At the end of the year it is a great time to pause and take stock of the best products I went back to again and again this year. I did the same things last year and a lot of those are still my everyday favourites but I tried to pick new products for this year. Here are the products that made the cut this year.
Zoeva Rose Golden Brush Set $118.20
This may just be one of the best things I bought all year! I had always heard amazing things about Zoeva and when I went to the Pacific Fair Sephora opening, I just had to see what all the hype was about. I really love these brushes and I use all but the angled liner brush, which I'm not a fan of, on a daily basis. They are such incredible quality for the price and I think everyone needs this brush set in their life. Plus, that rose gold! Head over here to read my full review.
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50+ Superscreen $40
I have sung so many praises of this sunscreen all year! For the longest time I knew I should be wearing a daily SPF but I could never find a formula I actually liked to wear and that worked well under makeup. This Mecca one is absolutely incredible and everything I ever wanted. It works so well under makeup and is even moisturising so I use it as my makeup primer on a daily basis. I think it is easily one of the best sunscreen formulas in existence and it is really quite affordable when compared to much higher end ones that aren't even as good. You need it!
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 01 Highlight $45
I never thought I would find a highlighter that I loved as much as the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Powder in Moonstone, but I did! This Laura Mercier Matte (not matte!) Radiance Baked Powder is the most beautiful everyday highlighter. Where the Becca highlight is pigmented and pah-pow!, the Laura Mercier one is subtle and insanely flattering on the skin. I still use the Becca one when I want a really intense highlight, but this one from Laura Mercier is my everyday go to. For my full review with swatches, head over here.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye $38
I was actually really surprised with this one when I first used it because it is a very thick formula. I thought it would crease or be awful but turns out it is amazing! It is thick and pigmented but it blends so well into the skin. I love it! It stays put all day and really hides my horrible dark under eye area. The lightest shade is also so light and suits me perfectly.
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Brown $9.95
I'm not really an eyeliner girl but this is the only one I wear on a regular basis. I love wearing it smudged into my lash line and in my upper water line. It is also a lot less intense for an everyday eye look which I love. For my full review with pictures of how it looks on the eyes, head over to my full review.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat $13.39
I don't know why I haven't been using quick dry top coats for years! You know when you do a full mani and think that it is dry, only to dent it on something. It makes me so cranky I want to peg my nail polish at the wall! This top coat reduces that so much and now I can do my whole manicure and go back to doing stuff all in about an hour. I still have to baby my nails for the first 2 hours or so but this top coat makes everything set so much faster. I am already on my second bottle.
MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup $36
Aside from my Chanel 'Edith' lipstick that I featured in last year's favourites, this is the one I wear most regularly. It is easy to see why it is a cult favourite shade in the MAC range. It is the prettiest cremesheen light baby pink that looks so pretty on the lips. Basically, it is the most perfect light cool pink everyday shade and I've seen it look gorgeous on so many different skin tones.
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush 72 Rose Initial $73
I know this one is incredibly expensive but it is definitely my all time favourite blush. I use it all the time and I have barely made a dent in it! It is definitely an investment if you are really into blush and Rose Initial is the prettiest warm pink shade. Basically, it is perfect. To read my full review and see swatches, head over here.
Maybelline Master Fix By Face Studio Wear-Boosting Setting Spray $15.95
For the longest time I thought nothing could match the Skinidinavia or Urban Decay setting sprays but for me, this one is just as good! It is so cheap too! I tested it out by wearing the the Maybelline one on one side of my face and the Urban Decay All Nighter on the other and at the end of the day, they were the same. I am not even tempted to go out and spend almost $50 on a setting spray anymore when I can pick this amazing one up for less than ten bucks on sale.
Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème in 216 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang $43
This is definitely my new favourite lipstick formula discovery of the year. I usually don't like matte lipsticks because they can be uncomfortable and cling to every little dry patch and line in the lips. This one is so unique though! Its a hybrid that feels so smooth and beautiful on the lips and it dries down a bit when it sets but it never becomes uncomfortable. It also lasts really well and fades evenly to leave a stain instead of a flaky mess like a lot of other matte lipsticks. If you are into mattes or dislike other formulas, you need to try this one out.
So there you have my top picks of 2016. I made some amazing new discoveries this year and I love them all! Please let me know your picks of the year because I would love to hear what you have been loving.
Zoeva Rose Golden Brush Set $118.20
This may just be one of the best things I bought all year! I had always heard amazing things about Zoeva and when I went to the Pacific Fair Sephora opening, I just had to see what all the hype was about. I really love these brushes and I use all but the angled liner brush, which I'm not a fan of, on a daily basis. They are such incredible quality for the price and I think everyone needs this brush set in their life. Plus, that rose gold! Head over here to read my full review.
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50+ Superscreen $40
I have sung so many praises of this sunscreen all year! For the longest time I knew I should be wearing a daily SPF but I could never find a formula I actually liked to wear and that worked well under makeup. This Mecca one is absolutely incredible and everything I ever wanted. It works so well under makeup and is even moisturising so I use it as my makeup primer on a daily basis. I think it is easily one of the best sunscreen formulas in existence and it is really quite affordable when compared to much higher end ones that aren't even as good. You need it!
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 01 Highlight $45
I never thought I would find a highlighter that I loved as much as the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Powder in Moonstone, but I did! This Laura Mercier Matte (not matte!) Radiance Baked Powder is the most beautiful everyday highlighter. Where the Becca highlight is pigmented and pah-pow!, the Laura Mercier one is subtle and insanely flattering on the skin. I still use the Becca one when I want a really intense highlight, but this one from Laura Mercier is my everyday go to. For my full review with swatches, head over here.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye $38
I was actually really surprised with this one when I first used it because it is a very thick formula. I thought it would crease or be awful but turns out it is amazing! It is thick and pigmented but it blends so well into the skin. I love it! It stays put all day and really hides my horrible dark under eye area. The lightest shade is also so light and suits me perfectly.
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Brown $9.95
I'm not really an eyeliner girl but this is the only one I wear on a regular basis. I love wearing it smudged into my lash line and in my upper water line. It is also a lot less intense for an everyday eye look which I love. For my full review with pictures of how it looks on the eyes, head over to my full review.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat $13.39
I don't know why I haven't been using quick dry top coats for years! You know when you do a full mani and think that it is dry, only to dent it on something. It makes me so cranky I want to peg my nail polish at the wall! This top coat reduces that so much and now I can do my whole manicure and go back to doing stuff all in about an hour. I still have to baby my nails for the first 2 hours or so but this top coat makes everything set so much faster. I am already on my second bottle.
MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup $36
Aside from my Chanel 'Edith' lipstick that I featured in last year's favourites, this is the one I wear most regularly. It is easy to see why it is a cult favourite shade in the MAC range. It is the prettiest cremesheen light baby pink that looks so pretty on the lips. Basically, it is the most perfect light cool pink everyday shade and I've seen it look gorgeous on so many different skin tones.
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush 72 Rose Initial $73
I know this one is incredibly expensive but it is definitely my all time favourite blush. I use it all the time and I have barely made a dent in it! It is definitely an investment if you are really into blush and Rose Initial is the prettiest warm pink shade. Basically, it is perfect. To read my full review and see swatches, head over here.
Maybelline Master Fix By Face Studio Wear-Boosting Setting Spray $15.95
For the longest time I thought nothing could match the Skinidinavia or Urban Decay setting sprays but for me, this one is just as good! It is so cheap too! I tested it out by wearing the the Maybelline one on one side of my face and the Urban Decay All Nighter on the other and at the end of the day, they were the same. I am not even tempted to go out and spend almost $50 on a setting spray anymore when I can pick this amazing one up for less than ten bucks on sale.
Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème in 216 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang $43
This is definitely my new favourite lipstick formula discovery of the year. I usually don't like matte lipsticks because they can be uncomfortable and cling to every little dry patch and line in the lips. This one is so unique though! Its a hybrid that feels so smooth and beautiful on the lips and it dries down a bit when it sets but it never becomes uncomfortable. It also lasts really well and fades evenly to leave a stain instead of a flaky mess like a lot of other matte lipsticks. If you are into mattes or dislike other formulas, you need to try this one out.
So there you have my top picks of 2016. I made some amazing new discoveries this year and I love them all! Please let me know your picks of the year because I would love to hear what you have been loving.
I have personally been wanting to buy the Mac lipstick in cream cup but not entirely sure how it will look on my skin tone. The store in my area does not allow skin swatch tests prior to purchase.
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