There are only a few hours left before we kiss 2017 goodbye and boy-oh-boy it's been quite a roller coaster. This year has been both good and bad, which is why I am sooo looking forward to 2018, I have a feeling it's going to be an awesome year you guys! I want to thank YOU ALL for being such an amazing crowd; I am grateful to have you in my life and without any further ado, let's talk about this year's hits (as there are many). Hope you enjoy and see you in 2018, cheers!
Skincare
Foreo Espada Acne-Clearing Blue Light Pen - hands down, the best device to battle fat, painful and blind pimples. Even when topical solutions failed, this little device was a lifesaver. Works best on angriest of breakouts and is a hit for reason. Read more here.
GlamGlow DreamDuo Overnight Transforming Treatment - best mask to use the night before any big event (especially if you have dehydrated/dry skin). Works every single time (plumps, rejuvenates and firms); little goes a long way and it must be my favourite product from the brand. Read more here.
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment - I know people either love or hate it, but I happen to really enjoy this mask as a spot treatment. Being no stranger to angry hormonal pimples, this is the first thing that goes onto my skin when I spot-the-spot. I find that it calms down irritated skin and reduces the size of even the most painful breakouts reasonably fast, which is why it is an honorable 2017 favourite. Read more here.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum - the best serum I have tried this year; Framboos is a great solution for uneven, dull, texture(d) skin. Although you can use it on daily basis, I limit my use to 1-2 times a month only and this serum has been doing a lovely job at getting rid of any bumps, patches and even clogged pores. Love it. Read more here.
Institut Esthederm Intensive Hyaluronic Range - if you love your Hyaluronic and want to see instant/long-lasting results, this serum and night cream duo will truly save the day. Even in my mid 20s, this range made me look 16 again (no exaggeration) and that was quite a trip down the memory lane. Read more here.
A. By Bom Ultra Watery Eoseongcho Cleanser - I don't own this cleansing balm for thaaat long, but it was a love at first use. This luxurious formula is perfect for sensitive skin; melts and removes make-up and grime effortlessly and it must be the best cleansing balm I have ever tried. Read more here.
Eminence Lotus Detoxifying Overnight Treatment - speaking of organic skincare, I am sad that I am almost out of this mask, because it is simply amazing. Made out of nature's best ingredients, it also contains Hyaluronic Acid (hey bae!), Jojoba and Microgreens Complex to deeply nourish and detoxify your skin. Read more here.
Lush Cosmetics Chocolate Lip Scrub - not necessarily a new discovery, but Lush have introduced a few new lip scrub flavours this year and Chocolate has been my #1 favourite. If you are a chocoholic, don't even sleep on it! Read more here.
Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil - sadly I ran out of mine, but it has been my go-to overnight lip mask well throughout the year. Lightweight, soothing and delicious. Doesn't feel sticky or goopy; plus you wake up with the most beautiful and soft pout in the morning. What not to love? Read more here.
Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream - I always get slightly paranoid when I am running out of this magical hand cream and there is a number of reasons why. Although it is packed with lots of wonderful antioxidant ingredients and is quite rich in texture, it never leaves your hands feeling sticky and gross. And if you are no stranger to manicures, this cream will also soften your cuticles and dry nail bits. Best overnight hand cream I've come across so far and it smells heavenly. Read more here.
Make-Up
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer - what a genius little concealer; works pretty much for every skin type out there, comes in a ton of shades and is amazing for spot-concealing. Never looks dry or cakey; lasts a very good time and has a lovely/buildable coverage. Definitely check out more in a separate review here.
Tarte Cosmetics Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Concealer - I am late to the party, but this concealer must be the best option available on the market at this point. Even on my driest days, it doesn't accentuate lines or patches, lasts incredibly well BUT! Little goes a long way, so do use it sparingly. I am not going to run out of it anytime soon, that's for sure! Read more here.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick - this must be one of the most reasonably priced, diverse and beautiful stick foundation ranges out there. This product gives a beautiful medium-full coverage, photographs well and will work well for a plethora of skin types. Great, long-wearing "special occasion" option. Read more here.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation - if there is one product that Rihanna truly nailed, it must be her foundation. Although it says "soft matte" on the bottle and it sounds like a bad choice for dry-skin-gals, it is actually one of the most fabulous liquid foundations I have tried in a very, verrry long while. It makes me look almost photo-shopped and I do get a ton of compliments whenever I wear it both IRL or on Instagram. Doesn't accentuate dryness, lasts a really good time and can be sheered out/build up (I only use one pump). Read more about it here.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick - although I don't really care about their highlighting options, contour/bronze shades here are so spot on. I variate between Mocha and Truffle whenever I want to accentuate my natural bone structure and add a bit more warmth to my face; since these set somewhat satin/matte, they also last incredibly well on the skin and look undetectable. Just work one area at a time. Read more here.
Natasha Denona Eyeshadows - best eyeshadow discovery of 2017. If you are not on the ND bandwagon yet, you are seriously missing out! More about these awesome little guys here.
Hourglass Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette - this is highlighter-gasm in a palette. If you don't shy away from blinding "in your face" glow, these are for you. I am actually surprised it is still available online, because it is the best highlight launch I have seen in a long while. Read more here.
Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter - another highlighter hit this year must be MUFE. I absolutely adore their Golden Pink shade; it is the most flattering and beautiful shade of pink ever created. Looks flawless on light, light-medium skin; while shade Golden is perfect for medium-dark complexion. Buttery, buildable, long-lasting. Huge fan! Read more here.
Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara - if you are looking for that "all-in-one" mascara, that adds volume/a bit of length/definition/oomph, then you should be looking this way. Lasts really well and never feels dry/itchy. Read more here.
MAC Extra Dimension Blush - easily, one of the best luminous blush launches this year. I love these, same way I love their original Extra Dimension highlighters. These blushes add the right amount of glow, so if you want to get that NARS Orgasm cheek but better, you might really fall for these. Read more here.
KVD Lock-It Blotting Powder - such a wonderful, lightweight blotting powder. Doesn't feel drying and won't make you look overly powdery (even if you blot several times a day). Beautiful compact, great price. Read more here.
Becca Cosmetics Soft Light Blurring Powder - I love both shades of this powder, but there is something magical about Pink Haze. If you are looking for a brightening product, one that will make you look like a blooming Disney Princess, you won't go wrong with it. It is so finely milled, it practically feels like a pixie dust. Read more here.
Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter - aka the best "pick me up" zingy primer on the market. It smells like a mix of citrus/ginger and is the best primer to apply over a very dull, tired face first this in the morning. Adds a nice layer of moisture, has a natural finish and will easily work for every skin type out there. Read more here.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer- aka her majesty the "Fenty Glow" is hands down the best lip gloss of 2017. Say what you want about Fenty Beauty, but this is the most universally flattering/sexy/non-sticky/long-lasting lipgloss invention. I am almost halfway through mine, which for a lipstick-gal, is kind of a big deal. And yes, it smells/tastes amazing too. Read more here.
Tarte Cosmetics Color Splash Lipstick - what a beautiful line of neutral-toned lipsticks for every single girl/guy out there. These go all the way from very pale to very deep and are equally gorgeous. Buttery smooth, glide on like a dream, don't accentuate dryness/lines and feel amazing on the lips. Rum Punch is my absolute favourite and you can always read more about these here.
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick - if you are not new to this blog, then you know just how much I love Amuse Bouche line. I currently own 12 lipsticks and love them all equally. They are the best on the market. Period. Same with the brand's newest Liquified Amuse Bouche version - if you are on a hunt for a creamier, highly pigmented"melted" lipstick, then definitely check it out. More about these bad boys here.
KVD Everlasting Lip Liner - in case you missed it, I have swatched nearly every single shade from this line and I love them all equally. Bow N Arrow in particular is the most seductive nude for any neutral-toned lipstick. These liners are buttery smooth, pigmented and long-lasting. Impossible to go wrong! Read more here.
Beauty (Nails, Hair, Tools)
Zoya Nail Lacquer - if you are a natural-beauty lover and want your nail polish as "green" as possible, then check out this range. Zoya is a brand, which is also safe for pregnant beauties, so I couldn't recommend it enough. Every colour I have tried so far was quite long-lasting, chip-free and pigmented. Check out all shades here.
Smith & Cult Nail Polish - I love these so much, I actually dedicated an entire blogpost to this range of beautifully-designed nail polishes. Just like Zoya, these are top-shelf quality and they will certainly grace any vanity desk. Read more about my favourites here.
Alterna Caviar Infinite Color Hold Range - I love Alterna in general, but this must be one of their best lines yet. Smells amazing, makes your hair feel and look amazing (whether it is actually colored or not). You can see actual results almost instantly, so it is a massive hit for me this year. Read more about the line here.
Real Techniques Bold Metals Brushes - I love their original line, but this is one step forward. Bold Metals are not only beautifully designed, but they are some of the softest, most durable and multi-tasking brushes ever. Highly recommend them! Read more here.
