L'oReal Infallible Matte;

Finding a great foundation for me is a difficult task. My skin is usually oily but can be dry, I can suffer from breakouts which I want to cover up but I still like my skin to look like skin. I ask a lot from foundation which is why I've never repurchased one... But the L'oReal Infallible 24 Hour Matte may be a game-changer.

Reviews of this have been flying around the Blogosphere for the last few months. It claims to be a matte, light finish that is not cakey and lasts 24 hours. The first thing I noticed was the formula of this, while not being watery it has a thin texture and a light weight feel on the skin. This makes blending effortless and quick. Every time I apply this (I've been using it for nearly 2 months now) I'm surprised by the coverage. I'd say the coverage is medium-high, and I find myself using a lot less concealer with this foundation. With this being matte it isn't best designed for those with drier skin, and I have used it on a couple of occasions when I've had some dry patches. The product clings to the drier areas of your face, but for those of us that suffer with odd bouts of dehydrated skin I don't think this makes it look any worse than bare, dry skin (especially compared to a lot of matte foundations). After application this does mattify, but it doesn't feel heavy and doesn't flatten your skin. Something that also stands out (amongst everything else) is the longevity of this. I used to wear a primer to keep my makeup on all day and keep my face matte, but I tested this out without one and have stuck to it because it lasts so well without. It doesn't wear off patchy and last weekend I applied this at 8 am it was still virtually perfect when I got in at 1 the next morning. When I wear this for a full day I only powder once throughout, which is a real triumph on my skin as usually after the first reapplication of powder everything will go cakey and I'm shiny again within a couple of hours.

Out of every foundation I've ever tried L'oReal Infallible Matte is the one I will whole-heartedly recommend, it ticks all of the boxes for me, its even under £10!

October Favourites;

October is finally over. Having started my new job and getting stuck in with my studies it has been one heck of a long month! And these are the things that I have loved throughout it.

First up is the Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser. I feel like this is more of a summer product as its really cooling and the added Aloe Vera in this scent is great for sunburnt skin. But I'm still using and loving this now. Its so easy to use, just spritz yourself all over and this requires barely any rubbing in or drying time. Which I think is fab for chilly mornings when you don't really want to be standing around starkers waiting for your moisturiser to absorb.

The last month or so my skin has been (if I do say so myself) fantastic, and I owe is all to these cleaners. I've been wearing makeup everyday for work, which means I've actually stuck to a very simple skincare routine. I firstly use my Garnier Micellar Water to remove my makeup, I like this because its effective, but gentle. I have quite sensitive skin and this doesn't irritate it at all, I can even use it to remove my eye makeup without it stinging my eyes and it makes light work of removing my mascara. After this I like to further cleanse to remove any missed makeup and remove bacteria from my skin underneath it. I think sticking to this step is what has greatly improved my skin. Lately I've been using this Cleansing Lotion from Simple. This is one of the first cleansers I ever used and I still go back to this because it works and it keeps my skin soft and smooth. Being a lotion it never dries my skin out. I take this on my hands and massage it into my skin, which is really relaxing rather than being harsh like some cleansers. I then remove it with a cotton pad. I've only had about 5 spots in the last month so I'm definitely doing something right!

I rarely talk haircare, but I can't not mention my new Tangle Teezer. My hair is the kind of knotty that has had me on the brink of tears more times than I care to admit, but I didn't buy into the Tangle Teeze hype because I didn't think how any one brush could be that good. In fact I still don't how, but it really is. This brush doesn't eradicate knots, however the flexible bristles allow you to work through them without repeated and endless tugging. The one thing I did worry about was the short bristles and my thick hair, but running my hand through it has done its job from top layer to bottom. Not having a handle is still taking some getting used to for me, but the shape does fit really well into my hand. I can use this wet, dry, to style, to create a part, or to section my hair. This means I no longer have the need for 6 brushes because this one really does it all.

For makeup this month I have been going back to basics, I get up a lot earlier in my new job, so I have just enough time in the morning to make myself look like a well rested, organised individual when I am most definitely not. I have been using my Smashbox eyeshadow trio nearly every week day. I usually go for a little more exciting shades, but these are office appropriate and really good quality. Even the lightest is shade is really pigmented enough that I've worn it alone when I'm in a rush, which I find rare. These last all day without fading or creasing. As for lips I've finally cracked open this Lip Primer I bought myself in April. I was definitely intrigued by the prospect of a lip primer and am a little disappointed to report that it doesn't add greatly to the wear-time of your lipstick. However it does have a silicone feel that smooths your lips and dries almost semi-matte. This makes it the perfect balm to apply under lipstick because the colour doesn't slide around like it does with other balms. This Lip Primer has also been a favourite of mine because it actually leaves your lips feeling moisturized for most of the day even under your lippy. My lip colour for pretty much every week day has been this PS Love Lip Liner. This liner is just darker than my natural lips so its subtle enough to wear to work, but leaves me not feeling like makeup is not too 'Plain Jane'. This is a slightly dark, berry pink, with grey-ish undertones, which I really like as it makes the lip colour pop just the right amount. Being a liner it has a matte finish, it doesn't last all day, but when it wears off evenly and for £1 I think its fab.

And breathe, I think that's it for another month of beauty favourites, what have you loved this month?

Lip Lava;

Something I've been meaning to talk about for the longest time are these Lip Lavas from I <3 Makeup. When these first came out they were so super hyped, that I didn't jump to ordering them. They almost looked a little too good to be true, but I've totally fallen for them and here's why.

Lip Lava's are liquid lipsticks in a squeezy tube that you apply through a sponge applicator, kind of like some lip glosses. Except they're completely different. These have been named £2.99 dupes of Too Faced Melted Lipsticks and I can completely see why even without trying them. The formula is like a lipstick left in the sun, glossy but still thick. I'm not sure if its down to formula or application, but although being glossy they don't feather around the edges at all when you apply. They go on evenly to give you a pigmented lip colour, like you'd get with any lipstick. When first applied they are glossy. But with wear it fades to matte look that lasts longer than any lipstick I have. This doesn't budge even with eating and drinking. These are my go-to night out lip colours as you don't have to worry about reapplication and they feel comfortable all night. I once experienced flaking but that was due to applying gloss over the top, and this faded the colour as well. My only other issue is that they're simply aren't enough shades... Hint, hint.

My favourite shade is Firestorm, which is a pillarbox red. This is the only red lip I can wear anywhere because I don't have to worry about touching it up.

Shockwave is a cool toned fuschia purple. I'm still not sure if I can pull this off but its definitely unique.

Forgiven is a brown toned nude. I think this ticks the box of the 90's lip trend, but I think it would be better suited to someone with a darker skin tone that my own.

Tremor is the perfect medium pink that is perfect for everyday.

Unleash is another bold one, its a gorgeous orange that I think would be great over summer.

You can buy these from the Makeup Revolution website alone or as a set.

Rosewood;

Two of my favourite things to watch are Pretty Little Liars and Velvetgh0st. So when this lipstick named Rosewood (where PLL is set) from Max Factor was given Gabby Lindley's seal of approval I knew I had to have it.

The packaging alone is gorgeous, its made from metal. The lid is a frosted gold colour, with the inside being a shinier gold. This is easily one of the most luxurious lipsticks from the drugstore. There's also a clear panel at the bottom which we all know is super handy when you're rummaging around your lipstick collection. The colour of this a pretty natural lip colour, with a reddish tint. This goes on really smoothly, and feels moisturising on the lips. It has a shiny finish, but isn't glossy or sticky. The colour also stays on your lips for a really long time. I think both the consistency and longevity of this lipstick make it feel more high-end than drugstore and I really want to get my hands on some more Max Factor lippies!

August... & September Beauty Favourites;

I've had a couple of super busy months, and finally broke my chain of favourites. I've been away twice and spent a lot of time with my friends before going back to my studies. I also celebrated my results, which I am really proud of. As well as attending my first festival and getting a new job. Unfortunately that means my blog has been a little quiet, so I've compiled everything that I've loved over the 2 months for a super favourites!

My only skincare favourite is this moisturiser from Natural Collection at Boots. I put another scent of this in another favourites post and this one is just as good. This is thicker than your average daily moisturiser, but no so thick that it's hard to rub in. It makes your skin feel so much softer and I can still feel the effect of this the day after use.

Moving onto makeup I have to mention this Smashbox Eye Primer again. This stuff doesn't budge or crease and is festival tried and tested. I applied this at 10am and my eyeshadow was still perfect when I stumbled back to my tent at 3am and it even kept loose glitter on my lids!

I also picked up this Rimmel Liquid Liner a little while ago. I tend to prefer potted liner over pen as I find its blacker and lasts so much longer. This is pure black and doesn't dry too matte but also isn't super shiny which is great. The brush on this is super thin making it great for precision and you can create thin lines or build it up. I still don't always get it right but it's easy to remove when wet but will not budge when it has dried.

When I'm not using liquid liner I like to use this Brown Avon Glimmerstick smudged across my lash line for a softer look. I really like these as they're the longest lasting liners I've ever tried.

My favourite palette this month has been my Makeup Revolution Iconic 2 Palette as its so versatile. The deep and shimmery browns are great to create smokier looks for daytime. There are also some cool-toned shadows which aren't usually my cup of tea, but the taupes and greys look lovely for nights out! All of the shades are pigmented and last all day and night with a good primer!
My next favourite is from a Ted Baker makeup set that I was bought for Christmas last year and while most of it was pretty crap I've actually been reaching for the brow pencil a lot recently. I've got to admit that it's not the best I've ever tried, however it isn't too waxy and is a nice cool toned medium brown. It's about the only thing that matches my 'I'm too lazy to dye my hair'.

The last makeup item that I've been loving over the past 2 months has been my Mac Lipstick in Pink Plaid. This is an all-time favourite of mine. Its a middle-of-the-range shade of pink, with cool, grey undertones that makes it understated as well as unique.  I've been reaching for it a lot lately because I think it really offsets the smokier eye looks that I've been going for.

My last favourite is the handbag I bought last month, I had to mention it because I love it and it only cost me just over £20. I live close to Clark's Village which is home to a lot of retail outlets, so I managed to get this heavily reduced from £60. I love it because the darker blue it makes it perfect for Autumn and the snakeskin is unique. Its also the perfect size, large enough to fit alot in it. But not quite enough for the kitchen sink.

What have you been loving lately?