2014 Beauty Favorites!
My top 10 makeup favorites are here! This does not include skincare or lipsticks because 2014 was a huge lipstick year for me and I've decided to do a separate post on my top 5 favorite lipsticks.
I'll start with my favorite foundation of the year. Without question, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation stood out to me. Any time I wanted to get dolled up for a party or event and wanted flawless smooth skin, I would go for this. It was a great discovery for me. For under eye concealer, I must nominate the Bobbi Brown Corrector. Some days I use this on its own, and some days I need a little extra coverage (and I"ll layer another concealer ontop) but not a day goes by that I do not apply this. I feel naked without it. And finally, for any blemish or ugly scars on my face, I discovered the Dermablend Concealer. It's super high coverage but it's so creamy and easy to apply and seriously covers all your imperfections. You need the tiniest amount and this has been a huge confidence booster for me.
Base done. For my brows, it's a no brainer: Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil. I was a huge fan of the Anastasia Brow Wiz last year, but after discovering the Hourglass pencil this year I definitely prefer it. It feels more luxe and I feel as if I have more control while using it. It lasts much much longer than the Anastasia one and for me since I have quite a lot of gaps in my brows, it's just a lot easier to use and faster. I like the result and will continue to use it!
I really experimented with eyeshadows a lot more this year and the one that I always go back to is the Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe. It is a stunner. It's a pressed pigment eyeshadow that is buttery smooth and gives the lid such a beautiful dimensional sheen. This shade looks great all over the lid smoked out. I didn't have a favorite eyeliner even though I use eyeliner every single day. Nothing has really impressed me because I always get transfer to my lower lid, but I did really enjoy using the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Double Ended Eyeliners. For lashes, I was blown away by the Fairy Drops Volume Burst Mascara. It's incredibly volumizing and lengthening at the same time and super dark. It's got a strange wand that I've become very fond of and it can be a little clumpy but I quite like that look since it gives the eye a more dramatic feel. I definitely want to try the waterproof version next!
Onto powders! I cannot live without a translucent powder to set my foundation and concealer in place. This is my second Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. It's just really affordable and really effective. I use this every single day and cannot recommend it enough! I go back and forth between loving and not really loving blush. I have quite a lot of dark spots and scarring on my cheeks so I feel some times blush can really highlight the wrong areas. Therefore I tend to really like more subtle flushed shades and Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed is the ultimate goes with anything dusky pink shade. It really compliments my skin tone and it never feels like too much on the skin. Finally, this year I've really come to like wearing more bronzer and contour shades. Contouring can be a but too much for everyday, but I have really enjoyed using Benefit Hoola bronzer around the outside of my face just to help give it more dimension since applying foundation all over and flatten your face shape. A little bit really transforms your look!
And that's everything! I have really loved experimenting more with makeup and becoming more involved with my skincare in 2014. I can't wait to see what 2015 brings!
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