Okay, so everyone is dishing out awards right now, so I thought I’d join the party with a few of my own. Everything here is stuff I use, love and would purchase over and over. I see literally hundreds of beauty products every year so picking one for each category was a really tough call (well, as you’ll see, in some cases it just couldn’t be done). And, with no advertisers to keep happy, no swanky dinner to attend and no, uh, actual real gongs, statues or prizes either (sorry about that!), you can be assured if a sunshiney BBB Winner Button is awarded, it is because the product stands on its own merit entirely. I haven’t added prices, stockists or links to purchase, because the way I see it is it’s my job to tell not sell.
So here we go! Help yourself to one of the yummy virtual canapés above and a glass of virtual champagne and welcome to the first ever BritishBeautyBlogger Beauty Awards.
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The Perfectly Polished Award
Darphin Nourishing Smoothing Body Scrub: I discovered this bamboo and cranberry enriched gel textured scrub in the summer – I love the fact it does some proper sloughing with non-scratchy bits that do a thorough exfoliation, but also leaves enough hydrating oil behind to moisturise the skin beautifully.
The Truly Clean Award
Bioderma Crealine H20 Micellar Solution: This is now a firm staple in my bathroom, and although hard to get in the UK it is well worth the effort if you can find it online. It leaves skin 100% cleansed without stripping away moisture and at the same time soothes and cools.
It’s only if my skin gets super-dry that I turn to Oskia Perfect Cleanser, a liquid balm that cleans, softens and puts the life back into skin that feels a bit tight or dehydrated.
The Squeaky Clean Award
Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo: I only discovered this shampoo by accident; wild horses wouldn’t have dragged me to buy it, but more fool me. It’s proved to be the best shampoo I’ve ever used, behaving like a much more expensive product than it actually is thanks to microscopic water soluble cleansing beads. It cleans properly, rinses easily and leaves hair soft. Job done.
The Keeper Award
Lierac Hydra-Chrono Comfort Cream: I didn’t get off to the easiest start with Lierac, but having found Hydra-Chrono, I think I’ve found some of the most impressive skincare I have ever used. My skin is beautifully hydrated, smoother and easily more silky as a result. It takes time to work, but once it kicks in, it’s a total keeper. The day cream doesn’t interact with foundations to produce those horrible make up worms and sinks in quickly, it’s very lightly scented so doesn’t hang around and it leaves my skin feeling well moisturised all day. What more could you ask?
The Absolutely Blissful Award
Aromatherapy Associates Support Bath Oil: You know you’ve found a winning product when a bath just isn’t a proper bath without it. It’s easily the very best aromatherapy product I’ve ever used, and packs a powerfully restoring punch. I think I’m actually addicted.
The I Can’t Stop Wearing It Award
La Ligne de Chanel: Since a make-up artist (ironically, at the Laura Mercier counter!) taught me to tight-line, I’ve used this product every single time to get a dark, kohl effect on the upper and lower inner lids. I bought it in about March time, and I haven’t even used half of it yet. Amazing staying power and lasts for evah.
The Smoothest Ever Lips Award
Lanolips Lip Ointment With Colour: It was an instant conversion to these lanolin based tinted lip treatments that keep lips in exceptionally good condition. I haven’t stopped using it, have 12 – yes, 12 – tubes of the stuff in varying colours, and very rarely even use lip gloss anymore as this doubles as both conditioner and gloss.
The First Base Award (x 3!)
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation: I’m so over the days of ‘real skin’ so this was a real find for me and I ended up buying it as a result of a sampling campaign (see, sampling works!). Sometimes you just want to look actually made up. You only need a very tiny amount of this to get a beautiful level of coverage that leaves your skin looking even toned and immaculate with a lightweight feel.
Max Factor Second Skin Foundation. I still love this product that gives excellent value for money by feeling, acting and looking like a far more expensive product than it actually is.
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser: So far, nothing has ever beaten this tinted moisturiser that adds a dab of colour, gives a fresh and sheer coverage, hydrates and protects your skin from the sun. Indispensible for summer.
The Reason I’m Smiling Award
Go Smile Smile Whitening System I first discovered Go Smile a few years ago in the USA. It’s one of the few tooth whitening products that gives a very visible result in a matter of days.
The I Wasn’t Out Late Last Night Award
DiorSkin Nude Concealer: With a high water content and lightweight texture, this conceals under eye circles like nothing else has. It’s one of the very few concealers I’ve ever discovered that doesn’t creep into fine lines making them look worse.
The No, Really I Was Just Blessed With Skin Like This Award
Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow. Having tried a lot of so-called ‘glow makers’, this product stands out a mile because it really does deliver. It just adds a tangible luminosity into the mix that nobody’s skin could object to. I add it to my Laura Mercier Foundation almost every single time I use it. It also has the huge merit of not confusing glitter with glow. There are no rogue sparkles in here, not a single one.
The Express Delivery Award
Seche Vite Quick Drying Top Coat: I’ve tried and tried to wean myself off Seche Vite but it’s just not happening. In my view, there just isn’t anything like it for drying your polish so you are good to go a couple of minutes later.
The Instantly Smokin’ Award
Bourjois Effet Smoky Eye Liner: With a soft (and therefore non-dragging) pencil at one end and a smudger at the other, you can go sharp or soft-focus in a second.
The Tools Award (x2)
Estee Lauder Brushes: They don’t get a lot of press, but I’ve had my Lauder brushes for about a year now, and they’re still as pristine as when I first got them. They’re properly shaped, hold powder perfectly and are as soft as feathers. Lovely. Illamasqua’s Kabuki Brush has to get a mention because it is made from synthetic bristles but remains one of the thickest and softest Kabukis I have ever come across.
The Trickster Award
Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer What would I do without this? It’s a staple in many people’s make up stashes already but it pure and simply does the job of making eye shadow last and last, despite the new angled applicator that is more hindrance than help. It’s a ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’ product that truly delivers on the promise.
The Glossy Award
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Red: I’m so impressed with this gloss for allowing those of us who find bright red way to scary to actually wear. Its pigment packed but just on the right side of sheer so it isn’t too intense. It doesn’t wash the colour from your face but still gives a mega-glossy, super glamorous look. A very clever colour creation.
The Skin Transformer Award
Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Face Mask This cooling and tingly mask leaves your skin baby soft. I do not joke. It’s a little prickly thanks to the enzymes whisking away dead skin cells, but that’s the reason it works so well. It leaves the complexion rosy and silky and is the perfect mask to use before applying foundation for a flawless look.
The Overnight Success Award
Nude Replenishing Night Oil You know if you use this essential fatty acid packed oil before you go to sleep, soft and hydrated skin is guaranteed by morning. Love the reliability, love the result and love feel of the oil that is silky, light and glides across the skin on application.
The Essential Gadget Award
Clarisonic: Since I started using Clarisonic, my skin is I think vastly improved. Never mind all their marketing speak, what I think lies at the heart of its efficacy is that it gives skin a cleanse that you would find very difficult to match manually. If you keep using and keep cleansing at that level, you soon notice the positive difference in your complexion. My skin is cleaner, clearer and fresher.
The Olfactory Award (x2)
Jonathan Ward Edina’s Locket Candle. Potent, evocative, powdery and floral, this 1930’s inspired fragranced candle fills a room full of beautiful scent in just a few minutes, meaning it lasts and lasts as you don’t need to keep it burning all the time. Givenchy L’Interdit was made for Audrey Hepburn but has been given a modern-day spin and it’s the scent I use more often than any other. It’s light, floral and intensely pretty and as relevant for day time as evening. L’Interdit is one of the most wearable fragrances that I know.
The Youthful Hands Award
Lancome Nutix Royal Mains Intense Nourishing And Restoring Hand Cream This is a recent discovery that ticks all the hand cream boxes and then some. It’s rich, creamy, gorgeously scented and most importantly, sinks in super-quick. It also keeps hands moisturised for hours at a time.
The SOS On The Spot Award
M Lab Anti-Ageing Blemish Lotion. While the price will probably bring out a crop of hives, this lotion literally knocks spots into touch in a matter of days. I had a teenage tester for this and have seen his spots disappear in front of my very eyes in 3 days (although he isn’t looking any younger!). Super-impressive.
The Indulgent Power Performer Award
Sisley Confort Extreme Body Cream I’m so lazy when it comes to body oils or creams but every winter I bring out Sisley Confort Extreme Body Cream. Basically, it moisturises for days at a time; I only need to moisturise one day in three even during winter, it costs a fortune so it is an absolute indulgence but a real treat for skin that’s dry to keep it completely and thoroughly hydrated.
The Yes I’m Flawless Award
Benefit Porefessional: This really does hide pores and is fabulous under make up to give a really flawless look. It’s a temporary effect but impressively good at making skin appear perfected, and pores virtually invisible.
The Shiny Award
Moroccanoil Hair Treatment: Containing Argan oil and silicones, discovering this hair softening frizz tamer was a ‘wow’ moment. Unless your hair is ultra-oily, you’ll find it an absolute hair-transformer.
The I’m Very Well Thank You Award
Le Metier De Beaute Blushing Bronze Duet is the ultimate suit-all blush and bronze in a golden peachy -pink shade with a light bronze twin that enlivens the complexion and makes you look instantly awake and healthy. It’s not cheap, but pigment quality is such that it lasts and lasts.
The I’m Not A Wag Award
Vita Liberata Rich Silken Chocolate. Yes, it looks like a bottle of liquid chocolate but the results are quite light. This is the perfect tan for those who don’t want to look like they spent a week lying on a rock in high summer St. Trop but do want to look like they’ve seen a little sunshine. It gives a light, natural looking brown colour that is both believable and flattering. Using a tanning mitt to apply, I have never had a single streak with this product and it doesn’t dry out my skin.
NB: There are no mascara awards (I have lash extensions so never use them), nor any nail colour awards (I simply couldn’t choose) and nor are there any eye shadow gongs (again, impossible to choose from so many amazing brands), but if you have ‘can’t live without’ recommendations please feel free to add them into the comments section below.
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