December + January Favourites

This post is late and is pretty much a sum up of a bunch of products that I have been loving over both December and January. You will notice that most of the products below are very much holiday products and the type of products I reached for during my very laid back holiday that was pretty much spent with as little make up on as possible and soaking up way too much sun! I tend to keep it seriously basic when it comes to holiday time – I let my skin have a proper break and spend as little time as possible in front of the mirror analysing the extent of my sun damage.

Let’s start from the top left:

{NEW} Clarins True Radiance Foundation spf 15 – R415

I know this is kind of going against the make-up free holiday rant I just had, but this was my go-to foundation for any night out this holiday. It’s sheer enough to let your natural glow shine through but perfect for evening out the skin tone. I love how dewy my skin looks when using this. 

This product was discontinued a while back and has been brought back in a new and improved form. This really is my type of product as I don’t feel like I am masking my skin at all. For those who tend to steer clear of foundations and stick to tinted moisturisers this product would be your perfect ‘first foundation’ (and probably one you would stick to for years). It’s so easy to wear and accentuates everything good about healthy, fresh skin.

{NEW} Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in shade Tawny – R360

I have found the ultimate blush colour. This may sound weird (and I may well be the only one who gets this) but I have been looking for the perfect blush shade and formula that ticks both the bronzing box as well as the blush box – so a shade that doesn’t leave me looking overly rosey, nor overly Jersey Shore-like – but rather the perfect in-between colour. This is it. 

The formula of this blush is is so light-weight and silky. The compact contains the matte shade as well as a iridescent shade to help highlight and accentuate radiance – it’s really lovely. Good job, Clarins.

Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist – R620

This is nothing new. In fact, it’s my third bottle and nearly finished. I use this product for anything and everything. Post-shower, pre-make-up, post-make-up and through-out the day to add hydration and radiance. It beats any make-up setting spray I’ve tried and has way more active ingredients. I cannot rave about it enough.

{NEW} Vichy BB Spf 50 Tinted Suncare for the Face – R285

This was my go-to facial sun block this holiday. It helps that it’s super-water-resistant and leaves the skin with a nice tint/coverage. I did initially battle with how much I needed as too much of this product will leave you looking like you have caked on the foundation, so less is definitely more. I actually also bought one for a good friend as she was after something similar and she is loving it. 

{NEW} Filorga Perfect+ Serum – R865

I really love Filorga products – the m,ain reason being is that I actually feel like I get results from them. I have to say, their latest night cream was not my best but this new release is right up my alley. This serum promises to help the skin look more perfect – think refining skin texture, tightening over-sized pores and enhacing the skins radiance. The texture is light-weight and very fast-absorbing. I have only been using this for a few weeks but really feel like it has helped my skins texture – something I was in need of as aforementioned beach holiday took its toll on my poor skin! So far so good with this, I will report back soon 🙂

{NEW} Clarins Daily Energizer Lovely Lip Balm – R165

This launches at the beginning of next month and when I saw the name I just knew I would love it. It is packed with active ingredients to ensure 8 hours of hydration, fuller looking lips and also enhances the lips natural colour so leaves them looking rosey and pretty! I love the scent of the product too, it smells/tastes like peach-flavoured candy. The fun packaging also makes this the perfect gift!

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Polish – R110

This is part of a two-step nail polish – so you will need to purchase the top-coat too. This is Revlon’s Long-wear nail collection and as far as DIY nail products I was pretty impressed – the shine was great and it lasted a good 5 days chip-free, These will never compare to your in-salon Shellac or Gel (which they don’t claim to be) but an amazing alternative to your usual Essie polish that lasts 3 days max. My favourite colour is their All Or Nothing – such a great nude.

{NEW} Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Gold Lip Protector – R175

Another great gift idea, I think. I just had to keep this one for myself – I love anything gold, never-mind one of my all-time favourite beauty products! This best-seller really does live up to it’s name. I love that the scent of this lip product is more subtle – I have been using the 8 Hour Cream  forever and a day – for anything and everything but this month the lip product won be over – so protecting and worked wonders with sun damage.

{NEW} Narciso Rodriguez EDP NARCISO – R715 – R1515 

I have really been loving the latest launch from Narciso Rodriguez. I have to admit that the packaging is what first caught my eye but this really is my sort of scent. It really is very sophisticated and unexpected – top notes of rose and gardenia lead into middle notes of vetiver and black and white cedars finished off with musc at the base – what a combination. It really is very unique and sexy – nothing girly and fluffy about this scent; think more powerful, bold, sexy and unexpected.

Piz Buin Tan & Protect Spf 15 – R144

My third bottle of this and I love it more than ever – the texture is light, fast-absorbing and tan-enhancing. Piz Buin products also just smells of summer. I love this product for every-day use once you have built up some good colour on a beach holiday. It is definitely too low for the odd day here or there on the beach but for a summer holiday you can be guaranteed to build up a deep, long-lasting colour with the Tan & Protect.