The nature of my career path means I have the privilege of trying a plethora of beauty products. As I attempt to glance back on my years of blog posts, I don’t believe I have ever posted a ‘beauty round-up’ of the year before – so there’s no time like the present.
An important note to my future self:
it’s without a doubt I will have a brain malfunction & forget certain items – alas, here we go:
STAND-OUT SPF
A favourite for a number of years, my go-to SPF this year has undoubtedly been the La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 50+. Super lightweight, I find it allows for easy make-up layering/application. A high factor of 50+ is a must which this absolutely delivers.
Bonus points for the satisfying bottle shake.
HERO OPAL-SHEEN
Granted, it’s a strange category but one I am here for. As someone that loves glowing skin, I am v. into make-up free days whilst still ensuring my skin looks as lit as it can. The Drunk Elephant Amino Rain Serum delivers hydration and glow & leaves my skin looking radiant.
Adore it solo (after SPF ofc) on make-up free days.
MEGA MASCARA
A difficult category, as I do have a few favourites (YSL Lash Clash in blue – ugh, adore you)
However, a stand-out this year for me when it comes to a day-to-day black mascara, does have to be the new Kosas Soulgazer Mascara. I find the wand coats my lashes beautifully & easily in deep black. The shape of the wand/comb separates my lashes well, with incredibly minimal clumping (if ever any tbh). It’s also never irritated my sensitive eyes – win win win.
BEST BLUSH
Not only does this product deliver, it’s packaging is truly one of my favs of the year: ofc, it has to be YSL’s ‘Make Me Blush’. These little round beauties are incredibly pigmented and feel immensely luxurious to use: it’ll come as no surprise that I love a little day-to-day luxury. A fav shade for me is ‘Babydoll Doll Pink – 42’.
A great one to wrap up this Christmas for a blush lover.
IN MY PRIME
As with all beauty-skincare, with us all having such different skin types it’s vital to note that something I may recommend indefinitely may not work on someone else. I feel primer can really be one that divides people. My hero primer for YEARS (and it’s still the case in 2025) is the NARS Radiance Primer. Delivering that little glow & non-sticky hydration, for me this does what it sets out to do. I am in fear of this being discontinued, as it isn’t currently showing on the NARS site…let us pray.
CLEANSING DREAMS
If you follow my beauty mentions closely, it will be no shock that the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is my cleanser of the year. A dream to use everyday, it feels like a nourishing treat at the end of the day & makes taking make-up off not only a complete pleasure, but something to look forward to. Important to note that it has never felt stripping for my sensitive skin.
The original one is most likely my favourite, but the fig? …can’t deny, it’s pretty glorious.
BROWS THAT STAY
Yes, I am still a lover of a bold brow – and I am also a massive fan of the NYX Brow Glue. Truly keeps those pesky hairs firmly lifted & in place. The Brow Glue (clear) combined with their ‘Thick It, Stick It’ brow gel (shade Espresso, pls) makes for an immense combo. A great price point, a great brand.
DELIGHTFUL BODY SERUM
This one has a bit of an ‘ouch’ price tag: the Joonbyrd Daydreamer. I can’t not mention this – I haven’t as yet tried anything else quite like it. Labelled as a ‘body serum’ (rather than a moisturiser) it certainly has a serum-like texture & glides on the skin beautifully. It feels as though it deeply hydrates and is especially magical at this time of year, when my legs are prone to the dryness of the Sahara Desert.
A luxurious splurge.
MAJOR MATTE LIPS
I have a number of red lipsticks stashed away. Day-to-day, I am all about the lip-balm & over-lined lip-liner life: but there is nothing quite like a solid matte red (bonus points if paired with a wing) The Westman Atelier Lip Suedes are an absolute pleasure to use – which is really saying something for a matte lip product. They have stunning weighty packaging, with embossed details on the lipstick itself.
As someone that leans more often to a more orange-toned red, ‘Le Rouge’ is one of my heroes.
You turned me onto the la Roche-Posay spf and I can’t thank you enough! I have them stashed everywhere, even a stick in my bag at all times. I’m a ginger, I freckle (and burn) easily, and this is the one spf that didn’t cause a rash or a breakout, so *thank you*! Hope you have an amazing Christmas and New years, sending all the love from sunny Bournemouth!