2016 was a pivotal year. Over the past 12 months I've unveiled a new look and feel to the blog, and widened the editorial remit to better reflect how I now approach the care of my skin, ie it's as much about the amount of exercise I do and the food I eat as it is about the topical creams I put on my face and the beauty devices I use.
Fitness had a much bigger focus during 2016 - to that end I bought the faceupfitness.com domain so that those interested in just that side of things now have a direct route into my increased fitness content.
Consequently, my 'fave finds' of 2016 is a mix of beauty and health/fitness, but with one thing in common – every pick is equally cherished.
Oxygenetix – ‘the World’s Most Breathable Foundation’
This one ticks both my fitness and beauty boxes. OK, in an ideal world we’d choose not to wear makeup to the gym. But, you know, let’s be real: who has the guts to go truly naked? Not me. A base and mascara are my essentials. But foundations can be heavy, cloying and clog pores – not something you want when sweating buckets. This formula from Oxygenetix gives fantastic coverage and it lets skin breeeeeeath… reviewed here
Nike Metcons
I only ever train wearing these high-performance/weightlifting trainers. Incredibly comfortable, they have reinforced inner sides which prevent the feet from pronating. That’s crucial when you’re lifting heavy. They perform superbly and fit like a glove. Reviewed here.
Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation
A second foundation to appear in my top 10, this one from Urban Decay is my 'reach for' when I’m glamming it up or I need fuller coverage (spotty days and the like). Despite being completely matte, it’s not drying on my paper skin and it applies smoothly and evenly, giving a flawless finish. It doesn’t budge either. Full review here.
Caudalie Resveratrol Face Lifting Soft Cream
I am more than a little surprised to be including a moisturiser in my top 10. Generally I find them pretty dull as a category, but this from Caudalie is anything but. It’s hydrating and makes my skin soft and youthfully springy. Reviewed here.
Fitssi – The New Social Way to Stay Fit
So you’d like to train with a personal trainer but can’t afford one? Or perhaps you hate gyms, either because you find them intimidating or dislike training by yourself. If you agree then go check out Fitssi – the new social way to stay fit. Reviewed here.
Avene Physiolift Eyes
If there’s one skincare category that I’m most picky over it has to be eye products. That’s because the fine lines around my peepers are my biggest skin concern. This balm from Avene, part of its Physiolift range, is rich and contains sodium hyaluronate, which has a smaller molecular structure than hyaluronic acid and so is able to penetrate the skin more deeply. Just the thing for crepey 30 plus eyes! Reviewed here.
Yo-Yo Dieting – the Real Reason it Happens and How to Stop it (For Good!)
Last May I attended a workshop on nutrition hosted by The Training Room, at which I learnt exactly why diets fail. The answer lies with our BMR (Base Metabolic Rate). Follow the rules I picked up at the blogger event and yo-yo dieting will be a thing of the past. Check it out here.
Wunder2 Wunderbrow
Who regrets being heavy handed with the brow tweezers in their youth? You and me both - oh the damage done! Thankfully there are some great products around that can hide those tell-tell signs of over-plucking, like this one from Wunder2. It’s a tinted gel that contains fibres that attach to your own natural hair. The result is full and lush brows in a jiffy. Head this way for more on that.
Nu Skin Moisture Mist
Once you’ve applied your skincare first-thing, you don’t usually re-apply again until the evening. That presents a challenge for dry skin, which could do with hydrating top-ups throughout the day. This mist from Nu Skin is a fabulous solution. Spray it as and when needed to give skin a thirst-quenching drink. Contains hyaluronic acid and other humectants to help water bind to the skin. Reviewed here.
Konjac Sponges
OK, I was late to the game with these natural cleansing sponges, but when I finally got around to trying one out last February I became somewhat smitten. Gentle on the skin yet super-efficient at washing away dirt, grime and makeup, they are also 100% bio-degradeable. Plus you can pick one up for less than a tenner. Reviewed here.
