PHP's Beloved Beauty Bits (May/June)

My Beloved Beauty Bits took a bit of a break during May, because I felt I didn't have enough items for a post. I found I've been using a lot of the same things and doing the same looks (makeup wise) for two months, hence the lack of products (especially those I haven't already reviewed). So I've combined this post for May and June. The July one I can already tell will be bursting, as I've bought and tried lots of new products. It just shows how I can go through phases. I apologise that this one is coming so late in the month, but I've just been feeling totally unmotivated lately. I have half written posts and so many photos I've taken (so I've done all the hard work), there's just something stopping me getting on with it. Completely procrastinating! Anyway here we go.
Three products in this post have actually been my favourites to achieve the one look. You may have noticed that almost every single day for the past two months (and even this month), I've been smudging eyeshadow around my lashline (both above and under the eye), rather than taking it up to the crease or beyond. You can probably see it better demonstrated in the second photo above, as with my eye wide open (first image), it looks like I have taken the colour up to the crease. I don't know what started me on it, but I seriously love it. I don't want to say it looks "natural", because really how many people do you know with dark grey or bronze lashlines? Hmmm! However it doesn't look too 'done' or like you really tried that hard. It's quick to do and also seems to really make my eyes sparkle (more than if I'd worn the same colour up to the crease).
My favourite way of applying it, has been with my Pout Blender brush (above). I used to use this to apply a darker colour into the crease and also along the lower lashline, but it's proved invaluable for this look too. The rounded, dome shaped brush has short bristles which pick up enough colour and there's no art to it, you just pull the brush along the lashline and you get a thick line of colour. Once I've applied eyeliner, I then go back with this brush and smudge the two together, so the liner doesn't look too defined. I don't think a finger or regular eyeshadow brush would work the same way, so I've been overjoyed with this little tool.
Speaking of eyeliner, I've had to ditch the YSL pencil for this look, because a sleek black, solid line is going against what the eyeshadow is trying to achieve. Some people who perhaps already have quite defined eyes, could skip the liner part altogether, but I'm someone that really needs it. Before purchasing Benefit's Bad Gal, I envisioned this blacker than black, bold liner. It's in the name right? In reality it's actually not very black at all, so it's perfect for this (although at first I'd been disappointed). It also smudges very well. So I apply it and then go back over it with the blending brush, smudging it into the eyeshadow and lashline to make it look a little smokey.  It gives me enough definition without looking solid.   
It's a chunky pencil, so if a thin line is more your thing, you'll struggle to get that unless you constantly sharpen it to a thin point.
The third product I've loved for this look has been my ArtDeco pearl eyeshadows. The two newest colours I got were 05 Grey Brown and 18 Light Misty Wood and I've had the two on rotation since I got them. Light Misty Wood is probably my favourite of the two, if I had to pick.  It's a beautiful bronze which surprises me, as I'm not usually into that type of colour, but it looks awesome with my green eyes.  The pearl finish lends itself to the 'not too perfect' line I'm trying to achieve and both are nice neutral colours for this look. I also don't get a transfer line above my crease from my eyeshadow line when my eyes blink/open (although I always use primer anyway).  You can find swatches of these eyeshadows here.  
I've mentioned previously that I've fallen for highlighting and contouring the face. Well the love affair was a little short-lived! Although it's reasonably quick to do, it can still be a little time consuming when you're already pushed for time and it can involve a lot of products/tools. Plus I wasn't quite sure if it was even making a difference-if I was using the correct products and all the tutorials I've ever seen feature girls that already look Kim Kardashian-ish! I've got a wee chubby face and that aside, it's the lightness of my skin that's proving difficult with this technique. It's damn hard to find products lighter than your already pale skin for highlighting and although there's then a plethora of darker products for contouring, it's finding that balance of making an impact yet looking reasonably natural. So I've been more sporadic with my HaCing, but have still been on the lookout for items to help. I want something fuss-free and think I may have found it with the Benefit Eye Bright pencil.
It's much like the Bad Gal liner in size and is a pinkish shade. I kinda wish it weren't so pinky and was a straight white or even ivory colour, but the texture and application are winners for me. I can just apply this directly to my face (around the lips, down the centre of my nose, under the eyes, centre of my forehead and then the tops of my cheekbones) and either blend with my finger or whichever brush I'm using to blend the contour stuff with. It doesn't settle into lines, even under the eyes and is a great brightener. I find I use quite a lot of it each time and usually need to resharpen every application, so I can see me needing another one of these soon.
Now, I've made no secret of how much I love and have been lusting after YSL's Manifesto fragrance. My love for it was rekindled after I got a couple of samples and I just had to buy the full-size (a huge discount on Escentual helped as it is rather pricey). I like to call this my 'sensible, grown up' fragrance (step away from the Harajuku Lovers dolly bottles)! There's something very addictive about this and it was a bit of a 'grower' on me, but there was that special something, that had me going back for more. I think it's a really unique scent blending Jasmine, Blackcurrant, Green Notes and Vanilla. Along with Tonka Bean, which according to Pagan beliefs can boost the immune system, chase away negative thoughts, cure the soul and relieve symptoms of depression, when crushed in tea. It's also been said that holding the bean whilst making a wish, makes it come true! I like that little story and if any of those things occur as a result of a little scoosh of perfume, it is money well spent ; ) You can also find the bean in Thierry Mugler Angel, Coco and Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, Dior Addict and Lolita by Lolita Lempicka, among others.
Next we have the Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer or at least the powder part from this kit. Inside the compact is an undereye brightener and concealer and above that a little tray of powder. I haven't used the concealers for some time, but the powder has been getting a lot of love.  When I first bought this, I was hugely impressed with the colour as many 'translucent' powders these days are actually not all that translucent. This one is very, very light, actually looking white in the pan.
It's not until recently that I got really into using this and realised it wasn't only the colour that was impressive. As it's small, it's obviously great for touch-ups throughout the day as it's very portable and discreet if you have to apply in public. What I like is it doesn't feel heavy on the skin or look powdery.
Yet it does an excellent job at mattifying. Usually I discard small applicators that come in compacts, but I've actually found the tiny puff to be a handy applicator. Obviously it's not ideal that you have to buy the whole trio of products for one you really love and/or the one you use is likely to run out long before the others. I am wondering if the powder in the newer One Heck Of A Blot is the same or similar. You get a giant 9g in that compared to 2.5g in this. I asked S&G a while back but they never got back to me. I'd certainly like to give it a whirl, because I really love this pressed powder.
Finally, a product that I've owned for ages and I actually think it was one of the first things I was ever sent to review when I started blogging. It's called Powder Punch by Clynol and I was rather confuzzled when I first got it. It's a tiny little tub with a non-removable sifter and you are supposed to shake some powder out and apply to the hair for root lift and mega volume. The powder is fine and when applied to your palm you have to be careful not to exhale in that direction or it would all be gone! I couldn't believe that this little powder pile could do anything, because it doesn't feel very substantial.
Once applied to the hair though, although it's quite difficult to manipulate (you really need to make sure you apply it, where you want it), it actually does do something. If my hair is looking flat and dry shampoo isn't doing much for it, then I'll apply some of this, just to the roots, right in the centre of my head. It feels a little sticky (actually a lot sticky) and you just rub it in, then the magic seems to happen. Va va voom!
It makes the hair look matte, full of volume and because of the stickiness, you're able to tease the hair into a style or restyle as you wish. The only downside is the stickiness, it makes hair feel like it needs washed, even the day after application. It's a small price to pay though. I guess I was a little reluctant to include it here, because I like the products in my BBB's to be perfect or near perfect and this one feels rather random to me. I'm not sure I'd buy it again, heck I don't even know if they still make it (google search proves yes they do, although it's completely repackaged), but it's certainly been handy to have and something I've been using more and more these months.
So that's my little lot this month.  The July BBB's are still being compiled and I'll try to get that post up in a couple of weeks time.  I actually cannot believe August is next week, how did that happen?  Have you tried anything here or want to?  Has anyone used the S&G powder and can enlighten me if it's the same as the little one?

PHP's Beloved Beauty Bits (April)

It's been a bit of a strange one this month, with no colour products and only two 'makeup' items making it into my favourites. I think it's probably because my skin has been suffering so much, that I've been concentrating on treating that and makeup wise I haven't really tried anything new or exciting. I've been really disappointed after months of searching for the Oxy Seaweed range, only to find it, use it and it's not worked wonders on my skin like it did last time. The stress of being spotty again definitely isn't helping and I'm finding areas that used to be blemish free are breaking out too (I'm really getting exasperated). I finished my last jar of Clarins Multi-Active and although I didn't think my skin was overly enamoured with it recently, it seems to have broken out in sympathy spots asking for the pricey stuff back ("no chance" at the moment face)! So I really need to rethink my whole skincare and makeup routine this month to get control over the situation. Anyway, first up is one of the makeup items, Clarins Ever Matte Mineral Powder Compact in 00 Transparent Opal.
I've had this for a while but only recently started using it exclusively. I was surprised to hit pan one day though as I hadn't realised I'd used it quite that much! I remember being disappointed when it arrived, as it looked much darker than I'd expected, however it actually applies very light. It feels like silk, very lightweight and does a good job of keeping my face matte for most of the day. It's not overly powdery or matte looking though, it leaves my face looking very natural.  I prefer to apply it with my Urban Decay Powder Blush, rather than the applicator in the compact. I'd definitely consider repurchasing this once it runs out.
 For the past year or so, I've gotten out of the way of using concealer. My foundation (and powder) cover pretty well, so I felt it was an unnecessary step in my routine. Now that I've had more breakouts than hot dinners, I've been back to using concealer! I bought Dainty Doll Concealer Hot Pour in 001 Very Light and 002 Light and am especially fond of 001 (shown here). I'd been using it under the eyes to brighten and kept 002 for spots, but for the past couple of weeks have just been using 001 for everything. It's a creamy pot concealer, so I just apply it with my finger, patting it until it blends into the skin. It doesn't 100% conceal to the point you don't know there are any blemishes there, but it does a pretty decent job of masking the redness on large spots and does cover smaller pimples.
A couple of months ago I mentioned I wanted to try another of my Harajuku Lovers 'Wicked Style' fragrances after using Baby lots. So I tried 'G' and am really loving it this month. It's a refreshing, fruity-aquatic scent which feels perfect for summer. Usually G contains coconut in her fragrances but there's no 'tropical' tone to this, which made for a pleasant change. Upon application it's quite strong (not overpowering) but fades. There's apple, raspberry, pineapple and watermelon coming through and although it's not my all-time favourite, it's been a playful scent that I've enjoyed wearing.
I've also been a big fan of Sunshine Cuties G. So much so, that I've finished one bottle and asked my sister to switch 'bases', so I can use hers too (they are only 10ml unfortunately). I like to wear a light scent in bed and this one is really subtle, so perfect for that. It's mainly coconut and vanilla and quite sweet without being sickly. I definitely prefer it to the original coconut G. I only wish they'd made the SC range in 30ml sizes because I have several favourites from that collection now.
I've been feeling lazy this month when it comes to applying body lotion, so Soap & Glory Girligo body mist has been the perfect product for me. It's like a liquid form of Righteous Butter (the original pink fragrance) that just sprays on. Obviously you still have to rub it in (it's as watery as milk), but there's something about not having to dip my hand into a big tub, that's had me reaching for this! It's also nice and light for summer. I've just finished my first bottle, but have about 4 more in my stash, so it better remain a favourite!
Generally my hands are pretty good in that I don't suffer with dry or cracked skin or any problems. I do apply hand-cream every night before bed regardless of how my hands feel and what time of year it is though. So imagine my horror when down the right side of my right hand, I got what I can only describe as 'old lady' hands! It was so dry it was rough (literally felt like sandpaper), it looked cracked and it felt like it belonged to a hard working, 85 year old (no offence). So after a quick freak out, I found this No7 Revitalising Hand Savour in my stash. I got this ages ago with a GWP, but thought it was worth a try before throwing it out. Wowzers, this stuff is good! It's a bright yellow scrub, which you apply to dry hands. It's gritty, very gritty, especially dry and once you've rubbed it in, your hands feel a little greasy/oily. You wash it off and you're left with the softest, smoothest skin you've ever felt! It's brilliant! I've been applying it a couple of times a week and finishing with hand cream and it's sorted out my hand issue. I'll definitely be looking into buying this next time I have a voucher.
Before my hand problem, I had a dry elbow issue (what is wrong with my entire body and face this month?)! I put it down to working at the computer all day, with my arm rubbing along/resting on the hard arm of the chair. I've used Soap & Glory Flake Away for years, but have to admit to losing interest in scrubs recently. While Flake Away isn't quite as yummy smelling as The Breakfast Scrub, it's still a delight to use. It's a sugar and salt scrub with small but very scratchy grains, so if you have sensitive skin this probably isn't for you. personally I like an exfoliator to feel like it's really scrubbing, so am alright with this one. It washes off to leave an oil like finish to the skin which feels like it's really hydrating. I always finish with body lotion to seal that moisture in. After one good scrub of the elbow and some body lotion (see below), my elbow was fixed.!
 
As well as using Girligo this month, I've been treating my problem areas (elbow and hand) with Jergens Ultra Healing body moisturiser for extra dry skin. I got this tube free with Look magazine a few weeks ago and it's certainly come in handy. It's got a really subtle, warm scent and contains vitamins C, E and B5 to penetrate beneath the skin and heal dry skin at the source and lock in moisture for 24 hours.  I expected it to smell quite clinical and be a really thick cream, but it was neither.  It was easily absorbed into the skin and I'd say after 2-3 applications, my skin had recovered completely.  
Told you it was a funny bunch of items this month!  Is there anything you've been loving or anything you like here?

PHP's Beloved Beauty Bits (March)

I took these photos on a very sunny day over a week ago now, but with one thing and another, it's taken me a wee while to write about them.  I feel there's been a big mixture of items I've loved this month although I've still been keen on lipgloss (after featuring two glosses last month) which is good because I need to use my glosses up!

First is Soap & Glory, For Daily Youth, 6 in 1 Superboost Moisture Lotion. A bit of a long product name and I have to say I'm not very sure what the "6 in 1" elements are, however I mentioned last month I'd started using this alongside Face, Soap & Clarity and had noticed a significant difference to my skin. The lotion itself is very fragranced which is why I've had this lying around for ages and kind of dismissed it at first instead using my Clarins Multi-Active. However, once I got over the first few days of the strong floral scent, I found myself choosing to use it because I liked the feel of it. It melts into the skin and leaves it feeling super smooth and plump, without feeling sticky or greasy and provides a great base for makeup. It feels really conditioning and leaves skin feeling hydrated throughout the day (and night) but is still a lotion rather than a thicker cream. I found one pump was more than generous, so usually try and squeeze out a half pump for each application. My face has been breaking out in places I don't normally suffer, but I'm putting this down to stress and just feeling run-down lately. I've been using this moisturiser for over 6 weeks now, so I think it would be a little delayed to be a reaction to this. I'm keen to buy this again once this bottle runs out.
Seeing as my skin has been behaving so badly, I've been thankful for a decent, heavy duty makeup to disguise it! Lancome Teint Idole Ultra in 005 Beige Ivoire has been one I've used on and off for months, but it's been a staple for me throughout March. I was reminded how much I liked it after reading that Rai of Blargle Fargle had bought it after she saw my foundation swatches post (a complicated link-up there)!
If you're more of a tinted moisturiser or sheer coverage gal, then this ain't for you. It is on the heavier side, although you could still get away with applying it sparingly if you wanted lighter coverage. It doesn't feel tight or itchy though like some full-coverage foundations can and seeing as I've been looking for something to cover, well it does just that. On 'better' days I've been mixing it with a highlighter (more on that next) so it doesn't look too matte. Other things to note; it lasts well (haven't tested anything near the 24 hour theory), it's quite fragranced (I've grown to really like that) and I love the no mess pump dispenser.
So the highlighter I've been using with my foundation is Pout 'Love Glow' Face & Body Illuminator (now discontinued).
If you follow Monster High Monday, you'll maybe remember I first used this for Robecca Steam week, when I wanted a shimmering finish to the skin. I would normally just use a highlighter to...well highlight! I've rarely gone down the route of mixing it with foundation for an all over glow.
This lotion has a very fine shimmer and a copper-pinkish sheen. You can really see it in the second image below with the flash. When mixed with foundation though it is much more subtle. I usually mix one pump of highlighter with the same amount of foundation and apply to the skin like a moisturiser with my hands, all over. Then I apply more foundation on areas that need it with my Pout Airbrush, buffing it in. I've stopped using it this past week, just to see if this is what is causing my breakouts, or if it really is just down to stress. Ah the stresses of having hypersensitive skin!  The lace detailing on the bottle is gorgeous isn't it?
Onto eyeshadow and I've owned Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in 34 Granite Block (think these are discontinued now) for years and used it sporadically. Until last month, when I wore it practically every day! It's a dark charcoal shade and makes for a great smokey crease colour. I doubt I'd wear it all over the lids as it is quite dark (although has a sheer quality to it which you will see in the swatches later).
I decided to test it's versatility and wear it with non-traditional smokey eye shades (i.e. not silver or grey). I have teamed it with pale blue, greens, bold purple even pink and it worked every time. It almost takes on the tone of whichever colour you are using, which I think must be down to the multi-coloured, micro-shimmer (only noticeable in the bright sunlight here). Oh and I love the 'ice-cube' compact! Swatches to follow after the next item, which is....
...Stila 'Twilight' eyeshadow. I should really pop my Stila single pan shadows into an empty palette, but then I'd probably use them less often (soooo lazy when it comes to palettes). Lack of pretty packaging aside, I loooove this eyeshadow. It's a light silver-grey and is ridiculously soft, like so velvety soft you can't even feel it. It's highly pigmented, a little goes a long way and it's super shiny and metallic. I haven't used this wet before, again the laziness with having to get up to wet my brush (that sounds kinda dodgy out loud!) but I'd imagine it would just make it all the more metallic and pretty! My photos really don't do it justice.
You can see just how metallic Twilight is and the darker swatch is Granite Block which is a sheer charcoal that can be built up for more intensity.
As I mentioned earlier, I need to use up my lipglosses, so have been making more of an effort to use them. My favourite during March has been Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Pearl in 267 Cashmere Pink.
It's a light, warm pink with the most beautiful fine shimmer throughout. It's non-sticky, really glossy looking and definitely gives the impression of fuller lips. I would think it would work over any lipstick, I've mainly been using lighter shades on my Challenge this month.
It comes with a small brush applicator and the tube is kinda pretty too.  I want to check for a nude-beige shade of this next time I'm at the Dior counter! 
Now this next item is something I've wanted to try ever since it launched. I love the idea of these liquid 'soaps' without water. In theory. In real life they kinda smell funny and I can't really be bothered taking all my rings off to do it, waiting for my hands to dry/soap to soak in and all that jazz. I wanted Soap & Glory Hand Maid though, purely because it's Soap & Glory! It smells divine, exactly like S&G products do and despite it being anti-bacterial, it feels like a luxury product and doesn't have that medicinal scent. I usually need this when Mum and I are shopping and stop for lunch because I generally feel 'dirty' when I'm shopping (I wash my hands a ridiculous amount of times when I get home), I'm not sure if it's just down to being in the city?  Also if I'm in the wheelchair and just 'wheel myself' to the table for lunch, the rims of the wheels are dirty and I hate having to eat without being able to wash my hands first. Anyway since buying this I'm using it all the time just because it smells and feels so lovely! If I'm on the bus and feel like a refreshing cleanse, I'll use it or when I'm doing my makeup in my room and my hands are covered in foundation and swatches of lipstick and eyeshadow, instead of having to get up to go to the bathroom and wash my hands, I'll use this. I couldn't be without it now. It absorbs into the skin very quickly and doesn't leave a sticky residue behind.  I only wish it came in a big size to use a home (although that would defeat the purpose of it being a portable product).
Finally, one of my newer purchases that you saw last month, that has quickly become one of my favourites. I just knew I was going to love Dainty Doll powder blush in 004 You Are My Sunshine. It's that bright, cheery peach blush which I've bought in any brand that make one! I love colours like these because they make my very pale skin look lovely and healthy and brighten my whole face whilst giving some definition. This one has an intense gold shimmer in it, which makes it all the more gorgeous.  On my cheeks it's not entirely peach-leaning-orange, there is a pinkish tone to it, it's just beautiful.  This will become my go-to healthy flush of colour blush and I'm already considering buying a back-up!
Have you tried anything here or do you fancy using them now?  Is there something else that's impressed you this month?