This post is a follow-on of my best Products of 2011 from my Youtube Channel. I thought I'd be able to write down more specific info on here for you - as I always babble on my videos! Some of these items are ones which I have discovered in 2011 and some are things I have used for longer and have made it into my 'must have' list.
THE FOUNDATION
This foundation is what I've been looking for, for so long. I didn't know it existed until a few months ago, but only recently have I actually purchased one! This foundation may not be for you, but for a lot of people, it is..
It's long-wearing, medium to full coverage and gives me a healthy glow all day. I don't normally have to re-apply during the day with this, whereas other foundations I did. The bottle may be slightly on the small side, but the runny liquid allows you to only need a little bit for a full coverage. I would recommend this product to all skin types because this isn't too greasy on the skin, but isn't drying either. Having sensitive skin, I have to search for products which help/prevent but this one is perfect for me too!
MAC Blot Powder Pressed in Medium-DarkThis powder has also only been purchased by me recently, but it's honestly a keeper! It prevents my greasy areas from getting greasy quickly, and with a swipe of this, my t-zone is grease-free again. I haven't had many breakouts from this and I've been using it about a month. It dries out my normal areas on my face, so stay clear of them, but the main areas of greasiness have never looked better - even in photos!
THE MASCARA
MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara - £8.99 Boots
Now this product has been my all-time favorite mascara ever since it hit our shelves years ago (i forget when).. And I always come back to this one whenever I need an eyelash pick-me-up. I've tried many variations of this product - the pink, gold, purple and brown - but black is always the one. If you like full eyelashes, a thick brush and separated lashes, this one's for you.
MAC Eyeshadow in Retrospeck
This eyeshadow (MAC Retrospeck) has fast become my new buddy.. It's very, very subtle and needs a good few applications before you see any large difference, but the subtlety of it is amazing. I've never looked more away and glamorous, yet simple. The pigmentation also means you can work with it and develop whatever coverage you want. I've used it every single day for the past week, and the product looks brand new so if you're looking for something to last you a long time, I think you'll like this eyeshadow...
THE LIPSTICK
TOPSHOP Lips in Desert - Discontinued till further notice
I absolutely adore this lips stick. Although it looks pretty dark in these photos, it's actually incredibly skin coloured - it matches mine anyway. I purchased this a while back (5 months ago) and went back to stock up on more, but found it wasn't there. Alas I went back a few more times and realised it had probably been discontinued. This color is very natural looking and the lipstick itself is very moisturising - unlike other brands I have tried....
THE NAIL VARNISH
I couldn't paint my nails for you at this very moment in time because they look such a state! This nail polish is by FAR my most used of 2011.. Although I find nail varnish runs out very fast this one lasted from February and is still pretty full. My top trick is to put the smallest amount of nail varnish remover in the bottle and shake it... It works a treat and do this ALL the time! This nude color may look gray in the picture, it does in the bottle, but once applied, looks stunning on the nails. And it stays put better than most other Topshop Nail varnishes.
THE TANNING PRODUCTS
St. Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse - £2 online
Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Body Mist - £8.99
These are my favorite Fake tan products of 2011... The St. Moriz is so easy to apply (with a mitten) and creates a natural looking tan over night and can also be built up over time. I bought this online for £2 which is pretty much the best bargain of my life and because it's a mousse, it hasn't even got half way down the bottle yet and I use it nearly every 2 weeks. It does however leave a bit of patchiness, but what tan doesn't??
The other product is best for easy application and for face. This product is so easy to apply and creates an even color all over and is very fast drying. This also reduced the redness of spots and overall appearance of my face - I could even wear no makeup and still look OK with this!
THE HAIRSPRAY
URBAN FUDGE Texture Blaster - £5.98
This texturising spray has to be the best find of 2011... My mom bought one on a whim and I borrowed it out of curiosity and haven't used any holding product since. It says it's a texturising spray but what it doesn't say is that it's THE best hairspray ever to be placed on our drugstore shelves! I find myself comparing it to Elnette's famous hairspray - but this one is a LOT stronger and maybe will only work most effectively on hair that needs to stay in a certain position all day ie. curls or buns etc. This isn't great for volumising hair as it is actually too strong and can stay in place at an upright position on your head. No jokes.
Sudocrem - unsure of price
THIS, my friends, is the best thing to chase those spots away. If you've been in front of the mirror trying to eliminate those spots yourself, you shouldn't waste your time. I dab this on my spots at night and the redness and size of the spot reduces dramatically overnight. If you have an under-the-skin spot, I recommend holding a really hot flannel/cotton wool pad over it, so it loosens up the spot and brings it to a head, and then put it on. As an antiseptic cream it soothes the spot and reduces it so much over night.
Vaseline - £3
I bought this huge tub when I went to Reading Festival because I thought I'd forgotten to pack my small tin (to find I actually had)... I do prefer the Aloe Vera Vaseline as I get very sore lips and this helps the most, but Vaseline as a whole is very good... I use it on rashes, lips, eyelashes (yes, it does make them grow!) and to moisturise too! Can't really go wrong with Vaseline in my opinion.
