2013 Beauty Favourites

I have always been a makeup lover and enjoyed using beauty products, but 2013 was the year I started Georgina Sparkles and discovered a whole new world. From bases to blushers, to storage to brushes. This is my 2013 Beauty favourites:

Bases

My most loved foundation of 2013 has been my Bourjois Happy Light Foundation. although this foundation was launched quite late into the year, I fell in love. I have just ran out and I will be repurchasing this as soon as I get to a Boots. As the name suggests it is a light coverage foundation but it just looks flawless on the skin and gives you this glow from within. 

Highly recommended base goes to the DiorNude BB Creme. This was a summer staple of mine and I have started applying it again recently over foundation. I searched high and low in Edinburgh for this amazing BB Creme and finally found a tube in Jenners. 

At the start of 2013 I was not a powder girl, I loved the glow and warmth that tinted moisturisers and BB Cremes could give to my face. Since then my skin has become oily in certain areas and I have been reaching for a powder. My award for best powder goes to Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot. I have hit pan on this wonderful setting powder and will be heading out soon to get my self another. 

Cheeks

This year I bought my first ever Bronzer and have delved into the world of contouring. Since then I have purchased many different bronzers and they have their own home in my makeup storage. My favourite Bronzer of 2013 has been the Topshop Bronzer in Sandcastles. I use this to add warmth and define those cheekbones.

Blusher is something that I tend to wear all year round and I have picked two favourites for this category. My favourite powder blusher has been the Natural Collection Blush in Rosy Glow. This little pot of joy only costs £1.99 and I have been wearing it everyday. It is one that I can see myself wearing all year round as it gives me the warmth that my pale skin craves. The cream blusher I have been loving is the MUA Cream Blusher in Dolly. This was £2!! Amazing value! This is a coral blush that I've enjoyed wearing in the summer and even in the winter to pair with a smokey eye.

Eyes

My most used palette of 2013 has been the Avon True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in Mocha Latte. This is the perfect naturals palette and is great for creating different looks. It's the palette I would take travelling or away for the weekend because it is compact yet holds all the natural shades you will need. 

This year I discovered cream eyeshadows and have never looked back, I have been so impressed with the high street offering that I have never reached for a high end brand yet. The Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze has been a daily staple in my makeup routine since I popped it in to my basket at Boots. The pigmentation is incredible and I have never experienced the dreaded crease with these eye shadow wonders.

The mascara that has given my lashes length, volume and separation this year has been my beloved L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara. They say, when you find the one, you know and I certainly knew, that this was going to be my mascara of choice.

This was the year I discovered that eyebrows needed more than just waxing and shaping. At the Benefit Brow Bar in John Lewis, Edinburgh I discovered tinting and my beloved Benefit Browzings kit. I have dabbled in pencils but I always go back to wax and powder. I would never dream of going out without my eyebrows filled in now. Oh 2013, year of discoveries. 

Lips

It is very hard to narrow down my favourite lip products of 2013 because I have become a little obsessed with lipsticks this year. I have picked three overall winners that have brought me lipstick joy throughout this year.

First up is the Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake. This is my, my lips but better choice and it has fast become my most worn lipstick of 2013. If you have not tried these bullets of lip loveliness, get on this!

My red of choice is an oldie but a goodie! Topshop Rio Rio is the perfect blue toned bright red. The pigmentation of this lipstick is out of this world and it was my first ever Topshop lipstick from back when they launched their makeup line. It is love! 

My final favourite lip product of 2013 is a new launch by Rimmel. I have been loving the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks and there is a place in my heart especially for As you Want Victoria. It is a bright berry shade that compliments my skin tone and is super pigmented yet moisturising. 

Brushes

I am a huge fan of the Real Techniques makeup brushes and I recommend them to everyone who will listen to me. My two most loved and well used brushes of 2013 have been the RT Buffing Brush, to apply and blend in foundation, and the RT Contour Brush, to add cheek bones and angles to my flat face. Try these out and you will not be disappointed.

Nails

I have discovered so many amazing nail polish formulas this year and have realised that it is definitely substance over style in the nail polish stakes. My favourite nail polishes of the year go to the Maybelline Super Stay Forever Strong Gel Nail Colour. I have loved every shade I own and a special mention goes to Mint for Life. Just go and get this colour. 

Skincare

I have expanded my skincare collection and have come up with a skincare routine that works for my skin. (If I stick to it) A recent skincare purchase that was recommended to me by a friend, is the Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. This stuff is amazing, it cleared away my spots and actually makes your skin feel clean and fresh. This is a winner and is so inexpensive that it's worth giving a try. 

My moisturiser of choice has been the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturiser. I have been using this for years as part of the Clinique 3 step system but can not afford the rest of the products so have just been using this to moisturise my skin after the Biore Ice Cleanser. It's a really nice formula and is great for when you have dry areas.

My favourite Face Mask Ever is the Lush Magnaminty Face Mask. It is a peppermint mask that smells incredible and helps fight blemishes. I have very spot prone skin and this has been a saviour over the years. It is green and gross looking but I assure you, it is heaven in a Lush Tub.

A new discovery of 2013 has been multipurpose oils. Twice weekly I like to substitute my moisturiser for the Caudalie Divine Oil when I feel that my skin could do with a little extra. This smells crazy good and just leaves my skin feeling amazing. 

Body

The body lotion I have been reaching for all year has been the Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter. This smells like chocolate and just makes my skin feel soft. As for the firming properties of this lotion, I have noticed a difference in my legs and would really recommend this to those looking for a toning lotion product.

My shower gel of choice will come of no surprise to those of know me. I am head over heels in love with the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash. The lemon meringue pie scent of this body wash makes it smell good enough to eat. 

The body scrub I have been loving this year has been the Sugar Crush Body Washes Partner in Crime the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. Same amazing Scent and the perfect texture to rid me of my scaly dry legs. 

I have to add a hand cream in here because they are my saviours all year round. The hand cream that I have been reaching for most is the Soap and Glory Hand Food. This smells of marshmallows and does an amazing job of keeping my hands moisturised. I have a tube in all my handbags just to be on the safe side. 

Perfume

I am a Marc Jacobs Daisy girl forever yet I have been branching out in 2013 and discovering some more irresistible scents. My other top favourite perfume that I wore a lot during the summer months was the D&G L'impératrice. It is sweet and fruity yet very fresh and is one I have always gone back to throughout the year. I even picked up a bottle for my friends birthday because she loved the scent so much. 

So there we have it, my 2013 Beauty Favourites. I am looking forward to the makeup and skincare discoveries I am going to make in 2014.

Christmas Wish List

This is my favourite time of year and I do love giving and receiving presents to and from loved ones! This is my wish list/gift guide for those struggling to think of presents to buy. All of these things are items I have been lusting over for some time and would love to unwrap on Christmas Day!

Caudalie Devine Indulgence Body Gift Set

Benefit Groovy Kind-a Love Gift Set

Soap and Glory The Yule Monty

Korres White Tea, Bergamot & Freesia Eau De Toilette Spray 50ml

Soap and Glory Powder Trip Gift Set

Real Techniques Starter Set

Soap and Glory Once Upon a Lime Gift Set

Korres Vanilla, Freesia & Lychee Eau De Toilette Spray 50ml

Soap and Glory in the Bag Gift Set

Nails Inc Nail Polish Diary 

Top 5 Hair Products

I have not done a top 5 edit in a couple of months so I thought I would blog about my Top 5 hair products! These are products that are essential in the maintenance of my hair on a daily basis. I dye my hair blonde regularly, the ends can be dry and brittle but my roots, where my natural hair is coming through, can be a little greasy. I would fully recommend these amazing products to achieve beautiful hair.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush is my dry shampoo of choice. I have only recently started washing my hair every other day and this product has been a saviour in making my hair look and smell fresh on that second day. I have found that second day hair is easier to style, especially for someone like myself, who has hair that is naturally poker straight. 

When I get my hair dyed blonde I sometimes find that my hair needs a little toning down to make it less yellow and more ashy! I love to use the Pro-Voke Twice A Week Brightening Shampoo about three times a week to achieve the perfect ashy blonde. I have had this bottle for a long time and it seems to last forever.

There was a lot of hype amongst Bloggers regarding the L'oreal EverRiche Shampoo but I picked up the L'Oreal EverPure Shampoo and Conditioner for coloured hair. I loved this shampoo and conditioner and I will be repurchasing it. The scent is rosemary, mint and Juniper and it just left my hair feeling clean and healthy. The scent does stay on the hair which I personally loved.

I received this Bamboo Style Boho Waves Spray in a GlossyBox and it is my most used product that I have received. I would pick this spray over my Bumble & Bumble Salt Spray any day! I just feel it gives my hair more texture and volume which is particularly important for someone with the flattest hair ever!

Sometimes when my hair is feeling a little dry and brittle I like to run a hair oil through the ends. You already know the love I have for the Caudalie Devine Oil. This Multi purpose oil is amazing on my skin, face and of course my hair. It leaves my hair beautiful and shiny and I love wearing my beautiful, shiny hair in a high pony tail.

I have added a couple of extra products that are not creams or sprays! I have been loving my orange Tangle Teezer and use it daily to get all the tugs and tats out of my hair. My hair is notorious for become. Tangled ball of hair that resembles a hamster and the Tangle Teezer is a miracle product! 

I have also been loving my Large Hair Dohnut from Claire's. I love having my hair tied up and out my face but I think that a bun just adds something a little extra to an outfit. I think it makes it look like I've made a massive effort when in reality it took me two minutes to stick my hair up in this Dohnut.

What are your Holy Grail Hair Products?

September Beauty Favourites

I love the autumn and as soon as it turned September I was swapping all my summer essentials for beauty products that were more seasonal. I have been loving a few products this month and have discovered some amazing beauty treats on my visits to Boots.

For skin care I have been loving the Champneys Super Rich Cleansing Balm, which I did a blog post on. This product is a treat to use and it gives great results. My skin just feels amazing and any blemishes I had are gone. A little goes a long way of this cleansing balm and I have barely made a dent even though I have been using it every night during my skin care routine. 

I have been following my cleansing balm with the Caudalie Divine Oil. This is another favourite that has made a difference to my skin. The Divine Oil makes my skin feel nourished, moisturised and healthy. I would recommend using this every other night or twice a week as your nightly moisturiser, using it more often could cause break-outs.

I have decided that I need to start washing my hair every other day instead of everyday because I think it makes my hair greasy faster. I picked up the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush and I have really been enjoying this product. Not only does it de-grease the hair it also adds volume which I am in much need of. My hair is super flat and I find it hard to puff it out and this does the trick.

As it is autumn, I have decided to swap the pastel and bright nail polishes for nudes and darks. I have been loving these three nail polishes this month: 

Chanel Frenzy: A pale grey

Chanel April: a dark burgundy 

Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay in Divine Wine: a red toned dark purple

The formula of the Chanel polishes is not great but I love these colours so much I am willing to overlook that and just paint over unsightly chips. The Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay nail polishes have an amazing long lasting formula and I can not fault this shade!

The lip product I have been loving this month is the Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake. I swear I have worn this shade every day. It is the perfect shade of pink that can be easily worn throughout the day. If in doubt of what colour to put on my lips I pick up this beauty! The formula is very pigmented for a sheer lip butter and it is very moisturising!

After Essiebutton raved about the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot powder I knew I had to get my hands on it. This powder is incredible. Most of my foundations and bases have a very dewy finish because that was the look of the summer. However, as it is now autumn and the glow needs to be toned down a little, I have been reaching for this powder to matte up my face. It's very finely milled and leaves a beautiful finish. 

I love the Maybelline Colour Tattoos and I was on the hunt for the Rose Gold shade. After looking EVERYWHERE I picked it up in Carlisle. I still favour On and On Bronze as my Cream shadow of choice but I have been enjoying the Rose Gold colour for evenings and dinner dates with my friends. The colour is very pigmented and quite shimmery which I like for an evening look.

This September I have been back to loving my brows and filling them in to their full potential! I have been using the Benefit Brownings kit to make my eyebrows stand out in the crowd and I love it. I prefer using wax and powder to fill in my brows rather than a pencil, and I have it in the shade light. The colour is a perfect match to my own eyebrows and I think that my look always looks complete when my eyebrows are filled in correctly. 

My final favourite of the month is a cream blusher from MUA. This blusher cost me £2 which I think is the bargain of the year. My favourite shade is Dolly which is a lovely peach colour and I have been wearing this when I have chosen to do a more darker eye look, to contrast with a natural cheek colour. I am so impressed with the quality of this blusher when it only cost £2! There is a nice shade selection so you should check out MUA at Superdrug. 

What have been your September favourites?

Review: Beauty Oils

Beauty oils are receiving a huge amount of hype right now but to be perfectly honest with you, a few months ago I had no idea how to use these oils, especially in terms of beauty. I use oil to fry a prawn stir fry so I was a bit overwhelmed by all these other beauty related uses!

You can get multi purpose beauty oils that can be used for face, body hair, hands... You name it these oils offer benefits to you! There are also oils that offer benefits or treatments to a specific area, such as hand and cuticle oils.

I have 5 beauty oils in my ever growing beauty collection which include 3 Multi purpose oils, a hair oil and a hand and cuticle oil. 

The Body Shop Coconut Beautifying Oil: This is probably my most used beauty oil from this lot! I use it every second day when I go for a shower or bath. I like to use it after using a scrub to add and lock in moisture to my skin and this oil leaves my skin feeling amazing! I also use it as an alternative to shaving foams for my legs (as I am allergic to most shaving foam products) and it leaves my legs super smooth!  It also smells delicious too! 

Nuxe Multi-Purpose Dry Oil: I got this Nuxe Dry Oil from a Glossy Box. It says that it is for face, hair and body and that it contains 6 precious plant oils. This oil contains little bronze shimmers throughout it and I enjoy using it on my arms and legs as a moisturiser as it not only adds moisture but also a little shimmer and that's always good. I also enjoy running this through the ends of my hair before I use my hair dryer. Oils tend to give my hair a healthy shine without making it look flat and greasy! 

Caudalie Devine Oil: Another Glossy Box treat which I have added to my wish list to purchase the full size bottle. This does indeed smell divine and it is my favourite oil of the group! I use this oil on my body, in my hair and on my face! I am very wary about what I put on my face and I was pretty apprehensive about putting oil onto my face, especially when I am prone to an oily T-Zone but I thought I would give it a try! I incorporated the oil into my nightly skin care routine. I used my L'oreal Micellar water first to remove my eye makeup, I then double cleansed my face using the Champney's Super Rich Cleansing Balm and the Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Purifying Cleansing Wash. I then applied the Caudalie Divine Oil all over my face using a cotton pad and just left it to soak in over night! In the morning my face feels really clean and super soft! Recommend this!  

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Oil: I have had this hand oil for a while and when it runs out I would repurchase it! I have extremely dry hands and i find using hand sanitizer dries them even more so I picked up this Hemp Hand Oil from the body shop! I like to use hand creams during the day and I always keep one in my bag but I like to keep this little bottle next to my bed! I use this every night to combat my dry hands and I really think it helps! It comes with a little pipette too, so you don't use too my product! 

Oragnix Moroccan Argan Oil: I bought this when hair oils and Argan oil became a big trend in the beauty world! I like how it's a spray so that I can spray the product directly onto my hair and it does smell very luxurious! It says it will "infuse hair with a sheer vail of shine, giving colour and highlights a multifaceted glow, while it helps reduce split ends and tames fly away frizzies" I do enjoy using this oil and its probably the hair oil I pick up when I don't have a lot of time to do my hair in the morning! 

Are there any beauty oils that you would recommend?