Hello again! How
are you doing? I’m not even going to try to justify my absence again, let’s
just say 2014 is behind and the 2015 adventure has begun! New year, new you
they say ha? My number one resolution is to seriously get back to blogging and
hopefully I’ll succeed better than I did last year. To do so, I’ll start by
doing what I should have done when I first started this blog; plan a blogging
schedule. I’m one of those people who sometimes need a stress kick (or a
kick-in-the-a*s really, but let’s remain polite) so scheduling one post a month
(joke) or a week will undoubtedly bore me too soon. Instead, I’d rather go
bigger and plan to post twice weekly – you know, following the whole “go big or
go home” mantra. Now I know you’re probably used to read daily posts from your
favourite bloggers, but for now I’m still a full time student at Uni and it
ain’t that easy. Thus for the time being I’ll try to get those two posts up
every week and we’ll see where it takes me.
I know January’s
almost coming to an end, but I could not let go on the 2014 favourites post;
it’s one of my favourite to read from others and to watch on Youtube. This
year’s post will be different from the previous one, as I’ll only mention
makeup products - the ones that I have enjoyed using all-year-round, the best
of the best. I won’t go into too much details for some of the products as I
have written about about them before, so if you’re after an in-depth review,
I’ll link the corresponding posts. Happy reading!
I do love my
foundations, they’re my favourite to purchase together with lipsticks. I know I
haven’t mentioned this Chanel one before, but I won’t write about it too much
for now as a post all about my favourites bases is coming up your way very soon.
So long story short, it’s the Vitalumière Aqua’s little sister, but designed for oilier complexions. Amazing buildable coverage,
amazing finish, amazing lasting powder. It is the one I’ve reached for many,
many times last year for all sorts of occasions - as it does it all really.
That’s everything I’m going to say about it for now, but fear not, you’ll read
about it again very soon.
I’ve raved about
this little number in my previous post, which says it all (right here). It was
my 2014 go-to everyday base, whenever I wasn’t feeling like splurging by using
my Chanel. It’s a quick and easy base to apply that gives you a remarquably
great coverage for a CC cream but that is totally suitable for the natural and
effortless day-time look we’re all aiming for. PLUS it’s drugstore, best 10£
I’ve ever spent. Do yourself a favour and go pick it up. You’ll thank me later.
As reluctant as I
am to try any of M.A.C’s foundation again - by fear they’ll break me out - I
must admit their pro longwear concealer is unbeatable. I have tried a lot of
concealers, yet I never came across anything as good as this one, not even
close. I have other favourites for specific task like blemish-concealing, but
this one is the best all-rounder out there, and here’s why; 1) it’s M.A.C, so
there’s a shade for everyone 2) it delivers a medium coverage easily buildable
to a full coverage, meaning that if it doesn’t offers a full coverage in one
swipe, it has a lighter consistency and never ever gets caky 3) as “pro
longwear” would suggest, it DOES NOT BUDGE. That means a lot, coming from an
oily ‘gal. Say goodbye to those dark circles, nasty acne-scars and that
stubborn hyper-pigmentation!
Alright, if I had
to chose one product and one only out of all of these, it would be this one. It
is hands down my best discovery of 2014. I’ve talked about the ambient lighting
powder before, but Diffused light literally changed my life. Now, I’m a M.A.C
NC15 (aka I’m super fair) so this may not do the same miracles on your
skin if you’re a bit darker than I am (which, I know, is very likely). When I
first go it I used it to set my under-eye area – brilliant. The light
reflecting particles in it paired with its yellow-toned base makes it the
PERFECT under-eye highlight ands setting powder. Then one day I decided to set
my entire face with it; I’ve never used anything else since, and don’t intend
to, not in a million years
(says-the-girls-with-like-50-powders-on-her-wishlist). Still, I’m super fair,
so it works; but if you’re a bit darker, it would still work well under your
eyes or/and as a highlight. ‘Just sayin’. It’s like no other powder I’ve ever
used, you can’t over do it, never look powdery and almost manage to keep me
matte throughout the day. Oh and that glow it gives you…Like I said, it’s the
one. It is expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion.
The perfect
addition to my on-the-go make up bag, we all need a good touch-up powder don’t
we? That one is fantastic, I don’t even need to blot before its application
(brilliant, brilliant name), it does it all for me without looking caky or
powdery. Oh, and I love the packaging and it’s very convenient mirror too!
That one was very
unexpected. I actually never thought I’d ever pick it up. I’ve always been
aware of the hype surrounding this Nars bronzer but have seen so many people
wearing it and looking too orang-y for my liking that I despised it for quite
some time. Well, until I popped up one day at a Nars counter and asked the
lovely lady “Is there any chance this product might actually work on fair skins
like mine?” and it did. I think the key with this one is to know your
undertone; if you’re on the pink side, I’d stay away from it. I however, you’re
more on the neutral, yellow or olive side, then go for it and apply it more or
less lightly depending on your skin tone. Lastly, it is not a matte bronzer –
it has a bit of gold shimmer in it, nothing that will make you look like a
disco ball or anything, but be aware of it if you’re used to contour with your
bronzer. It does, however, warms up the complexion very nicely, so much that I
hit pan on it a couple of months ago and already have a back-up in my stash.
Now, that says something.
If you read my
previous post, you may remember of the Laura Mercier brightening primer that I
raved about, the one you can apply before your foundation, after, or mix it
with it. Well, here’s a dupe! The only difference I can see is that the
consistency of this one is slightly thicker, but it doesn’t change a thing
about its application really. I love both products, but if you were interested
by the Laura Mercier but can’t justify the 30£ price tag yet, give this one a
go and see how you get along with it.
Can you tell I
like my highlighters? This Illamasqua gleam was my go-to product for my every
day fuss-free make-up look. You know I love a dramatic glow, but there are
occasions (like work or uni) where it just doesn’t feel right to have a
red-carpet-worthy highlight, don’t you think? I found this one satisfied my
highlights cravings but remained natural enough to be worn every day. As it is
a cream, I’d recommend applying it before setting your foundation so it doesn’t
get patchy. It truly is one of my favourite, goes with everything, looks
incredible even on fair skin, and get you that glow-from-within look in
seconds. Well done, Illamasqua.
I’m addicted to
this one as you may already know - you can read all about it here
Out of all of my
eye primers, this must be my favourite; not too thick yet thick enough to
mattify and prep the eyelid, make the shadows pop and last forever.
Another great
product, which I know many like as a primer, however I personally usually have
to apply a primer underneath it for it not to crease. However, if you have dry to normal
skin, you should be good to go and skip the primer. Why do I love it
then? It’s my ideal base colour; its pink tone conceals all of those little
annoying veins, making a smooth, immaculate base for eye shadows. It is also my
go-to product when I don’t want to put anything else on my eyes, looks very
natural while making you look more awake on those early mornings.
The world’s messiest
eye shadow without a doubt, but also my all time favourite inner corner
highlight. It brightens up any eye look and makes you look super fresh and
awake, also making your eyes appear bigger than they really are. So I don’t care if
the packaging is shattered and there’s glitter all over my draw, carpet and
outfit every morning (I’m exaggerating here, obviously), it is SO worth it.
Promise.
As predicted
here, the love affair is still going strong; I cannot get enough of it, and
will pick up at least three backups while in London next week – you should,
too.
I’m not one for
eyeliner as my eye shape doesn’t really allow it, but we can all benefit from a
good liner to tight line every now and then, ain’t that right? Now, as I can’t
stand black eyeliner on my bottom water line (it hardens the look and makes the
eye appear smaller) I need something that won’t transfer when applied to my
tight line. This is a good one; doesn’t budge, very black, super easy to apply
– proof that sometimes you don’t have to go high end to find some good ‘old
basics.
Chanel Rouge cocoshine in 72 Effrontée
If there’s anything
you should know about me (beauty-wise at least), anything at all, it’s that I’m
completely and utterly addicted to lipsticks. They’re just so fun and precious
to buy, collect and play with that I never get bored of buying some more. The
one beauty product that can radically change a face in one swipe. God knows I
love my bolds but this post addresses not only products that have blown my mind
away, but also and mostly the ones that were the most regularly used - the most
faithful companions. In regards to that matter, as much as I’d love to give you
a never-ending list of the new lipsticks that have made their way into my
collection and my heart (well, isn’t that dramatic?) in 2014, I chose to talk
about my most-used, go-to lipstick; the Chanel Rouge coco shine in Effrontée. I
believe this particular shade has been discontinued, to my greatest regret, but
the whole range is my favourite and worth mentioning. Those lipsticks are
brilliant; sheer yet reasonably pigmented, glossy with a certain lasting power,
and oh-so-flattering on the lips. The kind of product you can reapply
throughout the day like you would a lip balm; mirror free, fuss free, success
guaranteed. It is Chanel, ain’t cheap, but if you were to ask me to recommend
one lipstick that does it all, it would be this one, no matter the shade.
A life saviour –
can’t really describe this product in other words. I’ve tried many, many lip
balms, which either didn’t work, broke me out, or cost a ridiculous fortune (By Terry Baume de Rose and
Dior Crème de Rose I’m looking at you). This one is cheap, doesn’t smell of anything and heals
your lips like nothing else. It also works beautifully under make-up, as it is
rather thin and isn’t sticky at all, so it makes it the perfect every day
everyday, pre and post make-up application balm.
Congrats’ to
those of you who read it all! I’m aware it was a long one and am sorry, but it
had to be done; you can’t ask me to wrap up my 2014 favourites in 200 words I’m
afraid. Hopefully I didn’t bored you to death and perhaps I introduced you to a
future favourite of yours, who knows ? Also, please let me know what were your
favourites, what gems kept you going through the year? I’d love to know!
Until next time,
stay safe, and may 2015 be a good one!
xxx
