After being stranded in Paris last week and being ill, all I wanted to do was eat, sleep and watch Christmas TV, hence the major backlog of blogging I have caused myself.
I'm going to kick off with my beauty highlights of 2010, these are all products I recommend as my 'Star Products' and have experienced noticeable results with.
The first brand I highly commend is Liz Earle. I had heard a lot of talk about the Cleanse & Polish
product, but had never tried it until this year, it's a lovely cream cleanser which removes all traces of make up, dirt and oils with a muslin cloth. I am most impressed with the whole ethos of the brand, the natural ingredients, the extensive range of glorious products and the wonderful affordable price point.
I also had the greatest pleasure in meeting Liz Earle at the launch of the long awaited (and amazing) Botanical Shine shampoo and conditioner range. I have been using the shampoo and conditioner since August, the shampoo makes my hair smell like lemons and feels squeaky clean. You can read more here.
Trish McEvoy has always been one of my favourite brands from my days as a MUA (Make Up Artist), there are a couple of products from Trish which will always sit in my day to day collection;
Instant Eye Lift: a long wearing under-eye line filler and brightener, this does not budge at all! It makes such a noticeable difference.
24 hour Eyeshadow and liner in Topaz, I have never come across a cream eyeshadow which doesn't crease (without an eye base). This is my favourite eyeshadow for quality and colour.
Eye Base Essentials, this is a brilliant eye base which is nice worn alone or under eyeshadows to keep them in place all day, zero creasing! 100% true!
Finally, the Lash Enhancer, which I spent a few weeks monitoring the results, I need to stock up on some more because I have really noticed the difference since I have ran out. You can read more here.
This year, us gals went doolally for the new hybrid gel polish, yes, a manicure that REALLY does last for 2 weeks with no chipping and no smudging. I knew about gel polish way before Shellac launched due to the industry I work in and I can also tell you that Gel Polish will be BIG business next year too with other brands jumping on the bandwagon. Harrod's Urban Retreat is offering EzFlow Gel Polish called 'Gelez' manicures and Space.NK's Spa have chosen IBD's Gelac Gel Polish.
I am really happy to be a part of the beauty blogging world because the beauty bloggers I have come across are so lovely and helpful. I have made some great blogger friends, some I have met (the 6 inch stilettos, beautywowza, i heart cosmetics, hell candy) and some I would love to meet in 2011 (to many to mention, but you're all on Twitter).
Beautywowza introduced me to the ultra glam eco body range 'Davina Peace'. This was one of my favourite launches of 2010 and I can't wait for the face range in 2011! I'm so excited! The Wowza also took me along to the launch of a beautful natural and halal cosmetic range, called 'Inika'. The Kabuki make up brush is magnificent, I wonder what Inika will bring out in 2011?
Boots launched the Nip + Fab range, my sisters and some friends have all went and bought the eye brightening concealer because they were so impressed. It's way better than YSL's Touche Eclat and half the price!
Friends and readers will know how much I LOVE Korres (I wish the store on King's Road was still open), this year I got to meet the beautiful Lena Korres, where she presented some new product launches. I can't wait for the perfumes to be launched in March, the plum/pear one smells just like my Creed Aqua Fiorentina. I'll be stocking up! I'm also predicting that the Quercetin Antiageing & Antiwrinkle range will be flying off the shelves of Liberty and Zuneta.com, this range is delectable. The primer (which has NO silicones like conventional primers) is a wonderful make up base.
This year, I finally got my paws on some OCC Lip Tars, thanks to beauty fulfilled, she sent me to www.geniecosmetics.co.uk! I didn't even know OCC was available in the UK until this little beauty sent me the link (she is wearing the bright pink lip tar on her home page, I also have it, he he, but it looks way better on her).
Other websites I discovered this year and love are; www.zuneta.com and www.thegreengrocery.co.uk.
I feel like I've rambled on a bit much now, there are many more products I could mention but these are definitely my top ones.
Thanks for reading.
x