Happy Monday! When I decided to come back to blogging I started doing a mental round up of products that I was really enjoying using and I came up with a shortlist of five current beauty favourites. In addition during a mass clearout I found a box of my ultimate old favourite nail varnishes that have been untouched since we moved and and found an old gem (probably my all time favourite polish) that I just had to share my joy of rediscovering with you too. I don’t seem to get around to talking about favourites all that regularly but maybe moving forward I will do more, but for now here’s my beauty favourites August 2020.
Misslyn Black Off! Liquid Liner
This is only a fairly recent addition back in mid July, my Fenty Flyliner eyeliner was running on low and had little pigment coming out so I went on the hunt for something to replace it. I couldn’t find my favourite eyeliner of all time in stock anywhere so had a little peruse of Beauty Bay, this had a good rating and it was under a tenner so I decided to give it a whirl! This reminds me of the good flexibility that the Fenty Eyeliner has, but with much better pigmentation. I found the Fenty ones wasn’t as super black as I wanted over eyeshadows as it seemed to soak in, but this one is super black, easy to control and do a cat eye with and it lasts superbly. The first day I wore this, I’ll admit that I forgot I was wearing makeup at bedtime and I woke up the next morning with it perfectly in tact. It’s the first Misslyn product I’ve tried but it’s got me very intrigued to try more.
Dolly Wink Volume Mascara
This has been sat sealed in my dressing table since I bought it back from honeymoon in June 2017! It was a mascara I’d hunted out whilst we were in Asia as I’d remembered it had been very well talked about in early days of me watching youtube, but I’d never bought it or tried it myself. The brush on this is very unusual, I can’t think of another that I’ve tried that’s like this. It’s still early days and I do plan on doing a longer review on this but so far I really like it, it seems to create fluffy, volumised lashes and adds length too – once I’ve had it open for a few more weeks I’ll report back in for a full review, but I’m currently kicking myself that I kept it in the drawer for so long!
Becca Opal Highlighter
I’ve been very good at sticking to one highlighter on the go at once, and as soon as I finished up my Wet N Wild one (which I loved) I knew that this Becca classic was my next one to work my way through. I picked this up in a set of 4 minis last year and I’ve been loving using it. Opal is a perfect tone for my skin, I don’t find it leans too golden or pink, instead being a perfect netural glow. It can be applied with a very gentle hand for a softer finish or with a second layer if I want something mega glowy, lately I’ve been opting for the first. I’m not wearing makeup every day, but so far this is showing no signs of being used – it still looks as good as new.
REN Moisture Boost Moisturiser
I placed an order with REN for a different moisturiser which I’d seen rave reviews about online (sadly I’ve put it to one side as I’m pretty sure it’s breaking me out/causing a reaction – I’ll have to try it again in a few months) and this one came free with it. My skin seems to love this, it’s very lightweight and sinks in quickly to the skin – I usually just use this in the morning on makeup free days, or use it as part of an evening routine as it layers well with other products. I also really like the packaging of this, it would be fab for travel as it’s in such a lightweight tube with a handy pump on top!
Michael Kors Very Hollywood Perfume
Even on days when I’ve not worn makeup through lockdown I’ve usually still put perfume on, I’ve used up many of my Secret Scent Box vials through this period and have turned back to this old favourite recently as I decided to start trying to use it up as I have a spare bottle that my Mother In Law got me for Christmas (she didn’t know I already had it, and it’s really hard to get hold of now a days so I decided to keep it!). This is a lovely perfume with sweet floral notes, perfect for spring and summer in particular – I’ve been through 2 bottles of this in the past and I’d like to finish off this one.
Favourite Rediscovery : Essie Suite Retreat
A few weeks ago we did a big organise of one room which had remained pretty unsorted since we moved in. A lot of what was/still is in there is destined for the loft, however we don’t have boards to fit much up there at the moment, so it’s all going over our spare room. I found a box of polish I was trying to declutter pre move and had taken to a car boot. But I also found a box of polishes that were my ultimate favourites. When I opened it my eyes lit up at my long lost babies and the first one on my nails (and then repainted 3 times consecutively since) was Essie’s Suite Retreat. This is a limited edition colour from their 2015 Resort Collection but boy do I love it. It’s a bright blue that has a hint of powedery indigo to it. It’s super glossy and long wearing – even without a topcoat – and just looks good against my skintone. I need to start rationing this as I can see me whizzing though this bottle super quickly!
Let me know what your stand out beauty favourites have been lately! I’ve treated myself to a few new makeup items recently to congratulate myself on a new job which I am excited to arrive!
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So glad you love Opal, it’s so stunning! Out of the three Becca highlighters I have Opal is my favourite 🙂
The bottle of the Michael Kors perfume is beautiful and that mascara sounds really nice! Even thought it’s been unopened it’s still good going to last that long.
Haven’t heard of Suite Retreat before but it seems like a pretty shade 💙
Author
Opal reminds me a bit of the royal one that was released which I absolutely loved too – similar natural toned glow. At one point I had the 30ml, 50ml and 100ml bottles of the Michael Kors and they did look all pretty lined up!
I had to open that mascara, when I went to have a look to see what I had left in I thought, I know it’s been sealed and in a cool dry place this whole time, but I shouldn’t probably leave it much longer!
Suite retreat is fabulous – it’s so glossy without a topcoat and is opaque in one coat – I normally still do two as it just helps the finish look more smooth but it’s a fab shade!
I’ve got the Royal Glow shade and that’s really pretty too but Opal slightly takes the edge for me!
Is that mascara and nail polish still sold?
Author
The Mascara is still available – I think I found it on iHerb when I was looking, I remember Fleur De Force talking about it about 10 years ago and it had stayed in my mind since! Nail Varnish was limited edition back in 2015 (based on my review of it!) I can’t seem to see it anywhere here on any polish sites for sale.
I’ve heard good things about the Dolly Wink mascara, but haven’t gotten around to trying it for myself yet!
https://sundaydahlias.com
Author
It’s not too easy to get hold of so I don’t think it’s something that jumps to mind when you need a new one though – so far it was worth the effort of going to Bali for hahah!
Hi💕 I love Essie nail polishes ! Thank you for sharing your faves
http://beautyofcafe205.blog
Looks like a good roundup of beauty products! I’ve heard of Dolly Wink but I didn’t know it was such a holy grail item. I really want to try one now!
http://bloomingsuitcase.com
Author
I’d heard about it for years before I’d finally picked it up!
Suite Retreat is so gorgeous, it looks like a darker version of Pret-a-Surfer (don’t know if that one is available anymore either, these danged limited editions). It’s so fun to rediscover old favorites in your stash, the best feeling!
Author
Ooh I hadn;t heard of pret a surfer, just googled it and there’s swatches of the two next to each other – Suite Retreat has a slightly indigo base but they do look related!
I really want to try that eyeliner. Eyeliner is a staple makeup product for me and I love trying out new ones and testing new formulas. Definitely buying during my next makeup haul. I love finding out new makeup products.
Thanks for the recommendation !
https://ooomaye.com
Author
It’s been so fab for the month or so I’ve been using it!
what a great post always love trying out new products thanks for sharing !
shy – https://www.shyyshianne.com/
Author
Me too!
I ‘ve been on the search for a good moisturizer because my skin tends to be dry sometimes, so I’ll have to check the REN Moisture Boost Moisturizer! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Author
It’s a very light moisturiser but seems to pack a punch in it’s performance
Oh!! I’m loving that Essie nailpolish colour! My routine has been pretty lax because of quarantine and not going out. I love that you’re still wearing perfume during lockdown. That’s such a great little bit of self care 🙂
Congratulations on your new job! I hope they are treating you well? I do love the Essie Colours so pretty and this shade would look great for the beach. I have heard great things about REN skin care. I hope you are doing well : ) xo
http://www.juanitalikes.com/
Author
So far so good!
Definitely the Essie has been good in the hot weather we’ve been having here lately!
What a great post! I’ll share mine in a blog post soon. I also need to visit England in general and get all new-to-me beauty products and brands! I only recognize Ren and Essie, haha! x
She Sweats Diamonds
Author
I picked up the Dolly Wink in Bali – so a trip there too!
I’m on my last bottle of perfume, so the MK perfume you’re usings seems like an awesome Christmas present.
I might add this to my gift list!
Much love,
Jolien from Dreams Unfolded
Author
Perfume always goes on my list when I don’t know what to ask for!
They all sound like good products but I really love the color of this Essie nail polish.
Such a pretty color !
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Author
It’s a gorgeous colour for Summer!
I loved reading this since a couple of products are new to me so I’m happily checking them out! I’m always ready to add new beauty products to my collection haha.
xoxo Simone | https://beautymone.com
Author
Me too, I don’t need a lot of convinving!