Disappointing Products

I'll start this post off by saying that I am definitely not an impulse buyer.  I spend so much time reading blog reviews to make sure that what I'm buying is worth the money/right for me etc etc that it actually really surprises me when I end up not liking something. That said, it is other bloggers 'Disappointing products' or 'Product Regret' posts that have most likely saved me from too many let downs, so I thought that I should share a few of mine. Obviously this is very much down to personal preference and these products aren't necessarily bad products as I most likely purchased them after hearing someone give them a glowing review - I'm just sharing why they haven't worked for me.
If there is one thing I hate, its spending money on expensive tanning products that aren't good quality. I'd heard so many good things about the he-shi Express Liquid Tan, but after application I found the 'Medium' shade to be very, very pale in colour. After one use it looked almost as though I had just used a gradual tanner! I added another coat the next day and was more satisfied with the colour, but for a tan that doesn't wow me this is just far too much hassle. On top of that, I found this product extremely drying on my skin, and noticed that when it started to fade I was left looking very patchy and strange. This might work better for someone who's after a much paler look, or who doesn't have skin that leans towards the dry side.
Normally I love Bourjois as a brand, but I really didn't get on with their Healthy Mix Foundation or Concealer. I had tried the original version of the foundation and I remember really liking it, so I picked it up again recently in the new packaging. I think the product must have been re formulated as although I like the initial finish, the foundation didn't hold up for two seconds on my skin (which is not oily).  I do on the other hand really like their Healthy Mix Serum foundation so would 100 percent recommend that over the original. As far as the concealer goes, I like the light, glowy coverage it gives but it made the skin around my eyes very red and sore. I did enjoy using it before my reaction, but I wouldn't class myself as someone with very sensitive skin and I have never reacted to a product in that way before so I would say if you ever have any sensitivity issues definitely give this one a miss!
Next up is a product I'm not quite ready to write off just yet, partly due to the price and partly because  I just think it could look so, so pretty if I could only make it work for me! I'm speaking about the much internet loved ByTerry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock. When swatched, this sheeny, pinky brown shade looks stunning but once I put it on my lid, something just doesn't work. It seems that when I try to blend it out, the product sheers out a lot and I end up with shimmer everywhere. I'm open to any suggestions about these because as I said, its a beautiful shade so please let me know in the comments if you have any tips!
The last product is another of those sad ones that you really like using but your skin just doesn't get along well with. I've only ever had good experiences with Origins skincare in the past, but every time I try to use their VitaZing, its followed by a breakout. VitaZing is one of those interesting 'adapts to your skin tone' moisturisers, it really is great for giving just a hint of glow on no make up days, or as a morning moisturiser as it contains SPF. This is one I would definitely try for yourself, I wish I could love this but I think after the fourth desperate attempt to use this resulting in a break out its time to give it away.

Favourite Discoveries Of 2014

While it seems that 2014 has been the quickest year ever, I feel that I have made some great discoveries this year and there have been some products that I have been using pretty consistently throughout. Doing Christmas on a student budget doesn't exactly leave much to spare, so I haven't tried many new products through the month of December and so I thought it might be more appropriate to show some of my stand out finds from 2014, instead of my December favourites.

Xen Tan's Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe is a product that I had tried before the beginning of the year but as much as I loved the moisturising finish and olive toned colour, I just didn't feel that the tan it left behind was as dark as what I was used to. It was this year I discovered that applying this on two consecutive days, leaves you with the most perfect dark tan that lasts almost a full week. For me thats pretty amazing, as my incredibly dry skin seems to just repel tan after a couple of days, leaving me patchy with the urge to run home and scrub myself. I do think that this tan is very pricey, and for that reason I do have some others on rotation, but nothing else quite measures up. 

I have fairly sensitive skin, so never got on very well with typical 'gritty' exfoliators, but this year I have loved using chemical exfoliants on my skin. The Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening Toner is lovely, I use this every other evening and it helps to keep my skin looking bright, feeling smooth and tackling any dry patches. 

I won't go on about this one too much as I know I have already mentioned it multiple times on here, but the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is what has been on my face for the majority of the year. The coverage can be taken from a natural wash of colour to a full coverage foundation that really does make you look healthy and glowing, and the lack of SPF and great lasting power make it perfect for evenings too.

I have never been happy with my naturally sparse, thin brows and always felt that Brow Pencil and Powder start to look un natural when you are wanting to actually alter the shape of your brow. Discovering the Anastasia DipBrow Pomade has made me so much happier with the look of my eyebrows, as with a little angled brush (MAC's 208 does it for me) you can draw on tiny individual hairs and create the look of a thicker, defined brow. The product is also waterproof so you don't have to worry about it going anywhere, or touching up throughout the day. 

The By Terry Celluarose Blush Glacés are one of the most unique products I have tried this year, and they are the blushes that I turn to whenever my skin is looking dull or lacklustre. These have a watery consistency that once blended in look like a natural flush, and the glowy finish makes you look instantly healthy. 

2014 has been the year that I have really gotten into bold lipsticks, and have been loving matte liquid lipsticks in particular. I love the formula of the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets, and 01 is the red lip choice that I have reached for most over the year. Its a very flattering, slightly darkened red on me and the lasting power makes it perfect for dinner or a night out. 

The Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay Gel Colours are in my opinion the best nail varnishes available in the drugstore, these things combine some serious staying power power with a beautiful formula and shade range, meaning I have built up quite a collection over the year. 

Lastly, a bit of a strange one thrown in - but I have been using the Rapidlash Eyelash Enhancing Serum on and off throughout 2014, and I really can see a difference in the appearance of my lashes and brows. After consistent use for a month or two my lashes look longer, thicker and healthier and I am certain my brows have slightly more going on than they used too. I think this may have gone up in price from when I purchased it a year ago but it is definitely something thats worth looking at if you are unhappy with your lashes, or possibly need to get them back in a better condition following lash extensions. 

I hope you enjoyed this little round up of my top picks from the year, I chose to do this over a full 2014 Favourites as I wanted to just show the bits that have really stood out, and for some categories such as Mascara I have chopped and changed so much throughout the year that I don't feel I could pick just one! What are your some of your favourites from this year? Let me know! 

The Haul - SEPHORA

I've just gotten back from a trip to Barcelona, and while I was there I couldn't resist stopping into Sephora to pick up some things. European Sephora doesn't carry nearly as many brands as the US stores, but it does stock some brands such as Make Up For Ever which are very hard to get hold of in the UK. 

Make Up For Ever Invisible Cover HD Foundation

The first item I picked up is the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. I did try this years ago a trip to New York, but due to the unnatural lighting in the store I picked up the complete wrong shade. Why do they do that?! I do remember really liking the finish of this though, it feels light on the skin, and has a glow to it while remaining fairly matte. After factoring in the lack of SPF, this means that this foundation is perfect for a night out, or any occasion where there will be lots of flash photography and you want your skin to look flawless!

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 02 Classic Beige

I'd heard other beauty bloggers talking about the Sephora Cream Lip Stains, claiming they were the best of the bunch when it came to this sudden wave of matte cream lip products. I definitely favor a matte lip and I've tried both Hourglass and Bourjous' offerings, so I had to give this one a go. I chose 02 which is a dark pinkish brown shade, as I'm loving the whole Kylie Jenner inspired cappuccino lip trend that's going on at the moment. It's a great every day lip shade for when I want to look slightly more polished. As for the formula, these have the same pigmentation and lasting power as competitors from other brands, but I find them much less dying on the lips. The only downside is the shade range is pretty limited, but there was a true red and a lovely watermelon shade tempting me! 

Formula X in Radical

As if I need more nail polish, but I couldn't resist picking up one of Sephora's new(ish) Formula X nail varnishes. These polishes are supposed to be seriously long lasting and as I am the proud owner of acrylic ruined nails, nail varnish normally doesn't last too well on me. I chose the shade Radical which is a pinky lilac, but with a hint of a grey tone in there somewhere which keeps everything looking slightly more neutral and less barbie. The formula of this polish really is lovely, it applies really evenly and is opaque in two coats. I also found it has a shiny, almost gel like finish, and even without a top coat the lasting power is amazing. I'm now wishing I'd picked up more shades!