2018 Favourites: Beauty, Fashion & More

'Favourites' videos and posts are always ones I look forward to watching, reading and writing; maybe it's just the nosey journalist or the sentimentalist in me, but I really enjoy seeing what everyone has been using and loving, and it's a lovely way of reflecting on the year, picking out what's made it that little bit better - even if it is just another lipstick. I may be about a week late to uploading this post, but I'm super excited to share the amazing makeup, fashion, film and TV picks I've been obsessed with during this whirlwind of a 2018, which I'll no doubt be worshipping for years and years to come. 

beauty - elf matte lip colour in praline 

I said in my 2017 Favourites post that I had experimented with and bought so much more makeup than ever before, and 2018 continued that trend. I loved creating some bolder eye shadow looks last year, and a massive s/o needs to be given to The Balm for the Basalt and Pepper Highlighter in the Alternative Rock Vol 1 palette - it's like putting actual stars on your cheekbones. So I thought choosing a favourite beauty product from the year was going to be the hardest task of 2018. Wrong - it was actually a no-brainer. Last year one of my fave products was MAC's Velvet Teddy lipstick, which I used right until I was literally just wiping the plastic packaging on my lips. But ladies and gents, I think I've found the perfect replacement. At just £4.50, elf's Matte Lip Colour in Praline is a little bit of a God send. I wouldn't say it's a dupe for Velvet Teddy as I think it applies darker - which I actually prefer, I think it suits my almost-black hair and weird-coloured eyes - but has a very similar buttery texture, amazing longevity and beautiful matte finish. I reach for this product every single day; it's the perfect lip to just throw on before rushing to the shops, or a subtle partner to a luscious smokey eye. I think it'd suit a great range of skin tones too! Although I found a lot of beauty staples in 2018, this lippy has knocked my socks off. Thank you elf, you wonderful cruelty-free stunner of a brand. 

Honourable Mentions:

The Balm Alternative Rock Vol 1 Palette 

Morphe Happy Hour Palette 

fashion - doc martens 

If you had asked 16-year-old Ellie if she thought her most expensive fashion purchase at 18/19-years-old would be a pair of Doc Martens, she'd probably have laughed in your face. Alas, here we are today, with me addicted to a pair of my very own Docs. I bit the bullet in February time when the snow in Southampton was horrendous and I didn't have a pair of shoes that wouldn't stop me slipping everywhere and breaking my foot at uni a second time. Since then, I've worn them with pretty much everything. I didn't think such a bulky boot would be so versatile! My favourite way to style them is with dresses (this Boohoo jumper dress is a perfect example) and mini skirts just to give the outfit a bit of edge. And even though I've worn them solidly for almost a year, they still look nearly as good as new. They did take a little while to break in, but these boots have well and truly stolen my heart. 

Honourable Mentions: 

Nike Air Force 1 '07 LV8 in Pink/White 

Topshop High Waisted Denim Skirt in Black 

tv - Friends

2018 bought me so many amazing TV shows - The Sinner, James Acaster: Repertoire, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, American Horror Story: Cult - and I'm still head over heels in love with Brooklyn 99. And while the latter there probably still stands as my favourite TV show every year, 2018 gifted me Friends. Of course I'd heard of Friends before, and I'd seen the odd episode on Comedy Central a couple of times, but last year I properly sat down and watched it. I was hooked, and sat night after night until the final episode, which had me weeping for about half an hour. I definitely understand the hype now. It was just the perfect pick-me-up after a stressy day at uni, and had me properly laughing out loud, which only Brooklyn 99 and How I Met Your Mother have really achieved before. I absolutely love all of the characters too, and it was gutting to let them go, but I know I can always stick on an episode when I need one of Phoebe's hilarious one liners, or a hit of Chandler sarcasm. 

film - Bohemian Rhapsody 

I told mum that Bohemian Rhapsody was hands-down my favourite film of the year, and she was shocked it wasn't the Fantastic Beasts sequel 'The Crimes of Grindelwald'. And while I am the biggest Harry Potter fan going and I did really enjoy the film (apart from the ending???? what????), Bohemian Rhapsody was something quite special. I definitely didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I've been a bit of a Queen fan for a while, and by 'fan' I mean I know all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody and could name about 7 other songs, but the film completely changed my point of view. Not only is it a beautifully told story with outstanding cinematography and attention to detail, Rami Malek put on the most incredible performance - I don't think I've been so wowed by an actor before. The intertwining of different story lines that seemed to culminate and inform the Live Aid scene (which knocks the ending of TCOG out. of. the. park) was just so great to see. It was simply an incredible film and I can't wait for the DVD to be released so I can watch it over and over and annoy all my house mates by singing the soundtrack at the top of my voice :) 

Honourable Mentions: 

Avengers Infinity War 

The Hate U Give 

Love, Simon 

moment/experience - the Harry Potter studio tour 

Like all years, 2018 had it's challenges, but it also gave me some of the best and most memorable experiences. For example: a trip to Paris, crying on three separate occasions while seeing Florence and the Machine live, the loveliest, most relaxing holiday in Lanzarote. One experience stands out to me amongst the rest, however: my birthday trip to the Harry Potter studio tour. Go ahead, call it childish - but having wanted to visit the studio tour for ever, and like I've already mentioned, I'm the biggest Harry Potter fan going, this was like a dream come true. I have seen the films millions of times over, so getting to walk around sets and see props I was so familiar with and had already loved for years, while getting a clearer idea on how my favourite franchise of all time was created, was all a little bit tear-jerking. I did a whole post about the day here, which also explains my weird, obsessive love for Harry Potter - I said in that post that it was sure to be a highlight of 2018; I think the only thing that could have beaten it was being cast in the next Fantastic Beasts film (I'm free if you wanna hmu JK). 

2018, you saw me in so many different states - from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. But thank you for the beautiful lipsticks, shoes, films, tv shows and the memories of a lifetime. 2019, be good to me now.