According To Gem

It’s hard to believe that it’s the final day of 2012, a time to reflect on the year gone by and the products that have made it great.

It was hard to narrow it down to just a handful as there’s been some truly awesome products I’ve discovered this year, however with the exception of one super amazing product which I truly believe deserves to be featured in my 2012 round up after just a month of use, I’ve been using all the products mentioned for a minimum of 3 months to give a truly rounded opinion.

So let’s get down to it.

St Ives Invigorating Apricot Body Scrub – Currently £2.49 at Superdrug

I’ve tried and failed to find a better body exfoliator which is why this is one of my top products of 2012. Featuring 100% natural ingredients this has taken me from sloughing away my Winter skin to prepping for fake tan, leaving my skin super soft without drying it out or irritating it. This for me is the HG of body exfoliators and I wouldn’t be without it.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette – Currently £32.40 from BeautyBay.com

Being an owner of the original Naked palette I told myself I didn’t need this, but having read one review too many I found myself popping this into my shopping carts during one of Debenham’s 10% off weeks. This has come with me on every trip I’ve been on this year and I imagine it’ll be the palette I reach for when it comes to our Honeymoon in August.

L’oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil – £9.99 from Boots

I had been tempted by hair oils for a while so when I saw this advertised on TV I knew I needed to try it. I grabbed one from Superdrug when they launched for just £4.99 and after a week of using it I went back to grab another before they became full price. I love how versatile this product is, working as both a leave-in oil which I wash out in the morning and a hair oil applied to the ends of my hair before drying it. My hair has never been healthier!

Bioderma Sebium – 2 x 500ml bottles for £24.35 from eBay.

You can find the full review of why I think this product is awesome here, but in short this product has improved the clarity and condition of my skin leaving it noticeably clearer. This is the only product that leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean without drying it out.

Skin 79 VIP Gold Collection BB Cream – £8.05 from eBay.

I’d tried various BB Creams but didn’t get what all the fuss was about until I discovered Skin 79’s VIP Gold Collection BB Cream. Even when I reviewed this product a few months back I don’t think I truly realised how great it was, but I found myself reaching for this after getting back from San Francisco and haven’t stopped using this since. I already have a back up on hand as they are shipped directly from Korea and know as soon as I start using it I’ll order another as this has taken the place of foundation in my daily routine now and I just couldn’t be without it.

MAC Pearlglide Eye Liner in Black Line – £14 from Debenhams.

I picked this up on a whim whilst waiting for a friend in Covent Garden and have never looked back. It’s a blackened olive/gold colour that stays put all day and brings out the flecks of gold in my eyes. I usually apply this to the outer corner of my eye and then soften it up a bit with the brush that came with my Naked 2 palette for a super easy smoky eyed look.

KMS Free Shape Quick Dry Spray – £9.31 from BeautyBay.com.

I’m a fan of anything that speeds up the time it takes me to get ready in the morning so this product was a no-brainer. I can’t say it cuts my drying time in half, but it definitely speeds up the process. It also lasts an age. I bought this bottle back in May and despite using it every time I wash my hair (every other day) it still hasn’t run out.

Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer – £37 from Perricone MD

I thought long and hard about whether to include this product as I’ve only had it a month, but figured it wouldn’t be fair not to share my absolute must-have concealer with you. Sure it’s expensive but a little goes a long, long way and I have honestly never found a better concealer. Thanks Makeup-Pixi3 for putting this on my radar! If you want to read my full review of Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer you can find it here.