’s designed to be used instead of your shampoo and conditioner and is applied as a paste to dry hair. You then wait 30 minutes to rinse it. My hair did feel fabulous afterwards and was still easy to style. You’ll see more benefits using it at least three times, which I’m yet to do. If you’re looking for an all-natural alternative to restore your hair to its shiny good self, then I’d give this a go. There’s a money-back guarantee as well. (sulphate-free, silicon-free, eco-friendly)
So, it’s over to you … have you tried anything new that we need to hear about? Have you heard of or tried cushion makeup? Spill in the comments.
* Unless otherwise mentioned in the post, these products were gifted to me for editorial consideration. Full disclosure policy here.
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Comments 12
Love the idea of the hair mask, mine has become even more unruly this year as I get closer to the big 5-0! I picked up the L’oreal version of the cushion foundation last week and find that its a great in-between coverage; more than the Garnier Miracle Skin Cream [thanks for that recommendation] and less than the foundation.
Hi Nikki,
I’m heading to Hawaii as well, but in July. I have a couple of weddings to go to and cannot work out how to deal with my fake tan – I need to look good for 2 weeks but sunscreen, sand and the ocean will destroy it quickly! How do you handle situations like this?
Loving the sound of the Lanolips Perfect Nude and the Fake Bake Amplify. Must try! x
That’s a genius tip – thanks so much for sharing! And never stop playing, I say. Lot’s of fun.
You’re welcome Lisa – and yes, I think you’ll love this Lanolips shade!
Already a convert to Lanolips with Rose being my favourite tint.
I’m very interested in that Mecca compact, but am trying to use up all kinds of stuff in the cupboard. I went to use something a couple of weeks ago that I was saving up and it had an odd smell, so I know it’s time to do some using up and throwing out of what I already have at home!
Good idea to use up what you have at home first – hazard of the job for me to have a few on the go! My beauty archive needs a sort for the same reason as you’re finding. Went to dig up something the other day and it was not in a fit condition for useage.
Oh Johanne and Nikki I hear you loud and clear – my make up case is well overdue for a clean up and clear out and I am using our move on Friday as the perfect excuse!
Oh, Nikki, thanks for the giggle. When I read the opening line I was in my dressing gown surrounded by two snotty boys. Beautiful indeed! I’ve been a fan of lanolips for years but didn’t realise that they did a nude tint. I shall search it out now. As someone who has a tube of 101 in every handbag, I’m so excited they’ve increased the size with the new packaging. Now I’m off to start my “beautiful” day! Jude x
You would have been beautiful to those boys Judith! And the nude tint is a newish one so that’s why you mightn’t have seen it. Have a beauty-full day! x
Wow that month went past quickly! I love these posts, always something new I want to try. I will definitely try the Lanolips, I’m already using more lip balm with the cooling weather. I didn’t know Mecca have a shop at the airport, is that at the domestic only? The compact looks really lovely. Have you tried the Jergens BB Body Skin Perfecting Cream? It’s really good, makes my legs look smoother and gives some colour. Kathryn 🙂
The months are flying! Yes, Mecca is in the Virgin terminal – domestic – at Brisbane Airport. Opened late last year. Very dangerous for me! I haven’t tried that product but think I need to!!