What? January is over. How? The first month of 2020 has flown by, I already know that 2020 is going to be over in a blink. For the first time I have an avalanche of plans booked months in advance and it makes me feel so grown up. I thought a great way to end the month would be a classic look back at the products I used continuously through the month of January and will definitely be taking into February as well. I would also like to do a general January overview more for my personal reflection so I can have a look at what I was up to. Without further ado, let’s jump into my January favourites. Sadly, a few of these products are discontinued because I never throw my makeup away within the expiry date – do as I say people and not as I do – where possible I have linked products that are similar and available from the same brand.
Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer (£29) Let’s begin with a discontinued product, this hydrating primer is such a great base for underneath my makeup. It is expensive but it really sinks into my skin and feels practically like a moisturiser leaving my skin feeling fresh, hydrated and plump without feeling greasy or looking shiny. Despite my oily combination skin I have been drenching my skin with hydrating products, most likely due to the weather change but also just because my skin is stressed due to various challenges I faced this month.
L’Oreal Infallible Freshwear 24H Foundation (£11) This foundation is Italian’s chef kiss perfection, it is so beautiful. It is truly lightweight and feels like nothing on my skin which is such a godsend when you are at work for long hours or your plans stretch from day to night. This foundation is just one you can count on, it is my go-to and although there are so many foundations I want to try I know I will be devestated when I finally finish this. I cannot speak for other skin types, but this foundation is the most natural finish foundation I own. It lasts all day without settling into my smile lines too and I don’t notice it wearing off either, but I do think I have my pressed powder has something to do with it. Available in 29 shades. My shade is Golden Beige.
L’Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer (£10) Stop the press because this here is a concealer that rivals all other concealers. In fact Tarte Shape Tape better watch out because this concealer delivers all that goodness, meaning full coverage, matte finish, longwearing, creaseless, for half the price and wih a great shade range to boot. I am so impressed with this, I just need a few dots for some serious brightening but also it is a concealer I can layer without it looking heavy or cakey or taking away the foundation underneath. It pairs great with the L’Oreal Infallible Freshwear 24H Foundation too, this is such a gem of a product. I will definitely repurchase this. Available in 25 shades. My shade: Cedar.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder (£25) Out of all the products I mention here in this post this is the single product that I am most excited about because it has been in my collection for years and I paid it no mind. When I unearthed it from my drawer there was already a whole lot of pan showing thanks to my sister showing it some love while we lived together. I just wanted to use up some products rattling around in my collection to reinforce my no buy and boy am I glad I tried this again. As someone with oily/combo skin I shy away from pressed powders unless it’s for touch-ups. I notice that my skin prefers and pairs better with loose setting powders but I was noticing day after day when I did my standard 2pm blot at work that nothing was coming off my face at all. This powder is absolute magic it controls my oil like no other, plus it doesn’t change the colour or tone of my foundation despite looking so starkly white in the pan. This will be a definite repurchase for me. I take a large powder brush and pat it all over my face, I continue to use a loose setting powder under my eye just because they are more brightening.
B. Blusher in Darl (£5.32) Not a new product, I have mentioned this so many times on my blog. You can get this brand at Superdrug and this blush is the perfect soft neutral pink matte. It suits my skin tone so well and is a great every day brush. I have used this so much and have yet to even hit pan, it barely even has a dent in. This blush just makes me feel very pretty and I want more makeup that makes me feel like this. I remember when I didn’t wear blush at all but blush is the one product that genuinely makes me feel good about myself. I feel pretty, I feel cute, I feel ready.
Kiko Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick in 38 Golden Taupe (£4.89) Eyeshadow sticks are everywhere and I have tried a lot but Kiko really is up there in this category and competes with the big guys like By Terry and Laura Mercier. I think what sets the high end brands apart is their unique shades and bougie packaging but the Kiko Eyeshadow Sticks have gorgeous matte soft touch black packaging and the shade Golden Taupe is unlike any other shade I have seen. It is a greyish purple brown with tiny specks of silver glitter. So pretty and it will not budge at all until you remove it at the end of the day. I think this is a dupe for one of the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow sticks too. I just hope Kiko come out with even more shades, I am obsessed. I have had this for years and it hasn’t dried out or irritated my eyes and there is so much product left.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this post and had a great January. I would love to know what some of your favourite products were this month, please share them in the comments below. What are you looking forward to in February? I am going to see Prince of Egypt (my favourite film literally ever) The Musical in London on 15th and I am so excited. My friend and I want to get a tarot reading and I have recently started a new university course so I am really looking forward to all these new experiences. Hope you all have a great weekend. Take care.
What products have you been loving in January?
Love ❤
Kiran