Best Beauty Products of 2017

20/12/2017

Hey everyone!
It’s December and the year is nearly over, so it’s time to share 15 of my ‘must-have’ beauty products of 2017. I have been living out of my suitcases for nearly two years with a smaller selection of beauty products. This has pushed me to be a bit more selective than I was before I left Sydney to live in London and travel around Europe. I am constantly de-cluttering and testing old and new products.

My opinions are always changing depending on the current products on the market. Not all of the products mentioned in this blog post were released this year, some of them are a few years older. I test different products and switch them up after discovering how my body reacts. Skin is an organ that changes according to weather, genetics, hormones, and a variety of other factors. Skin regenerates itself and likes to take its time. I think that you need to introduce new products into your routine slowly, because you need to understand how your skin is reacting to the new changes. The skin on your scalp is tender, so the same applies for hair. I have compiled 15 products that I am loving this year.

Omorovicza – Thermal Cleansing Balm
☆ Favourite balm cleanser this year! The moor mud within the balm cleanses and treats your skin and the balm melts away your makeup. It contains a high amount of calcium, zinc, magnesium, and copper to improve the production of collagen and strengthen the skin barrier. This is still amazing for colder seasons as it doesn’t strip your skin dry and leave it feeling tight and terrible. It contains almond oil so it brings moisture to the skin whilst cleansing. This is perfect as a first step (or only) cleanse.
Mario Badescu – Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs & Rosewater

☆ A super affordable, accessible, very hydrating and soothing spray. This is lovely in the morning before moisturiser or throughout the day for a burst of hydration or whilst travelling. It has so many different uses and it is suitable even for sensitive skin. There is a lot of hype surrounding it on Instagram, but this product delivers.
Aurelia Skincare – Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser

☆ I have been using this moisturiser throughout Summer and now in Winter season. This is fragranced with jasmine, tuberose, mandarin and plumeria. This cream so soothing and nourishing for the skin. It’s amazing to apply as a primer before base makeup. It contains 100% botanical ingredients, peptides, and probiotics to provide ample nutrients for skin. It’s a very rich moisturiser, but absorbs quickly without feeling too heavy or oily.
Oskia – Renaissance Mask

☆ This is a brightening and re-surfacing mask that is designed to increase cell turnover, boost radiance and gradually reduce the appearance of fine lines and imperfections. It is so gentle and yet exfoliates the skin so well! Even for sensitive and reactive skin. The mask just smooths out the complexion and targets inflammation and redness. It contains passion fruit, grape and lemon AHAs, papaya enzymes and lactic acid to fight bacteria and soften your skin. I leave this on for ten minutes, but if you have sensitive skin maybe consider less time. It is a hardworking, yet gentle resurfacing mask.
By Terry – Baume de Rose Lip Treatment

☆ This was created back in 2003 and has maintained its popularity even today. It is super luxurious and works really well to soften and hydrate your lips. It is an ultra-rich salve for your lips and cuticles. The formula has 48 active ingredients, including essential rose wax, shea butter, anti-aging bio-ceramides, floral oils, and vitamins. It is my go-to “maintenance” balm to keep my lips feeling fresh and soft. It is the best to use as an overnight treatment if you want to wake up with soft, supple lips. If I’m really organised I will use it as a lip primer for a couple of hours before wearing a matte lipstick.
Caudalie – Divine Body Oil

☆ This is absolutely incredible stuff. It’s a dry oil that comes inside a luxurious glass spray bottle. You just spritz it all over your body and it readily sinks into the skin so quickly. It makes your skin feel softer after just minutes of application. It’s a multipurpose oil for your face, body, and hair. This contains: grape oil, extra virgin argan oil, sesame oil, and antioxidant grape seed polyphenols. The fragrance is a mixture of florals with woody notes and so beautiful on the skin. I am generally quite sensitive to fragrances, but this works really well for me. Kind of like a perfume that lingers throughout the day, but also moisturises my body.
Ouai – Thin Hair Supplements

☆ I really like this product, and I feel as though it has helped in the prevention of common colds/flu and has made my hair feel much thicker. I’m noticing much less hair loss when I shower or brush my hair. My nails appear stronger and grow faster. I really love Jen Atkins’ work and many of the products from this brand. I will be writing a review on Ouai hair products soon.
Olaplex – No. 3 Hair Perfector

☆ I haven’t used a product better than this for conditioning and strengthening my highly bleached hair. This is amazing for hair recovery and leaves your hair so soft and feeling like silk. To use it I apply a generous amount through my hair using my fingers. I like to leave it in for an hour or more. It is not actually a moisturiser, but a bond multiplier which works to bring broken bonds of hair back together. The action of the product is to strengthen the structure of hair. If you only buy one hair care product for your locks, make it this.
Kérastase – Elixir Ultime Hair Oil

☆ This oil has multiple uses for after a shower or on dry hair to add moisture and make your hair feel silky and soft. I use 2-3 pumps on damp or dry hair and work it through my strands with my fingers. I have used it after a shower or even after swimming at the beach. This controls frizz, adds shine, and moisturises your hair.
Jouer – Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Noisette

☆ This is the perfect nude lip for me with a delicate vanilla scent. This lipstick has a beautiful long-lasting matte finish that stays for a good 8 hours even with snacking and drinking. The wand applicator is a thin and precise doe foot and the formula glides on easily.
Charlotte Tilbury – Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bond Girl

☆ This lipstick is matte in name, but more of a satin finish. It is silky and moisturising on application. This doesn’t make your lips feel dry. Enriched with triglycerides, oils, papaya and orchid extracts to nourish your lips. The shade is a natural berry lip with that is work appropriate and also great for more formal occasions.
Too Faced – Better than Sex Mascara

☆ This has been my favourite mascara for the last two years. I have tried some other kinds but I always come back to this one. This gives me so much length and volume and keeps my lashes curled all day. I love the controversial name and the pink packaging. I was apprehensive about the size of the wand at first, but it is very easy to use. My fave mascara of the year, 2nd year in a row.
Origins Exfoliating Stick with White and Purple Rice

☆ Every person needs this stick. A gentle exfoliating stick that you can use on your face, your body, and throw it in your luggage whilst travelling. Rub it onto dry skin, add a little water, and massage in to let the product emulsify and further exfoliate your skin. It has an amazing citrus scent with various plant oils. The white and purple rice contains phytic acid helps to lift the debris and pollution away from the top layer of the epidermis. I use this stick 2-3 times per week as a first cleanse before my usual foam cleanser from Omorovicza.
Nars – Matte Multiple Stick in Cappadoce

☆ This is such a creamy stick contour that I love to blend in with a beauty blender or even fingertips. It is a gorgeous golden bronze that matches really well with my skin tone. It’s a medium-dark, orange-toned brown with a semi-matte finish. It’s also gorgeous to wear on the lips for a brown lip look.
Benefit – Gimme Brow

☆ This brow gel was introduced to me by my eyebrow technician in April and I have used it every day! It has fibres that add volume to hairs and fill in sparse areas in eyebrows. It keeps your brows looking natural but still on fleek.