17 FOR 2017: "CULT PRODUCT OF THE YEAR" WITH CULT BEAUTY

Cult Product Of The Year with Cult Beauty

Hello, my darlings. This is such a special post because, well, I love me a good Cult Beauty haul. Today we’re not hauling. Today’s all about the amazing brands and products Cult Beauty has to offer. It’s mostly skincare, I won’t lie with few incredible makeup bits thrown in for a good measure. 2017 has been such a great year, a year of exciting launches and even more exciting discoveries, so let me take you on a journey of 17 products you should try before the end of the year and in the end, to celebrate crowning the Cult Product Of The Year! Are you excited? I am! 

Everyday miracles.

Let’s start with everyday beauty, because why not. The beauty we use all the time is worth the splurge and my skin’s grateful for it. 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel*does what a good cleanser should. It melts away all makeup and impurities. Perfect for that luxurious second cleanse and face massage. I take 2 pumps and massage it using circular, upward strokes. It’s so moisturising, it never strips my skin out of what little moisture it retains. And if your eyes are sensitive and prone to tearing, it’s super gentle when it removes the last traces of makeup. You can’t beat the scent too! The gentle formula really works and I’d recommend it to anyone prone to dryness and dehydration. 

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist* was the discovery of the year for sure. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t want to like it. It’s the most expensive face mist I’ve used to date so obviously, I wanted to hate it. Enter my 2nd 50ml bottle and now thanks to Cult Beauty I have a 100ml back up too! It’s the finest mist out there. In fact, you’ll most definitely overuse it at first as it’s barely there when you spritz it. It sinks instantly and the only product that truly deserves to be called ‘mist’. The scent, the soothing formula that delivers makes this such a luxury to use. Dehydration terminator, I keep a small bottle on my desk at the office. 

I’ve been testing Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose* alongside the original formula quietly for just over a month and the verdict’s in. For reference, my skin is quite sensitive and prone to redness. For whatever reason, my right cheek is a lot more sensitive than the left, so I used the Rose version there. After only a week I discovered my sensitivity improved on the side where I used it. The addition of soothing Rose, Lotus and Orchid Petals extracts, Scandinavian Red Algae and the Dead Sea Salts are welcomed and focus on calming redness as well as providing a superb hydration, something the original formula didn’t focus on too intensely. Not only a resurfacing treatment anymore, in fact, it’s so much more! Perfect for anyone aged 25 and above although the formula also helps reduce any pigmentation and acne scarring. As with the original Liquid Gold, it focuses on improving texturing and allowing the skin to heal which in the end plumps out fine line and even deeper wrinkles. If you’re after a glow, I dare you to try it! 

How have I survived without an Ouai Texturising Hair Spray* is anyone’s guess? I can’t think of it without a little shudder. I used to spend a lot of time complaining about bad hair days. That’s no longer an issue. Such a little miracle worker. It works on my ‘lazy days’ when I wash my hair and go to sleep with it wet and spritzed with little Wave Spray. When I wake up, I basically brush it a couple of times, apply some of it to my lengths and roots to give it some volume and texture. Half price to its predecessor Oribe and in my opinion exactly the same if not slightly better in terms of lasting hold. And if you like your bathroom shelfie to look cool, the packaging will fit in nicely too! 

Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are renowned as a quintessence of luxury and quality. I’m so pleased Cult Beauty is now stocking the brand! My personal favourite is Hot Lips, a light nude in the shade Kim K W but there’s so much more to choose from. The creamy formula wears well but isn’t drying and the shade selection is to die for! Not to mention the packaging. It’s an Instagram & Pinterest heaven, is it not? Whatever your preference, you’ll find so many different formulas and finishes, anyone and everyone will find that one they won’t stop wearing. For me, Kim K W is the only nude ever that’s light enough to be considered true nude for someone as pale as me. If you’re pasty whiter than ghost like me, I think you’ll like this slightly pinky nude. It’s very flattering and not at all concealer like! 

My favourite everyday go-to eye makeup is a warm, reddish smokey eye. Zoeva Matte Palette has been such a good friend to me since the launch and I’m happy to see it now widely available through Cult Beauty. All matte shades suit my hooded eyelids well, the shade selection is simply stunning and the formula of these superb. Buttery and soft they apply and blend beautifully! The lasting power rocks too with shadows lasting well into 18 hours on a primer (it’s one of the palettes I used on my best friend wedding day makeup!). If you love your warm tones, love quality eyeshadows that don’t break the bank, Zoeva does it all very well! I’m a huge fan and Matte Palette is in my Top 5 best eyeshadow formulas ever. 

touchinSOL launched at Cult Beauty this year and what a launch has it been! Constantly sold out formulas truly are one of the best out there. Innovative makeup borderline skincare from Korea revolutionised so many products we’re used to on an everyday basis. My first ever product, Feel Like Honey Moon Base Primer** combines the benefits of a primer and skincare. Honey like texture applies smoothly and sinks in quickly. I first move the product around and then lightly pat it in until it’s little sticky to touch. It helps my skin retain the moisture and glow underneath the foundation. I must say, it makes any foundation I tried it with look better. I complain about my skin’s texture but truly it’s not that bad and even my exaggerated skin issues were fixed with this one step. Pores around my nose and chin become less visible, it firms my skin too as well as keeping it hydrated. Great for dry, dehydrated, combination and even mature skin will fall in love with it! If it’s not on your wish-list yet, it should be! 

It must have been the biggest and most anticipated foundation launch ever. The waiting list was huge and the first orders despatched after months of waiting, it was certainly hyped up to a max. The Ordinary foundations are taking a spot on the list for being innovative, with a great range of shades and superb formulas under £6! I rarely use budget foundations because many don’t suit my skin type and shade. Here I found a true love in 1.0NS, ultra pale shade with silver tones take the pinkness away without being too yellow. Serum Foundation version offers light to medium coverage and ultra watery and light formula. Great in the summer! The Coverage Foundation gives a serious medium to high coverage in a creamy, yet still a light formula. This works best for me in winter months and wears beautifully over the touchinSOL base! Tiny and light plastic bottles are great for travel and offer a pump. I find that the whole pump of product is a lot and try and use around 3/4 on a daily. Great addition to any beauty junkie collection and cheaper than a cocktail on a night out. Result! 

I’m Extra like that.

Because sometimes we all need a bit of luxury, a little spa getaway in the comforts of our bathrooms or glam made up face! 

I hate to moisturise my body. I mentioned it over and over until this gem came into my life not so long ago. Not so funny story, I purchased it and very quickly it became a victim of a particularly vicious dizzy spell. I dropped and stepped on it... Don’t ask! Thankfully it’s not back in my life courtesy of Cult Beauty and I’m extremely grateful! OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil * made me rethink my body skincare issues! It smells wonderful and sinks in instantly. And not like other dry oil that sink in minutes. This one takes seconds, I promise. It moisturises like crazy and I’m obsessed with the lingerings scent! I use it in my hair too to tame any frizz and flyaways. I adore this!!! Formula enriched with Absinthium, Shea and Rosehip oils it not only nourishes your locks but protects them from heat and other factors! Applied to skin it softens, hydrate and truly locks in the moisture. The scent is mind blowing and can be applied like a fragrance on the pulse points. It lingers for a while too! Notes of Rose, Bergamot, Lychee and White Musk is delicate yet enticing. You won’t be able to resist it! I use it all over on still wet skin every couple of days for the best results of moisturised glowing skin. Perfect for Christmas Parties prep! 

The Ordinary 30% AHA 2% BHA Peeling Solution is my Friday night skin treat. Usually, I apply it with the pipette to my cheeks and forehead (Instagram dripping blood thingy makes it really satisfactory!) then massage it in and leave on for 10 mins. Tingling guaranteed! 30% AHA, 2% BHA is a clinical concentration and the mixture of Glycolic, Lactic, Citric and Tartaric Acids (AHA), as well as Salicylic Acid (BHA), work together to remove the top layer of the skin, unclog pores, improve texture, resurface and brighten. With the continues use the radiance and wrinkle depth is improved. I adore this stuff and find that once a week or even less frequent treatment is enough for my skin. It has improved my skin texture so much and gotten rid of most tiny bumps I had on my forehead. I recommend using it in the evening and follow with gentle but effective routine. My post Peeling Solution routine consists of Hyaluronic Acid and Matrixyl based serums followed with oils. One full pipette is enough to cover the face and I wouldn’t extend the time used due to the high concentration of acids. 

I use Pixi Vitamin Wakeup Mist in those mornings I’m under-slept and in desperate need of refreshing and radiance inducing vitamin C.. This is probably the least ‘mist-like’ facial mist I’ve tried, as the stream is everything but fine. However, the formula is what attracts me to it. Not only does the citrus scent invigorating in the morning, the formula refreshes and adds a level of moisture. Orange Blossom Water enriched with citrus extracts, soothing lavender and arginine strengthen and tones. It’s recommended to use prior and after makeup, but I only ever use it prior, either as a first step only or to seal the skincare steps with moisture. It’s the scent that attracts me but I also love adding a lot of Vitamin C to my routine. It protects the skin from free radicals, allows it to heal the sun damage and protects from future environmental changes. 

Another acid peel/resurfacer (I promise I don’t use it all at the same time) is a fairly new addition to my routine. Dennis Gross Daily Peel* promises results after 2 minutes and boy does it deliver. Packed in travel-friendly 2-step pouches, it makes exfoliation on a go a breeze. Step one is enriched with Glycolic, Citric, Malic, Lactic and Salicylic Acids, Witch Hazel Leaf and other flower extracts to deeply exfoliate, lift away dead skin alongside excess sebum and impurities. Step two will make you glow even more with a complex of Vitamin C, Retinol and Retinoids, Copper, Zinc and flower extracts. If you’re after a cleansed, bright and radiant youthful complexion, Dennis Gross pads will do a trick. Available in 5 (£15) or 30 pads (£70) they are a quick way to a brilliant skin due to clever formulations filled with antioxidants, vitamins and acids. I use them mainly when I travel & stay somewhere overnight because they’re individually packed.

Retinoids take over my autumn/winter routine and I’ve been loving new The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane. It’s perfect for dry and sensitive skin because it helps with the cell renewal as brilliantly as any strong concentration of Vitamin A, but in a gentle way so the skin sensitivity isn’t as affected. Squalane is also a prime ingredient responsible for ultimate skin hydration. Both together work well and I use it every other day at night. The lightly oily formula goes well over any HA-based serum formula and works well under my night moisturisers or oils, depending on the day. I’ve been really impressed with it and also bought a bottle for my Mom who now uses it instead of her previous retinol treatment as it really dried out her skin and this one nourish it instead. I also found the formulation helps when I battle any hormonal spots, so use it more frequently when changes start. 

Glow starts with great skincare and finishes? With Becca Pressed Highlighters of course. The ultimate glow formula may be pricey but boy, is it worth it! I have two shades so far and I’m looking to expand my collection by couple more. Pearl is a must have for super pale complexions, true white highlighter with cool tone glow. You will glow like crazy. I use it on top of champagne colours to get my cheekbones to truly GLOW. The second favourite and one I match with warm toned makeup is Champagne Pop. Stunning champagne with gold flecks is darker and will work best for more medium complexions. I make it work in the warmer months or after a little self-tan. There isn’t a formula quite like that anywhere! I use it in a couple of ways. For daytime, I use a fluffy fan brush to apply precisely on top of cheekbones, the tip of the nose, Cupid’s bow and above the brow arch, or with a pointed highlighter brush to intensify this crazy glowing highlighter! 

If the last paragraph didn’t grab you like diaries of a glowoholic, maybe this one will. Stila Magnificent Metals Glow & Glitter Eyeshadow in Kitten Karma makes me feel glamorous in seconds. The unique formula applies quickly, sets and stays put for hours. No fallout, no tricky application, just pure glitter. Eyeshadow part is of rose gold-tone mixed with stunning silver glitter. The finish is something else entirely. I love it on the mid lid, after creating an easy smokey to add a spotlight effect to the look. You can also apply it all over the lid, in the inner corners, on top of cheekbones, by the ear to create a fun festival look. The possibilities are truly endless. Not the cheapest, but well worth the price. There’s nothing quite like it on the market! 

Any new Huda Beauty launch is expected to break the records and so was Desert Dusk Palette. 18 stunning shades in multiple finishes will make you want to play around with makeup all day long. Shimmers are stunning, mattes blend beautifully, duo-chromes will change any look in seconds. The addition of one pressed glitter is a welcome one, the formula may make you work for it a little but the effect it gives is stunning. I spoke about it many times before because it’s worth shouting about. Huda’s shadows may not swatch like others, but work with them once and you’ll be a convert. Shadows are pigmented and easy to blend out softly. Shades pigment is easy to build up for an intense look or blend out for barely there makeup. It gives you many possibilities and will satisfy any warm tone shadow enthusiast. 

And the Cult Product of The Year is...

Choosing just one product out of so many loves is nearly impossible and it took me a while. The crown goes to a skincare item launched in 2017 which recently revolutionised my daily skincare routine. It brightens, moisturises, allows the skin to exfoliate and heal, promotes healthy, youthful glow and is super easy to introduce into any regime. Drum rolls, please!!! The Cult Product Of The Year title goes to Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose for its unique resurfacing formula that’s perfect for more sensitive types prone to redness. 

Now for the fun part. Take a picture of your Cult Product Of The Year for a chance to win £100 gift voucher to spend on an amazing haul at Cult Beauty! There’s 1 voucher to be won every day until 11th December 2017! What a great way to treat yourself before Christmas. So take a picture, upload it to Instagram, tag @CultBeauty and tag #CultProductOfTheYear for your chance to win now!!! I wish you the very best of luck!

* gifted by Cult Beauty
** gifted independently
*** some links may be affiliate

All opinions are my own and not influenced, nor sponsored in any way

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Thank You For Reading,

Love