Hi all, this post means the year has officially wrapped up (or is wrapping up depending on your time zone/reading time..) that being said, this post is dedicated to my favourite products of 2012, which include some of my favourite products of all time. Instead of doing multiple posts and clogging up your feed I'm just going to do them in one. They'll be sorted as; FACE, EYES, LIPS, SKIN. On we go!
FACE
Foundation: Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation (46$ - Sephora)
Being honest, I haven't tried many foundations, but I've tried enough to know what I like. This one has great coverage, and it's the furthest from cakey which is ideally what I like. This foundation is also notorious for going with several skin tones. They have quite a few colours, but one of my friends (who does makeup artistry on the sides -- like for a CHANEL runway show!!) says when she does jobs they use this and only need to take 3 or so because they go so easily!
Concealer: Sephora Collection Smoothing & Brightening Concealer (19$ - Sephora)
I love this concealer mainly because of the tip of it, but also the brightening factor. I use it after foundation and before powder and it's incredible! Also it lasts such a long time.
Powder: MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NW20 (29$ - Mac)
I have been using this powder for YEARS and have no complaints. Depending on what you use to apply it with depends on the amount of coverage. If I'm wearing foundation I just like a light dusting of it. It's a great setting powder, translucent and very silky. Provides light coverage too, if needed.
Highlighter: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade (34$ - Mac)
* this one is limited edition, and I couldn't find it online, but I did see it in stores suuuuper recently
I'm currently obsessed with this one! The MSF's are one of MAC's best products in my opinion, I can't justify spending the money on the Natural ones, so I've gone crazy on the highlighter/blushers instead ;) I love this one because it's a very light, cool toned highlighter which is different from everything else I own.
EYES
Mascara: Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara in Black (25$ - Sephora)
I lovelovelove this mascara, I can't rave about it enough, it's probably one of my all-time favourites! The bristles grab all of my lashes and it makes them look thicker and longer and curled which I adore. I'm obsessed with this. I love my lashes to look dramatic and full, and this does the trick!
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked2 Palette (60$ - Sephora)
I always thought these palettes were overhyped, and prior to buying one I never used much shadows. I'm normally one for just eyeliner and mascara, as I like my lashes to look dramatic. But once trying this I started with the matte shadows, then ended up gradually subconsciously using all of them. I adore this palette now, and I don't know what I'd do without it!
Side note: I use powder as eyeliner, because I am absolutely terrible at applying liquid eyeliner for some reason, and I've yet to find an eye liner stick I like, so prior to this I used MAC's Carbon with an angled brush, but since this includes a black I'm now using blackout as my eyeliner :)
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original (24$ - Sephora)
I started by trying a sample of this, and now I'm ready for purchase (once the very generous sample is used up). I never really thought I'd need a primer, and with other primers I've never seen much of a difference. But this primer helps my shadows withstand my shadows even after a long shift of work; impressive! I'm currently using the original, but they do have a range of nude colours as well.
LIPS
Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick (19$ - Sephora)
I received one of these lipsticks in a gift set, which I'll be reviewing shortly, and I fell in love with this one in particular so I ended up picking it up in another colour. The colour I received in the gift set in pink-a-boo, it's a pink with a bit of gold shimmer, it's so cute. Then I went out and bought raspberry rush, which is a dark pink/red with a bit of gold shimmer to it too. I love these lipsticks because they are glossy, but not sticky at all, very pigmented and super moisturizing. I'd recommend these to anyone, I'm obsessed! *colour pictured, not actual colour I own
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Balm (19$ - Sephora)
As you might be able to notice, I'm loving Clinique's lip products. Prior I only knew them for their skin care range, but I'm now turning to them for lip products. This one is very pigmented, very moisturizing and very long lasting. It also leaves a bit of a stain too. It has the moisture of chapstick or a balm, and the colour/pigment of lipstick. They have a gorgeous selection of colours, I ended up purchasing "Pudgy Peony" just for the sake of my obsession with all things peonies heheheheh. It's a bright dark pink and reminds me a lot of fruit punch!
MAC Lipsticks (18$ - MAC)
MAC lipsticks will always be la creme de la creme for me. They are my absolute favourite lipsticks in existence. Frankly if I could afford to, I would own the entire range. My favourite finishes are 'Amplified Creme' and sometimes 'Lustre' I don't like the frost or glaze finishes for the life of me, however. I like them to be creamy, and matte. I love how MAC lipsticks smell like vanilla :) an added bonus. I figured I'd just share some recent colours I've been wearing from MAC!
Colours: Girl About Town, Rebel, Blankety, Angel, Brave Red, Chatterbox
* not actual shades pictured
Rimmel/Kate Moss Lipsticks (5.99$ - Drugstores)
I seldom buy drugstore makeup, to be completely honest. Not because I'm a brand sob or anything, I just get really frustrated when I try to shop at drugstores? I don't know.. However when I do, Rimmel is a brand I go to. Majority of the drug store brand items I have are Rimmel. So when I heard they came out with a range of lipsticks with Kate Moss I had to check them out. The quality is nothing compared to my precious MAC lipsticks, but if you factor in the whole 'you get what you pay for' thing, then I think these are fab. I own them in two colours so far, and I'm definitely impressed with them. They're super pigmented and creamy, which I quite like, however they lack in longevity. But for the price, can't complain.
SKIN
LUSH Ocean Salt (21.95-34.95 - LUSH)
I've been using this off and on for several months now (I'm currently off because I've run out and have to travel a bit to get to a LUSH store because I'm too cheap to spend on shipping WHOOPS) but after using it I've noticed a significant change in my skin. This is one of those products I get excited to use. The scent is so invigorating, and it's so textured it's wonderful! It's a sea salt based scrub, so it isn't something I can use everyday, but that works out better because then it lasts longer haha!
LUSH Cosmetic Lad Moisturizer (23.95$ - LUSH)
I was in LUSH one day, picking up my usual stuff, and they were fresh out of my trusted moisturizer.. dun dun dun! SO, the kind associate there recommended this one to me. I use it as my night time moisturizer, I've had it for months now and I've barely cracked a dent in it. A little really goes a long way with this one. It's super moisturizing, but it isn't overly greasy which I like, and it smells like creamsicles! It's supposed to soften facial hair as well, which isn't a bad thing!
Neutrogena Morning Glow Moisturizer (5-10$ - Drugstores)
This is my trusted morning moisturizer - I've been using it for years and don't intend on switching it. I use two pumps every morning and it keeps my skin fresh and glowing, without any greasy or oily residue. I lovelovelove it. I'm not sure on the exact price, as I'm sure it varies where you get it.
Lancome Tonique Radiance (Toner) (35$ - Sephora)
This is another product I've been using for years and loving. It lasts quite a long time as well for me, again, a little goes a long way. I use it only at night time after taking off my makeup and cleansing, just to get every last bit off my face before bed. It does the toner trick without drying out my skin which I love.
Okay, so this was a super long post, if you're still reading, hats off to you! I'm still in dire need of a good cleanser, so that is one of my beauty missions for 2013! I'd love to see your favourite products as well, so if you've done anything of the sort, shoot me a link :) these are always my favourite posts! x
xLB
