#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 :)

#139 - May Favourites

I think this is the earliest I've posted my favourites, go me! I have quite a few items this month but I've grouped them up to make it an easier read!

 

 Nails 

OPI in Mermaid's Tears | Models Own in Fuzzy Peach | Maybelline Forever Strong in Ceramic Blue

These are the three main colours I've been reaching for this month, a nice mix of pastel and more neon shades. Mermaid's Tears is a lovely sea green, it's my perfect green and is so easy to apply and dries fast.
I am yet to brave wearing Models Own Hedonist on my nails, but I may use it as an accent nail when I next use Fuzzy Peach, might be a nice combo. Ceramic Blue is a gorgeous pale blue with shots of metallic blue/purple shot through it, It's opaque in two coats and with a top coat lasts on my for about six days with minimal tip wear.

 

Face

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory | St Ives Invigorating scrub
Nivea Oil Free moisturiser | Beverly Hills whitening toothpaste

I was using the Bourjoid 123 Perfect foundation, but since the weather's perked up a little (I type this looking out my window at a dreary sky threatening to rain, ha!) I went back to this as the formula's much lighter, and it smells soo good! The colours a limited but this is the lightest shade and it's fine on me.

St Ives scrub has been an essential in my routine for at least seven years now, it's my favourite scrub ever. I use this three times a week to give my face a really good clean; I love using it after a 10hr shift in work, really makes my skin feel amazing.

This is my go-to moisturiser, not much to say but it is brilliant for oily/combination skin, I am yet to find a better one, and at such a good price.

I got this in Home Bargain for 99p! a month ago, as I'm still on the quest for whiter teeth. This really does work, I use it twice a day and it has definitely improved the colour.

 Hair

Berber Hair Oil | Pure Coconut Hair Repair | Charles Worthington No Frizz Serum

This is my favourite product from the Birthday Glossybox, it really is brilliant at conditioning my hair, stopping frizz and reducing drying time when I blowdry my hair. I got this coconut treatment again in trust Home Bargain (seriously, look there for hair products before Boots/Superdrug, they're ridiculously cheap!) and have been using it on the ends of my hair twice a week, leaving it on for ten minutes. It makes my hair softer, smoother and easier to style. The serum doesn't need much said, it does its job brlliantly, tames my flyaways and gives my hair extra shine.

 

 Misc.

Garnier Summerbody Gradual Tan in Deep | Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf

I really dislike using fake tans, so this is perfect for me. I apply it after every shower and it gives me a really deep but natural looking tan. A friend commented on it last week, thinking I had been abroad, back of the net! It doesn't go streaky, the smell is pleasant, and it doesn't wash off if you get your skin wet. It's currently oart of the 3 for 2 at Boots too so I'd suggest you give it a go!

This has been my favourite perfume since I bought it on the plane to Turkey last June; it's strong but not overpowering, gorgesouly and fruity/floral. Whenever I smell it, I'm instantly taken back to my holiday last year, which makes me really happy. I'm pretty bad at descrbing perfumes, but give it a whiff you won't be disappointed!

What are your favourites this month? Any posts/videos please leave me a link! :)

#119 - 2011 Favourites

Yes, my first post of 2012 is on my 2011 Favourites, but I wanted to post it whether I was on time or not! I wanted to post about my favourite products that I discovered/started using in 2011; ones that I would repurchase over and over again and would reccommend each and every one to all of you.

Perfumes: I can't choose between these three, they all smell totally different but they have to be my favourites of all time, not just 2011. I've been using Britney Spears Believe for about three, maybe four years now and it's probably my "signature" scent if I had to have one. It's fresh, floral but not overpowering and it lingers for hours without having to re-apply. I got a sample of Naughty Alice when I got my 21st jewellery in 2010 and fell in love with it. I couldn't justify the price, so asked for a bottle off Jack for Christmas. I don't want to use it all up so I'm saving it for "special occasions" but I admit I do sit sniffing it a lot of the time. And Flowerbomb is something myself and my bestie Heather bought on the plane to Turkey, it's divine! If you haven't tried it, I urge you to even have a whiff of it next time you're in John Lewis. It's quite strong but you only need one squirt to last you all day. I love it even more because it's our Summer/holiday scent and it always makes me think of good times.

Nail varnish: Juicy Jules - brilliant glitter polish, not as hard to remove as others, has a gorgeous holographic look and I'd wear it all the time if I wasn't already halfway through my bottle!
Hair products: V05 Miracle Concentrate. Every blogger and their mother has raved about this, so there's nothing new I can add to it, but it smooths my hair out and keeps it straighter for longer, and makes my ends looks healthy.
Loreal Elvive Triple Resist Root Treatment - Having only used this for a couple of months I can't rave about it enough. My hair used to come out a lot in the shower/when brushing, but since applying this daily it feels stronger and I've had less fall out, so it's a winner in my book!
Another hair item I forgot to photograph is my Tangle Teezer. I urge everyone to go buy one, it's done wonders for my hair. It untangles knots easily, glides through your hair without hurting or tugging on your roots, and somehow adds shine the more you use it. Also, I bought mine 2-4-1 so gave my spare to my boyfriend as he has long hair, and he prefers it to a normal brush. I find it easier to keep clean than a normal brush too, for whatever reason I find plausible.

Body/Facial products: S&G Flake Away is the best scrub I've used. Smells amazing, makes my skin so soft (especially those horrible bumps you get on the back of your arms) you get your money's worth as the tubs are huge and last forever.
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub's my favourite facial scrub to use as it's gentle enough to use twice daily, but gets rid of any leftover dirt and reduced spots and red marks quickly. It's a brilliant product for its small price.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturiser's the only moisturiser I've repurchased time and time again. I've been using it for probably about six years now, and everytime I branch out, try something new, it never seems to compare to this. (The only one that comes close is S&G's The Righteous Butter, but I'm not keen on the smell) But this works well in keeping my skin smooth and hydrated and evens out stretchmarks/scarring/skin tone.

Make up products: 17 lipstick in Beehive was my most used shade this Summer, mostly because I can't fault it. You can apply it without a mirror, it's not sticky, lasts for a good while and it's quite a light shade so it looks brilliant with a tan! Mine only looks horrible because I took it to Turkey so it went really soft in the heat and looks vile.
After using Barry M for 3 years I wanted to try something new and L'Oreal's Superliner Carbon Gloss was my first choice, even if the name's a ruddy mouthful. I love the spongey applicator, how black it is on the first swipe and the length of the handle makes it so easy to apply in a hurry. The only gripe I have with this is that it doesn't have brilliant staying power without a primer under, but I always use one so I can't reeeally complain about that.
Collection 2000 Big Fake mascara is the only mascara I've used for the last two years and I don't plan on switching anytime soon. It's waterproof, volumising, non-clumpy, lengthening and I'd class it as my HG mascara.

I won't type out a review on each book as I don't think everyone would appreciate it and may dislike me for it, but if you would like to know more about any of the above books or my thoughts on them, please leave it in a comment or email me for a more detailed answer :)
But the above are four of my favourite authors, they won't be to everyone's taste - for example Palahniuk's Haunted is a disgustingly detailed book about weird and discomforting topics; there have been people who have read the first chapter and either fainted or vomited, and it has a parental advisory sticker on the front which say it all haha.
But all of the above authors are brilliant at what they do, and I would reccommend the titles above if you haven't read anything by them yet. The Dean Koontz book is one I have read maybe three times this year, it's just such a good plot, the twists in it had me yelling at my book (in the comfort and peace of my own room though)

Band/Artist - My all-time favourite band is Deftones, and while their latest album Diamond Eyes came out in 2010 it's still a solid favourite in my book. They're not to everyone's taste, but they do have several songs that are so relaxing, they're what I listen to before bed or to chill out, here's the first and the second :)
Another favourite this year is Lights, I listened to Everybody Breaks a Glass as requested by a friend and instantly downloaded both her albums. Her slower songs remind me of another babe, Ellie Goulding, and as they are both sort of electro-pop type songs, they go together brilliantly in a playlist.

What are your favourites for 2011? Any beats I should have a look at? :)