Best Beauty Discoveries 2016

 

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I’d kick off the new year with my favourite beauty discoveries from last year! I’ve split it into skincare, makeup, bodycare and hair and though I probably could have done a separate blog post for each I’ve really tried to whittle these down to my absolute favourite newbies to my collection in the last year!

Skincare

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1%

A blue liquid that maintains healthy looking skin targeting all signs of skin ageing including textural damage, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores and a lack of radiance, this has quickly shot to the top of my favourite skincare list and I mentioned it here too! I finished a 15ml bottle a few months ago and kept my eye out for a replacement in the Black Friday sales but I couldn’t get a discount code to work! I then saw the NIOD bundle Deciem had on their website so for £60 I got this and 3 other full sized products – I only realised after I opened it that I had to the 30ml bottle which is priced at £60 individually so I was chuffed! This product does exactly what it says and more for me, my skin just looks and feels better when I use it and I don’t want to be without it again – I would love to try the 5% version too! It works very quickly on my areas of concern and evens out my skin tone and though it doesn’t say it does anything specifically for acne – I’ve had a cluster of spots on my jawline that wouldn’t go away and they reduced considerably after using this for a few nights! Magic! 

I’m going to talk about the next two products together because I mix them - The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% +HA works to reduce the look of spots and hyper pigmentation and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a high strength vitamin and mineral blemish formula that reduces the appearance of blemishes and congestion as well as balancing sebum. As well as being super effective on my scarred, acne prone skin, The Ordinary caused a storm when it was released earlier this year due to the super affordable prices! Buying these two together will set you back a massive £12! As a side note, both NIOD and the Ordinary are brands under Deciem and though I have a soft spot for CAIS, the Ordinaries offerings are amazing whether you are on a budget or not!

Origins Original Skin Retexturising mask with Rose Clay

This is a 2 in 1 mask and exfoliator and I absolutely love it! It gives a real deep clean and my skin looks so much more refined and even toned when I rinse it off. I mentioned it here as well! 

Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

This had been on my wishlist for the longest time but seemed to be out of stock forever! I finally got my hands on it though and I’m so glad I did! I like using this as a morning cleanser and it really refreshes my skin getting rid of dull skin cells and oil ready for makeup application!

Makeup

Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye contour palette

You all know I am a matte eyeshadow lover and this Kat Von D palette has been a major standout to me this year! There isn’t a shade in here I wouldn’t use (yes, even the warm toned quad!) and these are the most pigmented shadows I have in my collection!

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte liquid lipstick in Serenity

This has got to be my favourite liquid lipstick formula! I don’t have many to compare it to but when a seasoned lipbalm addict like myself can put this on at 7pm and last through dinner and drinks all night without feeling the need to top up with anything then I know it’s good! That was when I was on holiday last month and I haven’t tried it since then in colder weather but really that was enough for me to know its good!

Gerard Cosmetics lipstick in Rodeo Drive

It was love at first swipe with this lipstick! It really is the most beautifully pigmented formula I have tried! It glides on so easily and feels so moisturising, I love it! I bought another shade in Vintage Rose but it’s nowhere near as easy to apply so I’m not sure why the difference in formula but Rodeo Drive is beautiful!

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillowtalk

I still can’t believe I only discovered this earlier this year! It quickly became a firm favourite and I bought another shade but Pillowtalk is my favourite! It’s the most beautiful muted mauve pink that goes with anything and the formula is so creamy and pigmented, it’s amazing! Worth the £16!

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect

Another CT standout for me and though I don’t love this lip colour on its own, along with Pillowtalk it’s a dream team! Super long lasting and comfortable to wear! Both featured here!

Smashbox Light It Up LA Lights Blush Mega Palette

I’m sorry to include a limited edition sold out palette in this round up but I couldn’t not! I have barely put this down since I got in in November! It has an amazing mix of matte blush shades plus a bronzer that I thought would be too warm (but somehow, it’s not) as well as a range of highlighters to the right-hand side! Full review here!

Bodycare

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold self-tanning dry oil

Another product I was so happy to find this year! I usually go for tanning lotions but decided to give this spray a try and man am I glad I did! Now, a negative to begin with – this is messier than lotions and I always lay a towel down when I’m tanning with this but the resuts are completely worth it! It gives the most beautiful streak free tan in the loveliest medium to dark shade that wears off so evenly! It has a lovely light coconut scent and dries in so quickly too! Love it! Also mentioned in this post!

Haircare

OUAI Repair Shampoo* and OUAI Repair Conditioner*

You are all probably sick of me talking about these two by now but I had to mention them again! For super soft, swishy hair that smells AMAZING, you need these guys in your life! They are the most expensive shampoo and conditioner I’ve used and I have repurchased because I can’t be without them! Have a sniff if you spot them in Space NK, you wont be disappointed! Full review here!

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own.

So, there we have my best beauty discoveries of 2016! See any of your favourites here? Tell me yours!

Danielle xx

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