Best Of Beauty & Skincare 2018

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2018 has really saw me delve further into the world of skincare than ever before. I’ve always had a good grasp on it and found some real hero products along the way. Not being a lover of change I’ve stuck to the same routine for a while because it worked well for me. But sometimes a change can be a good thing right? so I decided to embrace change throughout 2018 and explore new brands. It was the best decision I made because I’ve found some incredible new products and my skin has improved with some great results.

My skin type is oily combination which becomes more exaggerated in the colder weather. I find myself fighting a continuous flow of oil these days. The products included in this post would work well for all skin types as they’re not type specific. They’re a really good mix of affordable and luxury products so hopefully something for everyone to enjoy.

Some of my most loved products have been affordable, high street brands putting pay to the saying you get what you pay for. Without further ado, let’s delve in.

Eve Lom Cleanser*

I feel like this cleansing balm has completely revolutionised the way I cleanse my skin. Granted the suggested method might be a bit long-winded when all you want to do is take off the day and get into bed. But trust me when I tell you that it is absolutely worth the effort. My skin has never looked or felt as good as it does when I include this in my skincare routine. My skin is left feeling deeply cleansed and both nourished and hydrated all at the same time. It leaves my complexion thoroughly cleansed and prepared for the rest of my skincare routine. Yes, it might be a little on the pricy side but sometimes you really do get what you pay for, and this is most definitely true of this cleanser.

Take a look at the full post here.

Alpha H Liquid Gold

This has been very aptly named because it might as well be liquid gold for how incredible it is. Containing the cult and might I add, hero ingredient glycolic acid. 5% nature-derived glycolic acid (it comes from sugar cane). Acting as an overnight treatment to harness cell-stimulating and exfoliating properties of alpha hydroxy acids, which melt the ‘glue’ that binds dulling dead cells to skin’s surface, revealing the healthy ‘new’ skin cells beneath. As if that weren’t enough, by lowering skin’s pH (from 5.5 to around 3), this stimulates cellular activity – accelerating repair and renewal processes, as skin works hard to re-establish equilibrium. Since I added this into my routine my skin has improved 10 fold, it is clear, brightened with zero texture and looks considerably more youthful. Hallelujah!

Clinique Pep Start Pout Restoring Night Mask

This is the holy grail of lip products and I cannot get enough, it does everything it says and more. As this lip mask works its magic as I sleep, my pout is perfectly plumped and nourished by the morning. One tube lasts forever because I only use it once a day! It’s also the perfect partner on a flight to ensure my lips stay moisturised and do not resemble a dried raisin by the time I disembark.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask*

Working in sync with the skin’s natural nighttime recovery process to achieve a lifted, firmer look by the morning. The intensely moisturising treatment has a corset-like effect on the skin, giving the appearance of a visibly more defined, contoured complexion. This being the third overnight product of my post is completely unintentional, honestly. My skin transforms when I use this mask, appearing firmer, more taught and considerably more youthful. This mask has its very own post because it’s too good not to, you can take a look here.

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

The last product leads me nicely on to this one, that one being much like a corset for the face, well this is exactly that for, well your bum bum (actually pronounced boom boom) as it says. I have tried many a firming products for the dreaded and very much unwanted lumps and bumps. In Brazil bums are a nation wide obsession and this is their worst kept secret to the much sought after smooth and firm derrière. Enriched with guaraná, a native Amazonian plant that is one of the most potent forms of caffeine on the planet.

I first began using this for an upcoming holiday to compensate in my lack of gym time and I was amazed at the results. This is like a yellow pot of magic cream! It works almost instantly to visibly transform my skin! I will never be without a pot of this especially when dress and skirt season is upon us.

Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette

It’s no secret that the Naked palettes are much-loved among beauty junkies around the globe. I’ve found myself falling more and more in love with Naked Heat with every single use. The colour selection is stunning and my ideal shade range, I adore warm tones and you get the right mix in this palette. The generous mirror combined with robust packaging makes it perfect for travel, and it has been almost everywhere in 2018 that I have. I am falling just as in love with the latest member of the naked family, Naked Cherry. A potential feature in 2019’s best beauty products post!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter

Amrezy is the queen of highlight and when she joined forces with Anastasia Beverly Hills the beauty world waited with bated breath for the big reveal. Before I set eyes on this I knew I would love it, highlighters are my ultimate beauty vice. This creation from Amra did not disappoint, it is the most beautiful champagne gold highlight that applies flawlessly. It is by far my most used highlight of 2018 and I have no intention of stopping in 2019.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

As we’re all fond of an Instagram or Snapchat filter it was only a matter of time before this inspired a beauty line. Charlotte Tilbury was the beauty creative who made it a reality. A filter in a bottle?! I was sold almost immediately! This hybrid and quite revolutionary product will prime, brighten, boost your complexion and blur as it applies. It can be worn alone or under makeup and it is incredible either way. My complexion looks so healthy and radiant when I wear this. I absolutely adore this product and will never be without a bottle in my makeup bag.

Iconic London Illuminator – Original

As you well know my love of a good highlight, of course I have a second one to include in my list of 2018 favourites. This time it is a liquid highlight because sometimes one highlight just won’t do. At one point or another almost all beauty lovers lost their shit about this baby! Yes, that’s right, none other than the Iconic London Illuminator in the original shade. This has a glow like no other. I wear this just about any way I can. In my foundation, under my foundation, I wear it alone on my face, shoulders and collar bones etc, I’d basically bathe in it if I could.

It’s my main beauty product on holidays to add to my sunkissed glow. It radiates sun beams from my face and I live for the glowy life!

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

I’ve become a huge fan of Fenty in 2018 but the Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer is my ultimate hero product. I’ve never had a tube of this out of my makeup bag since I first tried it. Fenty Glow is such a beautifully flattering shade, it works equally well-worn alone or on top of a lipstick. It lends itself perfectly to a full face glam look, and just as well to a natural look. I honestly believe that every makeup bag should have one of these stashed inside.

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter Glow Liquid Eye Shadow – Wanderlust

Wanderlust is one of the newer shades to the glitter glow shadow family and most definitely of my favourite. It is the perfect sheer gold with pink sparkle which is the most stunning rose golden colour on the lid. These shadows are arguably the best on the market, they have incredible staying power, the colour payoff is so intense and the best part, they’re so quick and easy to use! They make your eye look appear as if you had spent hours perfecting when it reality it was almost effortless. The shadow does all of the work and once its applied, it just doesn’t budge.

So there you have it, in my humble opinion a selection of some of the very best products on the market from 2018. The creme de la creme. I plan to get back into makeup more throughout 2019 and take advantage of any opportunity to play with makeup.

Now I’ve shown you mine, now it’s your turn. What products from the beauty world have rocked your world in 2018?

Are there any products you would recommend for me to try next?

*Contains PR/Gifted items, all thoughts and opinions are my own.