September Favourites

Well hello there Chaps!

It's time again for the end of the month round ups - part one being faves from the last month. There are considerably less for September, as I went a tad overboard last time - there's nothing in the bath and body category either.

I simply cannot accept nor fathom that it's already October. I'm back in opaque tights, boots, and I even wore a scarf at work today, such was my feelings of chilliness. Not that I mind, because I prefer to dress for chilly weather, and the wasps go away. There are even Christmas bits popping up in shops already. I don't even want to do Christmas - can we just cancel it and have a takeaway curry instead? I feel physically sick at the thought of having to spend obscene amounts of time and money for unnecessary gifts (uh-oh, in full Scrooge mode now). Right now I'd rather go on holiday.

Hair

Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor

Now, I don't want to say too much about this as I'm planning a lone review, but I'm really pleased I bit the bullet with this one!

Richard Ward Couture Hair Tri-Active Serum with Argan Oil

This stuff is amazing. Every time I've used it (on wet hair), my horrible, scruffy ends have become soft, light, and touchable. Works seriously well with the Joico Reconstructor. If you saw my last post, I mentioned the cost and the possibility of a fairly cheap sample from the Latest in Beauty website. As the full size is £27, and this bottle is half that amount for £8, I went ahead and bought another bottle of the little fudger already.

Dove Hair Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo

I picked this 250ml bottle up from the 99p store, as well as the Intensive Repair Shampoo. I've had samples for both the conditioners and was fairly impressed so for 99p each I decided to grab these. I wasn't expecting to like a 99p shampoo so much but this one felt lovely to use. I once went to an awful hairdresser whose only decent piece of advice was this: "a good shampoo will make your hair feel as though it's already been conditioned when you wash it out" and for me, this one delivered. I don't know if it might create build-up over time, but it's a great starter for a real pampering wash, like this trio here.

Skincare

Origins Super Spot Remover

I have a few bits from an Origins order that I'll probably feature soon, but this was one of the items I was desperate to use. I've heard good things and this has made a visible difference to various skin nasties after just a couple of uses. It's definitely a treatment rather than prevention, but it wasted no time in calming down a few nasties. The bottle is tiny but I'm hoping it will be a case of 'a little goes a long way' with this - I'm pretty clumsy so I will have to be extra careful not to squeeze too much out.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

Received in my GlossyBox, I can feel this really firming my under eyes when I use it. I have had constant hereditary dark circles since I was a child, so I don't expect miracles for the 'just had my nose broken in a fight' look, but it certainly perks them up a bit.

Make-Up

Rimmel Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara in Extreme Black

 I was considering giving this it's own post but thought I may as well tuck my thoughts in here. I love mascaras with big fat brushes. A lot of people would disagree with me over the fact they can be quite tricky to get into those tiny/inner lashes. I'm quite lucky in that my natural eyelashes are quite long to begin with, so I love a bit of volume to beef them up. To me, most mascaras have the same effect on my lashes, hence why I like a big beefy brush to thicken them up a bit. Scandaleyes isn't too dissimilar from Maybelline's False Lash Effect, or at least the one's I've tried anyway. Maybelline seem to produce a new one with ever more ridiculous claims every week - Cat Eyes! Smoky Eyes! Winged Eyes! Squid Eyes!* Here's a pic of my startled looking eye after an every day application:

*note: one of these Mascara names has been fabricated for my own cynical amusement.

I wouldn't necessarily repurchase right now as there are just thousand of mascaras out there, waiting to be tried. I have a favourite for everyday, but that's another story for another time kids.

Real Techniques Brushes, Assorted

I love the word assorted, it makes me think of biscuits, which isn't really difficult to be honest, as I am almost always thinking about biscuits. ANYWAY these brushes have been elevated to Holy Grail status, I treat them as if they were my own children (they're just getting ready for bathtime in the above pics) and love them more than I could ever have possibly envisaged loving a make up brush collection. They bring me pure joy every time I use them. It's true love peeps! You can't ever come between us!

e.l.f. Professional Shine Eraser Oil Absorbing Aheets

It is a sad fact my dears, that I am afflicted by the old oiliness. By lunchtime I'm looking to mop up some of that excess shine, and these do the trick rather nicely. I got two packs when e.l.f. held a 50% off sale, which meant they were ridiculously cheap, even more so than their original price of £1.50. They're cheap, they do what they're supposed to do - what' not to like? Will definitely be repurchasing.

L: Willow, R: Platinum Tiara

L: Platinum Tiara, R: Willow

Love & Beauty by Forever 21 Lip Gloss in Pink/Coral

This caught my eye (as so many pretty things do) whilst queuing for the tills at Forever 21, I was drawn to the lovely pop of pink and when I saw it was only £2.40, I was sold. It reminds me a little of a  M.A.C lip glass or dazzle glass, because it smells fab, and the formula feels nice to wear, as well as not having too wishy-washy a colour. It can be built up, and has the perfect amount of shimmer.

Natural Collection Eyeshadow in Willow

I thought I liked last month's shade, but I love this one. It's a gorgeous cool-toned neutral, and reminds me a bit of M.A.C's Naked Lunch. It's buildable and smooth and works really well all over the lid.

Bare Minerals Eye Shadow in Platinum Tiara

I got this in a GlossyBox, and hadn't tried it until recently. I get a little bit precious with fancier products, I hate having to take the packaging off, or spoil the pristine pan of product, as if it's spoiling it somehow. I'm glad I bucked the trend and used this, as it's a perfect accompaniment to Willow. I used my beloved RT brushes to create a smokey eye for a couple of nights out in September. Platinum Tiara looked great in the crease, and I brought it down under the outer third of my lower lashline with my detailer brush - the colours really made my Hazel/Green eyes pop!

Well, I think that's everything. I feel I should have popped my new Balmi in there as well as I'm somewhat besotted with the charming little blob, so you can just pretend.

Have you tried/do you want to try any of my September favourites? What have you been loving lately?

P.S. One last thing... this is really random, even for me, but it just came up on my iPod's shuffle playlist, and I wanted to share my nostalgic singalong with you. I've got a bit of a soft spot for these guys' back catalogue, and I feel this one often gets overlooked amongst all the old corkers, so... enjoy the cheese, and tell me if you remember this!

(Sorry, it's the only version of the original video and track I could find)

Sticky Kisses!