My Current Beauty Hits and Misses

I’m a sucker for cosmetics & skincare, easily sold just about anything by anyone and this year was no different. But as always you find some gems and then some products that don’t live up to the hype or simply just don’t work for you…

THE LOVE LIST

Kiko Milano Gold Waves Bronzer - The perfect shimmery bronzer for everyday wear with a serious golden glow.

Acqua Di Parma Arancia di Capri Fragrance - Because anything that smells like citrus is my jam.

Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi Candle - See above.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Fragrance - Sexy night fragrance that doesn’t smell like sugar.

Omorvicza BB Cream - Glowy, sheer and the perfect shade for when I’m a little tanned.

Rationale 6 Steps - Have been on this (and only this) for 3 months and my skin has never looked & felt better.

Natasha Denona Face Glow Foundation - Glowing skin without shine, with more coverage than my everyday tints and BB creams.

Chanel Rouge Allure Ink #148 Libéré - Smooth liquid texture in the best shade of red I’ve tried in a long time.

Ultra Violette Hydrating Sunscreen - This is one to watch - the best, lightweight & no-white sunscreen for the face that I’ve come across.

Chanel Les Beiges Tinted Moisturiser - Because I love tinted moisturisers and the formula is perfect for everyday.

Go-To Exception-oil - Nourishing oil for the body that doesn’t feel oily or leave a film, especially excellent for elbows and knees.

Santa Maria Novella Rose Water - Instant face refresher, I use this all over my face after I wash my makeup off or when I’m feeling hot/flustered/sweaty & gross.

Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate - I’ve been loving anything cream based over the last year, and this duo is the shizz. Bronzer/contour cream that applies so easily over a base without removing it and the highlighter is proper gloss, not glitter.

THE NOT FOR ME LIST

And with any love list, there is usually a loathe list, however I’d like to call the below list the ‘not for me’ products. These are in no way shit products, but simply products that didn’t work for me personally and therefore were a bit of a disappointment. Thankfully it’s a much shorter list…

Tatcha Water Cream - I’d heard so much goodness about this product, and for me with dehydrated skin I thought it would be a new fav, but sadly I saw/felt/noticed little to no results from this cream. Loved the texture though and it didn’t make my skin worse so that’s a good thing.

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara - I’d never tried a tubular mascara but had heard a zillion people go on about how good they are, so I bought this one. But unfortunately I find the ‘tubes’ heavy and clunky, weighing my lashes down and annoying to remove.

Dior Lip Glow Coral - All I wanted was a neutral lip balm with a coral tint, and while that is precisely what this product is, it looked terrible on me and left my lips stained as though I’d just sculled a can of Fanta. I can’t blame the product too much though, I think my natural lip colour is just too dark for this shade.

Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer - Despite being promoted as a nude/sheer primer, I still find this lightens my skin and leaves me feeling like I have a white tint on my face. Texture is nice, but has almost too much slip - if that makes sense.

M.A.C Strobe Cream Goldlite - Strobe Cream is one of my all time fav primers, but I just didn’t love this goldlite version once I had applied makeup over the top. The glow didn’t seem as strong as the original, so I’ll be sticking with the OG going forward.

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer - Quite simply, this concealer does crease. Despite it’s name. I bought it when it was packaged in a tube, and found the consistency far too thick for the under eye area. Great coverage and if I was going for a full heavier face, then yes this might get a look in, but not for a everyday natural wear.

© ALL IMAGES DANIELLE CASTANO