The 2020 Hall Of Fame: Discoveries

 

Most of these products were purchased by me, but if a products was gifted to me, it will be marked with a *

It's the final day of my 2020 favourites, and today it's all about products that I discovered this year and it's  the longest one, as I really discovered so many great products this year! It's also my last post before Christmas, so I want to take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas, and to thank you all for your support over the past year. My views have increased, so if anyone thinks that blogs are dying out.....think again! I appreciate my loyal readers and every single comment you leave. Now, on with the post....

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation: This foundation has a very watery texture, with a pipette dispenser, and with one layer, a light/quite sheer coverage is achieved, but it is definitely buildable, without being cakey. It gives the skin the most natural, perfect skin-like finish. It feels so weightless on the skin, has SPF 30 and hyaluronic acid in the ingredient list - perfect for those with dry or dehydrated skin, who aren't into full coverage and want their skin to actually look like skin.... only perfected. Full review here.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer: I adore cream products on my cheeks, as my skin is so dry and this cream bronzer just blends so seamlessly into the skin. It looks so natural on the skin, no hint of muddiness or patchiness at all. Fenty can't really do any wrong when it comes to makeup!

Maison Margiela Replica Under The Lemon Tree*: Oh my goodness, this fragrance is amazing. It is a recent discovery, but there's no way I could leave it out because I'm wearing it pretty much daily. This 30ml size is exclusive to Cult Beauty, so I'm tempted to buy the larger size and keep this for my handbag. It literally brings me back to our honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast - the scent of lemons, balanced with coriander essence, cedarwood essence, musk and  musk, make it the perfect blend - not too sharp and suitable for both men and women (not that I'm sharing!). If you find that citrus scents are usually too sharp for your taste, but you like hoe invigorating they are, I'd highly recommend giving this a try.

Kérastase Genesis Bain Anti-Fortifiant Shampoo: I bought this shampoo a while ago, to support my post-Covid hair loss, as it's specifically designed to help hair loss (post-pregnancy or during illness, for example). This release couldn't have come at a better time for me. It is designed to strengthen the hair, and revive weakened hair at the scalp, whilst also soothing the scalp. I find it to be very hydrating and non-greasy and my hair is definitely not falling out as much - probably back to general hair loss that most people suffer, and this has contributed to that, which I am extremely grateful for. When you're in the thick of being ill, you think that these things don't matter, but they actually do, as you wear your hair every day, it's part of your identity, so anything that will help to keep it strong, will always be on my shelf. I have used this brand for over 20 years and that speaks volumes for how much I love it!

Jo Malone Yuja Cologne: Another fragrance, which is actually very similar to the one I mentioned above - I guess I have a thing for invigorating fragrances, that aren't too sharp. Among the notes are Yuja, Fir Balsam, Cedarwood and Clary Sage - so again, it's pretty much a unisex fragrance (but again, I'm not sharing!). I just wish it wasn't limited edition - again I want to buy a full size, or else I hope they make it part of the permanent collection.

Omorovicza The Cure*: This is a set that comes with a price that isn't for the faint-hearted, however if you have a special occasion coming up (perfect for brides), are wrecked from doing night feeds, (a real treat for new mothers), or have been ill for a while and it's showing in your skin - or even just when you want your skin to look its best, this is 100% worth the money! I really put this to the test after first having Covid, and then the flu - so I honestly looked and felt awful - no better time to try it and see if my skin could really be transformed in 9 days. I kept the rest of my skincare routine very simple, to really test the ingredients and it worked wonders! I particularly loved days 7-9 and would drown myself in that every night if I could! My skin was left smooth, silky soft and glowing - pretty much a miracle, given what I was going through and I could do with it again now as I'm even more ill, with double pneumonia and a host of other infections, so this might have to be a post-Christmas treat to myself, to start 2021 looking better, even if I'm not feeling it! Full review here. (Not pictured as I need to repurchase).

AHC Hydrating Essential Real Eye Cream For Face*:  Actually, it's not just this product, but the brand in general. This brand has knocked my socks off and regular readers will know that I have a penchant for pricey skincare, but this brand does a brilliant job, at a very reasonable price. I have a full review of the Aqualuronic range here and the Hydrating Essential Real Eye Cream for Face here. Whether you are a fan of K-Beauty, or not, you NEED to try some of these products. Please let me know if you do as it's one of the new brands, which has excited me most in 2020, so I'm looking forward to future releases and will be making definite repurchases myself.  (Not pictured as I need to repurchase).                       

Olaplex No 0: Another post-Covid hair loss saviour (I will stop banging on about it at some point, but I'm on Day 308 of it now - I never thought anything could be worse than Chronic Lyme, but that combined with long Covid has almost killed me this year).  This isn't the easiest to apply, due to the nozzle - a spray would be much more effective, as it's applied to dry hair, which needs to be saturated in product. That's a minor complaint though, as it is so effective at repairing the bonds in the hair, to really strengthen it and prevent further breakage - perfect for my issue, but also over-processed, over-heat styled and bleached hair - if you suffer from any of these issues, I would highly recommend trying it. Full review here. Save 20% by using the code LYMIN at checkout.

Neom Wellbeing Pod Essential Oil Diffuser:  My lovely Mam bought this for me back in the summer, and I have literally used it every day since then. You only need a few drops of essential oils, mixed with water, to fill the room with scent. It also has a light inside, if you want to create an ambience, and it has a timer, if you are worried about falling asleep with it on. I just love that I can change my scent up to suit my mood (there's a wide range available and I even bought the Christmas one recently, instead of the candle I bought last year). You can put it in a baby's room before putting them down for a nap, so that the room has a relaxing scent (and that includes big babies, like me! - I use the sleep oil every night for a few hours before going to bed) If you want to really treat yourself or someone you love, who loves their house to smell good and especially those who are less keen on candles, this would make the perfect gift. Save 20% by using the code LYMIN at checkout.

Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturiser*: This is the perfect moisturiser for those who have very dry skin, for the colder months. Full of nourishing ceramides, oils and fatty acids, yet it sinks in so well, despite the rich texture. It really repairs and maintains the skin's barrier function and is ideal for these colder temperatures, whether you spend most of your time indoors or outdoors. I've recently repurchased. Full review here. (Not pictured as I have just repurchased and the post is SLOW!!).

ARK Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser*: Another outstanding skincare discovery this year! I especially love the cleanser and wish I had known about it sooner.  My preference is to use it as a morning cleanse as it leaves my skin feeling clean and revitalised, but not at all tight or stripped. It's packed with oils, so it really suits my dry skin, but I think that those with normal and combination skin would enjoy it too. It doesn't leave a film on the skin - just a soft, plump feeling. Beautiful!  Full review of the brand here.

L'Occcitane Pink Sunrise Fruity Light Reflection Highlighter*: One of my favourite makeup brands has started to produce makeup, and I couldn't be happier about it! I loved their lipstick releases last year, but being a highlight addict, I was delighted to see this recent release. I do hope that a more golden or champagne shade will also be released, but that said, I'm really enjoying this pink shade as it just lifts the complexion in a very natural way. I tend to use my fingers to dab it on the high points of my cheeks, but it's also beautiful as an inner corner highlight for the eyes, with a small brush. It blends in so easily and is also beautiful for no makeup days, mixed some moisturiser, just to take the dull look away from skin, but without leaving a discoball effect. I also love the tube packaging, as it's easy to control how much is dispensed. I am very excited to see what other products are in the pipeline...

Image Vital C Hydrating Water Burst*: I adore Image skincare and this product, in particular, was a revelation for me this year. Vitamin C can be a tricky ingredient for my skin, but I could use this moisturiser daily. It literally is as the name describes - it has a gel texture, which I'm usually wary of with my skin type, but when applied, it literally bursts into a watery texture, filled with Vitamins C and E, Hyaluronic Acid and their Water Burst Technology™. It quenches the skin's thirst immediately, and with consistent use, my skin was so luminous - no mean feat when you're so ill! Full review here. (Not pictured as I need to repurchase). 

If you've made it this far, thank you and I hope you'll try some of my recommendations - let me know if you do! I would also love to hear what your favourite discoveries have been this year?

I'll be quiet on here over the Christmas break, although I have a post scheduled for New Year's Eve, but I need time to relax and recover. My body has been through a lot and it just needs rest to heal. I also love that my husband is off work from the 24th until January 11th, so quality time with him is so important to me. You'll probably still catch me on Instagram though - link here!

Hoping you all stay safe and have a happy and healthy Christmas! And thank you again for all of your support over the last 12 months!

Thanks for reading!

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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been kindly gifted, without obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.