April Favourites 2014 ft Chanel, Clinique, Claire's, La Roche-Posay, L'Occitane, River Island, Kevin.Murphy, Shiseido & Shu Uemura

The months are whipping past at a rate that'd give even Willow Smith whiplash. How can it be the last day of April? Thankfully our weather has picked up too, we're blessed with more sunshiney days than not, Summer's in the air, can't you feel it? My April beauty faves all reflect that light and bright feeling. Ready? 

1. Corkscrew Hair Pins. €4.89 Here

I picked up these grúaig game changers on a recent trip to Galway and in the Claire's sale for €2. Just two of these twisty pins are enough to secure my entire mop into an upstyle that'll last the whole day through. If you need to pin your hair back for work or are FOREVER losing bobbins, because let's face it, who isn't? You need these corkscrew pins in yo' life. 

2. Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Eye Masks: €69.49 for 12 Here : €41.23 Here

Infused with pure retinol, eye baggáge doesn't stand a chance against Shiseido's Benefiance Pure Retinol Masks. Truly, if you're under the age of 35 you really don't need these skin plumping wonders on your face, you lucky sucker. For those of us over that particular digit though, you won't have ever experienced a mask like this before. 

Within 10 minutes the saturated masks plump and brighten the eye area. I've found that the results last me right into the next day too, with concealer gliding on after use. Yep, they're on the spendy side but seeing is believing and now I'm a believer. 

3. Kevin.Murphy Fresh.Hair Dry Shampoo: 

€24 in Salons: €16.39 Here

When the lovely Amy from Publicity Loft told me that of ALL her dry shampoo hoards that Aussie Kevin.Murphy was her favourite, I knew I had to try it. Much akin to Batiste's rich uncle from Bel Air, Fresh.Hair is a different animal of dry shampoo altogether. 

The nozzle sprays a very fine mist of almost fragrance free formulation onto your roots. This means that not only is there zero chance of the dreaded Cruella streak but also that it can be brushed in to and out of the hair with ease. I've been reaching for this more than any other hair product this past month for volume and jujj (it's a word). Kevin.Murphy is a keeper. 

4. Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara: 

€23 Here

I've given Clinique's new Lash Power Feathering Mascara a glowing review here. Whether it's been that I haven't been out as much this past month (does that sound convinving?) or just that I've been favouring a more subtle lash look (much more likely) this dinky wand has barely been out of my hand of a morning. 

Water/sweat and tear proof, tacky from the tube but feathery soft on the lash, this buildable mascara has fast become a firm favourite of mine. Not only for the look it gives but also for the longevity and ease of removal. I've found myself wittering on about it to Gals on other beauty counters and urging them to check it out for themselves. I have it bad. 

5. River Island Iridescent Snakeskin 

Clutch/Cross Body Bag: €25 Here

Have you ever been inexplicably drawn to a product that your feet almost move without your direction and glide you all the way to the till in a daze? Well that's what this iridescent stunner did to me this past month. I saw it, I HAD TO HAVE IT. 

The detachable strap means that not only can it be used as a clutch of an evening but my bandy back delights as it can be worn cross body too. In the sunshine this mála truly is a sight to behold. I'm so in love with it that I don't even mind that I said dreamily to the sales assistant 'Isn't it just like Crystal Barbie?' and she furrowed her brow in return 'Eh, who?'. I ain't even mad. 

6. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]: €19.99 Here

If you, like me, suffer from jaw achingly bad hormonal breakouts then you need Effaclar Duo [+] like yesterday. This anti-blemish, anti-mark gel works at a deeper level to unblock pores and smooth over skin. I can't count now the painful threatening Vesuvius' (Vesuvii?) that ED+ has saved me, my chin and my jawline from.  

Its anti shine properties mean that I've also been doubling up use of this gel as a primer to great effect. Just the smallest amount goes a very long way and doesn't leave a silcone feel or residue on the skin as other primers can. Can La Roche-Posay do any wrong? I've yet to see it. 

7. L'Occitane Brightening Essence: €53.50 Here

Only yesterday I waxed lyrical about the transformative powers of L'Occitane's reformulated Brightening Essence. Read that full review here. Blended with the essential oil of Corsican immortelle flowers and extract of wild daisies, my hyper pigmentation has been clearer than ever before in such sunshine. 

Proven in clinical trials and on my forehead of not simply reducing the effects of hyper active melanin but also improving brightness of my visage as a whole. This viscous serum is being used lovingly, if sparingly but will 100% be replaced once it runs out. 

8. Shu Uemura Detail Master Directional 

Fixing Spray: In Salons from May: Here €26.84

This Shu Uemura hairspray (because hairspray is what it is) has pretty much blown both Elnett and L'Oreal #TXT out of the uisce for me this month. That could be the beauty of the bottle, it could be the fine spray nozzle that ensures even distribution and high shine, holding results or it could be a mix of the lot. This stuff bloody works. 

I've been setting my hair each morning before heading off to the office with this Directional Fixing Spray and it's given my grúaig a shine like no other without the stickiness. My hair is held in place but not stiff and the minute I take it down just a rake through with my fingers is enough to give me full movement again yet still hold onto the body. It. Works. 

9. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet: €39.50 Here

Not normally one to succumb to Chanel foundation hype, my urgency to get Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet on my face took even me by surprise. Having seen the lovely Lisa Eldridge work her magic with it and having subsequently read several glowing reviews, i made a beeline for the Boots Blanchardstown Chanel counter. 

I got on so well there that it even made this weeks Monday's Moments, have a squizz and see why I think you should satiate your Chanel needs there from now on too, should you be in the vicinity. Not only does this velvety second skin foundation improve my skin from the first application, but it's buildable and seriously long lasting. I'll have a full review very soon but in the mean time, I'd urge you to to sample this beauty. Do it. DO IT. 

What have you been loving this past month then? If you have an April Faves post do please feel free to leave a link in the comments and I'll be sure to check it out.