The Menu - May favourites - makeup

This is my May makeup favourites post, I will be doing a separate post on skincare and haircare, one on travel favourites and then another one on random favourites :)

Some of these beauties we have already discussed in past posts and I will include links to the relevant posts but some of these are new ones that have yet to be talked about. Exciting!

So lets get on with it...


a. Benefit Dandelion Brightening Powder - This was my first Benefit purchase and this is my all time favourite Benefit product to date. It's a very soft pink powder with some very subtle shimmer which you don't really notice on the skin. It is so so finely milled that when you apply in on the face it just melts into the skin. It's a product I use every single day and I have had it for about 2 years. Yes I have hit pan on it in a major way but there is still enough left to last me another year I reckon. You get a lot of product for your money and as with any makeup product - less is more. Oh and it really does brighten your skin, I use it under my eyes to set my concealer and also over the center of my face. You can find it here for $28.00.

b. Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids lipstick in Vibrant Mandarin - I love all the lipsticks in this line. They are affordable and have a great colour payoff without being too matte or drying. I especially love their texture and long wear. I did a review of this line in one of my earlier posts see here. You can find them here for $7.49

c. Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel - I bought this Brow Gel on Hautelook for $8.00 and I had never used a brow gel before. I figured worst case it would perform as a clear mascara. Oh how wrong was I, this is a magic potion. The product claims to help brows grow (good if you have sparse eyebrows or if your brows have been a victim of over tweezing) and I believe that it really delivers. I have naturally thick eye brows but even I have noticed a difference. I use this everyday and my brows look great all day. I think the retail price is $16.00 but since this one tube will last me a good 6 months, I do think that it's worth it even for the full price. However, these products do come onto Hautelook every few months or so, so keep an eye out for a bargain. You can find it here.

d. Estee Lauder Sumptous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara - This has to be one of my favourite mascaras for one simple reason - it will NEVER clump. You can keep layering until the cows come home but this baby keeps lashes nice and separated. I hate the look of clumps on eyelashes so this was a god send. I use this as a base mascara when going out, but during the day this works great on it's own. It give definition without looking fake. The one I have is a sample size and I think it will last me a couple more months. I don't tend to use mascaras beyond 6 months but I wish I could use this one forever. You can buy it here for $22.00.

e. Vincent Longo Water Canvas Creme to Powder Foundation - I did a whole post on this, you can read it here. It's a fab foundation and it was a bargain when it was on super sale on SpaceNK. I have made a good old dent in this as I have used this so often. Love it. You can find it here for $57.00.

f. Rimmel London Soft Kohl Liner in Black - As you can see by the size of the pencil it has been much loved. I think I have had this guy for almost 2 years and I love this pencil. It's cheap, dark and soft and glides on easy. You can get it here for $4.05.

g. Bobbi Brown Cheek and Face Palette in Smoke - I have a post mentioning this in a bit more detail, here is that post. I got this palette recently and i love all the shades for the eyes and the cheek. That rarely happens so I am really pleased. I like this and you can get it on ebay for $30.00.

h. Dior Cheek Brush - I plan on doing a special post on this brush alone. It is my first brush that I purchased a couple of years ago and still looks the same as the first day I used it. It's not an inexpensive brush by any means but makeup brushes last a long time if they are looked after well (see my recent post on how to clean brushes). This brush is the best blush brush as it picks up the right amount of product, blends beautifully, its so so soft. I really recommend this brush if you are in the market for one. You can find it here for $46.00. I think this is available in most countries.