Skincare – Brand
This has to be La Roche-Posay; a brand I believe in. The whole La Roche-Posay family of products do the job but I have a little love affair with the Effaclar collection. It’s unpretentious with no fancy packaging but truly works like a dream on my oily/combination skin.
Try it out. Love it. Thank me later.
Skincare – Makeup Remover
Sensibio H2O – Micelle Solution (formerly Crealine). 100%. I have used Bioderma everyday for over a year to remove my makeup and I won’t use any other product. It’s incredibly lightweight and soothes my sensitive skin. Winner.
Skincare – Face Mask
Now this is a tough one as I love a good face mask. I am torn between Chanel HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE moisture mask for the luxury consistency and Glamglow. The latter is rather expensive but it does something to my face that a lot of other masks don’t – it’s as if it strips away ALL impurities to another layer of skin.
This year I have also loved Lush’s Catastrophe Cosmetic. I applied this to my face the evening before my wedding and I am pretty sure it worked wonders for my extremely tired face adding that necessary bridal glow. I’ll definitely be using this again.
Beauty – Fragrance
I will always love Chanel Chance, always. But this year I wore the beautiful Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne in Spring/Summer, a lot.
And Escada Especially is my new favourite perfume for nights out. I first tried the oil version of this fragrance in Marrakech a few years ago and it always takes me back to that time. Ah, the exotic beauty of Marrakech.
A feminine scent but not too floral or sweet with top notes of pear and ambrette seeds, heart notes of rose and the ever relaxing ylang-ylang and the base note is musk.
Beauty – Highlighter
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose, without a doubt. This is the best powder highlighter I’ve ever used as it gives a gorgeous healthy glow with just the right amount of shimmer. I apply directly to the face for a light glow during the day and layer over Benefit’s High Beam in the evening.
Beauty – Bronzer
Again, this has to be from Bobbi Brown. The Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder is perfect for my colouring and gives a natural, long-lasting, sun-kissed glow. It is also the ideal bronzer for contouring as no pesky sparkly particles can be found here! Although this may contradict my love of a gorgeous shimmering highlighter, I just can’t stand glittery bronzer on my cheekbones.
Beauty – Powder
My favourite powder of the year is Nars Pressed Powder in Beach. The silky powder sets my foundation perfectly but is not heavy like a lot of good powders. Long-lasting, lightweight and a good coverage; my favourite powder for oily/combination skin.
PS. Use a brush and not the sponge that comes with it. I always find them so unhygienic.
Beauty -Eyeshadows
I use various shades from my MAC palette daily but the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette is probably my go-to option. The small, compact-sized palette is so useful when travelling as the neutral shades are perfect from day to night. They blend well, actually last the whole day and can be applied individually or layered together for the perfect smokey eye. Frisk is the perfect shade for the crease.
A good all-rounder.