2015 Favourites

Hello my loves xoxo

So I'm kind of behind with my 2015 favourites but I couldn't let January pass without letting you all know what I absolutely loved last year. I decided at the beginning of last year to try and switch up my makeup routine a bit to include drugstore and high end beauty products. I branched out and bought products that I wouldn't normally have batted an eyelid at because I was so used to the products that I was already using. I got quite bored with using the same products day in and day out and I decided to be a bit braver with my makeup choices. 

The following products I have chosen as my favourites because I have repurchased them a few times and absolutely love them. Some are high end and others are drugstore so there is a great selection from every price range.

First and foremost on the list has to be the L'oreal True Match Foundation. This foundation above all others has been a staple in my makeup kit in 2015. I've been using this for about a year and a half after I picked it up on holidays in September 2014. I used it a few times and moved on to other foundations to try them out but I came back to this one in March 2015 and I've been obsessed ever since. It comes in the widest variety of shades I have ever seen in a foundation range so there is bound to be something for everyone. I find this is applied best with a damp beauty blender and it is a medium coverage but it is buildable to a fuller coverage if desired. 

For those of you that have combination to oily skin this skin base visage by +MAC Cosmetics is a dream come true. This primer is light weight but heavy duty. Apply it to clean hydrated skin and your makeup will stay put all day. It does have quite a shimmery finish so if your not a fan of anything sparkly this mightn't be for you but it does leave a gorgeous luminous look to the skin which I love. 

I couldn't mention the prep and prime without throwing in this gem of a setting spray. +MAC Cosmetics Fix + is my holy grail product for under and over my makeup. I use it to set my primer and my foundation. I also use it to apply a lot of my eyeshadows and pigments. Its amazing for freshening up the face if your makeup is looking a bit dull after a long day. This product is most definitely worth having in your kit because it is multi functional and does exactly what it says on the bottle. 

This one will be a little bit tricky to get your hands on if you are from Ireland because +Sephora don't ship here yet but if anyone knows anywhere that sells them that will ship to Ireland will you let me know. If you ever get the chance to buy +BECCA Cosmetics shimmering skin perfecter in champagne pop by +Jaclyn Hill I highly recommend you buy it in bulk. This highlighter is absolutely stunning and Jaclyn Hill has hit the nail on the head with the colour. It isn't extremely light like moonstone or opal, it has a beautiful golden champagne base colour and it will suit every skintone from extremely fair to quite tan. The formula of this is just perfect and it applies like a dream. Definitely a favourite for 2015.

+NARS Cosmetics Laguna has been on the market for years but I had to give it a mention in my favourites because it is quite possibly the best bronzer I have ever used. The colour seems to adapt to every skintone and it blends like butter. The packaging is gorgeous and its quite compact so it is perfect for your handbag or for travelling. This is a staple item for my kit and I will most definitely be repurchasing this in 2016.

These brushes..... Oh my god you guys these brushes have changed my life. +SIGMA kabuki brushes are the best quality brushes I have used so far. I purchased mine on +BEAUTY BAY and I haven't looked back since. I've been using Fuschia brushes (available in Scotch Hall Drogheda and The Pavillions in Swords) and they are amazing quality brushes, I cant fault them in the slightest but Sigma brushes would be a slightly higher quality and I absolutely love them. I will definitely be purchasing more in 2016. 

+NYX Cosmetics soft matte lip creams have just recently come into my life and I am addicted. I purchased Copenhagen, Transylvania and Prague and plan to purchase every other colour because I just love how they look and feel on the lips. They go on like a liquid lipstick and dry completely matte. They are a bit more drying than some other matte lipsticks but just make sure you exfoliate and moisturise your lips before you apply it and it will stay put for hours. 

Ok so call me crazy but don't knock it until you've tried it. Ever since +NikkiTutorials posted that she uses +NIVEA MEN sensitive aftershave balm as a primer I had to try it. I was shocked at how well it helped my makeup stay put all day. I wore it in work all day and then to the gym straight after and I didn't have time to wash my face before my workout and I was extremely impressed with how well it kept everything in place. Just apply a small amount to clean skin and rub it in until it becomes tacky (this part is key). It needs to be slightly tacky to work but it only takes a minute to rub it in completely. Its a cheaper alternative to buying some of the primers on the market and it works like a dream. You only need a small amount so a little goes a long way. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

If you have light blonde, grey or platinum coloured hair this purple shampoo range is for you. +PRO:VOKE Touch Of Silver have a huge range of products available to help keep your hair vibrant and free of brassiness. I bought the shampoo, conditioner, intensive shampoo primer, intense treatment and the brightening shampoo and I have been loving them. If you have platinum or grey hair you will know how quickly it can fade but this range will help keep your hair soft and shiny while keeping your colour fresh. Use the shampoo and conditioner daily and then the brightening shampoo can be used twice a week. Massage the purple brightening shampoo into your hair and leave it for 5 minutes, it works wonders for brassiness. 

If you have been following me for a while you will know how much I love this +Lush Cosmetics Cup O' Coffee face and body mask. It leaves my skin silky soft and it smells amazing. It does have quite a strong smell of coffee so if you are not a coffee lover this might not be for you but if you can get over the strong smell it works wonders on the face and body. Gently exfoliate it into damp skin an leave it for 5-10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat your skin dry. It is a little cup of heaven and I will definitely repurchase this in 2016.

The stardust palette by Vegas Nay has been my holy grail eyeshadow palette of 2015. I have quite a few favourite palettes but this one just stood out above all the rest. Its slimline so its easy to take with you if your out and about and the colours are stunning and highly pigmented. Ive used to it to create loads of different looks and its perfect for everyday or dramatic nighttime looks. I bought mine in Las Vegas last year and I think it was limited edition but if I find somewhere that does them ill post it in the comments section. 

The Smashbox shape matters palette has also been a favourite for 2015. I use this one more everyday as the colours are nice and neutral but I have also used the black and purple ones to create a gorgeous smoky eye for a few events. I have a review up on my blog about this palette if you want to check it out here http://blonderthanbarbiex.blogspot.ie/2015/10/smashbox-shapematters-palette-review.html

I know this isn't a beauty favourite but I had to mention it because it is definitely a favourite for 2015. Miss fit skinny tea has been a staple in my routine for months and months and I have to say it is definitely worth buying. I have repurchased it about 4 or 5 times so far and I will continue to purchase it in 2016. It is a detox tea with all natural ingredients and it is the only laxative free tea on the market. The little strawberry is an infuser for the tea. What you do is fill the infuser with the loose leaf tea and let it sit in hot water for at least 5 minutes and then remove the strawberry. Drink the tea and reuse the leaves up to 4 times in the day using the same method. It reduces bloating and helps you to loose weight with a controlled diet. Its working wonders for me and I drink it hot and iced and it tastes amazing. It was absolutely a favourite for 2015 and will be a favourite for 2016. You can buy it here https://www.missfitskinnytea.ie

I really could go on and list like 20 other favourites from 2015 but I would be here for a week so I'll leave it there for now and maybe update it in a few months after i've tried a few new products. These are my ride or die items for 2015 but I'm excited to see what 2016 has in store. Its going to be an amazing year with exciting things to come so stay tuned. 

Thats about it for now Guys and Dolls xoxo If you need any information on anything don't hesitate to ask.

Lots of love 

Kim xoxo