#149 - 2012 Favourites

I know I'm slightly behind on the getting the ol' favourites of last year up, as well as being generally behind on actual blogging. never mind, I have several posts lined up for the next week or so, (including an empties post later this week, oooh) so I should be back into some form of regular posting, hopefully. no promises there, I'm only human; a human that often gets distracted by delicious food and Supernatural, so sue me.

Anyway, I've divided it up into four categories so it's a little easier to digest.
Being the silly goose I am, I forgot to include any nail items, and I couldn't be fussed taking yet another photo. but nail favourites are OPI's Nail Envy and Maybelline's Stay Strong in Ceramic Blue. Nail Envy has helped my nails in a huge way; they aren't flaking or breaking as easily as they used to, and I can grow them all to a nice length without one snapping and letting the side down. And Ceramic Blue is a shade I discovered early last year and wore it as often as I possibly could. I love it, it has a brilliant formula and barely chips.

But, onto the other stuff, I had to narrow it right down so these are just, absolute favourites. Like, if I didn't have these items I'd probably be much more inclined to stay in bed than I already am. Hard to top, I know.
I'll just do a real quick reason why I love each item so I don't ramble on too much.

SKINCARE 

Good Things Five Minute Facial Mask - I use this at least once a week after giving my face a good scrub, and before using my Liquid Gold. This brightens my skin, reduces blemishes and makes my face look generally lovely. Highly recommend it, I've had it for about seven months and I think I'm only halfway through the tube.

Re-Gen Cream - This is a sneaky gem from Home Bargain (not sure if that's just a North-West store, or what?) it's a cheaper Bio Oil but in cream form. I smother my skin in this stuff and it's brilliant. It's reduced those little bumps I get on the backs of my arms, improved the skin on my thighs and helped the look of any scarring or stretchmarks.

S&G Flake Away - This is my go-to body scrub, I use it twice a week, it smells amazing and isn't too harsh on the skin. It leaves a slight oily film after you get out the shower, but I quite like that, means I don't spend as long moisturising.


Garnier Summerbody Gradual Tan - I hate fake tan, the smell, the patchiness, just everything. I'm also far too lazy to keep it up, so this is ideal for me; slap it on before bed each night and wake up looking like you've just come back from holiday. Easy peasy.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold - I had to get it after seeing nearly everyone raving about it, and I certainly did wince at the price (£30 back in March) but I'm glad I went for it. I only use it once, maybe twice a week before I go to bed, but it's helped my skin so much. It's brighter, all blemishes and any marks left by them disappear faster, I adore it. I only have about three applications left, but I'll be purchasing another very soon.

MAKE UP

 17 Va Va Voom Mascara in Black - I love this mascara, I refuse to buy anything high-end as this does exactly what I need; lengthens, plenty of volume, rarely clumps and it's waterproof which is perfect for me and my contact lenses.

Frat Boy Blush - I recieved this in a Glossybox/Carminebox/whateverbox last Spring and I shoved it in a drawer never to be seen again as I never used blush because I always thought I looked daft in it. I have only really been wearing this for the last five months or so, but now I've perfected the application it's something I reach for everyday. It is quite pigmented so you only need a slight amount on the brush and just blend it in well.

17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive - This is looking slightly worse for wear due to it nearly being finished, and the fact I was daft enough to take it with me on a girl's holiday to Turkey in '11. It probably melted as soon as I stepped off the plane. But this is still my everyday lipstick, it's just the right amount of colour.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - Don't need to say much about this, I love it, everyone and their cat loves it. Let's face it, it's a HG concealer. The End

Elf Powder Brush - I use this brush to apply foundation and it does so flawlessly. I adore this brush, it can do no wrong in my eyes.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner - Best eyeliner pencil I have tried, there was no way I was forking out for a Mac or Nars pencil, so Rimmel releasing this was a godsend.

 HAIRCARE

V05 Dry Shampoo - A good alternative to Batiste, not as chalky in your hair, doesn't leave white marks and smells nice. I got it in Superdrug a few weeks ago on offer for £1.89

Tresemme Split Remedy Masque - I use this once a week on the ends of my hair in the shower. I apply it and leave it on under a shower cap and rinse it off just before I get out. Makes my hair look and feel less damaged than it really is.

Samy Fat Hair Thickening Spray - I have fine hair, which is annoying but I can deal with it since finding this. It thickens my hair without making it crispy or greasy looking, and it actually makes curling it much easier and I find the style lasts a little longer than it would without this in my hair.

Tresemme Hairspray - Little fact of the day, I do not like Ellnet hairspray. The smell makes me gag and it doesn't do much for my hair. And the fact Cheryl Cole is the face of it is just another reason not to buy it. But Tresemme hairspray is the best for my hair, it holds for as long as I want it to, and I found the huge can in Home Bargain (again) for just £1.99, in comparison to Boots selling it for about a fiver. I always have a small can of it in my bag for any flyaways or frizz that rears its ugly head during the day.

 MISC.

Vivienne Westwood's Naughty Alice - Before I got this my favourite perfume was Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb, which is still is, but that's now my Spring/Summer perfume. But since getting this last Christmas this is my Autumn/Winter perfume, I just love it, I'm not going to describe it as I'll only butcher it, but it's gorgeous and a few sprays lasts hours.

Supernatural dvds - I have every season, it's one of my favourite shows, but my mum snagged me season seven for Christmas, which I was so delighted at. You just have to watch it, it's brilliant.

James Frey & Suzanne Collins - My two favourite authors of 2012, thier books are amazing, and I have chosen to re-read several of them in favour of reading from my pile of un-read books. Check them out, just do it.

What were your 2012 Favourites? Leave any blogposts/video links for me to have a nosey :)