Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?
Before I get into today's post, I just want to thank you all for reading and commenting throughout 2019. My giveaway for regular readers and commenters will end at midnight tonight but if you don't win, please don't be disheartened as I have more giveaways in the pipeline for next year. I know that some people think that blogs are dying out but I personally still love reading them and writing my own so as long as there are some of you out there who are happy to keep reading, I'm happy to keep writing!
Over the course of the week, I have been sharing my beauty favourites in individual categories but today it's all about products that I discovered this year that have made their way into my hall of fame. If a product was gifted to me, it will be marked with a * but there is no obligation on me to share any gifted products and, as with all of my posts, this is not sponsored. It's a long one so let's get started!
Fragrance: I've been introduced to a lot of new fragrances this year but the standouts for me are from Gallivant and Jo Loves. I would highly recommend trying the Gallivant Nomad Sampler Set* because you get the opportunity to try all of the scents plus there is also a £25 discount off the full size bottle of your choice. Berlin is my personal favourite (as you can see in the photo above, I've almost finished it!) because I love the combination of black pepper, vetivert and grapefruit and I am always complimented when I wear it. I've only tried two scents from Jo Loves but absolutely adore both (review here). Pomelo is so invigorating without being too sharp and White Rose and Lemon Leaves is feminine and romantic. Both linger on the skin for hours and always garner compliments.
Skincare: I've made some brilliant discoveries this year and the absolute stand out is Dr Dennis Gross Professional Grade Liquid Resurfacing Peel*. Oh my goodness, the difference that this makes to my skin overnight is unbelievable! I have a full review here but it basically it acts like a filter for the skin - it softens, refines pores, retexturises and brightens!
Two products, which aren't in the photo above as I need to repurchase them but they wowed me this year. The first is Emma Hardie Exfoliating Brightening Tonic, which I have reviewed here. It is gentle enough to use daily, yet effective enough to refine pores, soften skin and improve radiance. The second product is Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance 2.0*, which is probably the most perfect moisturiser that I have ever used for my exact skin type. I have a full review here but what I love most about this moisturiser is how soft, plump and nourished my skin felt, as well as looking brighter and feeling firmer but that feeling didn't disappear after a few hours. If you have dry, sensitive skin, I really urge you to try this.
Two products, which aren't in the photo above as I need to repurchase them but they wowed me this year. The first is Emma Hardie Exfoliating Brightening Tonic, which I have reviewed here. It is gentle enough to use daily, yet effective enough to refine pores, soften skin and improve radiance. The second product is Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance 2.0*, which is probably the most perfect moisturiser that I have ever used for my exact skin type. I have a full review here but what I love most about this moisturiser is how soft, plump and nourished my skin felt, as well as looking brighter and feeling firmer but that feeling didn't disappear after a few hours. If you have dry, sensitive skin, I really urge you to try this.
I have noticed a huge difference in the skin on my neck since I started using Prai Ageless Throat & Decolletage Serum - it is just more supple, firm and bouncier. Full review here. Also from Prai, I have recently started using their Eye Tight Uplift Serum, which I am in love with already. It seems to almost give a botox like effect without any sticky or uncomfortable feeling and skin looks smooth with concealer applying very evenly over it.
Now on to serums and there have been two standout discoveries for me this year. The first is Everyday Glow Serum from Naya*, which I have reviewed here. This is an instant glow-giver but over time, skin is bright, firm and more elasticized. The second is Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum*, which is like botox in a bottle! Full review here but, in short, it really helps to diminish naso-labial lines, helps to firm a slack jaw and increases the elasticity of the skin in general . It also helps to improve hyperpigmentation. It can be used in the eye and neck areas too so although pricey, the results are worth it.
Oskia Liquid Mask Lactic Acid Micropeel is a quick, easy and effective way to exfoliate the skin as it is left on overnight - minimal effort required. Skin is left soft, feeling smooth and looking bright. Full review here.
Finally for skincare, one of the first new products I tried this year was Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream. This is not for retinol newbies as peeling is inevitable, however the results are 100% worth it. I know that this brand was a bit controversial this year but I'm not interested in dramas if products work well for me. A little goes a long way with this cream and with regular use, fine lines are less visible, old scarring and textured skin is improved, pores are refined and skin tone overall is more even. Pricey but worth it. Full review here.
Makeup: I didn't actually expect to have as many makeup favourites as I have as I was pretty restrained with my purchases, compared to previous years, yet here we are! 2019 seemed to be the year of foundation launches, or at least the summer of 2019 did! Every other week, there was a new launch and I won't lie, I bought quite a few but the two that really stood out to me and that I find myself reaching for continuously (and will most probably repurchase) are Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation and Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation. The Pat McGrath foundation has light to medium coverage with a semi-satin finish and doesn't budge once it's set. It looks like my skin but a helluva lot better! Full review here. The ABH foundation offers a solid medium coverage, gliding over pores and fine lines, with a luminous finish. I receive so many compliments when I wear this foundation because it makes my skin look even and lit from within. Full review here.
I discovered three new primers that I love this year, which is probably excessive but I never apply m makeup without a primer! They are Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, which is hydrating, as the name suggests, yet it isn't greasy or heavy. If anything, it's quite lightweight and works well with all types of foundation. The second is Cover FX Gripping Primer, which does exactly as the name suggests - it makes sure every foundation adheres to the skin and is literally budge-proof. It's perfect for long days, nights out and humidity. Full review here. The third primer is very budget friendly: Catrice 10 in 1 Dream Primer, which my friend Orla from Beauty Brat, introduced me to! This gives the skin a soft focus look - blurring pores, hydrating, minimises the appearance of fine lines and more. It feels hydrating without being greasy and it contains SPF - a brilliant product at a very affordable price!
I needed a new cream bronzer over the summer and decided to buy Huda Beauty Tantour, which can look scary in the pan but it blends out so evenly and seamlessly for a natural look. In terms of highlighter, I have three products that really stand out. The first is a liquid one: Becca Glow Silk Highlighter Drops. Because I have dry skin, liquid highlighters work so well for me and I particularly love this one as it contains concentrated pearls of Champagne Pop. The shade and formula suit my medium skin so well. In terms of powder highlighter, I couldn't resist buying Charlotte Tilbury Magic Star, which is limited edition. It is a beautiful gold shade, with a peach shift, it is finely milled and a dream to work with! Review and swatch here. A late contender but one that I couldn't not mention is the bronze and highlight duo from Too Faced Let It Snow Girl*. I have a review with swatches here but the reason I love it so much is that it is so buttery soft that it applies to the cheeks like a dream and gives a very lit from within look with an intensity that can be built up.
Concealers are products that I will either try a few of within the space of a few weeks or just consistently use the same one (or two in this case) for months. The two that I discovered this year that I absolutely love and will repurchase are Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination Concealer*. I love that the CT one feels stretchy and elasticized so it doesn't cake or settle into fine lines and it adds a good medium coverage. My only bug bear with it is that the lid is hard to get over the doe foot applicator the more I use it. A little goes a long way with the IT Cosmetics concealer but I just love how it instantly brightens my under eye area and can hide a multitude of sins!
I discovered three new primers that I love this year, which is probably excessive but I never apply m makeup without a primer! They are Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, which is hydrating, as the name suggests, yet it isn't greasy or heavy. If anything, it's quite lightweight and works well with all types of foundation. The second is Cover FX Gripping Primer, which does exactly as the name suggests - it makes sure every foundation adheres to the skin and is literally budge-proof. It's perfect for long days, nights out and humidity. Full review here. The third primer is very budget friendly: Catrice 10 in 1 Dream Primer, which my friend Orla from Beauty Brat, introduced me to! This gives the skin a soft focus look - blurring pores, hydrating, minimises the appearance of fine lines and more. It feels hydrating without being greasy and it contains SPF - a brilliant product at a very affordable price!
I needed a new cream bronzer over the summer and decided to buy Huda Beauty Tantour, which can look scary in the pan but it blends out so evenly and seamlessly for a natural look. In terms of highlighter, I have three products that really stand out. The first is a liquid one: Becca Glow Silk Highlighter Drops. Because I have dry skin, liquid highlighters work so well for me and I particularly love this one as it contains concentrated pearls of Champagne Pop. The shade and formula suit my medium skin so well. In terms of powder highlighter, I couldn't resist buying Charlotte Tilbury Magic Star, which is limited edition. It is a beautiful gold shade, with a peach shift, it is finely milled and a dream to work with! Review and swatch here. A late contender but one that I couldn't not mention is the bronze and highlight duo from Too Faced Let It Snow Girl*. I have a review with swatches here but the reason I love it so much is that it is so buttery soft that it applies to the cheeks like a dream and gives a very lit from within look with an intensity that can be built up.
Concealers are products that I will either try a few of within the space of a few weeks or just consistently use the same one (or two in this case) for months. The two that I discovered this year that I absolutely love and will repurchase are Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination Concealer*. I love that the CT one feels stretchy and elasticized so it doesn't cake or settle into fine lines and it adds a good medium coverage. My only bug bear with it is that the lid is hard to get over the doe foot applicator the more I use it. A little goes a long way with the IT Cosmetics concealer but I just love how it instantly brightens my under eye area and can hide a multitude of sins!
Revitalash Advanced Serum is absolutely brilliant for helping lashes grow. I couldn't believe the difference in my lashes in the space of 3/4 weeks of consistent use! They were longer and stronger but also felt softer. I need to try the brow version next.
Finally (!), two lip discoveries that I absolutely love are Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips* and Clarins X The Kooples Lip Comfort Oil*. I love any product that will make my lips look plump and juicy and both of these products do that in different ways. The Superstar Lips feel like a balm but perform like a lipstick with a shiny finish (but not frosted) - review here. The Lip Oil nourishes the lips, gives a glossy finish and can be worn alone or as a lip topper. I've been wearing it non-stop over the colder months.. Full review here.
If you have made it this far, thank you! I would really love to hear some of your favourite product discoveries this year?
Finally (!), two lip discoveries that I absolutely love are Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips* and Clarins X The Kooples Lip Comfort Oil*. I love any product that will make my lips look plump and juicy and both of these products do that in different ways. The Superstar Lips feel like a balm but perform like a lipstick with a shiny finish (but not frosted) - review here. The Lip Oil nourishes the lips, gives a glossy finish and can be worn alone or as a lip topper. I've been wearing it non-stop over the colder months.. Full review here.
If you have made it this far, thank you! I would really love to hear some of your favourite product discoveries this year?
I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas, if you celebrate it and if not, just enjoy the time off work (if you are off, that is). Stay cosy and safe, enjoy the nice food and quality time with loved ones. See you in 2020!
Thanks for reading!
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