Hey Sweeties,

On the penultimate day of Blogmas (*Sobs*) and before I get absorbed in the festivities with family here and in Devon, not to mention that today is also Beauty Review Tuesday… I felt it apt that we talk through a few 2014 favourites.

*FYI, it’s a long one so maybe pop & get yourself a cup of tea/coffee/juice/squash/wine…*

This year really has been a year of discovery, particularly in beauty (as discussed on Sunday’s post) and although I have tried loads of new products, many of which have been incorporated into my everyday stash, I couldn’t class them all as favourites. So for me, here is what made the cut this year in beauty & skincare:

Real Techniques Brushes:

I have the Core Collection, the Starter Set, the Blush Brush and the Expert Face Brush and I just love them. They apply and blend makeup fantastically and clean really easily. I have had some problems though with cleaning the expert face brush (which I use for foundation) and the pointed foundation brush (which I use for concealer) as I have found they clog up with product really easily. However, with these I will clean them with baby shampoo like the others but give these two brushes an additional clean with conditioner which I find does the trick.

Urban Decay Naked Palette 1&2:

It’s safe to say that I now rarely use any other eye shadow palettes as between these two I have pretty much every look covered. You’ll remember I got bought the Naked 2 first (here) and then I later purchased Naked 1 while on a shopping trip with my Mum a couple of months ago (read that post here) and I really have never looked back. Both palettes have a great mix of matte and shimmer shades, all well pigmented and easily to blend. Trust me, the Naked palettes are worth the splurge!

Benefit They’re Real Mascara and Push Up Liner:

I feel I have spent a lot of time with Benefit this year but the They’re Real Mascara has been a long time favourite since first purchasing it a couple of years ago. I don’t wear it everyday but when I know I have a long day ahead, maybe I am going out after work or it’s the weekend and I again, have a busy day out and about, I 9 times out of 10 reach for this product. I like that it’s thick but doesn’t clump together your lashes and it’s very long lasting.

You’ll remember that I was given a mystery new gel eyeliner to try out earlier this year (read that post here) which turned out to be Benefit’s They’re Real Push Up Liner. I appreciate that not everyone fell in love with this product but I really did. Although it can be a real bugger to get off, I just love how it applies and again, I reach for it when I know I need something to last all day.

I am excited to reveal Benefit’s new top secret product next month to you all! #CurlsBestFriend

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 09 Happy Nude Year:

I reviewed this product only last week so that post (here) will tell you why this has become a firm favourite.

Bourjois Blusher 95 Rose de Jaspe:

I purchased this product during a little Bourjois Haul a few months ago and this particular product has continued to be great to use. As I said originally (probably), the brush that comes inside the packaging is not worth using but I love the flush of colour this blush adds to my cheeks. Really well worth adding to your collection.

Rimmel Bronzer 022 Sun Bronze:

I have used this product for a long time and although I have other bronzers in my collection, I just find this one does the job day in day out. It is great for contouring as well as for providing an all over dusting of colour to warm up the face. I would struggle to find fault with this item, even if you paid me!

Rimmel Colour Rush Balms:

I know other brands have created very similar products to these Rimmel ones but as you all know, I just love these and to be honest they are a much more practical pop of colour for the everyday rather than choosing a lipstick if you were looking for something lighter to wear. For the summer months, these will be perfect and a firm staple. I have four in my collection -210 Boom Chic A Boom, 700 Not An Illusion, 300 Keep Mauving and Give Me A Cuddle (apologies the number has rubbed off on this one). For a better review of these products read an earlier favourites post here.

L’Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla: 

Now, the only reason why I have tried several different foundations this year was so that I could break away from this particular foundation as to be honest, asides from Mac’s Studio Sculpt (which I used on nicer occasions), I hadn’t tried anything else. I got introduced to True Match by a friend several years ago and was hooked on day one and I am still hooked.. but, I don’t now use this all the time and do now have a varied collection to suit different seasons, moods and skin tones. But I do think this is probably the best drugstore foundation on the market and therefore I can’t not raise this above the others as my all time favourite.

Smashbox Lipstick in Fig: 

As you can probably tell, lip products have played a really key role this year but I think they are probably the easiest products to try out as once you have found your eye palette and foundation and have a couple of good blushers, you’re generally sorted but lips, lips are different. A good lip product completes the look whether it’s a gloss, a balm or a lipstick and finding the right shades, types and colours can be a task in themselves. For me, I have discovered a real love for lipstick this year and this one from Smashbox, has become a favourite. You can read my original review of the lipstick here but having now tried it out several times, I can confirm that it does actually last really well but the trick is of course, to have dry lips to begin with otherwise this product will just slip off.

The Body Shop Almond Hand & nail Cream: 

I love a good hand cream but I find I go through phases of using them rather than something I apply every day, although I will always have one with me. However lately I have been finding myself reaching for something slightly nicer than my basic one from Tesco and it’s been this one from The Body Shop which I got in my advent calendar last year. I like that it doesn’t overpower my hands in scent but it does nicely moisturise and absorbs quickly which I need from a hand cream.

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter:

To think before discovering this product that I was just using face wipes and eye makeup remover lotion (*shakes head and tuts*), well no more! The way this product melts makeup off your face is almost poetic and I couldn’t recommend this more highly to you all to try. In fact just go, go now to your nearest store and purchase this item immediately!

The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Night Treatment (for combination skin):

The Body Shop as you have no doubt realised now pretty much is my go to place for skin care, and before 2014 I hadn’t been inside a store for years -maybe I’ll just include The Body Shop as a whole to be considered as part of my 2014 favourites? As you will remember, when I originally purchased this item and mentioned it in a haul post (here) this product had been recommended to me by one of the staff and it’s a shame I didn’t catch her name as she should now be on my Christmas card list! From the first pump this product has just worked so well for me and the difference it made to my face was noticed almost straight away. I don’t think it’s anything particularly magical but for a night treatment it basically hydrates my skin wonderfully while I sleep.

Phew! I think I am done! 

It is actually quite difficult selecting the best of the bunch as like I said, there are other products I use on a routine basis that I also think are really great but unfortunately I can’t include them all. However, what I probably will do at some point (early) next year is bring more of my collection together and show you guys what I have. As I have said before (I hope), I don’t get sent products so everything I review I have gone out and bought myself or in some rare instances, I have been gifted them by family. Therefore having a monthly favourites or even a regular (ish) favourites post just doesn’t make sense as you mostly see everything I buy either in a haul and/or an individual review. But we’ll see, maybe 2015 will bring new opportunities for this kind of thing…

Let me know what your 2014 favourites are and if there is anything you strongly recommend!

Until tomorrow x