Autumn is the best time of year for me and always makes me happy, not least because it means great seasonal products make comebacks. It also means that certain scents just seem to work more. All of this has inspired this month's list, so here are the beauty items I can't do without this October:
Heyland & Whittle Oatmeal & Spice Soap
All of H&W's traditional soaps are made out of natural ingredients, including several different types of oil and butter, which results in a really soft lather that leaves your skin feeling moisturised instead of dry. While I have used most of their solid soaps, I constantly come back to this one as I love the fragrance - which is created using essential oils - and the gentle exfoliation it provides due to the oats and poppy seeds.
I may be a bit biased about this soap in particular, as I got to make it myself a couple of years ago - the perks of my day job - but this also means I know what goes in it. The soap is suitable for using on your face as well as your hands and body, will last for ages as you only need a small amount to get a great lather and is kind of like autumn in a bar. I highly recommend any of their traditional soaps, especially as they have lots of scents and different ones for various skin types.
Lush Cosmetics Lord of Misrule Shower Creme
The LoM bath bomb came out a couple of years ago and I wasn't a fan when I looked at it in store. However, I got one in a Christmas gift and once I dropped it in my bathwater, I was hooked. This is why I was ridiculously happy when they brought it out as a shower creme last year, and even more so when it came back this Halloween (I also have the perfume version of it).
It has a wonderful herby patchouli scent, with spicy undertones of black pepper and a subtle sweetness of vanilla. I've honestly never smelled anything like it. The bright creme shower creme is really moisturising, leaving your skin feeling soft and fresh. While it doesn't foam up as much as some of their shower products, LoM is still brilliant whether you're using it in the morning or evening. I'm looking forward to layering up the bath bomb, shower gel and perfume, because one product in this fragrance isn't enough!
Revlon Colourshow Nail Polish Gel Envy Top Coat
September's Birchbox included a full size version of this top coat and I wasn't too convinced when I unboxed everything, but I like to try and use all the products I get sent so made an effort to paint my nails. A couple of days later and I was totally convinced by this top coat.
The polish is fairly thick but not too heavy so it was easy to apply and didn't smudge the colour underneath. I thought it was going to take some time to dry, but it dried solid in just a few minutes, resulting in a really glossy finish. I applied two coats just for good measure (typing all day is a killer for nail polish), which didn't leave my nails feeling tacky at all.
Three days later and my nail varnish was still going strong. It wasn't until later in the evening on day three that I chipped my nail polish and that was only after having a bath. It didn't fair as well while I was on holiday because I was in the pool so much, but it lasted better than any other top coat I've tried.
NYX Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade in Chocolate
I've tried numerous brow kits and products over the years - including NYX's Eyebrow Gel, which I was disappointed with - but nothing has ever given the results I've been looking for. Powders don't give enough colour, pencils are too heavy, gels start to dry before you've finished your look and pomades are often to greasy. This left me feeling a bit uninspired and frustrated.
I ended up buying NYX's pomade on a whim because I needed something before my holiday and I'm really glad I did. While the gel was fairly rubbish - it was too heavy, dried to fast and flaked off - this pomade is great. It's really soft and blendable, giving effortless definition and working like a pencil when you need it to.
Once it's on, it stays put for the entire day, even if you happen to rub your eyebrow. You can easily build the colour up in areas and correct mistakes without a fuss when doing your face. It has helped me to really step up my brow game and discover the best shape for my face. I think I've finally found my go-to brow product.