Monthly Favourites: March 2010

I've been a horrible blogger (in fact I've been one for the past year)... but I have a couple of weeks of hell left before I'll have all the time in the world (or not... we'll see haha).. sorry I seem so cryptic... most of the time, I don't really know what I'm talking about either and that's because so many things are always so up in the air - I expect one thing to happen and something else does etc. So I say (and hope) I'll be free in two weeks time, but who knows... maybe fate will decide to drop something else on my lap to keep me from enjoying my cosmetics and blogging about it... but I really just want a break... I haven't had one for 3 years... not a proper break at least...

Face:
Shell Pearl Beauty Powder: Give me Liberty of London Collection. I didn't plan on getting this, but (surprise, surprise) Wendy totally influenced me to get it because she was getting it and I'm SO glad, because it's such a pretty highlight powder. I have not had any luck with beauty powders, so I'm really not a fan, but this particular product is very soft in texture and pigmented compared to the other ones I own which requires a good scraping and STILL no product will show up on me. I use this layered over my blush application -- which is usually Hot Planet MB.

Eyes:
Holiday 2008 Smokey Eyes Palette: I have been using this A LOT... probably because all the essential shades are in this palette (carbon, satin taupe etc)... this is a must-have in any girl's arsenal... even if not THIS palette specifically... any of MAC's holiday smokey eye palettes!

Lips:
Lollipop Loving l/s: I have revisited this little gem. I bought my first tube in February 2009 and have accumulated 2 additional back-ups since. I wore it nearly everyday for 2 months and then kind of forgot about it. I have been wearing it daily again... it's really more of a spring shade that really gives me a 'pick-me-up' -- beautiful coral shade with a green sheen -- lovely!

Frankly Fresh l/g: From the Give Me Liberty of London collection, this is a nice pinky nude shade that tops off my HG lipsticks nicely (Brave New Bronze and Lollipop Loving). I also wear it alone once my lipsticks have worn off, but I don't feel like re-touching. I am really trying hard not to get a back up of it (because of my project B2M commitment and that it's probably sold out by now anyhow).

Monthly Favourites: March

I wanted to do this for the month of February, but I have been reluctant because it seemed so similar to my "what do you use tag"...
It's difficult to determine favourites of the month for 2 reasons:
1. If I keep mentioning staples, then it's not exactly favourites of the MONTH, but... well.. a staple.. lol
2. If I mention newly acquired products, then it's more like a fad... a honeymoon phase with my new purchases...

So what criteria do I use to make a product the favourite of just one month? Should I divide this into sections? or just blab on? lol I'm making this more complicated than I have to, aren't I?

So lets make this section a trial... and do it for a couple months... then I'll decide whether I want to continue with this..

**Note: Some or a lot of the products mentioned are probably new -- but I never did a haul on it... my collective haul became so large, that I decided to just scrap it and not talk about it.. and just start doing my hauls as I make my purchases so that I don't fall behind anymore.. but in a nutshell my collective haul consisted mostly of MAC products which include permanent and Hello Kitty stuff =]

March Favourites:

Face:
MSF Natural in Medium Plus:
I bought this a few weeks ago and I LOVE it... I've used Bare Escentuals and Everyday Minerals to no prevail. What I really like about the MSF natural is its versatility.

• It's a powder/mineral foundation
• It's PRESSED, so no mess
• It also acts as a finishing powder

I've hit pan (only MAC product I ever hit pan on) of my select pressed powder... and thought about repurchasing... but I don't think I will, since this acts as foundation and as a set powder.
As a foundation, this offers sheer to medium coverage (which I love), depending on your application technique/brush you use... and it really does make my skin look flawless.
I rarely wear any make-up to school (because honestly, I'd rather sleep in)... if you were to see me... lol well you'd laugh cuz I look like a bum =P But with the MSF natural, I can quickly dust some on my face to look a little more polished, even if I don't put anything else on.

Hot Planet Mineralized Blush:
I already wrote a pretty thorough review about why I really love this blush in the previous post... but to quickly reiterate:

• Very pretty versatile and (in my opinion) universal shade
• Everyday shade
• Can be used day or night
• Pigmented
• Long lasting

Lips:
Boy Bait Cremesheen glass:
I really hate lipglasses (but that doesn't mean I dislike all of MACs other lip products)... I find them too sticky/tacky... Boy Bait is a great nude gloss that isn't sticky and has a creamy finish (no glitter or shimmer)... it's a great everyday shade on its own, or compliments other lip colours when layered on top of it such as Creme d'nude (makes the perfect nude lip look) or Lavendar Whip.

Lollipop Loving:
I have a VERY limited list of HG products... I don't really believe in making something HG without using it for a period of time first (especially when it comes to long term products like skincare or foundation). I'm also not much of a lipstick wearer (despite my rapidly growing collection)... but Lollipop Loving was love at first site -- HG! The colour itself, i find is quite unique... light pink-y with a golden-green sheen... and when I first read the colour description I thought "ew... weird... green????"... but I was intrigued and tried it on. It was perfect. Not too dramatic and just the right amount of colour to make this wearable daily -- when i tried it on, I had ZERO make-up on, and it instantly gave my face a "glow"... I had no idea a lip product can do that... it is just PERFECT. I got a back up =)

Eyes:
Girl Groove Glitter Liner:
This is from the Hello Kitty line... I have a lot of glitter liners - I don't use any of them... because I find them very... chunky? its literally glitter in clear liner liquid... so when applied, it is very sheer. But Girl Groove (and all the glitter liners in the HK collection) is very pigmented. The glitters are tiny and the colour payoff is just superb. I find myself grabbing for this and lightly swiping over my black liner to give my over all look a pop, when I go out at night. It's not too intense, but just enough to make my eyes "twinkle".

Fast Response Eye Cream:
I've been wanting this for a while... and Makeupbyrenren's review, just made me want it more... Paula Begouin doesn't approve of this product (and I for the most part respect her reviews and follow them)... but this is a wonder eye cream. Begouin doesn't like it because there is TOO much caffeine in it, potentially causing irritation. Caffeine depuffs and causes capillaries to constrict -- and that is exactly what it does for me. Not only does it depuff my undereyes, the silky silicone texture of the product preps your eyes well for concealer, so that it doesn't settle into the fine lines... I use this every morning.


Well I guess that's it for now. Please leave me feedback on whether you like this 'Monthly favourites' idea or not... what I should or should not review... and just what you guys want to see on this blog in general.. because i'm doing it for you guys... i don't need to write reviews for myself =P