Favourite Products Of 2012!

2012 has been the year I've really delved deeper into the beauty market, and I can completely blame blogging for this. Trust me, my bank account has suffered. I don't regret it one bit though, because I've found something I absolutely love in trying make-up, haircare, and skincare products, even if my whole routine has tripled in length. I've seen a lot of bloggers do a round up of their favourite products of 2012, so naturally, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon... instead of shredding my bank statements.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation: A bloggers favourite, and definitely my go-to foundation for this year. It's long-lasting, has great coverage, and the shade match is very almost perfect.
e.l.f Powder Brush: The first make-up brush I ever tried, and it's made a huge difference to my make-up application. I never realised how much difference make-up brushes made!
MUA Heaven and Earth Palette: Such a bargain at only £4.00. It's really given me the chance to experiment with different eyeshadow looks, I'm well on the way to perfecting the smokey eye!
Models Own Polishes: Do I need to say anymore? Favourite polish brand ever.
e.l.f Eyebrow Kit: Defining eyebrows really does make a difference to your face, I feel naked without filling in my eyebrows now!
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer: I don't know how I managed without concealer before this, and this is such a bargain for the quality of the product.

Neutrogena Visably Clear Wash and Mask: I love that this is a wash and mask in one, it definitely comes in handy when I'm having a skin emergency.
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: One of the most popular products in the blogging community of 2012, and I can see why. This has actually made a massive difference to my skin, and I've managed to make it last since May, so it's worth the money.
Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter: A newish addition to my favourite products, I'd been a Body Shop body butter lover for a couple of years, but now I've been converted. This sinks into the skin so much faster and is definitely more effective.
Carmex Cherry Lipbalm: This has been a 'lip-saver' in the winter months, and it smells gorgeous.
Origins Super Spot Remover: I only started using this about a week ago, but it's amazing. It dries up spots super fast, and I can tell it was last for ages. It's definitely worth the money.
Soap and Glory Hand Food: Best handcream ever! I've managed to get my Mum and Dad on the Hand Food bandwagon as well, I also love the fact there's marshmallows in it.
OH LOLA! by Marc Jacobs: I picked this up in LA, and it's been my favourite fragrance of the year. The bottle is absolutely gorgeous, and I love having it on my dressing table.

There's been so many amazing products around the blogging community this year, and I know that I wouldn't  have ever discovered half of them if I didn't have a blog. I hope you all have a fabulous new year, whatever your plans are this evening. I'm off to visit my family in Shropshire for a few days!

What have been your favourite products of 2012?

My Top 5 Most Worn Polishes of 2012!

2012 has been the year I've really become obsessed with looking after my nails. I don't even want to think about the amount of money I've er, invested (sounds better than spent!) into my nail polish collection. There's definitely been a few polishes I've especially loved wearing this year, so here are my top five...

1. Essie Big Spender: I picked this up on my trip to Poland in July, unfortunately it was only a pound cheaper  than in England. I've especially loved wearing this colour in the autumn months, it's such a beautiful deep red/raspberry colour and oozes sophistication.
2. Models Own Utopia: Definitely a favourite amongst other bloggers, and a big change for me when it comes to colour. I always end up wearing this when I can't choose another colour, it goes with everything and is a really simple but elegant colour.
3. Nails Inc. Special Effects Sprinkles in Topping Lane: The Sprinkles collection has got to be my favourite polish collection of the year. I loved the concept of the inspiration from cupcakes, and all the polishes are amazingly pretty, but my favourite has to be Topping Lane.
4. Models Own Beths Blue: I've always loved wearing blue on my nails, and this is definitely my favourite shade to wear. It's a colour that's perfect for all months of the year, and just like Utopia, I always end up wearing it when I can't decide on which colour to paint my nails.
5. Models Own Juicy Jules: This is such a beautiful holographic glitter, and I love to layer it over the top of other colours, especially Beths Blue. I also always seem to get compliments when I wear this colour.

So there are my top five polishes, believe me it was hard to choose! Now I need to decide on which colour to paint my nails for New Years Eve, I'm still deciding on whether to head out for a crazy night out with my best friends or go and visit family. It's a tough decision.

Which polishes have you worn the most this year?

What I Got For Christmas 2012

Pig Feet Warmer (Giant Slipper), Soap and Glory Best of All, Nail Varnish Storage, Bayliss and Harding Set, New Look Fluffy Socks, Absolut Vodka Minis Set, Sanctuary Set, Origins Super Spot Remover, Nail Varnish Remover Pads, Random Smellies, Random Shot, Boots Voucher, Money, Giant Ice Lolly Sponge, Sigma F80 Brush, Apply Lolly, Glass Nail File

It's taken me a few days to finally get the pictures for this post, the lighting in autumn and winter is seriously annoying! It doesn't help that my sleeping pattern is a total mess at the moment, I've been going to bed at 4am and waking up at 1pm most days, so the suns been setting almost immediately after I've woken up. I thought I'd show you the gifts I recieved this year thus far (second Christmas next week woo!) as I love reading other peoples posts because I'll admit, I'm very nosey...

Anyway, I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. I didn't get home until 5am on Christmas Day morning after consuming copious amounts of alcohol, so I wasn't feeling my best. I only had a small Christmas this year, with my Mum, Dad, Brother and my Grandma but it was lovely anyhow.  I'm also finally down to my last Terry's Chocolate Orange, so it's a very sad time for me, plus the excuse 'I'm stuffing my face because it's Christmas' is beginning to wear off now. On January 1st, mission 'get sexy for uni' will commence... and probably last for about a week. I'm only being realistic.

What did you get for Christmas?

The Realistic (ish) Christmas Wishlist

Four days to go, and I'm yet to complete my Christmas shopping. It's been a bit of a disaster really... I just can't decide what to buy for some people. Isn't it funny how you can know someone for years, yet you can't find them a perfect Christmas present? I'm not really sure how to feel about Christmas this year if I'm honest, but regardless of that I'm very excited to hand out the presents I have bought, and very excited to find out what's under the tree for me! Here are a few things I'd love to receive...

iPhone 4S: Maybe one of the less realistic items, but I've been using a £10 'brick' phone for the last year and a half, and I've pretty much got my heart set on a white iPhone 4S.
Converse All Star White: I'm not really much of a trainers kinda girl, but I love how these look on other people and really wouldn't mind owning a pair myself.
Sigma F80: I've been wanting to try Sigma brushes for agessssssssss, but the stupid postal charges put me off. But, luckily Black Friday came along so I will be receiving this brush on Christmas Day.
Soap and Glory Best of All: When I heard this would be on special offer at Boots (from £60 to £27) I had to get my hands on it, it's such a bargain!
Origins Super Spot Remover: I have pretty bad skin, and apparently this is a miracle worker.
Models Own Nail Polish in Northern Lights and Grace Green: If you're a regular reader of my blog, then I don't think I need to go into much detail. I love Models Own, nuff' said!
Origins Out of Trouble and Clear Improvement Face Masks: My skins being really difficult at the moment, and I've heard these face masks are really great. I've been really enjoying using face masks recently, and would love to add these to my currently small collection.
Dot by Marc Jacobs: Apart from the obvious masterpiece of a perfume bottle, this does smell pretty lovely as well. I already own Oh Lola! and would love to display this beauty alongside it on my dressing table.
Real Techniques Core Collection: I only have a small collection of make-up brushes, and reading so many great reviews about these brushes, I'm dying to try them out.

I haven't been posting very often this month as I've had a lot going on regarding school and my personal life. It's been a stressful time, but now I've officially broken up for Christmas, I'm sure I'll be blogging a lot more!

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

Christmas Gift Idea: Sanctuary Spa Bathtime Bliss Set

 

"For women. By women."

It's getting closer and closer to Christmas morning, and I still have atleast 3/4 of presents left to buy. In typical Charlotte style, it's all be left to the last minute. Apart from not having the time, it's been just as much of a problem knowing what exactly to buy for people. What do you buy for the person who has everything? Will they use that if I buy it for them? Do I go for a funny gift or a practical gift? And that my friends, is when the trusty 'smellies' come to play. A reliable, mostly non-offensive gift, which you can bet a bottom dollar people should have a use for. I mean, most people wash, right?

I recently recieved this set to try from Sanctuary Spa. It's called Bathtime Bliss, and contains everything you need for well, a blissful bathtime. I've always viewed Sanctuary as a luxurious but affordable brand, with this beautifully presented set costing £18.00*.

The set includes a Luxury Bath Float, Body Lotion, Classic Fragrance Diffuser, and two Classic Votive Candles, which are all infused with the classic Sanctuary fragrance. This would make a great gift for anyone who loves a bit of relaxation and pampering time, and is available from The Sanctuary Spa website.