July Favourites

I loved all sorts of stuff throughout July. Mostly I enjoyed scampering about the place taking photos for the 31 Day Snap but equally I was in my happy place trying out lots of new (to me) products. Here's a rundown of my favourites:

• Everlasting Artistic Gloss Polish at Mink Hand & Foot Spa, Dublin. I don't get my nails done often, in fact the last time was for my own wedding last August but as the end of July approached I had a holiday, my anniversary and three weddings in a row to look forward to so I thought I'd go for it and get Mink's revolutionary nail polish done. Using an LED lamp and products similar to Shellac etc, the Artistic Gloss can last chip-free for up to 21 days. Mine are still going strong and as I got a fairly neutral colour with an accent glitter nail, I haven't gotten weary of looking at them yet. Plus I feel like a lady. Bonus.
• With the help of Audrey from The Nail Affair I recently put together my very first Inglot Freedom System Palette and I am loving it. The colours I picked all compliment each other for a beautiful smokey eye, in handy packaging that can be easily thrown into a bag when on the go. Although I find these to be as pigmented as the likes of Mac, I don't think the quality is quite the same but each eyeshadow is only 6 euro, so just a fraction of the price of a more higher end brand.
• Chanel UV Essential with SPF 50. Himself bought me this as part of my birthday present as I've been trying to get more serious about my sun protection of late and really, what better way is there to do that than with Chanel?! I truly adore this one and will most definitely be repurchasing it when I do eventually finish it (could take a while cause you only need a tiny couple of drops for your whole face). What I really love about this is that it's very lightweight, sinks in easily and seems to create a lovely base for foundation. Also, it's neither here nor there but dear God, the scent of this is just unbelievable. In fact I may go now and have a little sniff of this like the oddball I am.
• L'ancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 HR. This was recommended to me by Sharon from Behind Green Eyes who loved it so much it was her wedding foundation. I love it too and although I have it in a very pale shade (005), I do find it matches me almost perfectly when I have a small amount of fake tan on so it's been perfect for the past month. I've tested this out from morning to late night at my many weddings recently and it's lasted perfectly- not even a budge and yet it's not drying in the slightest. It really is just a lovely foundation.
• Rodial Brazilian Tan- Clear. This, I got free with a magazine and have added to my list of tanning favourites. It can be used on the face and body but I primarily use it on my face after cleansing and exfoliating and by morning the old visage has a nice natural looking glow. You do have to be very careful with this that you don't apply too much around the hairline and eyebrows- I had a minor mishap regarding this but after that i was more precise and it's been fine since.

• The whole blogging world and it's mother have gone a bit mad for these little pots of cream blush from Bourjois. Coming in four shades and cheap as chips with a lovely formula, it's easy to see why. I got it in 01, Nude Velvet because I have no blushes like this- it looks pink in the photo but it's actually quite a neutral shade and compliments a bright red lipstick nicely. I can't say it's my favourite shade of blush but I do like it for a more dressed down look or with a bright lip as  mentioned. It's also really handy to pop in your bag when on the go as it won't break and is very light.
• Lastly, a friend of mine gave me a beautiful set of No.7 Protect & Perfect Skincare and two of my favourites from that have been the Day & Night creams. The day cream has SPF 15 & 5 star UVA and both that and the night cream are super moisturising and comforting but simultaneously quite light, so I find them ideal for my dry skin. 

Phew, we made it! Let me know in the comments if you use any of this lot yourself and what you think!

XX