To round out the year, I wanted to do a couple wrap ups of my favourites across beauty and style, starting with the beauty products I couldn’t get enough of in 2018. Let’s jump into it with my make up favourites…
MAKE UP FAVOURITES
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (also here) | I’m a pretty big fan of the moisture surge range from Clinique in general, but this has been another favourite for me. It’s intensely nourishing and doesn’t break me out, so I’ll usually apply a generous amount of this to my face before bed a few times a week. For days when my complexion is feeling incredibly dry, I’ll even use a small pea sized amount as a day moisturiser which I find works a treat.
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Breathable Concealer | Rather than opt for foundation most days, I’ll usually just throw on a little bit of concealer where I need it – under the eyes, on any patches of redness and for spots. For me, this works as I enjoy letting my skin breathe. The concealer I’ve found that’s done the best job is from Rimmel. The applicator is a squeeze tube with a sponge at the end (not the best in my opinion), and the formula is great. Thick, creamy, and medium to full coverage. Does a good job of covering up even dry spots!
YSL Vinyl Couture Mascara | It’s not often that a mascara wows me, but this one from YSL was a total standout for me for the year. No smudging at all, and it gave me really gorgeous full, fluttery lashes.
Urban Decay Primer Potion | I was lucky enough to attend an Urban Decay masterclass earlier in the year, and this was one of the products I was most excited to try, and it didn’t disappoint. I’ve been using this daily as a base under my eyeshadow and it has helped immensely to stop shadows from slipping all over my eyelid. Also just as good is the NARS Pro Prime Eyeshadow Base; just depends on your preference!
Lorac Pro Eyeshadow Palette | This is one of those eyeshadow palettes that I’m forever glad I went to the hassle of purchasing. I used mail forwarding to buy this via Nordstrom, and it truly has lived up to the hype. Pigmented, easily blendable shadows, compact, and a great colour selection. This is usually the one I tend to reach for when travelling as it’s one of the more versatile palettes I have in my beauty stash.
Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Eyeliner | This eyeliner probably doesn’t need much introduction from me – it’s been a favourite for the last few years and the one I always reach for. The brush has a fine pointed nib which makes application really simple, and it also lasts really well throughout the day too.
Bobbi Brown Glow Stick in Desert Sun | I first discovered this ‘glow stick’ from Bobbi Brown last year, and have been loving using it ever since. I tend to favour cream base products over powder as I find they look a little more natural on the skin. This is the perfect hue for a naturally flushed look; the formula has a slight sheerness to it and while it doesn’t stick around all day, it’s super blendable and a great cream blush option for beginners.
Clinique Sculpting Contour Chubby Stick | My favourite bronzer of the year has to be this contouring stick from Clinique. It’s got a nice warm hue to it and I love that it’s a matte without any shimmer to it. Again, like the Bobbi Brown Glow Stick, this is really easy to blend out. I like to use this around my crown, on my cheek and down my nose for a little bit of extra bronze.
NARS Laguna Bronzer (also here) | A newer addition to my beauty stash, I recently picked up a mini of the cult classic Laguna Bronzer, and I totally get what all the hype is about. Super pigmented powder, blends out nicely and I like that there’s no shimmer in there.
Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Euphoric Strobe Light (also here) | After hearing so many great things about Hourglass products, I finally decided to dip my toes in with this highlighting powder. This has an icy pink undertone to it, with micro sparkles. The powder is super finely milled and is like a dream to apply – I like to pop this on wet for extra glow.
Benefit Gimme Brow | Perhaps my favourite brow product I’ve tried is the Glossier Boy Brow, however as it’s impossible to ship it to Australia without using some sort of assisted purchase service, I recently found myself looking for alternatives. And I have to say, I’ve been pretty impressed with Benefit’s Gimme Brow; truth be told, they’re much of a muchness. I like that this helps to fill in the gaps without making my brows look too ‘done’, and it lasts all day. The teensy little brush is perfect too.
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Sheena | The first time I used one of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks, I have to admit, I wasn’t too impressed. When applied, it just sat on my lips and for the price, I’d expected more. Second time around, I’m much more pleased, which has me wondering whether the formula has changed slightly. This melts into my lips and I love the colour. It looks quite peachy in the bullet but when applied it’s more of an apricot pinky brown.
Tom Ford Lip Contour Duo in Public Display | Perhaps my most worn lipstick of the year is this one from Tom Ford. It’s a gorgeous apricot toned nude, and it’s a dream to wear. Super creamy, a satin matte finish and great wear time too.
YSL Tatouage Couture Matte Stain in 1 | My third and final favourite lipstick of the year is this matte lip stain from YSL. The applicator is squared off which actually makes it easy to apply, it’s non-drying, and lasts all damn day. I loved the formula of this so much that I bought it in another colour.
FRAGRANCE FAVOURITES
Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP | I don’t think I ever understood the hype around Tom Ford fragrances until I tried Black Orchid. Deep and heady, with an intoxicating aroma, this is quite spicy with a slight musky undertone. Definitely one worth lingering over next time you’re at the perfume counter.
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne | My second fragrance favourite is the Wood Sage and Sea Salt from Jo Malone. This is much lighter than the Tom Ford perfume, but has a few of those similar properties. Again, totally worth the hype.
SKINCARE FAVOURITES
Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate (also here) | I’ve been streamlining my skincare routine a lot this year, as I try to implement some kind of consistency. A good moisturising serum has become a total must for me as I have quite dehydrated (but oily) skin, and I’ve been really impressed with this one from Clinique. I use a couple of pumps and this just helps to give me an added boost of hydration.
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (also here) | I’m a pretty big fan of the moisture surge range from Clinique in general, but this has been another favourite for me. It’s intensely nourishing and doesn’t break me out, so I’ll usually apply a generous amount of this to my face before bed a few times a week. For days when my complexion is feeling incredibly dry, I’ll even use a small pea sized amount as a day moisturiser which I find works a treat.
HAIRCARE FAVOURITES
Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer | Full disclosure; I was fortunate enough to be gifted one of these hairdryers following a Dyson event, and honestly, it’s been a total game changer for me. I’m now using this to dry my hair after every shower, and I have really noticed a difference. My hair looks much smoother, and the whole styling process is a little more effortless as there’s less unruly hair to tame!
ghd Platinum + Styler | The second step in my hair styling routine is using my ghd to add some light loose waves throughout. This has been a go-to for me since I was 15 years old, and I figure if it ain’t broke…
Oribe Dry Texturising Spray (also here) | I still recall the first time I tried an Oribe product; I was at the hairdressers and it was literally described to me as the Rolls Royce of haircare products. The Dry Texturising Spray was really the one product I was curious about, so I decided to give it a go and I really like the effect it has on my hair. It gives a slightly piece-y texture which is perfect especially if I’m having a day where my hair just feels a little… flat.
What have been your stand out beauty favourites for 2018?
