You know me; I believe that if something isn't broke - don't fix it. This motto rings true when it comes to my skincare and makeup routine, I have favourites that consistently work for me which I've used for a number of years. It is fun to try new products and replace something which isn't doing what it used to for ya so I've made a list over the last few weeks of my very favourite products I've discovered throughout 2012..
1. We saw the launch of the new Creme de la Mer Soft Cream this year, and it is bloody amazing. All the benefits of the original version but a million times easier to work with, and more effective.
2. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Deep was always my go-to bronzer until one fateful day browsing the stands of Space NK, leading to the swatching of the famous NARS Laguna - and I've never looked back. The perfect tanned but never orange colour, perfect for both contouring and adding some warmth to my face all year round - its everything I ever looked for in a bronzer!
3. Come the beginning of October, I was ready for a darker lip to embrace the colder months, Mac matte lipstick in Diva has been my the answer to my prayers. A beautiful deep lip looks so striking with creamy skin and a slick of gel liner; my lips are far from the luscious loveliness of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's, but when filled in neatly with a lip brush I definetley feel a step closer!
4. This year is the first that I've had the pleasure to try the famous Essie Nail Polishes; I bought Peach Daiquri to wear on my toes with summer sandals and was amazed by the creamy consistency, fan-brush which applies like a dream and the incredible chip-resistant finish. No nail polish lasts like Essie. Fast-forward a few months and my finger nails are pretty much a continuous loop of (left to right) Leading Lady (a deep red with gorgeous glitter), Jazz (the perfect greigey nude), Wicked (my favourite EVER shade - it goes with everything and makes your nails look longer) and Muchi Muchi (a Kardashian-esque soft pink).
5. Another NARS discovery in the form of the Multiple in the shade Maldives, I use occasionally as a cheekbone highlight, in the inner corner of my eye but mainly as a eyeshadow base to apply MAC All that Glitters and a blend of Sable through the crease.
6. It was sad, sad news to hear that my old faithful L'Oreal Super-liner in Carbon Gloss had been discontinued. I scoured every store I could imagine, online and even the forbidden lures of eBay in attempt of locating my dear friend.. without success. I began to realise it was time to sample all variations of liquid liners to find a replacement; yet no highstreet alternatives were anywhere near her £6 glory. I was persuaded into turning my hand to the highly-appraised Lancome Art Liner. Almost four times the price of its Loreal predecessor I was sceptical that it'd ever win a place in my heart. How wrong I was. The perfect deep black is as easy to apply as it is long lasting - it doesn't budge ALL day, its easy to remove at the end of play and with a cotton bud if you mess up during application - I found all of the cheaper ones I tried failed on at least one of these fronts. Picky? Me? I didn't think the price would be worth it, but the L'Oreal liner only lasted about 6 weeks before drying out.. I've had my current bottle of Art Liner since September and its still going. Impressive. Believe it or not, I did once again find the little Loreal gem - at bloody Abu Dhabi airport duty free.. not exactly ideal, but by then I was a fully fledged Lancome convert so breezed straight by it!
7. Spending so much on eyeliner made me keen to cut unnecessary costs - when I hit the bottom of the tub on my Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask (a painful £30.45) it was replaced with a Kerastase Nutritive Nutri-Thermique-Masque alternative (a still eyebrow raising £26.20), and when that ran out I took to the high street giant, Boots over a high-end salon. I left with Aussie Three Minute Miracle (a well deserved £3.99) to deep condition and add shine and managability to my now quite long locks which it does brilliantly well for the minor price tag, BUT, it doesn't contain the vital proteins to add strength and actually repair my hair. Fear not, no 14 - Lee Stafford Treatment For Hair That Doesn't Grow Past a Certain Length does (£7.99)! Weekly application of each of these products, or whenever my hair needs a little extra something leave my locks in probably better condition than the Morrocan Oil or Kerastase, at several times the price did.
8. A little obvious perhaps, but I don't care - my favourite scent of this year is unquestionably Thierry Mugler, Alien. I'm not even going to try to describe this exquisite beauty but I'm truly obsessed with the scent of this, its one I never tire of.
9. A real winter treat for dry, chapped lips is Eve Lom Kiss Mix - I'm not sure its any better than my old favourite Burts Bees Beeswax lip balm but it smells divine and feels like silk.
10. I was abit of a red-lip scaredy cat at one time, until I discovered the amazing matte red Ruby Woo from Mac. Start with a line of Mac lip pencil in Cherry, fill in carefully on a lip brush to control exactly how much product you use and you're good to go. This lasts for hours looking just as good as when you first applied it!
11. A relatively new discovery for me is Bobbi Browns Shimmer Brick in Bronze, after about 18 months I finally ran out of Mac Mineralise Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle and fancied a new powder highlight; the golden shimmer of this beauty had me handing over £32 but highlighter to me is an essential and the tones of this blush really complement my current makeup.
12. Loreal Elnett Hairspray definetley isn't a new discovery to me, but I did have the ingenious idea to throw a small 75ml version into my handbag to add volume and hold throughout the day as my hair tends to go too flat too quickly!
13. I tried my first NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sephora in Paris, I remember looking for something a little darker than my usual nude lip and left with the mauvey shade, Sex Machine. These lip products to me are so unique, the matte finish is moisturising, the pigmentation is amazing as per all NARS products and whilst I was hesitant to apply as I feared it'd be difficult - the crayon type nib is without the easiest way to add shape and definition to your lips, and simply colour the rest in. If you try one new product this Christmas, this should be it!
Sorry for the loooong post, what have been your favourite discoveries of 2012? I'm excited to see what 2013 has in store... rachelle xo
p r e v i o u s e d i t s . . .
styling your shorts | the new essentials : ankle boots | the new essentials: the leather pants | autumn workwear | gothic glamour | the army jacket | fall 2012 - all saints | new in - valentino | winning style | kiss-worthy accessories | jil sander fall 2012 | nineties: the new vintage | fifty shades of fashion | resort 2013: proenza schouler vs valentino | resort 2013: chloe vs erdem | summer sorbet | laid-back sundays | summer shoes at zara | zadig & voltaire | ibiza: sunlounger to superclub
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