The Top 13 of 2013

In the spirit of New Year honesty, I will admit to you that I seriously considered a 2013 beauty favourites post and maybe, just maybe a video. I decided that setting up a Youtube account might be more of a 2014 aim however, so settled for a slightly more restrained version in the form of my Top 13 beauty products of 2013 (catchy ey?). The 13 include makeup, skincare, haircare, nails and body; and let me just tell you that whittling it down was not an easy task. But here they are: the staples, special editions and standouts of the year, according to yours truly...

Urban Decay Naked Palette 3: Despite being given to me just 6 days ago at Christmas, Urban Decay's newest cult offering has already wowed me more than the other two versions combined...it's definitely love. Warmer, pink based and encased in an even better tin, what's not to lust after?

Chanel Chance eau fraiche perfume: 2013 was the year of the scent search for me, and this Chanel classic became my one and only. I'm already on to my second bottle and I predict this will be the first repurchases of many...

Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray: Oribe was a brand that seemed to blow every beauty blogger away this year, including me. As a member of the limp and flat hair klan, this product has been a saviour in a bottle, and it doesn't smell half bad either (full review here). 

Chanel le volume de chanel mascara: As well as a scent, I do believe Chanel has officially made my most beloved mascara to date. The volume and length of lashes after one use of this is unrivalled in my opinion, and I will definitely be repurchasing like crazy this year. 

Ren Clarifying Clay Cleanser: This spot saw a toss up of my nightly cleanser (Emma Hardie's amazing face balm) and this beauty, which I use in the mornings. The thing I love about this the most is how brilliant it is for oily and problem skin. It also lasts FOREVER. I bought this in June, use it every day, and it's STILL going. 

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Scrub: I always feel it's so hard to find the perfect scrub. Lots I've tried are far too gritty and almost hurt to use, but this is so gentle on skin but also really gets to work (and smells good enough to eat).

Mac Creme Cup and Show Orchid Lipsticks: I know this is sort of cheating but I couldn't choose just one. Creme cup is my go to everyday shade whilst I only bring out Show orchid for those extra special 'show' stopper occasions. 

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel: Smells like sweeties, is full of glitter and has the cutest name, need I say more? As it only comes out once a year around Christmas I made sure to pick up and extra big bottle this time round. Lush...NEVER discontinue this! 

Essie After School Boy Blazer: Super Shiny Navy Blue/Black shade. I am praying this bottle will last forever as it was a limited edition buy. 

Origins GinZing moisturiser: I have just repurchased my second little tub of this stuff, because I truly have found no moisturiser like it. It has such a light gel-like texture which is perfect for my skin slightly oil prone skin.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer: Three words: SAVED. MY. HAIR...(and still does). 

Estee Lauder Cheek Gelee in Tease: Another limited edition product which I have grown seriously attached too. Tease is a gorgeous pinky blush/highlighter hybrid which gives a light winter flush or full-on party glow depending how you want to wear it. 

Diorskin Nude BB Creme: This single handedly changed my opinion about BB cremes. I was so anti-them and had had such terrible experiences with until I started using this. It gives a light weightless coverage and perfect glow. 

So there we have it: my top 13 of 2013. 

As cheesy as it sounds, I just also want to take a second in this post to thank anyone and everyone who has supported my little blog since I started it back in March: any readers or followers, the lovely fellow bloggers I have met throughout the process, any brands that have reached out to me and offered me the opportunity to attend their events or collaborate with them, and to my friends and family for helping to promote my blog any way they can, helping with photographs and all in all just being awesome. 

On a lighter note, I would love to hear which products you would include in your top 13 in the comments below!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

B.

Jump

Jumpsuit: c/o Bank Fashion 

Hat: H&M

Peace sign belt: Topshop

Lassie shoes: Topshop 

Hey Guys! Firstly sorry that these snaps are a little on the blue/dull side, the lighting outside has been bad lately due to the appalling weather-it's been so dull and horrible! But I LOVE this jumpsuit so had to upload this post anyway! I love how it can be dressed up or down and it's so versatile! In other news...THREE DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS...so exciting. I'm getting way too distracted by christmassy films and festive feelings to work on my revision/dissertation, so come December 27th (boxing day doesn't count either right?) it'll be time to put my working hat back on! Hope you all have a lovely day and expect a new post soon! 

B. 

The Christmas Wishlist

Canon SX500 IS camera. 

Honeydew Underwear. 

Alexa Chung 'It' and 14,000 things to be happy about books.

We're the Millers and The Great Gatsby DVDS. 

Makeup and Candles: Malin and Goetz Dark Rum candle, Dipytique Baies candle, Clinique eye and lip chubby sticks in ample amber and grandest grape, By Terry Baume de Rose, UD naked 3 palette, Nars cruella lip pencil, Aesop parsley seed cleansing mask, nails inc porchester sq polish, Clarins exfoliating toner. 

Now, stupidly, I handed out my Christmas list far too early this year. The problem with being such an eager beaver is that when you go shopping for other people you see things you wish you'd put on your own list. Because of this, I'll probably end up buying much of this for myself come loan time (naughtyyy). I already picked up my Naked 3 palette last week and am SO excited to get my hands on it properly come Christmas day. As I am now back from uni I am feeling extra Christmassy and am planning lots of outfit posts in the next couple of weeks, so keep eyes pealed for those! 

What do you guys have on your lists this year?

B.

The November Favourites

Hi guys! I've been so bad with my blog in the last fortnight or so as I've been swamped with deadlines, but now they are over (high five!) I'm excited to hopefully post a bit more regularly. As I haven't done a favourites post since August, I thought I would show you what I have been loving this month. 

Hair wise I have been using the V05 give me texture texturising spray pretty religiously. I wouldn't say it's incredible but I really like what it does to the top layer of my hair as it mattifies and adds a bit of texture (pretty self explanatory!). Oribe's Maximista volume spray has also been a firm favourite, and I have reviewed it here. 

For nails there has been only one colour for me this month, which is Essie's After School Boy blazer: a super shiny navy blue/black. I think it was limited edition but I got mine from Beauty Bay and I think they still sell it there so give it a try. Skincare-wise, I have been loving La Roche Posay's Effaclar Mat. As a huge fan of their Effaclar Duo, I thought I would give this a whirl and I'm pretty impressed by it. I get quite oily skin and when I have breakouts/feel especially oil-slick-like, I use the Duo at night and the Mat in the morning as a makeup base. 

There's been a whole load of makeup I've been liking over the past few months, including some new bits and a few old firm favourites. Sleek's blush in 'Suede' is a really nice matte wintery colour which I keep reaching for. For base, I cannot get enough of the YSL Youth Liberator foundation, which at first I thought was too oily for me, but used with the Effaclar Mat I find it gives a lovely non-oily glow. Paired with the foundation, I've been trying out the Makeup Forever Full Cover concealer. As it's been stress central in my flat lately with deadlines etc, my skin has really been suffering so this has been AH-MAZING at covering up under eye circles and blemishes. My Mac palette (post here) has been in my heart (and on my eyes) for most of the month, and the Rimmel Smokey Purple quad has also been a joy to use. Last but not least (and continuing on with the purple theme) is the Topshop Velvet Lips in Plush. I keep hearing that these have been a massive sell-out and are really hard to get hold of. The colour I picked up is absolutely beautiful and the finish is exceptional. The only downside to these is the staying power; any eating or drinking and they budge quite significantly. 

What have you guys been loving this month? 

B. 

Stepping Stone

Hat: Asos

Necklaces: Vintage

Top: Topshop

Jacket and Gilet: Topshop 

Skirt:  c/o Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Topshop 

Bag: American Apparel 

Watch: Michael Kors

Nails: Essie 'leading lady'

If you read my post which talks about the Urban Outfitters press and blogger event, you will know that the lovely Nottingham press team let us pick an item to keep. I picked this gorgeous tartan skirt which I have been wanting to post about for a while. Tartan is everywhere at the moment so as well as being on trend, the colours of this skirt are so pretty and match my new Asos hat (I'm huge on hats at the moment). These were taken on campus down at the stepping stones by the lovely Sarah and even though it was frrrrreezing, it was so beautiful. There's only 2 more weeks left until I leave uni for christmas. I am filling my time with essay misery, warm knits and plenty of christmas starbucks cups. 

Are you loving tartan as much as I am? 

B.

Photos by Sarah Dear.