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

November Favourites 2014

November Favourites 2014

Sunday, 7 December 2014

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 Top Row L - R: Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask for Congested & Lifeless Skin, KMS California Tame Frizz Taming Crème, Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute & Rimmel Glam Eyes HD eyeshadow palette in Brixton Brown. Bottom Row L – R:  Benefit They’re Real Push Up Liner, Maybelline Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencil in Berry Much, Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Dealer's Choice, Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Base Coat & The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Butter

Last month I was trying out a lot of new products so I don’t have loads of favourites for November. Having said that those I do have are corkers. Let's do this! 

Benefit They’re Real Push Up Liner 

I was a big fan of this when it first came out (read more about that here) and then forgot all about it. But recently I've had the urge to wing my eyeliner and of course this is what I've been reaching for. The formula is blacker than black, ridiculously long lasting and doesn't crease, so we're already onto a winner! But what makes it particularly amazing is the applicator. Now I'm no slouch when it comes to winging my eyeliner but this is amazing. All you have to do is stamp the nib at the corner of the eye and... VOILA perfectly winged eyeliner everytime. It's amazing.

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Butter

I love The Body Shop Body Butters anyway but last month I was particularly loving the Vanilla Bliss Body Butter. As the weather has gotten steadily worse my skin has been in dire need of some TLC and the Vanilla Bliss Body Butter was just what the Doctor ordered. It has an amazing thick, creamy texture that feels lovely on the skin and is so moisturising. It leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished. Not only does it do incredible things for the skin but it smells so good, I want to eat it. I won't though. 

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Base Coat

This is the most incredible thing I've ever used on my nails ever. Ever! Essentially it's a base coat that hardens the nails so they don't break as easily. As a recovering nail biter I have the weakest nails. So even though I don't bite them anymore they are so weak that they just break all the time and I can't get them to grow. But this... this is amazing, the thing I was most impressed with is the fact that you can actually see it working. 

Week 1 

Week 2 

Week 3

You can see that there is a noticeable difference week to week. Also, somewhat pathetically, this is the longest my nails have been in my entire life! Sadly my nails don't look like this anymore because I had a particularly nasty assignment for uni and I picked them all off. BUT I've been using it as a base coat since and they're quickly growing back. I only have one slightly negative thing to say about this and that is that you need to wait about 15 minutes for this bad boy to dry before painting your nails or they dry with a really weird, bumpy texture. 

Rimmel Glam Eyes HD eyeshadow pallett in Brixton Brown 

This nifty little pallette graced my lids pretty much for the entirety of November. Why? you may ask, well it's bloomin' marvellous that's why. The Brixton Brown Pallette is made up of 4 incredibly pretty and easy to wear neutral shades and 1 stunning brown red shade that try as I might I just cannot pull off. But together they create a really wearable smokey eye like it ain't no thing! The shadows themselves are quite finely milled and so buttery and soft in texture. They're also really long lasting and don't crease at all. Winner. Apparently this is a very good dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita Eyeshadow Quad and as far as I can tell - not actually owning the Charlotte Tilbury quad - the only differences are 1. the price and 2. the Rimmel pallet has an extra shadow but not the copper glitter shade. Overall I think it's lovely and I will be getting a lot of wear out of it. 

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Dealer's Choice 

I have raved about the magic that is the formulation of the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamels and that is simply because they are the closest thing to perfect a nail polish formula can get so I won't bore you with the details (read more about it here and here). The colour is lovely and much like it's sister polish Up the Ante  is super versatile being both summer and winter appropriate. I love it.

Maybelline Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencil in Berry Much

Rumour has it that the Maybelline Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencils are a dupe for the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. Now being a particularly broke student I don't know if that's true but I can definitely tell you that I am OBSESSED with this beautiful, beautiful lip pencil. It is incredible! Now I'm not a major fan of Maybelline under normal circumstances but this might be (whisper it) my favourite lipstick ever. Unlike a lot of other lip pencils this is not at all drying on the lips, in fact I kept forgetting it was there because it is so comfortable to wear. Add to that a beautiful, autumnal berry shade, a ridiculously long lasting formula and a student friendly price tag and you have got a winner on your hands. 

Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask for Congested & Lifeless Skin.  

Now it’s no secret that my skin has been going through something of a teenage rebellion recently. Which is incredibly annoying considering I'm actually 23 and (sadly) no longer a teenager! There have been blackheads, there have been mass breakouts and it's just been horrible. Even now my skin's not great but I honestly dread to think what it would be like without this mask. I've been using it twice a week for the past month and the difference it makes is just amazing. My skin is looking so much better, again not great, but there is definitely a noticeable improvement. 

Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute 

I've been using this after the Quick Fix mask and it is wonderful. I normally use masks when my skin is misbehaving and hormonal rather than for dryness and this is unlike any mask I've ever used. It feels incredible on the skin, the texture is that of a really beautiful moisturiser, it's really silky on the skin and is just lovely. It is so nourishing and takes care of any dry patches like it ain't no thing. Gorgeous.

KMS California Tame Frizz Taming Creme

If you're a regular reader you will know all about the struggles I have with my hair. If you're new to my small corner of the internet then all you need to know is that my hair is... well it's insane (read more about that here). No matter what I do it just has the tendency to frizz out Ronald McDonald style, which is not a good look for anyone, BUT particularly bad if you're incredibly pale and love a bold lip... like me. 

Spot the difference

I apologise for the giant picture of my face! Anyway a lot of hair products made specifically for frizzy/curly hair either really weigh down my hair or leave my curls crispy and/or greasy looking. This does none of those things. It has a really light, creamy formula (that smells of vanilla!) that calms frizz and makes my hair more manageable. I just run a pea sized amount through wet hair or when it's being difficult and BANG the frizz is gone! Or greatly reduced anyway. 

So those were my November Favourites. Have you tried any of them? What did you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or even by dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. I'll be back on Tuesday with Lola Rocks #2 The Chrismas Edition. Until then have yourselves a wonderful week and if you feel like checking me out on instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest feel free ;)

Love love love xxx