Makeup Must Haves | My Favourite Beauty Products From 2015

I know this post is long over due now and I had planned on getting it up early January. But if you're a regular here you will have noticed that I've not been around this month, which I feel so guilty about. I really hate when I have those bad blogging months, especially as it was the start of a new year and I had so many new blogging goals set out for myself. I've just really struggled with pregnancy this month, I was diagnosed with anaemia before new year and tiredness really did just get the better of me. I don't want to go into too much detail about this as I've got another pregnancy update coming up very soon - But no joke, I actually lost a bit of my sparkle; But I'm pleased to say I'm that's nearly back! So now that I'm feeling a lot more like myself, I thought I would get this post up as it's been planned for so long.

I really feel that 2015 was a year where I went all out and treated myself to a lot of new beauty products. If there is one thing that makes me go a little weak at knees, you can be sure its the launch of a new beauty product. As well as trying out new products, I was also very faithful to some of my all time favourites, so you'll see a good mix of new and old in this post.

Starting with the base my all time favourite primer has to be the Smashbox Photo Finish. This is the only primer that I swear by and as much as I love trying out new products, I just can't swap and change my primer. If it wasn't for this primer I'm pretty sure my makeup each day would look cakey and probably missing half way throughout the day. I just cannot put into words how amazing the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer really is, I love it so much.

My favourite for foundation is one of those golden oldies as I never not have a bottle of this in my makeup bag. Of course I'm talking about the Revlon Color Stay Foundation. I have been through so many bottles of this foundation, I'm literally so obsessed with it. I find its one of the only foundations that really helps to keep my oily skin at bay and doesn't cause my makeup to slip or slide around my face which is just one of he many reasons as to why I love it so much. Whether I'm having a good or bad skin day, I find this foundation just gives me a flawless finish each and every time.

Last year I really decided to up my contour game; Actually I'm pretty sure everyone did. I think the difference that it makes to your cheekbones is pretty incredible, mine are non existent before I contour so I've found that it really is a must for me. My favourite one has been from Sleek and it's in the shade medium. I just love this palette so much, its just so perfect for carrying around and I find each shade works beautifully with my skin tone. My favourite in the palette has to be the shimmery bronzed shade at the end, it really reminds me of Mac's Gold Deposit. Whenever I brush this on my cheekbones after some much needed contouring is done, I feel like I have that beautiful glow that really brightens up my skin; It just looks so gorgeous on.

I also think 2015 was another year where everyone got their brow game on, and throughout my time blogging, mine have definitely seen a lot of transformation. One product that I go back to time and time again is Benefit's BrowZings. I just find this kit really transforms my brows to quick and easy. I'm not one of these girls who has hours to spend making each arch perfect, I really just want something that makes them look thick, full and flawless (although the flawless bit really is down to me, and I'll be honest I struggle with my brows). The kit has a wax and a powder and both of the products make defining and sculpting my brows really easy,

Choosing a favourite mascara is never an easy thing as I'm never loyal to one in particular; It's the one beauty product I'm forever swapping and changing. However one mascara that really stood out to me and one that I actually repurchased was the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara. I found this mascara really uplifted my lashes, didn't feel or dry clumpy whilst one and gave me that false lash effect, which is something I always look out for in a mascara. I also think the bristle brush of the wand is just fabulous (they're definitely my preference).

When it comes to liquid liner, I'll be honest I'm still yet to find that PERFECT one. Honestly I've tried so many and just end up feeling really disappointed with them after using them for a few weeks. One that I did enjoy using and is worth picking up is the Revlon Colour Stay one. The one thing I love about this liner has to be the shape of its felt tip. I'm not brilliant at creating the perfect feline flick, but this liner definitely helps me, so much so that I can actually pull of what I think is perfect eyeliner.... Sometimes. The only thing I don't like to much is that it dries out pretty quickly which is such a shame.

As a chocoholic it should come as no surprise to you that my favourite eye shadow palette last year was the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. I'm pretty sure I used this almost every day as the shades are just my perfect go too ones; I just love wearing warm toned browns, beiges and neutrals on my eyes so this palette was perfect for me. I found myself using this palette in for day and night time and it's one I used for all those special occasions. I have nothing but love for this palette.

Last year my obsession for trying out new lipsticks continued, however I ditched the pink and swapped my go to lip shade to nude. I blame Kylie Jenner for this one, because as soon as I got my hands on Mac's Velvet Teddy I never looked back. It's a lipstick that not only became a favourite very quickly, but its one that got me hooked on trying out every brown toned nude shade I could get my hands on. I've worn Velvet Teddy and other nude lipsticks so much that my pink lipsticks have actually collected dust! One lipstick that has competed with Velvet Teddy has to be Makeup Revolution's Lip Lava in the shade 'Forgiven'. Liquid lipsticks were such a hit with me last year and I just love the formulation of the Lip Lava.

I love picking out yearly favourites and I can honestly say these are the makeup items that have found a permanent home in my makeup bag. I'm pretty excited to see what this year holds for new beauty releases, I'm sure I will try to get my hands on as much as possible.

What are your makeup must haves? Let me know in the comments.

Lots of Love

The Best of 2015 and Goals for 2016

Another year has passed in what seems like a blink of an eye and I find myself looking back and reflecting on the year I've had and typing up my annual reflection post. As cliche as these posts sometimes are, I feel that they are good for the soul and its great to take the time to look back and see  what the year has been about. For me 2015 has honestly been what I would call a crazy year and there have been some massive changes in my life, which I never thought I would be preparing for. Overall I would say I've had a really good year, although it has been somewhat of a whirlwind.

I would say the beginning of last year was really all about me. That must sound incredibly selfish, but I feel that I really spent a lot of time investing in myself, doing things that made me happy and started making plans that would help me to progress throughout the year. I took a lot of time out to spend with loved ones and friends and I found myself attending a lot of blogger events which was amazing as I got to meet so many lovely people. My favourite had to be attending Cheltenham Races with etail PR, I had such a great time and it stands out to me as one of those highlights in the year.

April was also a really good month for me as I got promoted to an Assistant Manager at work, which again was something that I had not aimed for or predicted would happen at the beginning of the year, but stands out as a great personal achievement. For me, working in retail was never the 'dream job' that I had in mind. But when you work with such an amazing team and that team become a second family to you then it makes going to work worth while and enjoyable.

I also had a lot of fun training for my yearly cheerleading events that come up in the summer. I've been cheerleading now for four years, with the same group of girls; These girls who I would now class as some of my best friends. Cheerleading is one of those things that just really fulfils me and brings me so much happiness. This is probably due to the people more than the sport, but every year special memories are made with these people and this year was no exception. It was probably the best cheer year yet.

Right in the middle of the year James and I went on holiday to Turkey, which turned out to be one of the best holidays of my life and one that I will never forget. For those of you who have been reading my blog right from the beginning will know that James is the love of my life and we've been together since we were 16. In all our time together had never actually gone on holiday on our own just the two of us, it had always been with family. This year we took two weeks out of our everyday life and had the most amazing time. We had some really magical moments, making it a holiday I'll never forget.

The second half of my year was really where things went from being fairly normal, to a complete whirlwind and if I'm honest I feel like that I'm still living in this crazy dream. The most wonderful thing happened and I found out that I was pregnant. I've always wanted to have children and although James and I had not purposely been trying for a baby, we always said if it happened we were at the right stage in our lives. Finding out that I was pregnant was not only one of the most special experiences in my life, but its completely changed me and my life. As much as I love being pregnant, I have to say I've not taken to it as easily as I would have liked, its been a really difficult journey for me. As much as I love it, I don't think I was ever truly prepared as to how hard it would be; Its been very mentally and physically demanding and I now have a new found appreciation for every mother out there. I've experienced some very low points during my pregnancy, but the highs definitely outweigh any lows and now I just can't wait to meet my little man come March.

From July onwards, my year has just felt like everything has been focused and based on my pregnancy and I don't really remember anything else that has stood out between then and now. Although I did have a wonderful run up to Christmas and was lucky enough to travel to Germany for a long weekend to get into the festive spirt.

I think 2015 will be one of those years that I never forget and I have a feeling that 2016 is going to be one of the best years of my life. I have so much to look forward to. In terms of making new years resolutions and goals I have two.

1. To be the best mum that I can possibly can be will be my number one priority. I have an idea, but really no idea what being a mum is going to be like. All I know is that I love my little boy with all my heart and I will be the best mummy that I can be for him.

2. My second is just to enjoy and cherish every moment of my life. I have a lot of mini goals set out for myself in terms of my blog and other personal achievements, but mainly I just want to spend every moment of everyday enjoying myself, enjoying life and taking the best from every situation.

I am so excited for the year ahead, I can honestly say already that it's going to be amazing.

I really hope you have a wonderful year and that all your dreams and wishes come true - Just make them happen.

Lots of Love

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