Before we get to far into 2016, I want to share my favourite products from 2015. It took me a long time to figure out what to share in this post (and the next few as well), because I discovered so many great products last year. Rather than just regurgitating my monthly favourites in this post, I decided to share the products that I used consistently throughout the year, regardless of the season. Obviously some were used more often in the summer or the fall, but for the most part, these products top everything else that I used.
Clarins, Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector (in 01 Rose Shimmer). This lip gloss gets a lot of hype, but I believe it’s well deserved. I always have this in my purse for days when I’m wearing no makeup, minimal makeup, and even on days when I’m wearing a lot. It smells amazing, it’s never sticky or goopy and it gives the perfect amount of colour and shine to my lips. It’s also great for topping up a lipstick, or for adding some shine after my lipstick has faded and I don’t want to reapply. There are new colours being released soon, and I can’t wait to try them out!
Essie, Bikini So Teeny. This beautiful periwinkle shade with a hint of shimmer was my favourite for most of the warmer months. It went with nearly every look, and just made me happy. You can read my full review of this shade here.
Tarte, Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette. This was the year that I really fell in love with matte eyeshadows, and this palette is completely to blame. I use these for simple, every day looks, and for smoky eyes too. You can real my full review (with swatches) here.
Covergirl, Full Lash Bloom Mascara. I’ve replaced this mascara at least three times in the last year. In fact, I believe it’s the only mascara that I’ve actually repurchased all year. I love this mascara for days when I’m wearing very little makeup, since it gives a very natural look to my lashes adding some length and not much volume, and also for more dramatic looks, as it builds up very well giving me more length and volume without any clumping. If you love fluttery lashes, this is the mascara for you.
Formula X, Base Coat. I never thought I could love a base coat, and then I tried this one. Nothing has ever made my nail colour last as well, or kept my nails themselves so healthy despite painting them at least once a week. I’m not sure that anything can beat it.
Urban Decay, Naked Basics Palette. Another (mostly) matte palette that I loved this year. Both this one and the Naked2 Basics palette have been my every day staples. I love using the mid-tone shades (like Frisk or Naked2) for a little definition in the crease, the lightest shades (like Venus and Skimp) for a slight inner-corner highlight. I’m actually surprised I haven’t hit pan on any of the shades yet.
Essie, Penny Talk. I wore this shade every single season of the year. Whenever I couldn’t think of what to put on my nails, I always went for this shade. The rose gold hue is completely gorgeous, and the metallic sheen adds a little something extra to it. Plus, it goes on completely opaque in one coat, so it was perfect for days when I needed something quick.
Revlon, ColorBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake. This light pink was my favourite all spring and summer, so much so that I nearly finished it off. I didn’t wear it much in the fall, so I still have a tiny bit left in the bullet, but I imagine it will be in an empties post very soon. This lip butter is extremely moisturizing, but doesn’t slip off my lips and gives the prettiest hint of pink to my lips.
Maybelline, Fit Me Concealer. I’ve tried some great concealers this year, like the Clarins Instant Concealer and the Instant Age-Rewind Concealer from Maybelline, but nothing tops this concealer. It’s creamy, it blends well, and it has great coverage. I’m nearly finished my second tube, and I already have a backup waiting.
Urban Decay, All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. Another product that everyone raves about, but the hype is completely deserved. Whenever I need my makeup to last all day, or when I went overboard with the powder and need to take it down a notch, this is my fix. Even though it’s meant to keep my makeup on my face all night, it never dries my skin out. I also love that the mist is so fine, so it doesn’t feel like I’m just spraying my face with a water bottle.
Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35 (in Fair). I’ve tried a lot of base products this past year, but my favourite was definitely this BB cream from Bobbi Brown. It has quite a decent coverage, but never made it look like I was wearing makeup. I also like the added bonus of a good amount of SPF, as I spent a good amount of time in the sun in the summer. Unfortunately, I only have this in my tanned shade, so I haven’t been able to use it recently. I think I will likely pick up the lightest shade in the next few months, as I don’t want to wait to be tan to use it again.
Benefit Cosmetics, Gimme Brow (in Light/Medium). When I originally tried this product, I didn’t think it was for me. And then I realized that I had tried a shade too dark and decided to give it another go. I’m so glad I did try it again in the lighter shade, because this is the perfect brow product for me. I don’t have Cara Delevingne level brows (nor do I want them), but my brows are relatively full in the sense that I don’t really have any sparse areas. This tinted brow gel keeps my brows in place, gives them a bit of definition and the tiny fibres add a bit of fullness without being over the top.
The Body Shop, Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder. This was the bronzer that made me realize that I couldn’t live without bronzer. I still can’t believe I went so many years without wearing bronzer (though I also wasn’t wearing foundation either, so it’s understandable). This matte bronzer gives the perfect amount of colour without being over the top. It blends incredibly well, and always looks natural. I’ve hit major pan on this (I have 1/4 left), so expect to see it in an empties post soon.
FLOWER Beauty, Shine On Lip Gloss in Lovely Lotus. My favourite neutral lip gloss for days when I want something on my lips, but nothing that will take away from my eyes or when I can’t be bothered to put on lipstick. This shade works perfect for me since it is pink, but not full on pink, so it still works well as nude (at least on my very pigmented lips). This is another staple in my purse, and I try to never be without it.
SEPHORA COLLECTION, Cream Lip Stain. All year, these lip stains have been my go-to for the perfect long-lasting lip colour. My favourite shades are Strawberry Kiss (a pinky red) and Always Red (a deep red). I wrote a complete review earlier in the year, which you can read here. In short, they last through any meal, don’t dry out my lips and don’t flake at all.
Essie, Tuck It in My Tux. This creamy white shade has been my favourite nearly every month of the year, but I forget to talk about it all the time. I loved it in the summer on my toes, and in the winter it’s been perfect with a bit of glitter on the tips. It’s not too milky that it is streaky, but it’s not too opaque that it becomes what Caroline Hirons calls “momager white”.
Obviously, there are so many other products that I could add to this list, but these are the standouts, the ones that I keep going back to over and over. Be sure to come back tomorrow to find out what made the list for my favourite skin care, hair and body products!
Have you tried any of these? What makeup products are on your list of favourites from 2015?
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