I would say that I’ve put myself on a no-buy but I’m self-aware enough to know that the moment I would make such a statement, the commitment would be destined to become broken as I’m sure I will find something that I can’t endure being without, so instead I’m committing to a low-buy instead. In thinking and doing this wholeheartedly I’ve also pulled some products out that I already own and have loved in the past to stop myself from yearning after the next shiny object and here’s the lowdown…

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation (Ivory): This had to be the standout product find of 2013 and I don’t take such declarations lightly but during the spring I fell out of love with it as I found that it was not the most flattering foundation on my inflamed raised blemishes (on account of the subtle shimmer in the formula). However, unless things are looking particularly catastrophic in that department, this one has proven itself to me again as ideal. My skin agrees with the formulation itself and it’s one that consistently looks good without requiring loads of work, being flattering over dry matches and even more-so on over areas of dehydration while looking like skin and leaving a finish that sits somewhere in between satiny and truly glowy.

Benefit Boxed Powder in Rockateur: Being as much of a blush hoarder as I am, the fact that I had been neglecting this one isn’t entirely shocking in itself, considering that the sheeny rusty-rosy shade tends to be categorized as a typical fall/winter shade. However considering that I detest complete adherence to those sort of rules and that I consider this shade to be in my top three of all time, I should have known better than to neglect it. As I’ve dug it out again, I can barely put it down as it adds that subtle but brightening flush to the cheeks that differs from the usual summery corals without going into that wintry berry territory; it’s seasonless and absolutely stunning.

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner (Blackest Black): I’ve liked this gel liner for ages but have always gone for the fuss-free L’Oreal Lineur Intense over this one when I’m looking for something inky and precise for its ease and time-efficiency but now that I made the effort to actually clean the brush I use with this one and have dug it out again, I’ve been loving the precision and versatility that it offers. My only issue is that it’s difficult to form precise wings with the brush in comparison to felt-tip liners and that it requires a few more minutes as opposed to the 30 seconds each eye requires when I go for the liquid option.

Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser: I raved about this one loads last year but after I finished it up, I decided to try their newer similar Ultra Gentle offering and I’m still not through that one; however, there was a sale on so I couldn’t resist picking this one up at an affordable price and I’ve been naughty and have begun to use it without finishing up the other one first. It’s an absolute failure in terms of removing makeup but the nourishing creamy cleanser is the gentlest thing on the skin and actually somehow leaves it more hydrated than before without the addition of any harsh ingredients (i.e. fragrance). Plus, it leaves the skin soothed afterwards but doesn’t require a cloth or any sort of process of removal. This is my perfect morning cleanser, I must say!

Have you made any recent beauty rediscoveries? Happy Sunday — the apocalypse has not come upon us, I’m trying out my Weekly Medley post on Monday for an experiment.

Maggie, x.