Five Things That I Love (December 2011)

I can’t quite believe that we’re almost half way through the month and I haven’t posted my favourite things!  Normally it’s one of the first posts I make at the start of the month, but I’ve had so many fabulous things I wanted to write about that this one had to wait.  Anyway, here it is:

1.  Boots Travel Spray Bottle

Yup, it’s a weird one to start with, but I’ve realised that since I bought this I’ve been using it for so many different things that it has well and truly earned a place in my favourite things list.  I originally bought this to use with my tightlining brush (for more info, see here) so that I didn’t have to keep running back and forth to the sink, but since it’s arrival I’ve also been using it for lots of different things including dampening foundation brushes and sponges (including the beauty blender which I’ve just started using, review to follow), spraying into eyeshadows to give them more of a colour payoff for lining (although I suggest using an eye brush, loading it with colour and then spraying the brush if you want to maintain the consistency of your eyeshadow) and, most importantly, I’m using it to dampen my face before applying a mask or moisturiser.  A lot of masks require a wet face and I prefer to do all my treatments at my beauty table – if I can get away with it – so spraying my face with water and then applying my mask makes it sooo much easier.  For less than a couple of quid, I’ve found a lot of uses for this spray.

2.  Bourjois Volume Glamour Max Mascara*

I’ve ranted and raved about the brilliance of this mascara, so I don’t think there’s anything I can add that I haven’t covered already, both in the review here and the update here.  I’m such a mascara obsessive, so when I find one that I really love I try and force it on to everyone else, which is probably what I’m doing here, but since it’s a beauty blog, why not?  This mascara does everything I need a mascara to do, doesn’t smudge, can look natural or dramatic and is easy to take off.  Plus, as someone who buys a LOT of mascaras, I think I’ve used this one longer than I’ve used any other this year which says a lot.  I’m fickle so I have no doubt that this will change – I’ll keep trying any new mascaras that are released, mainly because I’ll be too curious not to, but for the time being, I really do love this mascara.

3.  L’Oreal Sulphate Free Shampoo and Conditioner

I got to try this recently as part of a reader panel trial and I was really impressed.  I’ve been planning to do a review for the past week or so, but I’ve been putting it off as I need to find out a bit more about it as I’m not sure if it’s out in the UK yet, plus I think the UK packaging is going to be different to the packaging above.  I’ve never got on too well with L’Oreal hair products and I’ve also never been inclined to seek out sulphate free products, but since these two landed in my lap I was happy to give them a whirl and I am really impressed.  I won’t go into too much detail – I’ll save it for the full review – but these products have left my hair smelling and feeling fantastic and I’ve really enjoyed using them so far so they’re a worthy mention in December’s list.

4.  Marks and Spencer Absolute Calm Pillow Mist*

I wrote a full review on this here and I mentioned that I felt the reason I loved it so much was for the fact that it served no real purpose other than indulgence.  I still believe that, but I also love it because, as I’m a beauty obsessed beauty blogger, I have a huge amount of products that serve the same purpose (many different moisturisers, foundations, skincare products etc) but I only have one product that is intended to do nothing more than make my sleeping experience a bit more luxurious.  It’s probably a bit of a fickle response to such a thing, but I really look forward to getting in to bed and knowing that it’ll smell a little sweeter.  I really enjoy trying things that are a bit different and a break from the norm, so of course this Pillow Mist deserves a place on my list.

5.  Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

I’ve said in a few other posts that I believe this to be the most effective and quickest spot shrinker that I’ve tried.  I’ve had a bit of a breakout recently, then I got sick and the first thing to play up when I’m sick is my skin, so I’ve had quite a few spots to treat and annoyingly, for the first few days of my breakout I’d run out of this.  I quickly ordered a replacement bottle and thankfully I’m now back to going to bed with little pink dots all over my face.  Honestly, if you haven’t tried this and you’re keen to find a decent spot treatment then I strongly recommend trying this as I’ve been using it for a couple of years and I’m still yet to find something that comes close to it’s efficiency.

There we have it!  Expect a lot of lists coming up over the next few weeks as I’ve been putting together a few posts about products that I think have made an impact in 2011.  I can’t believe it’s going to be 2012 soon, this year has flown by!

*PR samples.