Looking back on this past year, it is crazy to reflect on how many products I have tried and reviewed! Some have become my favourite and some I could take or leave. It can be very overwhelming at times to conquer the beauty industry will all the products accessible nowadays, and whether or not to invest in high end products or save the bank and use drug store products!
My favourite products of this year are a combination of drugstore and retailer products, online buys and in store buys. Below are my absolute favourite products of this year and I have linked all of them for easy access!
Ps it is a long one so grab a hot cup of hot chocolate or coffee and enjoy!!!
Sarah xo
Skin Care
Origins Refreshing Scrub Cleanser
I love this scrub. It smells amazing and is a light exfoliator I use every 2nd to 3rd day. Try not to use an exfoliator everyday as it will dry out your skin! Origins my new favourite skincare brand, they are plant based and all their products are quality, worth the penny products!
Origins Night-A-Mins Oil Free Renewal Cream
This is my nighttime go to. It is a thicker formula and adds that extra hydration for this long overnights!
Face Masks
Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal Mask
My favourite mask of the year! I used this for months now and have loved what it has done for my skin. You must start on the canvas before you can build and investing in masks is something new to me this year and it has really paid off in the skin quality and care department!
Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
This is a mask I added recently as an alternative to my charcoal mask. I initially did break out on my first use however since then I have alternated between this and the charcoal mask and really have noticed such a difference in the appearance and quality of my skin!
Makeup
Primer
Tarte BB 12hr Tinted Moisturizer in light
This has been my absolute favourite product this last year. I cannot go without using it as a base for my makeup on any given day. It goes on so smoothly, blanketing the pores and given a gorgeous very light tint to hide any redness or imperfections! Tarte is also a cruelty free brands and one of my all time favourites! There foundation, blushes, mascara and eyeshadow palettes are definitely worth checking out!
Foundation
L’Oreal True Match Foundation in W3
After trying numerous for foundations, high end and low end I found the ying to my yang! This foundation and colour fit my skin tone flawlessly, the formula does not make my skin oily or dry, it gives a beautiful natural finish that you can then build off of!
Concealer
Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral
I have tried about 4 different concealers this year and nothing has come close to the Naked Skin concealer. It brightens, highlights, smooths and covers every little flaw!
Setting Powder
Ben Nye Setting Powder in Cameo
I started out the year using the Laura Mercier Transculent Powder however I couldnt justify the $50 price tag. I read a ton of great reviews about the Ben Nye powder and settled on the shade cameo. I have been using this powder for about 8 months, im barely through 1/3 of the bottle and I absolutely love it! A little goes a long way, it applies effortlessly and the finish is flawless without looking caked on!
Highlighter
Becca Cosmetics X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop
Since its release early this year, this palette has been my go to for both blush and highlighter. The pigment is beautiful and the highlighter buildable which is great for the makeup rookie or the experienced highlighter!
Liquid Liner
Amaterasu Liquid Liner in Black
This is the only liquid liner Ive used this year and refuse to try anything else. Its my absolute favourite, stays on all day long and the pigment is so beautiful and black (it also comes in brown).
Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Waterproof Mascara
I am obsessed with this mascara! For under $10 you get a mascara that lasts, has such a beautiful dark pigment, lengthens each lash, and separates each lash while providing volume, cha ching! You will swear you were wearing false lashes!
Brows
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow in Ebony
This is my absolute favourite product for my brows. Its very reasonably priced considering the amount of product you get and it goes on so perfectly. The product is build able and the consistency perfect for shaping and structuring your brows. This is a beauty product I could NOT live without!!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel in Clear
For finishing your brows this is an absolute must for those pesky brows that won’t stay in place! They do have tinted brow gel however i much prefer the clear!
Eyeshadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
What can I say about this palette, its gorgeous, it has beautiful pigment and it blends effortlessly. It is higher priced at $55 however it is a palette worth investing in. The soft neutrals and combination of matte and metallic colours can take you from day to night flawlessly!
Morphe 350 Palette This is my absolute favourite inexpensive palette of the year. I bought it last fall and have used it consistently since. This palette is only $19US and the pigment and quality is superb! They have a huge range of palette with various colour options so I highly recommend heading over there and finding a palette perfect for you skin tone!
Makeup Tools
Best Face Sponge
Beauty Blender ($28CA) For a high end blender, this is the best one on the market by far. A beauty sponge has become an absolute must in my arsenal of makeup tools and this one is as good as it gets!
Real Techniques Beauty Sponge (2x $14CA) I started using this sponge a couple months ago and it surpassed my expectations. For $7 each this sponge is just as good as the beauty blender, the key is to always use them damp!
Brushes For Face
Morphe E2 Powder Brush ($19.99US)
Morphe E4 Blush Brush ($13.99US)
Morphe E61 Pointed Highlight Brush ($7.99US)
Brushes For Eyes
Morphe M200 Deluxe Crease ($4.99US)
Morphe M332 Fluffy Crease ($4.99US)
Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Fluff ($5.99)
Hair Products
Pureology Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
This combination has been my go to for years and I refuse to try another brand. Pureology is cruelty free and delivers the best in quality. This duo has kept my hair healthy, hydrated and shinning for years and I could not go without either!
Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry
This is my absolute favourite product to use in my hair before I blow dry it! Its a serum for dry and damaged hair, my hair is really neither but the added hydration is fantastic!
I was introduced to Kevin Murphy towards the end of the year and to say I am in love is an understatement! This dry shampoo is great, leaves my hair fresh again for another day or two and also does not leave any terrible residue!
Kevin Murphy Volumizing Mousse
This is another product I love to use prior to blow drying for added volume. As my hair grows I am loving any added volume I can get and love that this product adds volume, doesn’t leave my hair dry or oily and has
Kevin Murphy Doo Over Finishing Spray
This was another product I added to my arsenal in the last month or so but it is absolutely worth the mention! It is a dry powder finishing spray perfect for holding and holding your hair!
