Saturday

Top 20 beauty finds of 2015

Bear with me for one more 2015 round up. I promise this is the last one!
Best beauty products 2015
2015 has been a huge success on the beauty front. I think last year, more than any other, I've found a really great collection of beauty products that work for me perfectly. In fact, I think my hunt for the perfect concealer is finally over! So without further ado, here are my top 20 beauty finds of 2015. I should warn you, there is going to be a lot of Lush!
BASE
Bobbi Brown Concealer
OK, admittedly this foundation is far from perfect but NARS Weightless Luminous in Mont Blanc is the best I've found so far. It's very matte and very drying but I've found applying with a damp sponge stops it clinging to dry patches. Once I've used it up, I might try one of the other NARS foundations since the shade matches my skin perfectly and I've heard such good things about the brand.


It's taken me forever to find a concealer that's the right opacity, consistency and shade but I think I've finally done it with Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick. It's creamy, easy to blend and has great coverage too. Plus the Porcelain shade matches my Mont Blanc Nars perfectly. I love it!


LIPS & EYES
MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick
Bobbi Brown has been my top brand of 2015. I hadn't used any of their products before but now I don't want to use anything else! Unfortunately I haven't got round to reviewing their Longwear Gel Eyeliner yet (need to get my brows done first!) but it is 100% the best eyeliner I have ever used: dark, opaque, long lasting and completely waterproof. Seriously, I went swimming twice at CenterParcs (by swimming, I mean going on waterslides and generally messing around in the water) and it didn't budge. It's a wonder product! 


Full review coming soon // Buy Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner here

I love MAC's Haute & Naughty mascara because it's so versatile. You can load the brush with product for a dramatic look or keep it more subtle by pulling the wand through a second tube which wipes off all the excess. Although I wish it was more waterproof as it has a habit of rubbing off on under my eye (despite the name), I do love the effect it creates.



Despite its popularity with bloggers, MAC Velvet Teddy is a recent purchase of mine and, as such, I haven't got around to reviewing it yet. However, it has become a daily staple. I'm in love with the matte finish and 90s-reminiscent shade. It's super flattering and works for any occasion. Everyone should own it!


Full review coming soon // Buy MAC Velvet Teddy here

TOOLS
Real Techniques sponge
Where was I before I got the Real Techniques sponge? In 2015, I succumbed to the hype of make up sponges and never looked back. With this tool in my hand, my base applies smoothly and flawlessly, and its versatility means I never need to pack a load of make up brushes when I go away. I just wish it lasted a little longer and didn't rip so easily during cleaning! 


Wilko brushes? Yes, really. I bought them because they were cheap and looked like the Real Techniques brushes and, in a bizarre twist, they actually turned out to be pretty good! The foundation brush applies product smoothly and evenly, but it's the powder brush that I really love. Huge and fluffy, it covers my face with a generous, even amount of product. It was only about £4 too. Bargain!

 Full review here // Buy Wilko make up brushes here

At the end of 2014, I found myself in Sephora with around 15 euros to spend. After scrutinising the shelves, I decided to treat myself to a new foundation brush because you can never have too many, right? It's feather soft and creates a light, buildable base with more dewy foundations. 



BATH & SHOWER
Lush Rub Rub Rub
Prepare yourself. This will pretty much all be Lush! Let's start with my favourite item from the 2015 Christmas collection- Christingle Body Conditioner. It's a gorgeously minty product that creates the softest, smoothest skin possible, with bonus cooling properties. I just know that this is going to be my most-used product in the summer heat. In fact, I've stocked up so I'm fully prepared when the heatwave comes!


Full review here

The opening of Lush Oxford Street was one of the highlights of my whole year and I couldn't wait to try out the limited edition products. I was absolutely over the moon when they made Big Bang Bubble Bar one of the items rolled out nationwide because it's my absolute favourite. It smells exactly like Rub Rub Rub- my favourite Lush product of all time- but with the added bonus of bubbles everywhere! 


Of course nearly all of my favourite products are limited collections. While we're on the topic of bubble bars smelling like Rub Rub Rub, Mother Superior, released for the Mothers' Day collection, was one of the best products I used this year. I don't miss it too much though as, luckily, Big Bang has pretty much taken its place. If only Big Bang was the same size- and as cute- as Mother Superior! 


Full review here 

Finally, the prettiest bubble bar Lush have ever released was 100% Unicorn Horn! Not only was it pastel rainbow perfection with silver lustre and star-shaped confetti, but the lavender fragrance was perfectly soothing and de-stressing. Fingers crossed it returns next Valentine's Day!


 Full review here

SKIN CARE
Magnitone cleanser
I'm at that point in my age now where I'm well aware of the ageing process. It's not going to be long before my skin is all wrinkled and papery so I've suddenly become very interested in skincare. When I was sent Cult 51, I honestly thought the claims surrounding it were hyperbole. I was wrong. It makes my skin soft, smooth and radiant. If only it wasn't so expensive! 


Full review here 

As much as I love Lush, their cleansers are a right faff. They're amazing, I admit, but I can't be dealing with all that preparation. Luckily, 9 to 5 is designed with lazy people like me in mind. It's a simple cream cleanser that you just wipe over your face. I wish they'd release more cleansers like this as I'd love to try out some more!


Full review here // Buy Lush 9 to 5 here

I'm a big fan of sea salt. In fact, most of my favourite Lush products include the ingredient in some way (coughRubRubRubcough). So a toner with sea salt? Perfect! Luckily it's every bit as refreshing and fragrant as I'd imagine and, I think, the first toner I've ever actually finished!


Full review here 

At the Bloggers' Blog Awards in October, I was lucky enough to be named highly commended in the lifestyle category and won a Magnitone cleansing brush. Oh my, it's amazing! Admittedly, it takes a while to get used to something buzzing on your face but my skin has never felt so cleansed!


Full review coming soon // Buy Magnitone Cleansing Brush here

HAIR CARE

2015 was the year that I only used Lush on my hair. Literally. No other brand touched a follicle (except Elnett hairspray but that's a given!) and my hair has never been better! Shampoo-wise, Big has been my favourite of the many types I've tried this year. Remember I said I had a thing for sea salt? Yeah. Not only does my hair feel super clean and kind of like a mermaid's hair but it's also really good for exfoliating my dry scalp.

Full review here

My hair is naturally very dry and frizzy, so discovering R&B was like stumbling across Viking treasure (or something. I don't know) It tames my hair, moisturises it, keeps it frizz-free and makes it smell amazing! In fact, it's so amazing that I kept a pot in my car. Until I realised that cars get hot and R&B melts.

Full review here // Buy Lush R&B here
OTHER
Diptyque Pomander Candle
When I say "other", what I really mean is "candles". And when I say "candles", what I really mean is "Diptyque candles". 2015 was the year I decided to go all posh and finally try that candle that I saw on my Auntie Judith's coffee table in 2003 and, boy, was I glad I did! Diptyque's Feuille de Lavande candle is the most potent candle I've ever lit and it lasts for ages. Yes, they may be a little pricey but they're sure worth it!

Full review here // Buy Diptyque Feuille de Lavande Candle here

Although Feuille de Lavande is perfect for spring and summer, it doesn't exactly scream winter. Enter Pomander. The spicy, clove-y balls of fruity deliciousness are pretty much my favourite thing about Christmas so I was delighted when I discovered that this candle smells exactly like a pomander. So much so that when I lit it, Rich walked in and said "You've hung up the pomanders then". I'll be buying it every Christmas now. Forever.

Full review (of sorts) here // Buy Diptyque Pomander Candle here

2015 has certainly been a year of fantastic beauty discoveries. I can't wait to find a whole new bunch of favourites in 2016!

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7 comments :

  1. I love your picks! I really want to try Velvet Teddy and the NARS foundation. I just need to make the plunge!

    Emily / The Mini Mermaid

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  2. Ah I really want to try out the magnitone! You've chosen so many amazing bits, too!

    Jodie @ Jodetopia x

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  3. Bobbi Brown products are amazing, esp the skin care range! x

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  4. I wish I could use lush but having very sensitive skin it's not recommended :( but love the top picks! Xx

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  5. This was such a helpful post, I'm gonna be adding a bunch of these to my wishlist now so thank you! The Real Techniques sponge was easily one of my favourite discoveries of 2015 too :) (also your photography here is delicious)

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  6. In 2015 I discovered Lush, and I'm in love! Haha. My other half bought me the Christingle body conditioner, so I'm super excited to try that. I've had a sneaky sniff and it smells gorgeous! I'm more of a shower gal than a bath gal, but I'll admit I love a Lush bath bomb. Basically, I just love Lush. Their products are amazing. x www.aimeeraindropwrites.co.uk x

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  7. Sephora makeup brushes are hugely underrated, I have my all time favourite foundation brush from there and purchase a new one whenever I'm near a Sephora (which is rare!) because they're so incredible. x

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