It's the end of the year, so guess what?
Time to introduce the best-of-the-best, my 'one-and-only's: the 2017 favourites!
There are a lot of winners this year, so grab a snack and get comfy...for it's going to be a long one!
Hair:
I've stopped using conditioner because 1) I have fine thin hair that doesn't agree with most conditioners and I find myself disgustingly greasy even on 2nd-day hair, and 2) I don't like showers. The shorter my shower can be, the better. So I've started using this serum instead, and I love it! It doesn't weigh my hair down at all, yet leaves my ends soft and shiny. Double win!
I have a love-hate relationship with dry shampoo. I love the whole idea of skipping a hair wash whilst giving some (much-needed) volume, but come on, why the white residue?! If I'm using dry shampoo I'm probably late, so I don't have 5 minutes to spare in the morning trying to rub the residue in, or risk leaving the house looking like I aged 50 years in one night. Anyway, I've digressed - the point is, this TRESemme dry shampoo, whilst not completely translucent, doesn't leave me looking like I lost a battle with a bag of flour.
Skincare:
This is the year where I really branched out with skincare, and after finding out about this inexpensive bottle of magic, I haven't looked back. Niacinamide helps reduce acne scarring and redness from hyperpigmentation, something I am constantly struggling with. I use it every night before moisturiser, and with everyday use, the results are amazing. I bring this with me wherever I go now.
Begone, those days of dread and doom at the idea of applying sunscreen, those sticky necks and ghostly white faces. I've known for a long time that it's good to wear sunscreen every day (yes, even when it's raining 24/7 in good ol' England) to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, but never did. But now, I can actually enjoy applying it as part of my morning skincare routine! This product is lightweight and sinks into the skin quickly, and since it's a chemical sunscreen, it doesn't leave that white cast that mineral ones do. I'm aware that those with sensitive skin tend to steer clear of chemical SPF, but my sensitive-skinned friends have also used it, and haven't had any problems.
I have been such a fan of this multi-purpose mask, with its refreshing peppermint oil that cools, honey that soothes and helps clear acne, and little aduki bean particles that gently exfoliate when the mask is washed off. My skin feels fresh, clean, and I have seen a noticeable improvement in skin texture and acne breakouts after using it. I've almost finished my current pot, which reminds me - I need to get another!
I have an obsession (healthy, of course) with lip balm, and a love of all things sweet. So in my eyes, this lip balm is the best thing in the world. I've talked about it before, in the update of my Carmex vs. Burts Bees post from waaaaaayy back, and I'll say it again: it's buttery, moisturising, and smells absolutely delicious!
Makeup:
After hearing a lot of hype over this product, it's safe to say I agree with it, 100%. It's a medium/full coverage foundation that is great for mattifying oily skin, whilst somehow also maintaining a healthy glow. And, as the name suggests, it really does blur pores, even without a primer underneath (I'm ashamed that I know that). The best thing about this though, in my opinion, is the shade range. Most 'warm-toned' drugstore foundations are far too pink for my literal yellow skin (NC25), but Maybelline has done it perfectly with the shade 128.
My next few products are all from Essence, a brand I discovered at the beginning of the year, and have fallen in love with. Their products are extremely inexpensive (£1 for a blush!), with all the money going into the quality of the product, rather than any fancy packaging. I believe only Wilko stocks Essence, so the next time you're looking for a bin and some plastic boxes, take a detour past the Essence stand...
As a fantastic dupe of Benefit's Gimme Brow and at a fraction of its price, it's no wonder this is loved by so many. I like using it after slightly filling in my brows (they're too sparse for the fibre gel to work by itself) for shaping and defining the head and tail.
This is my favourite of all my makeup products, the one thing that I will always use, no matter what the rest of my face looks like. Which is strange, because I never used to be into blushes, and now it's a step that I can't leave the house without! This is a perfect neutral blush that will go with any look, that blends so flawlessly, and leaves a beautiful soft sheen to the cheeks. I've used it as a matching all-over eyeshadow too, which looks just as amazing.
I'm pretty sure I mentioned this lipstick before... But, I'll talk about it again if I have to because, well, it's still a favourite. Although I don't agree with the 'longlasting' claim, this is the creamiest lipstick I've ever used and it glides on very easily. It's lived in my bag for months now, and since it's a my-lips-but-better shade, it's incredibly easy to apply even without a mirror.
Essence Eye Blender Brush - I don't know what fool put that photo there on the Wilko site, but the brush doesn't look like it at all - it's actually light purple, and the bristles aren't tapered. Nonetheless, I love it. If I could only save one brush from a fire, I'd save this one (and maybe I'd need to get my priorities checked...) It's quite large for a crease brush, but I do like to use it to really quickly blend out shadows. The best use for this is as a highlighter brush, though. Using the side, it's amazing at picking up any highlighter and blending it onto the cheekbones perfectly.
As for other makeup tools that I've been loving, I use the Real Techniques Sponge for foundation and concealer, which gives a beautifully blended look that makes any foundation look seamless. I also love the Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Face Brush (came in a set of 3) for powder, bronzer, and even blush sometimes when I'm not trying to be neat. It makes the application much faster, but doesn't deposit a scary amount of product in one go - goodbye, clown face!
Nails:
Holo everyone! Simplynailogical fans will love this polish, and all those who have no clue what I'm going on about, you'll also love it anyway! It's a 'holo taco', which in English means it's a clear nail polish with glitter that shifts the colours of the rainbow. And it's mesmerizing. I'm sure there's plenty of other holo nail polishes now, but this was the first one in the drugstore that I could get my hands on, and I think it's perfect. Actually, I'm wearing it right now as I'm typing this, so bring on the sparkle in the New Year!
I'm not that bothered when it comes to nail polish colours - I like most colours but have never truly loved one in particular. That all changed when I came across this baby, a beautiful pale pink with a green shift. If you can get past that long cringy name, it's worth checking it out. The pink base colour is nothing special, but there's something in that green shift that draws me in when it catches the light... I'd never worn the same colour polish in a row before, until this one.
Film:
I haven't been watching many films this year, but this one definitely stands out as one of my favourites of 2017 - who can resist an old classic retold, especially one with such a beautiful soundtrack? Belle has always been my favourite Disney princess, and I'm not disappointed with her portrayal by the wonderful Emma Watson. The beast too - what a beast! I'm sure he had everyone falling for him even before his transformation ;)
Bit of a throwback... This is the first one, that came out in 2014. I watched it on the plane to China over the summer, and despite the roaring sound of the engines that I had to deal with, I found the film fantastic! It brought me back to those days where I'd read the Alex Rider or Young Bond books under the covers until 3am when my trusty 'reading torch' was in use almost nightly. I like this film not only for the nostalgia but also because it's just plain cool. It's awesome!
YouTube:
It's been a bit of a...strange...year for me on YouTube, with my subscription feed being 50:50 pretty makeup tutorials and gamers screaming at their computers. It's my daily dose of whiplash. However, the one person who I am not only excited to see upload a new video, but have also binge-watched her older ones, is Kathleenlights. Kathleen is just gorgeous, one cannot deny that, but she also has a wonderful sense of humour and is so talented. Her personality is so beautiful that I just want to watch more and more... Is that creepy?
Music:
Even though this album came out at the beginning of 2016, I loved it so much that it was pretty much all I was listening to in the first few months of 2017, and I still do love it a lot. I love every song, every word, every time I've 'sung' along when nobody's listening...
The rest of 2017 was very much influenced by my jazz dance classes. My teacher was very into those upbeat dance songs that are in Spanish (no, Despacito isn't the only one), and I can see why. They just make me want to dance, non-stop, forever and ever. Otilia's Bilionera, Shakira's Chantaje, and Don Omar's Danza Kuduro are just a few of my favourites. Have fun dancing!
Food:
Egg noodles, or noodles that technically aren't instant noodles, but can be cooked the same way. As a uni student and hopeless cook, these have been life-savers. Boil water, pour over noodles, let it sit. Stir it a bit, then drain. Add some microwaved frozen veggies and voila! You've got yourself a 'healthy' meal!
Place:
I'm lucky to have travelled a lot this year, so really I'd like to name 10 or 20 places that I loved. However, I'll keep it short (I'll try at least!):
I went to Greece during the Summer, and the island of Naxos certainly stole my heart, with its lovely beaches and delicious food. I love the quietness of Naxos, as it's not as well-known as the other islands.
The city of Chongqing in China, which is akin to Beijing or Shanghai, but in my eyes far better for its weird winding roads up mountains dedicated to hot pot restaurants. Why hot pot must be eaten up amongst the clouds, I'm not sure, but it certainly was interesting knowing that every car in front and behind was travelling for the same purpose as us - the hot pot.
And finally, home. Living away really does make one appreciate family and the comfort of one's own bedroom.
♥
And that's it! I hope you don't mind that I've written a novel and a half. I told myself at the beginning that I'd keep it short and sweet, but when I'm writing I end up going on and on and on.
Oops. Forgive me?
♥
I love you
xxx
