My favourite products of two thousand and twelve

2012 was a strange year. A lot of things changed and unfortunately this took strain on my blog, therefore I don't have many blog reviews to fall back on. I have still managed to keep my beauty hat on this year, so this is my chance to share with you some of the products I have rated but might not have had a chance to blog about. So here goes...

One of my all time favourite products this year is The Sanctuary Spa Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser. I heard fave reviews about the Liz Earle version so wanted to try this version as an alternative. I love how clean my skin feels after using it and it smells amazing too. I'm really lazy with my skin care routine - often just a make-up wipe will do - but this gives me the chance to give my skin a deep cleanse, something it doesn't get very often!

As for mascara's, in 2012 I used some fab products and some shockers, but there's one I always run back to as a safe choice - L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara. It's a fail s. afe mascara that gives full, volumous lashes in minimal strokes, and it lasts from morning till night. I have recently been testing the luminizer version. A blog post is expected soon.

After ombre-ing my hair two months ago, it has really suffered and become damaged, so Lee Stafford's Nourishing Miracle Oil became my savour. Just adding a small, 1p sized blob to the ends of my hair before blow-drying helped smooth it out and keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Despite its launch in 2011, the MUA Heaven and Earth Eyeshadow Palette was one of my favourite products last year and still remains one of my ultimate party make-up essentials. I won't go out without using one of the 12 eyeshadows.

Another L'Oreal product and that's the Nude Magique BB Cream. I bought this BB Cream back in the summer as a lighter alternative to my foundation and in fact I love it that much, I have bought it twice over. Whether you want subtle coverage or to use as a base, the L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream is perfect. It's incredibly light, gives great coverage and lasts much longer than other BB creams I have tested. I'm praying L'Oreal don't discontinue this one.

Last, but certainly not least is the Neutrogena Multi-Defence Daily Moisturiser for Normal to Combination Skin. I have tested many moisturisers throughout the years. I've had my favourites and one's where I didn't even get round to finishing the bottle, but non that I've liked as much as this one. I was first introduced to this product a couple of years ago after picking up a sample. I loved it that much that I went out and bought a bottle and I've carried on buying it ever since. I find some moisturisers too heavy on the skin, which is fine for night but there's nothing I hate more than applying a tacky, thick moisturiser to my skin in the morning when I'm strapped for time. The Neutrogena Multi-Defence Daily Moisturiser is completely different. It's extremely light and sinks in within a matter of seconds. What I love about it the most is it protects against different daily elements from, sun, heat, cold, pollution and wind. Plus it comes with SPF15 too!

This year I plan on blogging more and coming up with a completely new list of products ready for the beginning of 2014. I can't wait to see what new launches the beauty brands bring.

Lastly, I want to thank every one of you for reading my blog and commenting. Getting that email to tell me one of you has commented brings a huge smile to my face and its why I blog. I love beauty, as do you and I love sharing that with you all. So thank you again.

Lee Stafford Argan Oil: Nourishing Miracle Oil

Since leaving my last job a lot of beauty product have found themselves hidden amongst the depths of the drawers in my spare room. In fact I like to call this room the 'beauty room' because it is pretty much dedicated to samples I have amassed over the last couple of years. As a beauty writer and blogger, I should have known better than to leave beauty products untouched, because they don't last forever, but I just can't bring myself to throw them away.

Since starting my new job, the only beauty fix I get is from the odd browse in my local drug store and applying my make up in the morning, so recently I have found myself rummaging through these products, picking out the ones I want to share with you. Most of the products you have probably used yourselves, or read a dozen reviews on, but I'm still going to share with you my opinion. No matter how new a product is, it's the ones that have been sat on the shelves for ages that are the old favourites.

Which brings me on to my latest blog post. Back when Argan Oil was all the rage, I didn't quite understand the hype. Recently I dug out this little treasure and decided to apply it to the ends of my wet hair one night before drying. My instant thought - why the hell haven't I started using this sooner? 

Lee Stafford promised to nourish my hair and make my hair look in tip-top condition and feel amazing. So I applied roughly a 2p sized amount to the end of my hair, because this is the area that suffers the most damage. I'm prone to split ends - my hair is quite long, I wash, blow-dry and straighten everyday and have my hair bleached regularly, so it's no wonder it's in such dreadful condition. After rubbing into the ends, I blow-dried my hair as normal. I was completely shocked at how smooth, silky and soft my hair felt afterwards and how quick it took for my hair to dry - it was given a new lease of life! Lee was right, my hair did feel amazing. 

If you're thinking of trying this product, don't be put off by the fact that it is an oil. This nourishing oil is so lightweight, you won't even feel it and neither will it make you're hair greasy.

Available from Boots for £11.99

January favourites...

Courtesy of weheartit
Considering it's a week into February already, this is already a week overdue, so I'll move as quickly as possible. I have just two products this month, as I've kind of been a little boring and haven't stepped away from my favourites. I promise more next month though.

Benefit Georgia Just Peachy Face Powder
I received this cute little box for Christmas and fell in love instantly. It smells amazing and adds a subtle fresh colour to your face. I originally thought it might look great as a blusher, but the colour isn't quite strong enough.


Lee Stafford Poker Straight Dehumidifier
I have used this product for years and I won't leave the house without a little spritz over my hair. It stops it from turning into a static mess when it's slightly damp or too hot outside. It's perfect for summer holidays too.