So here they are! I have a few to get through, so perhaps you may wanna get comfortable... grab a snack, or three as this might take a while ;)
Eyes: Eyeshadow
Absolutely without a doubt my most used eyeshadow palettes of the year. Both have slight similarities with shades, but were able to provide enough versatility to transform any look from day to night. Mixing and matching the palettes were fun, and I have hardly touched any other eyeshadow palettes all year, which must be saying something.
Face: Powders
By far these four face products win hands down. I tend to reach for these 90% of the time for daily usage, so it's no wonder these made it into my beauty favourites of the year.
The Blush from theBalm has such a silky texture and a peachy/coral colour reminiscent of NARS Blush in Orgasm and Peachy Keen by MAC. Love that I can use this as bronzer for days I don't feel like "blushing" it up, and adds the right amount of shimmer for that added glow ;) The NARS Blush Duo is amazing as a highlight for my brow bone, and the high points of my cheeks. The texture is not too chalky, although has a little bit more shimmer than I expected. The Diorskin Pressed Powder feels like i'm applying velvet to my face! It's effortlessly luxurious, and doesn't add a layer of cakiness that some powders do. And of course, the regular feature on my YouTube videos, YSL Bronzing Powder - favourite for contouring, and in just the right shade for my skin tone. This has been my go to bronzer for its spot on pigmentation, minus the chalkiness.
From top left: theBalm blush in Hot Mama! NARS Blush Duo in Hungry Heart, Diorskin Forever Pressed Powder in 001 - Transparent Light, and YSL Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder in #3 Golden Sand.
Face: Liquid/Cream
For the most part of the year, these were my most reached for, and most used foundation, concealer, liquid highlighter, and illuminator.
The NARS illumnator in orgasm was a huge favourite for dewy and glowy skin, whilst the MUA Foundation provided just the right amount of coverage. Erase Paste by Benefit did a superb job at concealing my blemishes and hideous dark circles, while the Brightening Pen by Laura Mercier added just enough illuminosity on my cheek bones without the cakiness.
From left to right: NARS Illuminator in Orgasm, Makeup Forever Liquid Lift Foundation in #3 Light Beige, Erase Paste by Benefit Concealer in Medium, and Laura Mercier Secret Brightner in #2.
This is in fact one of the newer products I purchased (as little as 3 months ago), and has definitely made its way into the top of my most reached for products list. It is the Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream in Light - Medium, and I will be doing a review on this and what CC Creams are in the coming days. For now, all I will say is that this a step up from the BB Cream phenomenon and provides a lot more moisturizing properties, and a bit more coverage than your average BB Cream or Tinted Moisturizer.
It's been the perfect alternative to foundation this summer, and adds the right amount of tint and glow to my complexion. Have been rocking it on its own when the weather's been too generous with its Sunshine, or for a bit more of a glow, added underneath foundation. Just lovin' this for the warm weather!
Saving the best til last, I am overly impressed with this foundation from Mehron, Celebre HD Pro Cream Makeup in Eurasia Japanaise/EJ. I don't typically use cream foundation, as I have experienced flakiness in the past from using them that it freaks me out when I think about it, but after glowing reviews from a fellow Aussie YouTuber who uses this as her everyday foundation, and have seen the impressive results for myself, I just had to get my hands on one of these. Along with the Olay CC Cream, this is a newer purchase (as recent as 3 months ago), and has made its way into being one of my all time favourite foundations to use. Application is so smooth and easy to blend, and all you need for coverage is just a tiny amount (don't make the mistake of swirling your brush in there like I did, unless you literally want to look like a pancake - just dab). I use my Sigma F80 Stippling Brush to apply this, and sometimes wear this over the Olay CC Cream (which compliment each other so well).
Eyes and Lips
Literally don't think I have reached a whole lot for any other eye and lip product more than these. This year I experimented more with winged liner, and used the Master Precise Liquid Liner by Maybelline to achieve that. With Mascara, I love them voluminous and lengthy, so I paired the Givenchy Mascara which adds length, to my most beloved of the Mascara family - One by One by Maybelline, which adds the thickness that I love. For the lips, hands down were the Revlon Lip Butters - although not the best for moisturizing, nor are long lasting, they were a great and convenient product that were somewhere between a lipstick and lip gloss with a touch of lip staining properties thrown in for good measure, and could allow my fickle mind to interchange between lip colours throughout the day without hassle.
Skin
I have extremely dry skin, no matter what season or climate, so it's important for me to moisturize my skin constantly to stay on top of the flakiness, and these 3 products have helped more than any other. The AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer has been a must have for day and night, and rubs in easily. Doesn't feel like i'm wearing a layer of film like some moisturizers can tend to do, as my skin just drinks this stuff up. It's super light, and works so well that I don't feel like trying anything else on my face!
The last two are essentials every girl should have in their beauty cabinet. Both are versatile and relatively affordable, and I use these on a regular basis to aid on the hydration of dry skin. I lather on the baby oil on my body, legs and arms every night after showering, and it leaves my skin with the baby smooth texture for at least 24 hours. Vaseline is a must for my chapped lips, and normally apply it before lipstick or gloss, and at night before going to bed. It's super moisturizing, and can help remove the flakiness that builds up over night.
Left to right: AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer for very dry skin, Johnson's Baby Oil, and Vaseline.
Phew! There we have it, my beauty favourites of the year! Notably, hair and perfume products were not included, as there weren't any in either category that stood out for me enough. I switch up my hair and perfume products all the time, so I didn't deem it necessary to make an inclusion. But maybe next year :p
As much as I am looking forward to trying out new products next year, I have to make a conscious effort of keeping my promise to myself to limit my makeup spending on only the things I need! Let's see how that goes ;)
HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!!!
