2013 My Top Picks

I've seen quite a few of these posts in the blogosphere over the past few weeks, hopefully one more won't hurt. There my favourite posts to read, I always end up with a wish list as long as my arm around this time of year. Not all of the products mentioned in my post were new releases in 2013, but they were new to me- here we go...

Kiehl's Cleanser  £15

Such an underrated cleanser as I never hear anyone talking about it. I won't go into too much detail as I have a full review over here. But this cleanser has gone from the under dog in my current skincare routine to full on holy grail status. My skin seems to love this, this works perfectly when my skin is oily, but also works on the drier skin I've been experienced, my skin really has cleared up since introducing this. I can see this being permanent fixture in my skincare line up through summer too. And the best bit…it's only £15!

Origins Drink Up Intensive mask £22

Was this released before 2013? If so where have I been, I'll always own one of these babies in my stash. This hydrates my dehydrated skin like no other, skin looks radiant plump and dry patches are gone-oh and it smells good enough to eat too.

Bourjois Lip crayons £7.99

*Bold statement alert* My favourite chubby lip crayon of 2013. We saw so many chubby stick releases throughout last year, none impressed me quite like Bourjois. These really moisturise/hydrate the lips, super pigmented and so long wearing a true winner in my eyes.

YSL Youth Liberator  £34 (£28.90 in the Feel Unique sale)

This was the easiest decision of the bunch, when asked my favourite foundation of 2013 nothing comes close to the liberator (my touch éclat foundation is currently gathering dust) since purchasing this foundation I've literally used nothing else. The finish this gives is addictive. This manages to give high coverage yet still maintain that natural finish, skin never looks cakey. Radiant, healthy flawless skin in a bottle. Whenever I have an event or my skins looking a little rubbish I reach for this foundation and my skin just looks amazing.

NUDE Pro Genius Oil  £58

My favourite facial oil for 2013 has to be this gem by NUDE. On the pricer side but I know when this sample runs out I won't hesitate to purchase. If you suffer with oily, or congested skin I really recommend this oil. When my skin is generally unhappy a twice weekly dose of this and skin is left feeling hydrated (never greasy) radiant, and clear. Used twice a week I have also found this to work wonders on new scars/pigmentation

YSL Touch Eclat Highlight Pen  £25

I've tried countless dupes for this, a few months ago I decided enough was enough, I purchased the original. This is hyped up for a reason, there are so many products in the blogosphere that receive a lot of hype but when tried I'm left disappointed. This product is NOT one of them. When skin looks dull, this brightens up like no other, I can't even fully describe this but skin just appears brighter and healthier. I use this under eyes for a I've had 12 hours sleep look, and also as a highlight along my cheekbones, brow bone, and cupids bow. Since purchasing this I've persuaded so many people into buying and not one has been disappointed. This really is a wonder product that will always have HG status in my make up collection.

What are your 2013 beauty favourites, I'd love to know (lets make my wish list grow some more!)

Blogger Secret Santa Gifts

Yes, I know I'm a little late to the party with this post...but I just wanted to write a little post to send a huge thank you to my Blogger secret Santa- Mysidekickandme.

As you can see I got some lovely winter slipper socks, with a pretty robin print -there keeping my tootsies rather toasty as I write this! I was in the market for some new slipper socks so this was perfect timing. 

I also received some bath bombs, which may I add rival LUSH offerings. I'd become so sucked into LUSH I forgot that other brands do make bath bombs too. These ones are lovely they leave my skin super moisturised, nourished and they smell great too-a lovely addition to bath time and just what my winter skin needs.

I also got the LUSH shower jelly, which may I add is the strangest concept I've come across. Having never used anything like this before, I was a bit bewildered by the concept. Now ladies and gents, if your looking for a quick in and out shower not for you. But if like you me you enjoy long showers this is perfect it foams really well, smells delicious so so yummy, and really leaves the skin clean. I also found that the smell lasted, something I don't tend to find with most shower products. This also works really great in the bath too. 

If you look in my bag you'll find about 10 different lip balms one of these will without a doubt always be Vaseline. I love this pretty pink pouch this one comes in, great to hold your lip balm and makes finding it super easy in your bag (no rummaging around for me) 

Thank you Emma & Aalliyah, for my lovely gifts! 

Did you take part in Bloggers secret Santa? What did you receive I'd love to know....lets keep the Christmas spirit alive (it feels like ages ago!)  

Topic 1: New Years Inspiration

 I was very fortunate to nab a space on the #2014Bloggerschallenge hosted by the lovely Gabby from AnotherGirlyBlog to read my post all about the challenge see here. I couldn't wait to take part and I was very excited to receive my first topic. 

The first topic is all about new years inspiration. Bloggers block did hit me on this topic I guess, I'm very uncreative when it comes to New years resolutions, be healthier…do more exercise these are the things you will usually see on my resolutions list but the purpose of this first topic was for me to share a quote/picture that inspires me and will inspire others in the New year.

Something a little different to what I usually do here on Subject Beauty, but I was very much happy to attempt this first 'challenge' as one may call it. 

'Life is to short to wake up in the morning with regrets' imagine how boring the world would be if everyone was perfect? It's through making mistakes, that we learn, develop and become better individuals. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I never regret any of them, I wouldn't be able to learn what I learnt from making them and I wouldn't be the person I am today.

'Love the people that treat you right, and forget about the people who don't' as human beings we spend so much time fixated on 'pleasing everyone' we spend time focusing on people that essential are bad for us and forget about all the people that do love us, and treat us right. Instead of asking yourself 'why doesn't he/she like me, ask yourself why does 'insert name' like me. 

'Everything happens for a reason' -we just don't always know the reason! I've had certain things happen that I thought would never have a reason, months or years pass and the reason suddenly hits me. Although some times there may not be 'a reason' having this mantra allows you to have a positive outlook (and not wallow in self pity with your Ben and Jerry's ice cream.) 

'If you get a chance, take it' I personally need to take more note on this one. Saying yes can be hard, if your anything like me I always worry about failure and falling flat on my face. If you say no, you'll never know though. And saying no results in many lost opportunities. 

'Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it' I don't know about you but when a task/goal is hard and challenging I feel more rewarded when completing and doing well. Whenever your faced with a difficult challenge, always think about the end result and how you will feel, it motivates you to plow through and feel that the task is 'worth' it. 

So there we have it, I'm not the most 'inspiring' of people, and I don't find sharing feelings or being deep my forte (what sort of girl am I!) But hopefully some of you may find some of these quotes inspiring or motivating. 

P.S I'd love to know if you've posted your first post for #2014BloggersChallenge let me know on twitter @subjectbeauty1 or in the comments below-I'm always looking for inspiration!

10. Beauty and Blog Resolutions

Beauty Resolutions 

1. New face brushes

First item I need to buy in the new year is face brushes! My RT ones have seen better days, I'm currently eyeing up this 6 piece brush set by Zoeva -I hear great reviews on these brushes

2. Wash make up brushes weekly

Every Sunday I MUST wash make up brushes. No excuses. This is something I am notoriously bad for and it's so unhygienic, in 2014 I hope to establish a routine, so cleaning my brushes becomes almost second nature. Have you made any 'How to wash your brushes' style posts?

3. Remember change pillowcases, clean phone, and stop touching face

3 simple tasks that sadly I forget. But for healthy skin these three things are so important. I won't even go into detail on how much bacteria you will find on the average phone, but the fact that this touches my face for hours a day-ew. Touching my face is another bad habit, palm to face at work I find myself doing this so much, I can only imagine the amount of bacteria that results in break outs.

4. Get a skincare routine and stick to it

I've already found my HG cleanser in the form of this Kiehls one. But I really need to establish a skincare routine and stick with it, new releases pull me in I can't deny I love trying new products. But for Cleanser, toner and moisturiser I want to have a routine I stick to (serums, oils, masks, treatments can all change as often as I wish!)

5. Go make up free

Three times a week, I want to go make up free-nothing, zilch, nada (poor general public) I currently go 'Make up free' around twice a week, with a teeny tiny dab of concealer and perhaps some powder…okay not totally make up free. But in the new year I really want to let my skin breathe at least three times a week, with no products other then skincare. (No powder or concealer arghh)

Blog Resolutions

6. Plan regular features

I already have a few ideas for this already, and have already begun to introduce some on my blog (see my 9 thing's I'm loving, here and here) But as I've only been blogging for around 5 months, I would like to really work on my blog through 2014 and hopefully produce some interesting content

7. Plan posts in advance 

I have a uni timetable which highlights busy areas for assignments I plan to try and produce pre made posts for these periods of time, as this year I saw the blog getting a little neglected around this time, getting organised and having planned posts should hopefully mean there can still be new content posted around busy Uni times

8. Work on photography and content

Photography is something that I already feel has grown in leaps and bounds in the 5 months I've been blogging, you only have to scroll back to my first post to see the difference. Hopefully in 2014 I can attend one of the many day courses that run here in Sheffield, to really get to grips with the different settings and features on my camera. As photography is something I enjoy on my blog. Content is another huge area I'd love to work on, I'm still discovering my writing style, but better descriptive words and explanations are something i definitely want to work on. I think I find it easy to talk in appose to write about products so perhaps some videos in 2014 on my blog…

9. Share my blog with friends and family

I very rarely talk about my blog…to anyone. Hopefully in 2014 I can stop being shy and share my blog with friends and family. Self promotion isn't a skill of mine.

10. Connect with bloggers

Through my participation in challenges and tag posts I have discovered lots of lovely new blogs, and bloggers that I otherwise wouldn't have found. Since joining twitter I have also had the opportunity to participate in the daily bloggers chat, and through that have got talking to lots of lovely new bloggers. Hopefully through 2014 I can connect with even more lovely bloggers. 

So there we have it, what are your 2014 resolutions I'd love to know. I hope everyone had a fabulous new year, wishing everyone health and happiness in 2014