2015 Makeup Favourites

Today I am sharing with you my favourite makeup products from 2015. Many of these were new discoveries, but some are just tried and true favourites that I got a lot of use from.

Fun fact: I actually filmed this to upload to YouTube with my new camera that my hubby got me for that purpose. With his encouragement I sat down and filmed, with more products than I’m sharing with you today as I had one for each category (ie. liquid lipstick, bronzer, etc.). Upon exporting to my computer to edit, the footage would play unedited, but once loaded into an editing software (I tried three), the audio was distorted. So, instead of uploading a 100% unedited, horrible video, I’ve changed gears and am now typing this blog post. I’m disappointed that it didn’t work out, is it took a lot of courage to sit down in front of the camera and just talk for an extended period of time, with knowing I’d be uploading it into cyber space afterwards.

Anyway, following this ramble, I will try to keep this as short as possible, if you’d like more detail on anything in particular just please ask below. I have organized this in the order of application as much as possible. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and a snack – this is a long one!

Primer: The Smashbox Primer Water, and Smashbox Pore Minimizing Primer work so well as a team. I spray the primer water all over to hydrate, then apply the pore minimizing primer in my t-zone to fill in pores, providing a smooth surface for foundation.

Foundation: The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation provides a natural finish, applies well like a dream. I’ve written a full review HERE. I wore the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation daily in the summer. The shade range needs improvement. The medium coverage, and demi-matte formula stayed all day on my super oily skin during the hottest months of the year.

Concealer: The standout concealer for me this year was the Maybelline Fit Me. The lightweight formula is ideal for under the eyes and highlighting the centre of your face. You can find a full review HERE.

Contour: I’ve used the Too Faced Cocoa Contour Kit every time I do my makeup since  I’ve bought it. Specifically for the light and medium cocoa shades. Light cocoa to set my concealer, and medium cocoa for contouring. My full review is HERE.

Blush: The Revlon blush in Naughty Nude is a staple. It goes with every makeup look; definitely a Nars Madly kind of shade. It adds a natural blushed look with a slightly glowy finish.

Highlight: The obvious choice is Becca x Jaclyn Hill in Champagne Pop. This highlight is a soft white gold with peach undertones and is great for an evening out.

Brows: My favourite new discovery is the Maybelline Brow Drama. Though the wand is weird, give it a chance. If you have thicker brows like me, it works great. The tinted brow gel adds a bit of definition while keeping them in place all day. I use this on ‘no makeup’ days for a natural look, or to set my brow after using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz.

Eye Base: A tried and true, Mac Painterly Paint Pot. I have oily lids, and eyeshadow creases quickly on me. This eye base prevents creasing, and conceals any veins or discolouration on your lids.

Eyeshadow: This was a hard category for me as I have many favourites, but if I’m honest with myself my most reached for shadows are from Makeup Geek. Specifically creme brullee and cocoa bear; these shades are a warm neutral lovers dream.

Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational is a fantastic mascara from the drugstore! It provides volume and length, the non-waterproof version doesn’t run if your eyes get watery.

Lip Liner: The Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob is my perfect ‘your lips but better’ shade. The formula is not too stiff, the product winds up so you don’t have to sharpen it, and the slanted tip allows you to get right into the cupids bow, and corners of you mouth.

Lipstick: This was another hard category for me to choose, but thinking back on my year the one lipstick I wore more than any others was Rimmel Kate Moss in 14. This is my favourite brown-y nude shade. It goes with everything, from minimal makeup days to the darkest smokey eyes. This lipstick is a staple for me.

Lip Gloss: NYX Butter Gloss in Crème Brullee can be added on top of almost any lip colour. These glosses have more opacity than many I’ve tried, and they smell great.

‘Other’ Lip: This is a bit of a weird category but there are tons of lip products that could technically fall under this. The Revlon Balm Stain in Honey is more than a lip balm, but not quite a lipstick. As is the common theme with this whole favourites, it’s a perfect everyday colour, quite similar in shade to the lip liner above. I like being able to just throw this on on-the-go, I like the minty scent, and the twist up packaging.

Holy, that was a blogging marathon. I hope you’ve stuck around to the end, I tried to keep it as short as possible. As I said above, if you’d like more information on any of these, either check out the full review linked, or just ask 🙂 What were your favourite makeup products of 2015?

Emily ♥