Can we just take a minute to acknowledge that it’s actually a new year and not 2018 anymore? Where the heck did that year go? I mean, I’m definitely happy for a new year and a new start but the past 4 months or so just FLEW.
Before I jump in with two feet to 2019, I want to recap over my favourite moments, products and things from last year.
One of the highlights of my year was going outdoors more and spending less time cooped up in my room with a laptop. Jess (An Ounce of Grace) and I made it a regular thing to go out on a Sunday morning and walk round the countryside.
We explored a few of the National Trust gems and some more local parks/walks which I found really refreshing and relaxing.
In terms of beauty products, I’ve managed to narrow it down to just a few things I’ve really loved this past year and things that have genuinely worked a treat.
My favourite lippies just have to be the Barry M Matte Me Up Liquid Lipsticks. I have quite a few shades now but these two are so easy to wear because they’re dark nudes and go with almost any make up look. The pictured shades are Go To and Bespoke. I find these so long lasting, not dry at all and so, so pigmented.
If you’re like me and have stupidly oily skin (gross, I know), you’ll know how difficult it is to find a foundation to last ALL day. Although it’s not full coverage, the Maybelline Fit Me! Foundation is one I’ve found to not get oily at all. It stays matte, non-cakey and looks like skin. I loved using this in Spring/Summer for a light to medium base and then through Autumn, I went a bit heavier on the concealer to build the coverage.
The Eyelure Fleur De Force Brow Palette is hands down, my favourite brow product I’ve ever used. I picked it up on a whim from TK Maxx pretty early in the year to try and instantly fell in love. The one pictured is a new one I have stocked for when I run out which will probably be pretty soon; to say I have hit pan on my current one is an understatement. I find the powder to last all day, all night and it’s the perfect colour to match my hair.
I’ve had the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in my collection for around a year and half after picking up a duo pack in Duty Free in 2017 but I only discovered how much of an essential it had become in 2018. When I’m having super oily skin days, I need something to hold my foundation in place all day and after trial and a lot of errors, I’ve found this is the only thing to work. My favourite combo is this primer with the Maybelline Superstay Foundation for a full coverage base that lasts all damn day.
Last up on the beauty front in the Revolution Soph Palette. I’ve watched Sophdoesnails for around a year or so now and I decided to pick up her palette after she used it so much. I was not disappointed and it easily became my favourite palette. Just because of it’s sheer versatility, I’ve been creating a whole load of different looks from everyday browns to sparkly, smokey eyes.
Another of my favourites from 2018 is the amount of wonderous films that were released. Avengers Infinity War, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star is Born, Mission Impossible Fallout and Venom were just some of my favourites but I know 2019 is going to be even better for films!
These two have been my absolute essentials! My FLOW Water Bottle is something I picked up in TK Maxx early in 2018 and has been something I use every single day. It keeps cool water cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. I’ve not actually used it for anything hot as of yet but I like my water cold and this keeps it frosty for as long as I need it to.
My Phillips Extra Bass Wireless Headphones were something I got for Christmas in 2017 and I’ve not put them down. Being wireless, I used them at the gym, on the commute to work, when editing on my laptop and watching films on flights/trains. They’ve come in so so handy and if you don’t have a pair, I would definitely recommend getting yourself some. This set has a pretty decent battery life and it means no tangles of wires in your bag.
My skin is always something I’ve been conscious about but within the past year or so, I’ve seen quite a difference in the amount of breakouts I’ve had. There have two products I used consistently through 2018 that I feel really made a difference.
The Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser was my absolute holy grail but from about October onwards, I could not find it anywhere anymore. Turns out, Simple have rebranded the Oil Balancing range to Daily Detox which I am yet to try. Luckily, I have a teeny bit left of this tube so hopefully the new line will be just the same. It controls shine, feels light on the skin and leaves my face feeling silky smooth.
I also looooved The Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Wash. I used this every morning with warm water and it left my face feeling refreshed and ready for moisturiser and make up. I found some of the other products in the Tea Tree range quite harsh on my skin but this was just a nice balance whilst treating my blemishes too.
My favourite scent of the year has to be my Kat Von D Saint perfume which is just so bloody gorgeous. I mean, look at that bottle design? It’s not only pretty but it’s flippin’ extortionate. Luckily, I had it as a Christmas present in 2017 but it is just my perfect scent. It’s a subtle, sweet scent but it lingers around all day and whenever I get a whiff, I just fall in love all over again.
The Zoella Winter Wonder Hand was something I picked up in the Christmas sale last year for something silly like £1.50 but I never knew how much of a staple it would become! I kept it in my handbag and I would always apply it in a morning and before I went to sleep. It has a relatively thick consistency but sinks in within minutes and smells divine. I’ve already purchased the Reach For The Moon hand cream from her latest range.
So there we have it, my favourite 2018 things/moments/products. I hope you enjoyed reading my little round up!
Comic Books & Yellow Ducks 