Top Beauty Finds of 2013

The New Year brings time for a little reflection on the last one. Although we are still a day away from 2014, I thought that this is a great time to share my best beauty picks from 2013. 

The inspiration for this post came from having read around Kirstie's (of a Yellow Brick Blog's) post.

Whilst I know not all of these products mentioned were released in 2013, I was having a rummage through my collection and all of the products I am including came to my attention as a ‘must feature’ in this post for one reason or another. 

Why not let me know what’s on your list of Top Finds for 2013 in the comments?

Let’s kick off this product packed post with a star product from Estée Lauder; 

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II 
30ml for £48.00 or 50ml for £65.00

In 2013 I began being treated with Intense Pulsed Light therapy to target Rosacea (you can read more on this here). As part of this treatment my skincare changed to a brand called Image Skincare as recommended by my consultant. Having run out of the hard to find products I needed - I had to find a substitute for my night treatment as I can not sleep without having slathered something into my skin! I took to an Estée Lauder counter on my own one weekend (fyi - this should never happen!!) and asked about the Advanced Night Repair serum. I had seen the scientifically enriched ads, and had heard other bloggers live for this stuff, so I caved and gave it a go. 

Well, I’ll just say you notice when you do not use this product, a few drops of this serum goes a long way and just needs to be patted in the skin before bedtime, and a moisturiser application. Wowed by all the patents this products has against it’s name, this is a product I have almost finished, and my skin never fails to feel lack lustre in the mornings. Definite re-purchase into 2014. 

Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme
Available at Dermatology Clinics

One product I can not live without, along with their Vital C Cleanser, is the Image Vital C, Hydrating Repair Creme this rich creme, (introduced to me through IPL treatment) which is used at night, is particularly suited for irritated skin types such as Rosacea. Cooling, hydrating, and again it is one of those cremes that I know through how my skin feels and looks in the morning, whether I used it the night before. You can buy this on the internet I believe - but I never like to do that with skincare unless it is a reputable retailer. Most of the IMAGE products, which are created in Florida are brought my cosmetologists and skin consultants and sold only in clinics for high, high-end prices, but my skin would not be in such a good state without it. 

Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light
£6.49

Bringing the budget down a notch, but keeping the performance levels as good as you would expect from any product in the high end market, is the Sleek Contour Kit. This has been around for a good few years, and is a steal at under £7! Now available in Boots stores as well as Superdrug this is easier than ever to try out and the contouring you can achieve with this fail safe product is fabulous. Take the dark ‘bronzer like’ colour under your cheek bones (permission to make the fish face is granted) and then use the highlight under the brow and on top of the cheeks, for a slimmer looking face and cheekbones you never knew you had. I have really got to grips with contouring this year, and its all down to this little compact. 

HD Brow Palette in Vamp
£17.00

Back when I was subscribed to GlossyBox, I received the HD Brows, Brow Pallet in Vamp - this consists of 4 colours suited mostly toward the eyelids or brows - and can take my mild and meek looking brows to spruced up and face framing in no time. I use this daily and am a believer that brows are a game changer when it comes to facial features, even if you go out with no makeup take those precious minutes to put your brows in place!

Bulgari Mon Jasmin Noir Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml
£54.00 

Having already posted about this fragrance earlier in the year here, it has maintained to be a solid favourite. Not only does it remind me of my trip to Edinburgh this year, but it is so wearable for any occasion. I do think its lasting power for an Eau de Parfum is a little weak but it will keep me buying many a bottle. 

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm
£2.99

Earlier in the year I was itching to get my hands on these, US beauty bloggers had them, UK beauty bloggers who had been to the US had them, and then finally the humble boots shoppers were able to get them around September time. My favourite is the hydrating one (in the blue) but the other colours are really versatile and smell heavenly. Its a great lip balm that feels like its not just siting there covering your lips, but actually hydrating them. Definitely a competitor with the Rimmel Lip Butters, they too are packaged in great colours and deliver the same great pigments. I only apply lip products when I know the product I am using works, and I miss not using it, and needless to say I have these in my handbag at all times. 

Barry M High Shine Gel Finish Nail Polish
£3.99 

As a self confessed nail polish junkie / snob, I was pulling myself back from trying these Barry M Hi Shine Gelly nail paints, because to be honest I thought the application and the staying power was not going to be up there with OPI, Essie and your other salon brands. I have always brought Essie, OPI, Orly, Leighton Denny and my collection is bursting at it’s seams, however, this never stops me! I was pleasantly surprised with these and thought the application was so great, simple, fast drying and long lasting - just what you want in a polish - I am definitely hoping for more great things from Barry M in the next year!

NARS Sheer Glow foundation in Mont Blanc
£30.50

I consistently swapped between two foundations this year, one being Laura Mercier’s Silk Creme, the other Nars Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc. I like everything about this glass bottle of skin tone evening, and concealing joy. It’s lack of SPF means true colour and less shine in photos, it also has a hydrating consistency and feel on the skin. Above all the GREAT coverage and good staying power got me dipping back into the bottle for more - I will be getting a pump dispenser in 2014 though! 

Maybelline-Fit-Me-Concealer in 15
£5.99

Having only discovered the Maybelline Fit Me range quite recently - the good things I had heard about this concealer pushed me to the checkout with shade 15 in hand. This concealer does not dry out, or cake around the area I am trying to conceal, it works well covering the red areas around my nose and it stays there like you would not expect a high street concealer to do. The colour is a great match and after hearing how similar this is to the NARS Creamy Concealer I have been continually using this through the festive season and it has not disappointed. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

£19.50

I always go fail safe on a night out or in tough weather conditions with my Urban Decay Makeup Setting spray, after your look is complete for a dewy glow hold the product about 4cm about from your face and spray away which ensures your makeup stays as is ,until you want to take it off. Its been a hero product in 2013. 

It’s been a rather long post, to commemorate an equally long year. Enjoy the New Years celebrations and make sure you look fabulous to welcome in 2014!