January 2012 Favourites!

Can you believe it's February already?! I genuinely have no idea where all this time goes - I definitely don't seem to be doing any productive with it, that's for sure.

Only one make-up item in my faves this month! Pretty crazy but I've been more focused on keeping my skin & hair in good condition (an impossible task.)

L-R Clockwise:

Superdrug Vitamin E  SPF Radiance Moisture Cream: This is a great face highlighter! I've been using this over my makeup, above my cheekbones & eyebrows all month. It's really subtle but definitely noticeable & it does an excellent job at brightening up my dry skin whilst moisturising it - major bonus points for that! As another plus, it smells delicious.

In the picture above (click to enlarge) I have rubbed it in to the right side of my hand. What do you think?

Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask: Not going to say too much about this product as I'd really like write up a separate review on it. Although I have dry skin, I am still very prone to blemishes & I find this mask really leaves my skin feeling clean & seems to clear out all the nasties. My skin is also quite sensitive & unlike he majority of other masks, this doesn't irritate it all...hooray! Overall a great addition to my skincare routine, especially during the winter months.

VO5 Hot Oil 'Moisture Soak Elixir' - This is genuinely the only thing that makes a considerable amount of difference to the condition, feel & shine of my hair. It's a miracle product for me! After many years of bleaching my hair, last year I finally saw the light & stopped. I had it dyed to as close to my natural hair colour as possible & have been growing it out ever since (perhaps 6 months now?) However, I am still dealing with the ridiculous amounts of damage my hair suffered as a result from evil, evil bleach.

It's applied to wet hair, before shampooing etc & left on for one minute only. During that minute it somehow transforms my hair into silky, shiny, soft  LOVELINESS...without weighing it down. Having very thin, fine hair I find it very difficult to find products that make it soft and silky without weighing down it down & making it look limp & lifeless (even the Kerastase treatments have this affect). I love this product, use it once a week & will continue to do so forever (or until I find something better, if such a thing exists?!)

I wish I could find an everyday shampoo version of this. Hmmph.


Soap & Glory Hand Food: Hannah from http://lovelettersandsnippets.blogspot.com/ sent this to me in a giveaway! :) I've used it before & it's definitely a keeper. As well as smelling delicious it sinks in quickly, leaves your hands feeling soft & keeps them smelling yummy. Very important to keep your hands hydrated during this cold weather.

TRESemme Restructuring Deep Conditioning Treatment Mask: I have discovered that this is really great for making the 'frazzled' ends of my hair look, well...less frazzled? I've been using it on the ends of my hair & leaving it for 5 minutes every time I wash my hair & as a result my hair looks much sleeker. It is of a very thin consistency which can sometimes make it a bit messy getting it out of the tub, but hey ho.

1000x better than Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle. Sorry! :) It's true. 

VO5 'Give Me Texture' Instant Oomph Powder: So handy for giving my fine hair a bit of volume at the roots! I use this every day. It's super quick too - shake onto roots, work in with fingers, tidy hair up a bit...et voila! Sorted. As with all VO5 products, it smells good enough to eat too.

e.l.f Studio Matte Lip Colour in Tea Rose: I don't think I would've ever picked up this colour if I'd seen in in a shop, but I put it in my online basket when I bought some brushes etc from e.l.f (it was only £2.45!) & I'm now so happy that I bought this on a whim! The colour is pink with very brown tones, which I would think is very flattering & wearable for most people. Most of all I LOVE that it gives a matte lipstick finish but that it's super moisturising at the same time- usually the matte/moisturising combo is quite unobtainable I find. It does start to feel dry after a while, but the good thing is that it can be applied again & again without looking cakey. Due to it's pencil-like form, it isn't difficult to put on without a mirror if need be either. I'm a fan!

Not beauty related at all & I know I'm a million years behind everyone else reading this trilogy but I am LOVING The Hunger Games! I haven't been engrossed in a book so much for a long time - I've wanted a book to get stuck in to for ages & quite frankly, if I could do nothing but read these books all day until they're finished instead of moving/doing anything..I really would. Hahaha. I'm half way through 'Catching Fire' (the second book) right now & enjoying it immensely.

Have you tried any of these products or do you plan to? What do you think?!