Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm is an iconic cult products that has has been around for years and is forever featured in magazines. It's won multiple awards and is a best-seller for the brand, thanks to every beauty editor singing its praises. Despite this, on the blogging and vlogging scene, it seems to be overlooked and that's such a shame. From the plain packaging, it may not seem as exciting as a new Hourglass palette or as attention-grabbing as a garish Too Faced collection, but it's what's inside that counts. And this little tube has the capability to perform skin miracles! Seeing as I've been obsessed with it over the past year especially (it even made it into my 2016 Makeup Favourites), I thought I'd throw it in to the spotlight for this post.
My favourite makeup looks consist of bronzed, glowing skin - all year round, come rain or shine. Naturally, I'm not blessed with an olive skin-tone, nor do we get enough sunshine to catch a deep tan here in the UK. Instead, I have to rely on my trusty bottles of faux glow and a generous sweeping of bronzer. From powders, creams and liquids, I've tried a whole host of formulas thanks to my obsession, but there's a top tier that I consistently go back to.
Who doesn't love summer? There's nothing better than flying off to exotic destinations, basking in the sunshine (when there is any!) and throwing your jumpers and black tights to the back of your wardrobe. But, there are a few downsides to the warmer climate. My biggest issue in summer, is that I struggle to find a balance with my skin. Naturally, skin gets oilier and less flakey, but it can easily feel the effects of strong sunshine and start to show signs of dehydration, all at the same time. That's when it's time to call on products which will hydrate and plump, without overloading the skin or leaving it greasy.
Valentine's Day. Whether you lap up the love or consider it a cringe-worthy, Hallmark holiday, I think it's always a nice excuse to celebrate relationships with anyone you care for, not just your partner. If you're single, then getting glammed up and heading for a night out with friends is always a winner and, if you're loved up, it's always nice to make a bit of an extra effort with your makeup, whether you're Netflix & chillin' or going for a fancy, romantic dinner. Last year, I wore quite a neutral makeup look and opted for a bold lip, but this year I wanted to make the eyes the main feature and create something a bit more daring, colour-wise.
Winter can easily ravage the skin if it isn't well cared for, leaving it thirsty, flakey and irritated. When the bitter weather sets in from November through until March, there's a few measures I take in the skincare department, in order to keep my skin soft, smooth and supple.
Next up in my best of 2015 series, after sharing my makeup and hair favourites, I'm giving you the low-down on my top skincare picks. Although skincare is one of the beauty categories I get most excited about, I'm very careful with what I try. After years of attempting to figure out what products work for me, I feel like I've finally hit the nail on the head. Fortunately, my skin seems to have balanced out now that I'm in my mid-twenties; I don't get many spots and even though I have a dry skin-type, my routine keeps my skin hydrated and under control.
Now that 2016 has arrived, it's time to give you the low-down on my favourite products from the past year, starting with makeup. Whilst I've already harped on about my love for the majority of these products, there's a few in there that may surprise you!
Family genetics have blessed me with some persistent, dark circles under my eyes. Even when I've had those crucial, eight hours of sleep and I'm hangover-free, those eye bags still linger. It can be difficult to banish shadows for good, considering they're caused by blood vessels showing through the thin skin, but I've discovered a collection of products that have really helped to reduce the look of them, both short and longer-term.

Now that Autumn is well on the way, it's time to shun the brighter shades that are synonymous with summer. It isn't quite late enough in the year to start sporting darker, berry lipsticks just yet though, so nudes are the perfect, transitional option. A total failsafe, a nude lip pulls any look together and always looks sophisticated, whatever the season or occasion. For a little luxury, I think a premium formula makes an everyday, safe shade that bit more special and I have five, high-end favourites that I adore.
Who wants to waste any precious minutes of a chilled Sunday, by spending hours in front of the mirror, piling on a tonne of makeup? Not me. Unless I'm having a make-up free day, wearing my comfiest pjs and embarking on a Netflix marathon, then I want fuss-free, five minute routine, full of products that do all the hard work for me. But, I have a few rules. No liquid foundation. No contouring. No bold lipsticks. All I want is a fresh complexion, bright, defined eyes and a flush of colour on the cheeks and lips.
It's silly that sporting a bright, coral lip on a sunny day instantly makes me feel happier, but it does. There's something about the peachy-pink shade that just screams summer and, now that June has arrived, there's going to be a coral colour permanently plastered on my pout. So, I thought I'd share with you the current trio residing in my makeup bag that suit varying budgets.

At this time of year, makeup is all about fresh colours, healthy-looking skin and highlighted features. But, sometimes we aren't graced with a naturally luminous complexion and our skin needs a little help in the radiance department. I've got a small arsenal of products that I whip out whenever my face is looking dull, so I can achieve that much sought-after glow.