20161230

Best in Beauty 2016 | Makeup, Skincare & More


It's time again for me to do my favourites for the year! As always, these are my favourite products that I discovered this year, not necessarily my most-used of the year or only products that were released this year (though I'm sure there are one or two sneaky exceptions). Let's get into it...


Makeup

Primer: Too Faced Hangover Primer | £27 | review | Particularly at the start of this year, my skin was drier than I think it's ever been and this is one of the products that really helps when the weather gets cold. This is very much a cream-based product so you don't need to apply much and it doesn't have that silicone feel. It's just so hydrating and applies very smoothly. It also ensures my foundation doesn't look caky and doesn't cling to any dry patches.  

Primer Honourable Mention: Hylamide Matte 12* | £23 | review | This is my summertime favourite because it's just so smoothing and keeps the oils at bay without feeling dry or dragging on my skin. It's also one of the few matte primers that isn't silicone-based; it has an almost cream-gel texture. As well as keeping my face shine-free, it also helps my base stay in place for longer.

Foundation: L'OrĂ©al Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (Shade 106) | £15.05 | review | I'm actually almost out of this stuff and will need to order some more from the States! I originally tried the UK version but the shade range was awful and I just didn't get the hype about the formula, however when I tried the American one I found shades that worked for me (due to their much wider selection) and the foundation itself seemed so much better! This is a semi-matte finish with a medium to full coverage. It has that 'matte radiance' I'm always on the lookout for that isn't dewy but doesn't look dry or flat either. It's incredibly long-wearing and doesn't go shiny or break down in my problem areas. 

Foundation Honourable Mention: Clinique Chubby in the Nude Stick Foundation (Shade Golden Neutral) | £23 | review | I feel like this would be up there as a holy grail foundation of mine if it was a bit more long-wearing! However aside from that it's a great base; it's quick and easy to throw in my handbag or I use it on lazier days when I'm just chilling at home with guests or popping out for lunch. It gives a nice medium coverage and looks radiant without being dewy or greasy, however during the day it does let a bit of shine through, so powdering my oily spots is essential. It just gives such a natural, healthy, real skin look.

Concealer: Too Faced Born This Way Concealer (Medium) | £20 | review | This is just the most beautiful lightweight concealer that gives a very natural look but still has a good level of coverage. It makes under my eyes look so radiant and works pretty well on blemishes too. It's hydrating though so if you have combination skin like me then setting it quickly is essential so it doesn't crease.

Concealer Honourable Mention: Kat Von D Lock It Creme Concealer (Medium Warm 27) | £20 | review | I wasn't too too enthusiastic about this when I first tried it but it has grown on me since, I must admit! This shade is a bit light on me to use for blemishes and I don't feel confident ordering another shade online (however definitely want to pick it up in person next time I'm in London), but for under the eyes it's really good. This is for when you want that completely, flawless coverage so maybe not as much of an everyday option as the Too Faced one. However what I love is that it isn't drying so doesn't cake up under my eyes (which is uncommon for such full-coverage concealers) and it isn't so hydrating that it creases. I also find it lasts very well on me.

Powder: MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural (Medium Dark) | £23 | reviewI actually bought this last year so I’m cheating a bit but I feel like I only started using it properly over the past 3 or so months. It’s just such a great powder if you want to set your makeup and keep things shine-free but don’t want something heavy, caky or flat. It somehow takes away the greasiness whilst keeping the skin radiant.

Powder: Honourable Mention: Ben Nye Banana Powder | £11.25 | review | For a night out, I reach for this loose powder to set my makeup because it really does hold everything in place no matter what! It isn't thick or caky and helps to highlight as well. My only gripe is the messy packaging!


Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop | £32 | review | This has probably become my all-time favourite highlighter! I actually got this right towards the end of last year but didn’t really get a chance to cement my love of it. Firstly; Becca highlighters just have the most amazing formula, they almost melt into the skin instead of sitting on top of it and contain no flecks of glitter. They give such an intense, dewy highlight and it's a stunning champagne gold with peachy undertones.

Highlighter Honourable Mention: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Prosecco Pop | £32 | review | This is in the same formula but instead is a true gold shade that looks incredible when I want a summery sun-kissed glow. This is actually more like my usual highlighting shade however for me Champagne Pop just pips it to the post.

Blusher: Becca Mineral Blush in Amaretto | £32 | review | I actually love this blusher so much that I’ve since purchased the Split Pan with Prosecco Pop, as the size of it in the palette I have is quite small and I use it SO often! I pretty much always opt for warm tones in my makeup and this partners perfectly with those kinds of shades. It’s a sort of tan-caramel nude shade that works just as well with red and gold eyes in winter, with a warm matte brown lip in autumn or with a sun-kissed summer look. It’s a sort of ‘luminous matte’ finish with a very pigmented formula that applies evenly and wears well on my skin.

Blusher Honourable Mention: Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Baby Love | £25 | review | This is also a blusher I’ve reached for consistently this year. It’s a matte formula with a slight sheen that applies so smoothly and evenly. It’s pretty much impossible to go overboard with this and it pulls together any natural makeup look perfectly. The shade itself is pretty versatile too given that it’s a sort of peachy-mauve nude.

Bronzer: Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronzed | £20 | review | I wasn’t that much of a bronzer person until relatively recently and this has been my absolute go-to, especially over the summer. It’s such a warming formula and looks natural on the skin (it’s nothing overly orange and isn’t *too* pigmented for me to work with).  Although it’s matte, it isn’t at all patchy once applied and adds a nice amount of dimension to the face.

Bronzer Honourable Mention: ColourPop Cheek Shock Bronzer in Carry On | $8 | review | It was tough to choose between this and my current most-used bronzer (the one from Makeup Forever) but this just about won out. It’s very affordable and is a cream formula. I always struggle to describe these but ColourPop bronzers are like a cream-to-matte texture so they’re not at all greasy and you get good colour payoff. This is a warm brown shade that’s perfect on my skin tone when I want a natural look. It blends out effortlessly and smoothly, without going patchy or needing much work at all (I use a synthetic brush for this).

Brow Product: Benefit Gimme Brow* (03) | £18.50 | review | Brow mascara has been a fairly recent discovery for me however this one in particular has rocketed into first place. I had somehow never tried this product before because in my mind it was going to be crunchy and make my brows feel all stiff (I’d clearly had a bad experience with some product at some point!) However it’s not at all; it adds a bit of tint, some volume and stops my brows sticking out all over the place.

Mascara: L’Oreal False Lash Sculpt Mascara | £9.99 | review | Whilst it hasn’t de-throned Maybelline Lash Sensational as my ultimate favourite, this was definitely the best new mascara I’ve tried this year. The wand is pretty unusual as it’s very thin but that means it just kind of combs through your lashes, coating them in product fully. It’s not really one for volume-lovers but if you’re into long, curled, fluttery lashes then this is for you.

Single Eyeshadow: ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Sunset Blvd (discontinued) | $5 | review | Sadly this is no more, however I had to mention it as it’s my favourite and I managed to buy about 3 backups before this collection was discontinued (for $5 it would’ve been silly not to!) It's a warm nude cream shadow with a pearly gold sheen. It's perfect for summer and for those low-key makeup days.

Eyeshadow Palette: Morphe Magnetic Palette x12 | £6.50 | review, review | I won't delve into too much detail as I've linked the in-depth post on the shades I have above. I know it's cheating (especially as I've had some of these for longer) but for me, this was the year of the custom palette and I have reached for these shades so much more than any of the pre-made ones I have. Of course it's all very warm-toned and there are everyday shades but also a few to add a bit of smoke for an evening look.
MAC Pro Pan Refill Eyeshadows | £10 each
All That Glitters - nude shimmer with bronze undertones (a great everyday lid shade)
Sable - brown shimmer with red undertones (the perfect way to experiment a little with red eyeshadow)
Woodwinked - warm antique gold-bronze shimmer (my go-to all over lid shade with a warm-toned eye look)
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pans | £6 each
Shimma Shimma - white-champagne shimmer (my favourite shade for highlighting the inner corner)
Frappe - warm mid-toned caramel-brown matte (one of my go-to crease colours)
Peach Smoothie - light-medium peach matte (my everyday transition shade)
Cocoa Bear - medium-deep warm red-brown matte (a deeper crease shade for an evening look)
Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow Pans | £9.25 each
Legend - warm, almost orange-toned gold with a dewy shimmer finish 
Grandstand - coppery rose gold with a dewy shimmer finish
Anastasia Beverly Hills Single Eyeshadows | $12 each
Cognac - deep warm red-brown shimmer 
Red Earth - mid-toned matte pink-brown (another great crease shade)
Truffle - plum shimmer (great for adding smokiness to the look)





Lipstick: Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Clay Crush | £6.99 | review | This was probably my most-worn lipstick over summer. It's a very warm-toned nude shade that's versatile enough to wear for day or night. The formal is slightly sheerer than I prefer but it is very comfortable and still long-wearing.

Lipstick Honourable Mention: ColourPop Matte Lippie Stick in Brink | $5 | review | This is billed as 'matte' but definitely has a sheen to it. This is a perfect everyday lip colour; it's a sort of warm brown nude with a bit of mauve mixed in (which is just me all over). It's got really great colour payoff and similar longevity to a creamy lipstick.

Liquid Lipstick: ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Echo Park | $6 | review | I think this has to be my absolute favourite liquid lipstick formula! It gives you that opaque, matte finish but has a creamy and comfortable feel on the lips. I also find that despite not being a true matte liquid lipstick, this also has such amazing staying-power. The shade itself is an everyday peachy-brown nude. It works just as well on a work day as it does paired with a smoky eye for a night out.

Liquid Lipstick Honourable Mention: Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Everything Nice | £11.50 | review | This is probably my second-favourite liquid lipstick formula overall and after Echo Park, it's another one of my most-used. It's a true matte that's very long-lasting but doesn't feel drying. The shade itself is a very warm, almost rosy, caramel-brown that's not too dark for everyday wear.


Eye Brush: Morphe E28 Round Blender Brush | £6.50 | review | Not all of Morphe's brushes have impressed me but the Elite collection definitely did! It's a tapered synthetic brush that's perfect for adding colour to the crease. It's nothing too precise but is ideal for softly blending out a transition shade.

Face Brush: Sigma Copper F90 Fan Brush* | review | This is my favourite brush for bronzer and contouring. You'll have to bear with me because it obviously doesn't *look* like it's made for that purpose, however it gives such smooth application of the product and such a precise but not overly sharp look. Using this brush, I can be done defining my cheekbones in just a couple of quick swipes.

Skincare

Cleanser: Roger & Gallet Aura Mirabilis Cleansing Mask* | £15 | review | I actually didn't realise this was an absolute favourite until I noticed I was reaching for it everyday and had started to run out of it! Firstly; it's a total bargain. I personally use it as a cleanser, not really as a mask. However it's so amazing at removing makeup and is really gentle on my sensitive eyes. It also leaves my skin feeling soft and plump after use.

Cleanser Honourable Mention: Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm | £38 | review | This is a bit of a cheat because I did try this last year for the first time, however it wasn't until the end of the year. It's another product I use to remove makeup but this also feels so luxurious on the skin, as well as smelling amazing and getting the job done!

Treatment or Mask: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin-Clearing Clay Mask | £10 | review | This face mask is an absolute miracle-worker! I can use it in the evening and be sure that any blemishes will have significantly cleared up by morning. This is another great bargain that I can always rely on.

Moisturiser or Serum: Caudalie Vinosource Moisture Sorbet* | £23 | review | This is a really nice moisturiser, especially if you have skin that's more spot-prone but can also get dehydrated sometimes. It has a cream-gel formula that absorbs really nicely into the skin. It's nothing heavy or rich but really gives my skin the moisture it needs.

Body, Hair & Everything Else

Fragrance: EstĂ©e Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent | £50 | review | Ok, so this is clearly a summer fragrance but looking back at 2016, it's definitely been my favourite discovery in terms of scents. The notes include vanilla, amber and coconut so it has that sweet, warm summery vibe.

Body Product: Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse Dry Oil | £17 | review | This stuff is just so good! I use the shimmer version in summer and this normal formula during the rest of the year. It's so nourishing but as it's a dry oil, it's not at all greasy or slippery. Plus, it smells amazing!

Nail Polish: Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paint in Starfish | £4.99 | I really like Barry M nail polishes and the Coconut Infusion range is especially good and comes in so many pretty, wearable shades. This one is a warm beige-nude colour with a gel-look finish. It goes on very opaquely and lasts me a good few days without chipping.

Hair Product: Philip B White Truffle Shampoo* | £59 | review | Not gonna lie: the price of this kind of makes me want to puke. But it is just SO good! And it's actually lasted me really well. It leaves my hair soft, shiny and looking so much more healthy than it really is...


What were your favourite beauty products this year?





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*DISCLOSURE
PRODUCTS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK ARE PR SAMPLES/GIFTS. 
ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. 
PLEASE VISIT MY DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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38 comments

  1. There are so many products in this post that I have been loving this year!
    Especially the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer, it is so nice for my skin tone!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

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  2. I so wish that the L'Oréal Pro Matte in the UK was the same as the US one, I agree that she shade range is awful, hence why I've never tried it. How did you order it from the US? I'd love to try it! xx Rebecca | Rebecca Olivia Capel

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  3. UD and ColourPop would probably be my favourite bronzers of the year as well! So many people have included the Roger&Gallet Aura Mirabilis range into their 2016 favourites this year, I need to pick one or two products from the range whilst I'm still in France! Lovely picks as always!

    http://fannyanddailybeauty.com

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  4. Enjoyable round-up as always, Jasmine. I definitely love all things you've written about this year, will be trying MUG next from your recs!

    Selene Addicted

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  5. The Champagne Glow palette has been one of my faves, I really want to try Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess this year as well!

    Lauren Ashleigh xx

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    Replies
    1. 2016 was my first time buying Bronze Goddess and I can see why it's so popular now :) xx

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  6. I agree with you so much about the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop, I brought mine back in June and I wear it basically every single day.
    Love Alicia x
    http://bambidreaming.blogspot.co.uk/

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  7. Champagne Pop is beautiful, really need to try it!
    Philippa x

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  8. I always want everything you mention, this has all been added to my shopping list!

    Parie x
    Class and Glitter

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  9. So many amazing products! I just picked up the UD Beached Bronzer and I absolutely love it! I'm on the lookout for Becca's Champagne Pop and should be receiving some MUG shadows in the mail any day now! Happy New Year!
    xx Dany | The Queens Empire

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    Replies
    1. Happy New Year, lovely! Hope you enjoy the eyeshadows xx

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  10. So glad to see you mention the Too Faced primer, picking it up the next time Debenhams has one of their 10% off sales! Fab post Jasmine, hope you have a lovely New Year xx

    Jodie / jodiemelissa.com

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  11. So many amazing products! I'm so excited for my ABH shadows to come, this year has definitely been about the custom palette for me too!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  12. So many gorgeous warm picks here Jasmine! Very much the sort of colour tones I would also opt for. The BECCA palette looks beautiful, champagne pop is such a pretty colour. The Barry M nail varnishes are lovely, a nice alternative for a lower end price point compared to some high end favourites.

    Really keen to try Colourpop and ABH.

    Lovely post!

    Laura xo
    www.shehearts.net

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    Replies
    1. I've honestly got so much use out of the Becca palette! xx

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  13. Love the Champagne Pop palette, although I never reach for Amaretto. It looks pretty in your swatch but I prefer Rose Spritz! :)

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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  14. You honestly really can't beat the becca highlighter Champagne Pop is one of those bloody hell thats gorgeous colours haha

    www.beautyandtheboy.com

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  15. I love Amaretto and Baby Love!! I feel like we have similar tastes in blushes - have you tried First Love by Charlotte Tilbury? It is my current favorite!

    Kate | katelovesmakeup.com

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    Replies
    1. I haven't but definitely will be doing now :) xx

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  16. Can you believe I still haven't tried MAC's All That Glitters? I don't know why because it's gorgeous! I just tried the MAC mineralize skin finish powders a few months ago, and I'm so glad I did. They're so hyped, and I totally can see why now. Lovely favorites!

    xx
    Nida | Caked To The Nines

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  17. Lovely picks. Everything sounds so great! A bunch of these just made it onto my wishlist, haha :)

    Nicole | The Glam Surge

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  18. Colourpop Ultra Satin Lips are definitely my favourite liquid lipsticks as well!
    I bought the L'Oreal US foundation but I still don't seem to like it as much as I hoped I would :( I think the shade is not exactly my match, the problem of buying foundation online, and it doesn't seem to blend in like it should. x

    Mummy's Beauty Corner

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    Replies
    1. That's a shame - it's always a bit of a risk, isn't it xx

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  19. So many amazing products! I really like the Kat Von D concealer. I need the Too Faced one. I love Amaretto too, its the perfect blush for makeup look. Some MUG Shadows made it into my favourites too xx

    LPage Beauty

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  20. So many gorgeous products! Especially love the TF concealer & primer x

    Laura | Laurzrah

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  21. That eyeshadow palette looks incredible! Such great shades! And I love the L'oreal infallible foundation!

    www.ohsobecky.com

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  22. Love reading these posts at this time of the year. It's a great way to learn and try new products.
    Rachael | www.rachaelblogsbeauty.blogspot.co.nz

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  23. Morphe eyeshadows definitely make the cut for me and I love the MAC Mineralise skin finish. I really enjoyed reading this post and it has helped me see what other products I can try out in the coming year.

    www.stephylately.com

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  24. I love that you gave honourable mentions because it is so difficult to narrow each category down! I especially love your eyeshadow picks! xx

    Beautylymin| LuxuryFragranceBundleGiveaway

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  25. I adore the becca highlighters and makeup geek shadows! I definitely need to try that too face primer and concealer.

    www.themakeupaficionado.com
    https://www.instagram.com/themakeupaficionado17/
    https://au.pinterest.com/bernadette_95/

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  26. Thank you for your comments! And happy new year, all! xx

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  27. Happy new year!! I've loved following your blog to see your recommendations, so I can't wait to see what 2017 holds!
    Katie Actually

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  28. Definitely saving this post as it has basically turned into my wish list now!! So many amazing products to try, love the sound of the Becca blush and I also need to start trying more Too Faced.

    Lovely faves!

    The Makeup Directory

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  29. This is a fantastic round-up!

    Mel ★ http://www.meleaglestone.co.uk

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