FAVORITES WEEK : Beauty
Welcome to Day 3 of my 2015 Favorites! Today it's all about beauty. I'll be sharing all of the top products that I used throughout the year in a variety of price points. I tried out so many different makeup products this year, so I feel fairly confident recommending these! I hope that you'll find something new to try, and please share your favorite products from the year!
P.S. - I included some affiliate links in this post. These are all items that I used and loved all year, and everything was bought with my own money! Thank you for supporting Gretch Runs so I can bring you better content in 2016!!
Face
In the past year, I've tried out so many different foundations- from really low end to expensive high end. To me, nothing really compares to this foundation from Covergirl! There are so many things that I love about this product: there's a pump in the bottle so that you can control how much comes out; there is a huge color selection so it matches my skin perfectly; it goes on really smoothly and stays put all day; and it can be applied sheerly or built up if I need more coverage. Simply put, this is my favorite foundation ever!
This is a spray that I apply pretty much every day, and it makes all of my makeup look amazing! If you're not a fan of a powdery face, this is a spray for you. It gives me a slightly dewy finish on my makeup, and helps everything last all day long. I've repurchased this more times than I can remember this year!
Eyes
I honestly can't remember a single day since I picked up this product that I haven't used it. I wear it during the work week as a simple eye shadow (just apply a swipe, some mascara and concealer and I'm ready to go!) or as a base on the weekend for other shadows. It's such a simple product to use and looks so beautiful and subtle on the eyelids. If you haven't tried this out, I highly suggest it!
I will remember 2015 as the year that I mastered the winged eyeliner- mostly thanks to this eyeliner! The tip of this is so thin that it's really easy to apply a straight line. It also lasts all day on my eyelid without fading or creasing at all! I've tried it in the black and brown shade, and I'm a huge fan!
Out of all the makeup products out there, mascara is probably the one that I'm most picky about and always in search of the best one. I decided to try the Super Sizer after reading so many good reviews about it, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The brush is a little odd to use, but it makes my eyelashes so long and full! When I wear this mascara, I get asked if I'm wearing false eyelashes. It's amazing!
Lips
This lip product was a staple for me this year and I used it almost every day as soon as I got out of the shower! As a balm, it's so smooth and creamy, and makes my dried lips feel and look amazing. It also tints your lips very softly, and stains them all day long. There are a few shades of this product and I want to try more of them!
I love wearing neutral lipsticks, and also love matte lips. Unfortunately, this usually is a recipe for disaster, with disaster meaning chapped and cracked lips. Luckily for me, I found the creamy matte lipstick this year and I'm in love! The lipstick is so smooth and creamy (hence the name) and it was perfect for an every day lip.
Nails
Revlon Gel Envy Polish
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I don't paint my nails all the time, mostly because my nails seem to chip almost immediately after applying. I discovered the gel envy polish by Revlon this year, and I'll never buy another brand! The colors are all really opaque and beautiful, and last on my nails for a week with no chipping. I also got a top coat from this line that I love! I just wish that there were more colors available!
When I'm looking for something a little more special for my nails, or want my nails done but can't maintain them for a week or so, I use nail wraps. I tried the Jamberry wraps after a friend had a Facebook party, and I'm obsessed! These are really easy to apply, and last way longer than my previous favorites from Sally Hansen. They're a bit pricey, but don't dry up so I use them sparingly when I want something a little special. I love all of their seasonal wraps, and they also have school spirit wraps that would be great for a big football game!
Skin
Trader Joe's Nourish Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer
I revamped my skin care this year, and I decided to try out Trader Joe's products. They both got great reviews on Paula's Choice, and they're really cheap. Both of these have done great things for my skin and haven't irritated it at all! I love the pump on both of them so it's easy to use, and will continue to repurchase.
Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit
As a part of my skin clearing goal for the year, I also decided to start wearing sunscreen regularly. I wasn't really finding any that I liked very much, so I was excited to try out Sephora's annual Sun Safety Kit. There are SO many products in here that I've loved, and I can't wait to repurchase this next year. I highly recommend everyone picking up the kit when it's available!
Hair
Is there anything more annoying and frustrating than brushing out wet hair? Brushing can break your hair, and using a wide tooth comb is so time consuming (and painful!) so I was excited to try out the Wet Brush. The bristles go through my hair so easily, and doesn't damage my hair at all. I love this brush!
John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment
My biggest hair issue is flatness, and this product completely eliminates that. When I use this, I find myself having a great hair day for an entire week! My hair has natural looking volume, and also makes my hair look thicker overall and healthier. I'm not sure what's in this, but I'm in love!
Tools
Real Techniques Brushes
I own so many Real Techniques brushes, and I think they are so high quality. The bristles are so soft and last for a really long time with no shedding. I use mine and wash them constantly, and they're still as good as new! I suggest trying out their kits so that you can try out a few brushes at a time, but my single favorite brushes are the Expert Face Brush
, Stippling Brush
, and Shading Brush
.
, Stippling Brush, and Shading Brush.
Beauty Blender
This might be an expensive sponge, but I honestly use this daily and think it's well worth the money. I use it for foundation, concealer, cream blush and highlight, and for touch ups during the day. Other brands make cheaper versions of this, but I really think nothing compares to the real deal, and it's worth splurging! I spend a lot of time cleaning and sanitizing my sponge after each use, so I can use it for a really long time. Other sponges wear out quickly, so in the end I'm spending less money!
What's your favorite makeup product of the year?
I even posted today that I need to be more of a girl in 2016! I LOVE the wet brush! Thank you I needed all of these recommendations!
ReplyDeleteIt made me laugh when I read that :) You'll just have to come and visit so I can teach you about makeup! Or I can always send you some youtube videos that helped me out :)
Delete^^^^ DITTO to everything she said. I love the wet brush and need all of these suggestions. I do love my eye brow filler-iner (yes I just made that a word). Maybelline I think.
ReplyDeleteSo funny! If we ever do a BGB meetup I'll do a makeup seminar haha!
DeleteI want to try that spray! Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI got into liquid liner this year too :-)
It's the best :)
DeleteI have searched high and low for the L'Oreal makeup extender and we just don't have it up here. But when we go down to Arizona (in 2.5 weeks!) I'll pick up a bunch down there. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteYou better bring an empty suitcase because you have to fill up on all the American goodies! Trader Joes, makeup, and candy...oh my!
DeleteI need that eyeliner pen! I am still working on mastering the art of the winged eye :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes it so simple! The best tip that I learned was to draw the shape with a shadow first..easier to erase and perfect..then draw over it with the pen. Makes it perfect every time!
DeleteI use to try one of those fancy make-up sprays ( I forget where I ordered it from) Anyway, I stopped using it cus it smelled unpleasant. Besides, I couldn't tell if it actually worked or not!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the spray was bad if it smelled weird? I don't really need it to help my makeup last longer since I don't have oily skin, but I like how it makes my skin dewy and not powdery! Definitely my biggest makeup gripe.
DeleteI've been using the same Loreal spray this year after getting it in a subscription box. It works great for me!
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad to hear that :)
DeleteSo much to love! I also dig my wet brush and beauty blender. I need to get my hands on some of that polish, eye shadow and replace some of my makeup brushes. I found the perfect red lipstick, Rimmel Kate Moss 107 :)
ReplyDeleteI love that lipstick so much as well! It's such a pretty color and the formula is amazing :)
DeleteOhh I should try TJ's face wash next time I run out of the one I use. I had a wet brush that I received from a Fitness Magazine event but the girl who cuts my hair told me it can actually break the hair so I stopped using it. who knows though. My favorite beauty product from the past year is probably Dior's Lip and cheek stain. I am going on my third bottle!
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ReplyDeleteThe beauty blender was life-changing for me! I used to use a brush to apply foundation, but not any more ;)
ReplyDelete