January Beauty Favourites.

One: LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser

I bought a tub during my LUSH haul in January and I'm going to admit that I was actually surprised to find that I liked this cleanser. A lot. I've read mixed reviews so I was pretty sceptical at first, but I was honestly impressed. Sure, it's messy to use, and I don't feel as though it's as cleansing as my regular face wash, but using it after my normal nightly cleansing routine has proven it to be more than effective at cleaning off anything that my first cleanse may have missed, which happens all the time due to the gentle nature of my regular cleanser. I've always felt dry and tight after a facial cleanse but this is the first and only product I've found that has not given me that sensation. Instead, my dry, sensitive skin feels smooth, soft and healthy.

Two: Models Prefer Highlight and Contour sticks

These babies are perfect for the highlight and contour noob that I am; I'm so glad I picked them up (on a whim) during Priceline's 40% off cosmetics sale. They're incredibly smooth and creamy, making them so easy to use and blend, and are without any shimmer. The warm undertone of the contour stick and the pink undertones of the highlighting stick work wonderfully on my skin tone, but may not be the best for everyone, which brings me to the downside: there is literally no shade-range which is fine if like me, the tone of the sticks suit you, but you really luck out otherwise. Nonetheless, they're cheap and a fantastic beginner's tool.

Three: LUSH Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly

Another favourite from my LUSH haul. Let me just start by saying: The smell of this stuff, guys. My God. It's like blackcurrant fruit pastilles and I can't even. Though the wibbly stuff is a little difficult to get a hold of when actually in the shower, I found that just a small spoonful lathers so luxuriously when used with a shower puff, and the scent lingers on your skin for hours, even longer when used in your hair. I honestly can't get enough.

FOUR: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Lightscapade'

Aside from the fact that I could look at the pretty marbled surface of the powder all damn day, my very first luminizer proved to be a win on a practical level too. The powder is velvet soft with a high frost finish, minus the dreaded chunky glitter. I feel I've gotten the hang of application since receiving it for my birthday (a little goes a LONG way), just applying a small amount to my nose and to the tops of my cheek bones with a fan brush gives me the most beautiful and natural looking glow that lasts all day. It also works as a lovely brow highlight.

Five: Chi Chi Rich Gems Palette

As I'm sure we all know by now: Christie is a major lover of dark palettes and dramatic smoky eyes, so this colourful offering is yet another surprise love of mine this month. It had sat unused in my beauty stash since the Bloggers United meet right up until I tried a purple smoky look only a week ago. Since then, I've been using the whole damn palette for different looks. That's right: I, Christie Brown, have fallen in love with colour. The shadows themselves are highly pigmented and velvety, making them easy to blend with no fallout. I just love me a good drugstore beauty buy.


What products are you loving right now?