Current Favourites

So it's been a good few months since I last wrote on of these posts and due to me having a bit of a stressful couple of weeks (I'm very much looking forward to the long weekend!), I figured it was high time to talk about some things that I've been really enjoying.

B. Pure Micellar Water
I've been a little wary of the micellar water hype that has swept the entire internet, but as I'm running out of my favourite make-up cleanser (Soap & Glory's Peaches & Clean) I was looking out for a slightly cheaper product to do the job. This was reduced in Superdrug to just £2.45, so it seemed like a bit of a no-brainer to pick up. And it is truly fab. Just a few drops on a cotton pad got rid of all my face make-up. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on the B. range at Superdrug which is pretty reasonably priced and all entirely Cruelty Free which is nice.

Township App
So this is possibly the first app I've been properly addicted to since the heady early days of Candy Crush. I first heard about this in Emma Pickles' February Favourites, downloaded it, and have been contently harvesting wheat and wool ever since. It's essentially a kind of town-building game, where you begin with a farming community & essentially work on growing into more of a thriving city. There's even a zoo that you unlock at some point, making it kind of a blend of SimCity and Zoo Tycoon (two of my favourite games growing up).

(I'm now on about level 20...)

Amazon Fire TV Stick
This was actually a birthday present from my brother (the first present he's bought me a) out of his own money & b) without any prodding from my Mum) and it's great. For those of you who don't know, it essentially turns your TV into a smart TV, meaning you can watch all the on-demand channels, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video through your TV. It's been great for me to finally finish off watching series I've started on Netflix when I'm eating dinner rather than watching an episode of Come Dine with Me for the hundredth time.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
I've had my eye on this foundation since it came out, and I believe it was Gemma's review that really cemented it as something that I wanted to buy. I tend to be a high street girl for all things make-up, but asked for a Debenhams gift card for my birthday so I could finally pick this up. It's really natural looking on the skin and feels really light too despite giving good coverage and being really blendable with my concealers. The only downside is that it doesn't really wear as well as my usual work day foundation (Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation) even when 'set' with powder, so I am on a mission to find a decent (and not crazy expensive) primer-so if you have any recommendations please let me know!

Clipper Lemon & Green Tea
I'd completely forgotten how much I enjoyed green tea. Whilst I do quite like the subtle taste of standard green tea, this with a hint of lemon is even more tasty and is really refreshing. While I do, of course, love standard English Breakfast tea there's something just weirdly calming about having some green tea in the evening.

Marks & Spencer Lemon Curd & Almond Shortbread
Another birthday present which I have made me way through was this tin of shortbread. These are so good. I'm not sure if they're still available in store (my birthday was Mother's Day so they may have been a limited gift purchase) but if they are I recommend grabbing a pack. Lemon curd and almond didn't sound like a 'normal' combination, but the tangy lemon and almond texture just works. Trust me.

What have you been loving recently?

Amy
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Current Favourites

(Can you tell my concealer exploded over my make-up bag?)

So, I haven't done a favourites post in a couple of months, and after a bit of a iffy few weeks (in which I lost my debit card, lost my SD card and certain government actions made me want to cry) I thought it would be nice to put together a little list of things I've been enjoying.

Bourjois Air Matte Foundation

I'm forever on the hunt to find a foundation that I can put on and just feel really happy with. One of my real favourites is the L'Oreal Infallible Matte foundation, but I have to use it sparingly as it appears my skin is not quite as crazy about it. This new release from Bourjois has impressed me a fair bit though. Although it does run a tad yellow (like most of the brand's foundations) and is attracted to dryness; it lasts really well even on my oily skin and doesn't feel or look cakey which is something I always hate when my skin isn't feeling too great.

Benefit They're Real Lash Primer

I got this as a sample with Elle magazine, and I'll admit to being a little sceptical at first. The They're Real mascara doesn't really work on my lashes, it tends to flake and leave my eyes feeling really irritated. However, this primer is seriously amazing. It can be worn by itself as a brown natural mascara which still gives really good length or as a first layer under pretty much any mascara. I'm a bit obsessed with giving my lashes length so I really, really love this.

Yankee Candle in Fireside Treats
It's a candle that smells like marshmallows. What's not to adore. I know I should probably be burning Christmas scents, but I like to use them after Christmas to try and keep the season going.

London Spy

I'm so hoping that some of you watch this, so I can talk conspiracy theories with you but London Spy is a definite favourite. It’s a new BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw as Danny who has a chance encounter with investment banker Alex (Edward Holfcroft). Alex is awkward and this appears to be his first proper relationship and they fall in love. Until Alex ends up dead inside a trunk in a sex attic, leaving Danny reeling. When he learns that Alex, real name Alistair, was actually worked for MI6 he is convinced of foul play and sets about trying to find out what really happened. It’s written by Tom Rob Smith who is the author of Child 44, and thus far I have literally no idea what is going on but the acting is seriously fantastic (and it’s one of those shows where literally everyone pops up) and it’s excellently filmed. [Edit: I wrote this prior to watching the last episode, which was SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT, let me know what you thought in the comments]

Master of None

This is Aziz Ansari of Parks & Rec fame’s very own series streaming on Netflix. It’s the story of Dev, an actor in New York as he attempts to negotiate the perils of adult life. There’s some great stuff about racism and immigration in it, and Ansari is a really engaging on-screen presence (although it’s pretty hard to tell where Dev ends and Aziz starts). Just fun watching, and a nice antidote to London Spy!

Hamilton

I'm kind of surprised that I haven’t mentioned this anywhere yet, but we need to talk about Hamilton. It’s a musical currently on Broadway which tells the story of the first Treasury Secretary of the United States, Alexander Hamilton, who was also the first politician embroiled in a sex scandal and was killed in a duel with long-time friend Aaron Burr. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also plays the titular character, it’s a hip-hop musical and stars mostly people of colour playing historically white characters. The lyrics are so smart and the music is catchy, the vocal performances are obviously all fantastic and you also learn a ton about the early days of the United States. You can listen to the cast album on Spotify, or download it from iTunes if you are properly keen. And then we can all cry together to “It’s Quiet Uptown”.

Welcome to Night Vale

This is a rediscovery favourite; I got into Welcome to Night Vale quite a while ago (I think when they had about 30 episodes) and then somehow fell out of habit of listening to them. Welcome to Night Vale is framed as a fictional local news station, but it’s quite clear that some very bizarre things are happening in Night Vale. It’s funny and completely weird.

The return of Serial
IT'S BACK. Whilst the first series focussed on a little known case, the new series features one that dominated American news last year, and judging by the comments on the Facebook page-one that many people still have strong feelings about. It's the story of Private Bergdahl who spent five years captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and who was released in a prisoner swap for five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay. However, within days of his return to the US it was revealed that his disappearance was maybe a little more complicated, and he was accused of desertion and is currently awaiting court-martial by the army. It's pretty different to the first season, but I'm really intrigued in the media/government/army angle that this story is likely to have.

Amy
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Current Favourites

Favourite posts tend to be a monthly thing within the beauty community both in the blogosphere and on YouTube. I don't really try enough new things each month to do these monthly (stick with what you know, right); but this is a sneak peak of the things I'm liking right now.

(Apologies for how grim the Ren bottle looks-at least you know I use it!?)

This is basically a bit of an insight into my skincare routine for the past few months. I picked up the Ren ClearCalm Clarifying Clay Cleanser after reading many good things about the brand and spotting it stocked on the M&S website (that link here) which meant a discount. I use this in the morning which always feels a tiny bit luxurious. A long time favourite is the Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean Deep Cleansing Milk, which is so good at removing make-up and lasts forever. Whilst I wouldn't say they totally cure my skin issues, but any break-outs do get dealt with quite quickly. I've also been loving the much-loved Soap & Glory Hand Food, I've previously been really lazy with hand cream but living somewhere where I have to wash-up means that I've been reaching for this loads to stop my hands feeling all weird and prawny.

If I do get a monster zit that all the positive thinking in the world won't diminish, the Soap & Glory Dr Spot Super Strength Breakout Clearing Gel is amazing at reducing a spot pretty much overnight. Though it can really sting if you apply it to a particularly sensitive spot, as a word of warning. In terms of make-up I've been enjoying anything that helps me look more awake. The Revlon Powder Blush in Haute Pink is bright without being scary, but definitely makes you look more alert. Rimmel's Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude is a) a complete bargain and b) amazing in the waterline to make you look like you have actually slept.

Moving on to another one of my loves, food. As a former M&S employee it pains me to admit that a competitors Meal Deal could be as good as our Dine In, but Tesco runs their £10 meal for two all the time and I indulged as a pay day treat. These are great if you have someone to share with, but if you're a single pringle you can also use them to take care of at least two meals. Plus, they have these truly amazing chocolate & salted caramel pots. So naughty, but so good. In slightly healthier food recommendations, the Pret a Manger Teriyaki Salmon Salad is to die for. It's about £5 but far better than cheaper supermarket versions, and I could quite happily eat just wakame seaweed. It's a definite treat for me, but really worth trying if you haven't yet.

Finally, something a little bit different. You've probably heard of the website Snapfish, which I hit up when I realised all my physical photos date from my first year at university. Downloading the app meant that I got 50 free prints, and it's in some way easier to use than the website. You can view photos from your phone, Facebook, Instagram and existing albums online, and can pay through the app as you would normally. I just like well-made apps. So yes.

What have you been enjoying lately?

Amy
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April Buys

After last months bonanza, I was a lot more restrained in the month of April, despite it being similarly rubbish. Although this post doesn't include the amount of chocolate/sweets/coffee that I've been buying as they don't really bear thinking about.

Marks & Spencer jeans

I only purchased one clothing item this month in the shape of these jeans from Marks & Spencer. They're really comfy and whilst the fit isn't really at Topshop level for me (the Joni's are my ultimate fave), these are a great everyday jean. Though I chose a size down and I would recommend you do the same, especially if you're at the smaller end of your size.

Gosh BB Cream in Sand

This next product is the only real miss of the month, and I am gutted. Jess at Foolish Oats uses this BB cream and really sold it to me, especially as Gosh is one of the very few high street brands that is cruelty free. It has a really silky texture and gives a nice sheer but buildable coverage. But the day after wearing it I woke up with the sort of spots I haven't had in ages so I doubt I'll be wearing it again. Worth checking out if your skin is less wimpy than mine.

Bourjois Rogue Edition Aqua Laque Liquid Lipstick in 1

I've previously mentioned this product in my I Love Spring post, but I was lured into buying one of the Bourjois Aqua Laque's. It's a really pretty pink colour on the lips and I love that it does feel very 'aqua', and not at all drying. It just doesn't really seem to last all that long.

Barry M Quick Dry Polishes in Eat My Dust and Lap of Honour 

Again, this is another product that has been previously mentioned, but I do really like these nail polishes. You do need a basecoat and topcoat to try and make them last longer than a day, but the polish does really dry super quickly.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Balm

This product only arrived in the last days of the month so I haven't had that much chance to use it. However, my lips are a bit of a disaster at the moment and I'm trying anything to make them look less sore and chapped. This certainly feels nourishing and smells pretty first-aidy so I've got my fingers crossed.

Amy

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Disclaimer: Although I currently work for M&S, I paid for those jeans with my own money. And I missed out on Double Discount by a day, d'oh.

The I Love Spring Tag

I saw this tag on Jennie's blog, and I thought it would give me the chance to do a  kind of favourites post as the questions definitely bring up some of my current most-used products.

Favourite thing about spring?

My favourite thing, and probably the most obvious, is the fact that the weather slowly starts to improve, and I no longer need to leave the house looking like a Michelin man. Plus, as I live pretty rurally it's nice to see the countryside start to come alive. Also lambs. And ducklings.

Are you a spring cleaner?

I tend to do random monthly cleans where I go through all my things and choose what to bin, give away and what to keep. But the new season definitely inspires me to go through my clothes and things to see what I really need.

Favourite spring candle?

I'm still getting into the whole candle thing, but I got the Yankee Candle in Garden Sweet Pea for my birthday and it does make my room smell really fresh.

Favourite spring accessory?

I don't have a specific accessory that I bring out in spring, but at the minute I am definitely carrying both my sunglasses and my umbrella everywhere I go. My absolute favourite thing about spring is that it's finally leather jacket weather, meaning that I can finally whip out my gorgeous leather jacket that I got for Christmas from Zara (a similar one is here)

Favourite spring nail polish?

My nail colours don't really change that much season to season, but a couple of new purchases means that at the moment I've really been enjoying pastel colours. The new Quick Dry Barry M range has been all over the internet, so this probably isn't anything new, but I own Eat My Dust and Lap of Honour and love them. As someone who constantly tries to do things within seconds of finishing my nails, this product is designed for me.

Favourite spring lip colour?

Again, I'm not a massive changer-upper of my lip colour season to season, I'm of the belief that you can rock any colour all year round. However, I do tend towards pinks during spring. I like the Seventeen lipstick in Beehive that I mentioned here; and I recently purchased the Bourjois Rogue Edition Aqua Laque (longest name ever?) in 1 and really like the colour.

Favourite spring blush?

I definitely lean towards blushes which have more of a 'sparkle' to them. Something that can give my face a bit of a lift in the sun.

(Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Lovely Pink | Soap & Glory Blush in Love at First Blush)

Favourite spring base?

I definitely prefer to wear a lighter base during the slightly warmer months. However, as I don't have the most flawless skin I do still need a bit of coverage which the Bourjois CC Cream really offers. It's lightweight and natural looking, but still covers redness really well. I do have to powder it to make it look less shiny so that's one to remember if you have oily-combination skin.

Favourite spring scent?

So my biggest beauty secret is that I'm really bad at wearing perfume. I've yet to find a scent that really feels like 'me'. However, in my collection the two that are the lightest are Paul Smith's Sunshine which I inherited from my Mum and is probably slowly evaporating. Another is Accessorize's Enchanted  which has a gorgeous bottle and a light scent-the only downside is that it doesn't last that long on my skin.

So that's all for a spring season favourites! 

What do you love about spring?

Amy

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January Favourites

January is known as being pretty much the worst month. It's a come down after the festive period, it seems to drag on forever and it's dark seemingly all the time. Therefore, focusing on the good is certainly helpful in getting through the month.

Maybelline Forever Strong in Divine Wine | Ciate Mini in Fit for a Queen

I have two nail polish favourites which is a definite side effect of work. We're allowed to wear nail polish so long as it looks nice, and not chipped. These two polishes did a really good job of lasting a long time and looking great. The Ciate polish came in my advent calender, and is really space-agey. I saw the Maybelline on Amelia Liana's instagram and it's really great-and does genunially last pretty much the 7 days it claims to. I use both of this with an Essie base coat, which probably helps.

Yankee Candle in Christmas Eve

I know technically Christmas Eve was a long time ago, but festive scents are probably my favourite thing. Plus, this was a Christmas present from my parents so I kind of had to burn it. This made my room feel really warm and I am pretty heartbroken that the wick has broken and so it just won't light anymore.

Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel 

I popped into Lush before Christmas as I bought my Mum a bath melt, and spied Rose Jam when I was there. This is a product I thought they'd discontinued and doesn't appear to be on the website anymore, but it smells heavenly. Think Turkish Delight in a bottle. If they bring it back I would definitely recommend it, and it does looks as though they have a bath product with the same scent.

Bourjois CC Cream

I tend to stay away from BB/CC creams generally because they don't tend to offer the coverage I need or tend to look pretty ashy on my skin. However, I was really pleasantly surprised by the Bourjois CC cream. It offers really good coverage without feeling really heavy.

I've been a subscriber to Elle UK for a while and just wanted to give this month's issue a shout-out. Whilst I'm not crazy about the fashions for the new seasons, I really liked Emma Forrest's article on growing up as a girl and a wonderful article about the ballerina Michaela DePrince, who was orphaned during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Plus, this month's Vogue had the individual cover debut of the gorgeous Jourdan Dunn, important in the sense that women of colour are hardly ever represented within the fashion industry. Plus, there's a really good article about David Miliband, the former Labour MP who now runs an NGO. Annoyingly, you can't read any of these online but if you can track the magazines down before the March issues come out-I would recommend them both.