Styling You’s top beauty products 2014
Drum roll please …
Today’s the day I share with you my pick of the beauty product crop for the year.
The Styling You top beauty products 2014 is of course a subjective list.
It features in the most products that were released on to the market in 2014 but there are some products in this list that I’ve included as it was this year that I discovered and fell in love with them.
Most of the products below come from the posts I wrote each month up until November that featured my my five favourites for that month. Others have come from other themed posts and sponsored posts.
The big test for their inclusion here was based on whether I was still using them and in some cases had re-purchased once and twice after the original sample had finished.
And yes, in all cases I was initially sent the sample to trial and possibly share with you. Apart from sponsored posts, for a product to even to be featured on my blog, it has to have some kind of difference or special appeal that warrants a trial and then I have to be blown away during that trial.
With sponsored posts, yes I’m paid to write about those products featured, but I think it’s the ultimate test if long after that job has finished that I’m still using and buying that product because it was as effective and useful as I initially said it was.
I tried to narrow it down to less than 20 but it was like I’d be leaving out my best friends from a party invite. So 20 it is.
They appear below in no particular order but they are grouped in beauty product “type”.
I’ve also included online links to where you can buy the product or contact someone via online to find a stockist near you.
So, with the disclaimers out of the way, let’s roll on with my top 20 beauty products for 2014.
The VERY GOOD news is that one lucky SY reader and beauty lover is going to have a chance to win (almost) all of those products. I KNOW. I’m already excited for the winner. Read on for details on how to enter.
Skincare
1. Ultraceuticals Hydrating Ultra Protective Moisturiser SPF30 ($65): I love my face sunscreens to be light and lovely and hydrating and just beautiful on the skin. This one ticks those boxes and continues to be a part of my protective skincare routine.
2. Sodashi Samadara Ultimate Age-Defying Elixir ($274): This is certainly not everyone’s budget but it’s the most exquisite serum that’s ever graced my face. I swear my skin looked better after just one application. It’s chemical-free and Australian made. I was lucky enough to spend a night in luxury for its launch.
3. Go-To Skincare Exfoliating Swipeys ($45.95): Go-To Skincare is the brainchild of the uber-talented beauty writer/author/entrepreneur Ms Zoe Foster Blake. I’m impressed by the entire range but it’s this tub of circular wipes laced with lactic acid and hydrating essential oils that I’ve fallen for. So easy, great for travelling and so effective on your skin. I did a video interview with Zoe here.
4. HydroPeptide Eye Authority ($120): My eyes need all the help they can get. I was introduced to this entire product range through a series of facials. I found this to be an gentle and effective treatment for my eye area.
5. NIVEA Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream SPF 30 ($19.95): This product is my budget pick for 2014. I was blown away with the results from me using only this as my daytime moisturiser for a month. You can read and see the findings here.
Lifestyle
6. MicroNail ($59.99): This device still amazes me how it can buff my nails to so shiny that it looks like they’ve been painted with a clear base coat. I’ve found it incredibly useful in keeping my nails looking good while giving them a break from too many gel applications.
7. Twenty8 Focus & Clarity essential oils synergy blend ($36.95): I’m a huge fan of every chemical-free blend that Twenty8 creates – this one, however, has a special place in my heart. It was the oil I applied before each book event this year. It includes grapefruit, rosemary, myrtle and spearmint essential oils and I found it great for focussing and being in the moment.
8. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Black Edition toothbrush ($299.95): The first time I used this toothbrush, I couldn’t help but run my tongue over my teeth and marvel at how clean they felt. I love that it comes with a charging USB travel case but actually holds three weeks worth of charge so you’d rarely need to use that. And a winning point for me? The bathroom charger is a glass so it looks good in the bathroom.
9. NIVEA Stress Protect Clinical Strength deodorant stick ($14.95): I’ve bought nothing but NIVEA Stress Protect spray-on deodorant since it was released last year. It works for me. This one arrived on the market this year and I was intrigued. For me, it’s not only stronger but it is ideal for travel. I found the effectiveness of the roll-on didn’t cut it for me but this most certainly does.
Hair
10. bhave Fresh Ends ($32.95): I’ve had two bhave keratin Smoothe treatments on my hair this year. Best. Thing. Ever. You can read why here. This product is one of the styling products recommended to use as part of the after-care process but can be used by anyone. I’ve always used an oil on my hair but this cream was different. It’s a moisturiser for your hair that you add on after it’s dry. It’s mostly for the ends of your hair as the name suggests but I’ve had some colour damage this year and it’s been useful to mask that as well.
11. Kerastase Discipline Maskeratine ($60): This is the mask in the Kerastase Discipline range but I actually use it as my conditioner. Don’t be scared too much by the price – the tub goes a long way. The reason I like it? That colour damage I mentioned? It’s the only product that helps keep it looking like it’s not damaged.
Makeup
12. Jane Iredale Golden Shimmer Face and Body Lotion ($38.25): You know how I love a shimmer and an illuminator? Well this I LOVE a lot. It’s great all over the face and chest area but it’s also great as a highlighter on the cheekbones. I find that if I’ve had a spray tan it helps blend the difference between my face and the rest of my body and just creates a beautiful glow.
13. Lanolips 101 Fruities Apple ($13.95): I’ve been a huge fan of Lanolips from day 1 so I’m not surprised that my lips love this new offering. It’s just one of the fruities range of ultra medical grade lanolin ointments and is my fave out of the three (the others are peach and strawberry). The flavours come from real fruit extracts.
14. Napoleon Perdis The One Concealer – Light ($39): In my book I feature this concealer’s predecessor – it was my fave concealer until this one came out in 2014. The lighter shade is easier to blend for my skin tone. It’s hydrating and very much does the trick to hide a multitude of sins around the eyes.
15. Maybelline NY Master Smoky Shadow Pencil ($14.95): Oh MY. This eye liner/shadow has been a game-changer for me. It really makes getting a defined eye super quick and easy. I love the Scorching Brown shade for every day and the Black Smoke or Smoking Charcoal for evening. The chubby stick goes on very easily and then creating a smokey eye look is as simple as flipping the stick and using the small sponge to blend out the line.
16. Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation ($68): This has become my handbag foundation compact – ideal for applications throughout the day to the nose and chin. I’ve now got two colours – one to better work with a spray tan; one for my every day. It gives a flawless finish but without that typical skin feeling that can be around here during our summer months.
Blur creams
Ed’s note: Blur creams have been around for a while but mostly known as primers. Primers are like velcro on your skin for helping keep makeup in place. Blur creams take that a little further (but not much in terms of feeling and seeing the product on your face). And it seems this year was the year of the blur cream.
17. Face of Australia HD High Definition Primer ($13.95): This one represents fantastic valuable money. It really does help keep your makeup in place all day long. I love how smooth it feels on.
18. Dermalogica skinperfect primer SPF 30 ($67): This was a pivotal part of my go-to makeup routine last summer. It has all the qualities of a primer that you’d want, plus a tint to enhance the luminous state of your skin. Great on its own for a low-key day; awesome as a base under other foundations.
19 . The Body Shop Instablur ($21.95): This product lived up to its name too. It creates a super smooth canvas for you to then add your makeup. It helps keep the “shine” alive.
20. Garnier Perfect Blur 5 Sec Smoothing Base Perfector ($16.95): This formula is beautifully smooth. Your skin still breathes. Powerful light reflectors in this product help deal with shine and hide all manner of skin blemishes and uneven skin toon.
WIN
I’m so excited and grateful to the companies featured in this list. Thanks to them, I’ve got 19 out of the 20 products featured (sorry, no Philips Sonicare toothbrushes available for prizes) to give away to ONE Styling You reader. This hamper of beauty goodies is valued at $1023.74 and will have you glowing well into 2015.
To enter, simply answer the question below:
Name the one beauty product YOU’VE tried and tested this year that you’ve fallen in love with … and why?
Entries open on Thursday, December 18 at 4.45am (AEST) and close on Tuesday, December 30 at 5pm (AEST). Australian entries only, sorry. The winner will be judged on originality and creativity (photos can be included and uploaded with the comment). The winner will be emailed and their name will be published here. Entrants must include an email address when the filling in the commenting system below to be eligible to enter. Full terms and conditions here.
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