Best Face Makeup - Benefit, Cha Cha Tint
I was always a little bit intimidated by Benefit's Benetint, while Posietint was just a little too pink and sweet for my liking. When the iconic brand added another lip and cheek stain to their collection this year it was as though it was made for me. A subtle peachy colour, Cha Cha Tint adds a hint of colour to cheeks that brings out your natural flush. It's totally tran-seasonal, meaning one little pot will take you from Spring to Autumn and back again. The peach colour is easier to use than the other two, blending naturally with the skin and giving a beautiful glow to cheeks. I adore this so much that I let out a little sob when I came to the end of my pot.
Best Hair Discovery - Redken, All Soft Shampoo
The problem with my hair is that it's really, really coarse. I have to spend ages styling it and putting endless amount of product in it before it resembles the soft, shiny hair I desire so much. This product made such a difference, even without a conditioner. The formula really works to soften dry and brittle hair, making styling much easier and a good look more attainable. You need such a small amount of this to make a difference that I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone with similar issues to me. An absolute staple and a product I'd continue to buy again and again.
Best Brand Re-Launch - KMS California
If you can't remember the 'old' KMS then it was a little bit like this... White, boring, dull, living in the 80's and confusing. I haven't seen such an amazing overhaul this whole year as I have with KMS. Just look at the bright colours, modern packaging, easy navigation and word play - it's had a complete injection of life! The range has been brought into the 21st Century and is one to now rival the TIGI's of this world. The imagery and campaign shots that coincided with this were also edgy, young, fashionable and representative of a desirable brand in 2011, putting it well and truly back on our radar. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next year.
Best Styling Product - Schwarzkopf, Got2B
Powderful
So many times I've been out and attempted to add volume into my hair using the 'upside down next to the hand dryer' method. It never works and I often end up with a tangled mess. A few of these 'volume powders' have been launched on the market during 2011, giving volume and texture in a matter of seconds when it's added to your roots. No other product is as cheap and effective as this though, coming in at around the £4.00 mark. It's not in the prettiest or most robust of packs, but it's the perfect size for popping in your bag and it doesn't matter too much if it gets covered in Mojito and lipgloss. Although there is a little residue left on the hair, it's not unmanageable and the volume created is more than enough to make it worth it.
Best Face Wash/Scrub - Neutrogena, Visibly
Clear Pink Grapefruit Scrub
It's so very important to regularly exfoliate the skin to rid it of any dead, dull cells. It's also vital that you look after your skin, cleaning it and removing dirt effectively on a daily basis. This product does both those things in one, with a delicate pink grapefruit scent. The light gel formula contains very slight grains to gently work away dead skin while cleansing, without stripping moisture. I actually enjoy using this because it does the job without leaving a tight feeling on my face - it also helps to eliminate blemishes, which is an added bonus at certain points of the month. This works just as well as any more premium product and should be on every shower shelf, regardless of the owners age!
Best Fake Tan - HeShi, Face + Body Tanning Gel
I've tried quite a few fake tans over the course of 2011 but there's one addition that stands out in my mind. HeShi's standard fake tan is pretty awesome, but it had a bit of a makeover this December in the form of a universal gel. The light gel is really easy to apply, dries quickly and leaves skin bronzed and streak free. It's unisex and universal, meaning you can literally use it for any fake tanning related tasks. There's no need to worry about having orange skin either, as the result is light and perfect for the winter months too. I love how I can literally bung this on haphazardly before bed and wake up to perfectly bronzed limbs.
Best Hand Cream - Rodial, Glam Balm Hand
Hand cream is an essential part of my beauty regime. Who wants to shake hands with crusty digits? I religiously apply hand cream throughout the day (especially in winter) so I always have a stash to hand - excuse the pun. A lot of creams are too runny, leave residue or don't actually moisturise the skin at all. One cream that was launched this year ticks every box and more - it's just the right consistency, absorbs fast, leaves no residue, saves dry hands and smells delicious. Using Rodial's famous Glam Balm technology, this is really something special. The only downside is that it may as well be gold plated; it's £39 a tube. We can dream right?
