NYX Butter Gloss in Peach Cobbler

I've never been one for lip gloss. It's always reminded me of the cheap, glittery rubbish you'd get in make up sets as a child. Also, up until recently, I preferred the matte finish. I've slowly been wearing glossier products, though, with lip crayons and Revlon Lip Butters becoming firm favourites in my collection. After reading many positive reviews on the NYX Butter Glosses, I decided to try one for myself. I bought the NYX Butter Gloss in Peach Cobbler from eBay because it worked out cheaper than buying it from the UK site (if only they had free P&P!). I'm seriously impressed. First of all, it smells like vanilla cupcakes! The colour is also beautiful. It looks very orange in the tube, but goes on coral. It's also much more pigmented than I thought it'd be. Its pigmentation is similar to my Revlon Lip Butters (bearing in my mind that I don't own the darker, most pigmented shades). It feels balmy on the lips, and even though it's ever so slightly thick, it's thick in a good way. It means it stays on for longer, lasting a few hours. It fades evenly, too, and this is what I'm liking most about glossier, lighter lip products. Even after eating, the colour is consistent across my lips. This will probably be in my next Favourites post, and I already have my eye on the other shades (Apple Strudel in particular!).

Are you a fan of the NYX Butter Glosses? Or lip gloss in general?

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

After trying, and loving, Revlon's ColourBurst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon (review and swatch here), I went out and bought Juicy Papaya not long after. It's love, again. The formula is light and moisturising, and it fades evenly after a couple hours. The peachy shade looks surprisingly natural, and suits my colouring well. It's also one of the few shades that I wear to its full intensity. I'm now looking at the other shades in the range in preparation for my next shopping trip!

Are you a fan of the Revlon Lip Butters? What's your favourite shade?

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream

At the weekend, my lovely sister surprised me with the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream. I'd wanted it for months, but didn't want to part with £10.50 (and not even the 3 for 2 deals persuaded me). My sister nabbed this on eBay (brand new) for just £4.69 including P&P, which made me even happier when she told me because I love a bargain! So, there are three things I look for in a body butter. 1. It has to smell incredible. The scent of a body butter is important to me because it's not being washed off. 2. It has to absorb into the skin quickly because I don't want to be left feeling greasy. 3. It must moisturise, obviously. The Sugar Crush Body Buttercream knocks the first one out of the park. It smells like lime cheesecake. Need I say any more? It also absorbs into the skin well. I'll generously moisturise an area of my body, and by the time I've moisturised another area, there's no residue present. It also moisturises well, but I've never come across a body butter that doesn't. It pairs nicely with my Sugar Crush Body Wash (review here), and I'm tempted to get the scrub to complete the collection. On a side note, I know whether I like a body butter after the first use, and I've used this 4/5 times, so my opinions are unlikely to change. It's facial products that I like to use for weeks before reviewing.

Are you a fan of the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush range?

Barry M Gelly in Sugar Apple

Natural

Flash

Barry M's new Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple arrived in the post this morning, and I couldn't wait to apply it. The formula's not as good as the other polishes in the range; it's thinner, and the first coat was very streaky. A second evened most of it out, and a third made it completely opaque. I've seen a lot of people just use two coats, though. So, even though the formula isn't outstanding, I'm pretty smitten with the shade. It's a pastel, yet vibrant, aqua that can appear mint green in certain lights. I have nothing like it in my collection. It's actually very similar to my bedroom walls, so no wonder I was drawn to it! I only wanted this shade from the new Spring Gelly collection, so ordered from ASOS because of the student discount and free delivery, but if you want more than one, they're currently 2 for £6 in Superdrug (and online, with free delivery on orders over £10). I believe the same deal is happening in Tesco, too, and there's a 3 for 2 deal on in Boots. Like always, I haven't tested, or mentioned, wear time because everyone's hands go through different tasks. Most polishes last around 4/5 days on me before showing signs of wear, whereas they may last for 2 days on another, so it really does depend on the person.

Have you bought, or will you be buying, Sugar Apple, Huckleberry, and/or Rose Hip?

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 02 Fair Matte (after a few uses)

Natural lighting

Flash

I've never been into bronzing that much, and part of this is because so many bronzers on the market are either too shimmery, or too dark.  The Body Shop's Honey Bronze Bronzing Powders are neither of these, and after reading many rave reviews, I decided to add one to my basket. It also meant that I qualified for 50% off my order, making this £6.50 instead of £13. The formula of the powder is impressive. It's so soft, not chalky at all, and blends well. It's the colour that's had me in two minds. It's incredibly light, and the swatches above show it on one of the palest parts of my body from being loaded on a brush. My face is darker, and adorned with freckles, so it's barely noticeable. I have to really build it up, which is not something I'm used to doing, being as pale as I am. I was initially disappointed, and wish I'd picked up one of the darker shades. That being said, I quite like it now. Yes, it's pale, but it means it looks incredibly natural, and it's near impossible to over do. It just makes it look like you've ever so slightly caught the sun. I think it's too warm to be used as a contour, but as an all over bronzer, it fits the bill perfectly.

Do you own this bronzer?

Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

I've been using Lush's Ultrabland Facial Cleanser for a few weeks now, so thought I'd let you know how I've been getting on with it. I've never used a cleanser like this before, and was intrigued by its texture and claims. After reading countless mixed reviews, I decided to just see for myself. Initially, I couldn't detect the waxy scent, so was unsure as to why people disliked it. It was only when I started using it that I knew what they were talking about. It's not the worst scent, but it's not pleasant, either. To be honest, I'm not fussed with scents when it comes to facial products because I'm more interested in the results. The only scent I cannot stand is lavender because it makes me feel physically sick. The texture's also like that of wax, and feels very alien at first, even when it melts into the skin. It removes makeup well, though, with the help of a cloth. It just melts everything away. It also doesn't sting your eyes at all, so you can open them when you're convinced someone's going to murder you in the shower! This is particularly useful when I'm home alone and all kinds of paranoid. After wiping off, you're left with a little, moisturising residue. From reviews, I was expecting a heavy, uncomfortable film, but this isn't the case. Even my combination oily skin appreciates it. I go very easy on the moisturiser after, though, sometimes skipping altogether. Overall, it's a great little cleanser, and has made it into my favourites. I don't know if I'll be rushing out to repurchase when it runs out, though, because I love trying different ones, and have a couple from The Body Shop Camomile range to use next. It's also more expensive than my usual (Superdrug's Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser).

Ultrabland is £6.95/45g and £10.95/100g. Have you tried it?

Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

Lush's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner is a moisturiser you apply and wash off in the shower. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now, so thought it was about time I shared my thoughts! At £15.95, it's expensive, and even with store credit, I was apprehensive about purchasing. I'd read tons of positive reviews, though, so decided to give it a go. The scent is like their Rose Jam Bubble Bar, which I love. However, this is a lot stronger, and I was initially overwhelmed. This could be because I prefer fruity scents and am only just dipping my toe into florals. The scent it leaves on your skin is subtle, though, and this is when I love it. So, when I first used this, I was shocked at how moisturised it left my skin. I was expecting it to be better than Nivea's In Shower Body Moisturiser (a product I wasn't impressed with), but not this much better. My skin is used to it now, so it doesn't feel as moisturised as that first time, but it still feels like I've whipped the body lotion out. I think I'm going to stop using it for a while, and then return to it, so I can appreciate the full effect! The photo above shows two weeks of use, which is not bad going. This is partly because you don't need much at all, and partly because I'm very aware of the price! It could perform even better if I used more, but I don't think my skin needs it, to be honest. 

If you want to be left with effortlessly soft, beautiful smelling skin, I'd recommend this. I would even consider purchasing it again! Even if I don't, I think I'll be adding it to my birthday/Christmas wishlists. Have you tried this before?

The Body Shop Haul

The Body Shop deals tempted me for months, but I refrained from placing an order because there wasn't much I really wanted. However, when on the hunt for a new cleansing balm, I stumbled upon their Camomile products, and caved. At the time, though, they only had a 35% off discount code on their website. Although this would be a huge saving anywhere else, I don't settle for less than 40% off when it comes to The Body Shop, especially when I'm buying a fair bit! After a little searching, I found a £25 off £50 spend code, and here's what I picked up:

Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter - £12

I love cleansers, and I love trying out new formulas of cleansers, so am most excited to try this. It's had lots of positive reviews, so I'm hoping I feel the same way! It smells amazing. Very light. Very fresh. It reminds me of a product I've used before, but can't put my finger on it!

Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil - £10

I've never used a cleansing oil before, so am intrigued by this. Again, it has that beautiful scent and has received positive reviews. Some have said it's just a glorified olive oil with a higher price tag, but still say it does its job and smells amazing, so we'll see!

All-in-One Face Base in 02 - £14

This is a repurchase because I've recently hit pan on my current one. It gives you a little coverage and a velvety, matte finish without looking cakey; love!

Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in 02 Fair Matte - £13

I wanted to start bronzing more to define and slim my face a little, but the only matte bronzer I had was quite dark and powdery, so decided to give this a try. I was going to get 01, but from swatches, it looked a little redder in tone. 02 has more of a golden tone to it, and looks ever so slightly lighter, too. It feels soft to touch - I'm just hoping the colour's okay!

Ultra Fine Bath Lily in Aqua - £2

I've heard horror stories about creatures living in these, but have never experienced this myself, thankfully! I bought this to qualify for the discount, and because I needed another!

Have you bought anything from The Body Shop recently?

New Favourites #04

Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner - £15.95/225g

An in shower body moisturiser that leaves your skin feeling soft and smelling great. I found the rose scent overwhelming at first, but have gotten used to it now. It's expensive, and I don't think I'd have bought it if I didn't have credit to use, but it's impressed me. I think it'll be going on future birthday/Christmas lists! I'm reviewing this in the next couple of days, so look out for a more in depth review!

Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser - £6.95/45g

Removes all of my makeup, doesn't sting my eyes (so I can open them when I'm convinced someone's about to murder me in the shower!), and leaves my skin really moisturised. From other reviews, I was expecting to be left with a heavy film, but this isn't the case. Because I have combination oily skin, I go easy on the moisturiser after, sometimes skipping altogether (don't shoot me!). 

Naked Smooth Silky Conditioner for Straight/Longer Hair - £4.19/250ml

I've mentioned Naked conditioners in a few Empties now, but don't think they've featured in a Favourites before. Anyway, I love them. They seem to condition much better than other conditioners I've tried. I think my hair's becoming too used to them, though, so will stop using for a while, and then return.

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butters in Juicy Papaya and Wild Watermelon - £7.99 each - Wild Watermelon swatch and review here

Love! These are my first Lip Butters, and wish I'd bought them sooner. Juicy Papaya is a peachy shade, and looks surprisingly natural. It goes really well with my colouring. Wild Watermelon is a little more out of my comfort zone, but I've been loving this summery, juicy red. I'll be swatching and reviewing Juicy Papaya soon, so look out for that!

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Dixie - £18 - Swatch and review here

Creamy, pigmented, and blends well. On the cheeks, this translates as a peachy pink, and gives you a warm glow. It's not quite as creamy as my beloved NYX ones, but it's still up there. I paid £6.75 for this in the sale, and can't wait to pick up a couple more in the next!

What products have entered your Favourites recently?

OPI Steady As She Rose and Models Own Utopia Comparison

 OPI Steady As She Rose, Models Own Utopia

 OPI Steady As She Rose, Models Own Utopia

Baby and middle fingernails (1st and 3rd): OPI Steady As She Rose. Ring and index (2nd and 4th): Models Own Utopia

As soon as I laid eyes on OPI's Steady As She Rose, I knew it was similar to Models Own's Utopia; a polish I already owned. I went ahead and bought it anyway, though, because it was only £3.99 from Fragrance Direct, and I've been loving these clean, understated colours. As you can see, both are light, muted lilacs, but Utopia is slightly cooler in tone. It's such a subtle difference, though, that I doubt anyone would notice if just glancing at your nails. In terms of formula, Utopia is slightly more opaque. Steady As She Rose takes 2-3 coats, whereas Utopia takes 2. I love both, and would recommend getting whichever one you can find the cheapest. As I said, Steady As She Rose is only £3.99 on Fragrance Direct at the moment, whereas Utopia is £5 in Boots. However, Boots also has a 3 for 2 offer going on. Utopia can also be found on/in Superdrug for £5, and it's on Chemist Direct for £4.50. It just depends on where you were already planning to shop to save on postage!

Do you own either of these shades? You can find my swatch of Steady As She Rose here, and my swatch of Utopia here.