March Favourites 2016

I can't believe March has been and gone already for 2016. It's crazy how fast this year is going. For March I didn't have too many beauty related favourites - though rest assured I still had plenty of other favourites for the month. 

Beauty

Lush Porridge Soap

I'm not typically a soap person, and tend to favour shower gels. But over the past month or so, I have been using the Porridge Soap from Lush and having been loving it. The soap is creamy, rich, lathers nicely and the pinhead oatmeal helps to exfoliate. The only downside is the pinhead oatmeal will get all over your shower floor...but trust me it is still worth it.

Charles Worthington Style Setter Dry Shampoo

A while back when Priceline had one of their 40% of haircare products, I purchased this Charles Worthington Style Setter Dry Shampoo and only recently pulled it out of the cupboard to try. This dry shampoo is a great all-rounder. I not only reach for it when I need to refresh my hair, but also to add volume and texture when I'm are styling my hair. I find it is light weight, absorbs oil well and virtually unnoticeable once it has been worked through my hair. The scent is pleasant and subtle, and is not at all overwhelming - which is another plus in my books. It comes it two sizes, 150 ml and 50 ml travel size.

Movies / TV / Book

The Intern

I finally got around to watching The Intern. I literally laughed my head off throughout the entire movie - it is definitely worth watching. Plus can you really go wrong with a movie that has both Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway?! The movie is about a 70 year old widower Ben Whittaker (played by Robert De Niro) who takes the opportunity to be a senior intern at an online fashion website run by Jules Ostin (who is played by Anne Hathaway). 

Bridge of Spies

I had been wanting to see this movie for a while now (after first seeing the trailer in October 2015). I was not disappointed. The movie is a historical drama set in the Cold War era and is inspired by true events. Tom Hanks plays James Donovan, an American insurance lawyer, who is asked to defend a Soviet spy in court and ends up facilitating an exchange between the Soviet spy and a captured American spy plane pilot... 

ER

I may have re-watched seasons 1 through to 6 of ER in March. Oops. I know there are more seasons, but we only have seasons 1 - 6 at home so far. I had kind of forgotten how much I like the series and quickly became hooked again. The show is a fictional medical drama which is set in Chicago and focuses on the lives of the doctors and nurses of the emergency room at the County General Hospital. 

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

So admittedly, this was sitting on our bookshelf for a while, waiting for me to read. I had heard mixed reviews of the book previously and wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. But I was pleasantly surprised. I was sad when I finished the book, because I loved it so much. The book is about the small town of Pagford and focuses on the town after the sudden death of parish councillor Barry Fairbrother...

February Favourites

Beauty

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

The Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector lip gloss is a perfect formula. It's not too sticky, applies smoothly and gives a nice hint of colour. You can wear it on its own or over the top of lipstick. I have shades 05 Candy Shimmer (a warm pink) and 06 Rosewood Shimmer (a warm rose brown) - both are really nice colours. 

Ren Clearcalm Clay Cleanser

I have previously featured the gel cream moisturiser from this line in last month's favourites, and this cleanser is just as good. Not only is the cleanser antibacterial, but is also designed to help prevent breakouts and blemishes. It leaves my skin feeling really clean without stripping or making it feel tight - perfect for my combination skin which is prone to breakouts.

TV / Books

48 Hours

48 Hours, a TV series, investigates true crime and justice cases. It's kind of addictive - I love how the show is filmed, how it explores the case and how it tells the story of the victim. 48 Hours airs on channel One in Australia.


Inferno by Dan Brown

Wow, this book is seriously actioned packed. It's definitely worth reading. I was hooked from beginning to end - on edge the whole time. I got really excited when I found out they are making a movie based on the book, which is due to be released in late October. Inferno follows Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor, who wakes up in Florence with no recollection of how he got there...


Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Admittedly, I saw the movie a while ago and wasn't sure whether I would enjoy the book as much. But I could not of been more wrong. The book follows the story of Nick and Amy Dunne after Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, and the evidence does not look good for Nick...

January Favourites

Beauty

Ren ClearCalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream

I got this face cream as a part of the Ren ClearClam 3 Kit for Christmas, which is designed for blemish prone skin and to help correct hyper-pigmentation. I have really been enjoying use it so far - not only does it smell nice, it leaves my skin feeling moisturised and smooth.

Edward Beale Ultra Gloss Argan Oil Leave In Spray Conditioner

My hair is really fine and gets super knotty, which can make brushing and styling my hair hard. I've had this spray for a while now and recently rediscovered it in my bathroom cupboard. It makes brushing my hair a lot easier and more managable.

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution

There are a lot on different micellar waters on the market these days at various prices, and deciding which one to go for can be confusing. This one by La Roche-Posay is really great. I been using it for a while now (at least the last six months) and love it. In terms of price and effectiveness it is on par with Bioderma. 

TV / Book

House Hunters

I have been obsessed with this  TV show. I watch it whenever I get the chance. The show follows people (individuals, couples and families) in their search for a new home. It gets addictive. There are a few different spin-offs of this show (House Hunters International, House Hunters Off The Grid and House Hunters Renovation). House Hunters airs on Channel 94 in Australia.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

I got this book as a Christmas gift from my lovely fiance. The story is so intriguing, I quickly  became involved and just had to know what would happen next. The story is set between Minnesota in the Depression-era and modern-day Maine. It follows the story of Vivian, who immigrates from Ireland to New York as a child with her family and after a turn of events ends up on an orphan train.

June Favourites

I wanted to start a series inspired by some of my favourite YouTube videos: Monthly Favourites. In these posts, I'll be sharing and discussing my most used products and favourite items of the month (whether they be fashion, beauty related or even a TV series I have been enjoying).

Beauty

Benzac Daily Facial Foam Cleanser

This cleanser helps to control my oily acne-prone skin, without being harsh and stripping my skin. It contains Calendula and Aloe Vera, and does not contain benzoyl peroxide (unlike other Benzac products). If you have normal to dry skin though, you may want to give it a miss as it is designed / recommended for combination skin and oily skin.

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

As the name suggests, the product is designed to fade dark spots. I have a lot of hyperpigmentation leftover from acne, which this has been helping reduce and correct. I've been really impressed by the product so far and I've only been using it for a couple of weeks. Its made a noticeable difference, though I still have a way to go.

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose

I've been using this lip butter for a while now, and really love it. It helps to keep my lips soft and supple. Typically, I apply it before bedtime. And I just discovered Nivea now do a lip butter in carmel cream - I may have to make a cheeky purchase!

Toni & Guy Classic Shine And Gloss Serum

I've rediscovered my love for this product in June. I apply it to dry hair after styling my hair. The serum helps to control and fight frizz. Not to mention, its lightweight and does not weigh done my hair.

YouTuber

Ingrid Nilsen

I have so much admiration for Ingrid. I have been watching her on Youtube for a while now (see her Main channel here and her Vlog channel here). She always produces great quality videos, managing to easily connect with her audience whilst still being genuine. In June, Ingrid came out as gay in an emotional video for her channel. The video is heartfelt, inspiring and ends on an up-lifting note. If you haven't already checked it out I suggest you do.

TV / Movie

Orange is the New Black

Both my fiance and I really love watching Orange Is the New Black. When we first got Netflix in April, we quickly became hooked. To say we were pleased when they released the third season in June is an understatement. We may have watched the entire third season in less a week - Oops. 

The Magic of Belle Isle

I hadn't even heard of this movie before seeing it on Netflix, but it is pleasant to watch. Morgan Freeman plays the main character Monte Wildhorn, a writer who is struggling with alcoholism and has lost his will to write. He ends up spending the summer in Belle Isle, befriending a family who inspires him to write again.