Top 13 of 2012 | Part One

Hmm... Well, I started with 10 of 2012, then moved to 12 and settled at 13... I just had a lot of products that I've loved, okay?! This is going to be a post split into two parts, the first one (this one, duh) is going to be skin care/hair care/ brush care/face care/all of the above and the second one (up in a few days, don't you worry) is going to be makeup, plus some other bits and bobs. Here we go!

 All the family together. What a happy bunch they are! Look at their dazzling, smiley faces!

 01. Moisturizers

I struggled to find a good moisturizer this year after having a bad bout with products at the beginning of last year. With a basic drug store brand, I was breaking out left and right. Thankfully, my mom introduced me to the idea that maybe spending a little more money now is better in the long run. These are the ones I've been loving. The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream is what I use in the mornings and Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins (a new discovery, though I couldn't leave it out!) is what I use at night. 

 02. Haircare

This year, I've definitely become more involved in the upkeep and treatment of my hair. With many dyes comes a whole lotta repair, so these are the products that I've found have kept my hair healthy looking. The first is Aveda Smooth Infusion which works to fight frizz and keep my hair straight while I blow dry it. The second is the It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product which is just that... A miracle. I've used this for quite a while. On my fine, long, tangly hair, it never leaves me greasy. Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is another product I've popped on in the last half of the year. My mother mistook it for a heat protectant but I snatched it up as soon as I could. The light formula works wonders while blow drying. And last but certainly not least is Oribe Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream. Absolutely a savior on particularly knotty, frizzy or unpredictable hair. Just pop a little bit between my fingers and apply to ends and fly aways.

03. Skin Care

The three hottest brands in my stash this year are Bobbi Brown (above), Origins and REN. I've loved using Origins Checks and Balances for a clean, fresh feeling face. To combat dehydration, I often use a bit of Origins Drink Up Mask for 15-20 minutes. Most of it soaks into the skin and requires just a quick wash. And the third product is REN Clearcalm 3 Acne Treatment Mask. While combatting heavy break outs earlier this year, I worked a lot with this mask. It got it's fair share of usage and I really love the way it makes my skin feel.

04. Miscellaneous

This category really has it all, I didn't quite know what to call it. I despise using face wipes but have really liked the Simple Cleaning Facial Wipes. They're handy to have for sleepovers, late nights, and sometimes early mornings. The Clarisonic Mia was another lifesaver during the bout with acne this year. I continue to love to use this though I have been using it less and less lately. I've always hated shaving my legs but with EOS Shave Cream in vanilla bliss, the pure scent makes me want to sometimes. I also really enjoyed Alba shave cream (not pictured). Lastly, this Daily Makeup Brush Cleanser has been so, so, SO handy in the last year. Being able to just scrub off a little product from a brush before taking pictures is so helpful. I still do a weekly deep cleanse but this saves me a ton of time.

Do you have a post on your favourite skin care products this past year? Let me know down below!

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Christmas Wishlist Part One

Skincare Wants by hellomynameisblair featuring an origins skincare

Origins face moisturizer, $53 / Origins skincare, $32 / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics , $99 / Face mask, $25 / Origins skincare, $32 / REN face mask / Manuka beauty product, $34 / Origins beauty product, $53 / Caudalie beauty product, $51

I've tried to hold off on my Christmas themed posts until now but I hope my timing is alright. This is my very personal wishlist, as I've mostly made it so my sister and mom can come on here and maybe get some ideas... Stocky stuffers anyone?! Anyways, I'll give a bit of a low down on each product.
I have quite dry/dehydrated skin, so most of these products cater to that. They're also a bit on the higher end scale; i.e. things that I can't necessarily afford to pop on all the time. Along with dry/dehydrated skin, I also have quite acne prone skin, so to fight that, I use products which dry my skin. A vicious cycle, I know.. I'm working on it, thus these are desirable to me this Christmas season!
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Masque- Soothing Rehydrating Mask 50 ml- $13.60
Dermatology based brand, La Roche-Posay focuses heavily on the science behind skincare. Their website is full of informative articles on identifying skin types, and including how their products suit your specific skin type. The aqua based gel properties are used to replenish and encourage hydration deep below the skin.
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask- $55
This treatment essentially removes the top layer of skin and resurfaces a new layer, without causing irritation. It uses its four-fruit-acid-complex to and papain enzyme to exfoliate and create glowing, healthy skin. Formulated without any of the icky stuff (parabens, sulfates, etc), the all natural mask is refreshing and renewing.
Origins Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Moisturizer- $38.50
Used to help repair dry, dehydrated skin, it also encourages the continuous improvement of hydration in your skin. It is clinically proven to instantly boost skin's moisture and keep it hydrated all day. The Rose of Jericho, Lychee extract and Watermelon extract work together to hold essential hydration, trigger the production of Caspase-14 to improve moisture production and trigger the production of Filaggrin (the substrate Caspase needs in skin) so that the skin loses the feeling of dehydration or thirst.
Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask to Quench Skin's Thirst- $23
In the freezing winter months, a mask like this one can really improve hydration in skin. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes or fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or Triclosan, it sticks to the name Origins lives up to... All natural products that work to solve your skin's problems. In this mask however, algae serves as the main hydrating substance which works to help boost collagen production, and allow the body to rid toxins more easily.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir- $18-48
I'm not really sure why I'm that attracted to this product... Maybe because for a long while it was only available in France, then only available throughout Europe and finally in the States. I've heard countless YTr's say that they don't think it actually does anything for their skin except make them feel a bit more glamorous and maybe help breakouts. I just really would like to try the smaller bottle and see what all the hype is about!
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask- $23
Very similar to the 10 Minute Mask up above, this one serves as an overnight mask to really replenish. Many have said that in the night your whole face just soaks it up, and it's all gone when you wake up. I have to wonder, how much of it goes onto your pillow and thats why there is no more when you awake? Anywho, it uses Apricot Kernel Oil and Avocado this time as well as Japanese Seaweed to prevent future dehydration.
Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream- $39.50
A night cream designed to enhance natural minerals in skin so that dullness, irritation and redness is put to rest- while you rest. Fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers, this night cream releases minerals, moisture and vitamins (C, E, and H). Orange aroma is used to lull you to sleep while skin sloughs away dry, dead layers.
Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Treatment Mask- $39
Another mask designed to enhance moisture.. Surprising, huh?! Aura Manuka is used by New Zealand Maori people to powerfully draw moisture to skin. Vanilla pod and mandarin linger to bring peace to the soul.... So that both your skin and soul are treated while using it. Sounds like a real homemade facial, don't it?
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream- $52
A light moisturizing cream designed to leave your face refreshed and ready for seamless makeup application. Algae is again used to extract moisture while caffeine provides soothing properties. This formula instantly hydrates while steadily releasing moisture and nutrients throughout the day.

637 words later... Phew. That was a lot to take in, wasn't it? The basic gist is that most of these products aid in moisture. What's on your wishlist? Have you tried any of these products before?

xx

P.S. 33 sleeps until Christmas... :)

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Skin Rescue Masks

Origins Out of Trouble Mask

Known for being a 10 minute mask to rescue problem skin, this mask does exactly that. On my dehydrated-dry skin, it becomes a bit tight after washing off but with a spot of moisturizer, all is well. My skin feels noticeably clearer the next day and I’m always incredibly amazed by that fact. This mask was designed to, “sop up oily-shine, slough off sticky, dead cells and sweep away irksome debris.” I tend to use this mask for 5-7 minutes instead of the full 10 because I don’t need as much sopping of oils (as I lack them). With my skin type, it gets a pleasant kick from the calming Camphor and tough Salicylic Acid.

REN Clearcalm 3 Acne Treatment Mask

The claim to fame for this mask is that it is the ultimate acne-fighting mask. My first reaction was that it felt quite soothing, and a bit like a thick layer of moisturizer. My skin felt very dry again after this one, but nothing a little moisturizer (and Argan oil) couldn’t fix up. Some of the ingredients include: Sulfur, licorice extract, zinc gluconate, willow bark extract, calcium carbonate, kaolin, and essential oils. One of the things that drew me to REN was their natural yet also pharmaceutical way of reinventing skin, if that makes sense. Some brands such as Origins strike me as all natural, but this seems to combine the two in the perfect manner.

Origins Clear Improvement

I see the most opening of my pores with this mask, so I find it’s a great way to let later products sink in as much as possible. I apply all of my masks with an old foundation brush and find this one works easiest using this technique. The Charcoal in it acts like a magnet to draw out the nasties that clog your pores. White China Clay absorbs the environmental toxins and lecithin dissolves impurities.

I’m in the market for some Ultra Moisturizing Masks. Any ideas? Leave in the comments below.

Xx

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