Danielle's Beauty Blog

Welcome back everyone! I hope you were able to have a nice break over the holidays! I’ve been keeping a little list over the last couple of weeks of what my favourite skin and body care products have been this year and that’s what I’m going to share today! Ideally, I would have had hair and makeup favourites in this too but as always there are just too many to mention so I’ll get that up next week! I don’t think any of these are new releases for this year but they were new to me either at the very end of 2019 when it was too early for me to know how much I loved it or has been purchased this year! 

Starting with body products, the Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Anti-Irritation Shower Oil (full review) which quickly became a favourite when I picked it up to help with my drier skin due to going on Roaccutane (this will be a theme throughout this post lol). It’s so soothing, hydrating and not greasy at all! I have a full review here but I cannot recommend this enough especially if you find you get dry patches or drier skin in the winter! I’ve recently got sent some more bits from their Atoderm body range which I have been enjoying too but too soon to say they are my best discoveries of the year :P 

Sticking with bodycare, the Bali Body Self-Tanning Mousse* (full review) is the only fake tan I have used this year! It has a guide colour so is fool proof and it leaves a beautiful medium darkness natural tan when left overnight to develop! I can get a good 4-5 days out of this when I moisturise well and even when it starts to wear of it’s so even I don’t notice! Finally, in the bodycare category, I have to mention the OUAI Melrose Place Eau de Parfum (full review). I have worn this nearly every day since I got it earlier this year! It’s the perfect subtle, rose scent and I will be so upset if they ever discontinue it (which happens to all my favourite perfumes)! 

Moving onto skincare now and I’m going to try and go through these quickly as I feel like they get featured a lot on my blog already so I don’t want to bore you! Starting with cleansers, I finally picked up two very hyped budget cleansers this year and loved them both! The Cerave Hydrating Cleanser is just perfect at the minute for my morning cleanse, it’s a very simple cleanser packed full of ceramides and hyaluronic acid that doesn’t foam up too much and leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated as you would expect from the name! Similarly, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is another hydrating product that can be used as a first or second cleanse and I am kicking myself for not getting on this hype train sooner! It feels beautiful, breaks down makeup easily and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated! Will definitely be getting the big size next! 

Next up, I have fallen in love with quite a few toners this year so this was a hard one for me but the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner (full review) is one I have fully used up, loved and repurchased! It’s gel like, cooling and most importantly for my skin at the minute - hydrating! In terms of treatments, the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (full review) was a game changer for me at the start of the year. It works amazingly on congested, oily skin and my skin always looks so much clearer and brighter the morning after use! 

Moving onto hyaluronic acid and the Hada Labo Tokyo Lotion No1 Super Hydrator has impressed me so much – it contains 3 different types of hyaluronic acid and really helps keep moisture locked in all day for me. I was so worried going on Roaccutane about the skin dryness but I have been shocked at how well my skin is coping and this is one of the products I have been using every day! It’s also very reasonably priced for such a huge bottle! 

This year I have really gotten into K Beauty and I have started incorporating steps I wouldn’t normally such as using as essence and my weapon of choice is the I’m From Mugwort Essence (full review). It’s 100% mugwort and perfect for irritated skin, it absorbs quickly, adds an extra layer of hydration for me and keeps my skin feeling smooth too! 

The Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Booster has been my serum of choice over the last few months now and I’ll confess I have had this before a few years ago when I wasn’t blogging as much so I am cheating a bit but it has really come into its own for me this year! I was previously a fan of the Vichy Aqualia Thermal but with alcohol denat quite high up on the list in that one I made the switch to this and haven’t looked back! It’s a really cooling gel serum that hydrates my skin and makes it plump! 

Cerave Eye Repair Cream is another one I think I let fly under the radar. It’s a very simple lightweight cream, great for puffiness and dark circles and sits under makeup very well too, this is my backup as I repurchased straight away after finishing the first one I had! 

Finally, I have a couple of facemasks to share! First up, the Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant* (full review) which delivers in bucketloads on hydration and gentle exfoliation. It contains snow mushroom for hydration and bamboo to exfoliate as well as cucumber extract (which it smells like) to soothe and it’s so effective! It only needs to be left on for 5 minutes and my face feels instantly refreshed, hydrated and exfoliated! And even better, it’s fine on my currently sensitive skin! I also want to give the Huxley Secret of Sahara Sleep Mask: Good Night a mention as it’s been in constant use since I got it! It contains Pricky pear seed oil, hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica and though it’s an overnight mask it is very lightweight and absorbs quickly but somehow my skin doesn’t dry out overnight. I wake up with hydrated, smooth and plump skin so this is a winner for me! It’s also very cooling and soothing! 

And that’s my round up of my favourite skin and bodycare discoveries this year! I think the Dermalogica mask is the only product that was actually released this year haha! I would love to know if we share any of the same favourite’s or what some of yours were! Let me know in the comments! 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here. 

Danielle xx

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Wow, last post of the year! I hope you were all able to have a nice Christmas! I feel like this isn’t as many empties as I normally have and if I’m honest I’ve slacked off the last couple of months and been trying out new products so it’s been difficult for me to finish a lot! But anyway, I wanted to end the year rounding up then binning my trash so here it is!

Bodycare

Aveeno Moisturising Cream

I actually got this on prescription from my dermatologist just before I started Roaccutane and I’ve really been enjoying it! It’s been keeping my skin nicely hydrated and I like how it’s got a pump and there is a lot of product in there too which is great considering how much moisturiser I go through - it sinks in quickly too which is great! The only downside is that it’s unscented which yes is a good thing for sensitive skin, but I do generally like my moisturiser to be scented but it’s a small price to pay and I already have a backup of this! 

Eucerin Intensive Lotion 

This is an old favourite of mine and one I have repurchased countless times! I only use it on my legs and it is amazing if you ever get itchy legs or dry patches! It doesn’t spread as easily as the Aveeno and is also unscented so I don’t use it on my top half. I spoke more about it in my French Pharmacy Favourites post and I will repurchase once I use a few other moisturisers up! 

Rituals Ritual of Sakura body cream

This is more like what I use on my top half! Hydrating and smells good! I laughed while reading one of Siobhan’s posts lately as she mentioned using nice smelling body creams on her top half and cheaper/more bog standard stuff on her bottom half and I do exactly the same thing! I picked up a Sakura gift set recently so I do have a bigger size to use up now! I find the body cream can be a little sickening but I do love the body foam as it’s a much more subtle scent! 

Haircare

Bardot Dry Shampoo

I talked about this more in my Dry Shampoo Showdown post but I really enjoyed it! It worked well on my greasy hair to give me an extra day out of it! I found the scent a little too floral for me but I got this on offer for about £2.50 so would repurchase at that price! 

Olaplex No.0

The newest addition to Olaplex’s wonderful line up and this is a primer for my long term fave No.3. You saturate your hair with this, wait 10 minutes then apply No.3 and in conjunction they work to repair damaged hair! I got about 4 uses out of this as my hair is quite long and I actually got my hair cut at the beginning of December so it’s not as damaged as normal but after use if certainly feels healthier. I don’t have a lot of breakage yet but I have already repurchased as I love and trust Olaplex No.3 and want to keep my hair in the best possible condition! 

Olaplex No.3 

Obsessed with this and I spoke more about it in this Haircare Essentials post too but I have been using this for years now and can’t see myself without it! Breakage is dramatically reduced and hair feels much stronger and healthier! Have already repurchased! 

Oribe Dry Texturising Spray

I feel like this was a cult favourite a good few years ago and I finally got round to trying it! I liked it, it definitely added a little volume through my hair but the results were short lived I would say so not a repurchase for me! 

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave In Product 

This is the second time I’ve had this and it’s great for heat protection and smoothing hair, I do prefer the OUAI Leave In Conditioner though so it won’t be a repurchase for me straight away!

Bumble and bumble Bb Glow Thermal Protection Mist 

Another nice product, this one you spray on dry hair so perfect for me before straightening! I like it but won’t be a repurchase just yet! 

Skincare

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

I love this and spoke more about it in this post but in short it’s a very simple, gentle, hydrating gel like toner and my skin drinks this up! I have already repurchased the bigger size! 

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner 

Another simple, hydrating, calming product and another one my skin loved! I reviewed it here and will repurchase this in the future once I finish a few other mists up! 

Clarol Silver Serum

This is one of those products that is billed as a “miracle product” for acne and while it is a nice moisturiser and works well as a primer under makeup, unfortunately, it worked no miracle on my acne haha. I liked it as a daily moisturiser but I wouldn’t be in a rush to repurchase as I have others I prefer! 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

Another cult favourite and my first time trying! This is a nice formulation of a gel to oil and removed makeup with ease. The full size isn’t as expensive as I thought it was originally but I don’t love the scent so this won’t be a repurchase! 

Sukin Original Hydrating Mist Toner 

A really lovely little spritz that was perfect for keeping in my handbag to top up my face during the day! Super affordable too, this was only £2.50! Will repurchase in the future! 

The Inkey List Q10 

I find the Inkey list very love/hate but thankfully this was one that I loved! A really simple, antioxidant full hydrating serum perfect for fine lines! Will repurchase this again soon! 

Cerave Eye Repair Cream 

Another simple, no frills product that worked well to hydrate my under eyes – have already repurchased! 

Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief and Resilience Soothing Face Mask

A lovely creamy, hydrating and soothing wash off mask! I have been using this regularly in the mornings to calm my redness down before makeup. Would repurchase in the future but using a lot of other masks right now! 

Makeup

GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturiser in Nude Glow 

I use this as a primer hence why I slotted it in my makeup category! It’s beautifully illuminating but never looks greasy and gives a really nice lit from within look! Love it but have just repurchased the Becca Backlight Priming filter which I find very similar so this will have to wait for a repurchase! 

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss lip butter

This is huge and leaves a gorgeous hydrating sheen behind and it lasts so long between top ups! It contains cupuaçu, acai and coconut oil and makes my lips feel so soft and the scent is not overpowering at all! I can’t believe how much was left in the packaging once I finished the bullet, I got about another months use out of it by digging it out with a cotton bud! Full review here! Will repurchase in the future!

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish lip balm in clear 

Really luxe little lipbalm, not as longlasting on the lips as I would have liked and the full size is too expensive for what it is so not a repurchase for me but I really recommend the little mini set when on sale! 

MAC Fix+ Magic Radiance

Not very much in this tiny sample but enough to know I liked it and would like to try again! Hydrating and brightening and I would repurchase if on offer! 

Miscellaneous

Disciple Miracle Drops 1000mg

I know CBD works for a lot of people but unfortunately it doesn’t for me! I was as stressed and wound up as ever in the lead up to some recent interviews! Tried it on my skin only a couple of times so can’t really review that but I personally prefer other oils for topical use. Expensive as well so not a repurchase for me! 

Carex Moisture Hand Gel 

Love this - smells fresh, doesn’t dry out my hands and sinks in quickly without leaving any tacky feeling! Always out of stock but will pick up when I see it again! 

Tossing 

When I mentioned that I have a love/hate relationship with the Inkey List earlier, this is what I meant! Their Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide just don’t do it for me and aren’t a patch on the Ordinary’s versions which I love. The shelf life is also 6 months compared to the Ordinary’s 12 months so I didn’t even get to finish these but I would not repurchase! 

And that is my last empties of 2020 and my eighth of the year! Hopefully there will be even more next year! Thank you for all your support with reading and commenting this year, I really appreciate it! See you in 2021! 

Danielle xx

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My beloved lipliners and lipsticks have taken a backseat this year due to obvious reasons but I thought I would show you my favourite tinted lip balms that have taken their place and I’ve got one for every day of the week! In my last job, my mask was on and off quite a bit depending on if I was at my desk or out of my little office and these lip products are tried and tested! They are my favourite for adding some colour to my lips (which have a tendency to go the same colour as my makeup if there is nothing on them) and they give little to no transfer to the inside of my mask but they never transfer over my face! 

First up is the hybrid Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny lipstick in Retro Rose RRP £19 and this is one I have spoken about before on my blog here! I would say it’s the creamiest of the bunch, a beautiful colour and lasts a fair amount of time on my dry lips too! I then have the Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Shine Balm in Rose RRP £15 which feels a little more lightweight on my lips compared to the Fenty and isn’t as longlasting but it gives a lovely shine to the lips! 

Quite possibly my favourite of the bunch is the Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips in Pillowtalk RRP £25. This one is actually feels quite stiff to apply but it is the longest lasting on my lips of the seven I have here, most hydrating and though its pricey I have definitely gotten my money’s worth! It’s also the most luxurious – look at that packaging! It’s the perfect plumping, my lips but better shade and don’t tell the others but it’s my favourite! The Nude by Nature Sheer Glow Colour Balm in Pink 03 RRP £18 lives in my handbag with whatever clear lip balm I have in rotation as it’s the least hydrating of the ones I have here but it gives a perfect tint and if I feel my lips getting dry I just top up with some clear lip balm!

Moving onto my minis now and the Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in Influencer RRP £31 is the perfect nude shade while the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Dolce Vita RRP £23 is the most lightweight of all the balms I have here, you seriously feel like you have nothing on but the shade is beautiful and the hydration lasts well! Lastly, I’ve got the Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Sheer Lip Balm in Blow Up RRP £33 which is another beautiful nude shade! I’m glad I got the mini on offer though as the full size is so pricey though they seem to do regular discounts on the website! I also dedicated a whole blog post to the mini set I got here! 

Swatches l-r: Fenty, Jouer, CT, Nude by Nature, Hourglass, NARS, Pat McGrath

I’ve included some unedited swatches here too so you can see the shades and formulation as well! If I was ranking from most to least favourite I would say CT, NARS, Fenty, Jouer, Hourglass, Pat then Nude by Nature!

This is my final blog post before Christmas but I’ll be back with my last empties post of the year next Sunday and will be posting regularly on Instagram this week! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas whatever your plans are, I know they may be different than usual and I feel for you if that’s the case! 

Let me know your favourite tinted lip balms down below please! 

Danielle xx

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You might have seen my last minute beauty lovers Christmas gift guide last week and this week I have another instalment! This time I thought I would include some non-beauty related items as well in case you need some inspo! 

I have a thing about pyjamas, especially at Christmas, and it’s always a tradition to get a new pair every year. This year, I asked my mum for some silk (read: satin because silk is too expensive!) pyjamas and I know I got them because I tried on a couple of sizes to see which fit best! I fell in love with the Chelsea Peers Zebra print set but the Bluebella Giraffe set came a close second! Sadly these both seem to be out of stock now but they felt so luxurious I knew I wanted to get my aunt a similar pair so I went with the Marks & Spencer Satin Butterfly print pyjama set which I love and I hope she does aswell! 

To go with my new pyjamas I also asked for a sturdy pair of slippers as mine are threadbare and again I’ve spoiled the surprise because my mum wated me to check these fitted too – the Next Suede Mule Slippers! I’ve borrowed them for the photo but I won’t get them to Christmas Day! Even though I only wore them to check the size I know I will love these, the heel is so thick and they feel so comfortable! They are very Ugg like but without having to spend the same amount of money! 

I’ve kindly been sent the Sand&Sky Purify and Glow Kit* and I cannot wait to try the products out - it’s a brand I’ve seen all over Instagram and it’s got great reviews to go with its beautiful pink aesthetic! They are an Australian cruelty free brand that use Aussie botanicals in their products and this set includes the Australian Pink Clay mask (with the cutest mini mask brush), the Enzyme Powder Polish (that turns pink on activation with water!) and the Emu Apple Dreamy Glow Drops in a handy pink cosmetic bag. It’s also available from Cult Beauty and I’m sure these products will be in future blog posts once I’ve had a chance to test them properly! The Dreamy Glow Drops are calling my name and this set would be perfect for a skincare obsessive! 

I’ve also picked up a Lanolips Rose Intense hand cream for my aunt as at the minute with sanitising, hydration is important and I hope she likes this one! I haven’t tried it before but I am enjoying the other products I have picked up from Lanolips recently! 

Candles are also a gift I love to receive and thought I can’t quite justify the price of a Diptyque or Overose, I love the selection TK Maxx and Homesence has and picked up this DW Home candle in the scent of sea salt and driftwood to gift to my aunt! I’ve had other scents myself before and they last long, burn evenly and fill the room with scent! 

The Emma Hardie Essential Luxury Collection has been tempting me for weeks but if you want to gift something smaller, the Moringa Cleansing Balm is always a good shout! I don’t know anyone who has used this that doesn’t like it! It’s luxurious, removes makeup with ease and feels so hydrating! 

Most of the presents I’ve got for my mum revolve around makeup and skincare and I’ll probably do a separate Instagram post of those but for now, another crowd favourite I think makes a great present - the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose setting powder and puff (I think I somehow managed to order the old packaging oops!) I’m a long term fan of this and so is my mum, its mattifying but not cakey and not flat! She has been wanting the puff for a while so I picked up the set as it’s expensive on its own! 

Finally, I also picked up some sweets to add as little extras for some people. One of my friends got me a giant jar from a different company for my birthday and it was such a treat and since Christmas is the season for overindulgence I thought I would do the same but with smaller packs! The Little Candy Box Company was the first company that came up when I searched and I am super happy with them, delivery was quick, packaged well and most importantly the sweets taste good (obviously I got some for myself too!)

And that concludes my extra little gift guide! I hope it’s helped if you still have some people to buy for! I really need to finish off my presents this week, some things are taking so long to arrive I don’t want to leave it any longer! Let me know if you have picked up any similar presents for your friends and family! 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here. 

Danielle xx

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