I’ve tried so many amazing products this year; it was really tricky to name a clear winner in each category! My makeup collection contains a mixture of both high-end and drugstore products so I hope there is something below to suit every budget. If you disagree with any of my choices or feel I’ve over-looked your favourite product please leave a comment, I love a good old makeup debate! Let’s start with the first category.
Best Drugstore Eyeshadow Palette – Makeup Revolution Iconic 2
An apparent dupe for the Lorac Pro 2, this palette contains 16 “Super-Elite” eyeshadows in a range of matte and shimmer shades, teamed up with the PRO 1989 Double-ended Eyeshadow Brush and full sized mirror. Each shade is easy to blend and richly pigmented with minimal fallout. Unlike most of my palettes I have been actually using ALL of the shades, which is unusual for me! I tend to stick to my favourites (usually smokey shimmers) however this palette is so versatile, and the selection of colours is so flattering this quickly became the most used palette in my collection.
Runners-up :
Collection Uncovered Eyes in Nude/Grey
Sleek I-Divine in Vintage Romance
Best High-End Mascara – Better Than Sex Mascara
Better than Sex by Too Faced was my favourite ‘high-end’ mascara of 2015. It contains a wand inspired by by the curves of Hollywood bombshells of the silver screen. The hourglass shaped brush coats lashes in it’s intense black collagen formula leaving lashes noticeably thicker and longer with just one coat, and unbelievably dramatic with two! The formula is also smudge proof and contains Acacia Senegal tree extract that nourishes and locks your curl in place.
Runners-up :
Bare Minerals Lash Domination
Benefit Rollerlash
Best Drugstore Mascara – Maybelline Lash Sensational
The innovative brush is also curved and contains 10 layers of bristles, in 6 different sizes, designed to grip on to the root of the eyelash, defining each layer and creating a wide-eyed fanned out effect. The ‘low wax’ formula also claims to give an intense black look without sticking lashes together.
Lash Sensation gives me a lovely wide eyed effect. Lashes are defined, separated and lengthened. My lash line looks thicker and even the tiniest of lashes are captured. This mascara is unbelievable considering it’s price tag and is one I have repurchased time and time again.
Runner-up :
Bourjois Volume 1 Second Mascara
Best Foundation – Loreal Infallible 24hr Matte
Infallible is a lightweight, non-cakey foundation with a medium texture, high coverage and matte finish. When applied with my Beauty Blender, it gives a flawless, natural and buildable coverage, covering the discolouration on my chin and around my nose whilst reducing the appearance of shine throughout the day. It doesn’t dry out my skin like other matte skin products and comes in shades light enough to accommodate even the most palest of skin tones. It’s incredibly long lasting for a drug store product and is even water and steam proof.
Runners-up :
Loreal Paris True Match
Nars Sheer Glow
Best Concealer – Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Collection has been really impressing me lately with their Eyes Uncovered Palettes and now with this Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair. This ‘ultimate wear concealer’ lasts for up to 16 hours and blends seamlessly when patted over my foundation to cover my blemishes with ease. Water resistant and transfer proof the product conceals imperfections without the need for touch-ups during the day helping my complexion to look flawless and blemish free.
Runners-up :
Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer
Loreal Touche Magique Illuminating Concealer
Best Blusher – Milani Illuminating Face Powder
This beautiful multi-purpose blush, bronzer and highlighter gives a radiant touch to the skin without being too overpowering or shimmery. The soft powder illuminates skin creating a healthy and natural glow.
Runners-up :
Sleek Blush in Rose Gold
MAC Lovecloud
Makeup Revolution Blushing Hearts Triple Baked Blusher
Best Primer – Benefit Porefessional
The lightweight balm feels like silk when applied. By patting the balm over troublesome areas (I pay particular attention to oily areas such as my chin and nose) it blurs imperfections, helping my skin to look smooth and the pores on my face less visible. It keeps my makeup in place for considerably longer and evens out my skin tone. The only down side is the price – £24.50/22ml. I tend to buy the travel sized version that retails for around £10 and can be found at the cash desk in Boots.
Runners-up :
Bare Minerals Prime Time
Loreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Base
Best Tool – The Original Beauty Blender
Invented by Hollywood makeup artists Ann Silva and Veronica Lorenz, the patent-pending egg shape is designed to help tackle hard to reach areas and achieve a professional and flawless finish. The sponge has an almost suede texture to it’s surface, is latex and odour free, non-disposable and comes in 3 versions; original, pure and pro.
The super soft ‘point’ of the egg made blending effortless in the contours of my face, the spherical shape prevented streaks and lines forming, plus my foundation sat on it’s surface rather than dissolving into the sponge therefore eliminating any waste. It gives an undeniable flawless, air brushed finish and is perfect for covering blemishes and hard to reach places. There are a few copycats on the market such as the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (£5.99) which I received in my Christmas stocking last week; I can’t wait to see how this compares as the original retails for around £16!
Runners-up :
Sephora Airbrush Painter
Real Techniques Bold Metals 200 Oval Shader
Real Techniques Powder Brush
Best Lip Product – MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup
This beautiful lipstick (middle) goes everywhere with me, I’d be lost without it. This pink/nude shade practically goes with everything, it’s the perfect lipstick for creating a soft, pretty, everyday look on the go. Like the name suggests it’s formula is exceptionally creamy and soft, which keeps lips soft and hydrated for several hours before it needs to be touched-up again.
Runners-up :
MAC Lipstick in Vegas Volt
No 7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Petal
Bellapierre Lipstick in Cat Walk
Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Rebel
What have been your makeup highlights of 2015?
Have you tried any of my favourites above?
And also… HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here’s to a wonderful 2016.
