Dermalogica Skincare Review

Back in December, I got a lovely box from Influenster/Dermalogica containing a great selection of some of their best selling skincare products including their recently launched Daily Superfoliant. I have never really tried anything from Dermalogica as such except a few samples here and there. I was very delighted to incorporate these Dermalogica products into my skincare because I'd heard so many good things about them. I was kindly sent the following products: Daily Superfoliant*, Skin Smoothing Cream*, Pre-Cleanse Balm*, Special Cleansing Gel* and the Cleansing Mitt*. I have been trying them out since I got them and I wanted to share my thoughts on here because I really enjoyed using them.



Packaging
I think the packaging is simple and aesthetically pleasing. Sticking to monochrome or simple colour schemes always looks great especially when it comes to skincare. They have the kind of lab vibe which I totally don't mind at all. Some of the products are sample sizes so I don't know how the full size looks like but I am guessing they are similar to the minis. I actually love the sample sizes because they contain a good amount of product for you to know if you like the product enough to invest in it. Of course, they will be great for travelling although I have been using them while I am at home. I particularly love that the cleansing balm comes in a tube which I feel is the easiest way to use this product. There is minimal mess and I don't have to dip my fingers into a tub to get some product out.




I have to say the packaging of the Daily Superfoliant was a little tricky for me initially because it had a sticker on top which you have to remove when you use it. The product is a powder so you do have to be careful when you are trying to dispense some powder/product to use as there is a chance that too much product can come out at a time. It happened to me a couple of times until I got the hang of it. I don't know if the sticky adhesive is meant to remain on the bottle but it did look like it should be completely removed (which is what I did). Apart from that, I think everything else is great and practical.



Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm // Link // £44 (full size), £8 for 15ml
I absolutely love this product and it is definitely one I will be looking to repurchase. It is described as a deep cleansing balm to oil cleanser which melts away all makeup and impurities from the skin. It's a simple description but it really captures what this product does. I already mentioned I love that it comes in a tube so I can control how much product I need with minimal mess and cross contamination. It applies like a dream across my face and all my makeup (including my eye makeup) come off. I save it for days when I wear heavy makeup especially during the weekend and it does such a great job. It does not feel uncomfortably greasy at all and even if you hate oil or balm cleansers, I think you would love this texture. I take it off with a hand-hot or warm flannel and every single makeup is gone including my eye makeup. I absolutely love it and will highly recommend!


Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel // Link // £10.50 for 50ml,  £32 (for 250ml), £52.50 for 500ml
I am a big fan of cleansing gels in general because I feel that they give my skin a proper cleanse compared to other textures of cleansers (especially as a double cleanse). The Dermalogica Cleansing Gel is described as a soap-free foaming gel cleanses without disturbing the skin's natural moisture balance. It looks like a basic cleanser but it works better than many cleansers I have tried. I love that it has the right amount of lather to take off my makeup without leaving my skin dry. If you have dry skin and shy away from cleansing gels or lathers, I think this one is worth trying. The sample I received is only 50ml but it has lasted me a good while because only the tiniest amount is enough for my face. I sometimes use this as a single cleanse or a double cleanse after the pre-cleanse balm and my skin feels so clean and non-irritated. It is also one of the few cleansers that I have loved using with just my hands or with my FOREO Luna. I never cleanse/wash my face without a beauty device but this cleanser is one of the cleansers that gives me that clean feel without a beauty device. I am contemplating buying the full size but I have two other cleansers I absolutely love and need to finish before I invest it another one. I have really enjoyed using it is as it is fuss free, soap-free and works so well for my skin.


I also tried this cleanser with the Cleansing Mitt that came along with these products and I loved it. It's not one I will reach out for often but if I did not have a FOREO and did not want to use my hands, I would definitely use it. The good thing about this cleansing mitt is that it can get into pretty much any crevices of the skin that you need to clean such as the corners of the nose. I don't think it is sold on its own but it comes as a set with some of the Dermalogical Cleansing products. This one came with the Pre-Cleanse Balm.



Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream* //Link // £36 for 50ml,  £54 for 100ml
Dermalogica describe the Skin Smoothing Cream as a medium weight moisturiser designed to balance combination/dry skin. I personally won't classify my skin as a combination/dry as it is more of combination oily. I still had an open mind when trying this moisturiser out. Some of the ingredients include lecithin, aloe vera, mallow, cucumber, etc which all work together to keep the skin hydrated and moisturised. It does not have any fragrance to it which I know many people do prefer. I am happy either ways. I love that this cream comes in a tube as it is easy to use and travel with. It provides a good amount of moisture and hydration and I prefer to use it more at night. I think for combination skin, it does not feel too greasy but I won't say it is the lightest weight moisturiser I have tried. If you do have dry skin, I feel you would love this moisturiser a lot.



Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant* // Link // £55 (Full size 57g), £17 (for 13g)
Now this is the star of the entire review and it is one product I was very curious about because I have never tried any product like it. Dermalogica describe the Daily Superfoliant as a highly active resurfacer which delivers smoother skin and helps fight the biochemical and environmental triggers known to accelerate skin ageing. Most exfoliants are either in the form of a scrub or toners but a powder exfoliant is not as common and this is why I wanted to try it. I have a love-hate relationship with the packaging. I love that it is lovely size (it's a full size of 57g) and I can get away with travelling easily with it. What I don't like as much is the initial issues I had with the opening at the top of the bottle. I already mentioned there is a high chance of dispensing more product than you need. The great thing is I've now got the hang of getting the right amount of product. I tend to tip a small amount into the cover and then onto my wet/damp hands.


When I first got it, I just thought this will be a faff to use but to my surprise, I have come to love using it almost on a daily basis. I just moisten my hand with some water, pour out a little powder into the lid and onto my wet/damp hands, rub my hands together (it turns to a nice paste) and apply to my skin. It can be used a cleanser, an exfoliator and a mask and I have enjoyed using it in these different ways. When I use it as a cleanser, I apply it a second cleanse after removing my makeup. I love using it as an exfoliator which is what it is designed for and it really keeps my skin very smooth. I absolutely love it. Lastly, I also use it as a mask because let's face it, it does look like a mask. It contains activated binchotan charcoal which is known for purifying the skin and adsorbing toxins/impurities. The Daily Superfoliant also contains niacinamide, red algae and tara fruit extract which are excellent ingredients for the skin.




I feel like everyone will love this product because it is gentle, effective and non-irritant. I do have to mention that there is a note on the website which says it is not recommended for people who use medically prescribed exfoliation products. It's such a great product that can be used everyday which is why I love it as it does not feel abrasive at all. It may seem expensive at £55 but I think it will last a very long time because it is a powder and you need the tiniest amount. The great thing is if you wanted to try it out without splurging, they have a mini size for £17 which you can find here. I will highly recommend trying out this product because it can be used in many ways with visible results.


Where to Buy
Dermalogica products can be purchased from website and they are generous with nice samples. You can also purchase these products from other retailers such as John Lewis, Selfridges, Fenwick, etc. I tend to purchase from any retailers that have the best discounts and those who offer free samples/free deliveries.



Final Thoughts
I am really impressed with Dermalogica as a brand and with all the products I got to try. I did not really know what to expect from using the brand long term but I am so glad and grateful that I had the opportunity to try them out. Now I have some firm favourites and more products on my repurchase list. My absolute favourite products from what I tried include the Pre-Cleanse Balm, the Special Cleansing Gel and the Daily Superfoliant. Massive thanks to Influenster UK for sending me these lovely products.  I hope you enjoyed this post and see you in the next post. Have you tried any product from Dermalogica?
*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are mine. Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here.

Favourite Vitamin C Skincare Products

It is no secret that Vitamin C is one of the skincare ingredients that is known for brightening the skin, improving radiance, fighting free radicals (that cause premature ageing & damage the skin) and helps combat hyper pigmentation. Apart from its brightening properties, Vitamin C also has anti-oxidant properties and helps with collagen production (which keeps the skin plump). It all depends on the formula used, quality of the ingredients and the percentage of Vitamin C contained in the products. I have tried a good range of products that contain Vitamin C derivatives and I thought I should do a little round up since it appears that Vitamin C is the going to be on trend this year. There are different formulas for different budgets so there is something for everyone depending on your preference.


For reference, I have combination-oily skin which gets dehydrated pretty quickly. My main skin concern is hyper pigmentation and blemishes especially around my cheeks and that's the main reason why I use Vitamin C products because I know it helps improve the appearance of dark spots/hyper pigmentation. Vitamin C is derived mainly from citrus fruits which includes orange, lemons, tangerine, lime, etc. The active ingredient can be derived from natural sources or they may be synthesized molecules. I won't go into the nitty-gritty because I am not a skincare professional as such. Vitamin C can be incorporated into different formulas including serums, creams, masks, peels etc. It is an unstable active ingredient so it needs to be in the right formula to prevent degradation.


To make matters worse, Vitamin C is unstable with sunlight and in many other normal conditions so it usually loses its efficacy. This is why there are different derivatives of Vitamin C which are synthesized to work as the original but remain stable in normal conditions. Some derivatives of Vitamin C include L-Ascorbic Acid (purest & potent stable form & water soluble), Ascorbyl Palmitate (lipid soluble, highly stable but not as potent as L-Ascorbic Acid), Magnesium Ascorbyl Palmitate (collagen booster, antioxidant properties like the pure form of Vitamin C), etc. Vitaimin C and its derivatives makes the skin sensitive to sunlight which is why it is very important to use sunscreen whenever you use any products containing Vitamin C except at night. Right let's get into my favourite products that contain Vitamin C. Let's get into the post....

Institut Esthderm Intensive Vitamin C Cream* // Link //£64
The first product on my list is the Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamin C cream which I have been trying out for almost two months. I am yet to try any product from this brand that has not lived up to my expectations and in many cases, surpassed my expectations. I particularly like their Intensive range because the products seem to have a higher concentration of ingredients which target problem areas more effectively. The Intensive Vitamin C Cream is defined as a soft lavish cream that is concentrated with Vitamin C (they have combined two stable Vitamin C derivatives) and targets dark spots and wrinkles. It also stimulates collagen synthesis, re-balances pigmentation and fights against harmful free radicals (which contribute to premature ageing).





I don't have wrinkles but I do have dark spots/hyper pigmentation on my cheeks which are the bane of my life. This is why I was very excited to try out this Intensive Vitamin C Cream. I love the packaging because it looks and feels luxurious. It even comes with a small spatula which makes it very hygienic to use and you know there are limited chances of cross contamination. The texture is possibly one of my favourite textures because it is very silky and smooth on the face. It provides the right amount of hydration that my skin needs and it does not feel greasy at all. This is why I am able to use it during the day and at night. I can wear my makeup straight after using it because it gets absorbed really easily on my skin.




The first thing I noticed is the natural glow my skin has with and without makeup which makes me happy. My hyper pigmentation marks are slowly but surely fading and I can see an improvement although I am also using other products. I would definitely say it provides an additive effect with the other products I am using. I do have to say that I feel like this product is very stable because I have not noticed any darkening/browning of the cream which usually happens when unstable ingredients are used (and it is oxidised by light/sunlight). I am still using this as my everyday cream and I absolutely love it. It is expensive but I do think it is worth it especially if you are looking to have brighter/glowing skin.  I have only used 1/4th of the tub and I am on Month 2. I have used this cream since I got it in January and it has really helped my skin and it is the only Vitamin C product that I have tried for the longest time in a row.


Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum // Link //£88 (Currently on offer in Beauty Bay for £66)
I had my eyes on this Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum for ages and I even popped into Space NK for a sample so I could see if my skin would love it. My skin loved it and I purchased it the next time a sensible discount code came up. I used the Caroline Hirons 25% discount code so I got it at a reasonable price. The Renaissance Brightlight Serum is described as an intensive daily correcting serum which combats hyper pigmentation, sun damage, dark spots and ensures a visibly brighter even complexion. I feel like I still need to do a full review of this product but for now, I am just going to give a brief overview. It has other brightening ingredients including Vitamin C. It has two types of Vitamin C- Vitamin C Phosphate and Vitamin C Palmitate. I love the gorgeous packaging complete with a pipette. I particularly like it because it is designed in such a way that you only get the exact amount of product you need and the pipette really helps with that. It is a serum as the name suggests and it feels slightly tacky on the skin when I first apply it. It does sink in within a short time which is great for when I am in a hurry. It does not sting or feel irritating on the skin which is amazing and I feel sensitive skin types may tolerate it. The results I have noticed is radiance to my skin. Whenever I use this the night before, my skin glows the next day and I love it. I top up the radiance with my other vitamin c creams and love the results. I am putting together my thoughts on products that work for hyper pigmentation so I will share my full thoughts on that post. They currently have it on offer in Beauty Bay for £66 here.


Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel* // Link //£55
Murad is another tested, tried and loved skincare brands and I have loved all the products I have tried from them. I already have a review of the Intensive Radiance C Peel which you can find here. Murad describe it as an intensive treatment that instantly brightens the skin to reveal a radiant complexion whilst helping to reduce premature ageing. I particularly love this product because it also exfoliates my skin and hydrates my skin. I usually apply it on cleansed skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off. It is an intense treatment as the name suggests so if you have sensitive skin, I will suggest trying it out lightly at first (and for shorter periods). It contains Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) which I think is just the best combination (in my opinion) for my skin problems. It stings my skin and it's something I have come to accept (at least I know it is working). I try and keep it on for as long as I can tolerate. When I rinse off my skin, my skin looks so radiant, healthy and glowing. I don't think I have used any other product which provides such immediate effect and this effect lasts for a few days. I would highly recommend this product if you want a product that both provides radiance, glow and exfoliation.

The Ordinary 
I know there is a lot of controversy about The Ordinary products which is such a shame as I enjoyed the products. I won't be addressing the drama for now but I do hope the brand gets business in order and asap!! Anyway, I have two favourite Vitamin C (including derivatives) products that I have enjoyed from the brand and they are targeted at brightening and giving the skin that much needed radiance.


The first product is the Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone // Link //£5.80 which is described as a water-free suspension of L-Ascorbic acid (30%) in light silicones. It is designed to help reverse multiple signs of premature ageing as well as brightening the skin. There is another version which contains 23% Vitamin C but I read some reviews which were less than glaring and decided to stick to this version. I was really excited to try this out because I don't think I have tried anything with such a high concentration of Vitamin C. The first thing I noticed was the tingling sensation which I still feel depending on how my skin decides to behave. It contains silicone as the name suggests so it almost feels like you are applying a primer as it has that primer feeling. However, it's not one I tend to use during the day. I prefer to use it at night. It does not really give my skin a radiant or glowing feel I get from other Vitamin C products. However, I do feel like it has helped with some of the hyper pigmentation/ dark marks on my skin compared to the other Vitamin C products I have tried. It is one I definitely want to use for longer so I can see how well it works over time. You do have to exercise patience with using it as with any other skincare product that may take a while to see sensible results. If you have dry skin, I don't think you would like the texture because I feel it may be drying on the skin. However, I don't mind how it feels on my combination oily skin. If you still want to try it out, I will suggest using a thin layer because a generous amount will end up balling up on your skin (regardless of your skin type) and it's not a great look or feel. I experienced this balling up effect the first few times I used it and was almost put off until I started using thin layers and things got way better. For the price and concentration of active ingredient, I think it is worth a try. I would say start off with other gentler versions of Vitamin C before jumping into this intensive 30% strength.


The second product is actually one I absolutely enjoy and it's the Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% // Link //£7.80. I used this all through December along with my other skincare products and I loved the results I got. The Ordinary describes the MAP 10% (as it is called) as a brightening hydrator with stabilized Vitamin C derivative. I definitely prefer the texture of MAP to the Vitamin C 30%. It feels more hydrating on the skin and I feel will work better with many skin types. I tend to reach for this in the morning because it works well as a moisturiser and allows my makeup apply really smoothly. It also works well with other skincare products like my serums, other moisturisers and sunscreen which is really important for me. With MAP, I definitely noticed an immediate and sustained glow to my skin. My dark spots appeared less visible and I was not breaking out as much. I combined it with the Azeliac Acid Suspension and Alpha Arbutin and my skin really looked fantastic despite all the junk I ate in December. I did not experience any tingling sensation with this formula to my delight. This is one of my favourite budget friendly Vitamin C products and I already repurchased it because I don't want to suddenly run out. I will highly recommend giving this a try if you wanted to foray into Vitamin C without breaking the bank.


There are other amazing Vitamin C products from other brands which I love but these are my current favourites. I know Body Shop makes fantastic Vitamin C products especially their Glow Boosting Moisturiser which I am tempted to repurchase because I absolutely enjoyed using it and finished my entire tub. That's all from this end. Have you tried any of these Vitamin C products? What are your recommendations?
*PR Samples + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

Best in Beauty 2017 (Makeup Edition)

I know this is coming quite late especially as we are already in the second month of the year. However, I love writing my Best In Beauty posts every year and I did not want to skip 2017 because I discovered many gems. Looking over my notes, I can see I have stuck to a few old favourites which already means those products have attained HG (Holy Grail) status in my stash. Right let's get started because it is a long post (as usual)..

Favourite Primers
When it comes to primers, I don't think I have deviated too much from my all time favourite primer which is the Wilko Silk Mattifying Primer. It does contain dimethicone however it does not irritate my skin. It allows my foundation apply very smoothly, prevents shine and helps my makeup last longer. The best part is it cost only £3.00 so it has been repurchased more times than I can count. The next primer I fell in love with is none other than the Fenty Beauty Soft Matte Pro Filt'r Primer which I got along with my Fenty Beauty Haul. I love the classy packaging and the finish it gives my overall makeup is impressive. It is hydrating so it definitely does not feel like you are wearing a primer. It gives a soft focus finish to my foundation and helps my foundation last longer. My last favourite is the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Primer* which works in two ways- as a primer and as a sunscreen (it has SPF 30). It is one I reach for when I want super flawless makeup.


Favourite Eyeshadow Primer
For Eyeshadow Primer, it will always remain the Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Primer as I am yet to find any other eyeshadow primer that beats it. For the price of £2.50, I highly doubt I will find any that works as well in the same price range. I do like the Urban Decay eyeshadow primers and the Benefit ones but the Essence one stands out. My eyeshadows pop, last a long time and don't crease so it ticks all the boxes for me.

Favourite Foundations
I got to try out quite a few foundations in 2017 and it was really difficult for me to narrow down my absolute favourite foundations. I guess the easiest way was to look back to which ones I reached for the most and which ones were empty. I am definitely going to do a blog post on what I look for in foundations and hopefully a video (fingers crossed). The first is the L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation and it is one of the best foundations I have ever tried. It is a perfect match for my complexion, covers all imperfections, long lasting and a great demi-matte finish. The only sad thing is my shade Creme Cafe 110 is not sold in the UK so I have to stock up from the US which is slightly frustrating. I've also heard the formula sold in the UK does not perform as well as the US one. My next favourite foundation is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation which shook the entire beauty world and beyond. My shade is 370 and I have already finished my bottle. I will be repurchasing soon (although I don't want to pay £6 for delivery which is what Harvey Nichols charge so I am waiting until I pop into Edinburgh). It is the beyond perfect match for my complexion, has an incredible finish and lasts all day. I don't what else I could ever need in a foundation. It's just perfection!


Some other foundations worth mentioning are the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation (not pictured above),  Chanel La Teint Ultra Tenue Foundation , Black Opal True Colour Foundation and the Stila Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer*.  They have one or two faults which is why they are not my absolute favourites but they are very strong contenders. I am keen to try out the newly launched Bobbi Brown Weightless Foundation but I have to go in-store to get matched.


Favourite Concealers
I still have different concealers for different purposes. Most people use concealers to highlight and I do that too. However, I also use concealers to conceal some imperfections on my skin that my foundation may not cover (although color correcting works better) and I also use concealers to clean up my brows after I fill them in. For cleaning up my brows, my favourite has remained the Becca Dual Coverage Concealer which has been discontinued. I do have one or two other concealers to try when it eventually runs out but I will sorely miss it as I have stuck to it for years now (I repurchased quite a few when I learned they were being discontinued but this is my last one).


For blemishes, I still love my L.A. Girl Pro Concealers however majority of my foundations have been excellent at covering imperfections so there was not a strong need to use it so much this year. For my highlighting, my absolute favourite has to be the Vichy Dermablend SOS Cover Stick*. I know it will also be great for blemishes but it works so perfectly for highlighting. The shape of the stick means I can get into any corners I want and it applies/blends so smoothly. I am in the shade 55. I have almost finished the one I have and will be repurchasing when next Escentual have their 1/3rd off French Pharmacy products.


Favourite Brow Products
I almost wanted to skip this category because I thought nothing has changed and I realised I added two products that changed everything. My favourite brow pencil still remains the Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil (Hot Chocolate). It has become increasingly difficult to get hold of my shade so whenever I find it, I just stock up. I love the pointy tip as it allows me outline my brows with natural strokes.


I was introduced to the Mo'Mineral Brow Powder mid -2017 and I have found it hard to use any other product because it is incredible. The match to my brow hairs is spot on and it is an organic mineral powder. I repurchased another tub because I had ran out of the one I was sent and I will continue repurchasing it. My shade is Brown if you are curious. The last favourite brow product is the YSL Beauty Couture Brow Mascara* which I absolutely love. It keeps all my brows in place especially since I switched to using brow powders. I don't have to worry about my brows getting messy because it helps everything stay in place and last all day.


Favourite Mascaras
This is another category that I have not quite found anything to completely replace my YSL Beauty Baby Doll Mascara. I think it has remained my favourite for almost 3 years now and with good reason. It does everything I want for my small lashes- volume, length, holding a curl and separating my lashes. I love the gorgeous packaging and the only downfall is that it does get dry quickly. Still, I always repurchase whenever there is a discount. The La Roche Posay Respectissime Mascara Volume* was another mascara that really impressed me especially as an every day mascara. It is great at adding volume and lengthening. The bristles prevent clumping so my lashes remain separated. It is a perfect everyday mascara.


I was so surprised that I fell back in love with the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. I had run out of my YSL Baby Doll Mascara and I thought I should just use the Roller Lash in the interim and I ended up using it for months. Surprisingly, it gives great length, holds a curl, adds some volume and not very clumpy. I still use and will continue until it completely runs out. I may even repurchase just to have as a back up.  The final product is not a mascara but a Lash Serum which has allowed me use almost any mascara I want. It is the Instant Effects Instant Lash Volumiser* which I would say works as a primer and treatment for my lashes. It helps prep my lashes before my mascara and no matter what mascara I use, the results are impressive. I have also noticed an overall growth in my lashes which was very surprising because I never believed that anything could help my lashes grow. It's an amazing product and I will be repurchasing when it runs out.


Favourite Eyeliners
My eyeliner favourites have remained the same over the years because I tend to stick to them unless a new one launches that sweeps me off my feet. The first favourite is the L'Oreal Superstar Eyeliner which has remained my favourite for a good while now. It has the perfect flick, easy to use and long lasting. Another favourite is the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner* which I was lucky to try out last year. I'd heard a lot of hype about it and I have to say it definitely lives up the hype. I love the size as it is a great fit for my hands and allows me apply my eyeliner without any hassle. The pointy tip is so perfect for any kind of flick and it is long lasting. These two were my absolute favourites from 2017.



Favourite Eyeshadow Palettes
Apart from foundations, I think my favourite makeup product has to be eyeshadows. I just cannot get enough of them and I am always sucked in to get more. I tend to lean towards warm toned eyeshadow palettes compared to cooler toned ones however I do have some great cool toned eyeshadow palettes that have swept me off my feet. My all time favourite eyeshadow palette from 2017 is none other than the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette. I feel like Urban Decay went straight into my heart and created the palette of my dreams. I love everything about the palette from the packaging to the quality of the eyeshadows. I can create so many looks from this palette and it is totally worth the price.



Other palettes worth mentioning are the ones I chose the eyeshadows myself for a custom palette and they include my Makeup Geek Customised Palette and MAC Customised Palette. For Liquid eyeshadows, I fell in love with the Stila Maginificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows. I had the shade Molten Metal* and I also purchased three other minis in Smoky Storm, Kitten Karma and Diamond Dust. I love how gorgeous they look and how easy they are to apply. I have tried two other brands in 2018 and I will be talking about them soon in another post.



Favourite Contour Products
Contouring is a technique I have enjoyed learning more about and I think I definitely improved my technique in 2017. I don't think I have veered away from my staple favourites because these products have been tested, trusted and well loved. The first is the Nude by Nature Contour Kit* which has served me so well both in 2016 and 2017. I am so glad I found a brand new one in my stash because I have made very deep dents in the one I am currently using. I love how natural and buildable this contour kit is and you can hardly go wrong with it. The second favourite was actually the first contour product I ever purchased and I have since repurchased for myself, sister and friends. It's none other than the Sleek Contour Kit. It is well pigmented (so a light hand is necessary) and a good contour match for my complexion. I use the shade Medium. I also have the dark version because I prefer the highlighter section in the Dark Kit.


My final contour favourite is a new product to me but so well loved- the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio which contains a contour stick, a concealer and a highlighter all in a stick form. I used to dread using stick contour products because they tend to shift my makeup but these Fenty Matchstix don't do that. They are an absolute dream to apply especially for my combination oily skin. I feel they may be slightly drying for someone with dry skin. I think the price is amazing and I wish the Shimmer Stix came in a trio set too as I want to try out a few of them for a reduced cost.


Favourite Highlighters
I really got into the swing of highlighters in 2017 and I don' think I ever skipped using highlighters like I did in previous years. I usually go for highlighters that compliment my complexion with a natural glow. When I am going out, I am happy to go all the way with the glitter which is why I have quite a few highlighters I loved. My first favourite has to be the Makeup Revolution Baked Highlighter in Rose Gold Lights. While it is a highlighter as the name suggests, I use it mainly as an illuminating blush and it is so gorgeous. When I was moving houses, I could not find it and I had to make a quick order as I had missed it for too long. My second favourite is an oldie but goodie- The Balm's Betty-Lou Manizer. It is a perfect bronze glow for my complexion and I tend to use it almost on a daily basis (I use a light hand because it is well pigmented too). My final highlighter favourite is the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Candle Light* which I absolutely adore. It is very pigmented so a drop or two is more than enough. I love that I can apply it directly to my face or mix it in with my foundation. It's just gorgeous and I enjoyed it more during Summer.


Favourite Powders
I was not too crazy about powders in 2017 mainly because most of my foundations had a great demi-matte finish which meant I did not need to powder. However, I still had my favourites which came in handy especially when the warmer weather was around. The first is the L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Powder which I love using alongside almost all my foundations. It keeps my face shine free and its long lasting. It also goes well with the matching foundation however there's not much need to use it as the foundation has a great finish.


I also fell back in love with my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette which has three powders in it. They are one of the best powders I have tried as they are finely milled and don't give my face a dull look like some powders do. My final powder favourite is the Collection Pressed Powder which I use mainly to set my under eye concealer and it does such a great job. During Summer, I also used it to mattify my face before I applied foundation and it worked really well. For the price, I can't even complain and I always stock up. I tend to get the Translucent shade as it works well for many complexions.



Favourite Blushes
I don't think I reached for many blushes in 2017 as I used more highlighters. However, I still had some favourite blushes I stuck to. The first on list is the Sainsbury's Boutique Blush in Fool's Paradise* which I think I featured in 2016 Favourites. It's a great everyday blush for my complexion and it is very easy to apple. It fades to a really natural colour on my face at the end of the day which I don't mind at all. My other favourite blushes were from the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette and I love how beautiful the shades are. They are very flattering on my complexion and last a good while through the day. The final blush (which is a highlighter/blush duo in my opinion) is the Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter Duo in Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule. I cannot get over the formula and the shade. It works both as a highlighter and blush for me and I can't think of any product I own which is very flattering on my skin.

Favourite Lip Products

For Lips, I have stuck to my old favourites and I also discovered a new favourite which I use on a daily basis. Just like my 2016 Favourites, my favourite lipstick still remains the ILIA Beauty Lipsticks* and Tinted Lip Conditioners*. ILIA is an organic brand which I adore and I have loved their products for a good while. Their lipsticks come in a unique sturdy packaging, have great colour pay off and fantastic shades. I love how well they wear on my lips and I tend to only reapply once a day. My favourite shades are Perfect Day, These Days and Jump. They were my most worn shades and I still find myself reaching for them even now.


My second favourite is the By Terry Rouge Velvet Liquid Lipstick and I don't think I have tried any similar formula. My favourite shade still remains Pause Cappuccino but I am tempted to try out other nude shades. It is long lasting (almost all day) and has a great wand that helps pick up and apply the product really well.


My final favourites are the Stila All Day Liquid Lipsticks* which have been my current favourites since I got them. I have the mini size set which came with 8 gorgeous and wearable shades. I have been wearing the nude and pink shades almost everyday to work and they are fantastic. They have a great finish (not too dry), wear really well on my lips and I have not had any issues with them.


I wanted to give a shout out to these NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Liquid Lipstick  which lived in my makeup bag almost all year round and I used them for touch ups on the go. I love their formula, wear time and the array of shades available although I am sticking to their nude shades. I have the shade London and Abu Dhabi which look very similar but are quite different. London is more of a nudey nude while Abu Dhabi is more of a pinkish brown nude.

My all time favourite brand from 2017 is Fenty Beauty and it is one of the few brands that have impressed me. They will continue to get my coins and I can't wait to see what else they have in stock in 2018. If you made it to the end, I really appreciate it. I even got tired while writing this post but I did not want to leave any product out. I hope you enjoyed this post. What was your favourite makeup product in 2017?
*PR Sample + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here.