Whilst I have taken the time to consider how my life has changed over the course of the year, I also thought about how my beauty collection has changed and what my Top Products of the Year were. A lot of products come and go in my collection but there are some staples. I use my Top Products of the Year to share the products which I have used throughout the year and have loved. Essentially these are my ultimate favourites.
Skincare
Skincare is always a hard category for me to pick items for simply because it takes a lot for me to love a product. In previous years a lot of products have remained the same such as the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and Advanced Night Repair from Estee Lauder but there is a bit of change this year. I have been more adventurous with my skincare and I think that shows within my favourites.
Cleanser - Eve Lom
I had wanted to try the Eve Lom Cleanser for the longest time as I've seen so many good reviews for it but it wasn't until I saw a cheap Eve Lom set in T K Maxx that I decided to finally give it a go. From the moment I started using it, I realised I had truly missed out by not trying this cleanser sooner.
At first I wasn't sure if this was a dodgy one as I has bought it from T K Maxx and it appeared to have little spots in it but it turns out that is how the cleanser is. As well as being quite a thick balm, this contains little beads which almost seem to be made of oil as when you begin rubbing the product between your fingers, they sort of melt and create the most luxurious cleanser.
To use it you have to rub it between your fingers before applying it so that it warms up a little bit. Then you rub the cleanser into your face and it works to remove every trace of makeup. Following this, you then use a hot cloth to remove the cleanser and all of the makeup from your face. The cleanser does remove every scrap of makeup and it leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished.
This cleanser does really remind me of the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. The Emma Hardie Balm only beats this cleanser in one respect, scent. This cleanser doesn't have a strong scent whereas the Emma Hardie one smells like Eucalyptus which makes it really refreshing. I decided to mention the Eve Lom one in this post because I did discover it this year and it is as good as everyone says it is.
At first I wasn't sure if this was a dodgy one as I has bought it from T K Maxx and it appeared to have little spots in it but it turns out that is how the cleanser is. As well as being quite a thick balm, this contains little beads which almost seem to be made of oil as when you begin rubbing the product between your fingers, they sort of melt and create the most luxurious cleanser.
To use it you have to rub it between your fingers before applying it so that it warms up a little bit. Then you rub the cleanser into your face and it works to remove every trace of makeup. Following this, you then use a hot cloth to remove the cleanser and all of the makeup from your face. The cleanser does remove every scrap of makeup and it leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished.
This cleanser does really remind me of the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. The Emma Hardie Balm only beats this cleanser in one respect, scent. This cleanser doesn't have a strong scent whereas the Emma Hardie one smells like Eucalyptus which makes it really refreshing. I decided to mention the Eve Lom one in this post because I did discover it this year and it is as good as everyone says it is.
Face Mask - Fresh Beauty
Who doesn't love a good face mask? Not only are you doing something good for your skin but you are taking the time to look after yourself. I think it is really important to do a face mask at least once a week and really take the time to look after yourself which can be so easy to forget to do in our busy society. This year my go to mask has been one that I purchased more recently but I received a sample of earlier in the year and it is the Fresh Umbrian Clay Mask.My skin has been quite oily recently and I have been suffering with regular breakouts due to an 'I'll eat what I want mindset.' Thanks to this indulgence, I now have clusters of spots on my face so a clay mask has been my go to to help prevent more spots and also to remove some of the oil.
This Fresh mask has been my favourite mask to use because it is incredibly light. I really like the L'Oreal Clay Mask but I do find it a little bit thick and gloppy but the Fresh mask is the opposite. It is a thin mud so it is easy to spread and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It dries within 3-5 minutes and it dries completely hard which is odd but I like it. It is a bit of a weird colour, it looks almost mossy but it definitely has that clay smell to it.
After I have used this mask my skin looks much clearer, it helps with the oil situation and I find it brings any spots which are coming up to a head so they are easier to get rid of. I've used a lot of clay masks and it is safe to say this is one of my favourites.
Sheet Mask - Alex S x Primark
This is sort of a cheat item as it is not a full sheet mask and it is a sticker rather than a mask but you use them in a similar way. It just happens that one is more of a direct treatment opposed to covering your entire face.
The Alex S x Primark Spot Stickers have been my saviour this year, especially since I have been struggling with breakouts. All you do is apply a sticker to a clean spot and leave it on for as long as you can. I usually apply them before I go to bed and remove them before I shower the following morning. The stickers are coated in Salicylic Acid which helps to reduce the spot, reduce redness and clean it out. I always find that it brings the spot to a head so then it is going to pop and heal quicker.
These have only saved me many times this year and they are only £3!
Eye Cream - Estee Lauder
I skipped Eye Cream as a category last year as the Kiehls' Creamy Eye Treatment has been my favourite for so long and even though I still loved it last year, I wasn't actually using it but at that point I hadn't discovered anything better. Whereas this year I discovered the Estee Lauder Day Wear Eye Cream which is a gorgeous eye cream.I bought this as I had received a sample of the moisturiser and really enjoyed using it so I thought the same would happen with the eye cream and it did, but the eye cream is even better. It is a gel/cream formula so it is incredibly light and cooling but it also gives a massive boost of hydration to your under eye area.
The Estee Lauder eye cream sits in a similar price bracket to the Kiehl's one but I think it is far easier to use as you don't have to heat it up before you apply it. I highly rate this eye cream and I will be buying it again.
Serum - The Ordinary
After spending 2018 trying to learn as much as I could about skincare, The Ordinary has quickly become one of my favourite skincare brands. Looking at the brand without a knowledge of skincare is very daunting but once you've got the hang of it, it starts to make sense a little bit more. Since The Ordinary became popular there are more of these cheaper, single component skincare brands, such as The Inkey List and even Makeup Revolution have started to do copycat skincare. However, for now The Ordinary remains my favourite, especially their Niacinamide.
Discovering Niacinamide has been a skincare game changer for me, whenever a product contains Niacinamide, it just seems to work. This year I started to use the Niacinamide from The Ordinary and it is one of the few products I can see a genuine difference once I have used it. Niacinamide is sort of a do all skincare products as it helps to reduce pores, reduce scarring and spots, honestly it is a miracle worker.
I love Niacinamide so much that I have been recommending it to my friends who have gone on to recommend it to their friends. If there has been a surge in Niacinamide purchases in Bristol, it is my doing. This is one skincare product I think everyone should use.
Moisturiser - Fresh
Fresh now has it's second inclusion in my Top Product list and this time it is one of their beautiful Rose products. Fresh have the most gorgeous line of Rose skincare products that are so luxurious and look stunning but this cream is a game changer.I bought the mini version of the Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream on a trip to London and it took a while for me to start using it but when I did, I used it up very quickly as I just wanted to plaster my whole face in it. It is incredibly rare for me to fall in love with a moisturiser as for the most part I can't tell them apart but with this one I noticed a difference so that automatically makes it worthy of a place in my years favourites.
This is quite a thick cream which does have quite a traditional English rose scent so if you do not like the smell of Rose, you will not like this cream. Even though this is quite thick, it is a gel/cream so it is incredibly light and seems to just sink into your skin leaving it looking healthy and hydrated. I used this before I went to bed and I would wake up with plump, hydrated skin.
Fresh used to be quite a hard brand to find however last year Space NK started to stock them and a Space NK store has just opened in my local shopping centre so I will be able to repurchase this whenever I want.
Makeup
In previous years I have always found skincare products harder to find and harder to write about but this year I have really struggled with makeup. I still try a lot of makeup but I feel like it takes quite a lot to beat out some of the contenders from last year. Some products have become firm favourites and a lot of these I have repurchased a few times so I know they are definitely worthy of their place in this post.
Foundation - IT Cosmetics
For years I have only ever swapped between Estee Lauder Double Wear and the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation but this year I branched out a little bit and tried a couple of different foundations. Both the Estee Lauder and the Fenty foundations are full coverage, full on foundations whereas for Summer I wanted something a bit lighter so I opted for the IT Cosmetics CC Cream.The IT Cosmetics CC Cream transformed my Summer skin. As I usually like something with a bit more coverage and matte, my skin can often look dull but not with the IT Cosmetics CC Cream. The CC Cream keeps a radiant look to your skin which you would naturally have during Summer.
Not only is the finish so much better but it also contains SPF 50 which is a Summer essential for anyone incredibly fair like myself. Normally CC Creams do not have a great coverage and that is what has always put me off trying one but this has a really good coverage which is certainly medium and can be built up to full. If you are still on the fence about trying this product, it really is as good as everyone says it is and I know it is going to be a Summer staple for me.
Concealer - Revolution
Never did I think there would be a Revolution product in my Top Products of 2019 post. Prior to 2019 my exposure to the brand was incredibly limited but after a week of trialing the products in April, my mindset changed. I had always thought that the products couldn't be any good because they are so cheap and for the most part, they are a copy of luxury brands. I am now happy to admit that I was wrong.When I shop from Revolution I still try to avoid the complete copy products but one product which I have been repurchasing since April is the Define and Conceal Concealer. This is one of the most talked about products from Revolution so of course I had to try it. I wasn't overly fussed by the foundation, I thought it was a bit dry but I think the concealer is perfect.
The shade range is vast, it is matte so it doesn't move around too much and it has a good coverage. Traditionally I do not like liquid concealers, I prefer a pot concealer but this one has changed my opinion. You can buy the smaller size for £4 or the supersize for £7 which makes it so much cheaper than the MAC Studio Finish Concealer I was using. Since I finished my last tube of this concealer, I have been using the new Define and Hydrate Concealer which has only made me realise how amazing the Define version is.
Bronzer - Becca x Khloe Kardashian
I have tried quite a few bronzers this year and I didn't think it would be possible for me to like one as much as I have loved the Marc Jacobs Coconut Bronzer which I have been using for the past couple of years. However, the bronzer in the Becca x Khloe Kardashian & Malika palette completely changed that for me.I always thought a matte bronzer was the way forward but this palette has changed my mind. In this palette, the bronzer is a matte satin finish which is something I didn't know existed but it is something that needs to exist more. Whereas a matte can sometimes look patchy if it is not applied properly, you do not suffer the same issue with this satin finish which is slightly softer. You still get the same wonderful colour payoff but it is just easier to blend. I have no idea if Becca create this as an individual product but I would certainly like to buy one if they do.
Highlight - Becca
Becca have always been one of my favourite highlight brands and this year I have found myself going back to them for highlight, as well as loving the bronzer. I have been using the Khloe K palette everyday since I purchased it and I am almost all out of the highlight (as you can see in the picture for the bronzer.) Not only have I been loving the one in that palette but I have also found myself going back to the cult classic, Champagne Pop.Most people will be familiar with Champagne Pop because it is the product which really kicked off the highlight trend for most people. I have had the same compact for years and it frequently goes in and out of my draw and into my everyday rotation. It has such a creamy formula that blends out beautifully and blends into the skin seamlessly. It is a pale white gold which would suit the majority of people. It is gorgeous and in all likelihood it will remain one of my favourites for a good number of years to come.
Blush - Benefit Gold Rush
My favourite blush of the year actually remains the same as last year, I simply think it is the most gorgeous blush which is easy to use and it is the Benefit Blush in Gold Rush. I think this is a seriously underrated Benefit blush that was not given enough hype when it launched last year.Gold Rush is a soft peach, mostly rose blush with flecks of gold running though it. This is not highly pigmented which is exactly what I want from a blush as I know I am unable to go overboard with it. This just adds a soft bit of colour and provides a healthy glow to the cheeks. If you do seek this blush out in store, please do not be put off by the gold layer on top of the blush, it is a foil layer that comes off in the first use.
Palette - Huda Beauty
I love eyeshadow and I greatly enjoy the freedom that you are given within a palette. I must admit I have bought quite a few this year which made it a hard section to narrow down but my favourite palette of 2019 is The New Nude from Huda Beauty.
I was very kindly gifted this by my best friend for my Birthday and it is a palette I frequently go back to for daily looks. I can't count how many times I have said I am not a look queen and that makes this palette perfect for me. It is a beautiful nude brown and pink palette which sums up the style of look I like.
Not only is the shade range perfect but so are the formulas: there are plenty of matte shades and the duo chrome shimmers are to die for. I have even basically finished the concealer shade which works well for cut creases. The only shadows I am not overly fussed by are the two glitter shadows. They do require a glitter glue which is why I have had limited use out of them. Honestly this palette is gorgeous and I do think everyone should have it in their collection.
Mascara - Nars Climax
I have tried many mascaras this year, as there have been quite a few different ones I wanted to try. However, out of all of the ones I have loved, the Nars Climax Mascara is my favourite of the year. At first I wasn't sure what to make of it but after my work wife said that she thought my lashes looked great, I started to rethink.
There was a lot of fuss about the launch of this mascara, mostly because every influencer was taken on a press trip somewhere and they had to post about it all over Instagram but I gave it a year before I tried this mascara. This mascara is jet black and allows you to build up your lashes which is exactly what I want. You are able to keep it quite natural or you can layer the mascara and get quite bold lashes. The best part is that the mascara does not smudge and create black marks around my eyes. My one criticism is that it does not go quite as clumpy as I would want it to but that is ok, my lashes were still bold enough for me to like.
Brows - Same Duo as Always
I have been using the same brow duo for the longest time, I mean why change a good thing. I have been using the Soap and Glory 2-in-1 Brow Pencil and the Soap and Glory Volu-Boost Gel. I have spoken about these two products a lot over the years so I won't bore you with anymore information on these two products.
Lips
Lipstick is one of my favourite beauty products. I think I could live without it but only if I had to chose between having lipstick and mascara. Mascara would always win that one but lipstick is a close second. Having said that, it is very rare that you will catch me without some form of colour on my lips. As lipstick is such a big part of my look, I like to breakdown my lips section into three categories: Nude, Red and Balm.
Nude Lipstick - MAC
This years lipstick option is actually quite an old lipstick which you can no longer buy anymore but I have started to use it more and it is the MAC x Fleur de Force lipstick. I didn't use this for the longest time to try and keep it but then it dawned on me that really I should use it because it will just go off.
Fleur de Force was one of the first MAC Creators and she created a gorgeous neutral nude lipstick which has a cremesheen finish. I have found this lipstick really easy to put on because it goes with every look. Now I am close to finishing it and I will be gutted when it is all gone but it's not like I am short of nude lipsticks to wear in its place.
Fleur de Force was one of the first MAC Creators and she created a gorgeous neutral nude lipstick which has a cremesheen finish. I have found this lipstick really easy to put on because it goes with every look. Now I am close to finishing it and I will be gutted when it is all gone but it's not like I am short of nude lipsticks to wear in its place.
Red Lipstick - MAC
MAC truly are the brand for lipsticks and clearly that is represented within my Top Products of 2019 as the two lipsticks are both from MAC. My favourite red is also from MAC but this time it is part of the Viva Glam collection.
This year was 25 years of the Viva Glam campaign which started out by helping charities which helped with AIDS/HIV. Now they have branched out a little and they help women's charities in general but they have raised an incredible amount through the Viva Glam Campaign. To celebrate they launched a limited edition version of Viva Glam 1 which I immediately went to the shops to buy.
The shade is part of the permanent range but this lipstick came in limited edition packaging. It came in a sparkly red bullet which looks amazing. Not only that but the shade is a deep burgundy red which was missing from my lipstick wardrobe but now I wear it all the time.
This year was 25 years of the Viva Glam campaign which started out by helping charities which helped with AIDS/HIV. Now they have branched out a little and they help women's charities in general but they have raised an incredible amount through the Viva Glam Campaign. To celebrate they launched a limited edition version of Viva Glam 1 which I immediately went to the shops to buy.
The shade is part of the permanent range but this lipstick came in limited edition packaging. It came in a sparkly red bullet which looks amazing. Not only that but the shade is a deep burgundy red which was missing from my lipstick wardrobe but now I wear it all the time.
Lip Balm - Fresh
I have taken to using a lip balm before I get to bed as I have been getting really dry lips recently. I have tons of lip balms but my favourite is the Peach Lip Balm from Fresh. I know, another entry for Fresh! Their lip balms are incredible though.
I have two of the Fresh lip balms: the Peach one and the Caramel one. I like the Caramel one but the Peach one was my absolute favourite. The one annoyance is that it is in a pot. However, this smells amazing and it is quite thick; I can apply this before I go to bed and I can still feel it on my lips the following morning.
Whilst it has been on my lips overnight, it softens them and conditions them. Using this lip balm really has changed my lips and I am incredibly thankful for this balm, especially at this time of year.
Perfume - Jo Malone London
I really struggled with narrowing my collection down to one favourite of the year. I haven't bought that many fragrances this year so I had to go with one that I worn the most which is easily Mimosa and Cardamom by Jo Malone London.I've had this perfume for quite a long time and it is one of the Jo Malone fragrances that I have had on rotation since I left, I honestly love this scent. I think this scent is perfect for the Autumn/Winter as it is incredibly comforting and it feels like a warm blanket being wrapped around you.
This starts off quite floral thanks to the Mimosa in the heart note. The Cardamom in the top note adds a little bit of citrus spice to the scent whilst the Tonka in the base adds the warm vanilla part of the scent that I really love. If you haven't smelt this before, I highly recommend giving it a smell.
Body Product - The Body Shop
I don't normally include any body products but when I sat down and thought about my favourite products, this product came to mind. If you have read my blog before then you will probably have seen me mention the Body Yogurt from The Body Shop many times before.
I highly rate the Body Yogurts because they are a light gel/cream formula which sinks into your skin really quickly and leaves it feeling super hydrated. Previously my favourite scent was the Almond Milk scent but this year The Body Shop launched the Cactus Blossom scent as their Summer limited edition and it is gorgeous. Cactus Blossom is a fresh, floral scent that smells almost juicy. I was so in love with it that I made sure to stock up on it whilst I could. I still have 2 unopened tubs in my draw which I will be saving.
If you haven't tried the Body Yogurts, you really should give them a go.
Sample - Emporio Armani
Somehow I seem to test a lot of samples that I have managed to get either through the Glamour Beauty Club or Instagram. As I test so many samples I like to include my favourite sample of the year as part of these posts.
This years favourite is a perfume sample I received from In The Frow who gave some Emporio Armani fragrance samples out through her instastories. I tested In Love With You as part of the Perfume Samples 2019 post and it was easily my favourite of the week and has become my favourite of the year. I actually ended up buying the perfume in the post Christmas sales and I can confirm that I still adore it. If it leads to me buying it, it must be a good sample!
That's it, that completes my favourites for the year. As you can tell, they aren't necessarily products that I purchased during 2019 but they are the ones that I've got the most use out of. I think these posts are great because you can see what I genuinely use rather than the items I am simply reviewing. There are a couple of changes I want to make to the blog during 2020 so we will see if this style of post is still relevant next year.
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