the december essentials edit
CAROLINA HERRERA HIGHLIGHT
Am I the only person who got just a little bit bored of Highlighters in 2020? Which sounds a bit strange considering I’m a lover of all things GLOW! But I think it was the endless search for the perfect highlighter that I believed simply didn’t exist. Either they were too sparkly or too dull, too intense or too chalky and aside from a small dab of lip balm on my cheekbones, I had all but given up altogether. That was until the Carolina Herrera “The Highlighter” came into my life as part of a campaign we had worked on this Christmas. Its so soft and light that it took me a moment to even realise it was a cream highlight but once I had used it I quickly realised it was the highlighter I had been waiting for. Subtle, Natural but with enough glow for that “is she/isn’t she wearing highlight” question to crop up. Perfect worn over sheer bases for a real ‘Lit from within’ natural glow. And of course true to Carolina Herrera make up style, its fully customisable like the perfect high end accessory.
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DIOR SPARKLY NAIL POLISH
Lockdown nails are a real thing right now and every time we roll into the next one the gel nails come off and it all starts looking a little sad, doesn’t it? I’ve not really been a fan of normal nail polish for a while now so just chose to leave things bare but I received a really beautiful package from Dior beauty which I opened at Christmas to find a full nail care set inside as well as their Christmas edition 2020 nail polish the Diorific Top Coat Golden Nights in Golden snow. Its limited edition but thankfully still available and it was just the most beautiful hint of Sparkle that I needed to take in to 2021 with me. I gave myself a little mini at home manicure using the full set which included the Dior Nail Abricot cream, another newbie to me and my goodness is that incredible, better than any cuticle oil I’ve ever used! A firm new favourite from Dior! But the Golden snow polish is subtle whilst just a little bit special and when you are used to having picture perfect nails like I am, just making them look beautiful again even without gel polish, this subtle sparkle is the perfect nail pick-me-up!
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CODE8 AM/PM Lip balm – AT THE BARRE
I feel as though I haven’t shut up about the AM/PM Balm from Code8 since I discovered the brand last year, but I wear it most days whether we are in lock down or not its the perfect balm for a subtle hint of colour whilst also being as comfortable as a normal lipbalm. Its a beautiful natural nude shade which pairs perfectly over my usual MAC ‘Spice’ Lip liner to give defined lips without looking too intense. I’ve repurchased this shade so many times I’ve lost count.
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BARE MINERALS THE ORIGINAL FOUNDATION
Back to an old favourite that I hadn’t used in over 5 years, The BARE MINERALS The Original foundation is one for the OG’s. I first discovered it due to being on Roaccutane and needing a non-comedogenic base product. However with the dryness that has come with the change in season and the severe temperature drop, I ordered myself a pot of my usual shade Golden Tan and have been loving its lightweight, almost non existent feel that it gives the skin. Whilst also ensuring you don’t look chalky or powdery, it certainly doesn’t compromise on radiance which I think is a common misconception with it being in a powder form. It’s the perfect natural choice if you are suffering with your skin this Winter season.
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ESPA NOURISHING CLEANSING BALM
It has been such a long time since I’ve found a cleansing balm that works for my skin. Often they can break me out but I’ve already ‘Hit Pan’ on the ESPA Nourishing Cleansing balm and I absolutely love it, not just because it feels like a little mini spa facial as I breathe in the beautiful essential oils but I also really quite like the texture of it, its a tiny little bit grainy to begin with and transforms into a slightly milky texture which makes me wonder if that is why it doesn’t break me out. But either way, its beautiful just like everything ESPA does, but also effective at breaking down my make up ready for my second cleanse.
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WILDFLOWER CBD COOL STICK
Have I raved about this enough? if not, I’m about to again the WILDFLOWER CBD COOL STICK is INCREDIBLE. I’ve previously mentioned about its pain relief properties with regards my repetitive strain in my right hand but I also use it on my neck which is an area I hold a considerable amount of tension. Its soothing effect makes it wonderful to put on just before bed and it has become an essential part of my beauty kit. When I travelled the world, in what feels like another life time, it was always in my essential beauty bag and I wouldn’t even go over night somewhere without it and although I’ve receiving Physiotherapy now for my wrist, it will always be the product I reach for with regards to topical aches and pains to help minimise having to take tablets.
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THE SWEET SPOT – CHRISTINE CARTER
I feel like this one is a really important one to be included in my December Essentials Edit because it was such a huge part of life changes I made in 2020, long before the pandemic I began prioritising so many of the things I had ignored and put off in place of work and career goals. The Sweet Spot by Christine Carter became a bible for me in terms of working effectively to make more time for living and living a good life, essentially finding that ‘Sweet Spot’ with regards to balance between work and life. I love the way she writes and listening to it on Audible is a really wonderful and positive way to start the day.
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WHAT WAS YOUR DECEMBER ESSENTIAL? WHAT PRODUCT (aside from champagne) COULD YOU NOT LIVE WITH OUT? WHAT HAS MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN YOUR DAY? BEAUTY ROUTINE? LIFE RIGHT NOW?
