Most Used & Favourites Beauty Products ♡ Summer 2018

Monthly Favourites was a thing back in when I first started my blog and I have tired to follow the trend and failed most of the time because the products I use is pretty much the same every month. Although I do try out new products from time to time, it's only for a short period and then I am back with the products that I am most familiar with. 

I thought maybe I should change things up a little bit and write my favourites and most used beauty products seasonally. Obviously, you won't see me in a bright coral lipstick in winter, so, maybe the idea of a seasonally favourites would make things interesting.

Starting today, March 2018, I am sharing with you my first summer favourites and most used product. 

Summer Favourites 2018

Remember this haul where I shared with you my purchase of the MAC Prep + Prime Fix + in Lavender, Rose and Coconut? Well, I have been using the Lavender scent as a facial mist and I like that it's refreshing and moisturising, I also like the Sized to Go, as it's handy to carry around.

I have read an article where someone has mentioned that all Micellar Water are pretty much the same as they have the same ingredients, just different branding and different packaging. It may be true, but this claim doesn't make me stop buying Micellar Water from different brands, as you know, most of the time I buy beauty products based on its' packaging. I have been using the Etude House Monster Micellar Cleansing Water and I am absolutely in love with the coconut scent. I use about 7 or 8 makeup pads to remove a full face of makeup with this product and I always love the result, my face feels and looks very clean, it doesn't stint my eyes and it doesn't leave my face with that super squeaky clean feeling.

UD's All Nighter setting spray used to be my all time favourite, I take it every where with me and I buy several backups just incase I run out, but lately I have been using the Urban Decay De-Slick setting spray and I think this may be my new favourite. I find that it does a better job at keeping my makeup in place for longer hours.

Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spray and the MAC Prep + Prime Lavender Fix + mentioned above pretty much does the same job, except that I bring the MAC Fix + with me everywhere I go and Mario Badescu is like a stay-at-home product.

If I remember it correctly, this is my third bottle of The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution, ever since I bought my first bottle in Germany back in 2016, I have been so obsessed with this product and it has definitely made it into my holy grail list. I use this product as the first step of my makeup routine and I like that my face is a lot smoother nowadays, pimples don't randomly pop up unless it's that time of the month and it keeps my makeup stays in place throughout the day.

Summer Favourites 2018

My most used concealers this summer is the Too Faced Born This Way Concealer, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser and the ColourPop No Filter Concealer. My favourite out of all three is definitely the TF Born This Way, I love that it's buildable, but it doesn't feel heavy, it has a great coverage and it doesn't crease during wear, also it smells like coconut and that is a big win win for me. ColourPop No Filter is also great and affordable, it has a thick and creamy texture that applies smoothly, but I dislike that it dries so fast and it doesn't give you time to blend out, so the only way to have a perfect application is to apply an area one by one, instead of covering your whole face in concealer then blend out. Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser is just an okay product to me and it's one of those that I don't really understand the hype. The thing that annoys me the most is having to twist the tube for a long time for the concealer to come out and it's probably my fault for choosing the wrong shade, I have the 'brightener' and it makes my undereye looks ghostly.

Urban Decay All Night Liquid Foundation is literally the best foundation for those with oily skin that loves a full coverage look. I have worn this foundation for more than 12 hours, apart from my nose area where my glasses often slides down and removes whatever makeup I have on the day, other parts of my face stays flawless. Although the formula is thick and creamy, it doesn't feel heavy during wear. I am in the shade #2.5 and I have also tried #3.5 which is a bit too dark on me (click here to see swatches).

CandyDoll BB Cream has been mentioned in my Best of 2014 Foundations & Concealers and 2015 Beauty Favourites. I have tried a lot of new products during 2016 and 2017 and I don't remember reaching for this BB Cream, but I have fallen in love with it again this summer. It has a liquidy texture that feels lightweight with a good coverage, it gives you that naturally dewy look and it wears for a good amount of time.

My most used primer this summer is the Mecca Multi-Purpose Plumping Balm and the Wet n Wild Coverall Primer. They are both great at keeping my makeup in face throughout the day and I love both equally. Mecca has a thicker texture while Wet n Wild is more runny, on days that I wear absolutely no makeup, just primers, I would go for Wet n Wild as it makes my face feels like a baby bum, it feels so smooth and mattifying at the same time.

Summer Favourites 2018

Summer Favourites 2018

Summer Favourites 2018

I bought the Guerlain Meteorites Pearls in 2014, it has been mentioned in my 2015 and my 2016 Beauty Favourites, it's definitely one of my all time favourite beauty products and as you can see in the photo above, it's been more than three years since the purchase and there is still a lot of product left. I have the shade in 'Clair' and I use it as an overall powder. I love that it's not cakey and it gives my face my absolute flawless look.

As you know I am a makeup collector and I rarely hit pan on products, especially not bronzers nor highlighters, but surprise surprise, I have hit pan on the highlighter of the Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow and the Too Cool For School Art Class Bronzer. CT Film Star Bronze and Glow is another holy grail that I have talked about so much on my blog and used in almost every single makeup looks posted on here and the TCFS Bronzer is actually a newly purchased product that I was testing and preparing to review, but I can't believe that I hit pan this fast. TCFS Bronzer is literally life for those with a light skin-tone, it gives you just enough shading and you can never go over the top with this product.

NARS Double Take Overexposed Glow Highlighter was purchased in November last year and it has already become my most reached for highlighter this summer. This highlighter has lips shaped embossed on the actual product when it's brand new, which you can see it here, but as you can see I have obviously used it a lot and it just looks ugly now. I love that the highlighter gives a soft glow that looks natural and it's wearable on any occasion.

Summer Favourites 2018

I have been switching between the 3 Concept Eyes Love 3CE Cheek Maker #Orangish and NARS Dolce Vita this summer and my most reached for is definitely NARS. This is a mini sized from the Dolce Vita + Audrey Love Triangle Set. The colour seems more suitable for the winter season when looking from the pan, but when applied with a brush, it transform into a sheer rosy shade.

Summer Favourites 2018

Summer Favourites 2018

Can you believe it?! Two years ago I don't fuss over my brows and a year ago I only wear eyeshadows in makeup looks and now it's full on eyebrows and eyeshadows on a daily basis.

I started wearing eyeshadows to work towards the end of 2017 and my most reached for is definitely the Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette. In my daily routine, I always use the shade 'Peaches n Cream' as the base and the shades 'Bellini', 'Luscious' or 'Candied Peach' all over my lids depending on the clothes and lip colours I am paring with on the day.

I also use ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in the shades 'Posey' or 'Tea Party' on days that I feel like I need some sparkles.

As for brows, at the moment I am obsessed with the ColourPop Precision Brow Pencil, I love that although it has a creamy texture, it doesn't break easily, it glides on precisely, smoothly and it stays on all day. I have also been using the Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil, but I seem to always have this love hate thing with it. I love its slanted shaped pencil as I can draw on the most perfect brows without even trying, but I dislike that it's a little bit too waxy and sometimes it doesn't fill in the brows evenly which really frustrates me when I am running late.

Summer Favourites 2018

Summer Favourites 2018

YSL Glossy Stain is one of my favourites throughout all seasons, I love that it melts into my lips upon application and it leaves a cooling feel after application. I have the shade is 07 Corail Aquatique, it's a light orangey coral shade that is perfect the summer. (click here to see my lip swatches)

Wearing a lip gloss in New Zealand depends on the weather nor the season, and the weather could change from good to bad several times in one day, so the chances of wearing a lip gloss is not that often, but I keep buying anyway, because I love lip products.

I have been switching between the Guerlain Gloss d'Enfer Maxi Shine Lipgloss and the Too Faced Lip Injection during the summer, Guerlain Maxi Shine Gloss is another one of my favourites, I have the shade in #901 L'Oiseau de Feu and it used to be a clear gloss with golden sparkles, but as you can see, I have been wearing it with other lip colours that it has now turned into a pinky shade.

Guerlain KissKiss Roselip in Pink Me Up is a newly purchased item that I have been reaching for a lot lately, I like that it gives a sheer wash of colour, but I dislike that I have to re-apply every hour. It's pretty much a tinted lip balm, but it's not as good as the Innisfree Glow Tint.

The old name for Innisfree Glow Tint is called Innisfree Eco Flower Tint Balm, I have all five shades from the range, but the shade that I love the most and have almost emptied is 'Camellia'. This is also a tinted lip balm, but it's 100 x better than the Guerlain KissKiss Roselip. It's a lot more pigmented, the colours doesn't fade throughout meals and there's no need to re-apply hourly as the colour stays on for forevers.

MAC Hug Me Lipstick came as part of the MAC Look In A Box Natural Flare Collection in 2017, the lipstick is part of the permanent range, so it can be purchased individually. I have been reaching for this a lot through the summer, it's a stable in my purse, hence why it looks so wobbly right now as it has melted and fixed in the fridge too many times. I get compliments every time I wear this and that is probably why I am currently obsessed with it.

Summer Favourites 2018

Summer Favourites 2018

Lastly, I have been using MAC Shadescents in Candy Yum Yum almost every day during the summer, while it is described as a flirty scent, the bottle is bright and girly and the overall scent and packaging screams summer, my main purpose is to empty this bottle so that I can buy a new perfume that I have been eyeing up for ages. MAC Shadescents aren't bad but I am just not really feeling it.

Everyday Makeup Favourites ♡ ft. Farsali, Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass, Etude House, YSL, Laneige + More!

Being a beauty blogger and a makeup hoarder means that I have a huge collection of makeup, I am trying to keep up with new trends and I am constantly buying new makeup to try. People often asked if I struggle to choose what products to use in the morning and my answer is always NO, although I do own a lot of makeup, the products shown in this post are the only products I reach for everyday.

These are my everyday favourites, as well as holy grail. Some of these products has been mentioned plenty of times on my blog, or I have already done re-purchases on them, so you can already tell that these are not just current favourites, but they are all time favourites!

MAKEUP BRUSHES

I have all types of makeup brushes in my collection, with different brands from high-end to drugstore; my most used are face brushes and I have a few sets that I change regularly. 

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

 REAL TECHNIQUES Duo-Fiber Face Brush is described as to use for lightweight application and for blending of face powders and pigments. I use it for bronzers and I love that it delivers the products subtly even with bronzers that are very pigmented. 

 Pink Heart Shaped Brush is unbranded, I bought it from Aliexpress and I use it for blushes. 

 KAT VON D Shade + Light Contour Brush is a dual-ended brush with an angled end for contouring and a tapered domed end for highlighting. This is my NUMBER 1 reached for makeup brush, the bristles is so soft and it blends the products (any powder products, it doesn't have to be KVD) beautifully! I use the angled end for bronzing and contouring, and I use the tapered domed end for highlighting or setting the under eye area.

 DIOR Powder Foundation Brush is literally the BEST for setting powders! I have used this brush for many years and it's still going strong. It doesn't matter what setting powders I use, high-end, drugstore or whatever, the brush makes my face looks FLAWLESS! 

 JESSUP Flat Top Foundation Brush is best for applying liquid foundation and I find that it makes my skin looks very smooth. I love all types of flat top foundation brushes, it doesn't matter what brand it is, I feel like they all works the same. I used to have a xoBeauty one that I used to love but it broke and I just haven't got around to buying another one. 

 SIGMA Large Angled Contour F40 Brush is recommended use for applying blush or bronzer to cheekbones, the one I have is from the Mrs. Bunny Essential Brush Kit, I'm not sure if the set is still available to purchase as I bought it years ago, but this brush can be purchase individually, just not in the blue packaging. I think Sigma makes the best makeup brushes, I love all the ones that I own.

 ETUDE HOUSE My Beauty Tool Secret Brush 160 Duo Fiber is recommended for highlighting, but I use mine with bronzers and it pretty much does it same with the Real Techniques Duo-Fiber, except this one is less fluffier and the bristles aren't as soft as the RT.

 ETUDE HOUSE My Beauty Tool Brush 140 Powder is recommended for powders or mineral foundation, I have tried it the way Etude House recommended, but it's too small in my opinion. I use mine for blushes.

FARSALI UNICORN ESSENCE

Farsali Unicorn Essence is MY MAKEUP DRUG! I am obsessed with it and it doesn't matter if I was wearing a full face of makeup or I am on a makeup-free day, it has to be involved in some way.

I see the Unicorn Essence in my Instagram feed almost every day and before I tried it myself I couldn't under the hype on this product and I thought it's just one of those products that companies pays bloggers to rave about, but the actual product is crap... (you know one of those)... but, NO! NO! NO! UNICORN ESSENCE IS REALLY MAGICAL!

Farsali Unicorn Essence is described as a water-based, dual-purpose serum that helps protect the skin from radical damage, while preparing it for long-lasting makeup application. It can be used on its' own as a daily serum, or it can be used as a makeup primer.

I use the Unicorn Essence as a primer, but then I also use another primer on top of that, so... actually, I have no idea what I use it as, but I know that it makes my makeup last FOREVER! I have oily skin and normally I would avoid serum because most of them makes my face feels greasy, but this one is an oil-free serum, I could feel it absorbs into my skin quickly and it keeps my face hydrated throughout the day without producing more facial oil.

Also, can we talk about how unicorn-ish this smells?! It smells like fairy-land, candy floss and just overall very girly! The smell is not over-the-top sweet, it's subtle and it fades as it absorbs into the skin.

ETUDE HOUSE FACE BLUR

Etude House Beauty Shot Face Blur is a face primer with a lightweight creamy texture that aims to reduce pores, soften skin and brighten up skin tone for that natural, flawless look. I am obsessed with this product, not only have I re-purchased this, but I have mentioned this many times on my blog.

I use this primer as a second step in my makeup routine, right after I use the Farsali Unicorn Essence. It doesn't matter if I have used this with or without Farsali, I love that the Face Blur instantly brightens up my face, it covers pores and it literally makes my face looks flawless.

I am not a morning person and I am always in a rush in the morning, so when I don't have time to apply foundation, I would always skip it and go straight into the bronzing, blushing and highlighting. I find that when I wear this primer without a foundation, my skin still looks flawless and refreshed. This primer also helps to keep makeup on all day, although I do get oily throughout the day, especially around the T-zone, but it's not as bad as when my face is completely bare.

LANEIGE BB CUSHION PORE CONTROL

Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control claims to make skin feels moisturised inside and look matte outside for long hours; and I couldn't agree more! Ever since I bought my first Pore Control BB Cushion from Laneige last year, I haven't looked back and I have been re-purchasing the refill over and over. As much as I love full coverage foundations, I find that I always go back and reach for this.

My favourite thing about this BB Cushion is that it has the whitening effect that brightens up my complexion while looking natural. It covers pores and makes my face looks absolutely flawless. I have once gave this a 12 hours wear test and it did such a good job that I was really surprised my face still looks smooth and flawless by the time I remove my makeup.

The one I am using at the moment is a newer version and I feel like the cushion itself is a little harder to press onto as compared to the older version (which I can no longer find online), but the formula hasn't changed and it still works as amazing as the first time I tried it. The case I have on at the moment is from the Laneige x Lucky Chouette collection, the owls are so cute.

URBAN DECAY DE-SLICK SETTING SPRAY

I have been using the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray for years and I absolutely love that stuff, I love that it makes my makeup stay for longer hours and it never comes across my mind that there would be a setting spray out there that works better than the one I've been using... Until I tried the Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray.

This setting spray pretty much delivers the same result as the All Nighter, except that it REALLY DOES CONTROL FACIAL OIL! It makes my face looks matte and I only had to blot my face once or twice throughout the day. Ever since using the De-Slick, my face has been looking fresher and less shiny, it smooth my skin and makes my makeup look less cakey on days when I wear powders.

MAC LIP SCRUBTIOUS

I had my doubt in the MAC Lip Scrubtious when I first tried it, because it has an oily sand-like texture that I didn't think it would scrub my lips properly as compared to the one I was using at the time, it was the Lush Lip Scrub; that one has a rough texture that I was able to scrub easily.

MAC Lip Scrubtious is described as a sugar-based exfoliator that gently buffs away dry and flaky skin. It comes in five flavours and I have the Candied Nectar which is sweet and delicious. As mentioned above, it has an oily sand-like texture and to my surprise, it does the scrubbing job perfectly while smoothing and moisturise my lips at the same time. I don't get the rough feeling during use and I don't have to use lip balms afterwards.

EYE STUFF

A year ago when I go out in a 'no makeup' makeup look, it literally means... NO EYEBROWS and NO MASCARAS! The reasons behind that is because I really sucked at doing my brows (I still am but it's getting better) and I felt like no mascaras in this world works for my short Asian eyelashes...

All these changed until I found the below items and nowadays when I go out in a 'no makeup' makeup look, it really means... PRIMER, FOUNDATION, EYEBROWS, MASCARAS, BRONZER, HIGHLIGHTER, BLUSH.

 BENEFIT Goof Proof Brow Pencil claims to have a 12 hour waterproof formula, I love that it has a slanted shape that makes the shaping and filling in easy and it does wears for long hours; but it's not waterproof at all as I went swimming one day and as I got out of the pool, checked the mirror, my brows has disappeared...

 CHOSUNGAH 22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker features a mascara-like bristle and a pointed sponge tip. The brow gel is claimed to be waterproof and sweatproof. Although I reach for this everyday, I am still not used to the weird applicator. I find the sponge tip useless and the spoolie is just too chunky. The overall application is awkward, but everyone seems to love this product and I just don't understand the hype?? I thought maybe I could give it a few more go to decide if I like this.

 KISS ME HEROINE MAKE Long And Curl Mascara is the bomb.com and you need this in your makeup collection if you struggle with short and stubborn eyelashes. This has changed my eye makeup life and I cannot live without it! I love that my eyelashes stays REALLY CURLED throughout the day, it wears for as long as I have it on for (I have tested 12 hours) and my eyelashes looks very long. Whenever I use this mascara, it makes my eyes looks very awake.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara is super waterproof and it's not something you can just removed with water or makeup wipes, I have tried removing with an oil-based eye makeup remover and it works okay, but not as great as the mascara remover from the same brand (as shown in the pink packaging, far right).

 KISS ME HEROINE MAKE Mascara Remover is a life saver if you wear only waterproof mascaras, it has a mascara wand applicator that allows you to brush on as how you would apply mascaras and it is easily removed with a cotton pad. The product allows you to remove without pulling or damaging the eyelashes.

LIP PRODUCTS

It may seems like I am bragging again, but I can't think of any other ways to express my love for the two lip products shown without telling you how many lip products I own, if that make sense?!

These are the ONLY lip products I have been using in the past month and I love both equally.

 YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain (such a long name) is like a lip stain with a glossy finish, the thing I love about this is how lightweight it feels during wear, it smells like watermelon (my favourite fruit) and it wears for long hours. The texture seems to melts immediately upon application, it doesn't emphasise dry patches or lip lines and the colour can be vivid or subtle, it's all under your control. The shade I have is #07 Corail Aquatique (click here for my first impression).

 INNISFREE Eco Flower Tint Balm is like a lip stain and a lip balm, this is my ultimate favourite and it's one of those products that you can kiss someone without transferring all over their face. I love the vivid shade and I love that it wears for very long hours. This product comes in five shades, I have them all but my favourite is #3 Camellia (click here to view all swatches).

CT FILMSTAR BRONZE & GLOW

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow is probably my most talked about product on this blog, I love it so much and if I could only use one makeup product for the rest of my life, no doubt I would choose this bronzer and highlighter duo!

The Filmstar Bronze & Glow is luxury inside out, everything from its' formula to its' packaging looks and feels expensive. This is perfect for those who is wanting a glam and subtle look. I love that the bronzer doesn't look muddy or orangey on me, the colour payoff is subtle and it also allows you to build up the pigmentation. The highlighter is absolutely gorgeous, it also has the subtle effect that you can build up for the wow-in-your-face look, but it never looks so shiny that it seems fake.

HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING BLUSH

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush is one of those products that I love but I don't use it too often and if I do end up reaching for it, it means that I will only use this blush for the next few months and that is how this product made it into my current favourites as for the past few months, this is the only blush that I have been reaching for.

The shade I have is Luminous Flush, it's described as a champagne rose and it looks like a pinkish coralish shade on me, the shade shown as a natural flush and it wore for up to 8 hours on me. I love that it has a smooth and very soft texture that blends like a breeze.

have you tried the products mentioned?

what is your current favourite makeup product?