The Best Things I've Been Influenced To Buy

-this post contains PR samples-

Before I was a blogger I was an avid blog reader and religiously followed the recommendations of my favourite online humans. And I’d say 90% of the recommendations that I got then quickly became my most loved products but there were obviously some things that just didn’t work out for me but that’s to be expected (as much as it pained me), different strokes for different folks and all that. The word influencer has become a dirty word over the past few years and people now tend to hate when ‘influencers’ share something they love as it’s now presumed that there is a hidden agenda and spreading the word about something you love isn’t as easy as it once was. But, I know that without people sharing their most used and loved possessions then there are so many things that I might not have come across and these are some of the best things that I’ve been influenced to purchase over the years.

Rifle paper co stationery

Undoubtedly my most loved stationery brand of all time is Rifle Paper Co and I first remember seeing the brand pop up on Tumblr of all places and I instantly fell in love. I then saw it on a few US blogs but back then it wasn’t the easiest thing to get a hold of but thankfully since that point, it’s got easier to find in the UK. Rifle Paper Co is a brand founded by Anna & Nathan Bond in Winter Park Florida and it launched in 2009 and I’ve been following the journey of this incredible brand since 2012 and it’s grown an incredible amount. Their key pieces like the journals and to-do lists are still absolutely dreamy but they’ve added so many amazing things like homewares and clothing that I'm desperate to get my hands on.

essie nail polishes

Any beauty lover will know that there was once a time that you could only get Essie polishes on eBay and everyone rejoiced when they launched a diffusion line into Boots & Superdrug. These nail polishes still reign supreme in my collection and are my favourite polishes to use by far. Not only is their colour selection incredible but the formulation lasts so well on my nails. The best thing about these being released in the UK via a diffusion line was the fact that they changed the brush so it was wider and way easier to use. The only downside to the brand prior to this was the brush was really thin and fiddly which I imagine for seasoned nail professionals is easy enough to use but I found it a little difficult but with the wider brush, it’s a breeze to achieve a good manicure in just a couple of coats.

fresh sugar lip balms

Maybe the most spoken about item on this blog has to be these dreamy tinted lip balms from the brand Fresh. I’m someone who loves a soft satin lip but I do not love the upkeep that often comes with lipstick which is why these balms are so perfect. They pack the same punch of pigmentation as a lipstick but they have the benefits of a lip balm and the same upkeep. My all-time favourite shades are Petal which is the most perfect dusky pink that goes with 90% of my makeup looks. And then there is a somewhat recent love of mine which is the shade Nude (gifted) which is a pale girl friendly nude and goes with absolutely anything type of shade.

zoeva rose gold brush kit

For years my brushes of choice were Real Techniques which were, of course, influenced purchases but then the Zoeva Rose Gold brushes came along and blew them out of the water. There is a handful of the RT brushes that I still love and use to this day which is a testament to how long lasting they are. But the Zoeva are mostly what I use every time I apply makeup and they really are incredible. The Silk Finish brush is hands down one of the best brushes I've ever used to apply any type of base product whether that be tinted moisturiser or a full coverage foundation. And the eye brushes makes eyeshadow application a breeze even if you’re a novice like me.

tarte amazonian clay blush in exposed

When any beauty blogger went across the pond to the US you better know they made their way back with one of these blushes in tow. Tarte is still a brand that is difficult to get hold of in the UK which is a shame as they have so many brilliant products to offer. My favourite one that I’ve tried from the brand has to be the Amazonian Clay blushes, in particular, the shade Exposed. It’s one of my most loved and used blushes as not only does it last all day and glide onto the cheek with ease but the shade not only adds a flush of colour but sculpts the cheek ever so slightly too. I like to think of shades in the same vein as this as a slight hybrid between bronzer and blusher.

NOSTALGIC BEAUTY BLOGGER PRODUCTS

• AMERICAN APPAREL DISCO PANTS

• STUDDED LOAFERS

• YANKEE CANDLE CHRISTMAS COOKIE

• BUMBLE & BUMBLE SURF SPRAY

• LAURA MERCIER SILK CREME FOUNDATION

• MOROCCAN OIL

• L’OREAL LUMIMAGIQUE FOUNDATION

• Mac cut a caper, creme cup and shy girl lipstick

• real techniques brushes

• 17 BEEHIVE LIPSTICK

• COLLECTION LONG LASTING CONCEALER

• MAC SOFT & GENTLE MINERALIZE SKIN FINISH

• SLEEK ROSE GOLD BLUSH

• REVLON LIP BUTTERS

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BEST RECOMMENDATIONS YOU’VE GOT FROM BLOGS?