Welcome to the second round of my 2016 Favourites - a.k.a. the two-part series that I like to do at the start of every year where you can all most likely guess half of what's included. If you missed Part One, where I talked favourites from the 'Makeup', 'Nails' and 'Tools' categories, I shall link it just here for you to have a peruse of but for now - it's time to start discussing all things 'Bath and Body', 'Haircare' and 'Skincare'. Let's get into it...
Bath and Body:
BEST PERFUME - 'Daisy' By Marc Jacobs - Once again for the second year running, I am still all kinds of obsessed with this fragrance. A lovely floral-toned perfume with a gorgeous musky vibe to it which just gives it that 'sexy' edge - I love it. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST BUBBLE BATH/SHOWER GEL - Zoella Beauty Sweet Inspirations 'Bath Latte' Bath and Shower Milk - Once again, ZoellaBeauty has been my go-to when it comes to all things body-based. Last year, I was obsessing over the Tutti Fruit Shower Gel (which has no sadly been discontinued - boo!) but this time round, I've become a big fan of this bath/shower milk from the 'Sweet Inspirations' range that Zoe launched back in the Summer. This comes encased in the cutest old-school milk bottle packaging that you quite literally pour either straight into your bath or your hands to use as a shower gel and it works brilliantly. This creates mountains of bubbles in the 'tub and makes your bathwater super-silky and smooth at the same time. It acts in a similar way when used as a body wash too - gliding over the skin and cleansing while still leaving your skin feeling all soft and smooth too. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST BODY SCRUB - I Love... Lemon Meringue Whipped Sugar Scrub - I came across this body scrub by pure chance back in the Summer and loved it ever since. I love a good body scrub and I also love anything with a lemon/citrus-type scent (see: my love for the 'Sugar Crush' Range by Soap and Glory) so this way always bound to be a match made in bathing heaven. I really love the texture of this as it gives my limbs a good scrub - smoothing and getting rid of any dead skin cells or general rougher texture - but also foams up a little in the process, giving them a little cleanse at the same time. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST BODY MOISTURISER/BUTTER/LOTION - Soap and Glory 'Butter Yourself' Moisture Lotion - For giving some much-needed moisturising TLC to my limbs, this has been the one product that I've been reaching for the most throughout 2016. I have always been a massive advocate for the Soap and Glory body butters, lotions, you know what I mean. They're relatively affordable, come in a huge array of formulas and scents and all of them do major things for keeping things all hydrated. However, since trying this one out towards the start of the year, I have become a massive fan of the convenient set-up this has. Rather than having to dig your fingers in, disperse it around and get a little messy in the process - with this you simply pump the lotion out (sounds just a little wrong, I know) and I find it to be so much quicker and easier. Still just as moisturising and still just as lovely a fragrance and I will definitely be looking into other scents they have in this format! MENTIONED HERE.
BEST TANNING PRODUCT - Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser - I've never been a massive tanning fan (whether it be real or faux) but this year I feel like I've finally found a product that allows me t get my glow on in a relatively quick and easy way and also very gradually too. If I do use self-tanners, I much prefer a gradual version that adds the colour slowly and allows me complete control over how tanned I wanna go - and how quickly too. It also handily doubles up as a nice body moisturiser too - keeping my limbs all smooth, soft and hydrated at the same time and if that wasn't enough - I never get the awful tan scent when I use it either. Winner! MENTIONED HERE.
BEST FOOT CREAM - Soap and Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream - Last up for all things Body-related and one which I again, gave a shout-out to this time last year - this foot cream from Soap and Glory. Have you guessed that I'm a bit of a S&G addict yet? This is the only foot cream I have ever used that has actually made any major difference to my tootsies. Unlike others which simply seem to mask the problem, this gets to work at repairing and replenishing them long-term and I just can't be without it now. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST TANNING PRODUCT - Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser - I've never been a massive tanning fan (whether it be real or faux) but this year I feel like I've finally found a product that allows me t get my glow on in a relatively quick and easy way and also very gradually too. If I do use self-tanners, I much prefer a gradual version that adds the colour slowly and allows me complete control over how tanned I wanna go - and how quickly too. It also handily doubles up as a nice body moisturiser too - keeping my limbs all smooth, soft and hydrated at the same time and if that wasn't enough - I never get the awful tan scent when I use it either. Winner! MENTIONED HERE.
BEST FOOT CREAM - Soap and Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream - Last up for all things Body-related and one which I again, gave a shout-out to this time last year - this foot cream from Soap and Glory. Have you guessed that I'm a bit of a S&G addict yet? This is the only foot cream I have ever used that has actually made any major difference to my tootsies. Unlike others which simply seem to mask the problem, this gets to work at repairing and replenishing them long-term and I just can't be without it now. MENTIONED HERE.
Haircare:
BEST SINGLE SHAMPOO - PRO:VOKE Touch Of Silver Brightening Shampoo - I gave this purple shampoo a shout-out this time last year after discovering it on 2015 and it remained a big favourite of mine throughout this year too. Being a dyed blonde, purple shampoo is kinda essential to my haircare stash in terms of keeping my colour brighter, bolder and just better and I am yet to come across one which has piped this one to the post. It's super intense and pigmented (seriously, leave this on for too long and your hair will have an ever-so-slight lilac tinge to it) and so does a super-good job at really knocking out those brassy, orangey tones. It does leave my hair feeling a little on the drier side of things afterwards, but a little dose of deep conditioner pretty much solves that and all in all, it gives like a completely hair transformation in just one use and who doesn't like the sound of that, eh? MENTIONED HERE.
BEST DRY SHAMPOO - Batiste 'Fresh' Dry Shampoo - In terms of dry shampoo, I went back to an old favourite during this past year - good ol' Batiste. It's much more of a 'traditional', thicker dry shampoo as opposed to the likes of COLAB, but during 2016 that's the kind of thing I've been gravitating towards I guess. It does the job in just a couple of spritzes, eradicating any signs of the fact I probably really need to wash my hair (but haven't, yet) in an instant and this scent in particular leaving a very fresh, clean fragrance behind aswell. It takes a little more work to ensure there's no white cast left behind, but it's more than worth it in the end and I love it. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST HAIRCARE RANGE - OGX Haircare - I just have to give a mention to OGX - the brand as a whole - for this one. Throughout 2016 their range was the only one I used consistently and there's good reason for that - they are all awesome. 2015 was the year when I discovered and fell in loved with OGX and this trend continued this past year too, as I tried out more and more collections they have on offer. I have yet to come across one which haven't got along with and considering how more often than not you can pick them up in the likes of Boots/Superdrug on a '3 for 2'-kinda offer aswell - bargain. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST TREATMENT - BLEACH London Reincarnation Mask - Usually I am all about the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle in regards to deep conditioner, but this year I came across this one from BLEACH when I finally decided to give into the hype surrounding git and you know what? I am super glad I did. This is a super, super-thick formula that you apply to your hair, leave for as long as you fancy (I like to leave it to do its thang for as long as possible) and I notice such an improvement in my hair afterwards. As I mentioned, I have dyed blonde hair so my tresses are almost always in need of some hydration and this hair mask does a great job at providing just that. Ooo - and all with a pretty yummy scent too - Mmhmmm... MENTIONED HERE.
Jerome Russell Bblonde Lightening Spray - I tend to just refresh my colour every so often either through a trip to the hairdressers, or possibly by an at-home jobby (which I'll talk about later) but sometimes, if I want to be really lazy - I love using this a couple of times after I've wash and conditioned my hair and before I blow-dry it to give some extra lightness and brightness to my blonde. It's quick, easy and fool-proof and I really like having this in my haircare stash. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST HEAT PROTECTANT - L'Oréal Studio Line Hot and Straight Spray - An oldie, but a goodie - this is my forever favourite heat protectant. A nice way of shielding my tresses from the damaging effects of the hairdryer and heat tools and also a product that handily doubles up as a way of gradually coaxing my hair to a straighter, more polished finished result. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST STYLING SPRAY - Lee Stafford Dehumidifier Spray - Now, onto a proper 'rave' of the Haircare department. Obviously I love every single thing I've included, but this is a completely new kind of product that I hadn't tried before 2016 and now I have, I am so glad I finally took the plunge and did so. I have always had issues with slightly frizz-prone hair. My natural tresses are sort of that strange in-between of 'straight' and 'curly' - meaning they always require some form of styling to look somewhat presentable. However, while normally that isn't an issue - the moment my hair encounters some form of humidity or rain - that kinda thang - things start to get a little frizzy and messy again. So, I came across this product in Boots and instantly picked it up in the hope that it might help solve the problem and I'm super-pleased to report that it actually is rather awesome. I style my hair, spray some of this on afterwards and it's like magic - keeping every strand in place all day/night long. Of course, sometimes in extreme cases there's still a slight bit of frizzing - but I'm talking slightly - and the whole look of my hair in general is always so much better and longer-lasting when I use this. A firm, firm favourite of 2016 - that's fo' sho'... MENTIONED HERE.
BEST TOOLS - Tangle Teezer - I finally got round to giving the infamous Tangle Teezer a whirl this year and it's quickly become my new favourite hair brush to use - especially when it's particularly knotty - but also simply as an everyday tool too. This glides through my hair, whatever state it's in and smoothes it all out in an instant. The flexible bristles are not harsh on my tresses and ensure a tangle-free finish every single time. MENTIONED HERE.
Also, as is the same as my 2014 and 2015 Favourites, I am still absolutely loving my Babyliss Boutique Salon Power Hairdryer and Salon Control Straighteners that I got a couple of Christmases ago and have used faithfully ever since.
ALSO A SPECIAL MENTION TO... the Superdrug Ombre Kit. I have used this Ombre Hair Dye Kit twice this past year and loved it, a lot. It did the job at adding back in a lot of blonde to the mid-lengths to tips of my hair, made blending easy-peasy (no harsh lines to be seen, thankfully) and wasn't at all expensive too. A straightforward home dye that really worked. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST TREATMENT - BLEACH London Reincarnation Mask - Usually I am all about the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle in regards to deep conditioner, but this year I came across this one from BLEACH when I finally decided to give into the hype surrounding git and you know what? I am super glad I did. This is a super, super-thick formula that you apply to your hair, leave for as long as you fancy (I like to leave it to do its thang for as long as possible) and I notice such an improvement in my hair afterwards. As I mentioned, I have dyed blonde hair so my tresses are almost always in need of some hydration and this hair mask does a great job at providing just that. Ooo - and all with a pretty yummy scent too - Mmhmmm... MENTIONED HERE.
Jerome Russell Bblonde Lightening Spray - I tend to just refresh my colour every so often either through a trip to the hairdressers, or possibly by an at-home jobby (which I'll talk about later) but sometimes, if I want to be really lazy - I love using this a couple of times after I've wash and conditioned my hair and before I blow-dry it to give some extra lightness and brightness to my blonde. It's quick, easy and fool-proof and I really like having this in my haircare stash. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST HEAT PROTECTANT - L'Oréal Studio Line Hot and Straight Spray - An oldie, but a goodie - this is my forever favourite heat protectant. A nice way of shielding my tresses from the damaging effects of the hairdryer and heat tools and also a product that handily doubles up as a way of gradually coaxing my hair to a straighter, more polished finished result. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST STYLING SPRAY - Lee Stafford Dehumidifier Spray - Now, onto a proper 'rave' of the Haircare department. Obviously I love every single thing I've included, but this is a completely new kind of product that I hadn't tried before 2016 and now I have, I am so glad I finally took the plunge and did so. I have always had issues with slightly frizz-prone hair. My natural tresses are sort of that strange in-between of 'straight' and 'curly' - meaning they always require some form of styling to look somewhat presentable. However, while normally that isn't an issue - the moment my hair encounters some form of humidity or rain - that kinda thang - things start to get a little frizzy and messy again. So, I came across this product in Boots and instantly picked it up in the hope that it might help solve the problem and I'm super-pleased to report that it actually is rather awesome. I style my hair, spray some of this on afterwards and it's like magic - keeping every strand in place all day/night long. Of course, sometimes in extreme cases there's still a slight bit of frizzing - but I'm talking slightly - and the whole look of my hair in general is always so much better and longer-lasting when I use this. A firm, firm favourite of 2016 - that's fo' sho'... MENTIONED HERE.
BEST TOOLS - Tangle Teezer - I finally got round to giving the infamous Tangle Teezer a whirl this year and it's quickly become my new favourite hair brush to use - especially when it's particularly knotty - but also simply as an everyday tool too. This glides through my hair, whatever state it's in and smoothes it all out in an instant. The flexible bristles are not harsh on my tresses and ensure a tangle-free finish every single time. MENTIONED HERE.
Also, as is the same as my 2014 and 2015 Favourites, I am still absolutely loving my Babyliss Boutique Salon Power Hairdryer and Salon Control Straighteners that I got a couple of Christmases ago and have used faithfully ever since.
ALSO A SPECIAL MENTION TO... the Superdrug Ombre Kit. I have used this Ombre Hair Dye Kit twice this past year and loved it, a lot. It did the job at adding back in a lot of blonde to the mid-lengths to tips of my hair, made blending easy-peasy (no harsh lines to be seen, thankfully) and wasn't at all expensive too. A straightforward home dye that really worked. MENTIONED HERE.
Skincare:
BEST REMOVER - Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - I mean, this just had to be in here somewhere, didn't it? This is the one thing I always use to remove my makeup - whether as a first step before 'proper' cleansing, or as a stand-alone step (sshhh - don't tell anyone). This gets my makeup off quickly and easily, its water-like formula not irritating my skin or eye area in anyway too. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST CLEANSING PRODUCT - Una Brennan Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil - I finally got into using a 'proper' cleansing product this year and after a little browse about, picked up this one after hearing many a good thing online. I hade high hopes, and I'm pleased to report that it gets the big thumbs up from me. If and when I do want to give my skin a full cleanse (which I'm trying to make a daily thing) this does the job brilliantly. The oil texture removes the last traces of makeup (or simply daily dirt if I've had a no makeup day) in an instant and I find it to leave my drier skin feeling and looking really hydrated and glowy afterwards too. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST FACIAL EXFOLIATOR - Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads - In the past, I have been all about the manual exfoliators when it comes to the face. You know the ones - the more 'traditional' way of getting all the dead skin cells and general grime off of the complexion. However, this past year I'd gotten really intrigued by all of the 'acid exfoliators' that were doing the rounds so naturally, I tried a couple out to see what the fuss was all about (unintentional rhyme). In all honesty both were amazing, but the one which had the slight edge for me was this offering from Nip + Fab. Simply swipe one of these product-soaked pads across your face after cleansing and they do all the work of a manual exfoliator, but without the irritation and mess. These smooth out my skin, minimise the appearance of pores and tighten my complexion slightly too. What more could you ask for? MENTIONED HERE.
BEST SERUM - Una Brennan Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Serum - Serum was another skincare item that I got more into and certainly found a favourite of in 2016. Another from Una Brennan - I know - can you tell I was a major fan of the range this past year? This basically has all the best points of the cleansing oil - but in serum form - and I love it. Applied before day or night cream, this really seems to make a major difference in the hydration levels in my skin - not only through the product alone, but how it seems to make my moisturiser work so much better. It's magic, I know. A little goes a real long way too - I can foresee this lasting me a good while yet... MENTIONED HERE.
BEST DAY AND NIGHT CREAMS - Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Day Cream - Moving back onto all things Garnier (yes, this section does seem a little Garnier/Una Brennan-heavy - I just like the ranges yanno?) and I have a new duo in terms of day and night creams that is simply a winning combination for me. I only really discovered them last month - so perhaps a little bit of cheat to include them here - but it's like instant love and I can already tell they are bound to be long-time favourites. Having already tried the matching face mask from the same range (more on that later) I was keen to see what the rest of the collection was like and it's safe to say I am not disappointed. Both of the creams apply onto the skin like a dream, giving tonnes and tonnes of moisture and leaving my complexion feeling and looking so hydrated and just - glowy. The day cream acts as a great base underneath makeup, plumping out the skin; whilst the night version has a lovely gel-like consistency that feels ultra-smoothing and calming on my sensitive skin and I love how even in the morning, I can feel the last remnants on my complexion. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST EYE CREAM - Superdrug Vitamin E Eye Cream - I have ben using and loving this eye cream for yonks now and though I do love it, am still working my way through it as you really do only need the tiniest amount. This again, is really hydrating around the delicate eye area and feels very soothing too. It's got a nice formula that's just right and so gives moisturises, without being heavy or clogging up the eye area in anyway. MENTIONED HERE.
BEST FACE MASK - L'Oréal Pure Clay Glow Mask - Last, but certainly by no means least - face masks! I have always had a bit of a soft spot for face masks - they're by far the most fun and interesting part of my skincare routine and I have many a favourite. However, during 2016 I mainly stuck to two different variations - one being this clay mask from L'Oréal. When this range came out a few months back, every went cray cray and the hype surrounding them meant I ended up picking up the 'Glow' version to try out. And oh my, was I not disappointed. This pot claims to hold ten applications, though I have found it to last far longer than that amount and each and every time it does wonders for my skin. The exfoliating formula lifts any dirt, grime and dead skin cells; whilst giving a real glow to my complexion at the same time. MENTIONED HERE.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask - Finally a tissue mask that I've really enjoyed this past year. Before this, I'd never tried or seen of a tissue mask before, so again, I was intrigued to give it a go and I'm super glad I did. This is by far the most hydrating, moisturising mask I have ever used. Yes, you may look a little mad when you're using it, but the finished result more than makes up for that. I love leaving this on for a god half hour, removing it and then massaging the remnants of the serum-type stuff into my skin and oh me, oh my does my skin look and feel better afterwards. Super glowy, super plump and super juicy. What more could you want, eh? MENTIONED HERE.
So that just about concludes part two of my annual favourites and therefore the end of this mini-series for 2016! I hope you enjoyed, and don't you worry as for as long as I'm doing this 'ere blog (which I'm hoping will be a long, long time to come) - there will be yearly faves from this corner of the Internet and so you can be assured 2017's will be making its way to you this time next year! I will see you then (or perhaps just in my next post, eh?)...
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