2017 Beauty Favorites
F A C E
I didn't have a favorite primer this year. I've tried out quite a few but didn't really love them. For foundation, my go to was the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless. I have really oily clean and this foundation does a great job of controlling my excess oils without making my face look or feel dry. I have two different shades for different parts of the year. I do want to try the other formula for the Winter because I've noticed my skin to be a lot dryer.
During the summer, I don't wear a lot of makeup and I loved wearing the PIXI H2O Skintint. It's a tinted face gel that you would apply like your moisturizer. It really helped even out my skin tone and was perfect for beach days. The only thing is that it does not contain an SPF, so make sure to apply one beforehand.
For concealer, I was all about that trusty Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. It truly is a great concealer and has lasted me quite some time. I'll be honest, it does crease under the eye but it doesn't look horrible and you can just pat the creasing away.
To give a natural glow, I've been loving the PIXI Glow Booster in Peach Gold. It's a liquid face illuminator. Some people like to mix this in their primer. Personally, I like to apply it to the high points of my cheek. I wear this on no makeup days and makeup days because it's so subtle but stunning.
I have loved this finishing powder for a couple of years now. It's thee e.l.f Beautifully Bare Sheer Tint Finishing Powder. I wear this with and without foundation on. It's perfect for a light dusting to set your makeup and control your oils.
For blush, and I love blush, I've been using Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. These two are my absolute favorites and have lasted such a long time and I own the mini sizes. When I run out, I will immediately repurchase. A little goes a long way and they give the cheeks such a natural flush of color.
To set everything in place, I've been enjoying the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray. It doesn't make my face look completely matte but it blurs all of the makeup together and look less powdery, giving it a more natural, seamless look.
B R O W S
The two brow pencils that have been repurchased over and over again this year are the e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil in Taupe and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Taupe. They're completely different but always make my brows look super nice. Thee e.l.f brow pencil is good for an every day natural brow and the ABH brow pencil is good for a thicker, bolder, but natural looking brow. They both have spoolys on the end as well. I will say the ABH brow pencil lasts a lot longer than thee e.l.f brow pencil.
I like to use thee e.l.f Clear Brow & Lash Mascara to set them in place. The gel is natural, not thick, and doesn't make my brows flaky or crusty. It holds the brows in place just like it's supposed to and you can't beat the price!
L I P S
I have quite a few lip products. What can I say, your girl is obsessed. *insert shrugging emoji here*. My favorite lip treatment is the Hanalei in Rose. It makes my lips feel so nice and it actually stays on my lips for quite some time. I like to apply it when I'm getting ready and will be wearing a matte lip or before I go to bed.
I'm not a matte lip type of girl, so these are my no matte lips. My everyday lip color is the CoverGirl 255 Tempting Toffee and it's just about gone. It's the perfect nude for your lips and just makes you feel and look put together even with no makeup. It's very creamy and doesn't fade easily.
Then I have my Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in the cult favorite Lolita. Apparently, I'm late on this bandwagon but now that I've joined, I can't stop wearing it. It's a gorgeous, creamy, dusty rose color. It claims to be matte but I wouldn't consider it completely matte. It's very long wearing and doesn't transfer too much. And we can't forget to mention how bad ass the packaging is.
Tarte Color Splash Lipstick (Rainforest of the Sea Collection) in Island Life is almost an every day color for me. It's a beautiful rosy mauve color. It's hydrating and very pigmented. It does transfer but it lasts such a long time on the lips.
For my mattes, we have the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Seduction. I wear this color every day almost. It's the perfect pink nude. It isn't completely matte but gives the lips a nice semi-gloss to them. The Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint in Delish is completely matte but absolutely stunning. I like to use a lip liner before applying because it can bleed and it is a liquid lip. No surprise here but it is a rosy mauve color.
E Y E S
I've basically used one mascara all year, and that has been my Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara. It has been purchased multiple times because I am obsessed. I love the brush and the formula. It really lengthens and fills in my eyelashes without making them look clumpy.
The two eyeshadow palettes that I've been wearing are the PUR Soiree Diaries Eyeshadow Palette and the Tarte Tartelette Toasted Palette. I love warm toned colors, mostly matte, but an occasional sparkle shadow. These palettes are right up my alley. The Pur eyeshadow palette is a lot cooler than the Tarte one which is completely warm. I have been able to do simple daytime looks and smoky night out looks with both. There is some fallout but the pigmentation is ridiculous! The packaging is gorgeous and both palettes come with a mirror. You can't go wrong with either palette.
S K I N C A R E
Last but not least we have the products that go under the makeup. I cannot express enough how important it is to take care of your skin by washing your face, drinking lots of water, and not sleeping with makeup on! By having a solid skincare routine, you can flaunt your no makeup days a little more often. This has been the year of brows and mascara only because my skin has improved drastically.
To remove my makeup, I've been enjoying the e.l.f. Hydrating Gel Melt Cleanser. I use this to help really remove makeup and eye makeup. I love the texture of it and it doesn't burn my eyes whatsoever. I then go in with a regular cleanser. I didn't have a favorite cleanser or moisturizer this year. I'm still on the hunt for one. Tip: To really remove all of your eye makeup, after using the melt cleanser, use facial wipes to clean under your eyes and eyelashes. Or use a wet Q-tip to clean around, followed by a dry Q-tip. No one wants raccoon eyes.
I'll then use the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Toner. I've used this stuff for years and have seen improvement in the dark spots on my skin when used regularly. Again it doesn't burn.
For an eye cream, I love the DERMA-E Hydrating Eye Cream. It's so moisturizing and a little goes a long way. I think I've gone through two of these this year.
My two consistent facial masks have been the DR. Jart Clearing Solution Sheet Mask and the L'oreal Pure-Clay Mask. Sheet masks are so easy to use and I love the excess serum that you pat in when you remove the mask. These masks really fit your face and aren't constantly falling off. The L'oreal clay mask reminds me of the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask texture wise. I feel like clay masks really get into your pores and the brightening factor of this mask has really helped with the dark spots on my face.
Alright, so I know that was a lot but it was a whole year's worth of favorites! Did any of these products make your list this year? Are there any favorites of yours that I should try out in 2018?
BTW: Just click on the image of the product you're interested in and it'll take you to the site to read more about it or to purchase for yourself. (Not Affiliate Links!)
Love & Light,
Jalesa