Last year was the year I discovered some incredible base products, some are fairly high end but there are also some much more affordable options. I'm so happy that I discovered beauty blogs because without them I'd probably still be using some rubbishy foundation completely unaware that there are some lovely products out there. MAC Studio Sculpt foundation is an expensive product but my gosh is it brilliant! The gel based formula makes it lovely for all you dry skinned lovelies, the lightest shade is a perfect match for me and it gives a medium to full coverage depending on how much you build it up. A more inexpensive foundation option is Bourjois Healthy Mix serum. This is also gel based but much thinner in consistency and it gives a light medium coverage.
Concealer wise there is only really one star of the show for me and that's Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer. It has amazing coverage, the lightest shade is a perfect match for me & it costs under £5!
Eyebright from Benefit is a product I discovered quite late in 2011 but it's one that I wouldn't be without now. I absolutely hate the feeling of putting things in my waterline but this is worth it because it really brightens and opens up the eyes which is something I need because I only have tiny eyes! Another Benefit product I absolutely love is the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in the shade Recess. This is the only thing that keeps my eyeshadow on for longer that 10 minutes which is nothing short of a minor miracle!
I'm not the biggest eyeshadow person, a lot of heavy eye make up really doesn't suit me so I tend to always go for subtle neutral colours. There are two palettes I discovered last year that I'm in love with and they are the MUA Heaven & Earth palette and the infamous Urban Decay Naked Palette.
Somehow I managed to narrow my favourite blushers down to just four, which for a blusher addict is pretty amazing, don't you think? Illamasqua cream blush in the shade Promise is the most perfect warm mid toned pink and it really does look beautiful with so many different make up looks. Another Illamasqua blush I adored last year is their powder blush in the shade Tweak and yes, it really is as bright as it looks! A red toned hot pink, this is quite a tricky shade for someone as pale as me to wear but with a light hand this gives the most beautiful flush of colour. NARS Douceur and NYX Natural are both similar subtle neutral shades that gives a lovely healthy glow to the skin.
Firstly I'm super sorry for including the limited edition Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick but I just absolutely adore it. Other lipsticks that really stand out are Topshop Pillow Talk and of course, Revlon Cherries in the Snow. Last year I wasn't a huge fan of nude lipsticks and since I'm usually a fan of a more natural base I branched out into lipsticks that make a bit more of an impact!
Finally I had to include a couple of stand out hair products the first being the John Frieda Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray which really has worked wonders at lighting my hair colour by at least two shades! The conditioner that stands out to me as really helping to make my hair feel and look healthier is the Lee Stafford Treatment For Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length. I feel like I get a lot less breakage which is pretty amazing considering I backcomb my hair most days!
Have you tried any of the products I've talked about in this post? What did you think of them?
What were your favourite products of last year? I'd love to know!
xoxo
Loved this (: Decided I'm definitely going to buy the go lighter spray!
ReplyDeleteReally hope you love it! Xoxo
DeleteLove watching your videos. I literally just purchased Cherries In The Snow, your video has made me want to wear it even more! x
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Aww thank you! Yay, its such a lovely colour!! Xo
DeleteI have just got Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum and I'm liking it so far too! And I absolutely agree on Viva Glam Cyndi and Cherries in the Snow, super pretty :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you love it too! It's such a great formula! Xo
DeleteGreat vid. I've been wanting cyndi so much lately. every-time I see it and can't get my hands on it my heart breaks a little lol
ReplyDeleteAww lol! I'm saving mine for sure! Xo
DeleteI really would like to buy the boujois healthy mix serum! Looks like a wonderful product and I've seen you've mention it a few times! Must be good!
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The Urban Umbrella
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http://urbanumbrella.blogspot.com/
I really love it lots! Xo
DeleteOooh, I'm really itching to try Bourjois's foundations. I like Illamasqua blushers, too, and am looking to pick up a Naked palette. Good list!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHi Jennie, just wanted to say that you look great with your bangs a little bit "off" your face. Your face is beautiful and it's a shame to cover it up :)
ReplyDeleteWish you the best! x S.
Aww thanks! Xo
DeleteBefore I started readin blogs I was clueless. But I now find my self really wanting that Uran decay pallette! I always choose brown, golds and nude colours for my eyeshadow.
ReplyDeleteAmy @ www.bonjourcupcakes.blogspot.com xxx
Love it so much! Xo
DeleteThe blushers all look gorgeous, especially the super-bright Illamasqua one. x
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing colour! Xo
DeleteI love peoples faves posts! Three of yours that are two of mine are the Naked Palette and creaseless cream, but in birthday suit and skinny jeans, and studio sculpt... I love the weird smell too... what an oddball! xxBelle du Brighton
ReplyDeleteHaha same! Xo
DeleteI love these sort of posts, I really need to get the Lee Stafford stuff, I also did a favourite products of 2011 post with a video which you can look at here if you want http://princesspancake.blogspot.com/2012/01/favourite-products-of-2011.html xxx
ReplyDeleteReally do recommend the treatment! Ooh thanks, will check it out! Xo
DeleteI really want to try that lee stafford hair treatment!
ReplyDeleteLove it so much! Xo
DeleteI'm intrigued by the Lee Stafford hair care... My hair never grows past a certain length!! I love seeing what people like, beauty wise. I need the collection 2000 concealer because so many people rave about it!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing people's favourites too, they always make me find something else I want haha xo
DeleteAwww yay to your Products of the Year post! I should really do something like that too!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the Naked palette very much - not my thing, it's just too many shimmery eyeshadows, but I'm glad you like it :-)
As for the MAC Studio Sculpt - I tried that one but it didnt work with my skin type (oily).
I definitely need to get that Heaven & Earth palette by MUA tho - so far I've loved everything they do! My Holy Grail liquid liner is by them! :-)
xxx
Yeah, think studio sculpt is best on dry skin! Really recommend the heaven and earth palette! Xo
DeleteI loved reading this! I like the look of the hair treatment too! x
ReplyDeleteThank you! Xo
DeleteI've always wondered what the lee stafford product is like and I might have a nose in boots next week to see if I can find it! Anything to help with breakage is good in my book!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big make-up wearer but I've been tempted by the naked palette since my friend bought it and it looks fab, the colours are intense and really stay on. I'd like to start wearing a bit of eye shadow though for when I go out because I never feel as if I 'dress up' when I go out make-up, I fancy a bit of a subtle change. :) You look beautiful in the video too, your skin is just immense.
Aww thank you! Really do recommend the naked palette, it's lovely! Xo
DeleteSo so so many items I want to try!! Especially the blushes!
ReplyDeletehttp://lucyywrites01.blogspot.com
Lucy
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Hehe yay! Xo
DeleteI want to try the Llamasqua products so bad! I've heard so many good things about it!
ReplyDeleteReally recommend them! Xo
DeleteI love Topshop pillow talk, such a gorgeous colour xo fifi
ReplyDeleteIt's such a pretty shade! Xo
DeleteI've heard so many good things about that collection 2000 concealer, I'll have to try it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so so good! Xo
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