Beauty: March Favourites

Happy Thursday Lovelies!
March has been quite an exciting month regarding new beauty buys. All the products I'm showing you in today's post are new to me, with the exception of just one. And what's more I've loved each product (I hate it when a product disappoints you), which in my mind means my money's been well spent!
Let's crack on & kick off with my new spring/summer lipsticks:

Mac Candy Yum Yum
I bought these at Duty Free when I went to Amsterdam. Both colours had been on my radar for a while, I was always testing them at the Mac counters, but had resisted buying them as I already had a couple of Chanel lipsticks in similar colours.
The reality when getting them home was that the Mac colours are so much more vibrant than my existing Chanel lippies, or should I just say brighter!
M'Orange This is a bold, deep orange yet bright at the same time. It literally sizzles on the lips & screams high summer! It feels moisturising on the lip with a creamy texture - colour longevity is excellent.
Candy Yum Yum This is a matte pink, so if you're looking for a bit of shine, this isn't for you. As such, it feels drier on the lip on application, but nevertheless doesn't dry your lips out. As this is such a bright shade it really lasts.

On the left: Mac Candy Yum Yum vs Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L'Eclatante On the right: Mac M'Orange vs Chanel Rouge Allure in Eccentrique

Top: Mac M'Orange Bottom: Mac Candy Yum Yum
Hopefully in the above shot you can see the difference between the matte pink vs the amplified, creamier orange.
Next up it's time to get fake tanning...

St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Med/Dark
On my return from my holiday to Dubai I felt so much better with a tan I wanted to try & keep the tan going. I'd stopped fake tanning over the winter as I was so covered up, it was time to start up again.
I've used many fake tan brands in the past with some real horror results, but I've been using St Tropez for years now & would 100% recommend you to try it. Yes it's on the slightly pricey side, but you get what you pay for - a reliable, streak free, natural looking tan.
The Gradual Tan range combines everyday moisturising properties, such as aloe vera with tanning agents. Used every day it builds a golden bronze natural looking tan.
Let's move onto my stippling brush...

Real Techniques Stippling Brush
I've been forced to buy a new brush as the foundation brush in my Chanel brush set (Les Minis De Chanel) is seriously malting bristles. Don't worry it's extremely well used as I've had the brush set for a very very long time, but I was getting fed up of picking loose brush hairs off my face.
Enter my new Real Techniques Stippling brush...I absolutely LOVE the finish I get applying my foundation with this brush & wish I'd used a stippling brush long before now. The top layer of bristles are really light & feathery which gives a pretty flawless finish. I cannot recommend this brush enough, it will make such a difference to the overall finished look of your make-up.
Onto some hair TLC...

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment
I have been suffering with hair breakage of late, which has really concerned me. It's probably through years of highlights, coupled with daily exposure to chlorine while swimming (I use a protective spray & wear a swim hat). It was time to take action after I saw the Aussie range of 3 minute miracle products on Tamara's blog who always has the most amazing hair!
Packed with Australian Eucalyptus extract & Avocado oil it penetrates the hair shaft & helps to revitalise dry, damaged long hair by reducing breakage. My hair felt so much softer & silkier after using this, and basically felt a lot less like straw! I also felt my overall blow dry is better & the hair is more manageable. These shots were taken just after using it (unfortunately it was incredibly windy so my hair didn't behave). If you have long hair that could do with some TLC I would definitely suggest you give it a go.
Last but not least...

Essie Hors D'Oeuvres
Part of the Encrusted Treasures range, Essie Hors D'Oeuvres is a gold base with silver glitter flakes. I'm using it mainly as an accent nail on top of other colours, which adds the glam factor to your mani.
I swatched it on some sellotape as I already had nail varnish on...

Here's one of my instagrams (@intotheblonde) with me wearing Hors D'Oeuvres as an accent nail over the top of Essie Tart D'Eco...

a gorgeous bit of sparkle...
That rounds up my March beauty favourites! What were your favourite products this month, let me know as I may want to gove them a go!

Stay beautiful Lovelies