Favourites | October 2013

Generally I don't have monthly favourites because I'm not brand loyal and tend to try new things all the time. I'm also incredibly hard on the products I try and if I don't absolutely love it, I'll never talk about it; I have to reach for the product(s) at least every other day to feel like it has even a chance at becoming a favourite.

This month, I feel like I've hit the jackpot. With the exception of two products, I've used everything here every single day. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

[ L-R: Rosken High Potency Vitamin E Cream, Body Crystal Deodorant, Dirty Works Body Scrub, Rosken Dry Skin Cream ]

I actually came across the Rosken Vitamin E cream while watching Aussie Beauty YouTuber Ruby Golani and she went on to explain it had been the best thing for her skin. In that moment, I decided I'd give it a go as well and I've not looked back. My skin is combination and this doesn't break me out or cause any irritation whatsoever. It plumps up the fine lines I have around my eyes, and I swear I look a couple of years younger. Hey, I'll take it. I am pushing 40, after all. I use this twice daily.

The Body Crystal I picked up at Coles one weekend while I was out shopping and I didn't want to get yet another aluminium based deodorant. I've not had good experience with body crystals, and for years I was convinced they were just a hippie gimmick but for some reason on that shopping day, I saw this and decided to give it a go. I use it daily. Review coming soon.

Dirty Works "Glow Girl" Buttery Salt Scrub has been my best friend this entire month. I'm almost out of it now and I will be repurchasing it because it's just that good. And you know what? If I can avoid dropping $30+ at The Body Shop, then you can bet your sweet bippy I will. Review here.

Rosken Dry Skin Cream came to the rescue of my ultra parched hands, nails and elbows one day when I was out shopping and had used up all the EOS hand lotion I had in the car. I don't know about you, but I cannot stand the feeling of dry hands and arms! I spotted this in Coles, it was on sale for all of $6 so I snatched it up. I haven't looked back. It's been the best damn hand cream I've ever used and use it daily.

[ L-R: Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream, Designer Brands Nail Polish Remover, Designer Brands Chubby Lipstick ]

I've featured the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in a FoTD once or twice, and for good reason. Even though I don't have oily skin, I do get a little shiny through my T-zone so this works very well against that. It doesn't eliminate it 100% of course but my face doesn't look like an oil slick by midday and that's what counts for me. I often use this BB Cream on its own with a setting powder over the top and it gets me through the day, but I will sometimes use it sheer as a primer when I need a little bit extra coverage.

I stumbled on this Twist'n Go nail polish remover from Designer Brands quite by accident one day, and since it was only $6, I snatched it up without a second thought. Like the image suggests, you stick your fingernail into the container, and watch it get swallowed up by some black sponge-like material (it's a little rougher and harsher than actual sponge). Then you twist your finger into it, and all the nail polish comes right off. It's like magic!! I love this stuff. I have yet to try it on glitter polish however, but a review is in the works so stay tuned for that.

I don't typically like lip crayons too much (I'm really more of a lipstick girl) but after swatching this one, I knew I had to buy it. They retail for around the $9 mark and are totally worth every cent. They have beautiful payoff, and are fabulously creamy and soft on your lips. This particular colour that I bought is #411 "Enchanted Rose" and is a gorgeous warm pink with brown undertones. There were two other colours in the stand with this one, however neither of them suited me. I hope DB makes more of these; they are wonderful.

If you've tried any of these products, or if you happen to try them in the future, I'd love to know your thoughts!

Obsessing...

[ Girls ]

I can't even stand how much I obsess over this show. It revolves around Hannah and her three friends, all of whom live in New York City. You might automatically think Sex and the City but no, it's nothing like it. This? This is better. A hundred times better. I love Hannah's character; I think she's sassy and awkward and beautiful and she's trying to find herself and where she fits in in her own life. I love her. It's also on HBO which means there's a ton of swearing, a ton of sex and some full frontal nudity.

[ Hart of Dixie ]

When I first started watching this, I didn't understand how it was even airing, because it was just so boring. But I had nothing else to watch at the time, so I forced myself to sit through the first episode. It wasn't brilliant. I kept waiting for something awesome to happen. Nothing awesome happened. But by the end of it, I kind of had to know what was going on in episode two. By the third episode, I was well and truly hooked. The show revolves around Dr Zoe Hart and her new life in Bluebell Alabama. Throw in some hot bodies and an awkward love triangle, and I am all over that. Yessuh.

[ The Carrie Diaries ]

I am a total cougar after watching this show. This is young Carrie (pre Sex in the City; before she became a doormat and let Big walk all over her and treat her like utter garbage), confident Carrie, the-totally-awesomest-best-friend-you-wish-you-had Carrie. She's sixteen, goes to high school with her two best friends and works part time in New York City. She has a younger (albiet highly irritating) sister, lives with her Dad and juggles her life in Connecticut with her life in the Big Apple. And what series would be complete without a bad boy? Not this one. Enter: Sebastian Kidd. Oh lord. He makes me wish I was sixteen again. And living in Connecticut. In a fictitious tv series. Yeah.

[ Arrow ]

Born in a comic book and transferred to a tv series, does this show even need a blurb? I kinda don't really think so. Look at him. LOOK. I mean, damn. If you watch for no other reason, watch for him. He's topless a good portion of each episode, girls. What's not to dig about that? If you need more... He's a crime fighter. He's topless a lot. He works out like a machine. He loves his family, and is intently focused on righting a lot of wrongs. He's also very much in love with his best friend's girlfriend who, incidentally, was originally his girlfriend before he cheated on her with her sister. And then got her sister killed. The only thing that would make this show better, is if it were aired on HBO. Yum.

So - what's on your obsession list these days?