I have relied heavily on the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle since my blonde-ing of early November. The "Shine" fellow is actually not as good as the Reconstructor, which I will buy consistently when this one runs out. I use it every wash and I truly believe it's to thank for that fact I still have a lot of average-to-pretty-good-condition hair.
For the face skin: a trifecta of amazingness which seems to have, for the most part, sorted out my stroppy, overgrown-adolescent, overly sensitive and incredibly annoying ... personality. Sorry, face. My face. My personality has not improved this year, but at least my skin has!! The Garnier Micellar Water is my #1 cleanser and I don't even want to explore further. This works, and washing my face too much does not. Also this is cheap and easy to find.
A major discovery this year has been that my chin loves benzoyl peroxide like I love Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds circa season 5 (a LOT). I was using the Clean and Clear Persa Gel, which I was enjoying, but for some reason it wasn't seeming to quite do the job for me mid year. So I ordered the ludicrously big bottle from acne.org and I have to say, I prefer it. It's a thinner texture so it doesn't require as much rubbing, and the lower % BP stops things getting so dry. If you're at the end of your tether, this is worth a shot.
I raved midyear about the Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Peel, and we are still very much involved. I dip a cotton bud in this and swipe it all over my face about once a week and wash off after some minutes. I really think it's improved the tone, softness and clogged-factor of my skin. I bought the bottle in February and it's still more than half full, too, so amazing value for money.
One for the weirds out there is the Demeter perfume in Thunderstorm. All I can say is, I like to smell like wet concrete, and this fulfills that desire for me. I absolutely love it.
For lips, I have been either painting them a very bright colour with the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets, or applying lots of vanilla scented gloss. The Bourjois are seriously amazing - lip paints that dry matte but don't flake off or fade really weirdly. They have lots of really good bright and neutral-ish colours, too. Two glosses that I have relied on for attempting to look less like a caveman have been the Clarins and the Catrice Lip Perfectors. The Clarins are a bit better, but the Catrice are a lot cheaper, so take from that what you will.
Eyebrows have been hairified courtesy of the L'oreal Brow Artist Plumper, the best thing I've ever found to fake "naturally" bushy eyebrows. I've also really enjoyed the Maybelline Full'n'Soft Waterproff, which is stupidly only available in America, but gives nice natural-ish, fluffy and curled eyelashes. The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler has had another strong year of being terrifying but making me look about 45% more awake.
Lastly, two things that have been giving me the shiny face that dreams (about shiny faces) are made of. The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl is my only one and only. I use it every day and a lot of it. It's a subtle enough illuminator to convince people you're just naturally very pretty and radiant, and this deception is my M.O. Something I don't mention much but use always is the Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese. The name actually makes me want to be sick, so in my mind I call it "shiny white", which is what it is. This is great for putting in the waterline to perk up tired and grumpy eyes. I also like it in the inner-eye-corner and on my cupids bow moustache area. In a pinch, this can also be dabbed onto cheekbones with fingers as a highlighter.
So, a year of shiny faces, bushy eyebrows, curly eyelashes and exceptionally damaged hair. If you have the same taste in those things as I do, I can recommend these products from the bottom of my heart or whatever. HNY all. XXXX
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