F O L L O W M E
Another year gone means another favorites post where I share all of the beauty products that have really made an impact in my beauty routine this year. Some items may be new launches in 2016 while others are simply new to me. Either way, here are a few of this years game-changers that made my beauty regime that much more exciting!
I'll be starting with skincare. It's no secret that I've been obsessing over the Derma E Purifying range, so I'm sure most of you aren't surprised to see it mentioned here. My favorite two products are the Purifying Daily Detox Scrub and the Purifying Gel Cleanser.
These two bad boys mean business! The activated charcoal and marine algae work together to remove impurities and help speed up the healing process if you have any breakouts. It's very gentle, vegan, and cruelty-free, so not only is it good for you, but you also feel good about using it from an ethical standpoint as well.
If you'd like to learn more about the brand and which products of theirs I'd recommend, check out my Derma E + Top 5 Products blog post.
Next up is a relatively new product to me, but I've fallen hard for it. Thayer's Witchhazel with aloe vera astringent has been a godsend in my routine. Not only does it gently cleanse deeper post face wash, but it also balances my skin. Though I have an oily skin type, it can still get pretty dehydrated in some areas due to hormones, particularly around my nose and mouth area. Thayer's Witchazel has helped stabilize this issue tremendously to where I don't feel that uncomfortable tightness in my skin.
If I have an active breakout spot, this does not irritate it or overly dry it out. The aloe vera in it helps soothe the irritation and stops it from getting worse. I can't say enough good things about this stuff!
In the hydrating department, I've been loving the Cetaphil line. Specifically, their Moisturizing Lotion and Moisturizing Cream to hydrate skin from head to toe. As you can probably tell from this post already, the general theme of my skincare routine this year was to heal.
For such a rich consistency, I'm actually really surprised at how well my skin has received it because I often break out with products of this consistency with frequent use. Though my skin really enjoys the hydration, thicker consistencies can really play a big part in clogging my pores. Thankfully, this is not the case with any of the Cetaphil products I've tried.
These products are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist recommended, and are really hydrating and fast absorbing. I'm currently using the Moisturizing Lotion and it has replaced my face lotion, hand cream, body lotion, and foot cream. It's that good!
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| This is the sample size that started the love affair |
Next up is half skincare, half face primer. Seraphine Botanicals is a brand that I was introduced to by Ipsy when they sent their Carrot + Rose Hydrating Cream. The reason why I placed this product in the primer category is because it contains a fair amount of glycerin, which as we know helps makeup apply flawlessly overtop by binding it to our skin better.
Though I'm oily, I do experience certain areas around my face where makeup just does not want to stick to! It's incredibly frustrating, as you can imagine, or perhaps experience yourself. I find areas on my cheeks and around my nose particularly difficult to apply foundation evenly because of this. After about 5+ layers of foundation and full on cake face later, it's still not guaranteed that it'll stay put on these areas for more than an hour without help from a product like this one by Seraphine Botanicals.
Incorporating a glycerin based product into your beauty routine will ensure that makeup will not only bind to your skin better but also last much longer as well. With all of this said, I must note that it does absolutely nothing for oil control, so you'll definitely need to incorporate other products or techniques to help combat the slick.
This next item is mentioned in just about every favorites post I've read/watched so far, so I'm only going to give it a quick mention. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette has really changed the game this year with 17 gorgeously formulated neutral shades and pops of pinks and red hues. The attention to detail in this palette does not go unnoticed.
2016 was the year of Coastal Scents single shadows for me. I went crazy and purchased a hefty amount during a couple of their 99¢ Hot Pot sales and have literally used them every single day since. They offer just about any shade imaginable ranging from matte, satin, shimmer, sheer and opaque finishes. Their shadows are of exceptional quality that will rival MAC, easily. As with a lot of companies, there are a few duds in the line, but overall this is a great way to expand your collection at minimal cost to you.
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| Hot Pots are on currently on sale for $1.17 each |
Another staple eyeshadow palette, which I think is tremendously underrated, is the Stila Perfect Me Perfect Hue Eye & Cheek Palette in the shade Medium/Tan. Wow...this is everything I could possibly ask for in the rosy mauve category that actually accentuates my brown eyes and complexion. Considering the range consists of palettes catering to all skin types, this makes it a no-brainer recommendation.
This palette, along with the next product I'm mentioning, were such intense favorites that I just had to repurchase after they mysteriously vanished from my collection a few months back. I'm so happy to have them back in my life!
The next contouring product has been equally as life changing. As you know, my love for The Balm's Bahama Mama Bronzer runs deep, but this year Fiona Stiles' Sheer Sculpting Palette in Medium/Dark redefined the way I approach contouring. It lends itself to create a soft, pretty and sophisticated shadow with lots of impact.
The formula is not as finely milled or pigmented in comparison to something like the Kat Von D or LORAC contour palettes, but I actually find that much better for blending. You're able to achieve more control over your results because the powder doesn't immediately cling to the first area of skin it touches like the others can.
Each of the three pans in the Sheer Sculpting Palette has a very intended purpose to define the face and blend like a dream. While adding depth and dimension, these flattering shades are almost fool-proof and virtually blend themselves making you look like a pro.
For lashes, I have two recommendations. The first is a ridiculously inexpensive mascara by Essence Cosmetics called Lash Princess False Lash Effect. The seemingly average cone-shaped wand adds length and volume while the formula is light enough to not weigh lashes down. I've found that as the formula dries, I love it even more. It pairs beautifully with other mascaras without clumping, too!
My other lash favorite this year has been the Ardell Studio Effects Wispies false lashes. Considering I have almond shaped eyes with slightly hooded lids, it's difficult for me to find lashes that compliment my eye shape while not feeling as though I'm about to take flight or smacking my brow bone every time I blink. The double stacked falsies give me the drama I look for without going over the top and weighing my eyes down.
For the eyeliner category, hands down it's Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner in Trooper. I was sent this twice in a Sephora Play subscription box and was blown away at the color intensity, ease of use, and longevity. It's a cult favorite for good reason and is worth every penny.
As for face powders, I've been loving Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder for perfecting troubled areas. It's literally the blur tool in Photoshop for your skin. My favorite way to use this is before powders to avoid cake face, particularly my under eyes as they tend to crease quickly. It's also great for the center of your face where we tend to have visibly larger pores.
My next powder staple is the cult favorite Ben Nye Luxury Powder in the Banana shade. I have very yellow undertones in my skin and find this brightens and opens up any area I apply it to. My favorite way to use it is under my eyes and around the center of my face to create the illusion of a brighter, more lifted appearance. It's also great at controlling oil when applied with a damp tool!
I'll use it heavily using a damp beauty sponge for the baking method or my recent go-to application has been a tapered highlighting brush sprayed with Fix+. It's a more hassle-free way of the baking technique, in my opinion.
For lips, I was a repeat offender time and time again of these products. The first is my hands down favorite lip liner from Jordana Cosmetics called the Easy Liner for Lips in the shade Rock N' Rose. This muted mauvy nude is incredibly flattering. If you're sleeping on these lip liners, pick this up immediately from your local Walgreens and thank me later. They perform just as well, if not better, than most high end liners and have a great color selection at an affordable price.
My Rock N' Rose lip liner pairs perfectly with my lipstick of the year from Tarte Cosmetics. I'm, of course talking about their Double Duty Lip Sculptor lipstick and gloss duo in shade VIP as I've literally worn this on most days since purchasing. The convenience of having both a lipstick and gloss in one product at my disposal made it a handbag and work bag staple. Similar to the Jordana liner, it's a neutral shade with a rosy undertone.
The formula of the lipstick is creamy but as the day progresses it flattens down a bit making it long wearing. I'm not exactly sure how, but this lipstick makes my lips look bigger, plumper, and sexier. When I think of a lip color that really makes me feel sexy without trying too hard, I immediately think of this shade.
I wanted to include a few feel good treats that I've really enjoyed this year. The first being Tony Moly sheet masks. If you've seen me in a sheet mask at all this year, it's probably been one from this brand. My favorites have been the Moisturizing variety with aloe vera as well as Pore Care with red wine. They're the perfect way to wind down after a stressful day or to give your skin a bit of TLC.
Lastly, I also raved about the Grace & Stella Dr. Pedicure Foot Exfoliating Mask in my product review post. I thoroughly have been enjoying the results of this product and recommend it for anyone who wants softer, smoother feet. The actual process to get your tootsies to this stage will be a little off-putting to some, if I'm honest, due to the extended peeling process. The results are totally worth it if you're willing to commit!
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For an extra dose of favorites, you'll want to check out last year's roundup by clicking here. I'm still obsessed with all the products as they're all still heavy hitters in my current collection.
Thanks so much for another amazing year! I've enjoyed getting to know you better and sharing this fun and rewarding beauty journey with you. I can't wait to see what 2017 has in store for us all. Happy New Year and may this year bring you plenty of health, happiness, and maybe even a new holy grail or two. ;)
All My Love,
♥ Beta
xoxo
F O L L O W M E