BEST OF BEAUTY 2016

Welcome to the best of beauty 2016, I've also posted my skincare edition on a separate post so if you're a skincare junkie like me pop along and check it out. 2016 has definitely been a year with amazing launches hence amazing products and those who made it into my faves of 2016, this is my 1st yearly round up post I've done and I really wanted to include my previous favourites prior to 2016 but that can be a holy grail post.

FOUNDATIONS + CONCEALERS

Starting with foundations and concealers, my favourite foundation of the year has to be the Milani Conceal and Perfect which shouldn't come as a surprise, it's full coverage and does not melt off my face - this was my go-to foundation in the Summer when the shade was perfect. Because I'm much paler now my winter foundation is a recent addition, the L.A Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation - I tend to lean towards dewy foundations in the winter since my skin becomes drier - This is lightweight and is the perfect medium coverage for everyday wear. The EX1 Cosmetics Inviswear Liquid Foundation is another amazing affordable foundation that truly offers full coverage, this is on the semi-matte side and was one of my favourites in the summer especially since they came out with a better shade selection. If you have combination skin like me check these 3 out.

There has been one standout concealer for me, I've tried out so many concealers and with dark circles a full coverage cover is what I look for, the Ardere Cosmetics Flawless Concealer is hands down holy grail - lightweight and full coverage - it even beats the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye undereye that I wanted to try out for soo long! I've done a full post on all the undereye concealers that I have used. Shade 2 is the perfect undereye concealer that helps brighten and cover my undereye area.

FACE PRODUCTS

This category is all base and finishing products. Starting with primer, I have been using the Nivea Men Sensitive Shave Balm as a face primer since I fell into the Nikki Tutorials hype, this helps my makeup apply smoother and last longer, the scent lingers for a few seconds when you apply this on your skin but it creates a perfect tacky texture.

The winning setting powder has to be the RCMA No Color Powder which is translucent powder and set your foundation and concealer perfectly, it does not leave a white cast and is great for 'baking' under your eyes. This is soo affordable and everyone needs to try it out, I've poured mine into a loose powder compact so it is easier to use and store.

Contour has been a huge thing and I am not into cream contours for everyday makeup. But I do love using the NYX HD Blush in Taupe to help bring out my cheekbones, it has an ashy undertone and helps creates the perfect shadows for where you want to be more chiselled.

Bronzer choice favourite has to be the Ciate London X Olivia Palermo The Cheekbone Cheat Duo in Bluff point. I love using this to add warmth to my skin, it's super smooth and blends like a dream.

I love the Milani Illuminating Powder in Amber Nectar to overall blend everything in, it has a beautiful mauvey undertone with slight shimmer. An illuminating powder is basically bronzer, blush and highlighter all in one and does a bit if everything.

Favourite blush colour has been Benefit's Rockateur, I absolutely loved this in the summer. it is pretty coral shade and my other favourite blush has been Amaretto from the Jaclyn Hill Face Palette, it is a warm almond colour and can almost be a bronzer shade of lighter skin tones.

Highlighters that I have been obsessed with is Champagne Pop and Prosecco Pop, I normally mix these together to create the perfect shade. I love this highlight so much and a little goes a long way/

My favourite setting spray is the Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day in Peach, if you use a lot of powders this then sets your powder and makes your skin look flawless. A setting spray helps prolong your makeup and the scent peach is divine.

EYESHADOW PALETTES

I had to include a separate section for eyeshadows since I have loads of eyeshadow palettes that I love. For the first half of the year, I was truly obsessed with the Freedom Black Arts Palette with 35 shades, this palette is very affordable and pigmented, you can see that I have hit pan in most shades and it a palette that I reach for if I am opting for more colour.

The most travel-friendly and insanely pretty packaged palette has to be the Ciate London X Olivia Palermo - The Smokey Suedes palette which has a mix of everyday shades, I have been loving the bone shade, the transitional trade and the rose gold is my favourite as an eyeshadow topper.

A palette for all shimmer lovers is the Morphe Brushes 35F palette, a perfect autumnal palette with a row of matte shades, I've had so much fun with shimmers and I am obsessed with the metallic colours, they are pigmented and easy to blend, I have a full review and where you can buy this in the UK ( I will also be giving one away at a later date).

BROWS, LASHES + LINER

Brows have been a huge thing for me since I have a lack of brows, I love the Ardere Cosmetic Brow Fibre in Light, the fibre helps mimic hairs really well and is a buildable product. For a more easy brow, I use the Freedom Brow Pomade in Ash Brown which I have truly mastered to use this year, this has more of a bold effect and I like using both these together sometimes.

For eyelashes I adore the Maybelline Lash Sensational in Waterproof Black, this helps me to define and lengthen my lashes without weighing my curls down, I like going in with a second mascara to volumise and again lengthen and I love using the Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara to do this. 

My favourite eyeliner that has beat out all other liners is the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, it's a paintbrush -like nib and is very easy to draw a winged liner. It's super black, precise, sharp and also smudge and waterproof, everything that I'm looking for in a liner.

LIPS

I have a lot of lipsticks and these are the standout ones that I have been constantly reaching for this past year. I've very much been in the 90's brown lip trend, therefore, all these are a nudish brown tone. I've mentioned these throughout the whole year and will continue to wear them.

My favourite and most used everyday lipstick are Mac Taupe, which is a nude with a little more red, this has taken over Velvet Teddy and is that perfect 'your lips but better'colour. I love the matte finish and how it stays on all day on me.

Favourite lip crayon has been Nars Tortola a true brown colour in a velvety matte finish, It is the darkest brown that I have ever use and has an incredible staying power. It's really easy to apply and the finish is perfect.

I'm sure everyone has a favourite liquid lipstick and the ones I have been loving is NYX Liquid Suede in Sandstorm and Colourpop Cosmetics in Calypso. Sandstorm is straight up brown shade and I love the liquid suede formula, they are matte but has a slightly tacky texture so your lips do not dry out and become uncomfortable. I also love using Sandstorm to tone down my brighter lipsticks. 

Calypso is a firm favourite that I have been reaching for every single day since it arrived on my doorstep.  the Ultra Satin Lip formula is super comfortable on the lips and leaves a slight stain on the lips. It is a mid pink colour and looks lovely for some colour.

Hope you've enjoyed my favourites if you have a best of beauty post leave it below so I can check it out and for all you lovely people who love makeup as much as I do I have a small giveaway below!

Until next time!

Joyce x

P.s I would be the happiest girl if you follow me on  BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM

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Joyce x

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