Best of 2012

I just wanna start of by saying happy new year!

My posts will lack during January because of my exams so I thought I would do a pretty extensive blog post reviewing all my favourite products (as well as books, movies and music favourites) of 2012 today. Links are added to reviews :)

Best eyeshadows (palette): Urban Decay Naked 2
Best mascara: Rimmel Volume Flash Scandal Eyes or Clinique High Impact
Best pencil liner: Avon Supershock or MAC Stubborn Brown or Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Nude
Best liquid liner: Maybelline Master Precise
Best eyeshadow base: MAC Paint Pots
Best eye lash glue: Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive
Best eyebrow product: Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash

I'm not a lip product fan, the only lip products I use are MAC lipsticks. My favourites, and most used, during 2012 have been: Myth or Hue or Honeylove or Sunny Seoul.

Best liquid foundation: Esteé Lauder Double Wear in Fresco and Desert Beige
Best powder foundation: NARS Powder Foundation in Fiji
Best primer: Smashbox Photofinish
Best concealer: Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection in Fair
Best bronzer: NARS Laguna
Best blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed
Best powder: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus

Best volumising product: TRESemmé Volume and Lift Mousse
Best dry shampoo: TRESemmé Instant Refresh
Best heat protector: TRESemmé Keratin Smooth
Best treatment: Moroccan Oil or Leo Bancroft Instant Sleek or Kerastase Nectar Thermique or Macadamia Oil
Best straightening balm: Redken Power Tame 16 or Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

Best self tanner: St Moriz Mousse in Dark
Best face moisturiser: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel
Best body moisturiser: Shea body butter from The Body Shop
Best hand cream: L'Occitane
Best universal cream: E45 or Sudocrem (not pictured)
Best acne/red skin treatment: Mario Badescu Control Cream

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Favourite books of the year

- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

- Unwind by Neal Shusterman

- Holy Bible (ESV)

- The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

Favourite movies (and shows) of the year

- Project X

- Ted

- Sherlock, both series

Favourite albums of the year

- Born To Die: Paradise Edition by Lana Del Rey

- Take Me Home by One Direction

- Life is Elsewhere by Little Comets

- Babel by Mumford & Sons

- Channel Orange by Frank Ocean

- What's The Story (Morning Glory)? by Oasis

So thats all of my favourite things of 2012. I hope you had an amazing year and I hope that the new year brings you happiness and lots of laughs.

Suzanna xo

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, £25

Along with everything else I bought in New York - see here! - I decided to pick up this primer. I know you can get it the UK but it was a spur-of-the-moment kinda purchase and was much cheaper! 

Smashbox are renowned for their primers that each have a different purposes and cater for every possible need. Here's a run through of them:

• Photo finish "original" - creates a flawless base, smooths lines, extends make up wear
• Photo finish "light" - same as original but for oily, sensitive or acne prone skin
• Photo finish "plus dermaxyl" - reduces wrinkles
• Photo finish "hydrating" - delivers immediate hydration for hours
• Photo finish "colour correcting adjust" - reduces redness and discolouration
• Photo finish "luminizing" - imparts the perfect amount of radiance for glowing skin
• Photo finish "colour correcting blend" - evens out skin tone and counteracts dark spots
• Photo finish "colour correcting balance" - brightens sallow or dull skin
• Photo finish "more than primer dark spot correcting" - instantly smoothes and brightens skin

All are £25, except the last one which is £28.

I opted for the original that is designed to create a flawless base that preps the skin for foundation whilst smoothing fine lines and extending make up wear. Sounds too good to be true.

Bit of history with myself and primers. I've never liked them. They have never seem to do anything for my skin so I just haven't bothered experimenting with them. Yet I heard some really good reviews on two primers: the Laura Mercier one and the Smashbox one. Whilst in Sephora I decided to try the Smashbox origina.

I used it the following day and I broke out instantly, so I stopped using it. Then when I got back home I decided to try it again and it didn't break me out but it didn't really seem to do anything special. It definitely made it easier to put my foundation on, but as for the "smooths lines" and "extending make up wear" claims...yeah, I don't think so. I'm going to keep using it though but I won't be repurchasing when it's finished.

But low and behold, I have found two amazing uses for this product.

The first being using it to tame flyaways. Yes, I'm talking about hair. Simply rub a bit of the primer between your fingers and smoothen down the ends of your hair. Voila. The second being using it to remove smudged eye makeup and mascara. Just pump a bit on a cotton bud and wipe under your eye to remove any smudged makeup. It's a lifesaver, especially for when you are in a hurry and don't wanna mess it up!

I hope this review helped you in some way or another!

Suzanna x

Beauty Haul from NYC

As promised, here is what I bought in New York! I've decided only to show you the beauty stuff and accessories (only one thing but oh well) because photographing clothes isn't exactly my forte. The clothes I did buy were some collard shirts, black leather shorts and a maroon beanie from Forever 21; a Hard Rock Cafe tee and a New York Giants jersey. Nothing that special. The rest of what I bought is, however.

Sephora was the shop that I was most excited about visiting - they have so many brands that aren't available in the UK or, if they are, they are much cheaper! Most of my mula was spent there ashamedly, yet I am very happy with everything I purchased. Reviews will be linked up below when I have written them.

Anastasia Brow Pencil, Sephora Fragrance Sampler, Marc Jacobs Daisy Rollerball, L'oreal Colour Balm, EOS Lip Balm, NARS Powder Foundation, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, Hoola Benefit, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush, Covergirl Eyeshadow Trio, Sephora Kabuki (in black pouch), Smashbox Photofinish Primer, OCC Lip Tar, Tweezerman Eyelash Curlers, Esteé Lauder Double Wear Foundation

....

Heathrow, terminal 5 to be specific, is the best for duty free shopping. I never normally buy anything from duty free as I like to save my money for the holiday. But it was my birthday and my mum decided to treat me and buy me some new sunglasses. I fell in love with these Versace ones - the number reference on the side is "MOD 4229" if you are wondering (if you search it on google you will find several links to different stores). They are a similar style to Raybans yet I didn't want to add another pair of them to my collection so I decided to go for a new brand. The frames are much bigger than my classic Rayban wayfarers which I like.

What do you think?

So that was everything I bought minus the clothes, tourist stuff and the presents I bought for people's birthdays! All of the make-up was bought in Sephora with the exception of the Esteé Lauder Double Wear which I bought in Macy's and the L'Oreal lipstick, Covergirl eyeshadow trio and EOS lip balm which was all bought in Wallgreens. The shades purchased in Heathrow.

I'm exceptionally jealous of those who have regular access to Sephora's. I do think, however, that I would be broke if I lived near one, so it's not all bad!

Suzanna x