Best of the Best: 2016 Favourites

Although we’re already into the middle of January, today’s post is on my favourite products of 2016. This post focuses on my favourites in each makeup category, although there are a few categories that I did not include because I either did not try anything new in that category, or I didn’t find anything I loved during the year. A few of these products you will have also seen in my two bi-annual favourites posts.

FACE PRODUCTS

Foundation Primer: Shiseido Glow Enhancing Primer

I discovered this primer in early 2016, and although I’ve only used up sample after sample of this primer, I’ve fallen in love with it. It goes onto the skin feeling like a moisturizer, and applies smoothly without giving that typical silicone feeling that a lot of primers do. It feels very hydrating on my dry skin, and I’m really glad I still have a few tubes of samples left of this before I need to start purchasing it!

Corrector: Becca Undereye Brightening Corrector

My dark under eyes are something I’ve always felt self-conscious about, and I have never felt like the concealers I use ever completely cover them. Ever since I started using the Becca corrector, I have gotten obsessed with how bright this product makes the area under my eyes look. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to only using a concealer! I did a review of this corrector here.

Foundation: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

It’s always been a battle for me to find a good foundation, but I was really so pleased with finding this one in 2016. The formula is quite thin and watery, so it doesn’t sit heavily or cake on my dry skin. I also often find that foundations are either too peachy or too yellow for my skin tone, but was impressed at the shade range in this line – the shade 2.5 was a perfect match for me.

Concealer: NARS Creamy Radiant Concealer in Custard

The NARS concealer is by no means a new addition to my collection, but this particular shade is. When I first bought this concealer, I got matched to the wrong shade, which was a little too yellow for me. I still use it in the summer, but I purchased Custard back in April and was much happier with the colour match. Concealers tend to make my undereyes look cakey, but I love that the Creamy Radiant Concealer looks so natural.

Eye Cream: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye Cream

I received this from Stashy in early February, but didn’t start using it until around April. Ever since, this has become my go-to daytime eye cream. It’s moisturizing enough without being too slippery to wear under makeup, which I find is rare in eye creams. Even though I use it every day, it’s still going to take me forever to finish this tube. I would definitely repurchase it when I do finish, though.

Makeup Sponge: Quo Blending Sponge

This is another item that Stashy sent me for her one-year anniversary giveaway, and it pretty much changed the way that foundation sits on my skin. I have to admit that this is the first makeup sponge I’ve ever used, so I don’t know how it compares to other sponges. However,that doesn’t take away from the fact that this tool was my game-changer in my makeup routine.

Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

I was actually blown away by how much I love this moisturizer, even though I’ve only used it for a little over two months. I bought it during a period when I was having major dry patches on my face, and I thought this facial cream might not be thick enough for a nighttime moisturizer. However, I went ahead and wore it for both day and night, and was amazed when all of my dry patches completely disappeared. However, the texture is light enough so that it won’t feel greasy for those with an oilier skin type.

Makeup Remover: MUJI Oil Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

I am always on the hunt for an inexpensive but high-performing cleansing oils, and this is one of the best makeup removers I have ever tried! It’s an especially good choice for people who like cleansing oils with a thicker consistency and no added fragrance. Here is a comparison post between this remover and my HG remover.

Eye Shadow Palette: Tarte Tartelette Palette

While I bought this palette at the end of 2015, I felt like I did not fully begin appreciating this palette until 2016. I now use at least one shadow from this palette in almost every makeup look I do, although in the last few months, I have greatly enjoyed using this palette on its own as well. I do admit that a few of the lighter shades (first column) are more powdery than I would prefer, but overall, this has been a solid palette that I relied on heavily in the year. Review for this is here.

Eye Shadow: MAC Satin Taupe Eye Shadow

I know, I’m YEARS behind on liking this product. While MAC was my first “high end” brand, I never really got into collecting their makeup, and my interest in the brand wasn’t renewed until this year. I bought Satin Taupe in March, and it has been in constant rotation in my makeup routine. It’s just so versatile and perfect for a look for any type of occasion.

Honourable Mentions: I really loved the Teeez Spectrum of Stars eye shadow in Smokey Rose. It’s a taupe shade with a pink duochrome – a super unique shade that I don’t own anything remotely similar to!

Eyebrow Product: I didn’t try any new eyebrow products this year.

Mascara: I didn’t try any mascaras I loved in 2016.

Eye Liner: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

I was a Stila Stay All Day liner lover for years, and while I still think it’s a solid liquid liner, I was converted to the Kat Von D liner this year because 1) The tip of the brush doesn’t wear down or fray as much or as quickly as the Stila, and 2) it dries down more matte finish than the Stila liner.

Nail Polish: H&M Nail Polish in Cashmere

I bought this in Toronto in May, and even though it is my favourite polish that I picked up during that trip, it is one of the only ones out of the bunch that I have yet to review (WHY?!). Not only my favourite one out of all the H&M polishes I bought, but it has been my absolute favourite  this entire year. It’s a neutral taupe shade that’s perfect for work, but it’s jazzed up by the gold shimmers.

Lipstick: Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in RD732

I have experienced a some great formulas (MAC, Urban Decay, Bite Beauty), and Shiseido Perfect Rouge is up there with them. The texture is just stellar, and I was ecstatic that I finally found a light pink lipstick that is flattering on me.

Lip Balm: I did not try anything new this year that I loved.

 

Face Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

I bought this loose setting powder in April, and now I almost haven’t gone a day without using this powder. It’s so soft and finely-milled, and keeps my makeup in place all day without making my makeup look cakey and dry.

Honourable Mentions: I also fell in love with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in the shade Dim Light, particularly for setting under the eyes. It provides a bit of luminosity to that area without leaving shimmers on my face.

Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Opal

As most people know, Becca shines in the highlighter department. I’ve been so obsessed with this highlighter this year. The texture of the powder is soft and the colour payoff is extremely pigmented. I only wore this on the weekends because it’s such a crazy intense highlight, until I saw a coworker wearing this to work one day, and found that with the right tools and a light hand, it is still possible to wear this to work without looking crazy.

Honourable Mentions: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in the shade Luminous Light, which is a more subtle highlight compared to Opal.

Blush: Teeez Be Blushious Blush in Very Rouge

I really enjoyed this blush this year, because I don’t own anything similar. Very Rouge is so pigmented, and gives a wonderful subtle glow without being too shimmery. I reviewed it here.

Cheek Contour: I did not use any contour shade throughout the year that I loved.

Bronzer: I did not use any new bronzers that I loved.

 

Perfume: Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne

I tend not to go for floral fragrances, because I often find they smell old lady-ish to me. I love how fresh and subtle this scent is, and I’m super excited to wear it as 1/2 of my wedding fragrance this year!

Honourable Mentions: Bath & Body Works Waikiki Beach Coconut – This was a weekend scent for me during the summer, and I always got tons of compliments every time I wore this. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to wear this, so I have to do better and remember this summer!

That ties it up for my 2016 favourites. If there is one product you would recommend I try for 2017, what would it be?