I started making notes of my favourite products towards the tail end of summer. Just like the 2017 Favourites I’ve tried to keep my list to fresh discoveries for the year that I’ve not tried and spoken about a hundred times before. I don’t post favourites very often through the year, but there were some true standouts as I reflected on 2018 as a whole that I wanted to talk over.
Lancome La Nuit de Tresor
I received this in Christmas 2017 and towards the start of the year I used it all the time, my bottle became close to finished very quickly so I decided to limit it’s use to only special occasions to stop myself going through it. It’s a sweet gourmand perfume which I’ve loved and had so many compliments on.
Review
Pixi Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
It was a toss up between this and the Emma Hardie balm as the cleanser of choice this year, but this one won out as it’s cheaper and lasted me just as long as the more expensive pot. This is a double sided cleanser with an oil cleanser on one side which melts away makeup with ease and the cream side makes the skin soft and nourished as a second step. This made such a big, noticeable difference to my skin, I can’t wait to crack out my second pot of this when I’ve finished up reviewing three others I’m currently comparing from one brand!
Review
Colourpop Sol and Mar Eyeshadow Palettes
A tough pick to narrow down my collection of eyeshadow palettes to what was my favourites and these out of everything took me by surprise the most and I didn’t stop using them all summer. These for the price were splendid and could do everything from colourful looks to neutrals, the mix of mattes, metallics which verged on glitters and duochromes were really fun to play with and I’m sure these will see a lot of use again in 2019.
Review
Formula Absolute Sleep Cream
I’ve gone through several pots of this since trying it at the start of the year and it continues to not disappoint me. It’s a cream when you google it online has a lot of hype and at one point had a huge waitlist – but for the price I think the quality of it is amazing and my skin always feels so much better after using it.
Review
Jouer High Coverage Cream Foundation
This year I was on the hunt for a replacement for my long time favourite Kat Von D foundation – after she “came out” as an anti-vaccinator I decided I didn’t want to support her priveleged views and wanted to find a replacement that worked for me as well. Step in Jouer which didn’t just work for me as well but worked better. It’s slightly more expensive and the bottle is smaller – however I use less products as it’s just so pigmented. The coverage this has is insane, less product goes way further than the Lock it foundation – it reminds me of the Fenty Foundation I loved last year, but broke me out terribly but the finish is matte effect with a satin sheen that looks like skin.
Review
Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask
I’ve absolutely loved this mask this year and has been on my bedside table and used twice a week in place of a moisturiser. I like it as I find it sinks in quickly so if your head is hitting the pillow as soon as you get into bed you don’t have to worry about any tackiness. My skin laps this up and always feels soft and smooth the morning after using. It layers well with other products if desired but I tend to use this just with an eye cream as my skin gets easily overloaded and this gives me all the moisture I need!
Review
Glamglow Glowsetter Setting Spray
The one product I don’t currently have in my collection and I need to repurchase is the Glamglow spray. This was the first Setting Spray that I’d tried and thought actually worked on my oily skin. The mister on it is perfect as it’s so fine it doesn’t create any beads of wetness at all, and it has a gorgeous delicious smell too. I have this on my to repurchase list in February (I’m going on a no-buy in January!)
Review
Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color Lipsticks
This was my first proper experience with Bobbi Brown and it’s been a good one – this formula is such a delight to wear, it has buildable pigment but is glossy and so so comfortable to wear. I’ve worn the shade Cali Rose so much this year, and I now have a mini called Babe which I’ve worn a fair few times over this last month. My friend Lora knew how much I loved these so in a Secret Santa swap she gave me the shade Cherry which is a gorgeous wearable berry red I will be wearing a lot too!
Review
Colourpop Lux Lipsticks
My other favourite formula of the year was this formula from Colourpop I have a dainty collection of 4 shades but I can see it being a formula I pick up “just one more of” every time I place an order. My most work through the year was definitely Colourpop Lux Foolish which is a gorgeous brick orange – oranges I find a bit hard to wear but this one was lovely over summer and was on my lips a lot. It’s a demi-matte formula with high pigmentation that is comfortable to wear and the packaging for such a budget lipstick is amazing!
Review
Danglefoot Polish in Loki
Sometimes it’s green, sometimes it’s purple, sometimes it’s golden-bronze and sometimes it’s purple. This is one magic polish that never fails to get me compliments and questions about what it is and where it’s from. This year I’ve not been about nails all that much at all – I’ve been so housework heavy that as soon as they’ve been painted I’ve been packing boxes/gardening/decorating etc it’s seemed pointless. This however has lured me in almost every time I have painted them, and I’ve ended up buying one as a present. This bottle is down to it’s last third, which quite frankly is amazing as I only bought it mid-way through the year. Amazing quality and I love supporting a small business, the other colours that I purchased are as lovely as this, but in Autumn I couldn’t help myself with this one!
Review
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Highlighter in Royal Glow
The one product on this last I haven’t gotten around to reviewing yet, but I’m so glad I picked this up! Since September this has been my go-to highlighter – I’ve got pretty good at sticking to one or two until they’re done (I just purchase another one or four more in between!). This is my first Becca highlighter and it’ won’t be my last. This is still available if you want a Limited Edition colour and embossed crown on. I was worried that this would be too dark but it’s a colour that looks good on everyone – that peachy golden glow.
Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lipsticks
These were a last-minute inclusion as they arrived after I’d begun making the list but have been a firm favourite for reliable lipstick wears. The shade Real Red is probably my all-time favourite red, they wear well and for a long time, great pigmentation and very comfortable on the lips. Pixi did an absolutely stellar job with these. Full collection swatch and review on the link below.
Review
And there we have it – my favourites for 2018! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of the products I’ve listed above and what your 2018 Beauty Favourites were. I may be looking for a post-no-buy treat if I’m successful at completing it!
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Very nice favorites! I love Colourpop’s lux lipsticks, they have an amazing formula!!
Author
They do they’re so comfortable! what are your favourite shades I need to grab some more with a new order and I don’t know whta to go for!!
I fully expected to see the night cream and Jouer foundation! I saw someone else mention that Origins mask the other day and sing it’s praises, what skin issues/skin type would you say it’s good for? That Becca highlight is stunning, R.I.P. embossed crown x
Author
I was so sad the day I broke through the crown!
It’s a good hydrating mask – I have oily skin but my friend has dry skin and loves it, so I’d say it’s suitable for everyone!
Thanks Rachael x
Great picks!
Author
Thanks!
That Jouer foundation sounds wonderful! I’m looking for a good full coverage foundation this year.
Angela at Blush & Pearls
Author
That one is worth a try for sure – it’s a little pricey but it packs such a punch it does go a long way!
I have been wondering about the color pop eye shadows. I donāt use them often but they actually look really good? Thanks for sharing
Author
They are really good – I have a few palettes from them and I love them all! They are good if you don’t use them often too as they’re so inexpensive but you still get great quality!
Iām going to check them out! Thanks!
The Pixi x Caroline double cleanser has been on my wishlist for the longest time, I really need to pick it up! I’m also obsessed with the Origins sleep mask! It’s fab at adding hydration to the skin!
Author
It’s such a good cleanser, you should definitely give it a whirl!
Yes the Origins Mask is fantastic, it will definitely be a repurchase when it’s empty! xx
These photos are absolutely gorgeous! I’ve wanted to purchase the Pixi Caroline Hirons Double Cleanser, but haven’t gotten the chance to. It’s nice to know that it’s a must-have item!
Author
Thank you! I really enjoy that cleanser I find I get a lot of use out of the pot and it’s great at stripping makeup off whilst still being nourishing!
I might have to invest in the glowsetter!! I’m also doing a no buy in jan too but with clothes !! whoo
Author
That’s a good idea! It’s all about adapting it to what you have an excess of!
Wow! You’ve hit pan with the highlighter!!! Well done, Rachael~~ can see that you love it
Lancome’s perfumes are lovely. I have Tresor Midnight Rose and got a few samples of other Lancome perfumes. Now I want to buy them all!š I’ve heard great things about the Formula Sleep Cream, I think I’ll get it when I’ve finished my night creams. Xx
Author
Ooh I’ve not smelt that one – Yes give that sleep cream a whirl, best one I’ve tried on the high street!
I LOVE the Sol and Mar palettes too! They are perfect little 9 pan palettes.
Author
They really are, I’ve got my eyes on the new purple one they’ve just announced that’s also 9 pan!