14 Beauty Favourites of 2014.

Compared to 2013, I think my beauty spending in 2014 was relatively reduced. The amount of money spent may not be that different, but 2014 was definitely a year I focused more on high-end products than highstreet, I spent time researching products, and working out what worked for me so I wasn't wasting money. That said, there is still the odd cheaper item still in my make-up bag that work so well, I don't need replacements for, so I've totaled up my favourite fourteen from 2014.

I couldn't pick a foundation as I've rotated three throughout the year, but concealer is a whole other story; I spent so long telling myself I didn't need the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - that was, until I finally caved and it blew me away a little. I've always struggled with the odd blemish and scarring, and this just covers everything as well as lasting all day, which is what cheaper options don't stand up to. 2014 was the year I found my HG status powder too after being a longtime user of Rimmel's Stay Matte. I took a punt on Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder* and it definitely paid off; it's so easy to use despite being a loose powder, and just seals everything place all day without the slightest hint of shine or cakeyness. 

Around the rest of my face, the start of 2014 saw me get my first NARS blusher and add a few more to the collection since. I've used all of them a fair bit, but the one I keep going back to is self titled from the Final Cut Collection. Sadly it's not available anymore although was in their Virtual Domination palette from this Christmas. It's a gorgeous peachy pink that just suits my complexion really well. I found my holy grail highlighter this year too and have used it every single day since buying. The No7 Instant Radiance Highlight adds such a dewy, pretty look to my skin as well as being longlasting. 

On the eyes, it's been all about the Bobbi Brown Sand Eyeshadow Palette for me. I've always been a fan of bronzed, golden eyeshadows with a couple colours to add to the crease as well as inner eye to add a bit of light, and this is the perfect palette for me. I find myself creating so many looks with this, it's just lovely. I discovered the Soap & Glory Archery Brow pencil this year too, and I find the felt tip end the perfect thing for me to fill in my brows and make them look really natural. I finally got myself a MAC 286 Duo Fibre eyeshadow brush which just makes blending shadows out a dream to do, so quick and easy!

Lips were the hardest part for me to pick from, and I was torn between about five or six of which to pick. But essentially, I couldn't not include one of the Bourjois Velvet Lipsticks, of which I have Ole Flamingo and Peach Club. The Sephora Lip Creams came an extremely close second but as I only got one towards the end of the year, I had to pick the Bourjois offerings. Both products are extremely long lasting which if you wear bright reds, pinks and corals everyday like me, you really need. All the colours are so pigmented but not at all drying, they're pretty much close to perfect. And whilst my other isn't too longlasting as it's really creamy, the YSL Babydoll Kiss & Blush in Rouge Effrontee is probably my most worn lip colour of 2014. I absolutely love the shade, it's the perfect red for my skintone, I love it. 

In skincare, 2014 was the year of Jurlique and Antipodes who absolutely dominated my skincare routine, so much so that it was a little hard to pick between the products. In hindsight I think I could possibly love the Manuka Honey mask a little more, but considering I do use the Antipodes Divine Oil every night, it had to be included. Any little skin issues I have, blemishes, scarring, they're all improved by regular use of this. I love all the Jurlique products I've tried too, but I absolutely love using the Rosewater Balancing Mist*; it feels so refreshing and calming on my skin, spritzing it on is one of the highlights of my morning routine now. 

In the 'etc' category, I absolutely love the L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream; the scent of this is absolutely beautiful, and it leaves my hands feeling so soft and nourished. I've been sparingly using the Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Body Souffle all year long, as again, the scent is just delicious and it feels like such a treat whenever I use this. I've had quite a few different perfumes this year too, but Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb has definitely been my most worn since receiving last year at Christmas.

Phew! Well, kudos to you if you got to the end of this! What have been your favourites throughout 2014?

A New Sofa pt. III

So, I know I didn't formally introduce my other new sofas, but I suppose they weren't 'new new' like this one. I bought this from Made after being such a long-time admirer of their products, I think I told myself about four years ago that I'd eventually own one of those sofas. The time finally arose when I needed a new one for my conservatory; it isn't one to lounge on so I wasn't too fussed about it being the most relaxing, I was really more looking for a stylish piece so I went with one from their Jersey Collection.

I ordered it on the 28th November and it claimed it would be 4 weeks delivery, but as that fell on Boxing Day I thought it was going to be the new year before it was with me, although I got an email a couple days before Christmas saying it would be delivered on the 24th which I was thrilled with. It's quite a light piece so I let the delivery men leave me to navigate it around the house. It's not the biggest but it's a comfortable two seater, and it's just perfect for the size of the room it's in as well as being a great price too. Sadly the grey has now sold out, but it is available in a biscuit shade that I was umming over too, as well as some gorgeous chaise-longues and footstools in the same design.

Have you ever bought from Made.com? What do you think of my buy?

The Everyday Essential.

If there is one beauty item I don't think I could live without, it is my ghd's. My hair is naturally quite unruly; half straight, half wavy, and flicks up at the slighest hint of moisture or bed pillow. Straighteners are just an essential part of my day, and in my opinion, you just can't get better than ghds. I've owned a hot pink pair from the age of fourteen which served me well for around eight years, until they broke and I decided on a simple black set. I was recently given the opportunity to upgrade again to the gorgeous Rose Gold Styler* which I could not be more in love with.

As you can probably tell from the above pictures, my hair has changed a bit over the past few years. It's gone from being mid-length, to a red pixie cut, to a brown shoulder length, long and curled, and then back to being shorter again. But the one thing that has always stayed the same is my love of ghds. I think it's just how easy and versatile they are to use, whether it's straight silky locks you're going for or more of a curled or wavy look, with a little twist and manoeuvre of the straightener, an easy style can be made in under ten minutes. 

I've always struggled with styles holding too but the ghds are definitely the best for longevity too. They come with a little heatproof mat, sectioning clips, and of course, every girls necessity the automatic sleep mode if we manage to run out of the house leaving them on; no more days spent worrying that I'll return home to a slightly burnt dressing table! Ghd's are definitely my everyday essential.

Are you a fan of ghds?

A New Home Update.

One of the reasons I've been a bit absent from my blog over the past couple of months is down to my big move. I've moved from a rented property to a gorgeous three bedroom semi-detached house with a conservatory, and I've only been in a week so far but things are coming together pretty quickly! We spent all our spare time over two-three weeks decorating, and I went for all white everywhere, wanting more of a scandinavian feel to my new place. I've also been lucky enough to get money for Christmas early so managed to buy quite a few pieces of new furniture (three sofas, one still on the way, a dining table, wardrobe, etc..) which has all arrived and I'm loving my new pieces.

As each room gets finished I'll be doing a full, individual room tour on here. Hopefully my other sofa for the conservatory won't take too long, and then when I get the last couple of boxes cleared I'll be all set and ready to go!

Jurlique #12DaysOfGlow : Hand Picked Rose Essentials.

If 2014 has been the year of a brand for me, it has absolutely been Jurlique. I've heard relatively little of the brand before I tried out a little sample of their Calendula moisturiser, and the obsession took off from there. I've now got toners, cleansers, oils and serums that have extremely firm places in my routine, so I was thrilled to receive their Hand Picked Rose Essential Set* as part of their #12daysofglow campaign.

The Rose Hand Cream is probably one of the most coveted items from Jurlique, I know personally I've lusted after this little set for too long. It comes in the classic, minimalist packaging that I love from the brand, and even comes in a little cracker style box which really gives it a Christmas feel. The product itself is gorgeous; I absolutely love the scent of roses, and it's a nice, light cream which sinks in quickly and doesn't leave behind any greasy feeling. You definitely don't need a lot either, and it leaves my hands feeling really soft and hydrated most of the day. The Rose Love Balm is also included in the set which is great for any really dry patches, I can personally see myself getting a lot of use out of these on my cuticles. It's a good one for the handbag, you can just pop it in and use it on any dry areas throughout the day. At £35 for the set it's a great price too, as usually the hand cream along in this size is £33!

Jurlique have a fantastic range of Christmas presents that I know would make a fantastic gift for anyone; lets face it, who wouldn't like to see that underneath their tree. Have you got any of the sets on your Christmas list?

A New Skincare Set Up.

To say I've had a mixed relationship with La Roche Posay is a bit of an understatement. When I first head of the Effaclar Duo a couple of years or so ago now, I convinced myself it was the answer to all of my skincare prayers and when it broke me out, it was the disappointment of the year. That said, I've tried a few others from different ranges which I absolutely loved, mostly the Biomedic Pigment Control and Effaclar Lotion which sorted out my scarring like nobodies business. So when the opportunity came across the test out a new Effaclar Three Step Anti Blemish Set*, I couldn't say no.

I was a little wary of trying the Effaclar Duo again but I did know it had been slightly reformulated since the last version I used, and I'm pleased to announce, no breakouts! Of course, I still get the odd one or two hormonal spot, but overall my skin is still looking clearer and scarring has been reduced a lot. I actually absolutely love using this product, it's a nice gel texture and even applying just feels lovely on the skin. I found the Clarifying Toner quite similar to the Effaclar Lotion I'd used previously, although it does feel a little less harsh, which I think my skin appreciates. It means it took a little longer to see results, but my skin seemed to be quite thankful for it.

The cleanser was a lovely one too, and one I was especially looking forward to trying as I hadn't used a LRP cleanser before. It does foam slightly but isn't too harsh on the skin and leaves it feeling really fresh, clean and balanced. The set of course works wonderfully together, but I have introduced a few other products too and my skin is looking a lot brighter; if the odd spot or two does appear, it doesn't stick around for too long and the scarring is seriously reduced too. These three definitely have a firm spot on my skincare routine from now on.

Have you tried anything from La Roche Posay?