Long before I started my own beauty blog, I was addicted to others, I still read around five or six religiously every day. The blogging community may seem overwhelming, however in reality the number of full time daily bloggers is relatively small and incredible close knit meaning that certain products used by some #bbloggers (that’s beauty bloggers for those not in the know) can then become a little over hyped and therefore results in a feverish number of product groupies which subsequently means that one little product used by one cool beauty blogger is almost overnight promoted to cult status. I have been swept up in more #bblogger crazes than I’d like to admit, but I want to take today’s post as an opportunity to shine a light on the products which actually deserve all of the rave reviews/waiting lists/’holy grail’ titles.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
The blogosphere went a little crazy for this spot busting serum after super vlogger Tanya Burr and super blogger Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends sang its praises, and I’ve heard some people argue that it’s not worth the hype. I couldn’t disagree more, I started using Effaclar Duo in February and it transformed my skin. The under the skin bumps I was used to living with on my forehead are now a rare occurrence and I’m enjoying totally clear skin for the first time since I can remember! This is one tube of goodness that does what it says on the tin. Although I don’t use it as often as I used to now (I used to use as a serum twice daily) I still use when I feel my skin needs a little boost. I’m now on my second tube!
Indeed Labs Hydraluron
Hyaluronic Acid is a big deal in the beauty industry and has been having a bit of a moment as the ingredient du jour for the past year, so it comes as no surprise that Hydraluron (which is packed full of the stuff) created a bit of a flurry when it dropped in Boots last Autumn. Whilst the packaging may be inconspicuous this little tube does wonders for dehydrated skin year round. For people like me who suffer from dehydration and oiliness this is truly a miracle product as it increases the skins ability to retain moisture by up to one hundred times, meaning that I can use a lightweight moisturiser on top and feel totally hydrated without any greasy or heavy residue. A must have for Winter and Summer in particular when skin acts up a little.
Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm
I’ve been using Emma Hardie’s cleansing balm for nearly 8 months now after getting caught up in the hype (I’m yet to meet a beauty blogger who hasn’t used Hardie’s cleansing balm at one point or another in their skincare regime) and I haven’t looked back. It is a wonderful treat to use in the evenings to dissolve make up, dirt and oil, smells divine and has done a wonderful job at keeping my skin relatively clear and blemish free. I genuinely can’t believe that I used to use a gel cleanser in the evenings! I relish massaging a pea-sized amount into my skin and then removing all of the days grime with a hot flannel. I love that I can have a bath in between cleansing and (toning/serum) moisturising without my skin feeling taut and I love that one tub lasts me a good four months. How much more love can I give this balm? It is a staple in my skincare routine and I can’t see it being replaced for the foreseeable future.
Lipstick Queen Medieval
This lipstick had a bit of a moment a few months ago when India Knight wrote a piece solely dedicated to it in the Sunday Times Style, so whilst not strictly a #bblogger phenomena, it still counts as a product which people went a little nuts over and for good reason. A vitamin E formula which leaves lips with a just bitten stain (loosely based on the colour women’s lips used to go in medieval times when they used lemon juice on them) is the perfect year round red, it works well with a full face of slap or simply on it’s own, I have never come across a lipstick like it. J’adore.
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser SPF15
Overpriced? yes. Damn good? yes! I’ve been using this tinted moisturiser for over a year now and still haven’t found anything quite like it. A dewy medium coverage that leaves my skin radiant on even the worst skin days (I’m talking post nights out and McDonald’s binging bad), it just works for my olive skin tone and keeps my complexion in tip top condition. Totally worth the hype if you’ve got money to spend!
NARS Laguna Bronzer
This bronzer has received a lot of enduring love over the years, mainly for it’s lack of orange tones or shimmer. It leaves complexions looking subtly sunkissed and works on so many different skin tones that it has well and truly earned its place amongst the holy grail category. If you have a bronzer shaped hole in your life you now know what to fill it with!
I hope you found this post useful, I’ll be following up either later this week or next with products not worth the hype post so stay tuned!
Tijan xx