July 2011 Favourites

I have returned!

I had a lovely 2 weeks off work: down in Kent staying with my Fiance's family, then 5 days in Mati, Greece for my cousin's wedding.

I really missed blogging/YouTube though!

So back to business, July's favourites were...

Johnson's Baby Lotion

Bit of a cult classic this: beautiful pink light lotion (with the best sweet smell ever!) which can be used as a cleanser and/or a moisturiser.

I am obsessed with smelling fresh, and this lotion when used on the body keeps me smelling lovely all day!

Really good value for money too: this big bottle (400ml I think) was only around £2.50.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter

This is my ultimate go-to body moisturiser: smells delish (like Dairy Milk in a tube), does exactly what it says on the tin, and (if you shop at Savers!) is cheap as chips - this massive 400ml pump bottle was only £2.99. Beyonce is also a fan.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2in1 Wash/Mask

This is a product which hadn't seen the light of day for some months, and which I unearthed whilst searching for something to put on my face one morning!

When I initially purchased this product my skin didn't like it at all, and rather than doing the job of purifying my skin/preventing spots, it seemed to cause them.

This time around however, it really does seem to be working, especially when alternated with gentle face scrubs every other day.

Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo

With this product, Batiste have tapped directly into the "big hair" market by tailoring it especially for voluminous hair.

Designed to simply just spray into the roots, brush, and go, this little (or rather big - the can size has been increased) gem of a product gives BIG effortless hair in seconds without the pain of backcombing, whilst banishing pesky oiliness, and all for £3.99.

It is slightly more "chalky" than the other dry shampoos, and therefore it isn't for everyday use, but it's perfect for those nights out where big hair is definitely required, or the days you don't have time for a hair wash!

Aussie Luscious Long Leave-In Conditioner

Another product which has been languishing in my cupboard, I recently recruited this again after receiving a row from my hairdresser for not taking good enough care of my hair!

Being long and VERY thick, my hair requires all the help it can get, and this luscious-smelling conditioner helps lots.

Rather than spray it on damp hair as advised on the back of the product however, I usually now put it on my dry hair and comb through before bed, and when I wake up I have lovely soft hair - ta-da!

Rimmel Lycra Pro French Manicure Varnish in 433 French Ivory

After the Royal Wedding, I have been obsessed with recreating Kate Middleton's chic, classic nude manicure, and decided to try this polish out in my quest!

Whilst I realise Kate had Bourjois' Rose Lounge gracing her nails, I opted for this as it was slightly cheaper (well I am on a budget!)

Like most nude polishes, it does take a few coats to achieve any sort of colour, but it is long lasting, and I did achieve a really nice "french manicured" look.

I would say, however, that chlorine and sunshine don't agree with this particular polish, as it did discolour slightly on holiday.

Filofax "Domino" Personal-size Organiser

Yes, you have read right, one of my favourites for July is indeed an organiser.

You may have picked up along the way that I am a bit of an organisational/diary/list freak, and whilst my little Moleskin diary and Blackberry were doing the job, I missed my Filofax days of old (from university), and on seeing another blogger with one, I just had to buy this beauty!

I'm planning on doing a post on my lovely filofax at a later date (where you can buy it, how I organise mine etc) so I won't prattle on too much about it, but i'm definitely in love and there's nothing better than a good old pen and paper!

What have you been loving recently?

Melanie x