I cannot believe and I refuse to believe that it is 2016, that's madness, it's like 2015 didn't ever exist! Anyway, as it's the end of 2015 I have put together my 2015 beauty favourites and instead of having a product or two for each category and the post being very long, I thought I would just pick my top 15 products of 2015 which is so difficult to do as I've bought and I've been sent so many amazing products this year - so I have cheated slightly and at the end I have five honourable mentions.
Skincare
Firstly, skincare and the one brand that has stood out throughout the whole year has been Antipodes. I adore all of the products I've tried, I never thought I'd be able to find a complete brand or skincare range that my temperamental, sensitive, eczema prone and sometimes incredibly dry skin would love but I have! I would highly recommend their products, especially the Hosanna Serum, Vanilla Pod Day Cream and the Butter Cleanser. I need to purchase the day cream as soon as possible!
Also for skincare, I was kindly sent the Oilixia Brilliance Facial Oil back in September and I have been using it on and off since and my skin loves it. Eczema can make my skin feel incredibly tight and dry but this facial oil instantly relives that uncomfortable feeling and it gives my skin a much needed boost of moisture - I cannot stop raving about it.
Lastly for skincare, the Jurlique Balancing Mist which is such a fantastic multi-use product. I use it as a toner, refreshing facial spray and to give a boost of moisture to my skin before applying my foundation. I'm so surprised that I haven't finished the bottle yet as I use it so much.
Bodycare and Fragrance
I was over the moon when I was able to work with Molton Brown this year, I did squeal a little when the email came through. I received three products from their gorgeous ylang ylang range which smells heavenly and all of the products are so luxurious and work so effectively - especially the body lotion which is one of my most reached for body products of 2015. A close runner up was the Clarins Tonic Body Balm.
The final bodycare product is also from a luxurious and famous brand, the Mio Liquid Yoga and yes, I was initially just drawn to it because of the name but it is such a surprising product. To me it is a green bath milk which doesn't really add bubbles or anything special to your bath but the effect of it on my muscles and my mind too was so unexpected and amazing! It leaves me more relaxed and less tense than any other bath product I've tried - highly recommend.
I have two fragrance favourites this year although I love perfume so I could have mentioned pretty much all of my collection. My first fragrance favourite *say that ten times fast* is the Library Of Fragrance Lavender Cologne which is so cheap, it smells amazing and even though the longevity isn't great, I loved it and used it up within about one month - I do need to buy it soon. My second fragrance favourite is at the opposite end of the price range, the Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb EDP which has to have the prettiest bottle ever! I've wanted to try it for ages and I'm so lucky to have been sent it last year; it smells so unique, feminine and gorgeous *that's vague I know* so you definitely need to give it a sniff next time you are in House of Fraser.
Hair and Makeup Tools
I don't have many hair product favourites this year but one of my main favourites was Moroccan Oil...again. I adore Moroccan Oil as when I use it on my damp hair and leave it to dry overnight, it transforms my hair and makes it so much smoother, softer and tangle free and the results last for days.
My final hair product favourite is a relatively new find, The Wet Brush which I have been using every other day and it works so well. Gone are the days of wincing and watery eyes when I brush my knotted, thick, long hair all thanks to The Wet Brush.
I've been loving Tweezerman products throughout 2015, not only because I was one of their ambassadors but I genuinely love their products - I've had my mini Tweezerman ladybug tweezers since before I started my blog and they are still going strong. I also love their lash curler, as I have fairly deep set and almond shaped eyes, it can be difficult for lash curlers to fit properly but these ones do and I definitely prefer them over my expensive Shu Uemura lash curlers *gasp*.
Makeup
Now onto the main category, makeup! I have five makeup products that stood out to me, some have been included in multiple favourites posts in 2015. First up, the Benefit Gimme Brow which initially I didn't like but now I love it. When I want a no makeup day or I want very natural but beefed up brows then I'll reach for this as it adds volume, colour and definition but it's so natural and so quick/easy. If you love brow products or if you are just starting out using products like this then I'd definitely recommend the Benefit Gimme Brow - you won't be disappointed.
Sticking with the brow theme, I have also been loving the Eye of Horus Brow Pencil when I want fuller or bolder brows. The shade matches me so well, it is quick and easy to use, it can be built up to Cara Delevingne level brows and the brow gel on the other end of the pencil is the best brow gel I've ever used! If it can tame and hold my unruly brows in place then it can hold anyones in place.
Kiko has been one of my favourite cheaper brands since I discovered the brand in Taormina, Sicily about six years ago and I've been obsessed ever since. One of my favourite products from Kiko is their shadows. In 2015 I made up my own palette using their Clic system which sadly I don't think you can buy anymore which is a shame as it's such a great concept and I love the neutral palette that I made.
Even though strobing was a big trend last year, I was never really that interested in it as I'm pretty much addicted to contouring and I really don't think that strobing can give you anything like the shape, definition and dimension that contouring can - unless it's a strong editorial look. The main contour product I used last year was my trusty NYX Taupe Blush but it has been surpassed by the MAC Sculpt and Shape Powder in Accentuate/Sculpt which is amazing for my super pale skin.
The last makeup favourite is the much raved about Maybelline Fit Me Concealer which I finally bought and I've been using it almost every time I wear makeup since. It works well on my dry skin, on the whole it doesn't emphasis dryness and it covers pretty well too; also it's SO cheap and I'd definitely recommend it. I don't think it's a dupe of the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer which I also have as the coverage isn't as good, it isn't as thick and it is more suited to dry skin in comparison to the Nars concealer.
Honorary Mentions
Now onto the products that didn't quite make the cut but I've still been loving and I would still definitely recommend:
YSL Touche Eclat: I wasn't sure about this product for a while when I received it back in September but now I don't know what I did before it; it adds so much brightness and radiance without glitter or greasiness.
Elemental Herbology Hydrator: I had a tube of this for a while but when I started to use it, it changed colour so I emailed Elemental Herbology to ask if it was still ok to use and they were so kind and generous to send out a full size (worth about £40) to me! I've almost finished that tub and I need to repurchase sometime this year as it is an amazing facial moisturiser.
Dermatique Recuperating Cream: I have eczema on my face and also on my hands which can be awful as it means that my hands are usually bright red, very dry, tight and horrible to look at so I'm always looking for something to help. When I tried this cream on my hands, I was shocked as the next day the eczema on my hands was so much better than the day before.
EOS Lip Balms: One product I'm very good at hoarding is lip balms, I have quite a few and most of them are fantastic, as the EOS balms are. I have three now and they are all so quick and easy to use especially on the go and they are very effective too.
La Vanilla Deodorant: Last but not least, the deodorants I've used solely last year and I'm surprised at how long they actually lasted were from La Vanilla. La Vanilla deodorants are raved about by American youtubers, I know Essie Button used to talk about them all of the time and I had wanted to switch to natural and aluminium free deodorants for a while. Thankfully you can get these from Net-a-Porter at £10 each *wince* and they are fantastic. I have used up my 'fresh lemon' one and I'm now onto my lavender one, both of which I would highly recommend.
Phew, that's a lot of typing and a lot of products although I think I've done well to narrow it down to twenty products from the whole year. If you have any of these let me know your opinions! What were your favourite products from 2015?
cool stuff!
ReplyDeletewww.bstylevoyage.blogspot.com
Lovely picks hun! I haven't tried many of these out but I do love the Moroccan oil!
ReplyDeleteFix Me In Forty Five - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
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xx
These sound all like great products! I really want to try the eos lipbalm
ReplyDeleteCandice | Beauty Candy Loves
So many great products and brands! I've also discovered Antipodes this year and have to admit that they are a fantastic skincare brand. Tweezerman are another brand that really stood out for me x
ReplyDeleteBeauty with charm
Thanks for sharing Antipodes Alina. #lovethearoha
DeleteI've tried Lavanilla and just couldn't get on with it. After a couple of months, I threw it out :/
ReplyDeleteAngie | Chocolate & Lipstick | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
I think I want to revisit morocon oil I never really gave it a chance last time I wish it came in an easier to use bottle... or does it x
ReplyDeletefranklyflawless.com
Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb is one of my favourites! xx
ReplyDeletewww.adaliascloset.blogspot.co.uk
All these products sound awesome.
ReplyDeletewww.themakeupaficionado.com
Molton Brown Ylang ylang is literally my favourite scent in life. So gorgeous! The Mio liquid yoga is officially on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteElle
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I looove the Library of Fragrance, they're so unusual and cool
ReplyDeleteAnything & Everything | Bloglovin'
Great picks! I've used a few of these before & loved them! x
ReplyDeletehttp://ashley11988.blogspot.com/
Great favourites! Gimme Brow is my HG product for eye brows and I wear it all the time. I also adore the Wet Brush and the Jurlique balancing mist. Flowerbomb is in my wishlist. :) x
ReplyDeleteRenata | Speaking Beauty UK
I love the Flowerbomb perfume!
ReplyDeleteI want a wet brush so bad! I've heard such good things and my tangled hair could seriously benefit from it! I also am never too far away from an eos haha!
ReplyDeleteShannon Sage
I really love Flowerbomb, I think I'm going to have to treat myself to a bottle at some point - it's a gorgeous fragrance, isn't it!? Lovely picks Heather :)
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours
We love that you are loving Antipodes Skincare Heather. Great blog. #lovethearoha
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