little white truths

It's been another slower month for blogging so when I went to pick out my favourites, it was pretty easy to do. I'm on spending bans for both makeup and skincare, and I also haven't been using much new stuff over the last two months because I've been super busy with work.

Nevertheless I do have some things I've been loving and I'm looking forward to talking about those below. I'm also looking forward to having this post done because I have a lot of posts that need to happen before the end of the month, so I need to get cracking!

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream

Full review here. I gave this hand cream an HG tag because I love it so much and I can see myself buying it again and again. I love the blackcurrant scent and also how it feels on my skin: it's lightweight and it absorbs well, and it's been on my bedside table since I bought it.

What I love about this hand cream is that it's hydrating enough for the overnight spot and I can't say that of many hand creams because my skin is so dry (especially now that it's getting colder), but this cream suits me beautifully and I'm waking up with hands that feel nourished and comfortable. I also like that it doesn't have a greasy after-feel so you could certainly use it during the day if you wanted to. 

I can't get enough of this product and I absolutely recommend it, although I would wait for specials because it's more expensive than other hand creams in the pharmacy and there's no point paying more than you need to. Love.

Andalou Naturals Coconut Water Firming Toner

Full review here. This was another HG discovery this month, and I'm so glad I found it. I absolutely love it and I can't wait to buy another one.

It has a coconut scent that I love and it works very well as a toner (I add mine to a cotton pad and run it over my face after cleansing), but it still manages to be great for parched skin and it's not too astringent. Indeed, it refreshes, hydrates and balances my skin beautifully, and it nourishes my face while making me look more awake.

Although it does also work well if you want to spritz it over makeup throughout the day, I had to decant mine into another bottle because the mist itself isn't fine enough so it left little holes in my makeup if I used the original spray. Otherwise this product is perfect and it doesn't cost the earth so it's definitely one to try.

Origins Original Skin Essence Lotion with Dual Ferment Complex

Full review here. This is probably the nicest essence I've used to date, and I'm really enjoying it. It's thicker than most essences I've tried and it has a refreshing orange scent that's not overpowering.

It applies and absorbs well, and I think the thickness of the texture helps make it feel like it's doing a little more work than other essences I've tried. It just feels like it has more punch. I use this morning and night, and afterwards my skin looks brighter and more awake, plus it feels softer and more hydrated too. I also like how fresh and healthy my skin looks after use.

Overall I think this is an excellent essence and it's my favourite essence to date. I did consider giving it an HG tag but I'm not quite prepared to do that because I don't think it's an essential step in my routine, although I'm enjoying using it and I love what it does for my skin.

Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Bronzing Veil in Desert Nights

Full review here. This is a lovely bronzer and I do recommend the formula, it's just that it's not my favourite in terms of colour (it's a little too warm for me) so I've put it into my Pan that Palette challenge for 2019.

It's a smooth powder that's finely milled, silky and creamy. It applies and blends well, and I like that I can apply this over a tinted moisturiser that's still a little tacky and it will blend and diffuse beautifully, so it's never looked patchy on me. 

The other thing I like about this is that it's not a completely flat matte so it doesn't look dry on the skin, and for this reason it also works well on the eyes. Plus it has a slight airbrushing effect (all Kevyn Aucoin powders do, in my experience), and while it doesn't airbrush as well as my Hourglass powders do, it still smooths out the look of texture and makes my skin look a little younger.

So while it's not my favourite because it looks too orange/red on my colouring, I do really like the formula and I recommend it if you can find a shade that suits you. It's just a pleasure to work with.

Nivea Q10 Power Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Protecting Day Cream SPF 30

Full review here. This was sent to me for review and I'm really enjoying it, and I would absolutely buy it for myself. It's a thick, rich cream with a smooth and buttery texture. It spreads and absorbs well, and a little goes a long way so you don't need much per application and the tub should last a good while.

What I love about this cream is that it's perfect for my dry skin, especially now that it's getting colder and my skin is drier. Something like this is exactly what my skin needs, and I recommend it if you want something to target tightness and discomfort. 

My face feels nourished and comfortable after use, and the product also has a temporary firming and plumping effect so that's worth noting too. Plus I love that it contains sunscreen, and it's one of the better SPF day creams I've tried over the years so I recommend it.

In sum

Them's my favourites for the month! I'm enjoying all of these products and I would buy everything but the bronzer again. They're just good products, and most of them aren't that expensive so they're ones to keep in mind.

Do let me know in the comments what you've been loving this month: I'd love to hear.

Hope all's well with you, and speak soon x