Monthly Favourites - January

Since putting myself through a month long ban on any makeup purchases which I (almost) stuck to, this months favourites are all about skin care. Travelling from one side of the globe to another this past month definitely put a strain on my skin, but luckily I found some amazing products to help with the transition.

Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask

I attended my 20 year school reunion while I was in Sydney and there was no way I was going to that with bags under my eyes. These are so easy to use. You just pop them on for 5-10 minutes while you get dressed and do your hair, and by the time you are ready for makeup you just remove them and delicately massage in any excess. I think they did pep me up a little and gave me a perfect base to go in with my corrector and concealer. £ 59.00 here.

Sanctuary Spa Thermal Detox Mask

I picked this up in a mini travel sized sachet in Boots and took it away with me. I was so impressed with it that I purchased the full size last week while at the Sanctuary Spa. What makes it different from other deep cleansing masks is that it heats up once applied to your skin. The heat feels amazing! It is so reasonably priced and has been really good for my combination skin. A definite thumbs up. £10.20 here.

Kora Organics Hydrating Mask

I have been using this in tandem with the detox mask above. I use this one on my cheeks, forehead and all other areas of my face that are not congested while I use the detox mask around my chin area. Living in London in winter with the dry heating being pumped through the house makes your skin so thirsty and this mask does a good job of replumping the skin. £37 here.

By Terry Or de Rose Blush Prestige

I picked this up for half price while at the By Terry store in Paris in December and have been using it constantly. There are a few ways to use it, but my favourite is to add a pump to your foundation to give your skin a radiant glow. If I have any extra left on my hand, I lightly dab the remainder along my cheekbones for some added highlighting. Did I mention it was half price? 

By Terry Baume de Rose

I finally took the plunge and purchased this late last year. It is so good that I am dedicating an entire post to it so stay tuned. £38.00 here.

My Cold Weather Survival Kit

It is only October but already temperatures have plumeted, central heating has gone on and it feels icy and bitter. I shudder to think that we have another possible 6 months of this. I arrived in London in January of this year and my mood and my skin took a little bit of time to get used to our new surroundings. This year I am going in to Winter armed with particular products to help me make it through. 

The Lip Scrub by Sarah Happ in Brown Sugar - a brown sugar flavoured exfoliating treatment for dry, wind ravaged lips. £19.00 from Beauty Bay here.

Malin & Goetz lip balm in Mojito - I received a sample size of this on a Qantas flight once and had to buy the full sized product it was that good. A clear gel which lasts for hours. I wouldn't be without it. £10.00 from Space NK here or $18 from Mecca Cosmetica here.

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand & Cuticle Cream - not until I lived in such a cold climate did I understand the need for hand cream but come February this is an absolute must every day. This is one of the best I have found. £18.00 from Clinique online here (UK) and here (Australia).

Hyradluron by Indeed Labs - a transparent gel that you apply under your regular moisturiser to super-charge your regular moisturiser. Caroline Hirons swears by it (her review here) which means the rest of the world follows suit. £24.99 from Boots here and $34.99 from Priceline in Australia here.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream - I picked this up before a ski trip earlier this year and was delighted to find how quickly it absorbed and how nourishing it felt on my skin. £24.00 from Kiehls here (UK) and $34 here (Australia).

Kora Organics Hydrating Mask - A Friday night in winter just isn't complete with a bath and a facial mask. This is the first product from the Kora range I have tried and i'm impressed! £37.00 from Netaporter here.

I'm really thankful that I will be having a Winter break and am heading home for a month for Christmas and New Year. Sydney - i'm coming for you!