September seemed to fly by, and since October arrived, the weather has been miserable. To cheer myself up, I thought I'd spread some positivity and run through the products that I've been loving over the past month.
I love Origins; the brand currently dominates over any other in my weekly routine. The natural brand is raved about by many bloggers, but I never see anything about this little gem - the Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Renewal Cream. Personally, I like to use a separate moisturiser both AM and PM and prefer a heavier and more nourishing cream at night. This cream fits the bill perfectly. Firstly (and least importantly), it smells delicious, like oranges. The cream is very thick and hydrating and leaves my skin with such a radiance once I've applied it but still sinks in well. I like to call it a cocooning cream as it's full of nourishing, renewing ingredients and works to transform the skin. If your face is at all dry, this moisturiser sorts any rough texture and dehydration out in no time. In the morning, my skin continues to look radiant and feels super soft and smooth. At £44, this moisturiser is reasonably priced as you only need a small amount to avoid overloading the skin. The packaging may not be anything to shout and scream about, but what's inside certainly is!
I received this very generous sample of the Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Bi-Phase Serum when I recently made a Clarins order. Having combination skin that gets oily in places and very dry in others, I rely on serums to hydrate the deeper layers of skin under my moisturiser to try and even everything out. Putting my trusted Chanel hydrating serum to one side for a moment, I thought I'd try this one out as a slightly more affordable alternative. The HydraQuench serum formula is very liquid, so it can be slightly messy to apply as you only need a couple of pumps and the dispenser can be a bit unpredictable. It starts to feel tacky as it sinks into the skin, but I love that as you really feel your skin cells drinking up every last drop. Immediately after application, the skin feels refreshed and looks dewy. Long-term, it's certainly helped my thirsty skin to look brighter, plumper and more glowing. Many of my stubborn dry patches have been banished, too, which is amazing. At £48, this serum is not cheap by any means, but it's definitely more affordable than some of my previous go-to alternatives and performs just as well. As soon as my sample is running low, I'll be rushing to my nearest Clarins counter to purchase the full size!
Dior's Addict Lipstick in Createur has quickly become one of my all time favourite lipsticks since I purchased it around two months ago. It's a warm, rosy-brown nude shade with a subtle shimmer running through it that isn't too obvious. Unfortunately, my swatch image above does not do the lipstick total justice, so go out and swatch it at a Dior counter near you for the full effect! The fabulous colour lasts on the lips well and gives a smooth, shiny finish, without being too sticky or so glossy that your hair gets easily caught in it. It has the texture that makes your lips look plumper and more full without you needing to use a lip liner to exaggerate their shape. They're juicy with one quick swipe. As a bonus, Dior's lipstick packaging is always so decadent, with the iconic shape, holographic plastic and Dior embossing. These lipsticks sit at the very expensive end of the spectrum at £39, but they are definitely worth the splurge for a special occasion (or every day if you're bougie!) in my opinion.
As a dry hair girl, leave-in conditioners are a must for me. When my hair's damp, I spritz some of the Redken All Soft Supple Touch Spray through the lengths and ends and then blow dry and style as usual. First of all, it smells of coconuts, which I just love (who doesn't?), and the fragrance lingers in your hair after styling. But it doesn't just impart a delicious scent - it really does make a difference to how my hair both feels and looks. Infused with Argan oil, it smooths frizz, adds shine and improves hydration levels. And the results are long lasting, rather than just temporary, if you consistently use it. Redken's All Soft leave-in conditioner is so much lighter than a hair oil/serum, which makes it perfect for anyone with finer hair as it doesn't weigh the hair down at all. My hair is very long and fairly fine, but it's just so chronically dry that I like to pair it with my Morrocan Oil for an extra boost of nourishment. I use the Redken All Soft Spray on damp hair and finish off my style with a tiny dose of hair oil at the ends once it's dry - a perfect combination, if you ask me! My hair just feels so much softer, any frizz is tamed and you get such a sleek, glossy finish when you've finished styling. For the high quality, Redken products are such good value and this leave-in conditioner is no different at just £14.70 for 150ml.
L'Oreal's Volume Million Lashes Extra Black Mascara does just what it says on the tube, providing volume, separation and length all in one. The pointed, plastic mascara wand enables you to create your ideal lash look and delivers this with a blacker than black finish. The brush wiper inside the tube removes excess mascara with every re-dip, ensuring that the wand is never too wet and clumping is minimised. The brush is fairly chunky, but it isn't so big that you get mascara everywhere, and the pointed tip allows you to grab every pesky lash at the corner of your eye. Unlike some mascaras, this one doesn't dry out too quickly, so it lasts for a good few months before you need to replace it. To be honest, I rarely buy premium mascaras as there are so many great options from high-street brands. L'Oreal's mascaras always impress me, so it's a bonus that I can pick up the Volume Million Lashes Extra Black Mascara for just £11.99!
Have you tried any of my recent favourites?
AGB X
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