My 12 Favourite Products of 2012

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I began my Liz Earle journey a year ago now, when my mum got me the starter kit for Christmas 2011, and I have been using it ever since. I won't go into too much detail as you can read what I think in my review here. I love love love Cleanse & Polish and I use it morning and night without fail. It has improved the condition of my skin so much over the past year. I used to suffer from the occasional dry patch and quite bad acne. My dry skin has cleared up and although I still have a few spots, they are under control with the help of Liz Earle.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser

Every single step of my skin care routine is Liz Earle. Even though it's all my favourite and I couldn't live without any of it, I didn't want to choose it all in this post as it wouldn't leave much room for anything else. I settled for Cleanse & Polish as I think it is the greatest cleanser ever made, I think it truly deserves all the awards it gets, and the Skin Repair Light Moisturiser. You can read what I think about the moisturiser in more detail here but I feel it deserves more recognition than it gets. My skin is oily/combination as I said I suffer from spots and dry skin. Many people think you need to skip moisturiser if you have oily skin but that couldn't be further from the truth. You need to feed the spots and this light moisturiser is perfect. It sinks into your skin leaving a smooth, supple and moisturised surface for your make up. 

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation in Calico

Before I purchased this foundation, I used Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse and when I ran out I couldn't remember what shade I had previously so I just picked up any! I actually did that for quite a few years and I have no idea why. It wasn't amazing but it did the job. I went along to Boots for the No7 Foundation Made Service. You can read what I thought of the matching service and what I think of the foundation here. I'm so glad I went. I'm currently on my second bottle since August/September but I use it every single day. When I apply the foundation, it's like applying a second flawless skin rather than applying thick foundation. That sounds cheesy but it's true. It gives me the coverage I need without making me look like I've applied my make up with a trowel! 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I'm so glad I jumped on this bandwagon! Everyone has this concealer and for £4-£5 I don't blame them. It provides good coverage and lasts a fair few hours. When I nip into Boots or Superdrug, it's always a mission to find one unused, especially shade 2 which is the shade I use. When I do see my shade, I always pick up at least two to stock up. I only use this concealer on my spots and blemishes as I find it a bit too thick to use under my eyes. Instead, I use the Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer, which is a great highlighter as well. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent

I'm not sure when this product first launched but I'm pretty sure I used it years ago when it was in different packaging. For the past few years, I removed powder from my make up routine as I just didn't need it. However, since I am getting older and my spots are persistent in staying I feel I just need a light dusting of powder to take the shine away. The shine stays away for a few hours before I need a touch up, which for a drug store brand is pretty good going.

Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Precious Posy

I got this blusher two years ago. I have used it almost everyday since and it's still going strong. It's gone up in price to £21 since I got it for £14 two years ago. I'm not sure my wage has increased by a third! Anyway... The colour is buildable depending on how intense of a colour you like. During the day, I apply one or two brush strokes on each cheek where as in the evening, I build up the colour for a slightly more dramatic look. It lasts several hours even without a primer but for a higher end product that is expected.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

I have to admit that I only bought this product because of all the hype. I jumped on the Revlon Lip Butter bandwagon and boy am I glad I did! As you can see it made my 12 favourite products of the year. I love the moisturising formulation and the fact it looks and feels like a lipstick. I often find myself reaching for this over a boring lip balm. I would definitely repurchase this, maybe in a few other shades. 

Topshop Lipstick in Rumour Has It

I am a big fan of Topshop lipsticks. I have two shades and I have my eyes on a few others. You can read what I think in depth here so I won't go into too much detail. I have a few lipsticks that I turn to for day to day but when narrowing it down for this post, the formula of this lipstick won hands down. I just love how moisturising and easy to apply it is even though it's a matte lipstick. It is far from drying and the colour lasts a few hours before it needs a touch up.

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eye Liner in Black

I always wear eye liner, usually on my upper and lower water line, but it isn't a product which excites me. I usually just grab the first eye liner in my reach but I have been choosing this one over any others lately. With it being waterproof, it lasts so much longer and I find it doesn't run as much as my other eye liners. Although I have been using a setting brush to apply powder under my eyes. The formula allows it to glide on smoothly without creating drag, which is definitely a good thing when your eyes are concerned. 

 MUA Undressed Palette

MUA have announced that this is their best selling product of 2012 and I am not surprised. Since I have started wearing eye shadow more often, I wear shades from this palette on a daily basis. I have actually started to see pan on two shades! I reviewed this palette in more detail and you can read it here. I love a neutral eye, hence why this has made my favourites list. The palette is so versatile, ranging from light to dark neutral shades with a mixture of matte and shimmer shadows. I choose lighter matte nudes for the day, adding darker shimmer shades for the evening. A perfect palette.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I have five Real Techniques brushes and to be honest I could have chosen all of them to feature in this post. I chose the Expert Face Brush as it really has changed the way I apply my foundation and my skin looks flawless when I have used it. I have the foundation brush but I now use that to blend my concealer. When I used the foundation brush to apply my foundation, I found that it left streaks on my face. I also have the powder brush, blush brush and setting brush with many others on my wish list.

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

I can't believe I put up with 'regular' nail polish remover and cotton wool pads for so long! This is a god send. It removes nail polish so quick and easy and there is no mess. (Glitter nail polish is another story!) You can read what I thought by reading my review here.

What are your favourite products of 2012? Have any of my favourites made your list?

Rachel x
Lost In Lipstick

Everyday Make Up #2

Primer - Benefit the POREfessional

Foundation - No7 Stay Perfect Foundation in Calico (review here)

Concealer - Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light

Concealer - Collection Illuminating Touch Brightening Concealer in Natural 

Powder - Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent

Bronzer - Rimmel Sunshimmer Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte

Blusher - Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush in Bronze

Eyeliner - No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black

Mascara - Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara in Black

Eye Shadow - MUA Undressed Palette (review here)

Lipstick - Topshop Lipstick in Rumour Has It

My last 'Everyday Make Up' post was posted at the end of September and some of the products that I use now have changed quite a bit. I love finding new products, especially when they are better than the ones I am currently using! The products that haven't changed are my bronzer and mascara. You can read what I think in my last post here so I won't go into too much detail. I am still looking for a new bronzer though. Even though this one is light matte, I find it too dark for my skin. Any recommendations?

I don't always use this primer, just on the days when my pores are looking particularly big! There are lots of primers out there these days and I want to try some others. So if you can recommend a good primer, please let me know. I had a Foundation Match Made consultation at the No7 counter in Boots. You can read about my experience here. I have been using this foundation ever since and I love it! I apply it with the Real Techniques Expert Brush and it provides great coverage with a matte finish. I think everyone who writes a beauty blog owns this concealer, but the Lasting Perfection Concealer is amazing! It provides great coverage over blemishes and spots and is so cheap. I find it's too thick to use under my eyes, so instead I have been using the Illuminating Touch Concealer. This is perfect for covering up dark circles and brightening the eye area. I use the Real Techniques Foundation Brush to blend both concealers. Even though I am using the Stay Perfect Foundation, which is matte, I still find I need powder in certain areas. The Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder is perfect as it really is matte and doesn't appear cakey. I have used my Clinique blusher for almost two years now, but I recently decided I wanted a more neutral blush for the winter. I spotted this Rimmel blush in bronze and decided it would be perfect. I also use it for contouring but I am new to the whole contouring technique and I'm still learning! Any tips? I am honestly surprised at how good this eye shadow palette is. I love neutral eye shadows and you can create so many looks from this one palette. I'm also surprised I haven't hit pan with any shades yet as I'm always using it! This is my second Topshop lipstick and I love them both. The formula is so creamy and moisturising. Rumour Has It is a lovely nude shade perfect for the daytime.

Can you recommend a bronzer for my pale skin? Do you have any contouring tips for me?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

September Favourites

Barry M Magnetic Nail Effects in Blue £4.99 - My sister bought this for me for my birthday, after using it once, I went out and bought three other shades! The quality of the nail polish is excellent and could be worn without the effects. But once the magnet is used, the effect is just out of this world! I got so many compliments on my nails and I cannot wait to try the other shades.

Models Own Glitter Nail Polish in Disco Mix £5 - I love glitter nail polish, who doesn't?! But boy is it hard to remove! This looks lovely over blue or purple nail polish with just one coat, as the particles of glitter are purple and blue. I used three coats to completely cover my nails in glitter and it looks amazing. I definitely want to try the Mirrorball collection, £20 for 6 nail polishes is a bargain!

MUA Pro Undressed Palette £4 - Read my review here. This is the best dupe of Urban Decay ever! The quality of the eye shadows are amazing and actually stay put for several hours. There are enough matte and shimmer shadows to suit everyone and you can create so many different looks by using different combinations of the 12 shades.

MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup £14 - This is actually my first ever MAC lipstick believe it or not! The texture is so creamy and moisturising and the colour stays put for hours. This lipstick has a shine so it may not suit everyone's tastes, but the shade is perfect for daytime or evening. I will be posting a review on this soon so look out for it!

Benefit the POREfessional £23.50 - This is a sample I received with Glamour magazine. It's the first time I've used POREfessional and I will definitely be purchasing it once this has an out. The texture is lovely and provides the perfect base for my make up. I don't suffer from massive pores, just small ones on my cheeks and a few on my forehead, POREfessional just helps to conceal these while being a perfect primer.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser £14.25 - I have been using Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish since December 2011 and my skin has never been so good! In May 2012 I added the Skin Tonic and Light Moisturiser to my routine, my skin is so smooth and my spots have cleared up a lot, I still have a few breakouts. I will be posting a review on this soon so look out for it!

Have you tried any of these products? What are you favourite products this month? 

Rachel x

Lost in Lipstick 

MUA Undressed Palette - Review

MUA Undressed Palette £4

 

I love eye shadows. I have about 4 palettes and a few singles but I hardly wear it on a day-to-day basis. I only ever seem to wear eye shadow when I am going out in the evening and I don't know why. I would like to wear it more daily and I think I may, now I have more matte nudes in this palette. When I do wear eye shadow, I like to wear nudes or darker eye shadows to create a smokey eye, so this palette is perfect for me and it's only £4! Bargain!

The eye shadows range from pale to dark nudes, pinks, bronze, browns and a grey-blue. The blue does seem a bit random in a 'undressed', neutral palette but it's a lovely shade. The palette consists of mattes and shimmers, which I feel is a perfect balance and will suit everybody's preferences. The quality of the eye shadows for the price is excellent and you even get a double-ended sponge applicator, I personally prefer using a brush when applying eye shadow, but the sponge applicator is good quality.

Undressed, consists of 12 highly pigmented eye shadows. I haven't tried any of the Naked Palettes from Urban Decay but from reading reviews most people have said that this is a good dupe. Some of the eye shadow colours are pale and almost don't look like you are wearing anything on your lids, but these provide an excellent base for building up colour and creating a smokey eye. The colours are really easy to apply and are 'buildable' if you require a deeper colour.

The palette even comes with a 'mini master class' on the reverse! Overall, I am extremely impressed with this product and I will continue to reach for it when I want to wear eye shadow. You can buy Undressed from your local Superdrug or from here or here.

Have you tried the MUA Undressed Palette? What is your favourite eye shadow palette?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick