Beauty 2015 II: Best of My Beauty Discoveries

If you read my last Beauty 2015 post, you'll know that I was talking all about my favourite beauty launches throughout the year from my pick of Urban Decay's best palette to budget make-up brushes that seriously impressed. This post, however, is things that weren't new to 2015 but new to me - products I discovered and fell in love with and that I felt deserved a shout-out.

The biggest make-up favourite has to be Missha's Magic Cushion SPF 50 (~ €27) in the shade 21. This BB cushion has become my go-to base and it makes my skin all kinds of glowy. My mother is obsessed and laments that I don't wear it all the time because it makes me look "much better" (cheers). In fact, she'd have me ordering it for her, too, if it had heavier coverage. For me, though, that's good. It doesn't look like you're wearing lots, leaves your skin feeling happy and moisturised, is SPF 50 and is pretty reasonably priced. For me, however, the best proof of how good something is/how much I like it, is if I find myself using it all. I rarely finish mascaras or foundations/BB creams before they dry up as I'm always testing things and wear make-up so little. This cushion BB has been replaced twice now and is the closest thing I've ever had to daily make-up so that says a lot. 

The next make-up fave is a product from the Balm that I've seen hyped for so long by people I respect a lot; the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter (€20.50). This gives you serious glow right away without looking like you've slathered it on or looking too glittery. It also comes in a super-cute vintage-inspired compact with a big mirror and there's quite a bit of product at 8.5g considering that a little goes such a long way. Best of all, it's the perfect shade for me to use on my cheekbones, the tip of my nose and cupid's bow and on my aegyo sal.

While mentioning cheek products, I can't leave out Too Faced's Love Flush blush (€26.00) in Love Hangover. Not only is the packaging so freaking cute, the product is soft and finely milled and applies beautifully. It's a really pretty natural rosy-pink shade with little tiny flecks of glitter throughout but beware: a little really goes a long way. Apply with caution. 

Seriously, though. How cute is this? It's like a Polly Pocket.

A firm skincare favourite this year has to be Sunday Riley's Luna Sleeping Night Oil treatment. I've been using this for months now, every second night and I have to say that it really lives up to the hype. In fact, my only complaint is that I can't use it every night (the ingredients are too active). My acne scars (which, admittedly, aren't that bad) are fading and I can barely see some at all any more, my overall skin texture is smoother and blemishes heal faster. It's seriously changed my skin and lasts for yonks which makes it, to me, worth the €105 price tag.

Finally, a simple but effect product that I loved this year for my hair is the Naked Style Little Miracle Leave-In Conditioner. It's got argan oil and shea butter in it, smells coconutty and generally tames my hair, and flyaways, even on its most boisterous days. Plus, I've been told my hair is in remarkably good condition but several professionals and I definitely attribute it to regular use of this product.

These are the things I'm taking into 2016 for sure. How about you guys? Any holy grail discoveries this past year?! I'd love to hear about it!

*

Liked this post? Want more?

Follow me here using google friend connect or bloglovin.

Or follow me on tumblr - twitter - facebook - instagram.

Gift Gah of the Moment - Too Faced I-Phone Palette.

Two gifts in one? So cute! Love me some clever packaging.

Gift Gah of the Moment - Too Faced by fitzpac featuring too faced cosmetics

Too faced cosmetic, €19

Christmas Gift Guide - Part II - Nice-smelling and beautifying stuff.

I like stuff that smells nice, don't you? I also love when people give me beauty sets I'd be to mean to buy for myself. I don't wear a lot of makeup but I think it's pretty fun to play around with. Therefore, here's a list of things I think are lovely to get of whiff of or a gift of and some things for painting your face!

1. The Mandarin, Clove and Cinnamon range in M&S.

I have the handwash and candle and can vouch for both. Prices start at around five euro and everything is 3 for 2!

2. This Too Faced Glamour To Go palette is majorly cute and compact, with most of what you'd need on a daily basis and, to boot, retails at under thirty euro. It can be purchased in Boots or online and makes a good gift for any gal on the go!

3. L'occitane Soaps for Gentlemen are packaged beautifully and I like the idea of men being given stuff that is purely to treat themselves as well as women. Plus, L'occitane soaps are AMAZING. They retail at twenty two euro and are available here.

4. L'occitane makes various Verveine scented products and it's my favourite scent by far. It's the soap I've been using for five years now. I LOVE it. So, this gift set would be a dream. It's fifty euro which is marked down and is pretty good value if you price individual items. Buy it here.

5. The Stila Lip Glaze Trio in Elegant Emerald is great as a stocking filler or for those on a smaller budget. Pick it up in Brown Thomas for fifteen euro and fifty cent and leave it in that iconic little bag for a sense of luxury. 

6. The Dr Hauschka Aromatherapy Kit is another good value item which is unisex and could be shared. The packaging is lovely and the scents sound amazing. It can be found at Nourish for sixteen thirty.

7. Paul Costelloe's perfume bottle for Dunnes Stores is a touch of elegance and vintage glamour that is something I would never buy for myself but I think most would adore as a gift. It retails at thirty euro so it's a bit of an indulgence but a sweet idea. 

8. This makeup brush set from Topshop is no longer available and I've yet to find one as nice. However, such a gift would be lovely. 

9. This candle from Carolyn Donnelly for Dunnes is just the right scent and the right price. I don't really agree with spending crazy amount of money on candles and the ones in Dunnes are never over-powering. Retailing at twelve euro, it hits all the right notes.

10. Finally, the Topshop Best Of Kit is so covetable. The pouch, the items included - I want it all! It retails at forty pounds and it's quite a bit of bang for your buck.

That's all for now, folks! Next Gift Guide is food and drink!