NYX Micro Brow Pencil in ‘Ash Brown/Medium Beige’ + Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara in ‘Brownie Brows’
This drugstore combo has really been floating my boat this month. The NYX pencil is the perfect shade for my brows (the shade ‘Brunette’ is a touch too warm), and the nib is nice and small, so it makes easy work of drawing a precise, sculpted brow. I then go in with the Essence eyebrow gel mascara to add some oomph and secure the hairs in place – the fibers really bulk up the appearance of my brows, which I love.
BECCA Backlight Priming Filter
This is hands-down the best illuminating product I have ever used. Whilst I can’t say that it has a particularly firming effect, or that it even prolongs the wear of my makeup, I can confirm that it brings the glow! It’s multi-purpose too: it can also be used on its own, underneath foundation, or on top of foundation as a cream highlighter. I find it to be especially effective underneath long-wearing/more matte foundations, like Estée Lauder Double Wear Light, which can leave my complexion look a little bit flat. Layering this product underneath makes my skin look youthful and fresh, and adds some much-needed luminosity back into the foundation. The result: glowing, perfected skin.
You can see it in action here.
Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray
You know when a product is so good, you end up using it sparingly because you don’t want to finish it? That’s my approach with this – it’s outstanding. Whilst I love the look of big, textured hair, I loathe the feeling of anything other than freshly washed and blow dried hair: not exactly compatible, right? This product is the perfect hybrid, because it adds the bulk you need for fuller looking hair, but without the grit of a traditional texturising spray. It gives the hair that mussed-up, lived-in look, but without looking too grungy, you know? Like rich-girl-hair-meets-Kate-Moss.
You can see it in action here.
Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils in ‘Burgundy’
I’m never going to encourage you to spend R520 on a mascara, but if you’ve got cash to burn and you fancy treating yourself, then look no further. This burgundy mascara really enhances blue and green eyes – so much so, that whenever I wear it, I get compliments about how blue my eyes look. Sure, it might not be quite as defining as a traditional black mascara, but then I like that there’s nothing traditional about this – it’s such a unique and special product. It builds volume nicely, doesn’t clump too much, doesn’t smear/transfer/flake (which, at R520, it better not!) and is easy to remove. Mascara bullseye.
You can see it in action here.
Chanel Le Stylo Yeux Waterproof in ‘Agapé’*
I have used this eyeliner exclusively since it was sent to us a few weeks ago, which, for a make-up junkie, is quite something! It’s the perfect shimmery brown shade, and the texture is supremely soft and blendable – there’s no dragging or tugging on the eyelid with this one. I usually apply two layers – the first, I smudge into the lash line, and I then apply a second, solid stroke on top to intensify the colour. The shimmer is super subtle, but it still manages to make an impact.
At R450, this eyeliner might be on the pricier side, but I do think it’s worth the money – the quality is unsurpassed. There is also a handy little sharpener built into the end of the liner, so you can get the point nice and precise if you need to. You can see it in action here.
This is part of the limited edition Le Rouge Collection No. 1, so if you want to get your hands on it, you best move fast.
*PR Sample