February Favorites

Hello Beautiful Beauty Junkies,

This blog post has been something I thought would be great to do in addition to the monthly beauty box sub posts I usually do and product reviews. My monthly favorites. I did miss out on posting a January favorites post so I'm adding it to this months post (as this is the first "Monthly Favorites"). 

With the Monthly Favorites post, I'll be talking about the most used/favored products I have been using for the month, why I have been using them, as well as the benefits and features they may have. Sometimes I will be adding "Beauty Rejects". These are products I've either regretted purchasing due to the fact it hasn't given me the desired result, product quality is poor and has not lived up to it's expectation (what the product promises it will do but fails to). 

So given that there's quite a few products to feature this month let's begin my February Favorites. (Warning: As always I get picture happy with my blogs!!)

The following aren't in any particular order...

 

Teeez Cosmetics Mysterious Crystal Eyeliner in Black Onyx (RRP $16): I got this from January's Lip Factory Box (review here), I have found myself using it more than my L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner (which happens to be my HG when it comes to eyeliners). It has a play time of 45 seconds and then becomes budge/smudge proof. It's longlasting and requires a good makeup remover. It is an automatic/retractable liner and at the end of has both a smudger and sharpener (which is pretty handy). The eyeliner has a very strong black pigmentation with speckles of blue glitter which is perfect for a nights smokey eye look. I love a product that has eye catching packaging (in which Teeez Cosmetics do, that is similar to Urban Decays) and the product itself does what it promises to do. The reason why this has been my months favorite is because it requires less effort, the liner glides on easily and with a gentle stroke offers a strong opaque color. It is the perfect apply and go! No need to wipe a clean brush, sharpen a pencil or unlike other pencils where you need to go over a line repeatedly to get the desired opacity. The only downfall of this product is the availability. You get a pretty good amount but if you're an avid eyeliner user like myself then this product won't last you very long and you'll need to purchase another one in which I will be doing so...online...if there's a site that offers delivery to Australia as for some reason it's official site doesn't offer an online purchasing store :( :(

Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate (RRP $2.50): Essence was first launched in the German Cosmetic Markets in 2002 (is now sold in 60 countries) and has been Europe's no#1 cosmetic brand since. It's easy to see why. Essence has the complete 4 stars/ticks. Great quality, affordable price, cute packaging and outstanding products that deliver, which is why I have been a big fan of this cosmetic brand since it launched into our shores (first at Target then Priceline followed suit) in late 2011. They're cruelty free too which is a plus! You'll probably find that I will feature their brand quiet often in my monthly favorites as I use and re-purchase quite a lot of their products. 

Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil is an automatic, twist mechanism (retractable) pencil that delivers a creamy, strong bold color that lasts all day. Again, this pencil also has a playtime of around 30 seconds and after that it's complete budge/smudge proof (in which can be annoying at times for what I use it for). I use this pencil mainly as my brow pencil. Unlike other brow pencils what I love about this one is the unbelievable super staying power. I often have to remind myself to do one eyebrow at a time or I am left with one brow that has a heavy dark (not blended) line. The creamy stay put formula acts as the wax and base for my brows but requires quick blending (remember the playtime) that I later fill in with brow powder or eyeshadow. It's price affordability means I could easily buy them in bulk (not really necessary), but their quite the multi-tasker as well. Besides using it as a brow pencil, I also use it as a base for a brown smokey eye look and for it's purpose as an eyeliner. Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate is the perfect brown eyeliner color that I have been looking for. Days when I don't want to rock the dark black eyeliner look I often reach out for this shade as it compliments my big and very dark (evil looking) brown eyes. Apply to both your upper and lower lash line, smudge and you've got yourself some hot bedroom eyes! 

 Sportsgirl Pout About It in Bombshell (RRP $9.95): I had this product featured in my Valentines Day Special Make Up Ideas blog and has been my ultimate favorite red lipstick. The blue based red compliments all skin shades. Especially flattering on olive and tanned skin tone (like myself). It is a matte finish but the formula is creamy, moisturizing and non drying on the lips. Did I mention how beautifully opaque this shade is? One application leaves your lips looking all lusciously and velvety kissable. Speaking of kissable, the only downfall of this lipstick is it's very easily transferable. Meaning if you're kissing, eating/drinking and what not then there's a high chance it's going to rub off and transfer on to your man/food/drink and worse case scenario on your chin or above your upper lip (this happens too often for me...I don't know why). At $9.95 I've found this lipstick to be just as good as it's high end competitors (ahem MAC) and a great dupe as well. When wearing a lipstick that's bright and bold in color, I always believe in this aZHianBeauty mantra "keep your face FRESH, (your eyes lined) and your lips BOLD!"

Rimmel London Stay Matte Mousse Foundation in Natural Beige (RRP $14.95): I've read a lot of great reviews about this particular product. For those who have an oily skin  like I do then you know it's hard to find a good product that will keep you looking shine free all day. I've used a lot of products promising to keep my face looking all greasy but I've found it doesn't last me more than 3 hours or so. No amount of matte powder or foundation can keep my oils at bay (gross much) so that is why I was skeptic about this one. As much as I love MAC's Studio Fix Foundation (in NW 40 and NC 43 mixed), I wanted a foundation that wouldn't require me to constantly touch up with powder through out the entire day. Fortunately my local drugstore Priceline had a sale and so I went to purchase this one in the darkest shade they had to offer (it is actually quiet light on my skin but I've found myself mixing it in with either my Mehron or MAC foundations). Rimmel London Stay Matte Mousse Foundation delivers what it promises...to an extent. The foundation texture is creamy more than it is mousse like and blends well when mixed in with other foundation. It has medium coverage but doesn't feel too heavy or caked on. I'm amazed as I have not found drugstore foundation brands as good as this since L'Oreal's old True Match formula in Creme Cafe (which was my holy grail of foundations and perfect skin color match). This doesn't require as much touch ups with powder as it does dry and set to a powder finish. The downfall is that it doesn't last that long. I've found that this lasts me a good 5 hours before I see that it starts to wear off. Now, I don't know whether it's because of the foundations staying power is not as good or that the formula has weakened as I have mixed it in with other foundations. I do like this foundation I just wish they offered a wider color range for darker skin tones. 

 Australis Velour Lips Matte Lip Cream in TOK-I-O (RRP $9.95): I'm a huge lip junkie (if you can't tell already) and I've been obsessed with purple lips. So when I saw a friend posting this gem on her Instagram page and raving about how awesome it was, I had to go and try it out myself. Again, my local drugstore Priceline had this on a special sale for $6.95 and I felt it was just meant to be as I am absolutely in love with this product. First off the package itself is simple BUT, emphasis on BUT as the color on the tube makes up for it as it's as eye catching as ever. The purple is bold, neon like with blue-ish and pink-ish tinge. On the lips the color is the same as it is on the packaging, bold, purple and matte as they come. It's a shade that is definitely not for the faint of heart and more for the daring and adventurous. The color when applied is very pigmented and opaque and completely covers those with strong naturally pigmented lips (like myself). One application of the product is enough and lasts all day. I have found this not only long lasting and but once dried it is completely budge and smudge proof. And the best thing? Is that it is non transferable!! You can kiss, eat and drink as much as you like and the color stays on and on and on.... meaning you won't leave a trail of purple lips. The con of this is that it does have a drying affect because of it's finishing consistency/texture, it can leave your lips feeling dry and you will feel like you have something on your lips (which can feel annoying at times). It's not the usual feeling you have when you put lipstick on where you forget you're wearing it, the matte/velvet effect feels like you've walked through the Sahara desert without lip balm. I'm not saying it gives you dry, cracked lips, it just FEELS like you do (I'm not sure if I'm explaining this properly lol). My advise before applying this is to exfoliate and moisturize your lips.

 Sexy Hair Volumizing Spray (RRP $24):  I've been in search for a good hairspray with a strong hold yet feels like you're not wearing any hairspray at all. I didn't think a product like this was possible but Big Sexy Hair delivers it! It's on the pricey side from your regular hairspray but this is an amazing product and it is a staple in my hair routine. For those of you who follow me on Beautylish this is my HG hair product and I swear by this to keep those waves Big Sexy Bouncy and soft to touch! It also doubles as a finishing shine spray as it's left me with shiny locks. It is not at all like your regular hairspray where it leaves your hair stiff, dry and looking flat after a few hours. This baby holds all day and all night. The Sexy Hair website claim Big Sexy Hair ... "Gives your hair moveable and unbelievable volume, lift and hold. This firm, fast-drying volumizing hairspray leaves hair manageable and super shiny while defending it against damaging UV rays. Its extra strength won’t diminish under humidity and it is great for any hair type."

TRUTH!!

Avon's ANEW Vitale Skincare System (RRP $28): I was given this skincare system to trial and although I haven't been using it for that long but I can already see myself adapting this as my new skincare routine. To begin with, I've always been loyal to my Sense Beautiful Science by USANA Skincare regime but with it's $250+ price range I've found it hard to keep up and with overseas travels I have planned this year I've been opting for cheap drugstore alternatives like Garnier's PURE Active range. I was lucky enough to be given this to try out and have found this to be a great alternative. Avon's Anew Vitale Skincare range are targeted for the 25+ age range, for the everyday active woman fighting the early signs of ageing and stress, dullness and fatigue. It also contains SPF 25 to protect the skin from sun damage . According to AVON : Whether you're a night owl or an early bird, don't let it show, stay fresh faced with hardworking skincare that keeps up with you. Powered by ProEnergy Complex and designed for women 25+, ANEW Vitale helps to strengthen the skins structure and fight the signs of ageing caused by everyday stress.

This mini kit is ideal to take with you especially if you're a traveler. You can purchase these individually and in full sizes. For someone with oily skin I have found that the day and night cream have a lightweight cream consistency, non oily, lightly scented, doesn't clog pores and are not like other moisturizing creams that contain SPF where they're thick and greasy. My favorite is the eye gel. The cooling effect once applied, relaxes the stress you may have underneath the eyes while the cleanser is gentle enough without leaving your skin dry but strong enough to remove all traces of makeup leaving you with clean and clear skin. I am really loving this kit and have already put an order for the full size products.

14 Day Regimen System Kit Includes:

• Cleanser 30ml
• Day Cream SPF 25 15g
• Night Cream 15g
• Eye Gel 15g

NYX Matte Lipstick in NUDE (RRP $12.95 @Target AUSTRALIA): I've always been loyal to MAC's Peachstock lipstick as my all time fave nude lippy. Till I discovered just how beautiful of a color NYX Matte Lipstick in Nude was. Although this color looks like it could give you that washout effect, it is surprisingly wearable and compliments most skin tones. It leans towards the peach family and although it is a matte finish, the lipstick is creamy, moisturizing and leaves a subtle sheen on the lips. When I'm not reaching for my Bombshell I find myself using this along with a heavy smokey eye look.

Model Co FatLash Volumising Black Mascara (RRP $20): Another product I received from one of my beauty subscription boxes (Bellabox review here). I have always been a fan of Model Co products. In particular their Shimmer Whip and their Tan in Can products so it's no wonder I've become a fan of their FatLash Mascara. The packaging itself is eye catching and I'm loving the metallic pink (which has become a Model Co trademark). It claims to volumize, lengthen and curl your lashes. Volume wise I'm not sure whether they  follow through with that claim however, I can't deny it definitely delivers in length and curl. The mascara has a ball like brush head tip that helps in coating those lashes in hard to reach places as well as the lower lashes, which is why I love this mascara and also for the lengthening effect. Model Co claim that the creamy formula is good enough that you can continue to coat your lashes through the day to get the desired effect without clumps. I've tested this and although it doesn't give you the clumpy effect, it does however give you the spider (legs) lashes look which I'm not sure I'm a fan of ?!?!?!?

So there we have it my beauty junkies. We have wrapped up my February Favorites and although it was a lengthy one, I hope you have had a good read. Keep an eye out for next months monthly favorites, you never know your faves maybe featured. What have been your favorites for this month???

Till next time my Beauty Junkies,

Z xx

*Disclaimer: The pictures featured on this post are of my own work and are owned be me. This is NOT a sponsored post.