So, here it is. The end of another wonderful year full of joy, laughter, and plenty of surprises… and that’s just in the beauty department!
There’ve been so many new launches and innovations this year across fragrance, makeup, skincare, haircare and grooming that it can be tough to distinguish the beauty buys that are worth their salt. The good (and bad!) news is: there’ve been hundreds. But don’t worry about bankrupting yourself trying to find your One True Mascara, because the Escentual Beauty Team has been working their way through new launches all year long to find the crème de la crème of 2015.
We’ve debated back and forth to create a list of 10 definitive products that you really shouldn’t miss out on, and we’re pretty pleased with the result. So, are you ready to find your very own 2015 favourites?
Emma
1) Guerlain Meteorites Compact
2015 is the year that we saw Guerlain’s iconic Meteorites Pearls condensed into a travel-friendly palette… in other words, it was a very good year for beauty lovers! Available in three colourways that brighten skin (02 Light), even the skin’s tone (03 Medium) and add warmth to skin (04 Golden), this enhancing powder creates an immaculate complexion that’s not really a daily necessity, but it’s an excellent magic touch for when you want your makeup to look truly flawless.
2) Bumble and bumble Full Potential Hair Preserving Shampoo
Full Potential is created for those with thinning hair, and while I don’t have much of a problem on that front, I do struggle with getting my limp locks to feel full, thick and airy. This viscous, menthol-scented gel lathers into a thick foam that removes every trace of oil and product from your hair whilst preserving your its strength. It’s like a mini detox every day and my hair’s never felt better – it’s become the very best version of itself.
3) Valentino Donna Eau de Parfum
When Valentino Donna’s statement studded bottle and irresistible iris, leather and vanilla scent landed on my desk earlier this year, I instantly knew I was in for something special. Donna is everything that I want from a fragrance: beautifully blended, and understated yet distinctive. It’s one of those signature scents that will grow with you from season to season, year to year. I urge you to try it!
Chelsey
4) Barefoot SOS Repair + Renew Intensive Repair Treatment Oil
When you start to wake up at night fretting about the fact you haven’t applied your favourite night treatment, you know it’s a keeper. A complete convert, I’ve finally found my night time must-have to smooth my skin and get rid of my unwanted lumps and bumps. Reminiscent of a luxury salon-style masseur’s oil, this rose-infused oil is my go-to guarantee for radiant, de-congested skin. I simply can’t sleep without it!
5) La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat
Ever since the lovely Lisa from La Roche-Posay recommended Effaclar Mat, it’s been a solid staple in my makeup application routine. Gone are the days where I need a primer, this mattifying magic has finally made my shine-free dreams come true and I can’t believe I’ve only got my mitts on it this year – I’m hooked!
6) Narciso Rodriguez For Her L’Absolu Eau De Parfum
After spritzing this incredible fragrance all I could say was wow, wow, wow! I knew it was love at first spritz when I kept hearing ‘what ARE you wearing?’ whenever I’d choose to spritz it. As classic and empowering as a gorgeous LBD paired with skyscraper high heels, there isn’t a single thing I don’t adore about this fragrance.
Ceryn
7) GIVENCHY Teint Couture Balm
It’s often difficult to find a foundation that ticks all the boxes. I look for a medium coverage, dewy finish and the most recent addition, a lightweight feel. Up until this year I hadn’t found that all-star foundation, that is until the release of the GIVENCHY Teint Couture Balm in September. The melt-in formula is a dream to apply and feels divine on the skin, it makes my skin look radiant and healthy without being overly-dewy or shiny. It covers my imperfections without feeling as if I’m wearing a mask and since it’s release it hasn’t left my makeup bag!
8) Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil
Although I love makeup, I don’t love taking it off. Luckily, this year presented me with a product that made the makeup removal process a great deal easier. The Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil melts all of my makeup away – even waterproof mascara and vibrant, matte lipsticks. Lightweight and non-greasy it’s the perfect texture for my combination skin and is now a vital part of my cleansing routine.
9) Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Crème
I’m all about making my skincare as simple as it can be, that way I know I’ll keep to it. The Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Crème was one of the products that made a huge difference to my skin this year but didn’t eat up a lot of time. The crème is an over-night retexturiser that exfoliates away dead skin cells while you sleep. It’s simple but super effective and leaves my skin smooth and radiant.
The Team’s 2015 Favourite
10) Shiseido Full Lash Mascara
If you were to ask the beauty team about our favourite skincare, lipstick or shampoo, we’d give you an infinite number of conflicting answers. Ask us about our favourite mascara, though? We’d all say the same thing: the Shiseido Full Lash Mascara.
This under-the-radar beauty launched earlier this year and it’s already made a giant impact on our make-up bags. The curved, densely packed wand and creamy formula make the Full Lash Mascara just as good for short, straight and fine lashes as it is for longer lashes that need less help, supporting each one with beautiful volume, length and curl. The icing on the cake is the inclusion of tubing technology, which ensures that the mascara slides off lashes easily with a touch of water (an important factor for Emma, who tends to lose lashes easily!). If you’re looking for a natural, wide-eyed look, this mascara is what you’ve been waiting for.
Over to you!
What have been your favourite products this year?
