Hello! Apologies for being MIA, again, but November and December have been crazy busy, all I could do was to post sporadically on instagram (@beautycnr).
So this blog post is a review of my personal beauty favourites. They're not necessarily the ones I discovered in 2017, but the ones I enjoyed in 2017 the most.
Let's get started with skincare!
First cleanse: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, hands down. This a very old favourite and so far nothing has come close. It easily melts the makeup off, the smell is ah-mazing, you can use it as second cleanse. I love using it as a mask in winter when my skin feels dry and irritated.
Second cleanse: For a second cleanse I seem to be enjoying non drying clay cleansers the most. Such as Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser (with glycolic acid) and Omorovicza's Moor Cream Cleanser which is a recent discovery and I am curious to try more from the brand (my poor poor wallet!)
Mask/Treatment: Alpha H Gentle Daily Exfoliant. It's a gentle enzyme powder that you mix with water to make a paste and apply on the face for 1 minute. Lovely.
Acid: This year I've been mostly into serum acids but I'm starting to get a feeling that acid toners are easier to use. Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peels are fab ( I wouldn't dare use them every day though). The Ordinary's Lactic 5% + HA 2% is lovely and I've also enjoyed The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% as a targeted area or spot treatment. Next year I want to try mandelic acid (A particular one from Wishtrend which is a nightmare to get in the UK).
Toner: Indie Lee CoQ 10 Toner. Soothing, plumping, hydrating toner that smells sooo good. It was perfect for summer. I miss it. I would use it as an essence, patted straight onto the skin, no cotton pad.
Serum: Hiauronic: good ol' Indeed Labs Hydraluron. vit C: The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% - I'm enjoying the texture of this. Not too runny, skin doesn't feel tight. And it really brightens dull skin.
Oil: Now this is more a serum and oil hybrid but Zelens Power D treatment drops are amazing and I will definitely repurchase it. It's just soo good. Fortifying, soothing. As soon as you apply it, the skin sighs and says thank you by glowing. This is so lightweight, sinks in super quickly, can be mixed in with your moisturiser. I can use it in the morning and makeup sits well on top. The only negatives are: high price and it expires after 6 months. But the quality, the effect... Show me anything cheaper that does the same, I challenge you. I think I will strategically purchase this next autumn so I can use it during colder months when my skin is not happy.
Eye cream: I hate that it's so expensive but nothing was remotely close to Tata Harper Restorative Eye Creme. Beautiful balanced texture, sunk in well, not sticky, eye area felt moisturised. I have a few on my wish list to try and if they don't work out, I will return to this.
Moisturiser: I don't have a strong favourite in this section. I liked: The Ordinary's NMF, January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion, most Ren moisturisers, Dr Jart Ceramidin, Elemis Maximum Moisture Day Cream and most recently Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream. I wouldn't spend more than £30 on a moisturiser, this year I got a feeling that it's just not worth it. Keep your pennies for a good serum!
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Sunscreen: Clinique Super City Block SPF40 or It Cosmetics CC cream with SPF50.
Shampoo: Kiehls Amino Acid Shampoo.
Styling product: Kiehls Silk Groom
Foundation: It Cosmetics CC Cream. It took me a few tries to figure out how to get the best results with it, I like applying it with my fingers or with makeup sponge. The coverage is very good, you can make it quite sheer or add and extra layer on problem areas. It feels moisturising. This is best for normal to dry skins that want the glow.
Mascara: It may still be Benefit Roller Lash.
Brows: I don't do much with my brows but it's Glossier Boy Brow in Blond.
Eye Shadows: Charlotte Tilbury Palette in Sophisticate. I'm boring like that. But the quality is truly excellent.
Eye Liner: Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner.
Blush: Pixi Multibalm in Wild Rose (apply with fingers) and a a mini Nars in Orgasm.
Lip balm: good old Burt's Bees. And La Roche Posay Cicaplast
Lipstick: ooh difficult. Probably Glossier Generation G in Zip because it's so easy to use. I miss Revlon's Lip Butters :(
Perfume: Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady.
Aand that's all folks! Have a lovely festive season :)
