New Years Competition

XXX COMPETITION CLOSED XXX

Happy 2012 everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful christmas and new years eve. I know I did I really enjoyed 2011 and hope 2012 is as good a year.

To start 2012 on the blog with a bang!  I am having a giveaway with the following prizes

(Each one has been bought by yours truly or something I have been given as an unwanted gift)

OPI Nail Lacquer in a colour of your choice

Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It

Clarins Sun Wrinkle Cream Rapid Tanning

Nuxe Soleil Prodigieux  Multi Purpose Self Tanning Cream

Essence Goodie Bag

Here are the rules:

•  You must be a follower of the blog either by email, networked blogs or blog lovin’ and  Leave a comment below stating your three favourite OPI Nail Lacquers.
• 1 extra entry each for following me on Facebook and Twitter (please leave your name on FB page so I can trace your entry)
• 1 extra entry each for sharing the following status on Facebook/Twitter: I’ve entered Anitas Beauty Blog new years giveaway which includes great prizes like an OPI Nail Lacquer of your choice,get over to the blog and enter: http://anitasbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/new-years-competition/ ‎

xxx Be sure to leave your name, how you follow blog,and whether you like my facebook /twitter  page in your comment xxx

The giveaway is open to followers in the Republic of Ireland, there will be more giveaways during the year which will be open internationally so stay tuned for details. The winners will be chosen by random.org (1 prize per winner)

The giveaway is running until the 31st of January, where I will announce winners here and on facebook and twitter

My 2011 Favourites

I’ve had many favourite products this year. Here are just a few:

Skincare

Cleanser: Vichy 3 in 1 Cleanser, been using this for many years and although I have tried many cleansers, I always return to my first love. Creamy but easy to remove. The Perfect Combination! Its also really handy as I don’t need to use a toner. A definite plus when  I am rushed off my feet with little man

Mask: Vichy Rehydrating Thermal Mask, apply a thin layer on your face and leave for 10 mins, then wipe off any excess. This is a great little lifesaver for me when my skin becomes really dry and needs some pampering.

Exfoliator: I use Boots Vitamin E Gentle Exfoliating Facial Wash which has really fine beads but does a great job removing dry flaky skin.

Day Cream: Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Organic Moisturiser. A recent discovery but one I already love. The moisturiser smells like Chamomile tea (very relaxing!)  and sinks into your skin. I definitely feel it working on my dry skin (thank you cold weather)

xxx  For more on Pai click here xxx

Night Cream: Boots Vitamin E Night Cream

Eye Cream: I currently am sans eye cream as I ran out of Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll On. Lovely little product that is very cooling.

Makeup

Foundation: When I’m at home or out and about shopping I use NYC  Skin Matching Foundation in Fair. Gives lovely natural and flawless coverage.This doesn’t dry out my skin and lasts really well.

For nights out and special occassions I use Lancome Teinte Idole.Last for ages and gives full coverage. The newest version is  Ultra 24 hour which I got try out last month

Concealer: I am currently loving E.L.F Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter in Light, works really well against stubborn dark circles.

Powder: Rimmel Pressed Powder Compact in 001 Transparent

Time for a new one...

Blusher: E.L.F Blush in Tickled Pink

Eyeshadow: I tend to go very natural on the eyes during the day so NYC’s Colour Wheel Mosaic Eye Powder in Brown Eyed Girl is perfect

For night time I usually go for smokey eyes using BYS Metallics 8 piece eyeshadow palette in Darks. ( This is my 2nd one this year) For something that cost very little, the pigment is very strong and long lasting. I don’t really use the green or blue but the others get a regular outing.

Eyeliner: For me the ultimate daytime eyeliner is Essence Long Lasting Pencil, no need for sharpening and gives a lovely finish

For nightime, I use this liquid eyeliner that I bought in Penneys for €1.50

Mascara: Although I have eyelash extensions at the moment, I usually use Essence No Limits Power Boost Mascara in Black. It instantly volumises my lashes and adds a nice curl thanks to the massive brush.

Lippie: I’m more of a lipgloss girl than liptisck girl and NYC Liquid Lipshine in either Nude York City or Prospect Pink take up resident in my handbag.

Nails

Base Coat:

Nail Polish:Ah! So much choice! Nail Polish has become my newest beauty love! My favoutites have to be these three

In the Bronx Catrice Nail Lacquer

Sweey Kisses 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish

Times Square In A New York Colour Minute Nail Polish

Top Coat: Catrice Quick Dry and High Shine Topcoat

For a little drying help: Another recent discovery but one that has a new home in my nail polish collection is Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops. I was unsure about whether to get this but thanks to What Larry Loves I bought it and really like it. Just 2 drops on each nail and 60 seconds later, your nail polish is dry! I do find however with glitter it takes slightly longer to dry.

Body

Exfoliator: Soap and Glory Flake Away takes up permanent residence in my bathroom.

Check out My review of Flake Away here

Body Lotion: La Roche Posay Lipikar Lait. Something I have been using for years, I feel it instantly hydrates my skin and dries quickly.

xxx What have been your favourite products this year? xxx

Soap and Glory Flake Away

I first tried Soap and Glory Flake Away last Christmas when my hubby gave me a voucher for Boots (Very dangerous as I bought loads). I’d always wanted to try Soap and Gory and it just so happened I needed a new body exfoliator.

So what drew me to Flake Away? Definitely the packaging (so cute) and a really decent size, my first tub lasted for ages.I’m now on my 3rd tub and am completely in love with it. I’m very fussy when it comes to exfoliators as a lot I feel don’t do a great job *at least the ones I have tried* Flake away is different, it does an amazing job getting rid of dry flaky skin, which I am prone to.

The scrub looks like a big bowl of sugar and smells amazing.Smell is so hard to describe but this smells clean and slightly fruity.  I had to resist running into the kitchen and grabbing a spoon, yes it smells that good!

This is definitely one to have  in the bathroom to pamper yourself with.

Have you tried Flake Away?

Exfoliate Your Face

Exfoliation is very impotant as it removes any dead skin cells but care needs to be taken as over exfoliation can cause broken capillaries and redness.

Why exfoliate your face?

• Removes dead skin cells
• Brighter Complexion

Exfoliating Tips

• Try exfoliating gloves: To get the best results and to softly remove dead skin cells, don’t use a hard sponge to exfoliate. A sponge can create breeding ground for bacteria, because they tend to stay damp. You can get great results for dead skin removal by using exfoliating gloves. Simply lather a cleanser on them and lightly scrub your skin. Just be sure to rinse the gloves well after each use and let them air dry.
• Don’t Scrub Everyday! Remember, you should only be exfoliating two to three times a week.If you exfoliate more than this, you can end up with broken capillaries and redness.  Of course, if your climate is warmer and you frequently experience more oily skin issues and oil production or perspiration, you’ll have more dead skin cells and may need to exfoliate more often.
• Don’t use Body Exfoliators! The best exfoliator for your face is one designed for the face. Body exfoliators are way too harsh and will definitely irritate your face.
• Don’t forget to moisturise! Exfoliation can leave your skin extremely smooth and can even give you a healthy glow. To ensure you get the silky results you desire, always use moisturiser afterwards.When you exfoliate, the dead skin cells are indeed removed. However, your skin can begin to dry out and get flaky if you don’t keep moisturiser on it at all times and can even bring on more wrinkles. When you do so, exfoliating can make your skin brighter and your skin tone will be more even. It can also lead to smaller pores and reduce the occurrence of spots.

xxx My Favourite Facial Exfoliator is definitely Soap and Glory The Greatest Scrub of All,smells fantastic and does a brilliant job removing dead skin cells as it works like a DIY microdermabrasion. My hubby got me this as part of my birthday present and I’m completely in love wit it xxx