A very Happy New Year to you all! I cannot believe that we’re at the start of a new year. 2017 went by in a flash. But there was so much that happened in the year and I’ve collected quite a few favourites which I want to share with you which I really fell for last year.

Beauty

Too Faced Natural Love Palette

I raved about this in my October Favourites and it’s still something I’m obsessed with. This palette is my dream palette and has all the shades that I use. They’re of a great pigment and apply so nicely as well as last for a decent amount of time. For the Autumn/Winter period I stuck to the darker shades but when spring arrives, I’m excited to experiment with some of the pink tones and see how that turns out.

Available from Debenhams for £52

Nivea Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-up Remover

I’ve been using this for almost a year now and I’m still as obsessed! This is the ultimate eye make-up remover. It only take a little shake, put some on a cotton pad and remove it. Say goodbye to panda eyes, because they are long gone with this product. I recommend this to absolutely everyone who wears any form of eye make-up because it’s the best product I’ve found.

Available from Boots for £3.89

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Trying to get eyeshadow to stick to my lids has been a task until I made this purchase back in July which for some stupid reason I didn’t try in so long despite it being a cult classic. All of my eye makeup lasts a hell of a lot longer now I use this and I absolutely love it. I don’t think I’ll consider another eye primer for a long time.

Available from Urban Decay for £9.00

Freederm Fast Track

I’ve always had an issue with finding a good product for when I have breakouts and when my friends suggested this, I had to investigate. I was really surprised because it really is “Fast Track” because I put it on a big zit in the morning and be the evening it was non existent.

Available from Superdrug for £5.75

PS Pro Blending Brushes

I love these brushes. I’ve been using them for a few months and they do such a great job in applying and blending make-up and despite being from Primark, the quality is pretty damn good. I didn’t think I’d be into the rounded brushes but after a friend told me about how much she loves them, I thought I’d give them a whirl and I’m so glad I did.

Available from Primark at various prices 

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Metal Moon

My girl Rihanna really came through with her Fenty Beauty makeup collection. I saw some people wearing this highlighter and I had to give it a try. I know it looks like a bright white powder but once you apply it, it’s a beautiful silver-white shimmer which looks bright enough to turn your enemies blind. this is a gorgeous highlighter and looks so good. It’s quite bright and doesn’t need too much application. If you prefer a natural highlight, maybe this isn’t for you. It’d look fantastic on a night out or if you just really love highlighter and don’t care about the time of day.

Available from Harvey Nichols for £26.00

Music

Niall Horan – Flicker

I’ve been so excited about Niall’s solo material and his debut album did not disappoint. The music slips into a different direction compared to the boy band era he’s famous for and is the kind of sound that would be more appreciated by a wider age range. Horan has often spoken about his influences of The Eagles, John Mayer and Crosby, Stills and Nash and you can definitely hear it in this folk-pop sounding album. For any 1D fan, as each member releases their material, you can get a sense of each member’s input to the five albums release as a group. But if you dislike One Direction, please don’t let this put you off giving this album a listen. If you were unaware of who Niall or One Direction are, you’d believe this record was by a solo singer-songwriter who has been in the game for decades. My favourite tracks are On My Own, Too Much Too Ask, Fire Away and Slow Hands. I have tickets to see Niall in concert this year and I know it’s going to be an amazing experience witnessing this album live.

Flicker is out now

Hey Violet – From The Outside

I’ve been a fan of Hey Violet since they were signed with Hi or Hey Records back in 2015 and have been anticipating an album release ever since. Finally, this year they decided to deliver and I was not disappointed. The album shows progress in the band’s music since their first EP back two years ago and can be described as pop rock and EDM. Since the album’s release, Keyboardist Miranda Miller left Hey Violet which I was devastated about because I felt like I could really feel her influence and work within the album. My favourite songs include O.D.D, Like Lovers Do and This Is Me Breaking Up With You.

From The Outside is out now 

Camryn – Glow

This was my song of the Summer. Camryn released her single, Glow, back in July which I felt was a real change compared to her last EP, New Dynasty, which was full of some heartbreak anthems. This time, Camryn sings about a person who brings out the best in her and truly makes her glow. The song is written about her current boyfriend and is a song I truly love listening to with real feel-good vibes.

Glow is out now 

Ed Sheeran – Divide

Ed’s big return after his year-long hiatus (which was a good idea for the hectic year of 2016) was highly anticipated by millions and he did not disappoint. In just one week alone, the album received close to 9 million streams, which is highly impressive. Sheeran also managed to get 20 of his tracks in the UK Top 40, which is an incredible record. The album has an eclectic sound, with Irish folk to songs evoking golden-age pop, from jittery guitars to a wispy ballad, there was something for everyone on Ed’s third album. Divide definitely exceeded my expectations and I have found myself playing it multiple times since the release beginning of this month. My favourite songs include Nancy Mulligan – an Irish folk-y song, dedicated to the love story of his grandparents, Barcelona – a song that makes my wanderlust soar and Bibia Be Ye Ye – which which literally translates to “Everything will be alright”. I’m so excited that I get to see him perform this album live this year.

Divide is out now 

Harry Styles – Self Titled

 

Harry Styles is another member of One Direction to release his first record and one I was so excited about. Despite One Direction’s sound, fans knew that Harry’s solo music would be of a different taste. The soft rock britpop sound to me feels like it opens the door to new fans who aren’t the kind to favour the boyband music and though many of his fans knew what Styles was capable of, I believe he really surprised other people. My favourite songs include Kiwi, Carolina and Woman. Harry is another artist I’m lucky enough to see this year and cannot wait to witness the new material live.

Harry Styles’ self titled is out now 

Books

Feel Good 101 By Emma Blackery

In the promotion and introduction of this book, Emma makes it very clear: This book will not change your life. Did it change mine? No. But what it did do was give me a clearer view on life and give me a sense of both understanding and being understood. In this book, Emma shares her 25 years of life experience in a beautifully written guide in the form of essays, each accompanied with the best advice she could give to her audience and it felt like for the first time, I genuinely am not alone. You have these different people in life tell you that you are not alone, but to read the real life stories which you can connect to on a personal level and be handed words of wisdom, it’s like you’ve finally been given an answer to a question which never seems solvable, like when you are given your first pair of glasses to give you that HD vision. Emma made me feel more accepted, more understood and as though that the ruts that I am constantly weaving in and out of aren’t going to last forever.Having met Emma and interviewed her just a few months before this release, I actually had a minor panic attack in her presence, which she made me feel so much calmer. I didn’t really know how she was able to do this, but reading this book gave me that answer and has given me nothing but respect for her. This is a book that I only wished existed when I was a teen, where I felt so alone and that so much of what I’ve experienced was much more heightened in the sense of drama and intensity.

Available from W H Smith for £10.49

TANYA’S CHRISTMAS BY TANYA BURR

This is perhaps the most festive book I’ve ever read. YouTuber, beauty guru and girl boss, Tanya Burr, has released her third book and this time it’s all about the greatest time of year. Tanya talks about her own traditions, giving tips and tricks to make preparations for the big event easier, a great list of gift ideas and so many amazing recipes to try out. This is the ultimate guide to a wonderful Christmas and I loved reading it in the lead up to the festive season. I even included one of the recipes in my Blogmas series!

Available from W H Smiths for £10.19

Films

Beauty and the Beast

I had been long awaiting this film since the official announcement over two years ago, so seeing it on the opening day was such a thrill and exceeded my expectations. The first thing I noticed with this film in comparison to the animation is that it’s far more detailed, which is probably why it’s of a greater length than I expected. It was refreshing to be able to learn more about each character in this one, with a bit more backstory to who they are. I highly appreciated the fact that the original songs were kept in the film as these are some of the most iconic that Disney has produced, not to mention what the film is best known for. It was also exciting for Disnerds to hear new songs to add to their ever growing collection of a playlist from all the films.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

I know so many people are fed up of the Frozen franchise and it’s not my ultimate favourite but when Disney announced a Christmas featurette, I was so excited. Olaf is my favourite character and I absolutely love Christmas, so it went hand in hand. I felt it was exciting seeing more of the funny and friendly side kick with a lot of comedy, some great songs and beautiful wintery aesthetics. Plus, I want to own Elsa and Anna’s dresses in real life. If only Disney would sell them for adults. The whole storyline was heartwarming and it was a great watch on Christmas Eve.

What did you love in 2017?