September Favourites!

In the last month, I have been absolutely loving wearing eye shadows on a daily basis.  Previously, I used to just love putting on Becca's Eye Tint in 'Vicuna' on its own and that would be it.  I still love using this tint as a base on some days I'm not using the Nars Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base.  It's quick and convenient, but lately I've been enjoying the ritual of taking the time to put on powder eye shadows and adding a bit of colour!  In particular, I've embraced the smokey eye look for everyday wear!  Intensifying it a bit more for when I go out in the evening.  Of course, this has all come about because I have found my fool-proof neutral eye shadow quad that suits my brown eyes and complexion very well.  
I have similar skin tone to Cristina (aka 1084CosmicGrl) on You Tube, who I've been following as I absolutely love her videos especially her thorough reviews.  Her signature look is the grey eyeshadow and it looks fantastic on her, so I thought I'd give it a go.  I have never owned a grey eye shadow until now, and now I wonder how I ever lived without it.  Since it was my first time venturing into the grey shadow world, I thought I'd turn to Inglot for inexpensive yet high quality eye shadows that I had heard so much about and was very curious to try.  This was my second significant find of the month (or shall I even dare to say year?).  
Inglot matte eye shadows are brilliant, and for the price I would say it is your best value for money as a lot of other reviewers have said.  So, this would be my *TOP* favourite of September for sure.


Eye Shadows
Inglot Freedom System Quad Palette (customised by me) consists of only matte shades (2.3 g each):

• 376 (matte): darker grey with slight purple/taupe undertones
• 339 (matte): lighter grey with blue undertone
• 353 (matte): light warm peach-beige
• 390 (matte): brownish beige

Top L-R: 376, 339, Bottom L-R: 390 and 353 (magnet on each corner of quad)

Top L-R: 376, 339, Bottom L-R: 390 and 353

Back of quad palette.

Swatches L-R: 376, 339, 390 and 353

The matte texture makes it more wearable for the day.  (In general, I find it's better to wear matte textures if you opt for a more smokey look or bolder/brighter colours for the day as it tones down the look and is not so 'in-your-face' if you were to use a shimmery texture).  So, I just layer a shimmer over the top for the evening!  The shadows are soft, smooth, VERY finely milled, VERY pigmented and extremely easy to blend.  I recommend using a soft bristled eye brush to apply and blend this with (like my favourite fool-proof Becca blending brush #66).  I like to use 390 on the lid, then apply 353 to the brow bone and middle of my lid as a highlight), and then mix the two grey shadows together and apply to the crease and outer 'V' or corner of the eyes.


L'Occitane Petals Quartet (from the Pivoine Flora Collection): For the weekend, I tend to wear more colour and I have been REALLY enjoying wearing this palette - particularly the darkest shade of purple.  Every time I wear ia combination from the palette my husband has complimented me.  So hint, hint for all those ladies out there. ;-)  If you're interested, you may wish to see my full review and swatches of the quartet here.


Eye Liners
I've been alternating between these two eye liners with my Inglot grey smokey look:

• Chanel Le Crayon Yeux in 'Gris Scintillant' (#69): great for the evening as it has very subtle silver shimmers - very pretty!
• Becca Line + Illuminate Pencil in 'Belize': the sooty black/violet liner end.  Goes well with the grey shadow because of the slight purple undertone it also has.

Swatches L-R: Becca's 'Belize' (black/violet liner) & Chanel 'Gris Scintillant'.

Other days I've been enjoying wearing Becca's Automatic Eye Pencil in 'Goa', which is a bronzed chocolate brown - it does not budge! :) (To see review + swatches click here).

Cheeks

• I've been loving wearing the more subtle peach (Chanel Joues Contraste in 'Espiegle') on my cheeks to compliment the grey smokey eyes.  I've also been alternating between the pinks and purple shades which I'm also in love with:
• Chanel Joues Contraste in 'Pink Explosion' (bright pink with blue undertone).
• Nars blush in 'Desire' (A matte, blue-based cotton candy pink.  Sometimes I layer this on top of 'Pink Explosion' for a brighter pop of colour.  See swatches.)
• Mac Sheertone blush in 'Coygirl' (I ADORE this matte purple-hued blush!  Click here to see swatches.)
• Even though it's spring here in Australia, the weather has been up and down - several rainy days and some sunny days, so when it's been a bit cold and rainy, I've been enjoying Becca's Beach Tint in 'Raspberry' for my cheeks & lips (for review & swatches click here).
• Finally, been loving wearing the rose pink (with touch of coral) blush shade/strip in Chanel Rose Bronze - #547 (see comparative review and swatches here).

Lips
Been loving alternating between these lip colour combinations over September:

• Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in '01' (milky pale pink lip gloss).  My first ever product from Clarins.  I usually overlook this brand and perhaps it's because the packaging etc seem a bit old school or associate it with more mature customers?  (Sorry!)  However, now that I've tried it (thanks again to Cristina/1084CosmicGrl's recommendation), I'm very happy and glad I did.  This lip gloss is milky, feels comfortable, smells good and tastes good!  It's the first lip gloss I've come across that actually tastes good...I'm almost certain it's meant to be eaten!!!  (Only joking) ;-)  I love pairing it with a brighter/deeper lipstick underneath (such as Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in 'Carthage'), or just on it's own.
• Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 'Insolence' (#57): I've been loving this because (1) it's a gorgeous pink; (2) it's opaque enough to wear on its own as a gloss without having to layer lipstick underneath it; and (3) I love the flat shape of the applicator, which makes it easy for me to apply on the go without a mirror - this may sound weird, but I clamp it between my lips and run it through and it's done!
• Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in 'Montego Bay' and on top, Nars Lip Gloss in 'Oasis'- together form a gorgeous rose pink with mauve hues - perfect for my pigmented lips (Click here and here for swatches & review).
• L'Occitane Lip Shines in 'Peche' (peach) and lipstick in 'Fuschia' (for swatches and review click here).

Swatches L-R: Clarins' #01 & Chanel's Insolence (#57).

Overall
If you have medium, olive skin tone - I have two words for you: grey and Inglot.  (Blue-toned greys in particular look very flattering).  Now, go get!  ^_^

What was your top makeup product for September?  

Please let me know in a comment below! x