Star Products of the Month • May

The end of another jam packed beauty month has arrived and as warned at the end of last months star products list, the month of May contained quite a few beauty stars. I do apologize for the lack of beauty posts during the month of May but it has been a crazy social calendar month for me here in Monaco with Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix being a main focus and causing madness here as always in the Principality. Such a great month though both socially and beauty wise of course! So let me tell you what I have been loving ....

Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff Body Scrub

1. Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff Body Scrub hereAny reader of my blog or follower on Instagram shall know just how obsessed I am with Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Dark, it is my holy grail self tan that I don't think I could ever live without. Now that summer is upon us I have been applying my CB tan weekly (#TanningThursday) to get a natural looking sun kissed tan, the safe way, so to prep my skin ready for the next tanning session I use the sister product, Tough Stuff. This is the best body scrub that I have used to remove those stubborn areas of old tan that haven't quite worn off without having to make your skin sore from doing so. It removes dead skin and old tan so easily and leaves your body nice and silky. The grains are abrasive enough to get the job done but still gentle that they don't hurt by doing so. Its affordable, readily available and its even pink - what more could we ask for. Love Tough Stuff!

Caudalie Moisturising Toner 400ml

2. Caudalie Moisturising Toner 400ml hereIt's not often that I get attached to a toner but this one is just so amazing that I am now on my second 400ml bottle (and this size lasts forever) as I had to repurchase this right away. I adore french pharmacies and they are one of many reasons why I love living on the French Riviera as we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to great skincare in any price range. Toners are important to a good cleansing regime as they eliminate impurities in the skin ready for it to receive the maximum benefits from your next skincare products. This one balances the skin which matches to the same pH and hydrates and softens. I have a combination skin and this works perfectly as it would on all skin types. It is really gentle as I even use this around my eyes and it causes no irritation what so ever. A really lovely toner that makes skincare enjoyable to apply.

James Read, Sleep Mask Tan

3. James Read • Sleep Mask Tan here
I recently wrote a full blog post all about this wonderful product here. This is a skin treatment that not only works as a face mask but as a facial self tanner too and all whilst you sleep! I was already sold at that point. This is great if you like multi tasking facial products that you can add into your weekly skincare routine with ease. I love the natural golden glow that this gives my skin as it makes me look 'well rested' and glowing and is so easy to use. Most facial tanners tend to block up the pores so this is a much better option if you want a golden glow to your skin without the irritations but with many skincare benefits.

Fragonard Violette edt

4. Fragonard Violette EDT hereOne thing you may like to know about me is that I am obsessed by anything Violet scented. Parma Violets were always my favourite sweeties! I adore the scent, the sweets, the flowers, the color - I literally am obsessed with anything violet. So whilst perusing around duty free in Nice Airport (again) I spotted this fragrance that I knew from the moment I spotted it, I was buying it. I don't really do floral scents as I am more of a musky, woody, powdery type of lover but Violet has a sweet, soft scent that I just think makes the nicest summer fragrance. I have reached for this daily over the past few months as my everyday fragrance as I did last summer too. Every time I spray this it makes me happy - just like a fragrance should do! If you smell me at any time, I shall most probably smell like this.

MAC #217 blending brush

5. MAC Eyeshadow Blending Brush #217 hereI thought I should mention this in a monthly favourites because this little guy gets used every single day. In fact I own a few of them as this is the most versatile eyeshadow brush you shall ever own. It's famous with any beauty lover and makeup artist as it makes applying and blending eyeshadow simply a dream. It has multi-uses such as blending eyeshadow, smoking out eyeliner, blending concealer and is key to any perfect make-up look. These brushes are great for crease work when doing your eyeshadow as it makes all your shadows blend seamlessly together. My advice, if you don't have this blending brush, then get one.

Collection Lasting Gel Colour, Almost Ne #10

Collection Lasting Gel Colour in Almost nude, Kellilash Monaco GP 2015

6. Collection Lasting Gel Colour Nail Polish #10 Almost Nude hereIf you are looking for the perfect nude nail shade then this is for you as this shade really works on all skin tones especially fair skin tones like myself. I always find it hard getting the right nude that doesn't look invisible, is too gray or too pink but this one is just right. It was actually a recommendation from my mom as she was wearing this one day and I fell in love, so had to go buy it. The applicator is a very wide brush which makes painting your nails super easy and the formulation gives a lovely gel like finish. I wore this on nail extensions for about two weeks with no sign of chipping, thats pretty incredible for only £3.19 yes £3.19 - such a worthy purchase! I was wearing this recently and my friend (Lois) thought this was the Chanel nude polish so if you are looking for a dupe for it then this is perfect (and about a fifth of the price too!).

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lip color #43 La Favorite

7. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lip Colour #43 La Favorite here & here
As soon as I spied this lipstick shade in Sephora I knew it had my name written all over it. It is a matte, bright orange red thats just so gorgeous and with the added classy Chanel packaging, makes this one of my favourite make up items that I own and is actually named La Favorite! It is so long wearing but not drying at all on the lip and gives a gorgeous pop of color to brighten up any look. This looks beautiful paired with a bronzy eye or with the next item in my faves. I simply adore this lipstick and it shall be on my lips all summer I feel!

Mac Eye Kohl, Teddy

8. MAC Teddy Eye Kohl here
I can't believe I didn't own this eye kohl before as it is the most perfect bronze, brown eyeliner shade thats super pretty. I love Mac Eye kohl's as they are so soft, long wearing and glide onto the waterline with ease. This is a red toned brown/bronze shade with a pearl finish and does not irritate when worn on the waterline. I have been wearing this liner in my waterline as an alternative to black as summer calls for more gentle make-up and also as a liner and gently smudging it to give a soft smokey summer look. This is a great addition to any makeup bag and mine is being used an awful lot.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl, Nude #005

9. Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eye Kohl #005 Nude here
This was a very unexpected surprise purchase for me as I own a few nude eyeliners and always go to my favourite Inglot pencil as I like ones that are super soft but not too white looking. Whilst in the UK recently, I picked this one up from Rimmel to use for a wedding make-up that I was doing as it looked to be the perfect nude shade that would look completely natural in photographs. I thought I would trial run it first and instantly fell in love with it. Again for only £3.99 this is great for gently brightening your eyes up without making the waterline look too white. It's really soft and easy to apply and looks almost invisible in the waterline so this is a winner for me.

Make-up swatches below - as you can see worn together they really complement each other!

Swatches: Chanel #43 Rouge Allure Velvet, Mac Teddy Eye Kohl, Rimmel Scandaleyes nude #005

A lot of stars again this month but all worthy products that have kept me very happy! Let me know if you try any out for yourself!