Hello Lovelies! Welcome back to Sense Of Beauty! It has been quite some time since my last blogpost, I experienced writer's block but hopefully I have a better spell of creativity now. Today's blogpost is going to be my 'May Beauty Favourites'.
May has been a month where I have discovered some favourites and have reached for them unconsciously every day. To hear about my favourites from foundation to even deodorant - make sure to keep reading! ;)
1. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear
Finding your perfect foundation is just as difficult as finding your perfect bra. There is so many things to consider when choosing the foundation that you want. What finish do you want your foundation to be? Matte or dewy? What kind of coverage do you want? Light or Medium-Full? How much do you want to spend? Do you want to keep it under 10 euro or would you like to treat yourself to a more luxurious foundation? All these questions need to be considered when looking for your perfect foundation. Recently, Lancome re-launched their infamous 'Teint Idole Ultra 24Hr' as the 'Teint Idole Ultra Wear'. If you are looking for a foundation with medium-full coverage, breathable consistency and a long-wearing finish, this is going to be your security blanket in the world of foundations. One of my biggest struggles when finding a new foundation is definitely the range of shades on offer. Being a red-head with extremely pale skin, finding a foundation that is pale enough is challenging. When re-launching their foundation, Lancome released 40 shades!! Yes, you read that right, 40 SHADES! I am not going to lie, it took me about 4-5 days before I found my correct shade. I tried a different shade every morning and finally found the perfect shade. The shade that I wear currently to match my skin tone is 008. This has been my go-to foundation for over the past month, it doesn't dry out my skin, it doesn't feel heavy and it is super long-lasting. This is your ideal foundation for a long day at work or for going out. I can not recommend this foundation enough!!
2. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has been a notorious beauty product in the world of beauty. Recently, it has been particularly popular with bridal makeup. The function for the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is to tighten and brighten. It has a slight peach tone to it which really compliments your natural skintone. This is an amazing primer for under your makeup. Who doesn't love a product that is multi-functional? You can use this product as a face mask too! The Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is recommended for occasional use as a primer, I have been bold and have used it everyday as my primer before my makeup. It leaves a tacky consistency when you blend it in with your fingers, this is perfect for grabbing your foundation and locking it in place. For anyone who might suffer with dry skin, this is lovely at giving you a hydrated base.
3. Sleek Solstice Palette
Who doesn't love looking like a glazed donut? ;) The Sleek Solstice Palette recently took the beauty world by storm, it holds 3 powder highlighters and 1 cream highlighter. Going with my theme of natural-dewy makeup, I have been loving this product. I like to mix all three powder shades and apply them to my cheekbones, nose and cupid's bow. NASA can see your highlight from Space when you apply this ;) For anyone who hasn't tried this, I urge you to. It is an incredible highlighter at an exceptional price! You need to add this to your shopping list!
4. Lancome Hypnose Mascara
Lancome can do no wrong when it comes to mascaras! I have tried most of the Lancome mascaras and they are definitely one of my favourite lines within the brand. If anyone has read any of my previous posts, you would be familiar with my obsession of the Lancome Grandiose Extreme. During the month of May, I lost it and I was devastated.... I am still mourning the loss. I received a Lancome Hypnose mascara for Christmas but left it unopened until I needed it. After losing the Grandiose Extreme, I opened this mascara and re-discovered my love for it. It gives incredible volume and length. If you are looking for the all-rounder in the world of mascara, this is your bad boy! The brush itself is extremely easy to use and the formula doesn't clump or smudge. I am so glad I fell in love with this again!
5. NYX Tame & Frame Brow Pomade
This product has been a favourite of mine for almost 2 years! I was using the Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil recently and when I went back to using this, I swore an oath to never betray the product again. I think the product is available in 4 or 5 shades, I use the shade 02 Chocolate. It gives incredible definition and gives you amazing brows! ANOTHER BONUS? It is under 8 euro to buy!! Grab one if you see it in stock because they sell out as soon as they arrive in store!
6. NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray
Ok, I acknowledge that I am a total hypocrite. Earlier, I spoke about wanting a 'dewy finish' to my makeup using a dewy primer and highlighter. During the Winter and Spring, I found my skin had become oily in my T-Zone. It was extremely weird as I had never experienced oily skin, I always had dry-dehydrated skin. To combat this, I opted for the matte setting spray by NYX. This spray is also available with a dewy finish if you found your skin was very dry or dehydrated. I usually spray this on my face when I am working a long shift, I have an event in work or I have a special occasion. Another affordable makeup product which is incredible! An amazing weapon in everyone's makeup collection. Another use for this incredible product? When applying an eyeshadow with a sheen/glitter, spray your eyeshadow brush with this. It will 'wet' the eyeshadow, which will result in an eyeshadow with higher pigmentation.
7. Lancome Genefique Sheet Mask
Another product that has made it's way around the beauty community. The entire Lancome Genefique range is incredible. This product in particular had to make it into my May favourites. It's a sheet mask but the texture of the mask is skin-like. It fits perfectly to your face and it contains the infamous Advanved Genefique serum. The first time I tried this mask, I left it on for an hour, the recommendations on the box are to leave it on for 20 minutes. The second time I tried this product, I left it on over-night and slept with it. My skin felt so plump and radiant after using it. My mum was extremely intrigued by this product and bought herself a box too, which I would like to add, she will NOT share with me!! :'( If anyone has an upcoming special occasion or their skin is lacking life, I would highly recommend giving this magic potion a try! I have also heard from a little birdy that this product may be getting discontinued so if you come across stock of this, make sure to grab it while you can!
8. Lancome Visionnaire SPF 20 Moisturing Cream
Using an SPF everyday is such an important thing to remember especially if you are as pale as a bottle of bainne like myself. About 2 months ago, I started an at-home facial peel which contained Glycolic and Salicylic Acid. When trying any facial peel, it is strongly advised to use an SPF in conjunction with it. The Visionnaire moisturising cream has given me my required SPF while offering my skin other benefits. The Visionnaire cream is described as a 'Skin Corrector'; it helps with the texture of your skin, corrects pores while also offering anti-aging properties to target fine lines. Working on a beauty counter, I am consciously aware of my skin and trying to keep it looking as youthful as possible. I started using an eye cream about 6 months ago and decided to finally bite the bullet and start using some anti-aging products on my face. I like to describe this cream as the 'magic potion', it corrects skin texture, pores and fine lines. Everything you need in one pot!
9. Mitchum Advanced Control Roll-On Deodorant
I know, an extremely random favourite but I need to praise this product. I picked this up in work before I went to Paris with my mum. I amn't a frequent traveller so I wasn't sure if you could travel with aerosols so I opted for a roll-on which is under 100ml. I only apply this deodorant first thing after a shower. This is the unscented version which leaves me feeling clean and fresh. It stops you from perspiring, which of course is the function of a deodorant (my mum is going to enjoy that little private joke!). It's only a couple of euros too!
10. Lancome La Nuit Tresor
I am saving the best for last! Another Lancome favourite but I couldn't help myself with this one! La Nuit Tresor is Lancome's most recent fragrance launch and I have fallen head over heels with it. It is an Eau De Parfum which gets top marks in my books instantly as I much prefer a Perfume over an Eau De Toilette. It's top notes are Vanilla, Raspberry and Black Rose, a match made in fragrance heaven. I literally wear it everyday and I could retire if I got a euro for everytime I received a compliment on this fragrance. The bottle of the fragrance is breathtaking, another plus in my eyes! Who doesn't love a beautiful bottle of fragrance on their dressing table? ;) If you are ever walking post a Lancome counter, please give this a try, you might be pleasantly surprised ;)
We have finally reached the end of my May Favourites. I really hope you enjoyed reading about some of my most recent favourites.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
See you in my next blogpost!
XO, Siobhán
