Hair
For most of my life I think, I've always been growing my hair long. It was like an obsession. Well in 2016 I had it cut quite short and I love it, I can't now imagine how I could be bothered dealing with so much hair before. I've definitely started to take more care of my hair too, and this Aussie Leave In Conditioner spray has been a firm favourite for the last six or so months. My hair is naturally very soft and quite light so the more traditional conditioners just end up weighing my hair down. This spray means that my hair is extra soft, easy to manage and is kept light and free from too much product.
Having shorter hair means I've also been taking the time the try out new styles and do different with it other than throw it in a bun each day. In the summer I was very kindly sent the Irresistible Me Diamond Styler* and it's been a bit of a game changer for me. I use it to gently bring the ends of my hair under slightly to really frame my face and make my hair look so much sleeker. My hair looks done in just a few minutes and I'm sure it's something that will get lots of use throughout 2017 too.
Skincare
Probably more body care than skincare, but my hands have been loving the Sanctuary Velvety Hand Cream. I love the original Sanctuary scent, and this hand cream just feels so luxurious, my hands feel moisturised but not greasy so it's perfect to use any time of day.
I tried to up my skincare game in 2016, but sometimes the old favourites are the best. The Superdrug Vitamin E Serum is a cheap as chips product which I adore and can't beat. It adds a little moisture boost to the areas of my skin which are more dry, without making the oiler parts of my skin even oiler. I've repurchased it so many times, my skin just can't get enough of it.
Another product I've sort of come back to is the Clinique Dramatically Different Gel Moisturiser. I used to the orgainal forumla which now it a little too heavy for my skin but the gel forumla is just incredible. It's perfect for keeping my skin hydrated and yet it's light and quickly absorbs into the skin. Yes, it's a little priceier, but skincare is definitely worth investing in.
In the past I have been quite fickle with what makeup removers I use. So long as it get it off my face i haven't cared too much. But having used The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter I couldn't use anyhting else. It melts away all my makeup with such ease and leaves my skin feeling so soft before my second cleanse. It's perfect for sensitive skin and works well, it's definitely become a firm favourite.
Makeup
If you've been reading my blog for a while in 2016 then I'm sure you're sick to death of hearing about these makeup favourites, but at least they've been well raved about!
My holy grail base trio of Benefit Porefessional Matte Resuce, Max Factor Facefinity foundation and Bare Minerals Mineral Veil are firm favourites of the year, and I'm sure will continute to hold this status in my makeup bag. The primer is beautifully refreshing, smoothing my skin, and keeping my makeup in place all day. The foundation is a perfect colour match for my pale skin and gives a beautiful medium coverage which I think suits my skin the best. It allows my freckles to be seen, but still covers everything I want to be covered. I've grown to really love loose powders over the year, and nothing does a better job and keeping my makeup looking perfect and oil free like the Bare Minerals one. Plus brownie points for never going cakey, even in the hottest UK summer.
Pretty much the only eye shadow palette I've used all year is the
Makeup Revolution Naked Chocolate palette. It has the perfect mix of mattes and shimmers, the colour pay off is reall lovely and the shade range means you can create different looks for both night and day. A real winner for any neutral eye shadow palette
Since Benefit relaunched their brow collection it seems that everyone and their cat has been raving about it, and I'm the same. Ka-Brow gel-cream has become my daily essential for filling in my brows. Using a small amount of product means I can make my brows look filled in and well defined, without being that OTT slug look that's the one. Plus I don't think a brow product has ever matched my hair colour so well, it's love.
For my lips I found myself realling getting into glossy lips. I was really intrigued by the Lancome Juicy Shakers when the first launched, I couldn't see a spongey applicator working well. But then I tried it and I love it. I have Vanilla Pop and Piece of Cake, both of which a perfect shades for every day when you just want a little somethin' somethin' to add a bit of colour without being too much. They're also beautifully hydrating on the lips and not at all sticky.
Lifestyle
In 2016 I really fell in love with my blog, I had a redesign and rebrand at the end of 2015 and I've just loved it the year. I found myself wanting to keep up with it which I'm so glad about, trying hard to improve and actually being proud of my little internet space.
I've always been a bit of a bookworm, and as I now find it difficut to read physical books I've loved having my Kindle and really fallen back in love with reading for pleasure. I can have all the books I want and all large print which is often a challenge, and all on one device which is so handy for travelling. I know the kindle/book debate has been somewhat controversial but mine is so useful.
I'm very lucky to have gone to Paris in the summer, which is defnitely a 2016 highlight. My boyfriend and I went for a few days and it was wonderful. I've always wanted to go and going with my favourite person just really made it for me. Cheesy but true.
Finally, and I think my favourite of all favourites of 2016, is my promise ring from my boyfriend. It's so special to me, and I love having something that makes me feel conected to him all the time. Espeically as when we're not at uni we live quite far from each other.
Yes, 2016 was pretty horrible for a lot of people - I'm lucky to say it was mixed, but I'm going to keep on remembering the positives.
What are your favourites of the year?
* I was sent the styler for review, however all opinions are my own
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