MY TOP 12 SKINCARE PRODUCTS 2020 {PART 1}

For fear of sounding like a stuck record,as I say this every year, 

"this is my favourite post to write" and the most time consuming,

 as I love to reflect on the skincare products that I have tried and reviewed 

during the previous year and despite 2020 being somewhat difficult, I have reviewed some wonderful skincare products and better still I have discovered 

some interesting new brands.

2020 

 appears to be the year of "masking" for me and it wasn't intentional,

but I suppose with more time on my hands I was able to focus on those 

extra mid-week pamper sessions. Despite trying several other face masks

 during the year, these 4 have made it onto this years 

My Top 12 Skincare Products 

list and as I look at my choices each one 

 performs a slightly different function and therefore each, has its times of need

depending on what my skin requires at the time.

My "Masking Wardrobe" is certainly growing and I'm loving it...

Due to me increasing the product count to 12, I am going to load this post in

2 parts otherwise it makes for a very looong read.

For all the full reviews click on the Pink Links below

1.

AVÈNE 

SOOTHING RADIANCE 

MASK

I still can't get over the fact that I was so late to the party with this face mask

and despite hearing great things I only got to try for myself in the early

part of 2020, but as the saying goes "better late than never".

This "No Rinse" Soothing Radiance Mask is a true moisture bath that leaves

 your skin, even the eye area, feeling refreshed, calm and comforted. 

Ideal for application post peels, after sunburn, if your skin feels tight, irritated, 

or just simply dehydrated and dull.

Perfect SOS product for those skins that become disturbed during travels.

To read my full review

Click here

2.

ZELENS

TRANSFORMER 

INSTANT RENEWAL

MASK

Zelens is a new find for me in 2020 and this is the 2nd of their products to

make it onto my TOP lists.

Check out my TOP 6 MAKE-UP PRODUCT 2020 to find out which other Zelens

product I highly rate Click here

This unparalleled anti-aging mask was developed by Dr. Marko Lens for his 

tailor-made "Red Carpet" facials, so I was expecting something special

from this mask and it certainly didn't disappoint, far from it, as it exceeded

all my expectations and coming from me that's quite some praise...

This hi-tech mask encourages skin renewal with immediate visible results and

 is perfect for that special occasion (not that we have many of those these days) 

or for that extra special skin pamper and truly deserves its place on this list.

For all the details Click here

3.

LUMENE

NORDIC HYDRA

AERATING GEL MASK

This mask from the Finnish skincare brand LUMENE was like no other that 

I had ever used. The innovative airy water-gel formula is my choice when

I feel my skins needing an instant surge of hydration that results in my 

skin feeling comfortable, fully hydrated, super soft and supple. 

LUMENE is an affordable Nordic brand that I would love to discover more

of their very appealing products. As you will see in part 2 I have another

LUMENE product that makes this list.

To find out more about this mask Click here

4.

L'OOCITANE

INVIGORATING FACE & EYE 

MASK

This mask appealed to me from the onset, as I love a mask that can also be

applied around the eye area. I originally purchased their mono dose pod that

allows for a couple of applications, which obviously led to a full size purchase.

This mask is Ideal for all skin types, this face & eyes mask and promises to immediately revives tired skin 

(dull complexion, dehydrated skin, under-eye puffiness) 

and provides protection and hydration to the skin.

For that extra reviving/refreshing effect I store mine in the fridge.

For all the details Click here

 

I have grouped my favourite eye products of 2020 together as I have 

two to share with you.

As more and more skincare products are becoming multi functional,

 I am still a huge fan where eye products are concerned and whilst new formulations allow for multi tasking products to be applied around the eye area

 it doesn't negate the use of a specific eye product.

I have applied eye treatments daily now since my early 20's

and as I've aged my concerns and product type have obviously changed, but thankfully the skin around that area hasn't changed or aged as badly as he could have, so I have no regrets about taking that extra care and time to apply an eye cream or remove my eye-make-up with a specific product.

1.

GATINEAU

FLORACIL

GENTLE EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

This eye make-up remover is a throwback moment for me, as for many years

this was my favourite product and for some reason I fell out of love with it and moved onto others.

2020 saw me re-ignite my love for this eye make-up remover and I'm happy

about it, so much so, its made it onto my prestigious list.

I was impressed by how quickly it dissolved my eye make-up, even the most stubborn of my mascaras, whilst leaving no residue behind rendering it an 

absolute breeze and pleasure to use.

As always click the Pink Link to find out more

2.

GLAMGLOW

BRIGHTEYES

ILLUMINATING & FATIGUE 

EYE CREAM

Check out my full review here

This eye cream is actually a carry over from 2019 and despite using it

at the end of 2019 I only wrote and posted my review in early 2020.

This product never came to South Africa despite us having GLAMGLOW.

(Sadly GLAMGLOW is no longer available in store and I doubt for much longer online)

BRIGHTEYES is an illuminating eye cream formulated with a wonderful cocktail

 of effective peptides, caffeine and an intense infusion of hyaluronic acid 
to instantly brighten dark circles and reduce visible signs of fatigue around 

the eyes for a super well-rested, glowing look. 

I have 6 more skincare products to share with you in Part 2 Coming Soon

I have already posted the following TOP lists for 2020

My TOP 3 Most Disappointing Products 2020

My TOP 6 Make-up Products 2020

Share with me in the comments below if you also love any of my choices

as much as I do.

ESTĒE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE CONCENTRATE MATRIX {#TBT REVIEW}

Todays #TBT post dates back to February 2018 and gives you all the

info on the

 Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

and it's still a product I highly recommend.

Many believe that an eye cream isn't so important and I beg to differ, as its

one of my most longest used products and I personally would never

advise the exclusion of an eye treatment in your daily beauty routine.

~~~~~~

 I generally only post a review once I've finished a product, 

but I'm breaking my own rule on this one and posting 

this review after four and half months of twice daily use.

I seem to have been using the 

Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

 for what seems like an eternity and it's still going strong.

Having recommended previously that you buy skincare according to your budget,

there is one product that I advise stretching the budget for

and that's this anti-ageing eye treatment.

I personally have always focused on the maintenance of my eye area, 

as it really does give away your age and I just want to keep those 

signs of ageing at bay or minimised for as long as possible.

It's a "maze" out there, when it comes to Anti-Ageing

eye products, as we are spoilt for choice.

 For as long as I can remember though I've always used products for 

my eye area twice a day 

  and that's pretty much how I have been able to keep any deep lines

and wrinkles to a minimum and these are not to be confused with your 

natural expression lines around the hard working eye area.

The use of eye creams are on going, so get rid of the notion that a product

will "fix it all" in one jar, as that just doesn't happen. 

The sooner you start to incorporate an eye treatment into your daily regime

the better, but if you fall into that category of not having used, 

then don't despair.

If you're a mature woman or man (yes, men need to use eye products also 

and they don't have to be male specific)

it's not too late, however understand that damage has been done,

but in order to slow down the further appearance and soften those

existing lines and wrinkles I recommend that you initially splurge and bring 

in the "Big Guns" of the eye treatment world.

The hugely popular and iconic

 Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Collection 

of products target and reduce the look of all the signs of ageing

for the face and eyes.

They have several targeted eye products in their

arsenal and their Eye Concentrate Matrix is one that I can highly 

recommend if you are wanting to seriously inject some "oomph"

into your eye care routine.

The Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

is one of those "Big Guns" to be used both night and day.

This serum will repair, fortify and hydrate the skin around the

delicate eye area, so it pretty much deals with the main areas

of concern for most of us.

Their ultra-nourishing, skin strengthening formula has an innovative 360° 

Matrix Technology that provides a cushion of plumping support 

to give eyes a fresh, “wide-open” look and I won't object to

that, as with age sadly our eye area, especially the eyelids become

 more droopy and gives the eye a more closed, tired appearance.

The addition of every skins friend - Hyaluronic Acid 2x Concentrated 

Infusion ensures that the skin remains hydrated for a full 24 hrs.

From the picture above you will see that this product comes with a

massaging applicator, but do yourself a favour and forget even trying to

attempt to massage the skin as EL suggest and just go straight to the

patting with the ring finger...

Using the massaging applicator, gently roll under each eye three times. 

Then massage in a 360° circle under the eye area and above the lid. 

Finish by patting with ring finger until absorbed.

The slightly opaque, cooling gel is easy to blend around the eye around and

feels comfortable and moisturising on the skin, without feeling heavy or

creating any puffiness, which some eye products can do.

It was a pleasure to use and offered a plumpness to the skin,

which in turn softens those lines, especially the deeper ones and gave
a more rested eye area.

Fragrance Free

Opthalmologically Tested

Dermatologist Tested

Estēe Lauder is available in SA from selected

 Edgars, Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths.

I highly advise that you read my other reviews on
 Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Products by clicking on the 

Pink Links below

Estee Lauder Avanced Night Repair Concentrated Eye Mask Review

Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronised Recovery Complex 11 Review

Estēe Lauder 

Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

15ml

*Prices are correct as of 14/1/2021*

R

970

1,100

$

69

70

£

49

50

To order online

MY TOP 6 MAKE-UP PRODUCTS 2020,

 My 2020 list of top make-up items seems to be dominated by

two brands, URBAN DECAY which is no longer available in South Africa,

and that makes me very sad, as they have a newly launched product that 

I wanted to try, so it means more is going to be added to my 

overseas shopping list, 

which by the way is growing longer and longer, especially as travel has all but halted 

for the last 10 months and doesn't seem to be on the cards anytime soon.

The other brand is BYTERRY and thankfully that's available exclusively

in store and online at Metro Cosmetics

I have kept this category very tight this year with only 6 of my absolute 

cannot live without products appearing on this list.

In 2019 I included 10 faves as I really couldn't narrow 2019's list down.

If you would like to see what appeared on that list then click here

As always I will include the Pink Links for those that want to read my original

full reviews before making any purchases, especially on the more Luxe products.

I hope you find this post helpful...

1.

VITA LIBERATA

BEAUTY BLUR

This beauty blur is perfect for that flawless, natural, no make-up look and I'm 

simply obsessed. It provided a great canvas for the application

of bronzer, blusher etc. and it's simply a "do it all" skin optimiser and without 

doubt worthy of a beauty splurge. 

The perfecting weightless formula glides on effortlessly, delivering a sheer tint 

that miraculously covers and corrects the appearance of imperfections to 

leave skin looking naturally radiant and I was blown away by how well it 

worked even on my mature skin.

It was my go to product during lockdown and sadly its now finished, so

 I predict yet another pricey purchase is on the cards.

Full Review

2.

URBAN DECAY

STAY NAKED

CORRECTING CONCEALER

I cannot deny that I've been a HUGE fan of URBAN DECAY since its launch here

 in South Africa a couple of years ago and sadly it hasn't been able to 

"stay the course" 

during COVID or survive in the notoriously difficult South African beauty arena.

Bottom line this is a good correcting concealer

Under advice I opted for 30NN a light neutral with a neutral undertone, 

which seemed to be an ideal shade for my skin tone.

The Stay Naked concealer is a buildable, full coverage concealer that is

 long wearing (up to 24hrs),waterproof and doesn't transfer.

I enjoyed that it had a breathable, flexible formula and didn't look cakey, 

or dry despite giving a matte finish.

This is one of those concealers that will always be a permanent feature in

my wardrobe of concealers.

Full Review

3.

BYTERRY

HYALURONIC HYDRA 

FOUNDATION

BYTERRY products came into my life at the end of 2018 and my collection

has grown steadily over that time, as has my love for all things BYTERRY. 

During 2020 I was lucky enough to add a product that had been on 

my wish list or beauty radar since the start of 2020.

Promoted as hardworking, luminous and weightless, which I 100% agree with, 

the Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation floods skin with moisture, delivering 

seamless coverage with an ultra-fine texture. 

As I'm getting older I find myself gravitating more to a treatment foundation,

one that has skincare benefits combined with a more natural 2nd skin feel 

and one that doesn't settle into my pesky lines and wrinkles and I think

 BYTERRY have nailed it with this product.

Full Review

4.

ZELENS

YOUTH GLOW

FOUNDATION

This was not a planned purchase, in fact I had never heard any 

blogger/beauty editor talk about it and even though I knew of the brand,

 this product was certainly not on my beauty radar.

I was introduced to the ZELENS YOUTH GLOW FOUNDATION by means

of a sample that was sent to me with my order of the BYTERRY foundation

above and the sample was enough to convince me

 that this "Youth Glow" foundation was all it said it would be and more.

ZELENS Youth Glow Foundation is perfect for skins lacking luminosity and vitality or anyone who is concerned with visible signs of stress, dullness and loss of elasticity. 

Provides long-lasting, natural light-to-medium coverage, it felt remarkably lightweight, yet nourishing on the skin and I kept catching glimpses of my skin in the mirror and couldn't help thinking how radiant and smooth my skin was looking and I

loved what I saw...

I'm happiest when skincare and colour combine in a product and this for me

 is my

 "Happy Product".

Full Review

5.

BYTERRY

OMBRE

BLACKSTAR

COLOR-FIX CREAM

EYESHADOW

Whilst the BYTERRY Foundation was on my radar, this 2nd BYTERRY

 product to make onto this list wasn't!

I was kindly sent this as a PR product and have gone onto order another

one in a different shade.

This easy-to-use (and it really is) eyeshadow pen contains Tahitian 

black pearl extracts, allowing the stretchy formula to glide smoothly 

and effortlessly onto eyelids in a single stroke. 
 The light reflecting formula brightens and lifts eyelids and as a mature 

user I need all the help I can get, especially from eye products.

The two shades that I own are a perfect duo, as the lighter shade 

provides a wash of colour over the eye area and the darker shade 

is used to provide a darker line around the lash line.

They quite simply make applying eyeshadow a breeze, even for the novice.

Full Review

6.

URBAN DECAY

PERVERSION

MASCARA

Mascaras are one of my make-up weaknesses and I cannot deny it, especially

if you see how many I have reviewed and written about over the years of 

writing my blog.

The PERVERSION Mascara for URBAN DECAY seriously impressed me, as

its an intense black, ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara that 

glides on beautifully and is buildable, stroke after stroke.

It contains ingredients known to stimulate lash growth and provide deep nourishment for the lashes.

If you want bigger, blacker, badder lashes then the PERVERSION Mascara

 is one to check out.

Full Review

Please let me know if any of these are also your favourite make-up products

as I would love to know.