Hey all! So as my first post on this blog, I thought I would post about some of my favorite beauty products this past year! It's been a year of discoveries for me as far as products go. I reeeally expanded my makeup collection (and damaged my wallet in the process), but I think I've made some good purchases this year and hopefully keep making some more in the upcoming year!
Favorite Moisturizer -- I've been using the Aveeno Smart Essentials Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. It smells amazing, softens my skin, feels very light on the skin, isn't as greasy as their other facial moisturizers, and has antioxidants. Plus, I haven't gotten any brown spots since I've switched to this product. So clearly, it's doing its job! For my nighttime moisturizer, I use the Aveeno Smart Essentials Nighttime Moisturizer. Super hydrating and not greasy at all.
Favorite Primer -- I don't really use facial primer, but as far as my favorite eyeshadow primer goes, I'd have to say the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It's a cult favorite for a good reason! I have oily eyelids and shadows don't really tend to stick on me, but this primer makes sure that my eyeshadow lasts throughout most of the day and doesn't crease through important meetings and stuff.
Favorite Concealer -- BareMinerals Correcting Concealer in Tan 2. I like this because it has really good coverage, good ingredients, matches my winter skin tone pretty closely, has SPF 20, and is a 'correcting' product (I have the nice feeling that it's actually doing something useful; whether or not that is actually the case has yet to be determined...). For a heavier or more precise coverage concealer, I like the Milani Secret Cover Concealer Stick in Medium.
Favorite Highlight -- I'm not a huge fan of highlighting powders, but if I had to pick one I'd say Benefit Watt's Up is pretty good. I also like to use a shimmery medium-color bronzer like Tarte Mineral Bronzer in Park Ave Princess as a subtle golden highlight.
Favorite Blush -- I loveeee the BareMinerals Ready Blushes! First off, they're not the most pigmented blushes out there. But for someone who has a heavy hand like me no matter how hard I try to be gentle, these blushes are great because they go on sheer and you can build the color if you wish. However, I mainly love them because they have mineral ingredients and aren't full of parabens and other nasty chemicals. For me, there's nothing worse than putting on a product that's going to sit on my face the whole day and have the feeling that it's clogging my pores. I absolutely love BM skin products because they feel so light on your skin and have never once broken me out (yet). I hope BM comes out with more blush colors in the future, but for now they have most of the traditional blush colors available. My favorite would have to the be The Aphrodisiac, which is similar in color to the NARS Orgasm. It adds a really nice refreshing glow to my face, both in the summer and winter.
Favorite Bronzer -- Tarte Mineral Bronzer in Park Ave Princess. Apparently there are two formulations to this product? I like the shimmery one because it adds a super pretty glow without being too obnoxious. To be honest, I sometimes even use this as a highlighter or swipe some under my blush since it's close to my skin tone (a shade or two lighter). It adds the most beautiful glow on my skin and it looks I'm so relaxed and well rested. After a late night of studying, that's exaaactly what the doctor ordered!!
Favorite Lipgloss -- I was dreading this category because lipglosses are my favorite. Ahh, but if I HAD to pick one, I'd choose the Benefit Ultra Plush Lipglosses. As a heads up, these lipglosses aren't very pigmented at all. BUTT these are the most hydrating lip glosses ever, which is exactly my cup of tea since I have super dry, scaly, chapped lips 90% of the time. I normally pair these glosses with a heavier eye look or if I'm going for a more natural look. They're also excellent for swiping on or throwing in my bag on rushed mornings since they're one of those products you can put on without looking in the mirror. And it doesn't hurt that they smell and taste like peaches. My favorite colors would have to be Hoola, Coralista, and Bella Bamba.
Favorite Lipstick -- I'm not the biggest lipstick fan to be honest since most of them dry my poor chapped lips out. I do like the L'oreal Colour Riche Lipsticks however, especially the shade Spiced Cider. They're more moisturizing than other lipsticks I've tried and come in a wide range of colors. The packaging is also veeerryy attractive...
Favorite Lip Balm -- For uncolored lipbalm, I love love love the Nivea Kiss of Olive Oil and Lemon balm. In general, most of Nivea's non-tinted lip balms are very hydrating, but I like this one in particular because it has a light, refreshing smell. Trust me, I've tried nearly every lip balm out there, and this is hands down the most moisturizing lip balm and is perrrrfect for the winter season. As far as tinted lipbalms go, I'd have to say that the Revlon Lip Butters are my favorite. I never thought a super pigmented product like this could be so hydrating!! They also come in so many shades so it's perfect all year long. I'd say these are my most used products since you can apply these without even looking in the mirror, which is how I usually apply my lip products haha. My favorite colors are Pink Truffle (THE most perfect MLBB shade I have ever tried) and Sugar Frosting.
Favorite Eyeshadow -- Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Fuller Fudge. While my love for makeup began with eyeshadows, I'm sad to say that I've barely had time to do any type of eye makeup since school began. I usually have a max of 10 minutes to put on my makeup (no matter how early I wake up, this always happens) and most of it goes towards my face makeup, leaving nearly no time to put on eye primer, get out my powder shadows, put a base color, crease color, highlight, etc etc etc etc. Luckily, I have found the most perfect eyeshadow product for superduper rushed, busy girls like me! These chubby eye pencils don't require primer, come in many shades, take a max of 30 seconds to swipe across the lid, and last the ENTIRE day. Yes, without any primer. On my oily lids. Fuller Fudge is my favorite because it's a sparkly bronze so its a neutral yet brightening shade for medium-toned girls like me. And if I have more time, I can put another shade in my crease to create a quick smokey look. I love these sticks sooo much that I will probabbblyy end up getting all the colors by the end of medical school...just sayin'!
Favorite Eyeliner -- Nyx Retractable Eyeliner in Deep Purple. Their Jumbo Eye Pencils also make good eyeliners.
Favorite Mascara -- So hard to choose! CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume (orange packaging) gives the best volume though. It has a really nice, fat brush and clumps very little.
Favorite Face Brush -- I've been really loving my ELF Bronzing Brush for blush application. It's angled and does a nice job of targeting the area I want to concentrate my blush.
Favorite Eye Brush -- Don't really have one in particular, but I've fallen in love with the ELF eye Brushes! I've bought probably all of them this year and all of them are great quality brushes for only $1! Haven't had an issue at all with bristles falling out, application, etc.
Favorite Nail Polish -- I've been really impressed by the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Glosses this year. I love the brush! It applies color so smoothly and evenly. Much better than the higher nailpolish brands. The polishes apply very opaque and I only need two coats. Better yet, I don't even need a topcoat afterwards and the polish doesn't chip for a good 3-4 days (that's wayyyy long for me...my nailcolor usually chips in 2 days even with OPI or Essie). I'm hoping this is part of the permanent collection because I will definitely be buying more shades this upcoming season! Colorwise though, my favorite nail shade has been Sally Hansen Cinna-Snap.
Favorite Perfume -- Not really a perfume, but I discovered PINK Fresh & Clean Body Spray this year after looking for a light, refreshing smell to wear around the wards since we're not really allowed to wear heavy perfumes. Omg...this spray is so so so so soooo good! It's a perfect blend of fruity and floral, and makes me smell so fresh in the morning! I will say that the smell doesn't linger more than 1-2 hours, which is the only downside. However, I'll probably still continue buying this body spray because it is such a light, but noticeable scent and feels so clean and refreshing in the morning.
Favorite Drug Store Brand -- Revlon Revlon Revlon! No competition at all, I've absolutely loved all of their recent products this year. Their lip butters, lip stains, lip balm stains, mascara, creamy eye shadows have ALL been amazing. Plus, they've released some new products I cannot wait to try this spring (umm hello, scented nailpolish!?!?! matte lip balms?!!? glossy lip balms?!) Their products are just so amazing for the drugstore in terms of quality, longevity, innovation, and color selection.
Favorite High End Brand -- This is nearly impossible to pick because I like different brands for different things. I've probably been most interested in Tarte though because (of course) of their absolutely adorable packaging, natural ingredients, color range, and quality. I recently purchased one of their holiday gift sets and I'm hooked on their blushes, cheek tints, and lip products. And then of course are their infamous lip tints and lip stains....Be prepared, wallet!!
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