Skincare has become my favourite part of beauty. I go through phases of being all about the makeup or haircare, but right now, skincare is having it’s moment. I honestly cringe at the thought of me happily applying foundation onto completely bare, un-moisturised skin when I was younger. No wonder I had very dry skin for years – even now my skin is still not naturally glowing. It is amazing what a good skincare regime can do!

I was so very lucky to recieve the M&S Beauty Advent Calendar as a present this year. In 2016 it was full of amazing goodies that led me to discover some new, permenant favourites like the Alpha H Liquid Gold and the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. Its been over a month now, so I’m sharing some of my thoughts and initial impressions of some of the skincare treats in the 2017 calendar.

Autograph Hydrating Confidence Boost Primer

Let’s start with a really good one! As time would have it, I ran out of my Nivea Post Shave Balm that I use as a primer in November. So through January, I was going without primer – feeling very tempted to buy a new one but not really knowing which to buy. Luckily, the Hydrating Confidence Boost Primerwas just around the corner. Autograph is M&S’s makeup brand, with mid-priced, excellent quality beauty products – as I learnt from last year’s calendar.

At £12.50, I’ve already been to my local M&S to see if they had any in stock and will be heading bacj to buy the full size later this week. Told you it was a good one! The silky, gel-like primer glides over your skin so smoothly, feels genuinely hydrating and leaves an ever-so-slightly tacky feeling which is ideal for applying makeup onto.

Filorga Meso Mask

If your skin is feeling a little lack-lustre, this Illuminating Mask from Filorga is definitely worth a try. I’ve used it 3 times so far (once a week) and have noticed my skin looking more glowing and healthy after each use. It’s quite a light, glossy consistency. If you’re a fan of mud masks that are super thick and dry completely solid, this will be a bit of a shock to the system! I like applying after cleansing and after a hot bath or shower to get the maximum benefit. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and I like to remove with a face cloth for a bit of extra exfoliation.

At £40, this is not an affordable face mask. It is a real treat and I’m loving using it – I’ll be finishing the bottle without a doubt. But, I just wouldn’t be able to justify repurchasing for the price! One to pick up if you have a voucher or are feeling particularly spendy.

Korres Wild Rose Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial

I’ve been a fan of Korres for such a long time now. Their cruelty-free products all smell incredible and I love their body and haircare ranges. I was yet to try their skincare line, so this was a perfect introduction. This is basically a night cream, but such a lovely one. The thick moisturising formula isn’t heavy and has paired well with every serum I’ve tried it with. Speaking of serum, I feel like that is one of those items that my skin now feels naked without. I rarely apply moisturiser without it now!

Anyway, the sleeping facial is a simple but brilliant night cream. Who is to say you couldn’t use this during the day on dry skin days too! Love it, 10/10!

Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose

If you are brand new to liquid exfoliation, it is an amazing concept of using acids (don’t worry – nothing scary of harsh) to shed the top layer of dead skin. There are plenty on the market, but my favourite has always been the original Alpha H Liquid Gold. And now there is a Rose Gold version! Beautifully packaged to match my current favourite aesthetic, this is yet another bottle of miracles from Alpha H. Apply with a cotton pad over clean, dry skin. Leave to dry and apply mosituiser, or not, if you want a more intense treatment.

I know it sounds like a gimmick but it really does leave your skin smoother, brighter, fresher and softer. Whether you have pigmentation problems, skin roughness or just need a pick-me-up, you need a bottle of this in your life. The rose gold version has a much more soft scent, and I think is slightly more delicate on the skin. I use it twice a week and is very much a staple in my skincare routine.

Rodial Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel.

Ever had a tester of a brilliant makeup item or skincare product but couldn’t justify purchaisng the real thing? That is the current situation I’m in. I have honestly fallen in love with the Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel. I apply it onto bare skin and it feels cooling and light. Within about a minute, it literally makes a visible difference to my skin. The best way I can describe the way it feels on your skin is that it is like velvet. Sooo smooth and soft.

At £85 a pot (!!!), I simply can’t justify buying the full size. Even it I hadn’t put myself on a spending ban until February, I still couldn’t bare to part with nearly £100 for it. But, it does genuinely work. So this is where I feel torn! Perhaps one day, using a 20% off code and a gift voucher. If you ever do get the chance to try this or see a sample, please do. I think you will fall in love with it too.

Balance Me Rose Otto Face Oil

Another new brand to me! This facial oil is £32 for the full size, and is set to protect sensitive, dry and red complexions, moisturising the skin. Firstly, it smells amazing, like a gentle rose scent without being too floral or strong. My favourite way to apply this is last thing at night, as a sort of overnight mask. I think until you’ve tried it, the thought of using oil on your skin is slightly scary. I probably first tried a face oil about 2 years ago and never looked back – it helps with my dryness so much.

I use it about once a week as a night treatment. It feels nourishing and has really helped reduce any dry patches (although I have a patch of eczema on my face that will not shift, no matter what I use on it. Any tips welcomed please!)

Have you tried any of these skincare saviours?