Wow Beauty 2017 Top Picks

We couldn’t NOT do a small review of some of our favourite launches of 2017… the problem is that there have been so many worthy products launched this year in every category that we decided to base our choices on what we’ve fallen in love with and what you’ve responded to positively; of course lists like these are always subjective and by no means conclusive, so of course we’d love to know your faves too!

So here’s our edit of some of the products that we’ve loved this year…

Pixi Vitamin Wakeup Mist

Are you looking for a quick pick-me-up? Here at Wow Beauty, we love this mist to give us a boost throughout the day. It smells very delicious and fruity, citrusy and reinvigorating. It contains an orange blossom water base, blended with citrus fruit extracts, lavender and arginine. We love the smell – it instantly perks up our mood! This mist can be used before makeup and after. If used after makeup, it won’t set your face but would serve more as something to refresh you throughout the day and provide your skin with a little extra hydration.

Roques O’Neil Therapie Calm Balm

This wonder product appropriately named the ‘Calm Balm’ by the incredibly gifted Michelle Roques O’Neil has become a desktop lifesaver for those particularly frazzled and stressful days. This balm has been created to “offer vital support when nerves are frayed and need unifiction gently stroking them back to alignment.” Michelle describes the balm on her website as an “emotional second aid, an intense and powerful collection that work at a souldeep level” which definitely feels very true. I think we all suffer from stress at various points in our lives and so anything that can help alleviate this and rebalance ourselves are must-haves for us. Some of the key ingredients in this include Jojoba oil, Sandalwood oil, Frankincense oil, and of course, Lavender oil which is famous for relaxation. All of the essential oils in this product work together beautifully.

We can’t get enough of this stunning product, it is helping us every day to calm our nerves and keep us steady instantly and effectively.

Emma Hardie Lift and Sculpt Firming Neck Treatment

This kneck treatment has a cool rolling massage applicator and top ingredients for rejuvenating the skin including raspberry oil which helps to provide protection and retain moisture hyaluronic acid which hydrates and plumps and Inca inchi oil which is a rich omega 369 complex plus it contains Neodermyl which is described as a ‘needle free’ collagen & elastin filler & ‘Liftonin – expert’ which activates the production of high-quality collagen. I’ve noticed that my neck feels and looks gooooood!

Kiss the Moon Dream Bath Salts

There is something very therapeutic about taking a long, soothing bath, in salts and it’s even more powerful when the salts are so divinely scented that they have a transformative affect on your mood.

These bath salts from Kiss the Moon are heavenly scented with Lavender, Bergamot, Cedarwood and Chamomile essential oils all of which work in synergy to soothe and relax. Lavender is a perfect night time beauty oil, able to balance skin’s own oil production and encourage healthy new cells to form, while Roman Chamomile is great for very sensitive or dry skin as it can calm and soothe. Next is the Bergamot which has a calming aroma and can purify the skin, lastly Cedarwood, loved for its calming effect. There are other ingredients which are included that have superb skin nourishing qualities namely, White Tea & Coconut Seed Oil which provide an antioxidant boost and leave the skin nourished & moisturised. As a notoriously poor sleeper, I find that a soak in these salts certainly relaxes me and helps me to exhale….and for me that’s always going to be a winner

Antonia Burrell Biotech Supreme Serum

Within a few days of using this lovely serum I noticed a difference. My skin felt moist and nourished, the effects of which last all day. This serum is easily absorbed and leaves a silky smooth finish. After almost 3 weeks my combination skin is calm, radiant and nourished. I’ve not felt the need to add anything else to the mix. Of course as individuals we have differing skincare requirements and there is no ‘one size fits all’ but I have to say that this ticks the boxes for me.

This is a an effective serum that is worthy of being included in your positive ageing toolkit, whatever your skin type.

Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in ‘Achiever’ and ‘Lover’

I’m loving these gorgeous hourglass cosmetics lip stylos which launched right at the beginning of 2016. We love the fact that each colour has an empowering name …we’re showing ‘Achiever’ which is a ‘mauvey browny’ shade, that looks great on most skin tones and ‘Lover’ which is a perfect orangey red. I love the ease of application and the way it feels on the lips… soft and silky. The other great thing is that you can apply it for full coverage or for a sheer effect but however you wear yours it will keep your lips in great condition all day. These contain a blend of Shea butter Jojoba, Mimosa and Sunflower Seed to nourish and protect your lips.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio

Okay, so we’re loving pretty much everything that Fenty by Rihanna has introduced since its launch earlier this year! We’re always going to have a lot of love for a brand that creates high quality stylish products and manages to prove that inclusive makeup is easy. With so much to choose from we’ve chosen these matchstix because we love the fact that you get conceal, contour and highlight in a charming magnetic trio!

Becca First Light Priming Filter

When you first look at this you wonder if its gorgeous lilac colour is going to show up on your skin… the answer is no. What it will do though is brighten your skin adding a luminous glow and instantly refreshes the complexion the brand say “Cool Light Technology softly scatters translucent, cool violet light to brighten & even out imperfections” . Traditionally, makeup artists would use lilac to counteract dull, sallow skin tones, fortunately this modern formulation works its magic invisibly. It contains prickly pear to capture moisture and plump and rejuvenate the skin, as well as ginger and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump and energise. I love using this because it makes my skin look good even when I’m in need of intravenous coffee.

L’Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara

This mascara gives you volume and length without looking clumpy or flaking throughout the day and has become a favourite here. It is also enriched with castor oil to nourish and strengthen your lashes, meaning that with continuous use your lashes will actually become longer over time!

Votary Clarifying Cleansing Oil

This luxe and natural cleansing oil made for blemish / breakout prone skin and promises a deep clean without stripping the skin. It contains healing oils of Peach, Oat and Jojoba, and is delicately scented with Rosemary and Bergamot for a really purifying and restorative cleanse and is absolutely luscious.

Vanderohe Nourishing Face Oil

This bottle of pure alchemy is not a beauty oil in the classic sense of the word, it is the mind body and spirit elixir. As soon as you open the bottle and inhale the pureness of the ingredients, they start to work on you, they start to envelop you. You can actually feel the quality of the oil and it appeals to many senses… the feel of the oil on the skin, visual with its golden colour and heavenly smell.

OM Skincare Mindful Traveller

This gorgeous little product is double ended, one side has their award-winning Pure Glow Cleanser and the other contains the OM Skincare Daily Radiance Moisturiser. It’s easily re-fillable and is slim, lightweight and so convenient.

Dermalogica Superfoliant

This cleansing powder includes alpha hydroxy acids which are great for removing dead skin cells. There is the added bonus of red algae, Tara fruit extract and niacinamide which are known as antioxidants. It is a powerhouse exfoliator (the brand call it a resurfacer) that really does leave you with super smooth skin and is particularly useful for those focused on positive ageing. We love the fact that this includes the consistently popular charcoal which like in their charcoal face mask, works to purify the skin and absorb all of the nasty stuff that makes its way into our pores.

Perricone MD Firming Foaming Mask

I have to say that I quite like the way that this mask foams… it’s different and it feels ‘active’. This mask is unique in that it foams once in contact with the skin, providing cooling hydration and nourishment. It instantly re-energizes and hydrates for visibly brighter, healthier looking skin.

Image Skincare Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask and the Biomolecular Anti-Aging Radiance Mask

These masks will help to rejuvenate your skin and are fab travel companions. The hydrating recovery mask contains an advanced concentration of ultra-hydrating ingredients to rescue dull, dry skin with a biomolecular complex. The anti-aging radiance mask has a patented 3D design which traps in moisture and active ingredients delivering a powerful infusion of ingredients that hydrate and brighten the skin. What I love about these is they’re designed to increase the delivery of active ingredients into the skin… so I feel that once the mask has finished rejuvenating the skin, it also helps to make the products I use afterwards to be more effective.