Happy New Year my lovelies! I hope you all are well and not too hungover from New Year celebrations (I'm not going to lie, I did write this blog post earlier, so I'm most probably sleeping off last night, in bed as you read this!). I know its a cliche to say so, but didn't 2013 go by so quickly! Im sure I'll be saying the same again in a years time! Anyway, here is my first blog post of 2014 (yippee!) and boy is it a good one (and a rather long one)! Below are my top products of 2013, from my favourite blusher, to my favourite perfume and face mask. Every product mentioned, I would whole heartily recommended. I will briefly mention why I love the product and link to both a full review (if available) and where you can purchase it. Don't forget to let me know a couple of your top beauty buys for 2013 - Im always looking to try new things! Let's get started...
MAKEUP:
During summer of 2013, I fell in love the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (review) it is a fab primer and I always reach for it when I want my makeup to last. Speaking of falling in love, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (review) is just unlike anything else I have ever applied to my face! It is a little pricey, but I will happily pay the price again and again! When it comes to concealing bags under my eyes, I love to use Garnier BB Eye Cream (review). It is hydrating and works like a dream on my dry skin and on to concealing those pesky unwelcome guests (a.k.a mr spots), I reach for Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (review) which also works perfectly under the eyes too, together with the Garnier BB Eye Cream.
Powders excite me. Yes you read that right. I get excited by powders! I found the NARS counter in 2013 and I will never look back! As you can see I have hit pan on both NARS Laguna and NARS Orgasm (some major #panporn going on there!). I can’t be without either of these powders! Although I have a few others I use, I always come back to these two. Also, if I want my makeup to last just that little longer, I like to use MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder (review) a loose powder that isn’t cakey and completely colourless.
An old favourite Benefit Watts Up Highlighter (review) is yet to be beaten, although theBalm’s Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer did come close (its such a mouthful every time!). I love to apply this to the top of my cheek bones on a night out and it looks fab with a tan, or for those no makeup, makeup days! When it comes to priming my lids to prolong my eyeshadow wear, I have loved Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I have used multiple eyeshadow primers and been thoroughly disappointed, this one trumps them all! Moving on to lipstick... Another product which excites me greatly! MAC Lovelorn Lipstick (review) has most certainty been the lippy of the year for me! A beautiful pink, perfect for all seasons and all skin tones! B-e-a-utiful! Also Revlon lip butters most certainly should get a little mention! They are fab - review coming soon.
Although I do love my Urban Decay Naked Palettes (1&3), my My MAC eyeshadow palette (review) has without a shadow of a doubt (see what I did there!?) pushed them to one side! What is better than having a handful of top quality eyeshadows and picking the colours yourself!? I have most certainly have been, having a love affair with this palette - I can’t get enough of it! My favourite eyeshadow of 2013 is MAC Naked Lunch (review), I love to wear it alone all over the lid and it goes with every colour in my palette - just a super pretty, versatile shade - WINNER.
In 2013 I conquered the dreaded liquid liner with L'oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim. Although it looks very scary with its long pointed nib, it has made applying liquid liner a doddle! Another favourite eyeliner has to be MAC Coffee Eye Pencil (which unfortunately I no longer own, as I lost it on a night out - fail!). This pencil liner has to get a mention as I wore it to death during 2013 and I will be buying a new one ASAP! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you would have seen my latest review on Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara (review), another product which stole the limelight for me in 2013. And finally Benefit Brow Zings (review) a product I simply can’t be without.
SKIN CARE:
There is nothing worse than scabby, flakey lips! But with these two products there is no such thing! Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (review) has to be my top skincare product of 2013! Now theres a statement! It does everything and I just LOVE it! A new found love is Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub which exfoliates my lips like a dream and it tastes amazing.
Now there is no point having top quality makeup if you dont have good skin, so during 2013 I tried my hardest to look after my skin. Lets start with cleanser. Its a no brainer really Bioderma (review) has changed the way I remove my makeup forever! I can’t remember the last time I used a makeup wipe! I love the stuff and Im currently on my 3rd bottle. Although I do double cleanse, I haven’t found a cleanser which I love, which is why there isn’t another cleanser featured here. Next up is my skin care hero Michael Todd Algae Toner (review) a toner from America which has worked wonders! Furthermore, I love a good face mask and this next product is amazing! Una Brennan Clay Mask (review) is extremely effective and for under a tenner you can’t complain! I have tried a few moisturisers this year and have been happy with a few, but I always reach back for Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion (this is in-fact my 4th bottle!). Now, I’m not one to moisturise all over (I can be a little lazy) but Garnier Body Tonic Hydrating Lotion changed all that for me! Smells good, it works and isn’t greasy, with the added bonus of having firming properties! Another winner.
I can’t speak highly enough about these next three products - they are all worth the hype! First up is a true skincare miracle worker
La Roche-Possay Effaclar Duo (review). This product has changed my skin! It is a product I have recommend to everyone and anyone and they have loved it too! And when Im having a skin crisis this is the product I reach for. In addition to that I have loved, loved, loved using Hydraluron Moisture Booster. This serum works wonders for those like me with dry skin. And lastly
Keilhs Midnight Recovery Oil a nighttime favourite that I like to apply before my Clinique moisturiser. After just one night of using this oil, myself and my mum noticed a difference in my skin. It may be a little on the pricer side but it smells divine, feels lovely and lasts forever!
HAIR CARE:
During 2013, L’oreal stood out from the rest when it came to hair care! I love L’oreal Ever Pure Shampoo & Conditioner for coloured hair it smells incredible (no word of a lie!) and after I use it there is a noticeable difference in the condition of my hair. As you can see I love it so much I cut open the packaging to get every last drop. This shampoo and conditioner came in very handy after I dyed my hair with the L'oreal Wild Ombre Kit (review) back in August 2013. If you are looking to dip dye your hair I highly recommend this kit. In addition to using the L’oreal shampoo and conditioner I jumped on the hair oil bandwagon and bought L'oreal Extraordinary Oil (All hair types), another product that has immediate results! And last but by no means least, my much loved Tangle Teezer! I honestly can’t remember the last time I used a regular hair brush!
TOOLS:
Now the major breakthrough in 2013 was coming across brushes. Real Techniques Brushes to be a little more precise. The difference these lovelies made to my makeup is unreal! They are inexpensive, yet top quality (apologises for them being a little dirty here!) and I rate these brushes highly, especially the four above - they are better than any high end brushes that I own *cough* MAC *cough*. I couldn’t leave out my dupe Beauty Blender (review), which is another new found love of mine and applies my foundation flawlessly!
NAILS & OTHERS:
There has been a stand out polish for me in 2013 and that is Bourjois 1 Second Gel Polish (Turquoise Block) (review), there is not one thing I dislike about this nail varnish! The colours are lovely and opaque in one coat, glossy and last forever! Getting ready for a night out wouldn’t be complete without these two next products, starting with Ardell False Lashes an absolute must of fuller lashes. Ardell lashes are by far my favourite brand! A brilliant place to buy lashes, is online at falseeyelashes.co.uk they stock hundreds of lashes from different brands and offer free delivery - I always find that Boots/Superdrug have a really naff selection of lashes from the majority of brands out there. Every now and then I like to use a little self tan and St-Tropez Instant Tan Face & Body Lotion (Light/Med) has been the one I have been reaching for. I recommend this to everyone! It smells good, is super easier to apply, a lovely colour, instant, doesn’t streak, cheap and it can be applied to the face! And lastly my favourite perfume of 2013 is Jimmy Choo which smells somewhat incredible! This was a splurge but was well worth it, I always get compliments when wearing this fragrance.
That is all for Best Of Being A Beauty Addict 2013! I hope you all have an amazing 2014!
Do you too love any of these products?
What is your top product of 2013?
All the best,
Love,
Emily
