2018/JANUARY FAVORITES
2018 was a great year for beauty. So many new launches, from breaking the warm tone eyeshadow plateau to innovative lip formula’s, there was so much to test out and add to my collection. Seeing that I’ve been on a no buy for the months of December and January, I thought I’d do a thorough round up of my 2018/January favorites.
Get a cup of tea or a party sized bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, because it’s going to be a long one ;)
PRIMER: Tatcha - Silk Canvas
If you’ve been following along with my Instagram account, this first product will be very obvious. My favorite primer of 2018 was hands down the Tatcha Silk Canvas Protective Primer.
The minute Tatcha announced this skincare/cosmetic hybrid product (for normal, oily, combo, dry, and sensitive skin types) I was intrigued. As Tatcha leaked more and more information about the product, I knew that I had to get my hands on it.
A primer that uses pressed silk instead of silicone to provide the look of diminished pores, elongate the longevity of makeup while keeping it out of your skin to prevent clogged pores? Oh, not to mention the anti-pollution properties? You couldn’t sign me up fast enough.
While it is a pricey item, I would have to agree with it’s claims. It really does help the longevity of my makeup and I find that I use less product because the primer helps to really bring out the maximum pigment of whatever product I put over it.
As a combination oily girl, I would have to say that this primer isn’t as mattifying as something like the Makeup Forever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer in the Matte Finish but by the end of the day my makeup is still intact and my skin looks naturally glowy rather than oily.
Runners Up: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Becca First Light Primer
FOUNDATION: Nars - Sheer Glow
I’ve been using the Nars Sheer Glow for about five years now and even after trying out other foundations, I find myself coming back to this time and time again. This foundation is medium buildable coverage with a natural finish. It claims to enhance the look of skin without compromising a natural complexion, which I completely agree with.
Interestingly enough it has Vitamin C to brighten and diminish discoloration and Turmeric to enhance the skins natural radiance and even out skin tone. I think these two ingredients are what have me continuously reaching for this product. As someone with rosacea induced redness, products that even out and diminish discoloration are always a plus.
The only claim I wouldn’t agree with is that this product is for normal to dry skin. I understand the claim as most people with oily skin stay away from anything with the word “glow” in it (we produce our own glow thank you very much) but with a bit of setting powder, I find that this foundation works really well even for my slip and slide of an oily t-zone.
Runners Up: Covergirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir, Laura Mercier Tined Moisturizer
CONCEALER: Hourglass – Hidden Corrective Concealer & Too Faced – Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
For the longest time, I was strictly a foundation girl. But as I started to embrace my skin, I started exploring natural makeup/the idea of using less makeup. Now a few years later, I only wear foundation to shoot looks or for special occasions. I know, crazy! But with the help of skincare, a bit of self-esteem, and the right concealer, there really isn’t a need for full coverage/all over foundation (in my humble opinion).
So, the two concealers that I cannot live without with are the Hourglass Hidden Concealer and the Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer (longest… name…. ever).
The Hourglass Hidden Concealer was one that took me by surprise and one that I just picked up on a whim. I typically stick to cream concealers (like the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer) but with the launch of so many stick products in 2018, I thought why not try a concealer. On top of that Hourglass is a brand that has always caught my attention. Unlike other luxury beauty brands, Hourglass doesn’t have a never-ending line up of launches. Instead, they drop new products a few times a year, really allowing their audience to thoroughly test out their products before moving on to the next. The time between launches also makes me feel like they are really putting in the time to monitor the development of their products, which as a consumer I really appreciate.
The Hidden Concealer is a creamy, weightless concealer that blends easily into the skin. It claims to improve the appearances of dark spots/circles, blemishes, and fine lines and give long-lasting coverage. All claims that I would really have to agree with. Also, this product contains Vitamin E to soften skin and provide a protective and hydrating layer. I’m not too sure if it is protective (how do you test something like that?) but I do agree that it leaves your skin feeling soft. My favorite way to apply this product is on the spots I need and then pushed into the skin with a flat buffing brush.
Similarly, the Too Faced Born This Way Concealer also masks imperfections while leaving a natural finish. This product is infused with coconut water, alpine rose, and hyalouronic acid that provides crease-free, weightless wear. I agree that it sculpts and smooths the skin and it is definitely high coverage. My only qualm is that I think Too Faced could improve the shade range (like they did with it’s foundation counterpart).
Runner Up: Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer
POWDER: Laura Mercier - Translucent Powder
No secret here either – the Laura Mercer Loose Translucent Powder has been a staple in my collection and travel case for as along as I can remember. This powder really holds up to all it’s claims – it absorbs oil, reduces shine, has a matte finish, creates a soft focus effect, subtly blurs fine lines, and has no flashback in photos.
And as someone who uses this to bake my more oily areas, I would have to agree that this powder really helps to maintain and even elongate the longevity of my makeup. (It claims 12 hours!)
Runner Up: Too Faced Primed and Poreless Pressed Powder
HIGHLIGHT: Charlotte Tilbury – Hollywood Flawless Filter
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is not only my favorite highlight product of this year but quite possibly my favorite product of the year. As someone who prefers a more natural illumination/glow from within effect than a strobe like highlight, this product just ticked all the boxes for me.
Don’t get me wrong, a strobe/beamlike highlight is great for its own reasons as well but the over saturation of highlighters in 2017/2018 really had me fall off that wagon quick.
Products like the Hollywood Flawless Filter really changed the game.
With the launch of this product, there was a lot of confusion. Was it a primer? Was it a highlight? Was it a foundation? It is described as a “liquid tined complexion booster” and 100% yes, yes, yes. It really does illuminate the skin and does help make the appearance of skin smoother.
And because this is a liquid product, it’s easy to blend it into the skin and achieve that skin like texture. The big doe-foot application and glamorous glass bottle are all perks too.
I use this as the first step of my routine (after primer) and push it into my skin with a damp beauty sponge.
Runners Up: Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator, Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight and Candlelight (for when I’m tan)
BRONZER: Physician’s Formula – Butter Bronzer & Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan
This category was a tough one seeing as bronzer is one of my favorite product categories. But I managed to narrow it down to two – the Butter Bronzer by Physician’s Formula and the O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan by Marc Jacobs.
The Butter Bronzer really took me by surprise as I have stayed away from drug store makeup for a couple of years. But the formula and application of this product had me at the first application. In my opinion, the most important factoids to know about this product is that it is infused with murumuru butter for that lit from within look and is packed with essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins to soften, condition and moisturize skin. It also is made up of ultra-refined pearls and soft-focus pigments that add to the smoothing and brightening of skin texture and tone.
Yes! A bronzer that adds to the conditioning and hydrating of skin. And it truly does leave your skin feeling soft to the touch. The product itself is creamy and soft in the pan and has a light scent of coconut which I surprisingly don’t mind. To say I love this product would be an understatement.
In a similar vain, the O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan by Marc Jacobs has a light coconut scent and is made up of micro fine-jet milled powder. This product comes in a “universally flattering” shade in a matte finish. It is definitely a matte finish bronzer, but I’m not 100% convinced that this is a universally flattering shade as it seems a bit light for those with deep to dark skin.
My other qualm with this product (as with the O!Mega Bronzer Perfect Tan) is that the product does not sit in a flat pan. The actual pan for this product is concave, so you do have to be careful when handling this product. The slightest drop will result in a the product shattering from the center out.
Runners Up: Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow (shade Medium/Dark), The Balm Bahama Mama
BLUSH: MAC – Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul & Charlotte Tilbury – Filmstar Bronze and Glow
As someone who has stayed away from blush for most of her whole life, I found it surprising that I had two favorites for this category. The first and long time favorite is the MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul. Because I have natural redness from my rosacea, I tend to stay away from saturated blushes; however, more neutral blushes with just a bit of shimmer just add that extra oomph to my look.
Warm Soul is the perfect mid tone beige with gold pearl running through it. Because it is a baked mineral powder, the application is really sheer and therefore very buildable. Some OG beauty gurus have been mentioning that they suspect the formulation has been changed (though MAC denies that). I have the original packaging/formula and haven’t tried the product in the new package so I’m holding onto mine for dear life.
My second favorite is actually not a blush but a highlight that I like to use as a blush and that’s the “glow” shade of the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow in shade Medium/Deep. I know, I know – I should be using the lighter pairing of this product but your girl loves to contour/bronztour her face!! And the corally, glow shade in this palette adds the most beautiful flush to my face. It just adds that last bit of dimension. Sephora describes it as “candlelit skin” and I kinda have to agree.
BROWS: ABH – Brow Wiz & Hourglass – Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel
What is there left to say about the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz that I haven’t said for the last ten years? It’s been a holy grail in my collection and everyday arsenal. The reason I won’t stray from this product is while the waxy, thin pencil allows you to create hair like strokes, it is just soft enough to blend out. I find that the ultra thin nib of other retractable pencils a bit too dense and don’t allow me to blend the color out with the spoolie.
And as someone with quite sparse brows, I appreciate being able to build color in the areas that need filling in. But because I don’t want my brows to look too drawn on or flat, a brow gel is necessary for me. I’ll bring you through my process.
I fill in the sparse areas of my brows with the Brow Wiz. For me it’s the center to ends of my brows. I have the most hair at the front of my brows so I like to create a gradient (as best as I can). Once I’ve filled my brows in and brushed out the product to keep them natural, I take the Arch Brow and brushed through from the fronts through. This helps to define the natural hairs and volumize the spares hairs throughout my brows. It creates a more natural, dimensional look then just a flat, drawn on brow.
The Arch brow is unique for a few reasons. First, the brush is the first of it’s kind – it is dual sided with long and short bristles, which helps in applying the formula at varying intensities. Second, The formula is infused with micro fibers to provide color, volume, and definition. Unlike some other gels, this formula has never smudged or flaked on me.
MASCARA: Lancôme – Monsieur Big Waterproof
I never thought I would stray from my Urban Decay Cannonball mascara but when Lancôme finally released a waterproof version of their raved about Monsieur Big, I snatched it up fast than you could say mascara.
It really does delivery high volume and long-lasting wear. I don’t experience any transfer or raccoon eyes even after the busiest and longest 15-hour work days. The formula is really creamy and in combination with the big wand, it really elongates and volumizes my otherwise straight, thin lashes. Also, it comes off easier with Micellar Water or oil based cleansers.
Runner Up: Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
EYESHADOW: MAC – Single pressed shadow in Saddle and Brulee
I wanted to be fair when it came to eyeshadow as it’s the product category that I experiment with the most. And because I experiment so much, I had to shout out the two shadows I’ve used consistently and on the daily. Saddle and Brulee are two classic MAC single shadows that I use in my everyday routine but also in my more imaginative looks.
Saddle is the perfect warm brown. Even applied all over and blended out, it adds dimension to the lid, masking puffiness with just a bit of natural shadow. Brulee (in my opinion) is the most convenient shade, whether it is to diffuse shadow that was blended up and out too much or for a matte brow highlight, Brulee is a shade that I wish was included in every eyeshadow palette.
Runners Up: Viseart Grand Pro Volume I, Colorpop Super Shock shadows, Chanel Ombre Premiere in Memory
LIP BALM: Bite Beauty – Agave Lip Mask in Lavendar
Though this product is described as an “intensive nightly recovery lip mask” I carry this product with me in every purse, apply it on the hour every hour, and lather it on before bed. It is one of the most hydrating, soothing, moisturizing lip products I’ve ever tried, and trust me, I’ve tried a LOT.
The Agave Lip Mask contains agave nectar and jojoba oil that help to improve texture and replenish moisture, leaving healthier looking soothed lips. The lavender version gives the slightest soft pink tint and gives the calming scent of – of course – lavender. I’m obsessed.
Runner Up: Kiehl’s Buttermask Intense Repair Lip Treatment
LIP COLOR: MAC – Powder Kiss Lipstick in Impulsive, Lancome – Matte Shaker in Completely Nut, & Laura Mercier – Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick
Lip color is usually the last thing I think about but 2018 was a big lip year in that there were so many launches that I not only had to have immediately but kept going back for more and more shades.
But after much contemplation I had to narrow my favorites to three and I tried to make sure that they were slightly different in formulation.
First up (and this is not in any particular order) is a more “traditional” lipstick but there isn’t anything very traditional about this. The MAC Powder Kiss formula really had me at first swipe. It is soft and hydrating to the touch but leaves the most beautiful, soft-blur matter finish. It’s really amazing that such a matte lip color doesn’t dry out my lips. Instead it is quick moisturizing and weightless. The color Impulsive is the most beautiful neutral terracotta and suits such a wide range of skin tones.
Next is a liquid lipstick but unlike most liquid lipsticks the Lancome Matte Shaker High Pigment Liquid Lipstick is very hydrating and doesn’t dry out the lips. Also unlike most liquid lipsticks that tend to dry up and flake, the Matter Shaker wears down evenly. On Sephora it explains – the Matte Shaker “is formulated with patented Ultra Thin Film technology and vitamin E to double the thinness…and provide comfortable, non-drying wear.” It truly is all these things.
The sponge applicator is unique and comfortable when applying to the lips and I swear this product must be infused with some sort of oil because as soon as the product hits your lips it feels so hydrating. Like a drop of water!
Last but definitely not least is the Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick. This product blows my mind and I’ve recommended it to all of my friends. It is extremely matte and extremely long wearing and comes in a wide range of shades.
The color payoff is unreal, you only need one stroke to fully cover your lips. The formula is creamy and includes mattifying powders and conditions that are comfortable on the lips, instead of drying. I have six shades and I’m so tempted to pick up the rest.
LIP GLOSS: Fenty – Gloss Bomb & Bite Beauty – French Press Lip Gloss
I think the Fenty Gloss Bomb is one of the most raved about products of the year, particularly the shade Fenty Glow. “Universally flattering” is a hard phrase to hold up to but this shade truly is universally flattering. It is described as a shimmering rose nude and the micro glitters just make lips look so juicy. The Gloss Bomb includes shea butter that helps condition the skin as well. The big doe foot application makes it super easy to apply with one swipe. And, added bonus – it smells like watermelon.
On the opposite scale sits the French press Lip Gloss collection by Bite Beauty. This range of six coffee inspired glosses is seriously beautiful. The formula and pay off are a creamy shine and because of the coffee butters and cold pressed coffee oil, these glosses are actually quite hydrating. Plus they smell like coffee which just has me salivating all day long.