Aaaaaand...we're back! I hope you guys had a relaxing break and lovely holiday period! I didn't intend to take such a long(ish) break but I ended up being super busy with work (yay retail) and spending time with family! It's about that time though for a big ol' round up of all of my favourite products of the past year! I hope y'all aren't too bored of seeing these posts! :P As always, I'm mentioning the products I loved last year, regardless of whether they're new or old! I tried not to go too overboard, but I also didn't overly limit myself. If you're a seasoned reader of mine, none of these will be a surprise (I don't think!)! Let's dive in!
FACE //
Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer
I didn't think I'd ever have a "holy grail" primer, but lo and behold, here it is. It's just such a great product! It helps my makeup last so much longer and partly control oil. It's not at all drying either, so it's amazing for all skin types!
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue in Ginger
I don't think I've spoken about this a whole lot on the blog, but I've been using it all year - trust me. It's my go-to for when I want very minimal makeup or a no-makeup look. It's a lightweight gel-creme tinted moisturiser type product with a natural, glowy finish. I'd say it has a light coverage - it evens out the skin tone and minimises redness, but won't cover imperfections. While it is somewhat hydrating, it doesn't go crazy oily on me which is great!
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream in Medium
I'm soo happy to finally have gotten this product last year! It is ahh-mazing and totally deserving of all the hype! It's rather thick and has a good medium-full coverage but doesn't feel cakey or heavy. It definitely has more of a BB cream feel and a natural, very glowy finish. So glowy - in fact - it's almost glossy which can be a bit much for my skin but I love it applied lightly and set with powder! I can imagine dry skins absolutely loving it though!
This also made an appearance in my 2015 favourites - it's just that good. This one, however, is in a lighter shade as I use it under my eyes. It has lovely coverage (not totally full), blends easily, doesn't crease and isn't cakey. Honestly the best concealer at the drugstore!
Loreal True Match Powder in W3
I picked this up while I was in the US - I'm pretty sure we have a version of it here but I'm not sure if it's the exact same formula. This one, though, is amazing! It is super soft and creamy to the touch, adds a teensy bit of extra coverage and sets the face without looking dry or cakey.
I didn't think I would fall into the hype of this one but it truly is great - there's a reason why it holds cult status! The formula is lovely - pigmented but not overly so and blends super easily. It is on the lighter side as far as bronzers go, but it gives me a natural bronzed look, while also adding dimension.
Kat Von D Shade and Light Contour Palette
While I haven't spoken much about this on my blog, I'm sure you all know it's a great product! I don't often go the whole hog with contouring, but when I'm going FULL GLAM (as they like to say), this is a must to make my (non-existent) cheekbones pop!
Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
I'm suuuch a sucker for a good peachy-pink blush and this one was my go-to for the year. A lovely light peachy-pink with a gorgeous golden sheen!
I don't often talk about my Makeup Geek products, but just know that they are impeccable quality and products I use all the time! Infatuation is an absolute go-to for me when I want a warm natural matte blush. It's a peachy-brown that is just so flattering and wearable!
I managed to get my hands on many a highlighter in 2016, but Champagne Pop was definitely the standout. It's still the most intense in my collection - a super sheeny, shiny peachy-gold shade that is so flattering on my skintone and goes with the typical warm-toned looks I'm constantly wearing!
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Again - a cult favourite that lives up to the hype! A quick spritz of this makes my makeup last a lot longer and help take down any powdery look.
Honourable Mentions: L'oreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating and MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle.
EYES //
Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige
My everyday go-to for when I can't be bothered to do a full eyeshadow look or I just want a minimal wash of colour! This dark, ashy beige is understated but looks surprisingly chic all over the lid for a one and done shadow.
While I got quite a few new eyeshadow palettes last year, most of them cropped up late in the year so I didn't think they really justified as my favourite for the year! Though it's not super exciting, the Ombre Nudes Palette was a constant throughout 2016. Filled with all the essential matte brown shades, it's the perfect accompaniment to any shimmery eyeshadow!
Speaking of shimmery eyeshadows - this one is an everyday fave! It's a subtle beige-gold shimmery shade that is super wearable and beautiful on the lid.
While I adore all of my MUG shadows, Grandstand is by far my favourite. It is the most beautiful warm, rosey-golden-bronze shade. Difficult to explain but a must-have!
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer
I'm pretty fussy when it comes to eyeliners. I only ever use black in my tightline so I absolutely need it to be long-lasting and non-transferring. This one fits the bill and is pigmented and creamy!
Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black*
Whenever I wanted to do a winged liner, this was my guy. I can't be bothered with liquid liner anymore - it's just too difficult when I know I can get a smooth, intense wing much more easily with gel! This one is really lovely - very creamy, pigmented and long lasting!
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black
I hadn't used a brow pencil in such a long time but I absolutely love the control I have when using this one. The nib is absolutely tiny, and the dry, light formula of the pencil means it's easy to apply and hard to go overboard! I can achieve both a natural look and a more defined, bold look! (Of course we all know on the daily I was using my Dolly Wink Brow Powder)
Honourable mentions: Morphe 350 Palette
LIPS //
Sephora Collection Oil Infusion in Peach Tea
Okay, so I literally don't think I've ever mentioned this on the blog? I just always seem to forget about it because it pretty much permanently lives in my handbag. I use this all the time, especially for work when I want an easy, very natural looking lip. It's essentially an oily lipgloss that is quite hydrating and very comfortable on the lips. It's very sheer but provides a nice peachy flush to the lips.
2016 was, like, the year of nood lips for me. I loved a lot and they were pretty much all a variation of Kinda Sexy: a warm, peachy nude with a hint of brown. This shade goes amazingly with both natural and bold makeup looks, and the MAC matte formula is a stunner.
Essence Lipstick in Come Naturally
If I'm not in a peachy-nude mood, then I'm polar opposite and going for the cool-toned greiges! I was really feeling the purples last year, and still am. It seems, the cooler, the better! This was the OG for me though. Come Naturally is a cool-toned, grey-mauve shade that is actually quite wearable. The formula isn't completely opaque and has a little sheen to it, so it's really comfortable. Plus it's cheap as chips - what's not to love?
2016 was also the year I really grew my liquid lipstick collection. I'm still not 100% sure I have a favourite formula, but I do really like the Stila one! Patina is the typical mauve shade that I got a lot of wear out of. Caramello though I absolutely loved for mixing with other products. On its own it's a little pale for me, but this beige shade helps nude out other lipsticks to create some quite unique colours!
While this is a gorgeous terracotta shade on it's own, I particularly loved it mixed with Caramello. It created such a beautiful warm, rusty nude! I'd probably say I prefer the KVD formula to Stila but honestly they're both pretty good!
Honourable mentions: L'oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss in Bare Attraction, Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Clay Crush, Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate in My Nude* and Lancome Juicy Shaker in Freedom of Peach.
MISC //
Sally Hansen Complete Care 7-in-1 Nail Treatment*
I honestly wasn't expecting my from this but it has become a staple in my nail routine! I use this as a base and top coat and my manicure lasts so well! I can often get over a week with minimal chipping which is impressive. Not sure if it's helped my nail health, but it makes a dang good base/top coat!
Elizabeth & James Nirvana White
This has been my favourite fragrance of the year. I don't wear it everyday, but definitely for nights out and special occasions. It's quite sultry, musky, slightly floral but with a unique twist?
So there we have my full beauty round-up for the year of 2016! Thanks for sticking around! I cooould do one of these for skincare if you guys would like to see it? Honestly though, if you refer to my skincare routine posts for last year, it's basically those! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed reading, and let me know what you loved last year!
S H O P T H E P O S T >>
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