2012 Beauty Favourites

 

So 2012 is now over, and I thought it would be nice to share with you my favourite beauty products from the last year. I will also make a post on my favourite fashion items from the past year at some point this weekend aswell :)

 

SKINCARE

 

 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

My mum was the person who introduced Lize Earle products to me, because of how much my skin was reacting to everything. I use this every night before I go to bed with a muslin cloth to exfoliate with. It works wonders for me and has definately tamed my spots and blemishes.

 

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer

Now on the bottle it says that you should 'spray lightly from 20cm over the face and body for an instant reviving boost', however I use this as a toner and spray it on a cotton pad and wipe my face. This may be completely wrong and some people may shudder at what I'm doing but it seems to work for me! It works along with my cleanser to help my skin and I lurve it.

 

 

Mia Roma Tea Tree Oil

I picked this up in Holland & Barret just as a replacement to use on my ear peircings, because they were reacting badly to the metal, however a friend of mine said that I should try applying a tiny bit of the oil to my spots and blemishes before going to sleep at night. I tried this once and couldnt believe how well it actually worked!

 

Superdrug Aloe Vera Deep Cleansing Mud Mask

Again, this was an impulse buy, when queing up in Superdrug, which has turned out to be one of my best buys. I use this once a week on my face as a deep clean product. I usually apply a thick layer because this was only around £2 so I don't mind repurchasing frequently although it has lasted ages! I leave it on my face for about 15 minutes and then lightly scrub it off with a face cloth, leaving my face so smooth and clean! Definately an amazing product for such a bargain price.

 

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/Combination

I first used this when stealing my mums, which I then realised was such an amazing product which made my skin smooth and brighter instantly. I use this in the mornings, applying it around ten minutes before my makeup to allow it to soak in and work its magic.

 



BRUSHES

 

 

Real Techniques Powder Brush

I love the real techniques brushes, I recieved the core collection and the blush brush for christmas but havent used them much yet, but this powder brush was the first one that I purchased and it just work wonders. It applies my powder so smooth and evenly which is giving my high hopes for my new brushes!

 

E.L.F Powder Brush

I purchased this brush with the intention of using it for my powder, but similar to other reviews I have read I found the brush too hard and solid to apply powder and decided to use it as a buffing brush to apply my foundation. It is perfect for this and is why I have added it to my 2012 faves.

 

FOUNDATION

 

 

Maybelline New York Fit Me Foundation

I recieved a tester sample for this foundation in shade 135 Creamy Natural, which when first applied to my skin looks too dark for my skin tone, but it then drys alot lighter whcih then works well with my tone, making me look fresh faced and awake. I had heard rumors that it breaks alot of people out into spots which I was afraid of, but I must be one of the lucky ones that it actually works for. I will definately be purchasing a larger size in this this year.

 

Maybelling New York Dream Fresh BB Cream

I bought this product for my holiday last summer, as I wanted something that gave me coverage but nothing too thick that would becomes sticky and horrible with heat. This was an amazing product for me, my shade was medium because of my summer tan, it made my skin look so bright and hydrated which I normally struggle to get when abroad and in the summer.

 

CONCEALER

 

 

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

I recieved this for my birthday last year after going on and on about MAC makeup and it has been my saviour throughout this last year. I use it everyday on blemishes which it hides completely and gives the maximum amount of coverage because of how thick it is. It seems to be lasting me a long time too as six months have passed and I havent hit the pan yet! *touches wood*

 

POWDERS

 

 

Maybelline New York Dream Terra Sun Bronzing Powder

This was just a backup buy because I had run out of bronzer, and it actually has been a good bronzer, which gave my face life and a sun kissed look all year round without making me look orange. I do not use it anymore as I am looking for a change in product but this was my 2012 favourite.

 

MUA Mosaic Blush

This blush is in English Rose Shade3. I Love MUA products because of how inexpensive they are but still have a high quality. This blush adds a rosy look to my cheeks with a hint of shimmer without being too bold and fake looking.

 

HIGHLIGHT

 

 

MUA Pearl Eyeshadow

I wasn't much of a highlighter fan until the end of 2012, when i picked up this MUA eyeshadow in Pearl Shade1. I thought that for £1 I couldn't really go wrong, and if it did look rubbish then I hadn't broke the bank. Luckily I think it looks great and adds a bright look to my cheeks and defines them well.

 

EYES

 

 

Maybelline New York The Falsies Volum' Express

My mum bought this for me early in 2012 just as a backup mascara because I had run out. Turn out this is the best macara I have ever used in my life! I have quite short lashes and I find it hard to find any mascara that make any difference to them. This does the trick though, make them look thicker, longer, and just overall better!

 

Eyelure Girls Aloud Cheryl Lashes

There isn't a day that goes buy where I don't wear false lashes. I am really insecure about my short lashes and I think that lashes finish off my face of makeup and just look better. These lashes were my all time favourite of 2012 and I repurchased them a number of times because they look so natural and dont make me look fake.

 

LIP CARE

 

 

LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub

All throughout the year, I suffer from chapped lips which is very annoying and horrible looking, but when I discovered the Lush Lip scrubs it was like a saint! the sugary polisher removes all the excess skin from my lips, allowing them to look normal and healthy!

 

Virgin Vie Guardian Angel

I have had this for years and it has been at the top of my list from the very start. The thick formula really moisturises my lips and saves them from being dry all the time especially in the winter. Its such a shame that Virgin Vie had been discontinued and I wont be able to repurchase this once mine is finished! :(

 

LIPSTICK

 

 

Topshop Lipstick -Beguiled

I don't tend to wear lipstick that often, but when I do it will more than likely be a dark colour. This lipstick by topshop, I purchased for Halloween as I thought that it would be really dark almost black, however it is alot brighter than it is ade out to be. I still love it all the same and I wear it all the time, even for everyday purposes because it can be put with almost every outfit whether its casual or smart.

 

E.L.F Studio Matte Lip Colour - Rich Red

Again, I like dark lip colour, especially this red colour from elf. I love how it is designed like a crayon so I can just colour my lips in, however sometimes it can be drying on the lips. I tend to apply it and then add a layer of carmex over the top to add a glossy look so that my lips don't loose moisture.

 

NAILS

 

 

H&M Nail Polish - Jo is in the House

I add this polish over the top of any colour, as it goes so well with anything! It jazzes up my nails and adds a dressy touch without ruining my nails. It is also super easy to remove unlike other glitter polishes I have used before.

 

Barry M Nail Paint - Blueberry Ice Cream

This was my summer nail paint that I always re applied to my nails. I love how random it looks, and how not many other people can be seen with this colour. Pastels are my favourite in spring/summer and this colour polish goes perfectly with this.

 

American Apparel Nail Lacquer - Constellation

I managed to get this polish free with a voucher I recieved. I love glitter nail polishes and this one is so different to all of the others I have. It can be quite hard to dry sometimes and applying it is a mission and a half because the glitter moves all over the show, but when complete I love the effect it has!

 

Barry M Nail Paint - Burgandy

This had been my winter nail shade for the past few years because of how dark and warm the colour is. It seems to go with all outfits and doesn't look too bold and bright fort he winter. It also looks so good with the H&M glitter polish!

 

BODYCARE

 

 

Soap & Glory Heel Genius

I hate my feet, just like everyone else I know, but the Soap & Glory Heel Genius makes them feel amazing! I rub some into my feet each night and then place my sock over them, go to sleep and when I wake up they become softer and softer each day! Over Christmas when I had my Temp job in the Perfue Shop, I was standing all day almost everyday and it felt so nice to come home and put this on them to relax and repair.

 

Sanctuary Body Butter

My mum gave me this, because she didn't get on ery well with it, however I Love it! I add it to my skin after I have a bath and it smells delicious and also makes my skin feel super smooth. I have quite sensitive skin which reacts to the most random things, but I seem to be fine with this product.

 

Soap & Glory Hand Food

At college I take Textiles as a subject, which makes my hand so dry. Hand Food changed that instantly though! It adds so much moisture to my skin and smells amazing aswell! I always keep the full size in my bag with me at all times because of how addicted I am to using it!

 

HAIRCARE

 

 

Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes Shampoo & Conditioner

After having my hair ombred blonde, I needed to purchase a treatment that would help reduce the amount of damage to my hair after already damaging it through dye. After reading reviews and videos on the Lee Stafford collection, I thought I would try them out. They are amazing! Everytime I use them to wash my hair they always make the blonde ends lighter and brighter and just perfect - even now, 2-3 months afterwards.

 



 

Lee Stafford Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist

I use this on my ombred ends of hair when straightening and curling my hair to protect it from heat. It doesn't make nay different to the curls or straightness of my hair I don't think, however I do think it has reduced the amount of split ends that I have, which is a bonus!

 

VO5 Give Me Texture Tousled Style Spray

I use this as a 'sea salt spray' type product, spraying it into my curls to make it look almost seaside like, if that makes sense? It works so well and it was quite cheap if I remember correctly. I don't use it all the time, incase it dries the ends of my hair out which can then cause split ends and damage but I do love it when I do use it.

 

FRAGRANCE

 

 

Thierry Mugler Alien

I only got this perfume for christmas this year, givig my only one week with this baby, however it is AMAZING. I have loved this perfume forever and it has been my favourite for years, we just havent met eachother until now ;)

 

" Distinctive and mysterious, yet comforting and soft, Alien by Thierry Mugler conveys passion sensuality and the essence of absolute femininity. A rich floral woody amber containing jasmine sambac, cashmeran wood and white amber it is a fragrance whose magic trails awakens your emotions.
A scent like no other it is irresistibly appealing and totally out of this world... "

 

JLS Kiss

I purchased this boxing day in the sales for only £10, again not long at all, however it smells exactly like Miss Dior Cherie and for at least £50 less so why on earth would I not make this a favourite of mine!

 

" Energising notes of Peach Skin, Loganberry and cheeky Cassis allure the senses straight into the deep heart of white Jasmine, Tuberose absolute, Neroli Flower and sensual Black Orchid which add passion which is supported by a hypnotic base of hot Amber crystals, white Musk, Patchouli and rich Oakmoss to add longevity. "

 

Jimmy Choo

Again, a Christmas Present that I havent had  for a long while, but it smells so amazing and has been my favourite for a while so I thought I would add it to my favourites.

 

" Jimmy Choo Parfum expresses an aura of strength and beauty and has a dazzling aura of glittering femininity. Glamorous in attitude, confident, intelligent and with a sense of fashion and fun, the fragrance is a modern Fruity Chypre with warm, rich, woody depths. It’s a fragrance inspired by modern women – strong, empowered, beautiful, seductive and alluring with a hidden and mysterious sense of confident sexuality. "

 

 

Thats all of my 2012 Beauty Favourites!

Are any of mine the same as yours?

What were your favourites?

 

Thanks for reading!