January Favourites

I've never done a monthly favourites post before but I've decided this year it's something I'm going to (try) do every month. I really love reading everyone else's and think it's a great way to find new products. I've narrowed my January favourites down to 7 (which was hard):

• MAC Blot Powder in Medium - So looking at this powder you'd think it had hardly been touched, right? Wrong! I've had this MAC powder since September last year. On a daily basis I use my Rimmel Stay Matte powder but since it isn't in a compact I find it easier to carry about my MAC blot powder. I've been using this to touch up my makeup almost every day since September but it's took me up until now to realise how much I love it. If I'm feeling a bit shiny I just use this little compact (it has a mirror which is an added bonus) and the shine is gone. The best thing about it is that it's really light and sheer so no matter how much you use you never looked caked in makeup. It costs £20 which I think is amazing considering how long it's lasted.

• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Medium - This is definitely the best drugstore concealer I've ever used, I use it every single day without fail. A lot of bloggers rave about this concealer and I'm 100% behind them. I use this under my eyes, on the corners of my nose and to cover up any blemishes I have and it covers them so well. The only thing that I don't like about it is the packaging, all the writing has came off. However, it's such a bargain at £4.19 that I'll definitely be repurchasing it.

• Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Cashew Beige - I've been using this foundation throughout January and it's now my new favourite (I even like it better than my Armani Luminous Silk). It gives the most gorgeous finish and the colour is perfect for me. I'm not going to say much about this as I've just did a review on it the other day. If you haven't seen it, you can read it here.

• MAC Lipstick in Diva - I bought this lipstick back in December after seeing it on Laura's blog. I love dark lips for winter and I've been wearing this colour so much this month. MAC lipsticks are my favourite, I love everything about them. I'm thinking about doing a full review on this lipstick so stay tuned. As you all probably know, MAC lipsticks cost £14.

• Korres Lip Butter in Plum - I got this lip butter off my Mum for Christmas and since then I've been using it almost every day. I love that it has a subtle hint of colour and it smells so good, it also really sorts out my dry lips in this horrible, cold weather. I did a post on this a few weeks ago if you want to have a read.

• Carino Miracle Oil - For ages I'd wanted to try the Moroccan oil but I just couldn't justify paying that much for a hair product. Then I saw this little dupe on Corrie's blog back in September which is from Aldi (random, I know!) and only costs £3.99! I've had this for months but only really started using it recently. I either use it when my hair is wet which makes it lovely and smooth or I use it to smooth down the ends once I've dried it so there's no need for me to use my straighteners (my hair has been looking a bit damaged lately). This has lasted me a while and I'd definitely buy it again.

• Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Blood Orange - I'm a big fan of Barry M nail paints, especially their new Gelly ones. I bought this one back in October but have been wearing it a lot this month. I think a read nail is so classic and such a wearable colour. I can't wait to get my hands on the new Spring Gelly nail paints, especially Lychee (I love a nude)! At £3.99 they're such good quality for being so cheap. I also did a post on this nail polish here. 

So there you go, the start of my monthly favourites! Have you tried any of these products? If you've done a January favourites post I'd love you to link me to it in the comments.

Big Beauty Haul

I thought I'd do a post on all the beauty products I've picked up over the last few weeks. I'm not going to go into much detail on some of the products though as I'll be doing full reviews on them soon. As you can see I think I've got a slight shopping problem...

• Real Techniques Core Collection: I've already got a few of the Real Techniques brushes and absolutely love them but the Core Collection has been on my wishlist from the start, mainly because of the Buffing Brush! The set comes with four face brushes; Detailer Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Buffing Brush and Contour Brush. I'll be using the Detailer brush for my concealer and the Countour Brush for powder highlighter. I'm not too sure whether or not I'll use the Foundation Brush as I've already got the Stippling Brush and Expert Face Brush for my foundation, however I can't wait to use the Buffing Brush to apply my foundation as I've heard its a favourite and gives you the most flawless finish. Any tips on what to use the Pointed Foundation brush for? This set costs £21.99.

• Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 6,5: When a couple of my friends from my old work tried this foundation and gave it such an amazing review, I decided I needed it. I also heard Kim Kardashian uses it and her skin always looks amazing. When I went to my local Armani counter and asked for it the girl looked at me for about 5 seconds before suggesting I go for the shade 6,5. She tried a bit on my jaw line and it blended in perfectly. This really is the perfect colour for my skin so I was really impressed with how good the girl on the counter was as I don't usually trust them and like to pick my own shade. I've only used this a couple of times and love it so far, I'll be doing a full review on it soon. It is a bit pricey at £34 but I got my friends House of Fraser discount on it.

• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer Medium 3: I buy a lot of products because my sister has them and has either used them on me or raved about how good they are and this is one of them. I find it hard to find a good concealer and don't usually go for a liquid but I love this. It brightens up my dark circles and hides any blemishes I have. It also lasts all day which is perfect for when I'm at work. It's also a bargain at £4.19.

• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder 001 Transparent: This is another product my sister uses on me and I've also seen Tanya Burr use it a lot in her video tutorials. I always powder my foundation once I've applied it (one thing that's stuck with me from my Makeup Artist training) as it helps it last longer and I tend to get shiny during the day. I was running out of my Chanel Universal translucent powder but couldn't afford to spend £30 on a powder right now so I decided to pick this up. I usually use a loose powder but surprisingly I'm really liking this pressed powder and it doesn't go cakey when I touch it up during the day. Also a bargain at £3.99

• Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara Blackest Black: Another product I'm not going to go into much detail with as I'll do a full review on it. My sister uses this mascara and I also seen a review of it on Kayleigh's blog. I always use up my mascaras so quickly and wanted to try something different as I usually always go for Dior Show or Benefit They're Real. I've not used it much yet but I'll let you know what I think when I do my review. It only cost £9.99 as well which is a bonus.

• Benefit Brow Zings Dark: I've used my sisters one of this for months now and always love my eyebrows when she's used this on me. My eyebrows are so sparse with no shape if I don't fill them in and I'm such a fan of bold, statement brows so I thought it was about time to buy one of these for myself. Brow Zings costs £22.50 and I'll also be doing a full review on it soon.

• Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Eye Pencil 005 Nude:  I've seen this liner on a few beauty blogs recently and decided to pick one up when Boots 3 for 2 was on.  I use this on my waterline and it really brightens up my eyes, especially when I haven't had much sleep. 

• MAC Kohl Eye Pencil Feline: I've always got a black kohl liner in my makeup bag and usually reach for Rimmel Jet Black, but yet again my sister used this product on me and it lasted all night! I love finishing off a smokey eye with a kohl liner and this one's perfect, I can't wait to use it tonight. It's a bit pricey for an eyeliner, it costs around £15 but it's totally worth it. 

• MAC Lipstick Pink Nouveau and Creme D'Nude: I've now purchased my 11th and 12th MAC lipsticks and was thinking about what colours are missing from my collection. I didn't have a light pink or a true nude so decided to go with both of these. These are great everyday colours that can be worn all year round and Creme D'Nude will look great with a dark smokey eye on a night out, I love dark eyes and nude lips! These cost £14 each.

As you can see I've spent far too much money on beauty products lately but I just can't help myself. I think I need to go on a beauty spending ban!