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It hit me today that I LOVE roundup posts but I never do them. Partly because I'm lazy and partly also because I am lazy. So I've taken the decision to use the festive season as an excuse to summarise the products I've loved throughout the year, items I've had my eye on and just generally lovely things I'd like to tell you about, and where better to start than with Beauty?
For full transparency, where an item has previously been gifted to me, or where I have worked with the brand, I will mark the item with a *. I'm very lucky that being gifted products means I'm quite often able to try things out that I perhaps previously wouldn't have known about. This said, I have not been paid, or asked to talk about any of the products in this post, which means my opinions are just that, lovely opinions about lovely products.
Pixi - Glow Tonic*
I don't like to be too bossy BUT, if you don't know about Pixi Glow Tonic then you are very much missing out. With Glycolic and Aloe ingredients, the tonic gently exfoliates and soothes your face, leaving you with a very very real glow. I know very little about skin care but do I know what makes my skin look great and since using Glow Tonic, I've been foundation free almost perpetually.
It hit me today that I LOVE roundup posts but I never do them. Partly because I'm lazy and partly also because I am lazy. So I've taken the decision to use the festive season as an excuse to summarise the products I've loved throughout the year, items I've had my eye on and just generally lovely things I'd like to tell you about, and where better to start than with Beauty?
For full transparency, where an item has previously been gifted to me, or where I have worked with the brand, I will mark the item with a *. I'm very lucky that being gifted products means I'm quite often able to try things out that I perhaps previously wouldn't have known about. This said, I have not been paid, or asked to talk about any of the products in this post, which means my opinions are just that, lovely opinions about lovely products.
I don't like to be too bossy BUT, if you don't know about Pixi Glow Tonic then you are very much missing out. With Glycolic and Aloe ingredients, the tonic gently exfoliates and soothes your face, leaving you with a very very real glow. I know very little about skin care but do I know what makes my skin look great and since using Glow Tonic, I've been foundation free almost perpetually.
I deeply envy people who know "stuff" about makeup. It seems that every generation after me is born with the ability to contour, cut crease and bake. I, however, have three makeup brushes I actually understand and I use them in the way that a painter and decorator may slap emulsion on your living room walls. This said, I know I could do better and the right tools should very much support me in this. You may remember me raving about IT Cosmetics in a post earlier this year and their brushes in particular made rather an impact on me. That's why this somewhat basic but very useful brush set has made it onto the list - Now I just need to remember to wash them...
Another Pixi product that I tested and now can't live without. Most ultra rich moisturisers leave me feeling sweaty, itchy and all round gross this exception to the rules was right on the list. Full of antioxidants to strengthen and protect my skin, the light formula and refereshing scent have made the Rose Ceramide cream one of my beauty must haves.
Tigi - Colour Goddess Treatment Mask*
My mate has always bought industrial sized Bed Head products and I simply could never get my head round WHY. Well now I know. I dye my hair every three weeks, meaning it needs a heck tonne of conditioner, this costs a heck tonne of money and takes a heck tonne of time. I've been using this Colour Goddess Mask treatment at least once a week since I got it and my hair is truly grateful. It's packed full of moisture without oiliness and, somehow, takes the yellow brashness out of my copper tones. A little goes a long way and you really do only have to leave it three minutes to see an impact.
Away - The Dopp Kit
I'm not over egging it when I say that my Away Carry-On Case has changed my life in some pretty epic ways (It has its own charger!) and they have even more offerings to make my travel life (aka 95% of my actual life) better. This Dopp toiletries bag is cleverly designed to fit into any Away case, has the perfect number of pockets for all me bits and, most importantly for me, is completely leak proof; Protecting my frocks from my haphazard closing of tinctures and ointments. I've asked for this from father Christmas, here's hoping he doesn't let me down...
Pixi - Glow Tonic Serum*
It's a hat-trick from Pixi with this, one of their best selling products. Again, I was originally gifted this but have rebought countless times due to just how great this product makes my skin look and feel. Moisturising, smoothing and THAT GLOW. I won't labour the point but this really is a must have.
It's a hat-trick from Pixi with this, one of their best selling products. Again, I was originally gifted this but have rebought countless times due to just how great this product makes my skin look and feel. Moisturising, smoothing and THAT GLOW. I won't labour the point but this really is a must have.
Sometimes, when you do something for the environment, you're rewarded financially. These reusable cotton pads have been a real plot twist for me. They're so much nicer to use on your skin than the standard chuck-in-the-bin pads and, after washing, you can just keep on using them. Which is really nice. These particular ones come a small mesh bag to keep them all together and throw in the wash when they're more makeup than pad. I'm going to invest in more of these pads this Christmas, mostly to keep up with my distinct lack of time to actually wash stuff...
OK, we're going luxury b*tch here and I absolutely do NOT own one of these (yet..?) My hair is straighter than a very very straight thing. I give it volume by blow drying with the fantastic Babyliss Big Hair, which is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, but every now and then I just really want some wiggles in my hair. Despite looking VERY much like a box of sex toys, the Dyson Airwrap styler complete has glowing reviews across the board. It does all the things that heated styling tools do, without the extreme heat, which is mega important for coloured hair like mine. I'm obsessed with YouTube videos of people effortlessly curling, volumising and styling their barnets with the AirWrap - Here's hoping for a small lottery win...
If, like me, you have rather scant brows and are looking for that Brooke Shields fluffy full forehead fur, Glossier Boy Brow is the one for you. Don't take my word for it, give it a go. I wouldn't be without it.
My beauty must have last year, this year and every year until Natalie retires (NEVER RETIRE NAT) is three-weekly Russian lash infills at Wax Inc. I honestly cant tell you how much happier I've been with my face since having semi-perm lash extensions and, as someone who dyes their own hair, has very few other vices, I think we can all allow me this little luxury? Right?
I'm going to be dropping the rest of my Christmas lists over the following weeks, including Home, Style and Food and Drink (YUM) but it's VERY important that we all remember Christmas isn't just about "stuff", it's hopefully an opportunity to chill out a bit, enjoy the twinkly lights and social opportunities (If that's your thing). This is as much advice for myself as for anyone reading this, but PLEASE don't feel you need to get into financial predicaments to keep up with the Joneses, it's just as lovely to watch Elf with the people you love. Trust me.
I'm going to be dropping the rest of my Christmas lists over the following weeks, including Home, Style and Food and Drink (YUM) but it's VERY important that we all remember Christmas isn't just about "stuff", it's hopefully an opportunity to chill out a bit, enjoy the twinkly lights and social opportunities (If that's your thing). This is as much advice for myself as for anyone reading this, but PLEASE don't feel you need to get into financial predicaments to keep up with the Joneses, it's just as lovely to watch Elf with the people you love. Trust me.
Em x
