July 2016 beauty favourites

Hi Beauties, 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.

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 in my July 2016 beauty favourites list.

1. Palmolive Oil Infusions Body Moisturiser – Jasmine and Avocado Oil (400ml, $9.99):  If there is one thing that winter teaches me, it’s that too much moisturising is never. I’m loving this new-ish player in the body moisturising market and slathering myself morning and night in the hope to stave off the inevitable scale-like situation that develops on my body at this time of year.  It’s a non-greasy moisturiser that’s easily absorbed and leaves skin feeling and smelling fantastically fresh. This is just one of three in this range but the jasmine and avocado oil are ideal for combatting dry, winter skin. Available in Coles, leading pharmacies and independent supermarkets.

2. Look Good Feel Better Makeover Brush Set ($44.99):  I’m a big advocate of using brushes for makeup application. Not only do you get a better finish but you also use less product, saving you money. This set gets my big tick of approval – for the quality AND because 15% of the sale of each set – and other brushes in the range – will go to the Look Good Feel Better program that offers workshops to Australian women, men and teens undergoing treatment for cancer. The workshops are informative in that they help cancer patients better cope and work around some of the physical side-effects of cancer treatment. (Cruelty free)

3. Erin Bigg Cosmetics Pressed Pigment Quad in Dusky Orchid ($75): Erin Bigg is a Brisbane-based makeup artist who first did my hair and makeup for the upcoming spring-summer FRANKiE4 Footwear campaign. The end result was AMAZING and she arrived next time with samples from her makeup range for me to play with. You know how I love a good eye palette? Well, this is my new favourite. The four colours are me to a tee and the pigmentation is incredibly high, with a gorgeous shine finish on application.  I use the vanilla as a brow highlight; the copper across the lid and the two darker browns in the corner and crease of my eyelids.

4. Boots Serum7 Lift Deep-Wrinkle Eye Cream ($19):  Boots is the UK’s number one skincare brand and it’s now available in Australia. The Serum7 Lift range is aimed at women aged 40-55 – the formulas are designed to trick the skin into thinking it’s younger. Not sure the tricking has had full effect yet but I do know that this eye cream is a winner. It’s fragrance-free, hydrates and smoothes the eye area. My eye area feels and looks fresher and this is something I’ll continue using to see if long term it gets even better. The entire range is hypoallergenic and available at Amcal, Amcal Max and Guardian Pharmacies.

5. MUD Make-Up Design lip pencil in Nude ($6): I first talked about MUD makeup products about a year ago – quality makeup you can pick up while doing your groceries at Woolies. Eleven new products have recently been added to the range, including a primer for $10 and nail colour for $3. It’s the lip pencil I’m featuring today because everyone needs a nude lip pencil in their kit. Use it as your lip colour (with clear gloss over the top) or use it to line the lips before applying another colour. I use Nude even when wearing a red lip as a clean outline to the main event. Lining your lips with this creamy texture means you’re preventing colour bleeding but avoiding any dryness.

So, it’s over to you … have you tried anything new that we need to hear about? Spill in the comments.

* Unless otherwise mentioned in the post, these products were gifted to me for editorial consideration. Full disclosure policy here.