Monthly Favourites/ November

Hello lovelies,

Eeeeekkkk 22 days till Christmas! 20 days till I get to go home! I just had to get my little excitement outburst out of the way first. I really don't want to say I can't believe it's already December but honestly I can't, time just seems to be flying by. I've only got a few items that I've really been loving this month as I haven't really switched up my routine that much. I picked up the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Serum at the airport and so far so good but I don't think I've been using it long enough to definitely say it's a fave but it deserved a mention.

Mavala Nail Polish in 195 Shimmer Violet - £4.50

I spotted this whilst having a little nosy around the French pharmacies and couldn't not pick it up. Shimmer Violet is one of four polishes from the Arabesque Collection, which feature four metallic shades inspired by Autumn/Winter 2013. Shimmer Violet is a gorgeous light glossy purple with a hint of shimmer running through it, perfect for all those Christmas parties!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Dry Skin Hand Cream - £8.00

I may have featured this previously in one of my favourites but at the moment it's the only product working on my hands. They never normally get dried or chapped but this year, they're cracking. I don't know whether that's a mixture of now doing the washing up or spending days outdoors but they're definitely in need of some tender loving care. I've never been much of a fan of hand creams as I find them too greasy or they don't absorb quick enough but this is my saviour, it's so nourishing and I find myself slapping it on throughout the day. 

Bioderma Micellar Water - £4.50

I picked up a mini to try out because I went to Rome for the weekend. There's so much talk of Bioderma in the bloggersphere so I'm pretty sure you've heard of it. I wouldn't say it benefits my skin but it's such an effective makeup remover and just dissolves any makeup. I do like it but wouldn't say it's any different to the L'Oreal Micellar Solution if you can't get your hands on this.

Have you tried any of these? What products did you love throughout November?

September Favourites

Hello lovelies,

I swear I say this every month but it has just flown by, I've been in France nearly 4 weeks now and I'm loving it. I can't say it's been a smooth journey but I'm getting to the point now where I feel organised and happy to be here. It's my first time living away from home and yes, it's difficult and new, but I wouldn't give up the opportunity I've got. I've met so many great people and our paths would never have crossed without me doing this. I know I'm rambling but yano... My September Favourites were surprisingly easy to pick, I didn't come to France with much and I'm waiting for some items I've ordered to be delivered, so expect a big haul next week.

M&S Limited Collection Tinted Moisturiser 30ml - £5.00

I've had this quite a while and just not used it. For some reason when I was packing I threw it in my bag and before I went to the beach the other week, I pulled it out. My skin has improved but not to the extent that I would feel happy enough to go barefaced in front of people that I've only known a couple of weeks. And I know I should be confident enough to say this is me and this is what I look like but I'm not. This provided a light coverage and just perked my skin up, I popped it on in the morning before heading to the beach and the shade, light, is probably a bit too light for me now, so I used bronzer on top, it stayed put all day in 30 degrees plus. I prefer to use this over a foundation in hot weather as they tend to melt and leave my face just looking like an oily mess. A big thumbs up from me.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 30ml - £8.00

I have no idea where this came from. Honestly. L'Occitane is somewhere I wouldn't tend to go into, to me it looks expensive and I haven't tried any of their products until now. With living in France, I've had to learn how to do the washing up - it's never ending but that's another story! My hands have definitely felt the aftermath, they've been dry and flaky. This is everything I look for in a hand cream, it's so nourishing, sinks in beautifully and doesn't leave any sticky residue, which is the reason I don't use hand creams often, I hate that sticky film.  

Nivea Sun Protect & Bronze SPF30 200ml - £14.99 (currently on BOGOF at Boots) 

You're all going to think I'm odd putting a sun cream into my favourites going into Autumn but if you're going on holiday, stock up. This gives you the most perfect tan without burning, it's so easy to apply and isn't thick or sticky. For those who think SPF30 is high, I still got a tan wearing it, I'm not going to rant on about how important sun cream is, as you all know but please wear it for your skins sake. This keeps your skin safe and you get a great tan. 

Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion - £11.99

I may have to say I like this more than my beloved L'Oreal Telescopic. I just love it, it gives such a great result, I have long lashes anywhere and this just boosts the volume and doesn't clump. Lashes are significantly lengthened and thickened, yet they still look natural. It stays put all day and I couldn't ask for anymore, I've definitely been won over. 

What have been your favourites this month? Have you tried any of these?

Magazine Freebies #2

Hello lovelies,

Another month, another round of magazine freebies. There are a few this month that I know I'll definitely be picking up.

1. Glamour Magazine: £2.00 - Choice of 4 mini Balance Me products - Super Toning Body Wash 100ml, Pure Skin Face Wash 50ml, Moisture Rich Face Cream 30ml, Shine On Tinted Lip Salve 

2. Marie Claire: £3.80 - Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black, worth £8

3. Instyle: £3.90 - Rituals Perfection Volume Mascara, worth £8

4. Cosmopolitan: £3.60 - Choice of 3 mini Nip + Fab products - Dry Leg Fix, Bust Fix, 365 Body Glow Fix 

5. Red: £4.00 - REN skincare set including Rose Cleansing Gel 10ml, Vita-Mineral Day Cream 10ml, Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream 3ml 

6. Harper's Bazaar: £4.20 - mini pot of L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream, worth £15.00

Which freebies will you be getting this month?