Hello! I’m going to keep this bit brief, but I’ll be sharing my favourite products from 2013 in the next few beauty posts. First up is makeup…
FAVOURITE FOUNDATIONS AND PRIMERS | Foundation is something I never skimp on. It can make or break a makeup look and, as your skin is the biggest part of your face, it’s a nice feeling to get that part right as everything else just seems to follow suit.
Primers also make a world of difference to how that foundation sits, whether you want it to be long lasting or to smooth over any pores or imperfections. The one I’ve been loving the most this year has got to be Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer, as it really makes your makeup stay on all day. Having my makeup on for approximately 12hrs a day is a pretty regular thing to me and I wouldn’t be without the Laura Mercier primer on those long days!
As for foundation, I’ve been switching between the above three (plus a few others) all year. I rediscovered the wonderful Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, which is one of the most flaw-covering foundations I’ve ever used but never looks cakey. Amazing! Next has to be a little bit of NARS, who have crept their way slowly but steadily into my makeup bag. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is anything but ‘sheer’, but instead gives a natural look to the skin while providing medium coverage. Finally By Terry Cover Expert Foundation is the latest edition to my collection, but is one of those great foundations that feels like you’re not wearing any makeup, yet covers up blemishes etc like you wouldn’t believe!
FAVOURITE CONCEALERS | Having horrific dark circles is what can only be described as a curse. Something I’ve had to deal with since about the age of 16 and no amount of water can make them go away, damn genetics! So, I do rely quite heavily on the old concealers to make me look like I’ve had a decent nights sleep.
I would be absolutely lost without Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque. This peachy toned corrector counteracts the blue toned in dark circles and really brightens up the eye area. It makes such a huge difference that when I don’t have it with me, I think I look horrendous! As for concealers, I was going to add the amazing Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, but opted for Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer, just because it blends so seamlessly! Whether you use it under the eyes or over blemishes, this stuff covers, brightens and blends so well, rarely ever looking cakey, too!
FAVOURITE CHEEK PRODUCTS | I’ve always opted for a lipstick over a blush in the past, but recently blushes have come more to the forefront of my makeup bag as I do really look blank without them. My favourite of this year has got to be Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Calypso Coral, which is the perfect bright peachy/coral tone. I think Stila Convertible Colour in Lilium would be a close second, but the packaging always looks so messy so didn’t photograph it. Cream blushes are my ultimate favourite though!
As for my contour shade, NARS Laguna is my no.1 option. I used to use Benefit Dallas, but this stuff really knocks all the other products out of the park. Although the packaging is prone to getting a little scruffy, the amount you get is really good for the price and it works oh so well for us pale girls to add definition to the face.
FAVOURITE POWDERS | Oh By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder, where would I be without you? I’m not sure, but I can guess I’d probably be a shiny mess. This stuff is phenomenal at mattifying the skin without making it look too, err, dead? and still lets your natural skin come through. It smooths over imperfections (goodbye large pores) and sets makeup so well. I’ll repurchase forever, I think!
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light may be a very new edition (with it being from xmas and all…) but it’s made such a huge impression on me that I had to include it. Similarly to the above powder, it smooths, sets makeup but adds a diffused glow to the skin that looks so natural.
FAVOURITE EYE PRODUCTS | Having worn a cat eye flick pretty much every day since I was about 15, having a decent eyeliner is pretty important to me. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner is the most wonderful pen style eyeliner I’ve ever used. Hands down. Each tube lasts me at least eight months (with every day use) and it goes on super black every time.
If I need to use a kohl estyle yeliner or one to line my waterline, then I’ll use Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner, which is one of the most black eyeliner pencils I’ve ever used. This stuff stays in place, creates a smooth line or can be smudged in without looking messy. It’s been my most used magazine freebie ever!
Finally, I’ve always opted for ‘drugstore’ mascaras, mostly due to changing them every few months and not wanting to pay a bomb to do so. I typically opted for mascaras like Rimmel Lash Accelerator or L’oreal Lash Architect and, while they’re still amazing, Estee Lauder Double Wear Lengthening Mascara has totally stolen the show. No other mascara has made my lashes so black, defined, separated and yet full in just one coat!
FAVOURITE EYESHADOW PALETTES | This year has definitely been a MAC year for me. Since deciding to build up a new palette a few months back, I rarely strayed to any other shadows. My favourites have got to be Satin Taupe and Sketch, which work so well together as a smokey eye.
In the past few weeks, as I had put my MAC palette in my ‘to photograph’ box and was too lazy to go and get it, my Urban Decay Smoked Palette has been taking its place as my most used shadows. Using Barlust all over the lid and Backdoor in my crease has been a favourite go-to combo!
FAVOURITE LIP PRODUCTS | Now, you should all know I’m a lipstick junkie. I wear one every single day (unless I’m sitting in the house being lazy) and always have at least three in my bag at any one time, which, to me, is pretty standard. The shades I’ve been reaching for all year, and especially throughout winter, are the ones above, complete with a lip balm (Korres Lip Butter, of course) which is a compulsory must have whatever the season.
For red, apart from MAC red and YSL Red Muse, Topshop Screen Siren has been gracing my lips quite often. For a cheap(er) lipstick, Topshop have really nailed the formula giving us a pigmented, long-lasting and lust-worthy set of products in their range.
I’ve mentioned MAC Craving so many times and am forever grateful I got a new one for Christmas, but it really is the perfect berry tone! So flattering and sits on the lips so well, no wonder it’s my favourite all time shade.
Illamasqua Drench is a more pink version of the above favourite, so it’s become quite a frequently worn shade of mine! It gives the perfect raspberry pout and lasts all day.
So, that’s all the makeup I’ve been loving throughout 2013, which has turned into quite a lengthy post! Congratulations if you’ve got all the way to the end and while you’re here, let me know what you’ve been loving throughout the year in the comments?
helen x | twitter | instagram | bloglovin