When I was a young whipper-snapper, skincare used to be the boring bit of beauty that I just bought into because I thought I should. My passion was always in makeup and hair products, preferring to spend my hard earned cash on a fancy lipgloss or new pair of straighteners than a face cream that may reduce fine lines in approximately twenty years. However, as I've aged (and believe me I've started to notice it!) that's totally changed; skincare is now my passion. I can't apply my makeup without applying an eye cream, serum and moisturiser underneath; I can't go to bed without removing my makeup thoroughly and massaging in some skin conditioner followed by night cream. I love discovering new products, textures and finishes that help my skin to look really rather awesome for its age. (My claim to fame is that at 32 I still get asked for ID in my local.) Over the last twelve months I've tried hundreds of skincare products, but this collection contains my ultimate favourites that I've been reaching for day after day.
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1. Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail (£24.00)
Neither a cleanser, nor a moisturiser, this is an 'in-between step' that helps to increase the condition of skin, as well as the performance of other products placed on top. Time Bomb's powerful potion counteracts the effects of serious dehydration by reloading critical moisture and essential fatty acids into the skin. It restores a smooth, supple texture to complexions that look dull and dry. Applied to a cotton pad and wiped over skin after cleansing, this is a fab product to help your skin look and feel fantastic. Once you get the hang of it, it'll become that essential step you never knew you needed.
2. Time Bomb Black Ops Dark Circle Rescue (£36.00)
There's a reason why I called this 'a good nights sleep in a tube' within a previous post. This eye cream is lightweight and quickly absorbed, leaving under-eye circles feeling tighter and instantly brighter; it also helps to reflect the light and provide the appearance of brighter eyes while simultaneously neutralising dark areas. This tube of wonder makes a real difference to my eyes in the morning, helping my concealer to sit well over the surface and create the illusion of a great night's sleep.
3. Clinique Smart Custom Serum (£48.00)
Not only does this work with your skin to provide the targeted care and hydration it needs, but it helps to even skintone and leave your complexion looking radiant. The texture is lightweight and velvety smooth, absorbing into skin within micro-seconds to leave it feeling comfortable and hydrated. It works perfectly under a light moisturiser and makeup too, which is often the problem with thick and multi-functional serums. This is a great one-stop-shop in serum form, fab for those of us that want one product to do everything we need without the fuss.
4. Skin Drench Oil-Free Day Gel (£12.50)
Created in Switzerland, the Skin Drench collection combines active ingredients, innovative formulae and skin nourishing vitamins for a super hydrating ingredients. I love the oil-free Day Gel as a moisturiser alternative, which contains algae extracts to help protect and hydrate skin in seconds. If you're in a rush and don't have time to let your moisturiser settle, this is a fab product to inject moisture without the stickiness that prevents makeup from lasting.
5. Antonia Burrell Forest Dew Skin Conditioner (From £25.50)
I named Antionia as my 'wonder woman of skin' in a previous post, and there's no doubt her skincare line is a brand to watch in 2015. The alcohol and oil-free tonic is made with 100% pure plant extracts to help improve skin texture, regulate and rebalance the skin's pH, relieve redness, reduce inflammation, balance sebum production and reduce enlarged pores. It's basically a one-stop shop for fabulous skin. The formula is also infused with cucumber extract (rich in Vitamin C and an antioxidant,) as well as calming lavender flower to soothe the complexion. It's super lightweight and non-greasy, soaking into skin within a few massaging minutes to leave a visible difference - just use it prior to your usual skincare routine in the morning or before bed.
6. Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover ($10.50)
I'm still incredibly bitter that Sephora products aren't available in the UK. I love this little bottle of eye makeup remover so much that I buy them by the truckload every time I visit either Paris or New York. The non-greasy formula helps to remove even the most stubborn of makeup without stinging eyes or causing redness; it's great for removing the last traces of a heavy smokey eye when a cleansing balm alone isn't enough.
7. Pixi Skin Glow Tonic (£18.00)
One of the most hyped-up skincare products within the bloggersphere, there's a reason why this is so hard to get hold of: it's awesome. I discussed how it's made a real difference to the texture of my skin earlier in 2014, and can happily report it's still helping my skin to glow. Since integrating this into my routine six months ago I've had one singular spot; the texture of my skin is smoother and my foundation definitely looks much better. You simply apply it to a cototn pad and wipe over face post-cleansing and pre-makeup. One of these huge bottles will last you all year long, so it's well worth tracking this wonder product down and making it a new year's resolution to use it daily.
8. Sin Care Sleep Doctor Booster Serum (£22.50)
Exclusively available at Blow Ltd, this serum helps boost radiance, instantly moisturises, reduces puffiness and aids in diminishing signs of fatigue. If you suffer from lack of sleep or frequent tiredness and are sick of it appearing all over your face, then a touch of this could really help restore your inner radiance. I love the creamy texture, bridging the gap between serum and moisturiser, and how it effortlessly absorbs into my skin to leave it feeling comforted. I don't use this daily, but on mornings when I need a boost it's a definite helping hand.
9. Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief (£50.00)
A face product made of mushrooms, I hear you ask? This potent serum is fortified with omega-rich Sea Buckthorn, skin-repairing Reishi, irritant-soothing Chaga and Cordyceps mushrooms that have long been used in Chinese medicine to heal, promote longevity and improve health. The lightweight texture ensures it's the perfect product to apply under makeup, helping even stressed and irritated skin to become soothed and radiant. My skin totally drinks this up - and no, it doesn't smell of mushrooms.
Do you have any favourite skincare products of the last twelve months?![]()
1. Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail (£24.00)
Neither a cleanser, nor a moisturiser, this is an 'in-between step' that helps to increase the condition of skin, as well as the performance of other products placed on top. Time Bomb's powerful potion counteracts the effects of serious dehydration by reloading critical moisture and essential fatty acids into the skin. It restores a smooth, supple texture to complexions that look dull and dry. Applied to a cotton pad and wiped over skin after cleansing, this is a fab product to help your skin look and feel fantastic. Once you get the hang of it, it'll become that essential step you never knew you needed.
2. Time Bomb Black Ops Dark Circle Rescue (£36.00)
There's a reason why I called this 'a good nights sleep in a tube' within a previous post. This eye cream is lightweight and quickly absorbed, leaving under-eye circles feeling tighter and instantly brighter; it also helps to reflect the light and provide the appearance of brighter eyes while simultaneously neutralising dark areas. This tube of wonder makes a real difference to my eyes in the morning, helping my concealer to sit well over the surface and create the illusion of a great night's sleep.
3. Clinique Smart Custom Serum (£48.00)
Not only does this work with your skin to provide the targeted care and hydration it needs, but it helps to even skintone and leave your complexion looking radiant. The texture is lightweight and velvety smooth, absorbing into skin within micro-seconds to leave it feeling comfortable and hydrated. It works perfectly under a light moisturiser and makeup too, which is often the problem with thick and multi-functional serums. This is a great one-stop-shop in serum form, fab for those of us that want one product to do everything we need without the fuss.
4. Skin Drench Oil-Free Day Gel (£12.50)
Created in Switzerland, the Skin Drench collection combines active ingredients, innovative formulae and skin nourishing vitamins for a super hydrating ingredients. I love the oil-free Day Gel as a moisturiser alternative, which contains algae extracts to help protect and hydrate skin in seconds. If you're in a rush and don't have time to let your moisturiser settle, this is a fab product to inject moisture without the stickiness that prevents makeup from lasting.
5. Antonia Burrell Forest Dew Skin Conditioner (From £25.50)
I named Antionia as my 'wonder woman of skin' in a previous post, and there's no doubt her skincare line is a brand to watch in 2015. The alcohol and oil-free tonic is made with 100% pure plant extracts to help improve skin texture, regulate and rebalance the skin's pH, relieve redness, reduce inflammation, balance sebum production and reduce enlarged pores. It's basically a one-stop shop for fabulous skin. The formula is also infused with cucumber extract (rich in Vitamin C and an antioxidant,) as well as calming lavender flower to soothe the complexion. It's super lightweight and non-greasy, soaking into skin within a few massaging minutes to leave a visible difference - just use it prior to your usual skincare routine in the morning or before bed.
6. Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover ($10.50)
I'm still incredibly bitter that Sephora products aren't available in the UK. I love this little bottle of eye makeup remover so much that I buy them by the truckload every time I visit either Paris or New York. The non-greasy formula helps to remove even the most stubborn of makeup without stinging eyes or causing redness; it's great for removing the last traces of a heavy smokey eye when a cleansing balm alone isn't enough.
7. Pixi Skin Glow Tonic (£18.00)
One of the most hyped-up skincare products within the bloggersphere, there's a reason why this is so hard to get hold of: it's awesome. I discussed how it's made a real difference to the texture of my skin earlier in 2014, and can happily report it's still helping my skin to glow. Since integrating this into my routine six months ago I've had one singular spot; the texture of my skin is smoother and my foundation definitely looks much better. You simply apply it to a cototn pad and wipe over face post-cleansing and pre-makeup. One of these huge bottles will last you all year long, so it's well worth tracking this wonder product down and making it a new year's resolution to use it daily.
8. Sin Care Sleep Doctor Booster Serum (£22.50)
Exclusively available at Blow Ltd, this serum helps boost radiance, instantly moisturises, reduces puffiness and aids in diminishing signs of fatigue. If you suffer from lack of sleep or frequent tiredness and are sick of it appearing all over your face, then a touch of this could really help restore your inner radiance. I love the creamy texture, bridging the gap between serum and moisturiser, and how it effortlessly absorbs into my skin to leave it feeling comforted. I don't use this daily, but on mornings when I need a boost it's a definite helping hand.
9. Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief (£50.00)
A face product made of mushrooms, I hear you ask? This potent serum is fortified with omega-rich Sea Buckthorn, skin-repairing Reishi, irritant-soothing Chaga and Cordyceps mushrooms that have long been used in Chinese medicine to heal, promote longevity and improve health. The lightweight texture ensures it's the perfect product to apply under makeup, helping even stressed and irritated skin to become soothed and radiant. My skin totally drinks this up - and no, it doesn't smell of mushrooms.
Do you have any favourite skincare products of the last twelve months?