My 2013 Favourites

I wanted to write my 2013 Favourites before it got too far into January to be relevant anymore! It’s a bit of everything really: beauty, bath, film, food, etc. And as I am forever on a budget (either being a student or ruthlessly saving for something), you’ll notice that none of these things would be considered high-end; mostly just every-day, high-street brands. I’m not including anything that I bought in December/was given for Christmas as I don’t think that I’ve had them long enough for them to count as favourites for the whole year! I’m not going to go into detail about a lot of these things if I think they speak for themselves or they’re so ‘old news’ that everyone knows everything about them already.

Make-Up & Nails

Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation (100 Ivory)

Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (Fair)

Bronzer: Dr. Pierre Ricaud Bronzing Powder

Blusher: N.Y.C. Mosaic Face Powder in (Peach Glow) - As you can see, my blusher has been through the wars so it's all broken up, but I love love love this shade. I think it's more suited to Spring/Summer, but I've been wearing it throughout Winter too and it works well with more eye make-up too! Really flattering shade.

Mascara: Maybelline Rocket Mascara

Eye-Shadow: Maybelline 24h Tattoo Eye Shadow in (On and on Bronze)

Eyeliner: I have struggled to find eyeliner which I have really gelled with in 2013. I have been using quite a few this past year, including The Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner, L’Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim, 2True by Superdrug Waterproof Effortless Eyeliner and Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner, and none of these have wowed me. These are, of course, all high-street brands and I think that, as I have such oily skin so need to go for a liner which is very waterproof, it would be worth spending more and trying out some more expensive liners. Going on recent reviews that I’ve read, in 2014 I’d like to try Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and Soap & Glory SUPERCAT Eyeliner Pen (which, at just £6, is still very affordable).

Lips: Seventeen Lip Crayon (Superstar)

Nails: Nailtiques Protein Formula 2

Bath & Skincare

Shampoo & Conditioner: TRESemmé Cleanse and Replenish: Deep Cleansing Shampoo & Conditioner

Body Wash: Original Source Mint & Tea Tree Shower Gel

Deodorant: Nivea Invisible For Black & White 48h Anti-Perspirant - Perfect for me. I perspire a lot for no reason, and this stuff really works. Plus it's great as I have to wear black everyday for school and doesn't leave white marks, and equally when I wear white or pastel-coloured tops, it doesn't leave horrible yellow staining under the arms. It's taken me a long time to find a deodorant I'm happy with, so I'm sticking to this. Must have been through at least 10 of these now!

Cleanser: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore and Shine Daily Scrub

Toner: Simple Soothing Facial Toner

Moisturiser: Re-Gen Cream - Really good for skin prone to scarring. I use this on my face, but it's for anywhere on the body. It sinks in a matter of minutes, ready for make-up to go on top, and leaves my skin feeling soft but not clogged up (which I do NOT want when it's so oily already!).

Hands: Soap & Glory Hand Food

Food & Drink

Food: Tesco Sweet & Salty Popcorn - SOOO moreish!

Drink: Maltesers Malty Hot Chocolate - This stuff is amazing.It's not sickly sweet like many hot chocolates and tastes just like Maltesers! Perfect for before bed. I always have a bag of this in my cupboard.

Film, TV & Books

Film: Disney’s Tangled

TV: Honestly, I don’t watch much TV (somehow!); I always have programmes that I come back to every year and watch avidly. So to mention at least one, I think The Great British Bake Off has tipped it for me this year. I love this show. I think Sue and Mel (who are the presenters, if you don’t watch) are hilarious; the show is informative and educational; and the competition aspect can suck you in like nothing else! This year’s competition was the best so far! Loved it.

Book: I have fallen by the way-side in terms of reading, this past year. Having a really sociable summer (from April) and then starting as a student on a crazy-intensive course has meant that finding and reading a good book just hasn’t been on my mind. This is something I’d like to remedy in 2014, however, as I do think reading books is important, so I really want to try and find some good books to get back into reading again! However, if going off the beginning of the year when I was ‘still reading’, my favourite book of 2013 would have to be The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky. If you’ve not read it, read it now!!

So those are my favourite things of 2013. I hope you enjoyed reading; what were your 2013 Favourites?

Wendy xxx