Hey everyone! I know we're already into 2013 by a couple months, but I still wanted to do this post and I figured it would be a great one to start off this blog with!
I tried a lot of new products in 2012 and these are the ones I loved the most. So without further ado, lets get into it!
Sigma Brushes
This year was the year I finally decided to try out Sigma brushes, and I'm so glad I did! They've become irreplaceable in my routine, not to mention they're very affordable so I don't feel so bad when I lose one. They've also got an amazing variety of brushes and I can't imagine doing my makeup without these!
Real Techniques Brushes
In case you haven't heard of these yet, these are an affordable line of brushes created by youtube beauty guru Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo. These brushes are incredibly soft, dense, and perform amazingly, along with not hurting your wallet. If you haven't tried these yet, I definitely suggest snagging some up whenever you have a chance! Ulta often has sales/coupons :)
Urban Decay Vice Palette
Even though I got this near the end of the year, this has been one of my go to palettes and I have used it nearly every day! I love the variety in this palette, anything from a bright & colorful eye to a softer neutral look is possible with the 20 shadows included. There are a couple duds (Jagged/Provocateur) but I find using them wet helps a lot with application problems. I couldn't love this palette more!
Benefit Porefessional
I picked this up on a whim during summertime when my skin was behaving badly and my pores were quite visible. I'm so glad I did, because this stuff is a miracle in a bottle! It truly does make your pores disappear and makeup applies so smoothly over it. It does have a strong floral scent, so if you're not a fan I would definitely try to check this out in person before you buy it.
Lorac Pro Palette
The second eyeshadow palette I decided to put up here was also one I got towards the end of the year but have absolutely fallen in love with. One of the things so unique about this palette and the reason I purchased it was the fact that it contains 8 matte shades, and 8 shimmer shades. Unlike other mattes in palettes, these mattes are amazingly pigmented and buttery, and blend like a dream. The shimmers are amazingly intense and buttery as well. 16 eyeshadows for only $42 is also an amazing price for such great quality shadows as well!
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
This is another item that I rediscovered and fallen in love with all over again, but this time as an eye base. I have owned several paint pots but I remember a few years back, I did try to use them as eye bases but didn't like them in favor of UDPP. However, I've begun using Painterly for that purpose and I don't know how I thought that it didn't work well before. Painterly is the best eyebase I have ever used. It covers up all imperfections on my lids and matches my skin perfectly. Eyeshadow lasts all day without creasing and there is a ton in the pot. Definitely has made my holy grail :)
Red Cherry Lashes
I love these lashes! They're so cheap, there's so many to pick from, and they feel so natural. It feels like you're really wearing nothing at all and for only $1.99 a pair, who can say no? (Pictured are my two favorite natural looking lashes, #43/#217)
Hard Candy Glamoflage Concealer
I bought this originally to use as undereye concealer, however it was much too thick for that purpose. I did find something else to use it for that it's become irreplaceable for and that would be my eyebrows! I just run a tiny drop of this under my brows once I've finished filling them in to clean up and add a bit of highlight. It's a very light shade and it highlights perfectly. I love that the tube is huge and since I only use a tiny bit every day, I know it'll be around forever!
Korres Lip Butters
These lip butters are amazing! I've been using a lot of Korres products over the past years and these lip butters are one of my favorites from them. They are pigmented but still sheer, and add a nice base color under your lipstick while hydrating your lips insanely well. I love to use a bit of Lush lip scrub then slap some of this on, soft lips heaven!
NYC Liquid Liner
Probably one of the most favorite things I discovered of the year. This liner is only around $2 and the best thing about it is it dries to a matte finish! It is also very forgiving and if you smudge, it's really easy to just push it up with your finger. I cannot go without this stuff :)
Loreal MagiSmooth Souffle Whipped Foundation
This foundation was probably my number one favorite out of the bunch. I've been on the search for the perfect foundation for years but have never seemed to find one until now. This one keeps my oily face matte all day, provides great coverage, and makes my skin look amazing. The only complaint I have is that the formula really sticks to dry patches, so be sure to exfoliate well if you plan on using this. I can deal with that for the end result though.
Mac Mineralize Skin Finish
I had always used Studiofix powder before because I always needed heavy coverage, but my skin has been improving lately and getting less oily. I love to use this MSF over my foundation/concealer to set the whole look. It's a very light powder so it doesn't look cakey at all, but gives the skin a nice smooth, glowy finish.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
This is another one of my holy grail products. This pencil comes in handy for any eye look, and will intensify any color you have. It's also good for highlighting and lining the eye, as long as you pick some up on an eyeliner brush. A lot of people complain about sharpening them, but as long as you buy the NYX brand sharpener there shouldn't be a problem :)
MAC Lipsticks
I had never really been a lipstick wearer until last year, I've just never thought it looked good on me. However, now that I'm beginning to like it more, I've been buying quite a few over the past year. I've been a loyal MAC customer for years I had never tried one of their lipsticks before! I can't believe I missed out for so long. Their lipsticks come in such a wide range of colors with different finishes and have a nice vanilla scent. They have great staying power and they've become my new favorite thing to buy!
American Apparel Nail Polish
I love this stuff! It has great application, lasts forever, and they have such lovely colors.
Revlon Lip Butters
Revlon makes some great lipsticks, and this line is my favorite from them! So many pretty colors and they are always on sale.
Some other products not pictured:
Too Faced Candlelit Glow
Everything from Lush!
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed!
