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1.02.2014

Best of 2013

This year I definitely started getting serious about my hair, skincare, and makeup. In the last few months alone, I have revamped my entire makeup collection and found holy grail items I cannot go a single day without. I officially have become one of those girls who has a nightly skincare routine and doing my makeup everyday has become one of my favourite activities. I love trying out new products and have honestly found some gems in 2013. I'm not going to lie, narrowing down my list of favourites was pretty tough but these are some products that really showed me love this past year. 

First off would have to be Lush's Tea Tree Toner which is this little misty bottle of pure refreshment that has become an absolute staple in my skincare routine. I recently discovered the power of Tea Tree Oil and have become completely obsessed. I have struggled for years with horrible acne but this year I've finally found some products to keep my skin under control, the Tea Tree Toner did just that. Anytime I found a breakout coming on, I would either just sprtiz this directly all over my face or dab it on with a cotton pad really soaking up the needed areas. It's refreshing, cooling and completely affordable. Plus, I've been using this bottle for probably three or four months now and I'm not even a 1/4 of the way finished. I love finding good products that last a long time and are really worth the bang for my buck. Moving on to haircare, I have developed a love affair with Macadamia products, in particular the Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment. This oil treatment works wonders on my hair and my ends literally drink this stuff up. I just squirt one pump into the palm of my hand and then massage the oil into my damp locks nourishing them and protecting them from damage. I wasn't actually sure if this was helping my hair at all but the other day as I was playing with my lions mane I found that my hair has grown at least an inch in the last two months. That's incredible considering my hair is so fine and was really damaged to the point of me almost giving up. I love what it's done to my ends and I can honestly say my hair feels alive again.

As for beauty finds, every girl needs the perfect concealer in her routine and mine would have to be Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NC30.  I can go on and on about how amazing this concealer is and trust me I have many a times, all I can say is that if you're going to try out any Mac face products I would recommend picking up this concealer right away. It's the perfect shade and even covers up my bumpy acne. Since I tend to get horrible stress acne before big events, this concealer has pretty much been a lifesaver this past year. It's a bit pricey but completely worth it! As for the perfect lip shade, I would have to pick Mac's Half n' Half which is just so flattering and my perfect 'my lips but better' shade. It's gorgeous and I have basically been using it almost everyday. 2013 was the year where I finally started diving into lip products and I would have to say that this lipstick is absolutely perfect for people who tend to shy away from a little color on the lips. I have really tiny lips and Mac's lipsticks really have a lasting effect that doesn't draw too much attention to the lips but really just complete a look. Speaking of completing a look, let's talk about brows. Eyebrows are so important to me, I'm constantly looking at other people brows and am always so jealous of those beauty gals who have the perfect arch or full defined eyebrows. During my teenage years I constantly struggled with my brows, I am half middle eastern and those babies can get out of control really fast. I think 2013 was the year where I finally learned how to pluck them correctly and keep them in line and the only product that really creates the perfect brows for me would have to be the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette. It is just so perfect, one side has a really fine liner that allows you to create the shape of your brows and define the patches with a natural look while the other has a little spully and for some reason this little guy works wonders on controlling any hairs that like to swoosh away. It's so amazing and I don't even know why, it just works far better than any other eyebrow product I've ever owned. I'm going to be picking up the brow wiz on my trip to America and stalking up because I can't imagine my makeup routine without it anymore. 

Lastly, I had to include some nail action and although this was a recent purchase, I have fallen in love with this color and brand. Essie's Parka Perfect is a beautiful grey blue color that is just ideal for all times of the year. The soft color adds just the right touch to any manicure and has been on my nails none stop since I picked up the winter collection set. I will be buying the full size as soon as this little guy runs out. I just love the formula as well and how it doesn't chip off as easily as others. I work in a coffeeshop where a lot of the times I have to use my hands and get a little dirty, finding a lasting nail varnish can be rather tricky but Essie was always up for the challenge. I never got the hype about Essie nail varnish because spending more than 5 bucks for a nail color was crazy to me. Ever since I picked up the minis set, I really noticed the difference in the formula and lasting power so, if you're a bit skeptical like I was pick up a minis set first and try the polishes out. You're bound to fall in love as well. 

So there you have it, my 2013 favourites. They're all beautiful products that have become so essential and I would highly recommend trying out all of these beauty finds. I cannot wait to try out more items in the new year and hopefully grow my collection with amazing new finds that I can share with you all as well. Here's to a new makeup filled year! 

What were your 2013 favourites? Let me know, down bellow! 

Stefanie xx 
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17 comments:

  1. Beautiful products, love that shade of lipstick and your bag is too cute as well :)

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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  2. Lovely post I really like the macadamia oil range its gorgeous really like your bag too! x

    www.krystelcouture.com

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  3. Cute lipstick! It sort of reminds me of MAC's Cremesheen or Shy girl. I'm still trying to get more peachy - pink - nude colors added to my collection because you can never go wrong with those. I used to love the Brow Wiz until I discovered Hourglasses Arch Brow, have you tried it? It's so great and the waxy texture makes your eyebrows look very natural.
    E | Beauty/Skincare | Cocoamourr

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  4. Fab post!! I really want to try the MAC Concealer, I'm in desperate need of a new one and I've heard so many great things!
    xxx

    www.salted-roses.blogspot.com

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  5. Great picks chick, I've been using the tea tree toner for a week now (picked it up in the sale) and I love it! It doesn't strip the skin like I thought it would xx

    http://subjectbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. Amazing products! I've been dying to try the Tea Tree Toner for a long time now, I always forget to pick it up! And I'm also a huge lover of Essie! Definitely need to pick up the Anastasia Brow Wiz, It's been on my wish list for so long!
    Great post :)

    Rosie xx
    Rosiealexandraa

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  7. Such a great post, I love the MAC lipstick and nail polish, I need to see if my boots have that shade!

    Cornelia - Ineffable Beauty

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  8. heard great things about tea tree oil, I should check this toner out. I have been pretty bad caring for my hair last year though. I should have been more like u.

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  9. lovely post! happy new year!

    http://pomegranateandcoffee.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. I keep meaning to pick up the Lush tea tree water, it sounds amazing and I love the spray bottle packaging!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  11. Loved this post.
    Been trying to decide on a new Mac lipstick for a while.
    I'm doing 'A mac lipstick a month' challenge to acquire 12 new mac lipsticks by 2015, and Half'n'hlaf is going to be the first I think! <3
    Happy New Year!

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  12. Your layout is so clear and pretty! I love your blog and articles <33

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  13. nice, great products :)

    http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4602025

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  14. that mac lipstick is gorgeous! and i love that toner too xx

    ( www.a-little-treat.blogspot.com )

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  15. I love that LUSH toner. Its so affordable. I need to pick up a new bottle.
    http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk

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  16. I love tea tree but have not tried the Lush toner yet - definitely sounds like my kind of product. That's another addition to the shopping list . . . x

    http://www.perfectlypolishedpaws.blogspot.co.uk/

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  17. Mac lipsticks are my favourite! Love em xxx

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