Monday, January 16, 2017

2016 Favourite Favourites | Part 1

2016 Make Up Favourites

Happy New Year! I appreciate we're halfway through January so missed the boat on such greetings but as this is my first post of 2017 I think I can be forgiven - let me tell you if you think returning to work after the holidays is a struggle its even harder to become motivated when you don't have a job!

Like my opening greeting I may well also be late posting my 2016 Favourites and as such you are somewhat bored with them but as Favourites posts are those I enjoy writing, particularly when I need to get back into the swing of things here they are.

I am only focusing on make up for my 2016 Favourites as I have found products that I have loved throughout the year, am still reaching for and are those that I can reach for without thinking when I want to put my face on in a hurry. With skincare and other such products I hold my hands up and say I'm something of a floozy, not particularly brand loyal and through the nature of beauty blogging am lucky to have a lot of skincare come through my door for testing that whilst I can could pinpoint 'favourites' there is nothing that I stopped myself from moving onto the next product through my door.

Enough of my ramblings lets start with Dermalogica Hydra Blur Primer* which first made an impact appearing in my February Favourites and has been my go to primer throughout the year. Prior to this introduction I was reaching for Benefit Porefessional which is hit and miss depending on whether you're a fan of silicone primers. Dermalogica Hydra Blur Primer has a similar yet less silicone feel to its application and will offer moisturisation to your skin rather drying it out as some primers are prone to. During Winter when my skin is dryer this has been the right product to create the perfect base for my foundations. As I mentioned in its initial review my only complaint is the price tag which would prevent my repurchasing in the immediate future. 

I would hand over every foundation I own to keep L'Oreal Infallible Matte Foundation, the US version, as it really has been my stand out product of 2016. My friend Rose, who resides in the USA, gave this to me in place of the L'Oreal Infallible Glow Foundation I'd asked for that she couldn't find and I'm so glad she did. I have reached for this foundation on so many occasions, taken on holiday and without a doubt whenever I've admired my flawless appearance in selfies it's been when I've worn this foundation. My current tube was showing signs of finishing soon and I was starting to panic, not a feeling I often have usually happy to skip onto the next product. I was also concerned that I'd read posts from Emmys Beauty Cave about how the UK version just didn't compare. Luckily a friend headed to the US over Christmas and was instructed to buy a back up for me so I will not run out any time soon.

As for my reasons for such declarations of love, this is a foundation that will give you a medium coverage that will last all day and from what I see the finish is flawless. My other August Favourite that I pair with this foundation is the Primark PS Pro Oval Brushes, such was my love I brought the Rose Gold set before Christmas. I've found I'm reaching for these and my Beauty Blender over any other foundation brushes in my collection. 

Final base favourites is a duo you'll always find in my handbag, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder and the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder is a beautiful product inside and out. Whether I'm setting my concealer for a full face of make up or in a pinch using only the powder and aforementioned concealer I feel more alive. I'm always conscious of finding a concealer that doesn't crease under my 30+ eyes and Bourjois Radiance Reveal does not. When I initially reviewed I wasn't so sure but that was simply due to lack of eye cream so I do find I need to ensure my eye area isn't dry before application but it made such an impact last year that it appeared in April and May's favourites posts. 

Wet n Wild Highlights UK

Bronzing and contouring is definitely not something I'd call myself skilled at but two product that help me look like I have something of an idea are the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick in the Shade 330 Toffee Caramel and Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer. Since rediscovering and appearing in my February Favourites I've found the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick to be a firm staple in my make up. Hailed as a dupe for the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (I find that to be a less greasy formula) I picked this up in its darker shade in the US and find it makes contouring a breeze. It also pairs wonderfully with one of the Primark brushes I've already mentioned. I don't reach for this on a daily basis as who has time for that but when I'm giving myself a 'serious' full face this is a given and so easy to use.

You may be surprised to find the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in my 2016 Favourites as when I first purchased it I was most underwhelmed. Firstly I hated, and still do hate the scent which months later hasn't waned although it's not something that I notice unless, as I did just now, stick my nose into it. 

The Glow-Booster from Physicians Formula was my favourite bronzer prior to this purchase but interestingly over recent months I've bypassed that and instead reached for the Butter Bronzer so much so that it came on my holidays and to date I am still using. 

As I talked about in my initial review one of my gripes was that it is a subtle bronzer and only available in the one shade. Paler skin tones will surely love this and perhaps my love for it has stemmed from just looking for a dusting of warmth and glow during the Winter months than too much bronzing. You can purchase in the UK from The Vitamin Shop and I'm currently waiting to see if the Butter Blushes hit the site as I'm keen to try them out. 

Like the L'Oreal Infallible Matte Foundation the Make Up Revolution Rose Gold Lights Blush would be the blusher I saved in a fire. I love love love this and have recommended to everyone and anyone insisting they need it in their collections. Technically referred to as a highlighter this is perfect for me as a blush which I don't have to worry about layering with another product. It's literally sweep and go and looks fantastic whatever make up look you're going for. For £3 this is positively a steal and despite my frequent use it looks like I've barely touched it.

Highlighters are something I'm still finding my way with. My favourite highlighter has to be Charlotte Tibury's Bar of Gold which usually only makes an appearance in stores seasonly, I joined the Becca Champagne Pop bandwagon and am still undecided how I feel about it and others have come and gone throughout the year but one that has been reached for often is Wet n Wild Boozy Brunch, or in my case its original incantation, Hollywood Lights. Interestingly Boozy Brunch has been hailed a dupe for Champagne Pop but I certainly prefer this golden highlight which is more in keeping with my favoured Bar of Gold.

This was another gift from my friend Rose and it sat for some time in the draw as I was a little scared of using it but now nothing can stop me. Again this is a product, albeit only available in the US, that is only $5.99 for a whopping 11g of product. Admittedly the side does make it somewhat cumbersome to travel with but I can forgive that for the highlight it gives to my cheeks.

Well if you made it this far well done and needless to say my musings have required this post to be in two parts so come back tomorrow for my favourite eye and lip products from 2016. Don't forget to let me know what your favourite products have been.

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

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10 comments:

  1. Hello, hello and happy New year!! Thank you for your comments on my blog :-) I finally bought the porefessional primer only used it twice but can't say I notice a difference:-( I'm hoping it'll keep my make up on that doesn't seem to stay on long!! Anyhoo hope you are well and look forward to your posts xxx

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    1. Happy New Year Lovely!

      Primer is to create the right base for your foundation which in turn should aid your make up lasting longer but doesn't necessarily become the magic ingredient to make it work. Using setting powder and sprays (I've shared two favourites in today's post) help me xx

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  2. Happy New Year lovely, I really enjoy posts like this, it's a great way of finding new products to use and I can't wait for the eye and lip products too xx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

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    1. I enjoy them too, I know theres a lot of flack for favourites posts but I enjoy them x

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  3. Happy New Year Victoria!
    The MUR blush looks so pretty, I need o check it out when I'm in Superdrug next time.
    The Dermalogica primer sounds really good, I need to invest in it. x

    Mummy's Beauty Corner

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  4. I definitely need to check the Dermalogica Hydra Blur Primer out! By the sound of it, I won't be able to pick one up soon, but hopefully in the future I'll be able to give it a try. Xx

    Tania | When Tania Talks

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  5. Might have to buy that Make Up Rev blush/highlight - sounds perfect! x

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    Replies
    1. Oh do it's amazing and for such a good price. I know us older women have to be careful of highlighting and shimmer but this, for a 'cheap product' works a treat.

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