Top 12 Beauty Products for 2012

Without trying to sound cliched, I can't believe another year has been and gone. I caught the beauty bug quite severely this year and I'm not sorry, although my debit card is.  I've tried out a lot of different products and I think it's safe to say this years list looks a lot different to last years.  I've divided my favourite products into three sections, skincare, haircare and make up.  This is a hefty post so I suggest you make a cup of tea and take a break from your New Years Eve beauty prep. 

SKINCARE 

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution - A beauty blogger phenomenon and for good reason, Bioderma really is worth the hype. I use this to take off stubborn eye make up by soaking a cotton pad and resting on my eye for around 30 seconds before wiping clean. It's also good for an easy morning cleanse if you don't have time to faff with a cream cleanser.  

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate - At the beginning of the year, I was sworn on a complete Liz Earle skincare routine and that has since changed.  Embryolisse is a french skincare brand and this moisturiser is one that comes model recommended.  It's a simple formula which leaves the skin hydrated but not greasy and my skin really enjoys it. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - An old favourite that does the job. I use this when my skin is behaving to take off my make up in the evening.  It's creamy and soothing on the skin and the muslin cloth gives a light exfoliation as you rinse of the product - an added bonus.  

Origins Out of Trouble Mask - Whenever I'm having a bad skin day or moment, I turn to this face mask.  Not only does it dramatically reduce skins redness, it helps soak up excess oil and banish breakouts.  

HAIRCARE

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Colour Care & Moisture Shampoo - The next three products have made it into my top 12 because they are amazing products both together and alone.  The shampoo cleans the hair thoroughly whilst leaving hair feeling like it has been conditioned too.  It contains rosemary and juniper, giving it a gorgeous herbal scent which lingers in the hair long after you've washed it.  The range itself doesn't contain sulphates, a chemical that is known to being quite harsh on hair.  

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Colour Care & Moisture Conditioner - I can't get away with just shampooing my hair, thanks to years of bleaching and using heat on my hair, so I always follow up with conditioner.  This leaves my hair silky to the touch and easy to detangle.  Unlike the shampoo, this has mint rather than juniper so can feel quite cool on the hair too.  

L'Oreal Hair Expertise EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask - Once a week, I like to give my hair a treat, in the form of a hair mask.  When you use heat or chemicals such as hair dye on your locks, it's important to put back in the moisture that they have striped out. It has a thick, paste like consistency which you're advised to leave on for 10 minutes, although I find it works better by leaving in for an hour.  Once you wash it out, you're left with smooth, frizz free, moisturised locks.

Ojon Instant Restorative Hair Serum - 2012 has been the year of the hair oils and although I discovered this product at the tail end of the year, I wont ever look back.  I run it through the mid lengths and ends of my hair, which helps reduce drying time and give a gorgeous shine as well as helping to restore the goodness into my locks.  I've seen a dramatic improvement in the condition of my hair since using, as has my hair stylist.  

MAKE UP

Liz Earle Signature Foundation* - This year I found my holy grail foundation thanks to Liz Earle.  While I've found formulations I've loved, the shades have never gone pale enough to fit my Snow White complexion.  This product is the perfect shade and has a medium, natural, long lasting finish.  If you're not a fan of the dewy look, a dusting of powder works a treat to set the foundation and make it more matte looking.  

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - Another one of those beauty blogger phenomenons but possibly one of the best concealers I've ever used. I've recently repurchased my fourth tube of this product and choose it over any high end concealer.  It's got great coverage as well as great staying powder, concealing blemishes perfectly.  I go through phases of using this under the eye, sometimes I find it to be too cakey but for blemishes it does the trick (and it's only £4.19).  

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - I think this product could be my overall favourite for 2012, it's that good. I never got on with the infamous Urban Decay Primer Potion, it made my eyeshadow slide off rather than stay on. The NARS primer however keeps shadow in place for hours without smudging (hence the title) or sliding.  If there's one product I recommend you try, it's this one.  

Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine Hydrating Gloss Stick in Hibiscus - My favourite lip product came down to two contenders but ultimately, Jemma Kidd won.  The Hi-Shine Hydrating Gloss Stick forumla is beautiful, smooth, silky, pigmented and easy to apply - not to mention it also smells amazing.  Hibiscus is a coral shade which can be built up depending on preference and is easy to maintain throughout the day.  

What products have made it into your 2012 favourites? 

Product reviews: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentrate; Origins Out of Trouble Mask; L'Oreal EverPure Colour Care & Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner; L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask; Ojon Instant Restorative Hair Serum; Liz Earle Signature Foundation; Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer; NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base; Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine Hydrating Gloss Stick in Hibiscus

Ojon Instant Restorative Hair Serum

After being left extremely disappointed with Avon's Moroccan Oil offering, I turned to my hair stylist for advice whilst I was getting my roots done.  I wanted something light that would help dry my hair just as quick as Moroccan Oil and would also leave it as soft and shiny.  I was recommended Ojon's Instant Restorative Hair Serum from their Damage Reverse collection.  Ojon is a brand I've heard a lot about but hadn't tried because it wasn't that easy for me to get hold of. They now stock the brand in larger Boots stores, including my favourite so I made a special trip to pick some up.  

Ojon is part of the Estée Lauder brand and uses the oil in ojon nuts in their products, rather than the infamous Argan Oil.  Ojon claim that their must have ingredient, Rouge Oleifera, helps to strengthen weak hair as well as soften the hair too. I've road tested it for about a month now and I'm pleased with the results so far.  The product directions advises you to use two drops per application and warm between the hands before running through your hair.  I use between 3-4 drops as my hairs quite thick.  It smooths through my hair, sucking up the moisture allowing it to dry much quicker than if I hadn't used it.  When my locks are dry they feel silky soft and have the shine to match.  It's also a great frizz tamer on dry hair.  

The packaging is nice and simple, although I would have liked their to have been a space in the label to see how much product I had used.  It comes with a dropper applicator, which is different from what I was used to, but it means I don't use an unnecessary amount as it's controllable.  I have hardly touched the product, although I've used it every single time I've washed my hair. It has a musky smell to it with a hint of Terry's Chocolate Orange.  At £22 for a 50ml bottle, it's the most expensive oil/serum I've used, but if you've got the extra pennies to splurge (or perhaps throw it on your Christmas wish list) it's definitely worth it and you'll get your monies worth too. 

Have you tried any Ojon products?

Sunday Update #5

It's been a long time since I last wrote a Sunday Update, mainly because I've either been working overtime, had other plans or just not really had much to update you all on.  I'm a bit of a girl band (Cheryl) fan and Girls Aloud have recently announced their comeback tour.  I woke up early to ensure I got good tickets, because I don't know about you but I don't see the point of going to a concert and watching the band on the screens.  Ticket buying is extremely stressful.  I had brilliant tickets and I went to continue and Ticketmaster froze which meant I lost them and when I logged back on, the tickets had sold out.  After giving up all hope, Girls Aloud announced a third date at the O2 and I managed to get some.  My Mum and Dad kindly offered to buy my ticket as part of my Christmas present, which has become a theme over the past few years.  Needless to say I'm really excited about it!

I've been trying to keep motivated and using the time I have off university as productively as possible (Made In Chelsea is a huge distraction).  I've been working on my dissertation as well as an investigative article which I'll get onto in a second.  Pamper sessions are always needed after a day of hard graft and right now I'm trying out some Ojon products which I really like. Just a heads up, Ojon are now in Boots and when you buy anything from the range you get a free 50ml Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment (worth £16 may I add).  

I've been trying to get my nails long and strong for a while now, but it's just not happening.  I purchases OPI's infamous Nail Envy and so far so good. I've only been using it a little over a week, so there's no real results just yet.  With all the university work I have on right now, I like to have some time doing things I enjoy.  I love my Kindle and i'm currently reading Cheryl's autobiography, which is surprisingly good. 

I made a mistake this week, I had two tutorials on Wednesday but I didn't really look at the times for each when I signed up.  I ended up having a three hour gap. I ended up writing up some blog posts and doing some research on my iPad whilst enjoying a Christmas Starbucks.  For my investigative article, I'm writing about Internet trolling and I was lucky enough to interview one of the Olympic Athletes that had to battle the trolls this summer.  Zoe was great to talk to and I can't wait for you to read what she has to say on the subject later this month.  

Yesterday we celebrated one of my best friends 21st birthdays with a spa day followed by dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  It was a lovely, relaxing day away from university and work.

  

What have you been up to?