Top 12 of 2012

There are a few products that I either acquired or simply used a lot through 2012 that I think deserve a mention. I could ramble on about favourites for hours but to spare me RSI and you a numb bum from sitting reading for too long let’s stick with 12. Original no? No.

Firstly the items we all came for – makeup. In 2012 I discovered my favourite foundation to date. The Makeup Forever HD Foundation is as good as the hype. It looks great and lasts very well on my skin. I was sent this bottle by Tracy but if you live in the UK I found it online here (I’ve never used that website myself though). I wear shade #117.

My YSL Rouge Pur lipstick in Shade 126 is my go to shade for those occasions when I need to look neutral and work appropriate but I still want to feel special (e.g. job interviews etc). The formula is so creamy and comfortable to wear and the neutral rose shade is effortlessly flattering.

The Sleek Oh So Special palette is thankfully part of the permanent line and can be found at Superdrug or online here. I love the Sleek I-Divine palettes but this is definitely one of their more complete offerings. Neutral enough for work but interesting enough to keep me entertained it has everything I need. A matte highlight shade, good black shade for lining and an matte brown transition shade for blending.

The Dior Skin Flash Radiance Booster pen in shade 002 is simply my favourite concealer for my under eyes right now. It reflects the light and covers my dark circles helping me look less run down and tired than I actually am. And even better than that I find this never, ever  looks dry and crepey even when my skin is at its driest. If I lost all my concealers today this it the one I would run out an replace.

As a teenage girl my room was filled with books, posters and all sorts of tat adorned with Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and (my personal favourite) Rita Hayworth. I still have a soft spot for them all so when MAC announced the Marilyn collection I was very excited. Sadly the collection itself didn’t blow me away but I am thrilled that I picked up this soft peach blush in Legendary. Never has a blush looked so flattering on my pale skin.

The Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in shade 500 is a bit of a cheat as I only acquired it in December but I don’t feel guilty about including it. It is hands down the best lipstick formula I have tried in 2012. The gorgeous, creamy, opaque liquid lipstick is as comfortable to wear as a fleecy onesie (who said I had no style?) and lasts for hours. Witchcraft I tell thee!

2012 was the year of Guerlain for me and how could I not mention the stunning Terracotta Sun in the City highlighter from their summer collection? I use this all the time as a highlighter and eyeshadow and yet you can see I’ve barely scratched the surface of the huge 15g compact.

For skin care I just have to mention the Ginvera Whitening Marvel Gel. I go through phases where I forget to use it for a while and it just serves to remind me that my skin is just so much better with this than it is without. It gets rid of dead flaky skin like nothing else and is so much kinder to my skin than a manual (grainy) exfoliator. Ginvera can be found here. 

For cleansing I don’t know where I would be without my MAC Cleanse Off Oil. It makes removing my makeup so quick and easy as 9 times out of 10 it manages to remove all my eye makeup as well as my face makeup. The fact that it is mineral oil free and that the 150ml bottle has lasted me over 6 months make it a definite winner in my book!

My top fragrance of 2012 has to be Illamasqua Freak. I’m one of those girls who loves masculine fragrances and my husband is forever exasperated that I ‘borrow’ his on a regular basis. This unisex fragrance straddles a very fine line. It is deep and interesting but still manages a sweet sexiness that is feminine but not girly. The snail is just too gosh darn cute for words too!

I’m not really a hair product person. I find it difficult to get excited over shampoo or to bring myself to drop big money on the latest hair care fad. When everyone and their cat started going bat shit crazy over hair oils I saw the price of argan oil and immediately lost interest. Then I spotted a wee bottle of VO5 Miracle concentrate on the shelves at Boots and though ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a go’. It’s bloody brilliant! It leaves my hair soft and nourished without feeling oily or greasy in the slightest. I feel a definite difference when I forget to use this.

Finally the Real Techniques brushes are hands down my favourite makeup brushes of the moment. They perform brilliantly, wash well and look as good today as they did when I bought them. I received the eye brush set for Christmas and they are just as good as the face brushes. The best thing about them? The fabulous quality comes at fabulous high street prices. Brilliant.

That’s it! When you look back at 2012 what products jump out at you as being your stand out finds? X

*The Ginvera Green Tea Marvel Gel was a PR sample. This has no bearing on my review or my decision to include it in my favourites*