Monthly Favourites: June

This is a post about my favouritisms for the month of June. Some of these products are my permanent favourites, and some, my Holy Grail.

Top, L of screen to R:
Toni & Guy Paddle Brush £8 Boots
Umberto Giannini The Morning After £5.61 Boots
Lipton Ice Tea Peach (and Lemon) £1.26
Korres Sweet Orange Sunscreen Face and Body Emulsion SPF 25 IT SEEMS TO BE UNAVAILABLE :'(
Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Hairspray £5.10 Boots
Trevor Sorbie Straightened Blow Dry Heat Defense Spray £5.10
Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave in Conditioner £3.67 Boots
Mark Hill Va Va Voom Blow Dry Mousse £5.61 Boots
Aveeno Moisturising Creamy Oil (Almond Scented) £7.14 Boots
Bottom, L of screen to R:
Lancome Juicy Tubes in Hip Hop Apricot £14.50 Boots
Eau Thermal Avene Water Spray 50ml £3.15 Boots
Olay Complete Care Touch of Foundation in Medium 50ml £5 Asda
Glade Scented Candle in Relaxing Zen £3.36 Sainsbury's
Sudocrem 125g £2.80 Boots
Apple iPod Touch 2G 8GB £149 Apple (CURRENTLY UPGRADED TO 3rd GEN.)

Wow, a lot of favourites hehe. I'll go through them one by one in the order that I've listed them.

Recently, I've been brushing my hair. Yes, you read correctly. I have very long hair but I hardly brush it. I find it gives my naturally annoyingly straight hair some much needed volume and texture instead of it being limp and too sleek. I find it extremely hard to style with it being tidy and clean - Nightmare! But now that time is coming sooner that I will cut my hair, sorry I don't know if that made sense, I feel like I need to give it a good goodbye. The paddle brush is keeping my hair sleek and soft, and it has been a while since it has been feeling that way. So I've been enjoying brushing my hair ^_^

The Morning After is my absolute HG dry shampoo. FORget Batiste! This is the powder we should all be reaching for, not crack. It smells very floraly, which I understand not everyone will like. I was one of those people, but I learnt to like the smell, and I am very fussy on smells for products. The product is so good that the smell doesn't even matter. It's like nail varnish stinks, but for a polished mani, we care not. The product never leaves my hair grannified and powdery, and I have black hair. It's just great for when I have greasy roots, or needs a bit of a freshen up and lift. It texturises my hair well too. I've gone through bottles of this, I always take advantage of when Boots have a £2 off professional haircare voucher. This is always on my list, but another I could recommend is the Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Dry Shampoo £5.10. Mind you, if anything, I work in a take away so I could put my hand up and say I have experience in cutting hair grease with dry shampoo ;)

It's summer, when everybody is out and about, and sweating like pigs on a spit roast. You know, we all get the picture. But let's not forget to hydrate ourselves. 2L plus of H20 a day is essential in summer. I drink water all the time. But in Summer, I prefer something a bit more refreshing and "summery", what better than ice tea? It's just really refreshing to be out sunbathing and drining a glass of ice tea with ice. But on the go, it'd be better to grab a bottle of Lipton. It's so yummy, I like the peach because it's one of my favourite fruits. But I also like the lemon, which reminds me of Vita Lemon Tea (Chinese drink in a carton) which I drank from since I was a tot. Warning, it does have a LOT of sugar though, and maybe because of that leaves a funny taste in your mouth. Sometimes, that's enough for me to say no to it - I can't stand a bad tasting mouth! Pass the Extra. As a matter of fact, I'm actually sipping one as I type.
I feel depressed over not being able to find this product anymore. I really enjoy using this as it makes me really tanned! A huuuge set back was the smell though. I am fussy. It just stinks, in my opinion anyway. But once rubbed into the skin, it leaves a lovely glistening and it's just so pretty! It makes your skin look amazing and glowy in the sun. But again, it stinks and leaves the smell on your clothes. Mine bottle also squirted out rather than spray which was slightly annoying as it goes all over my carpet (apply before exposure to sun). But overall a great product which has protected me well through the sunny days - I haven't burnt AND I've tanned.

This is one of my favourite hairsprays. I've tried Elnett, Tresemme, Wella etc. But I like this one best. I love the smell of this and how fine the spray comes out. It does leave hair slightly crunchy if you spray a lot and too close to the hair too, but that's just hairsprays, right? My gosh, I've gone through bottles and bottles of this! The Tresemme smell is just unbearably sickening to me may I just add. I forgot how Elnett performed but if it was good, surely I'd repurchase it? Although I have several times, I still forgot. But this TS hairspray is great for me, it hold my curls well, but they do drop a little, which I like to make my look more natural and effortless. It supposed to add shine too, bonus.

I've recently started to blow dry my hair again. For a long period of time I left my hair to dry naturally while I slept. My mum strongly opposed to that as I will get headaches she says. I get them anyway. I always feel the need to protect my hair when heat styling. I don't want frazzled hair! But I'll take the crips because I love them. The spelling mistake was intentional because that is how I pronounce "crisps", crips. I hate saying it properly, I could say Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper with more ease than "crisps". I find the product does protect my hair and limits the amount of damage I do to my hair, curling tongs are the main culprit. I always use a low heat on the hair dryer, cold blast if you must - it supposed to make your hair shine, but then so does sex. I love the fact that the smell of this product is quite perfumed and alcoholic when applied but is really faint after heat styling. I prefer my nicer smelling products to be smelt by passers by and not alcohol that'll make me seem like a boozy child.

I've wanted a leave in conditioner for a while now. I've eyed up some from Aussie as well as Charles Worthington. I was a fan of CW a few years ago but I found that the Aussie ones were more higher rated and more popular, so I figured it'd be wise to go with the better one. Firstly, Aussi products smell really really good! I really like their Mega Shampoo, my current combo is that and Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner. Thumbs Up. This makes my hair smell slightly plastic on application, but after blow drying, smell very fruity and bubblegummy, nom nom. It did do something, but not as much as I liked although it did make my hair a bit more soft. It did not improve manageability for me though since the messier the better for me.

I have very long hair. Yes, that means that the sheer weight of the hair weighs itself down. So, my solution would be to either get a pricey haircut... or a mousse. Mousse please :) I bought this mousse a while ago, but have been glad to be reaching for it again. It is surprisingly good, providing you've used the right amount for your hair. I remember putting too much on and my hair being so disgustingly sticky and Flllat even! It was gross. You just have to master the amount to apply for your hair. I wouldn't recommend putting this particular mousse past eye or ear level, it's best focused on the roots of the hair to give max volume from the product. It smells really fruity, like fake apples. It gives me texture at the roots also and injects some volume, great buy!

I'm a moisturising addict. I love buying body butters, creams, lotions, oils and gel, whatever. As long as it makes my skin soft and hydrated. One of my criterias is that it has to be fast absorbing. I like getting dressed immediately after moisturising. This cream oil allows me to do that. The texture is very light. It's not even thaat creamy. It applies really smoothly and spreads well. I love the gentle fragrance, it's soothing and yummy. Almonds are good for your skin! This leaves your skin surprisingly soft and smooth, providing you have no hair, despite it's light texture. I find it's great for summer, or winter even. It's a cream oil, but is not oily at all. I do like Aveeno creams, they're good quality.

I find lips sexy. Lips I just automatically think of kissing. So we all love to sex up our lips a bit. Nothing can more than lip gloss. It just makes lips look undeniably sexy and plump and juicy. It sounds like I'm selling peaches or something -.-' But you know what I mean... Example? Angelina Jolie. Enough said. I personally like more of a peachy or nude lip. The orangey colour allows me to do either with this gloss. For a nude lip, the colour is sheer and gives lips a naturally nudey colour without me looking like a crack addict. For the peachy lip, it adds more colour and brightens it up. It also tastes yummy, of apricots, and is very thick and juicy. It lasts a long time even if I've drank and eaten, not too much. I do get the frequent hair in gloss dilemma though which is really annoying. My hair is crazy so it's just inevitable even when it's just a light breeze which passes...

I love shopping. Shopping to me is exercise. Exercise produces heat. Especially when I'm trying on a lot of clothes and in really hot shops with no air con D: nightmare. That's why I love this so much. When I overheat while shopping, I grab this water spray and mist it over my face. It instantly refreshes my face leaving if cool and comforted. It does not irritate my skin, ruin my make up or do anything that it shouldn't do. It's suitable for sensitive skin also and for soothing sunburns. I bought the smaller can so that I can carry it on the go in my bag. It's just so gentle and handy, summer/ beach must have!

I don't wear foundation, but I wear a touch of foundation. I have spots, so I need some kind of coverage without using full on make up make up. I thought this would be perfect, coverage and care! My kind of product. Medium is a bit light for me, but it's not very noticeable. It claims to not clog pores, and I haven't had any trouble of it breaking me out. I do love the smell and texture of this, I don't really know much about higher end lower end skin care, but to me it seems quite luxurious. It does deliver some moisture to me skin but not enough in some drier areas such as my cheeks. It also makes my skin quite shiny, not radiant, sometimes. It also doesn't cope well in heat, oily again. My skin type is dry-combo. But this has served me well, not HG, but a much loved product.

There's something very soothing about watching a flame flicker. I like watching matches, lighters, candles, stoves etc flicker. It makes me feel calm, and dreamy. I also love nice smelling things! Smell could turn me right on, or turn me right off. So I figured scented candles are a match made in heaven for me. I love the smell of this candle, it is a fresh, clean and relaxing kind of smell, which sometimes is reminiscent of toilet/bathrooms when smelt out of the box. But once burnt just smells amazing. I have the candle on my bed side table and randomly, I'd catch whiffs of this and think it smells so good. The jar is also quite nice, nothing special though. Good home buy though.

Nappy rash cream. Yes, but not really. I'm not a baby, I put it on my face. Arseface. I use this for my spots, and cuts i get. I apply a splodge on my spots at night before I sleep and wipe it off in the morning if it's still there. I find it does reduce the size and swelling of some and the smaller ones of my spots. I sometimes use it as a mask and just apply it all over my face. This can be a bit drying for me though. The smell of this has really grown on me! It should be a lavender scent according to the ingredients. Teenagers should give this a try, a lot of people swear by it, such as the likes of Cheryl Cole, who has really good skin.

I don't know where I'd be without Pod. I think I'd be like a sheep in the middle of New York City. It goes everywhere with me. I just can't live without music. Pod has ran out of memory space though. I have too many Abba songs x( just kidding. I just have a lot of apps. At the moment I'm really enjoying Cows VS. Aliens, and Run, Run Chicken. Both are free... do I ever pay for apps? No. Pod is like my walking diary. It knows all of my secrets and has been through a lot of my personal events with me. My notes alone probably take up a gigabyte. But yeah, Pod, I love him. After I dropped him in the toilet and he was once as iFish/ iTurd, I love him even more. I bet he's happy I'm giving him a little spotlight. I always have him on powersave, very low brightness.

Well, there you have it, my June Faves. I hope you understood my layout, not to offend your intelligence.
Moisturisers post coming up soon.

Anyway, DRINK UP!

Eye Eye Captain

Hello, this is just a post of my eye. Out of my entire face, my eyes get the most make up. I only really wear eye and lip make up, not that I don't need face make up, just that I hate the feel of it on my skin. One thing I can say I don't need is blusher. It's like I have a permanently flushed face, even if I did ever put foundation on the pink would still peek through. People say I have cute cheeks - typical Asian ones.
But here is a picture of my eye make up... (I know it's not exactly good, but it's how I do it)

  



without flash, natural daylight







with flash, excuse my weird brow

So it's just a very natural looking eye look. Two layers of mascara with a little bit of gold eyeliner to highlight the inner corners of the eye - brings light to the eye so makes it appear brighter and more wide awake. I do not wear eyeshadow. I just think it doesn't look right on me. But here are the products I've used.





L-R

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers (£26 from a set in Hong Kong)

Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph (Present, Boots)

Miss Sporty Fabulous Lash Waterproof Black (£3.29, Boots)

Barry M Limited Edition Duo Eyeliner - Silver and Gold (£10 from set, Clothes Show Live)

Korres Provitamin B5 & Rice Bran Mascara Black 01 (£15)

I curl my lashes in three places with my eyelash curler, which is honestly one of the things I'd save in a fire, at the tip first, then at the middle, then finally at the root. I find in this order creates a smoother curl instead of a "boxy", unnatural curl that sticks straight up - one of my pet peeves! >.< FYI, I also curl my bottom lashes to open up my eye a bit more.

I then use a thin layer of the Korres mascara as a base, so that my lashes will be a bit longer as the mascara is lengthening, and to hold the curl better. I then wait for that to dry, then apply a coat of the Miss Sporty mascara. This really builds my lashes and makes them really thick and voluminous, but it can clump because it dries quite quickly. I, in a way, style my lashes. I like my lashes to be a certain shape, a bit like a fan I'd say, and I use the mascara wand to separate my lashes, then use my tweezers to clump some together so it looks more dolly. I put my concealer under my eye just to brighten the area, not so much to conceal darkness. I use one from Aldi, which has been compared to YSL's Touche Éclat, but at a fraction of the cost at £3.49!!! I use it in Cashmere I think, which is a bit light but does the trick. I don't have a picture of that sorry. Anyway, I then line the gold end of my eyeliner on my tearduct area and a bit across the inner third of my eye. I blend it later with a cotton bud to soften it up, but I saturate the gold right at my tearduct then fade it out. My brows don't look great here, but they looked fine in real life damn it. I used the shading end of Arch de Triumph to fill in my brows slightly, I don't really use the highlighting end but it's quite good as a base for my eyeliner and to stop my eyelids from oiling up too much. I fill in my brows, then swipe a cotton bud over to remove the excess because I don't like looking too bushy... aha. After, I use this wonder tool to comb through and shape my brows which makes them look neat.





3 in 1 Beauty Tool ($?? from Sasa, Hong Kong)

I bought this ages ago from HK. It's basically an eyelash curler, which is okay to revive curls throughout the day, with a build in eyelash comb and brow brush, which slides out. I find this very useful although I only use the brow brush. It's great if I'm limited for space in my bag, in that case I leave out my beloved Shu Uemura curlers.
I really wanted to ramble, but I'm just too tired at the moment. Thinking of doing a haul or a review...

Just a quick note though, I had my school Prom last friday. I got my make up done at MAC in Debenhams. I'm actually considering buying my first foundation from them, although I have considered Lancome or Chanel as well. The make up artist used Studio Sculpt Foundation which was quite nice, but went patchy after a few hours of sweaty dancing, despite it being set with an MSF. I hated the shine it gave me though in my prom pictures, which is a damn bloody shame! I had no nice pictures T~T
I'm considering Studio Sculpt, and the one in the compact... Studio Tech? Not too sure, but it's the creamy compact one. I loved that when I put some on my hand. I really liked Peachykeen blush on my cheeks too. I think I will get the lipstick in Hue, since my Myth has ran out. I've been eyeing up Shy Girl as well. If only I could change my Impassioned which I don't even use! for either of those, life would be great. Btw, I'm not trying to sound MAC-y, it's just whilst I'm on the subject, I might as well chip in. I have no money for make up... Clothes comes first... most of the time. And I really need to start using a camera to take pictures, not my phone.

Anyway, Goodnight lovelies who actually read to this far! x