Happy 2018! I really enjoy reading and watching yearly favourites posts, as they reveal a bloggers truely most used and well loved products. For a glimpse into my vanity and bathroom over 2017, set aside a good 15 minutes, and keep on reading!
Skincare
2017 was definitely the year I discovered proper skincare. After suffering from severe hormonal acne, I equipped my skincare arsenal which many new products to help fight the cause. In the end it was going back on the pill which returned my skin to normal, but in the process, I discovered some favourites.
To follow up the Tatcha oil, my go to second cleanse was the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. This cleansing combination has been an absolute god send for my dry skin. It's product description is a 'conditioning face wash', and I definitely agree it does just that. My skin feels clean, but hydrated rather than stripped. Whilst I generally use this as a second cleanse, it's great as a first too, doing a pretty decent job at removing makeup. It's relatively well priced, at $18 USD. Downside is, until Glossier decides to ship to Australia, it's hard to obtain in the land girt by sea. Shop and Box is by easiest forwarding service I've used to date. If you sign up for Shop and Box via this link you can get a nice lil $10 off.
In 2017 I was introduced to Go-To Skincare, and I couldn't be more thankful. Within their range I've discovered many favourites, but my top two is the Face Hero* and Very Useful Face Cream*. Face Hero is an ultra hydrating face oil, containing a blend of 10 fruit and nut oils. Every time I use this, I wake up with soft, hydrated, glowing skin. I'm head over heels in love with how this smells, and genuinely look forward to putting this on my face every night. Over this, I layer the Very Useful Face cream, and it makes for a dream team for hydration and glow. The cream is both rich and nourishing enough for night time, but also suitable for day time or under makeup. I feel that for how effective the products are, Go-To's products are well priced, and definitely worthy of your hard earn coin! These are two products I know will restock my stash with for a long time to come.
Further on the note of hydration, is the Avène Hydrance Aqua Cream*. I realised how much of a difference this product made to my skin when I stopped using it. It had fallen by my bedside (literally), and when it wasn't in plan sight I didn't pick it back up. That was a mistake, because I found my skin was SO dry and dehydrated and I couldn't figure out why. When I did realise, I began using the Aqua Cream again, and wallah, supple hydrated skin! I highly recommend all of the Hydrance range if you're seeking extra hydration, and notable mention to the Cleneance range if you are acne prone. The Cleneance range (Cleansing gel, lotion, TriAcneal expert) made a big difference to my acne when I suffered most in February through April this year.
2017 was undoubtedly the year the world was introduced en masse to The Ordinary by Deciem. The Ordinary was founded by Deciem upon the principle of high quality, yet affordable skincare. They pride themselves on no gimmick approach, so the products are labeled by their ingredients, rather than their use (i.e. anti-ageing, brightening). For this reason, figuring out which product to purchase can be daunting, but stocklists usually offer great explanation of a product's use. I've tried a lot from the brand, and can recommend many items, but my top 3 tried and tested favourites are their Lactic Acid 5%, Marula Oil, and Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution.
- Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% - gentle chemical exfoliant, I use this every morning.
- 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil - for $18.30 AUD, this oil I find to be almost indistinguishable to Drunk Elephant's $105 Marula Oil. Save yourself the $86 and pick this one up instead!
- Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% - some brands charge an arm and a leg for Vitamin C serums and I find this to be just as effective! Has entirely faded my acne scars from the beginning of 2017.
The Ordinary has a bunch of stocklists internationally and Australia wide, I generally order from Adorebeauty, but Beautylish stocks the largest range, with ASOS another option. The Lactic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside are sold out internationally at the moment, but you can sign up for email notifications on most websites.
The Ordinary has a bunch of stocklists internationally and Australia wide, I generally order from Adorebeauty, but Beautylish stocks the largest range, with ASOS another option. The Lactic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside are sold out internationally at the moment, but you can sign up for email notifications on most websites.
Below is my skincare journey of 2017. I went from being insanely self conscious and uncomfortable in my own skin, to more than happy to go bare faced for no makeup days! I attribute it to a couple of products, but I attribute it mostly to the above Ordinary products, Pixi Glow Tonic and double cleansing.
My final skincare favourite of 2017 was Dr Lipp Nipple Balm. Yes you read correctly. Originally formulated for nipples, this pure lanolin lip balm is a savour to my dry lips. Of all varieties of lip balms, I find lanolin based balms to be most effective, and this is the best I have tried to date!
Haircare
I take awful care of my hair. Cutting it into a bob has actually forced me to learn to style hair in 2017! I find short hair more manageable and actually easier to style than longer hair. What's helped immensely with the effortless bob is the Ouai Wave Spray. I vouch this product is 100% worth the $40 AUD, a few spritzes and it turns a curly mess into a chique do.
I've also gotten pretty good at reducing how much I wash my hair. I have a couple of products to thank for this. Firstly, two shampoos; the Hair Recipe Strawberry and Mint Cleanse Shampoo and Klorane Flax Fibre Shampoo*. Both of these shampoos give the hair a good clean, without any residue, which I attribute to being silicone free! I follow up either these with the Klorane Mango Butter Conditioner*. It leaves my hair conditioned, but not particularly oily like some conditioners can. It also smells INCREDIBLE, as if you are smooshing actual mangoes on your head.
It's clear that I'm a fan of Klorane nail hair care in general, and they also make my favourite dry shampoos! Why? Because they never ever leave a build up, and never irritate the scalp. Honestly any from their dry shampoo range are fantastic, depending on your needs. They are pricey in comparison to others, but I am forever happy to pay the price. With my darker hair I have been opting for the Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk for Brown Hair.
I've also gotten pretty good at reducing how much I wash my hair. I have a couple of products to thank for this. Firstly, two shampoos; the Hair Recipe Strawberry and Mint Cleanse Shampoo and Klorane Flax Fibre Shampoo*. Both of these shampoos give the hair a good clean, without any residue, which I attribute to being silicone free! I follow up either these with the Klorane Mango Butter Conditioner*. It leaves my hair conditioned, but not particularly oily like some conditioners can. It also smells INCREDIBLE, as if you are smooshing actual mangoes on your head.
It's clear that I'm a fan of Klorane nail hair care in general, and they also make my favourite dry shampoos! Why? Because they never ever leave a build up, and never irritate the scalp. Honestly any from their dry shampoo range are fantastic, depending on your needs. They are pricey in comparison to others, but I am forever happy to pay the price. With my darker hair I have been opting for the Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk for Brown Hair.
Makeup
While for this post I tried to keep the inclusions to products that entered my life in 2017, but these first two are easily my two favourite makeup items of all time, so for obvious reasons they had to be included.
Since I picked it up in early 2016, I've used Soleil Tan de Chanel almost every day since. It's a cream bronzer which suits my fair/light complexion perfectly, applied effortlessly with a synthetic fluffy brush. It's been a beautiful love affair, and I will be happy to celebrate our two year anniversary shortly with the purchase of a brand new one. Despite being Chanel, I believe it's reasonably priced at $69, as it will last a long while!
Accompanying the glowing bronzed beauty I aim to achieve on the daily is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. The bronzer is the perfect shade, able to achieve the 'brontouring' effect, able to both contour and bronze simultaneously. The highlighter is divine, imparting an effortless glow on the cheekbones, without being glittery or chunky.
Since I picked it up in early 2016, I've used Soleil Tan de Chanel almost every day since. It's a cream bronzer which suits my fair/light complexion perfectly, applied effortlessly with a synthetic fluffy brush. It's been a beautiful love affair, and I will be happy to celebrate our two year anniversary shortly with the purchase of a brand new one. Despite being Chanel, I believe it's reasonably priced at $69, as it will last a long while!
Accompanying the glowing bronzed beauty I aim to achieve on the daily is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. The bronzer is the perfect shade, able to achieve the 'brontouring' effect, able to both contour and bronze simultaneously. The highlighter is divine, imparting an effortless glow on the cheekbones, without being glittery or chunky.
My approach to makeup has changed immensely in the last 12 months. My concern at the beginning of the year was to cover my severe acne. As my skin has improved, I've been so appreciative of good skin I've switched out to a more lightweight base. This base has almost consisted exclusively of Bare Minerals, mainly, the BareSkin Brightening Serum Foundation. It does just as it describes, and creates a natural brighter complexion. It provides a light coverage, enough to even the complexion, creating an effortlessly natural base. It's lightweight, feeling and looking as if I am wearing nothing. I will definitely be trying more serum foundations in 2018!
Pairing nicely with the foundation is the very talked about Colourpop No Filter Concealer. Since purchasing this, I have not used another concealer since. I even placed a second order for a backup. I usually opt for the shade Fair 5, as I mainly use this on the under eye and eyelid. When I conceal the rest of my face, Light 20 suits fairly well. With concealer this good, you'd be mad to spend more than $6 USD on another concealer. That said, we're all mad here.
Pairing nicely with the foundation is the very talked about Colourpop No Filter Concealer. Since purchasing this, I have not used another concealer since. I even placed a second order for a backup. I usually opt for the shade Fair 5, as I mainly use this on the under eye and eyelid. When I conceal the rest of my face, Light 20 suits fairly well. With concealer this good, you'd be mad to spend more than $6 USD on another concealer. That said, we're all mad here.
I'll admit, I didn't give Benefit Benetint* a fair go when I first received it. To be fair, I was a walking oil slick due to hormonal changes, and couldn't possibly imagine putting more liquid on my face. I pulled it out of the draw again a few months ago, and I have not put it away since. I've been applying this directly to a synthetic brush, then buffing out on the cheek. It leaves such a natural flush to the cheek, and lasts well throughout the day. This has sparked a love affair with cream and liquid blushes, one of which I will explore further in 2018.
Courtesy of Mac, I was introduced to Mac Velvet Teddy* towards the end of the year. I now understand the cult obsession with this lipstick. I have been struggling to find the right lipstick colour since dying my hair darker, but this fits the bill perfectly. I find myself reaching for this most times I wear a lipstick, often pairing it with Spice Lip Pencil. If you're in the market for a new everyday wearable lip, I highly recommend trying this on at your local Mac!
The centre of innovation within the beauty industry in 2017 was undoubtedly the Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow from Stila. It makes glitter, a previously complicated and messy process, very effortless. Mixing medium and glitter, all in one tube. I have the shade Kitten Karma, but am eager to pick up some more of the darker glitters. It looks beautiful to top off any eye look, but is also just as nice (and easy!) blended out on it's own.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
In addition to the usual, I also have a few lifestyle favourites which I want to share. I wouldn't go as far to say that this product has changed my life, but it's sure made it easier. Yes, I purchased those tiny white, ridiculous looking headphones by Apple called Airpods. Turns our they're actually amazing. Decent sound quality, but it's the convenience that I love. The pair live in small white container (I call it their 'home'), which charges them, meaning you won't get stuck in the lurch without battery. Once removed from their home, it turns the bluetooth on and it's instantly paired with your phone. You can use both, or one at a time. If you have an Apple phone, I highly recommend giving them a go! Pricey at $229, but this is now an item I cannot imagine life without.
My last favourite for 2017 is the Glasshouse & Circa Home Candles and Soaps*. Cliché blogger item, but these are by far the best and most reasonably priced candles around. I'm particularly obsessed with the Jasmine & Magnolia Hand Wash*. This makes me weirdly excited to wash my hands.
Congratulations if you have made it towards the end of this post!
2017 has been decent enough, but I cannot wait to see what 2018 holds.
Happy new year!
Love,
Em x
*Received the product for consideration as PR