While I absolutely love drugstore make-up, I do love my high-end beauty products as well. Especially when it comes to skin care, which I think is definitely worth investing in when you reach your forties.
As I started to approach my 40th birthday, I definitely noticed a change in my skin. It started to become a little drier, a little duller a few more lines here and there. I decided that it was time to look after my skin a little better and with a bit of care and attention, my skin has started to look brighter and plumper.
Some of these products were sent to me by brands which I’ve been very fortunate to work with over the last 12 months. Some are products which I absolutely love and turn to time and time again. And others are new favourites that I’ve found in recent weeks, but which have already become some of my go-to products.
I’ve also thrown in a few high end make-up products that I really enjoy using as well, although most of my make-up favourites are in my 10 under £10 roundup.
Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover* (* – affiliate link)
I’ve tried other cheaper eye make-up removers, but I keep coming back to this one. It’s one of the make-up removers which has two different liquids in the bottle, but when you shake this bottle up, the layers stay mixed together. Some of the other cleansers I tried separated really quickly, which was a bit of pain! This cleanser works without any pulling or tugging on delicate skin, even on waterproof mascara. Definitely worth every penny.
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel*
I can’t tell you how much I love this cleansing gel. It makes taking my make up off a real pleasure, rather than a daily chore. The gel cleanser turns into an oil as you massage it into your skin, and then it washes off easily. I use a washi cloth to gently exfoliate my skin as I remove the cleanser. Unlike any other wash-off cleanser I’ve tried so far, my skin actually feels moisturised after using it.
Homedics Newa Skin Rejuvenation System*
Back in September, I started a six week trial of the HoMedics Newa System. And although I was initially a little sceptical about how it could work, I was really impressed with the results I saw. If you are currently paying for regular facials, it is definitely worth looking into this system – you can read my full review and see a demonstration here. I’m not using the Newa at the moment, because I’m testing out some other products but I am definitely going to go back to using it again in the future.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II*
I’d been dying to try this serum out for ages, because I had only heard good things about it. I finally bought a bottle when I visited the new John Lewis in Birmingham’s Grand Central, and it’s every bit as good as I expected. Although it’s pricey, you only need to use a few drops on your skin after cleansing and it really gives your skin a boost overnight.
L’Occitane Creme Divine
In October, I was lucky enough to be sent L’Occitane’s premium moisurizer Creme Divine to review. I absolutely fell in love with it, and it is probably one of my favourite products that I’ve tried in 2015. The cream smells truly divine, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft that I can’t stop stroking it! You can read my full review here.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light*
Although most of the foundations I’ve tried this year have been drugstore brands, I’ve also tried out some gorgeous high end products as well. I actually went into Selfridges to buy Estee Lauder’s Double Wear, but the consultant told me that I really didn’t need the full coverage that product gives. She advised me to try out Double Wear Light, and I am so happy with this foundation. The medium coverage stays looking perfect throughout the day, without the need for touchups. Even on my skin, which usually drinks up foundation by lunchtime!
MAC lipstick in Mehr
MAC lipsticks are a bit of a modern beauty classic, aren’t they? They aren’t cheap, but I do think that they are worth the money. The colour goes on beautifully and lasts really well. I’ve bought a few colours this year and it’s hard to pick a favourite. But Mehr is probably the colour I’ve worn most, since buying it on my weekend in Dublin.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment*
Now this is a real life saver. The price still makes me wince every time I buy it, and the smell takes some getting used to (that’s putting it mildly!). But I have eczema around my nails, and this is literally the only hand cream I have ever found that makes it better. I ran out of this around October, and decided to use up some other hand creams before buying any more. Big mistake! My eczema got much worse, until I finally got around to stocking up again. Literally two days after starting to use the cream again, my nails looked so much better. If you have damaged skin on your hands, I really recommend giving this a try.
No 7 Youthful Eye Serum*
This was a very welcome free gift from the Boots Advantage team over the summer. It’s an eye serum that you pat on around your eye area, to reduce dark circles, lines and wrinkles – all the usual signs of ageing. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C and Soft focus Spheres, and in conjunction with my usual eye cream I think it is really helping. I’m just about running out of this now, so the tube has really lasted a long time. I’m going to have a look around at alternative options, but I may well come back to this product.
Charlotte Tilbury Mini Miracle Eye Wand
This was one of my final beauty purchases of 2015, bought just at the beginning of December. It is a double-ended tube with a brush dispensing a serum at one end and one dispensing a highlighting fluid at the other. It tones and brightens the eye area, giving the impression that you’ve had a full 8 hours sleep – invaluable for those of us who are up early in the mornings!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my pick of beauty products over £10 – don’t forget to check out my Ten under £10 selection as well.
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