Another month, another round of beauty+lifestyle bits I've been loving. I feel like May has gone 'blink and you'll miss it' fast. It's been mostly good but a lil' not so good. Anyway... During May I've found a few new beauty loves, rediscovered some things from times past and finally read a book I'd avoided for years. May Favourites, here's lookin' at you. 

Eyeko 'Eye Do' Eyeliner: I used to use this eyeliner back in the day, after I purchased it in a set with the Eye Do Mascara, designed in collaboration with Alexa Chung. It's still alive and well and thankfully so because it's a bloomin' good liner. Easy to use, blacker than black, budge proof. There's not much more to it than that really. 

The Body Shop Adriatic Peony Bath & Shower Cream*: Peonies are some of my favourite flowers so I was probably bound to love this. Regardless, I feel like The Body Shop do bath+shower products well. Their shelf-lives are reasonable for starter. This one is available in a travel-friendly size too. Always a bonus. This is essentially an in-shower body moisturiser. It does have a slight lather as well and the scent is divine. It's not overpowering and is perhaps only detectable to the wearer post-spritz but I don't mind that in the slightest. 

How To Build A Girl** x Caitlin Moran: So I admittedly held off on reading this book for ages. By ages, I mean years. I think I had it in my head that Moran's fiction wouldn't live up to the greatness of her essays. A very misguided prediction. Safe to say I loved this 'semi-autobiographical' novel about Johanna Morrigan, an aspiring music journalist who dreams of seeing her name in print and a life of notoriety in London. She gets that and more, although perhaps at a cost. Such is the nature of being young and making mistakes. This book is hilarious, moving and captivating. Caitlin's fiction didn't disappoint me. I cannot wait to read How To Be Famous, released in July. 

MAC Extended Play Mascara: So I finally grabbed this after hearing Sam sing its praises in her videos for years. Worth the hype and it looks amazing layered up and worn with curled lashes. I know mascara's such a subjective thing but I believe this is one of MAC's bestsellers so that probably speaks volumes on its own. I think I might have found my dream mascaras in the last two months. It's only taken me a few years. 

Moleskine Notebooks: Way back in the Uni days, these were my notebook of choice. I had them in varying sizes and colours. Well I've gone back to these ones and they are so good. I use them for journalling, keeping to-do lists, noting down podcast recommendations and of course the not so exciting grocery shopping lists. I love that they're well-made, relatively inexpensive and have a back pocket for stowing away random scraps of paper and the like. 

Coco Mademoiselle Intense: The original Coco Mademoiselle is a staple in my perfume lineup, see this post for evidence. So when I spritzed and had the new incarnation sweep me off my metaphorical feet, I needed it. Think of this as a more longer lasting, powerful version of the original. It's my new MVP perfume.

-What have you liked during May?

*PR Sample

**Review Copy

March, where have you gone!? This month I've been really getting on board with all things pink. You'll notice that trend carrying on into next month's posts as well. It's a bold claim, but many of these products have earned staple status in the beauty lineup this month, and I can imagine myself repurchasing many of these products. There's even some non-beauty favourites for a change too, just to mix things up a bit. So without further ado, here are March's favourites..

Benefit Gimme Brow*-We've seen the hype surrounding this product and I'm here to sell you that Gimme Brow deserves all the love that it gets. A brow gel/brow mascara hybrid, this product leaves you with fuller, defined brows. The tint is incredibly subtle which I love and it stays put until you're ready to take your makeup off. Impressive stuff.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Afternoon Tea-If you're a fan of glosses without shimmer then you're bound to love Afternoon Tea. This creamy pink is pigmented, long-wearing and has only the slightest amount of stickiness. Once the gloss wears off the colour leaves a stain behind. These lipglosses also smell amazing too. You can't really go wrong with these.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure-This blush combines everything we love from the Ambient Lighting powders with stunning blush pigments. Mood Exposure has been on high rotation this month. I've had to start reminding myself I have other blushes(!). This shade adds warmth to the face, a touch of highlight and subtle sculpting. It's a stunner.

Mac Eyeshadows-I'm sure this inclusion will come as such a surprise (ahem..) but in the last few weeks since creating my Mac palette I've just found myself using these colours a lot more. Sable is my go-to shade for lazy makeup days but I've also been loving Trax which in my eyes is more of an Autumnal colour. Mac eyeshadows are definitely some of my favourites. The colours are pigmented, easy to blend and have less fallout than some other brands. 

When two of my favourite things, Makeup and Alexa Chung join forces you can guarantee that I am bound to be excited, like a child on Christmas morning. Over Christmas Beauty Bay had this on sale and it just happened to fall into my cart. Happy late Christmas to me. Before I get started on the review I have to mention that this kit was so beautifully packaged and presented. Once opened, a layer of eye-covered tissue paper appeared. Inside were the products of course, but there is also a poster and a guitar pick adorned with Alexa's writing and illustrations. This set is limited edition so if you're after one then get online or in store today to snag yourself this beauty (#seewhatididthere). 

Eye Do Mascara I've been using this mascara religiously the past week and love it. The wand is the perfect size and shape for coating each individual lash. Alexa is right when she says this mascara stays on forever. While it is not waterproof, it does not smudge and is easily removed with a decent eye makeup remover. I also love that it contains a lot of natural ingredients to condition and promote natural lash growth. This may well be my new favourite luxe mascara.

Christmas is now over and if you're in the Southern Hemisphere no doubt some of you will be off right now spending gift vouchers or money in the Boxing Day Sales. I'm sure the fairies behind some of our favourite beauty sites are aware of all this too because a few days before Christmas their sales emails started appearing in my inbox. Well, they've certainly collated some fabulous beauty things in their sales. I've gathered a little edit of some of the best bargains. The best part is you don't even need to leave your house to purchase them. Whether you're looking to treat yourself, or get a head start on gifts for next year, you are bound to find something you're tempted by.

Eyeko 'Alexa Chung' Set-This cutely packaged kit contains an eyeliner and mascara that both have Alexa's artwork and approval behind them. I added this set to my cart and hastily left the tempting Beauty Bay realm, 'nuff said. 

Too Faced 'All I Want For Christmas' Set-This is such an adorable set. I love the case it is all packaged up in. You get everything you need, sans base for a makeup look in this set. If you're looking to try out Too Faced then you should pick this up because there's a well thought out selection of products to try in there. 

Diptyque Philosykos Eau De Toilette-A fresh, fig scent that is uplifting and not potent in the slightest. Now that I have the Figuier candle as well this scent reminds me a lot of the fragrance of fresh Christmas trees so it's like owning Christmas in a bottle all year. Who wouldn't want that?

Essie Winter Collection-Festive glittery reds, navy blues and cashmere greys. Love. You cannot fault Essie polishes. They're long-wearing, easy to apply and they have a fantastic colour range.