I feel like they equally enable me to go and try out a ridiculous amount of new products that simply must be incredible because “Anna from VDM loved it, so it must be great”. But also to “shop my stash” and remind myself of some of the products that I do actually love but have just gotten lost under a plethora of new ones.
So here they are, all bunched into one because let’s face it – I am far too enamoured with demolishing the leftover quality street and trialling out my Christmas presents to actually take the time to sit down and write a separate Beauty, Fashion, Skincare etc. 2014 post.
Yes, I am a shallow excuse of a blogger.
But hey, I’ve got some products for you, and, I’m attempting to only describe them in a few words so it won’t be 2016 by the time you finish this post. Does that make up for it? Oh good, I’m glad you think so 😉
Makeup
Mac Faux – The perfect plum-y nude. Amazing finish, lasts for hours, moisturising… just beautiful.
Tanya Burr Lip gloss in First Date and Chic – Chic is a very new buy of mine but still rockets into my favourites list (I reviewed it here) and First date is a beautiful pale pink. Very glossy, moisturising and long lasting.
Hourglass Ambient blush in Dim light – The perfect peachy blush for light to medium/olive skin tones. It just makes the face look brighter, healthier and alive. Love!
Mac Woodwinked – This has been a firm favourite since I bought it at least 4 years ago. Ahh woodwinked. Its a gorgeous bronzy, gold shade that by the way, has the best formula for an eyeshadow that I have ever tried. When buffed all over the lid and up into the crease, it also manages to look multi-toned, like darker in the crease (if that makes any sense? Nope, no sense at all)
Urban Decay 3 – I’ve used this regularly through the entire year. It has a mix of warm and cool toned shadows and is just so versatile. That is pretty much all.
Bourjois Happy Light concealer – this is a good little concealer that probably doesn’t get enough credit on the blogosphere*. It has a higher coverage than the average drugstore concealer, doesn’t crease, lasts well. But it’s not perfect. Recommendations for amazing under-eye concealers would be amazing!!
*If you ever meet me in real life, feel free to punch me in the face for using the phrase ‘blogosphere’.
Bourjois CC cream – I will most likely do a full review on this but in short – The CC is so amazingly long-lasting considering it’s also so moisturising. It has quite a unique satin-like finish that makes skin look luminous but also quite matte (In a polished way as opposed to looking flat). I highly recommend this.
Nars Virtual Domination – I have a full review here, so no need to waffle on about this. You can thank me at the end 😉
Soap and Glory, One heck of a blot – This is a very new purchase for me but believe me, it was very easy for me to put it in my favourites. It is incredible. Full review coming soon.
Brushes
Luckily, they’re both from Real Techniques so you’ve all seen/heard of them before and therefore I have no need to go into detail, right? Good times. #ShitBloggerSays
Odds and sods (Nails and Perfume)
Essie Fiji – It’s an oldie, but a classic. It’s a really opaque nude that has just the right amount of white in it without bordering on trashy.
Sienna X Illusionary – Ahh. Sienna X – Illusionary, you really are very pretty. I slightly reviewed/Haul’d it here but it’s basically a slightly blue toned, metallic silver and I love it.
Maybelline Divine Wine – I bought this literally a week ago and it has managed to sneak in there. It’s a gorgeous purple, Bordeaux wine kinda’ colour. Impossible to describe, impossible to take off of my nails!
Seche Vite top coat – The best top coat ever to have existed. I’m on around my 15th bottle now, no exaggeration. Does it contain all sorts of shitty bad chemicals? Word on the Internet is yes. Do I consider this before repurchasing it twenty times? Not for a second. Whoops!
Perfume
Tom Ford Black Orchid – It’s a classic that anybody who likes their perfume will probably have sniffed at least once in their time. Its a very strong musky, sexy, deep scent. Much more suitable for night time as it can be quite overpowering if you spray too much (although I do tend to wear it in the daytime too, because, well… YOLO and all that 😉 )
Jo Malone Wood sage and Sea salt – I reviewed this here, it was love at first sniff (Love at first sniff? What a loser..) Go check out that post to hear more about why I love it.
Skincare and Bath(y sort of stuff)
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask – I have mentioned this numerous times on my blog but I go into detail here. In short – it’s an intense moisturising mask that you leave on overnight and wake up to moisturised, hydrated, plump, bright, clear [insert your own ‘Moisturise’ synonym of choice here] skin. It is without a doubt, my number 1 favourite skincare product. Ever!
The Body Shop Camomile Silky cleanser – I wrote a full post, fan-girling the life out of it here but this is easily my favourite skincare discovery of 2014. It’s an oil cleanser that removes every scrap of makeup without leaving an oily film on your skin. Perfect for all skin types… I could basically be The Body Shop’s PR girl here couldn’t I? But it’s seriously amazing and I highly recommend.
Clarins Camomile toning lotion – Yeah, this bottle is a bit “go hard or go home” isn’t it? At 400ml it’s a big one to purchase considering I’d never tried it, but I’d heard good things, it was in the sale and I took the plunge. And thank the bloody lord I did. This.Stuff.Is.Incredible! It’s always hard to tell if a toner is actually doing anything, but with this my skin tone just looks more even, more clear and my pores just look much less noticeable. This one I will definitely be repurchasing.
Neals Yard White Tea mask – Another sentimental product. My Mum loves the smell of this mask and it was always something I treated her to (because she is a major tom boy and would never spend that amount on a skincare item) but she actually bought this for me for my birthday instead, and this is one my ultimate “me time” products. A lovely moisturising but deep cleansing mask, suitable for all skin types but especially sensible/dry skin. I love this stuff.
La Roche Posay Effaclar duo – this is such a blogger hype kind of product isn’t it? Everybody spoke about this at one point and I was certainly one of them. I’ve had this for years, it just clears up any breakouts and prevents them from coming on. And that’s pretty much all.
Roger and Gallet Ginseng Body butter – I have a review up on these body sorbets already but they’re just a lovely scented, nourishing but not sticky moisturiser that sinks in well. What more could you ask for really? (Erm, Ryan Gosling rubbing it in for you?)
The Body shop Vanilla brûlée – you know the drill by now, full review on it here. This is pamper heaven (and a pretty great Laura Mercier Creme brûlée dupe too). The end!
Lush Bath Bombs – I am new to Lush and my god have I fallen hook, line and sinker for it. The bath bombs in particular are my favourite and I now find a “normal” bath to be gravely disappointing. I need my popping candy, rainbow coloured bubbles god damn it!
Blogger/Vlogger favourites
I’m positive that you will all have no doubt heard of/watched/read all of these ladies blogs/video’s before so I won’t bore you all to death going into why I love each one. But I do love each one. I look forward to reading their posts and watching their video’s. I look forward to doing so and indulging in the ultimate me-time where I can finally switch off from all things work/TV. But most of all, I’m thankful that I discovered such amazing girls that are a constant source of inspiration. Sartorial, Cosmetic, superficial almost inspiration, but inspiration none the less. If you haven’t heard of any of these ladies, I highly recommend hot-footing it over to their channel right this second!
Suzie, Hello October – Blog – Youtube
Sammi, The Beauty Crush – Blog – Youtube
Liv, What Olivia Did – Blog – Youtube
Hannah (and her gorgeous little family), Hannah Maggs – Blog – Youtube
Fleur, Fleur De Force – Blog – Youtube
Alix, I Covet Thee – Blog – Youtube
Kenza, Kenza Zouiten – Blog
Anna, Vivianna Does Makeup – Blog – Youtube
Lily Pebbles – Blog – Youtube
Tanya Burr – Blog – Youtube