Hello Beauties. It’s time again to delve into my bathroom cabinet and see what I’ve been trialling on my skin, hair and face.
Each month, dozens of new beauty products land on my desk for possible trial, review and feature here.
I KNOW. Tough doesn’t come close to describing this aspect of my job.
For a product to make it on to this monthly beauty favourites post, it has to be pretty damn special – to me.
What I feature may not work for you but I hope I can point you in a new direction if you’re looking to change things up in the makeup, skincare and hair care department.
I know each and every one of you have your own personal guidelines and budget restraints so, while I can’t be all things to all people with each product mentioned, I can offer a diverse mix in my top five each month.
In December, those 50 products – plus any others I’ve included in beauty advice posts here on Styling You – will be up for a spot in my Top 20 beauty products for 2016. Here’s a look at what made the cut in 2015.
And this month, I’m featuring these five products.
1. Rimmel #InstaFlawless $13.95: I often joke that it would be ever so lovely to be able to walk around with an Instagram filter on my face. It would certainly save a lot of faffing about with a full face of makeup. This product won’t replace a full face but for some it might be enough to enhance and brighten without adding a foundation on top. It’s a moisturiser with a SPF15 and it sure does give a radiant glow to the face. I need a bit more coverage for when I’m out and about but I’ve been popping this on over a primer and under a foundation for a little extra oomph. Rimmel does call it a primer but I need my primers to have a velcro-like effect between my foundation and my skin. Available in two shades – Light/Medium and Medium/Dark at Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Target, Kmart, Big W, selected pharmacies and selected Coles and Woolworths.
2. Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette $99: Oh how I love a makeup palette that just works. Using this one is like painting by numbers. You just can’t go wrong. Not only does this super easy to create a quick everyday makeup look, it’s the ideal palette for packing in your travel beauty kit because it will cut down on about four products you might have otherwise stashed in your makeup bag. All you’d need on top of this would be foundation, mascara, maybe an eyeliner, brow pencil and lip colour and you’re set. The bronzer, cheek and highlighting colours all include technology that makes you glow. We love that. You’ll find a tutorial on the Charlotte Tilbury site too. (Not tested on animals)
3. Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer SPF15 $70: While this may not be the most inexpensive primers on the market, if you suffer from sensitive or sensitised skin like me, then you are always on the search for holy grail products that disguise the redness. I know this is a product I will continue to buy long after the tube has finished. It does offer a skin smoothing and velcro-like property that I require in a primer but then I get the added benefit of the sheer green tint to help neutralise my red zones before I apply makeup. Apart from the cosmetic bonuses, it also is a product that will help calm redness over time thanks to the inclusion of yeast, oat and oat kernel oil.
4. Garnier Miracle Wake Up Cream $19.95: I can’t tell you how much I’ve relied on this moisturiser over the past couple of weeks. Getting the mother of all lurgies in the week we were shooting the autumn-winter shop was not ideal. I really did give my makeup artist a challenge. But this cream really does what it says – it does make you look more alive even though it’s the opposite of what you’re feeling. It also includes a host of anti-ageing ingredients that help over time to deal with wrinkles and fatigued skin. The instant gratification comes from a formula that smoothes and illuminates.
5. Sarah Jean Three Piece Lash Kit $49: I LOVE false eyelashes – and the effect they have on a makeup look for events or photography. But I also love someone else putting them on. I basically sucked at doing them myself. Not any more. Sarah Baker (aka the woman behind Sarah Jean Lashes) challenged me to give her kit a go. She started her business because she thought there had to be an easier way to apply lashes. The genius of her method of application is that you apply the adhesive first on to your lashes like you would mascara – it’s even applied with a mascara brush – then you add a little more along the base line of the false lash before applying and press it into place using the tweezer applicator tool. I worked with a black adhesive, which kind of got a bit messy on my fingers (rookie situation) but you get a very defined eye with the black. There is also a clear adhesive version. The lashes themselves are wonderfully light in weight. You can see the results on me here. There are plenty of tips on how to apply here. (vegan friendly, cruelty free)
So, it’s over to you … have you tried anything new that we need to hear about? Spill in the comments.
* These products were gifted to me for editorial consideration. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something via one of these links I may receive a small commission. Full disclosure policy here.
Comments 18
I’m trialling the Rimmel InstaFlawless, but it’s slightly too dark for me. Wish they had a greater colour range! The Charlotte Tilbury palette looks gorgeous!
Di from Max The Unicorn
I can see how it could be too dark for some skin tones Di
That palette looks divine – love a good workhorse! I actually picked up a good little one in the recent Priceline sale from Essence. Under $5 but punches above its weight in terms of quality.
I LOVE Essence products, too!
Great tip-off Beth!
Glad to see this post. Hope it will help the people. Thanks for posting.
http://www.dayspawilliamstown.com.au/
Niiki! Have heard only good things about Charlotte’s new palette. Glad it ticks all your boxes too. Ummm… I think I need it. Oops.
SSG xxx
Oops! x
I like the look of rimmel insta flawless and that palette looks good! the thanks nikki!
the last time I wore false eyelashes they fell off or at least from one eye!
was I having too much of a good time? … not sure! lol m:)X
I’m always paranoid about that happening too M x
Hi Nikki, just a question about the Garnier cream. It it highly perfumed. I love the night cream (in the purple jar) but the day cream (red jar) gives me a headache because of the perfume. Thankyou
It is Tracey – I should have mentioned that above as it can affect me the same way too. This one doesn’t at the moment.
That Instant Look in a Palette is exactly what I have been looking for, thank you!
You’re welcome!
I like the sound of the Rommel Insta flawless Nikki, I can’t say I’ve ever tried false lashes but I must do.
I bought some magic spray for my sparkley roots on Tuesday as I cannot get into my hairdressers this week and hate roots ,it is Loreal Magic retouch instant root concealer spray and I bought dark blonde it works very well but feels a litle like dry shampoo but it covers roots and blends your colour…it’s pretty awesome and only lasts till you wash your hair so I’ll be keeping a tin on hand,it’s on special this week in Priceline the girls told me Xx
Genius Lisa!
I’ve been reading about the Rimmel #instaflawless, and keep meaning to try it. I’m having the day off today, so should be able to get to Priceline. I use the Dermalogica skinperfect primer, and have just tried the new hydrablur. I prefer the first one. It keeps my base on through the day, although I usually just wear a BB or CC cream. At the moment it’s Bobbi Brown CC, I bought it last year and wasn’t keen but tried it again and now love it. Does anyone else do that or am I the only strange one? I’m heading to my granddaughters school today, she is singing on parade for Anzac Day, my parents are coming up from Brisbane too. She is wearing my Dads tally from HMAS Australia as a headband, so waterproof mascara will be a must! 🙂
Hope the mascara held up Kathryn! And you’re not alone, I do find that with products too. Sometimes I come back to ones I’d previously dismissed and am surprised they now work.