Hello Everyone! Happy New Year! I am wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead. After taking a month off from my blog, I’m back today and will be sharing my 2018 Beauty Favorites. It was really hard to narrow it down and I decided to pick out the most reached for makeup products that I used this year, all of which were released in 2018 with the exception of a few.
EYES
Urban Decay Born To Run Palette– I absolutely fell in love with this palette. I took this palette with me on several trips I made this year. It really has an amazing array of shades that are pigment rich in both matte and shimmer finishes that helped me create looks for both day and night. For more details, images, and swatches, see my previous review here.
Pat Mc Grath Mothership Sublime Palette-Bronze Seduction- I purchased this palette towards the latter part of 2018 and I couldn’t have been happier with this purchase. Her shadows perform exceptionally well. They are super creamy and pigmented with a buttery texture that not only blends beautifully but is incredibly long lasting. I used the combination of shades frequently for evenings out this year. It’s really worth the splurge.
NARS Climax Mascara– I adore this mascara. The full-bodied brush has ribbed bristles that help to capture and coat each lash. It simultaneously separates, lengthens, and volumizes. I find that the formula is lightweight and the staying power is amazing. See more images and my full review here.
BASE
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation Warm Olive -beautiful buildable coverage that lives up to its claim of long lasting, buildable sweat proof wear. It was one of the most used and reached for foundations this year after picking it up in June. The matte finish is perfect when I wanted a full coverage, yet natural finish.
YSL Touche Eclat All-in-one Glow -Shade B 50 (Honey)- On most days, I prefer a lighter base and this foundation is perfect for the no make-up, makeup look. I love the tube packaging that made it so easy for me to toss inside my makeup bag and take with me on- the- go. Another added plus is that it contains SPF.
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation This was the perfect mixing medium when I wanted to infuse a bit of glow to my complexion. There is nothing quite like it. It’s just perfect year round.
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer -The hype is real for this concealer. I’ve been using it nonstop! You get amazing coverage with a hydrating feel, no creasing and it’s so versatile to use. I have all swatches of 20 shades and a full review here.
Jouer Essential High Coverage Concealer-* Another concealer I’m obsessed with. It provides crease free, smooth, and long lasting coverage with a host of skincare benefits to boot. Swatches of all 25 shades here.
Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer– This primer was the most reached for this year. I love that it is so versatile and can be used to intensify my eye makeup as well. A mini version is now available that you can find here.
FACE
Hourglass Ambient Unlocked Palette-This palette is so versatile, featuring six all-new, exclusive shades of their Ambient powder, bronzer, blush, and metallic strobe lighting powder. I’ve purchased many of their palettes over the years, reviewed here and I will tell you that this one is my favorite. It provides a soft lit from within glow that looks divine on the skin.
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact-This was a major hit for me this year. It gives a very natural sun kissed bronze that gives just the right amount of warmth and depth. I can use it to also slightly contour my face.
Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Powder– This powder provides a radiant, healthy, subtle glow that breathes life into my complexion. I love the natural luminosity it imparts. I use it to softly set my makeup and to touch-up through the day as needed. It seems to give the perfect veil of radiance and I am enamored with the stunning design and effortlessly easy application. See more images and my full review here.
MAC Next to Nothing Powder-Another often reached for touch up and setting powder. It has an almost imperceptible finish that helped to keep my makeup looking fresh all day.
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Highlighters- I have loved the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters for years now. I have reviewed the formula several times here, here, and here. It’s simply one of the best highlighter formulas in the market, in my humble opinion. It’s ultra soft, incredibly pigmented, and if you desire an intense highlight that was made to be seen, you are bound to find a shade to fall in love with. See swatches of all shades here.
LIPS
NARS Power Matte Pigment Liquid Lipsticks & Full Vinyl Lip Lacquers
I am a huge fan of liquid lipsticks for their staying power and impressive coverage. The Nars liquid lipstick formula ranks as one of the best in my humble opinion. It has a lightweight texture that is long lasting and non drying, and has great staying power. The Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer in Santo Domingo, a mauve pink was my go to nude combination this year, especially when paired with the American Woman Power Matte liquid lipstick.
Pat Mc Grath Matte Trance/ Luxe Trance Lipsticks– I discovered her range of lipsticks while on a short trip to San Francisco a couple of summers ago. The pigmentation is insane! The opaque coverage, coupled with the smooth creamy formula makes it nothing short of amazing. I have since picked up more shades. See my full review and swatches here
Yves Saint Laurent Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain– Last but not least, this was another fantastic beauty discovery in the lipstick category. I purchased three shades, reviewed here. It’s lightweight, non drying and settles into a beautiful stain by day’s end. I’ve been recommending this to people who normally don’t like liquid lipstick formulas because it truly is amazing and does not even feel moderately drying as some liquid lipstick formulas do. Nude Emblem, a terra cotta pink is my favorite shade in the range. I get tons of compliments when I wear it.
SKINCARE
Freshbeauty Black Tea Kombucha Essence– I have gone through 4 bottles of this amazing Essence! It helps to provide luminosity and radiance, fights pollution, has anti-aging properties and so much more. I use it after cleansing and applying my serum. I even got my boyfriend to try this product and he loves it as well!
Bioderma Sensibio H2o Micellar Water– This is one of my holy grail products that I have repurchased several times over. It removes traces of anything that I might have left behind. I have also used this to wipe away my eye makeup and heavy lip stains, and it works amazingly well! I use my favorite cotton pads from Shiseido to gently wipe away any traces of dirt, grime and makeup left behind.
Fresh Soy Cleanser – I use this cleanser day and night. I have tried other cleansers but I keep going back to this one and for good reason. It gently cleanses my skin and does not strip it dry. I can even use it gently around the eye area without any irritation. According the the product description, it contains soy ingredients and is rich in amino acids that support moisture retention. It also contains rosewater to balance and tone the skin.
Drunk Elephant Sukari Baby Facial- It provides me with Baby Soft smooth skin as its name sake implies, gets rid of dead skin cells on the surface and my skin is loving it! I also love that is another clean brand offered at Sephora.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask This mask has a jolly rancher watermelon scent that smells so delightful. It has a bouncy, breathable texture that is oil-free, lightweight and is formulated with watermelon extract to soothe. It deeply hydrates with hyaluronic acid, and consists of gentle AHAs that work while you sleep. It feels incredible on my skin and I use it overnight at least once a week
Fresh Beauty Creme Ancienne Eye Serum– To be honest, I didn’t want to fall in love with this product as much as I did. The price tag is pretty steep, but oh boy, it really helps to depuff, reduce fine lines and refresh my delicate under eye area. It’s ultra luxurious and my under eyes have never looked better.
What were some of your beauty favorites this year? I’d also love to read yours if you leave me your link below! More new product reviews coming up soon on the blog so stay tuned!
xx,
Dom
*Some samples were provided for review and consideration. Many items were purchased by me. Some links are affiliated. Please read my full disclosure on my home page for more details.