January was a difficult month. Firstly being unable to shop made me slightly blue but I survived 27 days without giving in to the temptation. Sadly I broke my ban one Friday when I left for lunchtime having the worst morning one can have at work. I am, however back on the ban wagon and I plan to continue. January's always a strange one, having the whole build up to Christmas, holidays and New Year makes it such a sad and uninspiring month. From the highlights, I found out my best friend is getting married and I'm super chuffed for her and already planning my outfit :)
I loved staying in last month, burning candles, catching up on blog reading, writing, taking pics and working on a new venture. The show I watched in January was The Man in The High Castle. What a brilliant production. I'm a history buff and seeing history re-written, especially during uncertain times politically across the globe, was an important lesson in resistance, tolerance and love. If you haven't already, go and check it out. It's available on Amazon Prime now.
SKINCARE
My skin has never looked better than in January. My updated routine seems to be working wonders for my skin and I'd love to give a shout out to few of my absolute faves.
Vianek Moisturising Face Toner Mist is a true gem. I mentioned it over and over and I'll say it again, I love face toners. I also love a good mist and this offering from polish brand Vianek comes pretty close to perfection. The mist is super fine and has a serious hydrating punch. I love using it before or after the serum in the morning, it's super refreshing and helps me wake up. It's also great setting mist and it adds moisture to the tired skin. Let's have a quick look at the ingredients:
Aqua, Glycerin, Avena Satina Straw Extract, Propanediol, Panthenol, Urea, Triticum Vulgaire Germ Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betane, Benzyl Alcohol, Perfume, Phytic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid
Humectants (Urea + Hyaluronic Acid) are used to reduce the loss of moisture and protect the skin from environmental factors, whilst Avena Satina Straw Extract, Panthenol and Triticum Vulgaire Germ Oil soothe the dry and sensitive skin. In my opinion it's a great addition to the morning routine and works well after cleansing.
Alpha H Liquid Gold is a discovery of the end of December and the whole January. I'm quite late to the party here but OMG it's the best thing that happened to my skincare since maybe the discovery of Glamglow Youth Mud. Let's have a look at the ingredients:
Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Hydrolysed Silk, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract
I wish alcohol wasn't so high up on the ingredients list but it has't affected my skin badly in any way, so I'll forgive it. I don't know which ingredient makes my skin so amazing the next morning but my money's on hydrolysed silk and glycolic acid. I use it with Bravura Lactic Acid (8 drops each in to a glass bowl and apply with Bravura's Synthetic Fan Brush). I apply it to my face, under eyes and lids, neck and décolletage. I'm used to using this combination but when it comes to the application under eyes and lids please be very careful and do a test before you commit to the application. I can't describe the results the very next morning. My skin is firm, line free and so glowing, I can't get enough. I use it every 2-3 evenings and I don't follow up with any other skincare. The results are real and I've gotten quite a few compliments on my makeup free face :)
I've written about Tołpa Dermo Face Provivo 35+ only recently - POST - and I rather keep this short and sweet but please check out the list of ingredients and active ingredients in my previous post. I love the effects this mask have on my complexion. It firms, smoothes and soothes at the same time. It's super regenerating and moisturising and I can't get enough. It's one of those masks that once you use it, you'll never want to use anything else. It's a perfect treatment mask that gives me a glowing and supple skin. Huge love!
Oh K. Peach Lip Balm in no way smells or tastes of peaches. Sadly it has no taste but it became my go to lip balm in the morning. I love the packaging and it moisturises well. Great before lipstick application. I usually apply the lip balm before I start my makeup routine and give it a time to sink in. I really enjoyed using it last month and I thought it deserves a quick shout out.
HAIRCARE
I rarely talk about haircare but last month there were two absolute gems that made me re-think my haircare in general.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is already a cult product. I have a few generous samples so I decided to give it a try and let me tell you - it does make a difference. I apply it to wet, towel dry hair and leave on for a good hour while I'm in the bath. I use a shower cap to ensure the warmth which the product needs to work. It's a pre-shampoo treatment and it does, somehow make a difference. My hair are super sleek and soft after using it and my usually coarse hair actually have some shine and bounce to them. I used it in the evening before Go Glam Gala, as I knew I'll be treating my hair to some curls. I've never had such bouncy and healthy looking curls in my life! I'm glad I have a few samples of this but I'm sure to buy full size once I finish them.
Beauty Protector Protect & Oil has been the most used oil for my dry ends in the last month and a half. I use the tiniest bit and warm it up in my hands before applying to the ends of my hair. It smells sweet and I love the scent. It makes my hair so soft and I got rid of most of my split ends. I had two small vials and I'm nearly at the end of one but I think this will be a full size re-purchase as I just adore the scent and how well it works on my hair.
MAKEUP
Makeup Geek shadows have been a favourite of mine for a long time. I re-discovered them recently whilst shopping my stash and I just can't get enough. Isn't my palette just gorgeous? I adore the mattes and lately I've been really into duo-chromes. My current favourite shades are Rockstar, which is something between grey and lilac and Anarchy, a medium deep burgundy shimmer.
Lovely Curling Pump Up Mascara has been a gift from my lovely friend Dominika (check out her Instagram here) and I loved using it this month. It gives my lashes a lift, a bit of curl and even a little volume. The reason I love it though is the lasting power. It's probably that one mascara I can use on lower lashes that actually stays put all day long. It's also super cheap so if you can get it somewhere, give it a try.
Too Faced Hangover is a primer that works beautifully at prepping the skin for foundation but also like a brilliant moisturiser. It's a hybrid between makeup and skincare in my eyes. I have a primer post coming up so I won't be boring you with all the details here. It's a brilliant every day primer and I have been using it non stop. It works great under most foundations and I love it for morning prep and before a big night out. It moisturises, primes and makes my skin looks so beautiful. I can't praise it enough.
LA Girl Pro Coverage HD Long Wear Illuminating Foundation in White has been the blessing. Being so pale, it's hard to find a foundation light enough and this beauty has been a real saver. Plus it's brilliant if you have a really drying formula, this one will make it lighter, glowing whilst keeping the coverage. I really like the formula and it's been a discovery of a lifetime. I only just recently talked about the LA Girl Foundation - POST - so please check out my review, if you wish to know a little more.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 2 has great neutral tones and it's a brilliant choice for the evening. With no SPF it makes for a great base if you're planning flash photography and it's an another love I re-discovered whilst getting ready for Go Glam Gala. It gives a good medium coverage without looking cakey. It gives that semi-matte yet luminous finish that's really hard to explain but it looks beautiful and I really enjoy using it. When set with RCMA No Color Powder it'll last all day and night long - tested :)
It comes as no surprise I love to glow. I love highlighters and I don't walk out of the house without it on the top of my cheekbones, tip of the nose and cupid's bow. The daytime choice as of late is a gift from my lovely friend Justyna. Come back to Instagram lovely as I miss you so much. Lily Lolo Mineral Shimmer Star Dust is a light champagne shade with the daytime natural finish. You could probably just use it all over but if you're a fan of subtle glow - this is the one for you. It's a loose mineral powder and will find fans with natural makeup gals. I really enjoyed using it almost daily for te past few weeks. I may try and use it all over and definitely over my shoulders and décolletage in the summer.
Rarely barely there glow is enough and I like to top it up with something extra. Jeffree Star Skin Frost has been a favourite of both December and January and it's the most beautiful white gold highlight. You can go subtle-ish but why bother. This is the highlight to take it to another level. It's stunning and probably the biggest highlight I own. It's definitely a one for those of you pale skinned gals. The packaging comes in a true JS style, it's a screaming pink purple metallic logo. I'm not the biggest fan of the packaging itself but it's well made with huge mirror so who am I to judge :)
SCENTS
I must start with the purchase of a lifetime Michael Kors Wonderlust. It is the most beautiful scent I have ever owned. It topped my favourite list and even left Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb on the second place! I know shocking! It's quite a modern scent, modern and feminine, sweet and musky at the same time. With the top notes of Almond Milk, Bergamot and Pink Pepper, mid notes of Dianthus and Heliotrope and base notes of Benzoin and Sandalwood it surrounds me in the most pleasurable fragrance. It's how I imagine summer holidays should smell like. It's one of the most long lasting scent I own and it's managed to last a whooping 14 hours on me. On the clothes it lasts so much longer and I could not spell January without mentioning it. I adore it and I highly recommend you give it a whirl when you're on the shopping prowl next.
Technically not a scent but pillow spray, This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is simply wonderful. I am not a huge fan of lavender but this spray has helped me sleep and for someone suffering with anxiety based insomnia, it says a lot. It helps me relax and if I wake up in the middle of the night, few spritzes to my pillow help me fall asleep again. I don't know what it is, maybe a simple placebo effect, but this spray has changed my sleeping for the better and I can't imagine going to bed without it. Thanks for recommendation Siobhan (check out her blog - Beautylymin here)
LIFESTYLE
I was lucky to attend the most glamorous event in January. My lovely friend Leanne (check out here blog here) invited me to be her plus one and we had an amazing time at Go Glam Gala. I've met a gorgeous and lovely Jodie (her Instagram's here), drank few incredible cocktails, picked up a few goodies and ate the most delicious muffin. The whole experience was great and I love London so much. The gala was hosted in the Queen Elizabeth II centre, few steps away from Big Ben and attracted many bloggers, including In The Frow, whom I just adore. Sadly the queue next to her was not something I could brace in my heels, but we had fun anyway posing in Photo Booth and even showing some moves on the dance floor.
Thank You For Reading,
Love
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