THE GAME CHANGERS OF 2014

My views on beauty, blogging and life have changed a lot over the course of 2014. As most of you have probably already noticed I've been the most indecisive person, with everything from the blog to love. I changed the name of my site then reverted back to THE PRETT¥ VAIN within a week, stopped blogging entirely for two months and was absolutely stunned that you all stuck by my side.  I'm entering 2015 with a much clearer mind, and a focus on the aesthetic I've been sharing with you over the past few weeks. But 2014 wasn't a complete rollercoaster ride – there were a number of products that stuck with me through thick and thin, along with a handful of new releases that completely changed my beauty game.

SKIN

At the age of 25 I finally cemented a skincare regime that I've grown to love. My focus this year truly was on my skin – ensuring it looked flawless without an ounce of makeup. And while I'm not completely there, I'm pretty damn close. I owe that perfected skin to one product in particular, the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This serum is highly concentrated with Viniferine, which helped to reduce the appearance of dark spots caused from those pesky period pimples I get around that time of the month. It also improved my skins overall radiance, giving me a fresh and bright complexion. I also enhanced my complexion through the use of face masks, which I tried by the hoards. Two of my absolute favourites were the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask and the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. They both give my skin an instant pick me up when it's looking dull or I've partied a little too hard.

Complete reviews can be found here: luminizing black mask, pumpkin enzyme mask

MAKEUP

For makeup I kept things classic and polished with a focus on finding the perfect foundation – and I somehow ended up with three I can't live without. I was hooked to the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup all spring/summer thanks to it's lightweight, long-lasting formula, and fall/winter has been all about the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, which came as a complete shock to me – you can see my full review here. The final foundation I've been addicted to is the Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation – nothing perfects my skin like it, unfortunately it's matte finish has a drying effect on my already dry skin meaning I can only wear it once or twice a week.

The rest of my look has maintained an ease and simplicity that I've really come to enjoy. I've developed a stronger brow game thanks to the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, a quick 2-minute Mary-Kate Olsen eye thanks to the Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic in Diamond Golden Grey and Satiny Warm Brown, and found the perfect everyday lip colour in MAC's Lipstick in Lipblossom. And although I'm not entirely sure whether it's appropriate to include in this years game changers, as I know it's going to be a sell-out for 2015, the Smashbox Double Exposure Palette has given me everything I could ever want in an eyeshadow palette and more. Fourteen shadows that transform to twenty-eight with the simple addition of water! I could say more... or you can read my full review of it, seen here.   

HAIR

My hair game was turned upside down this year when I decided to chop it all off – and with the chop went my incessant need for hair products. But there were three products that made my life a little easier and my hair a little sleeker. For starters I gave myself a weekly hair routine – a deep cleanse with the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo to rid my locks of any excess product, followed with the Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque to help restore it's moisture. On days when I decided to blow-dry and heat-style my hair I turned to the Living Proof Prime Style Extender. It is simply the best at keeping frizz at bay, smoothing ends and extending your style – an absolute must have for, well, anyone with hair. I can't decide whether I'll be growing or trimming for 2015, but these products will most definitely stick with me.

ETC

Sometimes the etc is the most important part, completely pulling a look/vibe together – and that couldn't be more true for these three stunners. First, an innovation in self tanning that has kept my pins bronzed and my shimmer level high, the St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil. I've spoke a lot about the Karora Express Bronzing Mousse, but this luxe oil is great for overnight use when you want to wake up to glowing, 'post-vacation' skin, and has been my go-to before parties – you can tan as you dance, and the shimmer makes your skin look radiant from a distance. The other ever important etc is your signature scent. I've been drawn to sensual, dark, verging on too masculine perfumes this year, and topping my charts are: Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James and Atelier Cologne in Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue. Both fragrances offer a different vibe, while still containing my favourite notes, vanilla and wood.

Safe to say I've allowed the minimalistic, 'homie' side of me come out in full effect this year.

What are some of the products that changed your beauty game in 2014?

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

AM¥     XO

BEEN TRILL? NAH, JUST ILL

Five days into the new year and I've already been MIA. I wish that I could pretend it was because I got caught up with the merriment of the occasion and the 'newness', but sadly that's not the case. I've been down, out, and back to momma bears for a little TLC to help battle the horrid flu I had caught. Thankfully with a bit of motherly love, a lot of liquids and an absurdly long Keeping Up With The Kardashians marathon I've made it out alive. But there are a few beauty products that were absolute life-savers when it came to coping with this virus, and they definitely deserve an honorable mention – I mean we've basically been bff's the past week. 

The flu has this nasty habit of draining every last ounce of moisture from your body. I've been combating this issue two ways: drinking lots of water/tea/anything fluid, and restoring my skin with moisture-packed products. For tea I've been turning to cold 911, one of the loose leaf tea's found in my David's Tea David's Top 12 gift set – it's caffeine free and packed with peppermint, juniper, and citrus to soothe. I'm not going to pretend that it was the cure, but it certainly made my throat feel more comfortable and was delicious to sip on while watching those Kardashian girls – plus the lack of caffeine meant I could sip at all hours. I was also, at all hours (and on repeat), applying cream to my poor red nose, layering lip balm on my chapped lips, and replenishing my hands from over-washing. For my nose I turned to the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Hydrating Night Cream, being the thickest cream in my vanity I knew it would work wonders – when applied it stung slightly, but also instantly rid my nose of flakes. My lips were healed with my favourite lip balm, the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, which also provided an intense minty scent that worked nearly as well as Vicks VapoRub at clearing my sinuses. And the Royal Apothic Hand Cream in Holland Park remained my go-to after washing my hands, which I did incessantly. There is absolutely nothing worse than feeling dry and chapped, so it has been essential to have these 'flu-saviors' within arms length all week.

I also found myself bored, which lead to frequent showers. But who can blame me? Nothing feels better than lingering in the shower, letting the hot steam open your airways. Which also gave me ample time to treat my hair with my Bumble and Bumble Créme de Coco Masque – a hair mask I can't seem to shut up about. I may have looked worse for wear but my hair was soft and full of shine. I also cured my boredom with a stellar hour of removing my shellac manicure (note the sarcasm), followed by a full at-home manicure featuring Shine For Me, a new shade released by OPI for their 50 Shades Of Grey Collection. This polish is so unexpectedly beautiful – a shimmering silver base with small blue and purple hex glitter. I may not have read the novel, however I'm sure if I had I'd be telling you that this polish makes me wet... Too far?

I wouldn't wish this illness on anyone, not even an enemy, but it seems to be spreading quickly so be prepared! 

What helps you get past the flu?

AM¥     XO

SUNDA¥ PAMPERING ESSENTIALS ..OO1

Ahh Sunday, how I look forward to you – it's the one day each week where I devote time to truly pamper myself. And this week it couldn't come soon enough.

I've never had a set regime for my 'Sunday pampering sessions' – partly because I never know whether the day will call for an indulgent bath or simply an extended shower. And partly because the products vary based on what samples I've collected throughout the week – if I've stumbled upon a sample I deem 'decadent' or 'exciting' it will definitely be thrown into the mix. But regardless of what products I'm using I know that once it's all complete I'll be left feeling calm, moisturized and ready to catch some blissful Zzz's. The regime I'm sharing today is one that I've come back to time and time again when I'm in that 'shower mood' – most likely because it features a lot of vanilla and apricot scented products, my true kryptonite.

No matter what Sunday regime I choose there are two products that are sure to be incorporated; the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo and the Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque. Each week I refresh my locks with the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo – it's ultra-clarifying formula removes product build-up giving my hair a much needed detox. However, with such a clarifying formula it can leave my hair craving moisture, which is why I always follow it up with my Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque. The rich, nutty scent is what first attracted me to this mask, but it's the deeply conditioning formula that keeps me coming back – it's the type of mask that sinks into the hair, almost disappearing the second it's applied. The combination leaves my hair feeling silky and smooth with a beautiful shine. For body care there are only a two things necessary; exfoliation and hydration. This week I've turned to the Cake Beauty Milk Made White Sugar Scrub, which scrubs away dead skin while filling the shower with the scent of vanilla and raspberries. The scent doesn't linger on the skin, meaning that I can bask in my all of my Vanilla Apricot moisturizing glory. My weapon of choice? The Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot followed by the Josie Maran Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil to provide extra hydration to any of my 'rough bits'. I then slip into my favourite Zara sweater before giving myself an at home 'facial'. 

The facial portion is truly my favourite part of my sunday pamper nights – there is simply nothing quite as relaxing. I begin by cleansing my skin – this week I'm sampling the First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay. I was a little naughty this week and slept with a full face of makeup more than once so a deep cleanser is just what the doctor ordered.  I then follow it with a trio of masks – but don't freak out, they each have a specified purpose. I begin with the GlamGlow YouthMud TingleExfoliate Treatment – I'm currently using a sample, however I love this mask so dearly that I've repurchased the full size twice previously. And it's not the only GlamGlow product found in this regime, I also use the GlamGlow BrightMud Eye Treatment to instantly rid my eyes of dark circles. Together, these products leave me bright-eyed and glowing. Although, they lack hydration, which is where the Origins 10-minute Mask to Quench Skin's Thirst comes into play – another apricot-scented beauty. To maximize hydration when using this mask I tend to simply wipe of the excess with a tissue rather than washing it off completely – it also means that I'm left to inhale the heavenly scent as I sleep. And sleep I will. 

What products do you like to pamper yourself with?

AM¥   XO