Hi guys! It's that wonderful time of year again when I go through all of the beauty products I've used for the past year and compile a list of what worked best. I did this a little different last year, kind of purposely finding a drugstore and high-end version of each favorite. This year my list is much shorter, this is simply my standout favorites. I don't care if they are drugstore or high-end, the only requirement to end up on this list is that they had to be a home run winner. I've purchased a lot of REALLY great products here in the last few months of the year, and while I was dying to put some of them on this list, I did not. If it wasn't something that I used for a considerable amount of time this year I didn't think it was fair to list it. I basically just thought of my standout products, and put them into categories. If I didn't have a favorite in a certain category then you simply won't see it. Anyways, if you're interested in seeing what the best beauty products of 2014 were for me, then here you go!
FOUNDATIONS
High-end Favorite: Make Up For Ever
Drugstore Favorite: Covergirl Ready, Set Gorgeous
Picking the best foundations for this year was a total no-brainer. It just so happened I had both high-end and drugstore items in this category. As you can see there are powders from each brand included in the photos, that is because they are actually powder foundations. I use both of them to set my makeup, but they are in fact powder foundations. I use all of these products interchangeably, but they are hands down my favorites of 2014. All of these have great coverage and work well with my oily skin.
PRIMER
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I don't necessarily use a primer every time I do my makeup, but if I do use one it's always this one. I have huge pores on the apples of my cheeks and this really helps to hide them.
BLUSH
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A matte peach blush is a must-have in anyone's collection as it works with just about any look and is universally flattering. The color is just beautiful and this particular formula is great for not accentuating pores.
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I have loved this product for YEARS. Hands down one of my favorite shades to wear in the Fall and Winter.
HIGHLIGHT
High-end Favorite: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders
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These beautiful powders are ALL I want to use for my highlight! They give such a perfect glow without making your skin look like a grease ball.
I love all the shades but Luminous Light is probably my pick.
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When I am not using my Hourglass powders this is basically the only other highlight I've been using for months now. It gives a very similar look - a beautiful glow with no shimmers/glitters and it also doesn't give you a greasy look. At $3.99 for 0.46oz (huge) this is such a steal.
BRONZER
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Not much to say about this, as it is basically the perfect bronzer for mediumish skin tones. Beautiful, deep, matte bronzer that is excellent to use for contouring your face.
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Another huge product that is super affordable at the drugstore. I love to swirl a big, fluffy face brush in this and sweep it over the high points of my face. I also love to take my Nars Ita brush and dip it in the darker shade to use as my contour.
UNDER-EYE HIGHLIGHTING CONCEALER
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I don't have super dark circles under my eyes, but I definitely like to brighten things up a bit. I love the light consistency of this and the coverage and brightness it gives, as I don't like really heavy products on my under eye area.
Drugstore Favorite: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant
A drugstore product that is super similar to the MAC Prep + Prime. The Radiant shade is definitely the best one they have.
FACE CONCEALER
Favorite: Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Medium
I have no less than 30 concealers and yet this is ALWAYS the one I reach for to cover any imperfections on my face. It covers without looking patchy and blends away to where you can't really see it. I never mention this but it is a total winner in my book.
UNDER-EYE CONCEALER SETTING POWDER
Favorite: MAC Shaping Powder in Emphasize
I use this every single time I do my makeup. Like I mentioned above I don't like heavy products under my eyes, I like to keep it light and bright! This setting powder helps lock your concealer into place but it doesn't cause creasing or anything like that. Perfect.
EYESHADOW PALETTE
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Definitely my most used palette in 2014. I have used and loved this for months now. Although I will admit, had the
Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Palette came out sooner it would have probably knocked this one out of the #1 slot. Vegas Lights is truly lovely though and it has received so much love from me this year.
MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY
Favorite: Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray
This is the makeup setting spray I reach for 95% of the time. Rarely do I ever use anything else, as this is the best at combatting oil throughout the day.
EYELINER
High-end Favorite: MAC Eye Kohl in Costa Riche
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A beautiful reddish coffee bean brown, Costa Riche is my eyeliner of choice in the waterline when doing a smokey eye. While lots of gals typically reach for a black liner, I actually prefer something not so harsh. This works perfectly.
Drugstore Favorite: Physician's Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner Pen in Ultra Black
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I've used this for forever now. Just a really great easy to use eyeliner for your upper lash line.
MASCARA
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This probably is no surprise if you follow my blog at all. I've used this for monthssssss now. I've used several high-end mascaras this year as well, but this one has simply worked the best for me. I definitely tend to use drugstore mascaras over high-end ones, as I like my mascara to be fresh. Once it starts getting old I toss it and grab a new one and it's just more economical for it to be a cheap one at the drugstore.
BROW PRODUCTS
Favorites: Anastasia Brow Wiz and Dip Brow Pomade
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Again, this should come as no surprise. The only 2 brow products I use. Period. I always kind of quickly fill things in with the Brow Wiz, then go back over the middle to outer parts of my brows with the Pomade. These 2 products work beautifully together.
LIPSTICK
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My perfect YOUR-LIPS-BUT-BETTER shade. A beautiful cloudy pink, I think this would be flattering on just about anyone.
Drugstore Favorite: Jordana Twist & Shine in Honey Love
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I think the Jordana balm stains are excellent products, not too mention they are super affordable. The mauve shade Honey Love is my pick of the bunch.
LIP BALM
Favorite: Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm
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I have oodles of lip balm and this one is my standout favorite. Totally worth the price tag. Totally worth the hype. I will always have this in my collection.
LIP SCRUB
Favorite: Lush Mint Julips
Not only does this product make your lips feel soft as a baby's bum, it tastes great too! In case you're not familiar with it, you just rub a tiny amount of this sugar-based lip scrub on your lips then lick it off. Works great. Simple as that.
BEAUTY TOOLS
Skincare Favorite: Clarisonic
An item that I use every single day but rarely ever mention. I've used a Clarisonic for years now and I can't imagine it not being in my daily routine. Nothing else makes your skin feel as clean as this item does.
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There are numerous brushes in my collection that I couldn't imagine not using when doing my makeup but this foundation brush by Sigma, along with my beautyblender, are total must haves. Once you use them there is just no going back. Have. To. Have.
SKINCARE
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I did a whole
blog post on this moisturizer and why I love it so much. I'm currently out of it but will definitely be repurchasing it. Solid product.
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Freeman has totally got it going on in the mask department. I know most would probably mention Glam Glow in this category, and I too am a big fan of those masks as well (especially the Thirsty Mud). But I have used these more and find myself reaching for these more than I do those, so the favorite goes to these two.
EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
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I've used this for yearsssssssss. I have the world's most sensitive eyes and this works best for me. It's as gentle as water (literally) but still removes your makeup. I buy these huge mega jugs at Amazon and they last forever. Love.
FACIAL OIL
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My love for oils is no secret, and this is my FAVORITE one for the face. Just a basic, natural, pure no-frills face oil that my skin adores.
HAND CREAM
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I am never without this. Feels lovely on your hands and really keeps them soft and moisturized.
NAIL POLISH
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If you go back through my blog from this year you will see this on my nails in the majority of my posts, lol. Can't. Get. Enough. This is literally the only color I ever want to wear. Such a no-brainer obvious winner for this year.
TOP COAT
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The only top coat there is. Perfection. Period.
LEAVE-IN HAIR PRODUCTS
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I own and have tried SO many hair products it isn't even funny. Generally speaking if it is something that goes down the drain (shampoo/conditioner) I buy cheaper products, whereas if it is a leave-in product I'm more apt to investing more into it. While these two products are not crazy expensive, they perform like they are and I prefer them to some of my more costly items. I use these every single time I wash my hair, and I use the oil even on days when I don't. Both make your hair super soft and silky and I just adore them.
DRY SHAMPOO
Favorite: Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush
Favorite formula, favorite scent. Not only do I keep this at home, but I also keep travel size ones in my travel toiletry bag as well.
HAIR TOOL
Favorite: Conair YOU Curl
