Makeup Removers
Last year, I chose my makeup removers depending on the weather and my mood. I preferred a cleansing balm when my skin needed a bit of a pamper after a hard day. Since summer, I have been loving the Fake Bake Beauty Cleansing Balm* (review). It removes my makeup so well and keeps my skin so soft and smooth. On other days, I opted for a micellar water and I have tried so many but the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water (£10.20 //review) and the La Roche Posay Micellar Water (£11//review)were my absolute favourites in 2015 (and till date). During the colder months in 2015, I used my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (£15//review) which has remained one of the best in the market. It does a spanking job at removing all my makeup including my eye makeup and I love how gentle it feels. I would totally repurchase all of these products when they run out because they are amazing.
Eye Makeup Removers
I have tried more than a few eye makeup removers and many don't impress me especially as a contacts lens wearer. However, I found two gems that are incredible and have made removing my eye makeup so easy. The first is and may always remain my favourite- The L'Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (£3.99//review) which I have repurchased many times. It does such an incredible job and I am super shocked at how affordable it is. It removes even my stubborn waterproof eye makeup with a few swipes. It does not feel greasy at all and it is truly gentle to a T. The other eye makeup remover I loved in 2015 was the cult classic Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover.(£19) I was a little taken aback at the size (it's smaller than you would expect) but you only need the littlest amount. It doe an incredible job but you have to give it a good shake as it is bi-phase (oil and water). It has a slight greasy feeling which I am not a fan of but it works wonders so I don't mind. No panda eyes, no unnecessary swipes, no irritation; it's lovely!!
Cleansers
I am always one who does a double cleanse like many other people. Once my makeup is removed, I proceed to my cleanse. I have seriously used quite a few cleansers in 2015 but the ones that I found myself being drawn to were the FOREO Day Cleanser* (£25)and FOREO Night Cleanser (£30). I would be posting a review on them but I look forward to cleansing my skin just because I get to use them. Everything down to the packaging and how effective they are on my skin is absolutely fantastic. Another cleanser which I can't really do without is the Dudu Osun African Black Soap (review) which also featured in my 2014 favourites. I have such a huge stash of these soaps and they are a firm staple in my skincare routine. They do the best job ever at ensuring my skin is kept in top shape.
Toners
I won't lie to you; I don't waste time using toners that are not exfoliating. I love toners that do something extra for my skin in terms of chemical exfoliating. I had three toners that were in rotation all year round and they are La Roche Posay Clarifying Lotion, Pixi Glow Tonic and the Biologique Recherche P50V Lotion. I honestly can't remember if I tried any other toners through 2015 and if I did, I may have loved them but not as much as these three. The La Roche Posay Clarifying Lotion* (£11//review) is an old favourite which I have used even in 2014. It helps keep my acne prone skin in check and prevents any breakout. The Pixi Glow Tonic (£18//review) is amazing at keeping my skin glowing and helping fade discolourations while the P50 Lotion (review) is in a league of its own. It is just magic in a bottle and I am seriously trying not to use it a lot because it is very pricey. I love it!!
Serums
Back in 2014, I had very few serums but I had a chance to try out a wide array of serums in 2015 which I loved. I was able to whittle them down to my top 3 which was an arduous task I tell you. I love all of them equally and my skin tells me it loves hydrating serums. I find that using a hydrating serum in the past year has definitely improved my skin's texture and general condition. I was lucky to try out the blogger favourite serum- Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum* (£22.50 //review) which totally made me fall in love with Vichy. It feels super hydrating on my skin and I use it both day and night but not every day. The second serum which I am heads over heels in love with is the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum*. It is a new product to me but it has quickly made its way to my top serums. I think it has the best formula and keeps my skin so hydrated that it is almost unbelievable. The last but not in any way the least is the Lancome Advanced Genifique Serum (£59)which I have tried so many mini samples of before I took the plunge. I don't use it everyday because it is super pricey but I can understand the hype because it totally resets my skin like no other. I would be posting reviews on the rest of the serums because they need their own separate reviews.
Eye Cream
I have been on the haunt for the perfect eye cream and I tried a good number which I liked but not loved. I have two favourites although only one is pictured. The one I really love is the Lancome Advanced Genifique Light Pearl which has to the best I have tried. It was only a sample but it totally convinced me and improved my skin a lot. I know I would definitely save and purchase it this year. However, another amazing eye cream which I have repurchased and still plan to continue repurchasing is the L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Cream. It just ticks all the boxes for me; affordable, hydrates, smooths and hides all the evidence of the little sleep I have been getting especially at the end of last year.
Day Creams
I love day creams because I feel they help give my skin a good start. If my skin is happy, I can assure you my day would be more delightful. I have not dabbled into many day creams because I have some old favourites which I have stuck to and a few new ones. This category was absolutely easy to narrow down because I have three that have stood out for me. The first is the Vichy Idealia Life Serum* (£31// review) which I am sure you are wondering what it is doing here as it is a serum. I would personally classify it as a serum moisturiser hybrid because they texture feels more like a moisturiser but it acts like a serum. It gives my skin a nice glow and I love how it sets a good base for my makeup. The other day cream which I have been obsessed with is the Body Shop Glow Boosting Moisturiser*(£16 //review) which I have to say is my absolute favourite. I have not tried anything that is similar and it works so well on my skin, It hydrates and leaves a beautiful glow that is sustained through the course of the day. My other favourite day cream is the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Fluid* (£17.50 //review) which is super light yet moisturising. It's perfect for when my skin is dehydrated and it was amazing during summer.
Night Creams
This category was super simple because I have only used two night creams consistently through the year. The first on the list is the Vichy Skin Sleep*(£26.50 //review) and it is one of my favourites and I can't get over how silky it feels on my skin. It really helps my skin look more relaxed in the morning after I have used it the night before. While I still maintain that getting a good night's sleep cannot be replaced by any creams, the Vichy Skin Sleep has helped my skin a lot. My other favourite is the Elemental Herbology Vital Glow* (£55 //review) which is absolutely incredible. It is pricey but it has worked really well on my hyper pigmentation and the general condition of my skin. It's already on repurchase list when I run out.
Sunscreen
I am sure this would not come as a surprise at all but I only ever use one sunscreen. It's none other than the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50 Sunscreen* (£16.50 //review) which I love. I have used it for a few years now and I can't be bothered checking out other brands because it ticks all the boxes for me. It does not give me a blue or white cast and it really does a goo job as it is SPF 50. I am pretty sure it featured in my 2014 Favourites and I can see it featuring in coming years.
Oils
I am so glad that I got into the hype of using oils a few years ago and they have really helped my skin. I know many people shy away from oils if they have combination oily skin and with good reason (although we know better now). I have tried quite a few oils and I prefer light oils that get absorbed easily and keep my skin supple. In 2015, my favourite oils were the Gamila Secret Face Oil (£70 //review) and the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil* (£30//review). They are both of natural origin which I always prefer and they do a good job at keeping my skin smooth and supple. They are definitely oils I would highly recommend.
Masks
I think I was pretty good last year when it came to using masks and I got to try a few new ones. However, one of my 2014 favourites- The Una Brennan Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Clay Mask (£9.99 //review) is back again in my 2015 favourites. This is simply because it is perfect for drawing out all the gunk and impurities when my skin is acting up. If you have acne prone skin, you should definitely give this mask a try. It is affordable, works a treat and leaves my skin quite soft and not too dried out for a clay mask. Another mask which I loved last year for how smooth it left my skin was the Ark Hydration Injection Mask * (£35 //review) which was new to me. I was so lucky to get a chance to try it and it's the closest feeling to what I would get in a spa. It smells so beautiful and it's strange but it really helps me feel relaxed whenever I use it. The last mask I loved so much that I am so tempted to get the full size is the Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant*(review) which is one of the best ever! If you want your skin to be transformed literally overnight, this is the mask for you. It smells terrible and it's super expensive but it is absolutely worth every penny.
Acne Treatment
I am sure anyone who reads my blog knows that the number 1 skin care brand that works for my acne prone skin is La Roche Posay particularly their Effaclar range. I am pretty sure they featured in my 2014 favourites and they still remain the same. I got the chance to try out the Effaclar K+ *(£14.90) which I really like for blackheads and keeping my skin clear. My old time favourites are the Effaclar Duo (£15.50 //review) and Effaclar A.I. (£11.00 //review) and I take them with me whenever I am travelling because they are my trusted skincare for when my skin goes nuts. I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin with consistent use of both of them and I have lost track of how many tubes I have gone through. I love them!!
Lip Balm
I had a little peep in my makeup stash and realised that the only two Lip Balms I reached for on the regular (especially towards the end of 2015). They were the By Terry Baume de Rose (£39 //review)and the Lanolips Original Lip Balm* (£10.99// review) .They both work so well but I reach more for the By Terry option during the day and reserve the Lanolips for night or when my lips are super playing up. The Lanolips is slightly thicker but it sinks in well while the By Terry one is just a dream to apply.They are really amazing if you have dry lips.
Beauty Devices
The major beauty devices I have used this year is from FOREO. I was introduced to the brand around mid 2015 and I can tell you my skin has made such good improvements. I honestly cannot imagine cleansing my skin without the Luna devices. They feel super gentle on my skin yet they manage to cleanse it thoroughly. I always (without fail) use the Luna* (£145) in the mornings and Luna Mini* (£99//review) at night paired with the corresponding cleansers. I also had the chance to try out the beautiful Iris Eye Massager* (£99) which I don't use every day but when I do, it does a spanking job. A full review is on its way so do keep your eyes out for it.
I hope you enjoyed this post although it is super long. My favourite posts to read and write are monthly and yearly favourites. I usually never have only one product in each category because I love to try new products and that way, I always find new favourites. That's pretty much all about my 2015 Skincare Favourites. My Makeup Favourites will be up tomorrow so do check back for it. What was your absolute 2015 Skincare Favourite/Gem?...xx
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