Every year brings a mountain of shiny new beauty products, some brilliant, some useless. Here are the ones I was particularly impressed with - most of these babies have set up a near-permanent home in my beauty/skincare stash. Until I find something even better, that is…
- Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (€85)
Her makeup line launched to great fanfare earlier this year. There are some very good products in the line, but Tilbury's cult Magic Cream is a standout for me. She uses it backstage at shows to give skin a boost (models and makeup artists christened it ’magic cream’). It's not really an every day moisturiser, just as well at that price, but when your skin is dehydrated or when you want it to look its best before night out, it's fan-tas-tic.
- Max Factor Masterpiece Transform Mascara (€12.99)
Mascara is one thing that lots of cheaper brands do as well, if not better, than the pricier ones. Max Factor mascaras are always a bit of a beauty staple for me and this one, which landed in October, is a new favourite. The brush has little reservoirs which hold the product, allowing the brush to get it evenly on lashes. It's never clumpy and I've used it for day and night time.
- Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum (€33)
Advertised
When Boots launched the revamped version of their famous serum this year (the 2007 original caused a stampede when BBC's Horizon programme proved it actually did have an effect on lines), I interviewed one of the scientists behind the product. He was so convincing I gave it a go. I used it for months and am pretty sure it is having an effect on the expression lines (i.e. wrinkles) on my forehead. It will be one of my skincare essentials from now on I think.
- NARS Audacious Lipstick (€30)
For a serious whack of grown up lipstick and dramatic pigment, at a price that's cheaper than other premium brands, head to NARS. The Audacious line is a gorgeous collection of swipe-and-go lipsticks. I was colour matched to Janet, a deep magenta, which looks great with my pale skin. (I’d suggested using a little lip balm before applying though, as it can be a little big drying.)
- A New Old Favourite
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My 5th fave of the year is a bit of a cheat as it's not a new launch but was a new discovery for me – thanks to you guys! Clinique's Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm (€29) was suggested, repeatedly, in comments on a post on cleansers I wrote. I've since tried it and it's only brilliant. It’s fast becoming the only cleanser I use, so thanks for the suggestion!
It's a small thing but a great feeling when you discover a new personal hero product. What have you discovered this year that you now couldn't live without? What did you see on these very pages that is now a permanent fixture in your beauty regime? To the comments we'll go!
