01/01/2013

Products I Couldn't Live Without In 2012


2012 was a year of cosmetic discovery for me. It was the first year that I properly sat up and took note of fellow bloggers, spent lots of time reading new posts and finding people to follow. There were a lot of 'hyped' products that I succumbed to purchasing, Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo, Bioderma, MAC's Cranberry eyeshadow etc, but there were also a few products that I feel I discovered on my own before I read about them on blogs. Having been using these day in, day out for the best part of 2012, I want to share them here.

From left:
1) MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle - I first used a highlighter shade early on in 2012 and was completely hooked on being a gorgeous glowing diva (I jest, I saw Kim K looking fabulous and wanted to copy her look!). I'd never tried a MSF before, and the MAC lady recommended this gorgeous golden shimmery shade to try. She used it on my face in the store and I loved it, so much so that the iconic MAC dome has gone flat!

2) Maybelline FitMe foundation in 120 & 115 - My favourite foundation of 2012 by far. It's a gel like formula that rests lovely on the skin, leaves me with no dry patches and photographs lovely. Unfortunately I find myself in the middle of two colours, but I mix the two together and it looks fab.

3) Rimmel Kate Moss Matte in 101 - I have read that this lipstick is a good dupe for MAC's Snob and I didn't own any matte shades so this fell into my hand in Boots. I really love this colour, it's perfect for that daytime look when you don't want to look too made up but need a bit of colour on your face. As for the matte look, I'm not entirely sold yet, but this lipstick is fast becoming one of my firm favourites.

4) Good Things Deep Pore Anti Blemish cleanser - It's no secret that I am in love with the Good Things skincare brand, it's affordable, smells delicious (apart from the face wipes, they're kind of gross if you ask me) and works like a dream. I bought this when my Bioderma ran out and it picks up and left over dust and fluff off my face fantastically. High recommended!

5) Ciate Cutie Pie - My love affair for this shade began in the Mini Mani Month advent calendar for Ciate. I'd previously eyed it up online, and the whooped when I revealed it behind a door in my calendar. I adore this baby pink shade, it's so subtle and feminine.

6) Revlon Grow Luscious mascara - I initially picked this up for its promise of longevity and waterproof qualities for my holiday to Florida. Whilst in Florida I gave my skin a complete 2 week make-up break, only wearing this mascara daily, and some eye make-up once when we went out to Downtown Disney. Revlon say that this mascara will make lashes appear longer and look stronger and more conditioned every day and I honestly couldn't agree more. Having given this a proper 2 week trial of everyday use I'd say it's be best waterproof mascara I've ever used, and has helped my lashes to grow stronger and thicker. The only thing I'm not too keen on are the brush bristles as I prefer plastic bristles and these are not. Definite repurchase though.

7) Maxfactor Colour X-Pert Waterproof Eyeliner - I picked this up in Boots after my Look eyeliner ran out. I've always preferred liquid liner in some sort of soft felt tip form to pencil or gel, people say it's harder to use, but this girl managed to apply it on a train (Louise 1 - 0 Eyeliner). I don't particularly know how long lasting this is in the water as I usually remove mine in the shower, but it has ample staying power throughout the day, is highly pigmented and applies easy enough with a steady hand. Does what it says on the tin really!

8) MAC blusher in Lovejoy - Another love affair from MAC that came to me courtesy of the sales girl in the store (they are good at their jobs aren't they!). This is a gorgeous slightly shimmery browny rose blush colour that negates my need for bronzer, and really helps to tie up my whole make-up look when I go for a dusty burnt gold smokey eye. Love it, love it, love it.

9) Soap & Glory SugarCrush body cream - Mmmm, Sugar Crush smells amazing! This body cream is so thick and luxurious that I just want to eat it every time I take the lid off. I initially thought the scent would be a little overpowering, but it's hard to hate it. It moisturises beautifully and doesn't leave a sticky film like some products do.

10) Estee Lauder brush cleaner - Why I thought it was appropriate to pay £16 for a brush cleaner I'll never know, but this product is amazing. I cleans my brushes well by lathering into a foam so it really feels like I'm washing my hair! I'd buy this again if I was feeling overly flushed for cash, but I think I'd rather find some cheaper alternatives for when this runs out.

What were your go-to products of 2012?
Have you, or will you, try any of the above?
Have you entered my 10,000 page view giveaway yet? Do so here!

19 comments:

  1. Hey great blog! Just wondering is the fit me foundation by Maybelline for dry or oily skin? I'm pondering whether to buy it or not!:)

    <3 Linnie,
    http://garfunkelatmidnight.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thank-you! I would say that it's great for dry skin more than oily because it's quite a dewy finish and the formula lends itself more to dryer skin as it's a liquid/gel hybrid.
      My best advice would be to swatch it in store and see how it fares for you :)
      xx

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  2. I've heard such good things about the Fit Me foundation, I'll be trying that when my Bourjois one runs out!

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    Replies
    1. Ooo I love it so much, you won't regret it!
      xx

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  3. Hiya! Your blog is great! For the Kate Moss lipstick, does it have good staying power? i've heard so many wonderful things about Kate Moss' range but i'm just not sure if they would last very long, i have such trouble keeping lipstick on my lips! Thank you lovely!

    Olivia xxx
    P.S i recently just started blogging and would love it if you could take a look at my blog for me!
    http://andshesaidwonderland.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hiya! I too have trouble keeping lipstick on, especially if I'm out for drinks or food...I have to wipe it off before I take a sip or a bite!
      I wouldn't say that it has the best staying power in the world, but it's not too bad :)
      xx

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  4. Hi louise ! i nominated you for a blog award :)x
    http://busyxbees.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/liebster-award.html

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  5. So want to try soft and gentle and the Revlon mascara, I didn't know they did a waterproof version! Xx

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    Replies
    1. Soft and Gentle is one of those lovely universal shades for everybody, love it so much...and I'm definitely a fan of Revlon's grow luscious, highly recommend it :)
      xx

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  6. I have past your blog onto a friend of mine, she's into this whole beauty business. I decided to follow you, I see you have passion for blogging. I hope you can check out my site: http://theproverbs.net and hopefully join. Keep posting, and stay true to your passion. Thanks and God Bless!

    Steven B.

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  7. did this: Good Things Deep Pore Anti Blemish cleanser do anything for your pores? x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be honest, not really. It just made my face feel nice!
      xx

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  8. I have the Mac Skinfinish for just a couple of weeks now and I love it!! I've also seen the Good Things skincare range on a few blogs and am very tempted to try it...

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    Replies
    1. I love Good Things so much, it's such good value for money (apart from their face wipes).
      xx

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  9. In terms of brush cleaner I use a baby shampoo and think this is the best. At the moment I have a huge bottle of Johnson's Baby Top to Toe, and its great and cheap.
    x

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    Replies
    1. Oo I think I will have to give this a go :)
      xx

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I read and appreciate every single comment that you write :-) Thank-you for taking the time to stop by and write me a note Louise xx