November beauty for me has been about three things: getting my skin sorted, glimmery shimmery eyes, and Lisa Eldridge lipsticks. Ok, let’s face it, it’s pretty much just been about Lisa Eldridge lipsticks. So let’s start there.
It’s highly likely that my December favourites will feature at least one of Lisa’s six new True Velvet lipsticks – three of which are miraculously still available – but in the weeks leading up to their release this month I got re-acquainted with one of her Summer Pinks, Skyscraper Rose.
Perhaps it’s just the excitement of holiday makeup looks – is anyone else feeling festive especially early this year? – but I’ve been loving a shimmery, glittery eyeshadow and a bold lip. I haven’t pulled out the reds just yet – let’s wait until December – but I’m loving a bright pink and Skyscraper Rose is working for me. One of Lisa’s Insanely Saturated Lip Colours, Skyscraper Rose is a vibrant, matte, fuchsia-pink. It may not have the magic of the velvet textured bullet, but the wonder of this lipstick is the colour pay-off. It’s seriously pigmented. While I’m not a matte lipstick devotee, these mattes are incredibly comfortable and don’t feel at all drying on the lips. Where a glossy bold pink lip would have it feeling a little too 80s for my liking, the matte texture keeps it looking modern.
If I’m going be drawing attention to my mouth with a bold lip I want to make sure my lips are in good condition – lip balm is a must. Pat McGrath’s Lip Fetish Lip Balm has been an overwhelming favourite of mine this month. It’s so good. I reviewed the clear, as well as tinted versions, in another blog post and since then it’s been getting daily use. The clear version is so balmy and luxurious on the lips, I have barely glanced at another option in my drawer. Despite looking white in the bullet, there’s no white caste on the lips but just the juiciest, most plump pout ready for my Lisa Eldridge lipstick. Love it.
Paired with my bold lip, I’ve enjoyed keeping my eyes simple with a couple of coats of mascara and a champagne-gold lid. My current mascara of choice is the Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof in black. I repurchase this often as it’s just a classic. It leaves my lashes looking longer, separated, never clumpy, and it helps hold a curl in place. Even more important, it never transfers underneath my eyes unlike most mascaras I try, so I don’t end up looking dark and tired come the afternoon. It’s easily removed either with eye makeup remover or my balm cleanser – no scrubbing required.
Chantecaille’s Luminescent Eye Shades are a serious favourite this month. It’s been hard to pick a winner, but I’ve found Cheetah to be my most worn. Check out my full review of them here. Cheetah is a gorgeous, champagne-gold shimmer shadow that I like applying with fingertips. I use it both on it’s own, and over the top of other shadows for a little iridescent top-coat. Proceeds go towards the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which you can read more about on Chantecaille’s website.
Lastly, but in no way least, are my two skincare favourites. This almost black, womanly-shaped object is my favourite Gua Sha tool of the moment. Actually made of a deep green Jade, the Lanshin Pro Gua Sha Tool is the current Queen of my Gua Sha facial massage routine. If you’re new to facial Gua Sha, it is a style of facial massage using (traditionally) jade stone to ‘scrape’ the face and neck. Now when I say scrape, I mean really gently glide over the skin. Similar to jade rollers, it is used to relieve tension, stimulate circulation, improve lymphatic drainage and detoxify. Keep an eye on my Instagram for a full post on facial Gua Sha, the movements that I practice, and my favourite tools. The Lanshin Pro is a wonderful, if pricey tool that I find fits perfectly in the hand and has an excellent combination of shapes and angles to fit the different contours and areas of the face. I do think you can find tools that are just as effective for a smidgen of the price of the Lanshin Pro, but if you feel like treating yourself this doesn’t disappoint.
The use of a good oil is almost essential with facial Gua Sha practice. Having gone through stages when my skin just could not tolerate oils – hello breakouts – I personally still don’t like to go overboard with them. I don’t use one religiously, but prefer to add them in when my skin is crying out for a little extra help. With switching up my skincare this month, and introducing a new Retinol product, I found myself reaching for a calming, nourishing oil – MV Organic’s Rose Plus Booster. This Australian-made product is perfect for when my skin is feeling a little reactive or unloved. Combining organically grown camellia oil, jojoba and rosehip oil, it feels especially good for sensitive skins and it doesn’t break me out. I tread lightly with application; just a couple of drops rubbed between my palms and pressed into my skin – not too slippery, not too greasy.
With the onslaught of new holiday collections, December is looking to be jam-packed full of exciting new makeup and skincare. I may be eagerly reaching for the Christmas glitter, but it’s always nice to look back over the month of what I’ve used and enjoyed, and I’m quite certain that these favourites will be getting a lot more love over the coming months. I’d love to hear about some of your November favourites on Instagram.
Find Lisa Eldridge lipstick at Lisaeldridge.com
Find Pat McGrath at Sephora
Find Chanel at Nordstrom
Find Chantecaille at Mecca and Space NK
Find Lanshin at The Detox Market
Find MV Organics at Cult Beauty and The Lab Organics