2014 Beauty Favourites Part 1: Make Up & Nails

2014 Beauty Favourites Part 1: Make Up & Nails

Friday, 9 January 2015

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Top L - R: Nail Paint by Barry M in Vintage Violet, Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M in Sugar Apple, Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder, Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Seventeen Phwoaar Paint in Fair, MUA eyeshadow palette in Heaven & Earth, Real Techniques Setting Brush & Benefit's They're Real Push-Up Liner.  Bottom L - R: Mac Blush in Dame, L'Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla, Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much, Mac Amplified Crème Lipstick in Girl About Town & Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Olé Flamingo. 

Top L-R: Soap & Glory Solar Powder, Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy in Dealer's Choice, Estée Lauder Modern Muse Eau De Parfum, Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil, Witch Blemish Stick, L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in #200 Soft Beige. Bottom L-R: No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream, Model Co More Brows in Fair & Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté 24HRs Soothing & Rehydrating Fresh Mask. 

Top L-R: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Base Coat, Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Up the Ante, Frizz Ease Daily Miracle Leave in Conditioner, Frizz Ease Extra Strength 6 Effects Serum, The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. Bottom L-R: Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper & Soigné Botanique in Bleu Vodka.

2014 was a great year for me make up wise. It was the year I started using bronzer and realised the true potential of make up, which only made me love it more. First up make up and nails, you might want to grab yourself a cup of tea... maybe a snack of some kind, because it's gonna be a long one :)

Base:

L'Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla

I recently crowned L’Oreal True Match my favourite foundation and I stand by that sentiment.  With decent, buildable coverage, a beautiful dewy yet matte finish (I don't understand how that works either) and a formula that sticks around it's no wonder it's my favourite. 

Seventeen Phwoaar Paint Heavy Duty Under Eye Concealer in Fair & Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Soft Beige. 

My skin wasn't at it's best in 2014. There were breakouts, blackheads, blemishes, great big giant spots... the lot! For those days when my skin was at it's worst I reached for Seventeen's Phwoaar Paint to save the day. With a thick and creamy consistency it's perfect for covering any particularly juicy blemishes and because it's yellow toned it neutralises any redness/hyper pigmentation. It also lasts really well, particularly considering how creamy it is. I've found that it works best when applied BEFORE foundation as it blends in better this way. Unorthodox? Maybe. Does it work? Definitely. 

The other concealer I was reaching for throughout 2014 was Rimmel's Wake Me Up concealer in Soft Beige. I don't have the best sleeping habits and have some serious under eye baggage going on. But this covers bags and brightens the under eye area like it ain't no thing, making me look bright eyed and bushey tailed when really I've been up all night watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The overall coverage it gives is really good, as it covers redness, hyper pigmentation and blemishes. It's a good all rounder. 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder

Before 2014 I never really got powders, I had one it was okay, good, not great, but then I tried One Heck of a Blot and then I got it. One Heck of a Blot is a really light weight, finely milled  translucent powder that really locks in my make up and leaves my face with a velvety smooth finish. I love it, which you could probably tell from the picture. 

Bronzer/Blush:

Soap & Glory Solar Powder

I was always a bit wary of bronzer, being paler than the moon and all, but Solar Powder is fabulous. Especially for all us pale chicks. I prefer the lighter honey shade, as the warmer brown is just a tad too dark for me, but works really well when I swirl the two together. It really warms up my otherwise colourless complexion. Love it. 

Mac Blush in Dame

You'd never know it but I've had this blusher for over two years and have worn it nearly every day since. I'm not even close to hitting pan yet. I've played with a lot of new blushers this year but Dame will always be my favourite. It's the prettiest, rosy pink that transforms my complexion from Casper the Friendly Ghost to that of an english rose. It's beautiful. 

Eyes:

Benefit They're Real Real Push Up Liner 

Long lasting gel liner with a blacker than black formula that is both crease proof and incredibly easy to apply. The rubber tip makes for one of the easiest cat eye flicks ever (stamp and glide). I think it's amazing. 

MUA Eyeshadow Palette in Heaven & Earth

This is the eyeshadow palette I probably got the most use out of in 2014 and 2013 for that matter. This is my second one so that should tell you all you need to know. Made up of neutral shimmers this is my go to palette for a neutral yet smokey eye make up look. The shadows are reasonably long lasting, soft in texture and pigmented with a decent colour pay off. I'll be honest it isn't perfect, there are some fall out issues when applying and the shadows are slightly on the chalky side, but for £4 it's really good. 

L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara 

AKA the best mascara on the highstreet. It just does everything I could ever want from a mascara. Like a really great bra it lifts and separates, unlike a  great bra it curls and volumises. The formula is fantastic, super black, doesn't smudge or flake and just gives me the best lashes. It's a staple every girl needs: a good bra and this mascara. 

Model Co More Brow gel in Fair 

Model Co More Brow is a light weight, tinted brow gel, that shapes my brows and sets them in place, without leaving them crispy. The colour is a medium ashy brown that is the perfect colour match for me and the application is really easy with the tiny but effective spoolie taming my brows and distributing the product evenly. I really like it. 

Lips:

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Girl About Town

For a while this lipstick was the only thing I could talk about and for good reason, it is, simply put, the most beautiful lipstick I own. The colour is a beautiful blue toned fuschia with a formula that is long lasting, although it does need to be reapplied after eating/drinking. Due to it's delightfully creamy consistency it's really moisturising and feels so comfortable on the lips. It get's bonus points for smelling like vanilla! In my expansive lipstick collection this is my absolute favourite. It's all kinds of heart eyed emoji!  

 Image via

Bourjois Rouge EditionVelvets in Olé Flamingo and Hot Pepper 

I've been utterly obsessed with the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets since they were released last summer. The colours are lovely and the formulas are equally so: bouncy, lightweight and only slightly drying, but the very best part is the longevity. Once it's on, it is on! It ain't going nowhere for no one. You can eat, drink, be merry and look fabulous all at the same time. No longer will I have to choose between the two, food wins hands down everytime. They're incredible. 

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #310 Berry Much

I love this lip pencil. I know I've talked about it so much recently but it's because I love it so much. I won't bore you by listing it's many virtues because at this point I'll be repeating myself. It's amazing. Trust. 

Nails:

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Up the Ante & Dealer's Choice.

Okay I know I have ranted and raved about the fabulousness of the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamels until the cows came home, went to bed and told me to shut up already but in my defence they are my absolute favourite beauty discovery of 2014. The formulation is as close to perfect as a nail enamel can possibly be. I am obsessed with them! And I promise this is the last time I will mention them... for now. 

Sally Hansen Maximum GrowthBase Coat 

At first glance the Sally Hansen Maximum Growth appears to be just another base coat but you can actually see it working and that just blows my mind. It's incredible. As a recovering nail biter with incredibly weakened nails this has made such a difference. My nails are stronger and are growing quicker because of it. It's amazing.

Soigné Botanique in Bleu Vodka

It's just so pretty! The colour is the most beautiful turquoise. But the formula is the real star! It's lovely, longlasting and creamy but easily workable and the brush is easy to use making for smooth and easy application. This is the only Soigné polish I own at the moment but I will definitely be adding more to my collection. 

Barry M Nail Paint in Vintage Violet & Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple.

I'm a huge fan of Barry M's Nail Paint, they make up at least 40% of my 300 strong nail polish collection, but these two were my absolute favourites of last year. I had Sugar Apple on my nails constantly throughout the summer because it's such a lovely colour. Then when Autumn rolled around I switched to Vintage Violet. It's such an unusual, smokey purple but it looks so pretty on the nails. Like all Barry M Nail Paints they have a great formula that is reasonably long lasting, workable and easy to apply. All that for under a fiver... bargain. 

If you stuck with this post until the end then thank you :) I'm aware that it's on the longer and ramblier side of things. I had a lot of make up favourites in 2014. But what I want to know is what were your 2014 faves? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or even by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest. 

That was the tip of the iceberg for my 2014 Beauty Faves, Part 2 will be up over the weekend. Then of course there's always the matter of my 2014 Non Beauty Faves, of which there are many, which will be up soon. 

Until then

Love love love xxx

October Favourites

October Favourites

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

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l-r: Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Up the Ante, Avon Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Morrocan Argan Oil, Model Co More Brows in Light/Medium,  Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner, Rimmel Kate Eyeshadow Stick in 011 Rose Gold, Revlon Photoready Foundation in 004 Nude, Seventeen Phwoarr Paint Heavy Duty Under Eye Concealer in Fair & Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara. 

So after my double dose of Favourites (read it here) last week I thought I would carry on in the same vein and hit you lot with my October Faves. 

Revlon Color Stay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel in Up the Ante

AKA the most beautifully formulated nail enamel to grace my humble nails. I absolutely love it. This was the only polish I wore throughout October and for good reason. It is freaking BEAUTIFUL! The colour is gorgeous, as you can see, but the real star is the formula. It is so easy to apply and yet lasts forever, it's opaque within one coat but is easily workable. In my extensive collection of nail polish (it's nearly 300 now guys!) the formula in the Revlon Gel Envy Nail Enamels is my absolute favourite! I recently purchased the shade Dealer's Choice and it is just as amazing. I love them.  

Avon Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Morrocan Argan Oil

My hair straddles the fine line between pleasantly curly and clinically insane. It is a daily struggle to try and keep my hair looking normal, and honestly it's a losing battle. This is the latest weapon in my frizz taming arsenal and it is fabulous. I've been using a pump of this through the ends of my hair everyday to calm frizz and nourish the dry ends and it's been amazing. I have a love/hate relationship with Argan Oil, whilst it is undeniably good for the hair some of them have left my hair weighed down and greasy looking. Not this bad boy. It's weightless and doesn't leave any kind of greasy residue. It just leaves the hair looking, and feeling, shiny and smooth and so nourished.  The Avon Argan Oil 360 range also includes a shampoo, conditioner and a hair mask that I can't wait to try out, so watch this space.

 Rimmel Kate Eyeshadow Stick in 011 Rose Gold

I am such a fan of the Rimmel Eyeshadow sticks! The formula is lovely, super blendable, long lasting and doesn't crease. So already we're onto a winner but the main reason I love it so much is the application. It is so ridiculously easy to apply, it takes seconds and makes for the easiest smokey eye look ever. On the mornings where I've overslept (which is most of them!) this is in an absolute life saver. Just swipe it on, blend it out, mascara. Done. 

Model Co More Brows in Light/Medium

For a long time I paid little to no attention to my brows, other than to pluck the living daylights out of them every once in a while. Then Cara Delavigne happened and brows became big! It was then I realised how pathetic mine actually were. For a while I was using a brow pencil from MUA to beef up my brows which was okay, not great but definitely not bad (although looking back it was a bit too warm for me). Then I got this in a glossybox and it is nothing short of magical. More Brows is a really light weight brow gel that sets the brows in place without leaving them crispy or gel-y in anyway. The formula is so light it actually doesn't feel like I've got anything on. The colour match is the perfect level of ashiness for me  and the spoolie, whilst adorably tiny,  is really good. It tames my brows whilst distributing the product evenly throughout, making for ridiculously easy application. I just brush it through my brows and I'm good to go. Winner.

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint Heavy Duty Under Eye Concealer in Fair 

When this says heavy duty it means it! Whilst intended specifically for the under eye area I've been using it before foundation to cover up any particularly red/visible blemishes (and there have been a lot!). The formula itself is really creamy and quite thick but once it's warmed up between the finger tips it's really workable. I put this on before my foundation because it gives better coverage that way and it blends into the skin so much easier. The coverage is amazing, it only takes a quick dab-and-blend and BOOM bags/blemishes gone. I've hit pan on it now but I will definitely be repurchasing.

Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner

After using the Etre Belle Liplift Peel my lips were left in terrible condition (read more about it here) even after I got them back to a semi normal condition they were still drier than usual, that coupled with the change in the weather and my lips have been in dire need of some tlc. This is so moisturising and has done my lips the world of good. They are now happily back to normal and it's all thanks to this guy. It also smells lovely, like mint and vanilla, and lasts ages. I've had this tiny tub for well over a year and it's not even close to running out yet. Winner.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara. 

I tested out a lot of new mascaras in October (read more about it here) and of all the ones I tried this was the one I reached for most. It has a plastic applicator that grips even the tiniest of lashes, coating them evenly and leaving some seriously long lashes in it's wake. Personally I think it's a dupe of Benefit's They're Real Mascara as the formula is surprisingly similar. Blacker than black with some serious lasting power with the added Benefit (pun definitely intended!) of costing a fraction of the price. Whilst it's not my favourite mascara ever it is good and I liked it a lot. 

Revlon Photoready Foundation in 004 Nude

This was my go to foundation throughout October. The coverage is fabulous, as I've said my skin has been going through some kind of rebellion and this has been perfect for those days when my skin misbehaves. It gives a really nice satin, almost dewy, finish, which is surprising considering how much coverage it gives. It takes some working into the skin but once it's on IT IS ON! This bad boy ain't going nowhere for no one. When I first tried this foundation, way back in August (read it here) I thought the colour wouldn't work for me during the colder months BUT it does. It's just a really nice foundation. 

So those were my October Favourites.Have you tried any of these products? What did you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below (if you do comment I try to always reply so check back) or by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check me out on instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest.