Current Obsessions – July 2017

It’s been 10 months since my last one of these…10 months!! I love these kind of posts/ videos myself and really need to make a conscious effort to do them more often! Especially when I’m always trying so many new products and things (and review as many as I can!) but I can often forget to talk about things that I’ve continued to use and love, recent finds and rediscoveries! Mainly makeup/ beauty…that’s what you’re here for, but also a few non related bonus bits for your eyeballs just because I feel like it! There’s not loads this month, but here they are…

➕ Wet N Wild Photo Focus Concealer in Light Ivory* 
I talked about the whole of the Photo Focus range in my most recent blog post as well as other new Wet N Wild products, so have only been using this concealer for less than a month but I already love it and have picked up a back up! The perfect hybrid between 2 super concealers, Tarte’s Shape Tape (which I also really like) and the Radiant Creamy by NARS. Perfect if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to Shape Tape or a cruelty free/ Vegan option instead of the NARS RC, especially in light of NARS’ recent decision to sell in China therefore now not cruelty free. There’s more in depth info in my previous post (linked above, check it out) but it’s a great formula and if Wet N Wild get on it with offering a wider shade range, it would be pretty perfect in my opinion!

➕ Kat Von D Beauty Lock It Brightening Powder in Petal (UK* / IE*)
Thought I’d go on to this next with it also being under eye related. I’ve spoken/ blogged about this before, here, and my love for it, but it’s pretty much holygrail at this stage! I use the shade Petal (a light pink tone) which is perfect for my pale skin and is colour correcting for me as well as brightening. It’s super smooth, never looks powdery and keeps my under eye crease free and bright. I’m ‘blessed’ (ugh) with a naturally dark under eye, much water and sleep don’t matter so I’m all for products that minimise and make me look brighter, which this does brilliantly!
Sidenote…I’m really enjoying another KVD powder at the moment, the Lock It Blotting Powder the packaging is beyond beautiful, powder itself…so far so good! I’ll report back on that one/ do a full review! In the mean time, feast you eyes…isn’t it beautiful!!

➕ Kat Von D Lock It Foundation (UK* / IE*)
While we’re on the subject of KVD, I want to give a quick mention to a rediscovery that never really went away. I’ve been using this on and off for years! And actually only off because I’m an absolute foundation junkie and love trying out new ones! I know a lot of people love this and equally you see a lot of people that can’t get it to work for them. That might still be the case for some people, depending on how you prep and prime your skin and apply it, the Lock It Foundation in my opinion can work for anyone! I love the formula and finish, how it looks built up to full coverage and sheered out for a natural look and feel. The reason I’m giving it a shout out now is unusually for the UK and Ireland, we’ve been having some pretty hot weather spells and it’s the only thing that doesn’t seem to melt at the moment! Read more about it here.

➕ Superdrug Vitamin E Hydrating Mist & All Over Body Cream
Love these! Super inexpensive, effective and comparable to much more high end products (I’m looking at you MAC Fix +) cruelty free too for those of you seeking an alternative. The Hydrating Mist smells amazing (think coconut and holidays but in the best most non overpowering way) and gives an instant hit of soothing and refreshing hydration. The spray isn’t the finest ever, but still great to use over makeup without leaving you a drenched mess. I love using this pre skincare, post skin care, throughout the day to perk up my skin (face and body) as well as using it to dampen my Beauty Blender* …basically, any excuse to spritz myself!

The All Over Body Cream was actually a recommendation from my Mum (you can thank her later). Knowing my hatred of the sticky wet feel of most body moisturisers, she gave me some of this to try and I was pleasantly surprised! It’s lack of sticky, pretty much instant absorption and it smells really good too! (It’s neutral smelling enough to compliment any other fragrances/ perfume too) Works a treat all over as well as on any super dry areas (elbows etc) and it’s great post shave too. It just leaves your skin hydrated and healthy looking without feeling sticky which is the main thing for me.

➕ Invisibobble POWER* 
I’ve tried so many own brand dupe lookalikes of the Invisibobble and have come to realise that paying a few extra £/ € to pick up these actual ones, specifically the POWER ones is 100% worth it! I like the standard Invisibobbles anyway, but these POWER ones are amazing if you have thick/ longer hair or (as I’ve recently started back at the gym) great for keeping your hair put during exercise! Comfortable to wear, doesn’t absorb sweat (eww but good), keeps hair under control and doesn’t leave kinks or cause hair breakage. In Invisibobbles case, the OG ring grip is by far superior in my opinion. They also maintain their shape and are way more reusable than the cheaper alternatives I’ve tried.

➕ Ardell Faux Mink Lashes in 811*
I’ve been loving these new Ardell Faux Mink Lashes, the 811’s in particular! They’re one of the most lightweight faux minks I’ve tried, you can hardly feel them on. Cruelty free too…you do you obviously but as you probably already know from reading past blogs that I choose not to wear mink lashes of any kind. These add soft natural volume and are slightly flared towards the outer edges so are super flattering on. I’ve used the same pair at least half a dozen times and they still look like new, they’re also a quarter of the price of most other silk/ faux mink lashes…impressed!

➕ Valley Eyewear A Dead Coffin Club in Black
I finally treated myself to a pair of these bad boys and I love them! I’ve always admired Valley Eyewear’s innovative and unusual designs (sunglasses and prescription glasses) and had been waiting for these black ones to come back in to stock for ages!! They’re pretty statement and pretty extra, ha ha, but I like that in sunglasses. The combo of round lens and squared off frame makes them (although statement) really easy to wear and I love the wide arms and cross detail.
Valley do ship internationally, but I picked up mine from their UK stockist, Found (based in Bath, UK). They arrived really well packaged and have both a hard case and a carry pouch to protect them on the go. They’re a little spendy but beautiful and really well made. I want more already! ?

So yeah, things I’m obsessed with at the moment. Like I mentioned at the start, there’s not a huge amount of things this time, but I’m truly obsessed with every single one. What have you been obsessing over? Feel free to enable as always and leave me any recommendations! I’ll leave you with this picture of the woofer G modelling my Valley Eyewear (with help from her assistants) ✌?Enjoy!

Lyd x

 

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I’m now based in Cork, Ireland. Although I do still take select bookings for North Wales/ Cheshire and Dublin (get in touch for more info) and am available to travel country wide…I’m mainly taking makeup bookings for Cork City and surrounding areas. 

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