Since I wrote about the most disappointing products I came across last year, I guess it's only right to tell you my favorite products, because people like positivity and all that shit. I managed to come up with 10 again, all things that I used for the first time in 2016 (and an honorable mention). Obviously 2016 was the year I really came around to lipstick, because that makes up 40% of the list. Here are the best things I started to use last year, in no particular order (with links to previous reviews, when they exist).
1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice
I love all three of the Super Lustrous lipsticks I have, but Fire & Ice (right) was the one I bought last year. I need to put it into more frequent rotation. Reviewed here.
2. Wet N Wild ColorIcon Trio in Plaid to the Bone
My love for duochromes has been well documented, and I can't resist an affordable version in a good formula like this. Sadly, it was limited edition, but you can still get it from gougers on Amazon if you are really determined. Reviewed here.
3. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Rapture
4. Covergirl TruNaked Palette in Roses
This palette is filled with very pigmented, rosy-but-not-too-warm shades that work extremely well for me. An exception to most mediocre drugstore attempts at competing with the more expensive popular palettes out there. The mattes are great over primer, but the more I've used it, I've realized that the shimmers can benefit from a glitter primer, so keep that in mind. Reviewed here.
5. Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches
I plan to review these soon, because I'm on my second pack now. I've tried the Nexcare patches too, and I like these better, because they are thinner and less conspicuous.
6. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Sour Cherry
I got this lipstick as part of one of the Bite holiday duos (which are still available, by the way), and Sour Cherry (bottom right) was my favorite of the four. I'm really enjoying the Amuse Bouche formula. Reviewed here.
7. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery
This one made the list because it surprised me. I generally dislike liquid lipsticks, but this is easy to use, comfortable, and long-wearing, so I'm impressed all around. I wore it to my wedding as well as when I went out recently.
8. Black Radiance Eyeshadow Primer
This primer is a better replacement for the discontinued Wet N Wild Fergie primer than the new Wet N Wild Primer, according to my tests. Reviewed here.
9. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sideline
I'm sure you can get something similar for cheaper, but I got this as my free UD birthday gift. It makes an interesting everyday eyeshadow that is exciting but not too dramatic for your boring coworkers. Swatched here.
10. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
This is something else that I guess I should review, but I'm not sure what else to say other than that my skin has been better since I've been using it. Niacinamide is a form of Vit B that helps reduce the visibility of pores and wrinkles. It also make some people's skin clearer, and I am apparently one of those people. I've been adding a couple of drops to my moisturizer since early fall and seeing good results.
Honorable mention: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
I've been using Bad to the Bronze for well over a year, but I'm including it here because it was by far the product I used most often in 2016. And it's still not dried up, and I still have a ton of it left. It always makes me feel polished when I am rushed or lazy. Reviewed here.
I used a bunch of other good stuff last year, but these are the things that stood out when I looked back. Just like my list of disappointments, I'm not sure there's a real pattern here. Some cheap, some expensive, some researched, some impulse purchases.
How about you? Any great discoveries in 2016?
We hardly ever get LE Wet N Wild products here, which is so disappointing. Plaid to the Bone looked amazing and I know that I love WnW shadows. Ah, well, I guess that just makes it easier for me to resist expanding my makeup collection too much.
ReplyDeleteBad to the Bronze is such a great product! It was one of the first products I bought when I was really getting into makeup and it's a staple for me. I work early twice a week and sleep in as late as possible, so I have an abridged, quick makeup routine down pat. Bad to the Bronze is a go-to for those days because I can just put it all over my lid with my fingers and be done. Mine is like 3.5 years old and pretty dry (plus I've hit major pan on it), so I might have to replace it soon. Although I've been interested in trying the Maybelline eyeshadow crayons and seeing how they compare - they have a colour that looks very similar to BTTB.
Have you tried/swatched the CoverGirl Jewels palette? We got it in at work and I was really excited since the TruNaked palettes were pretty nice. Sadly the colours did not swatch well, especially the glitters. I'm sure they'd do better over a glitter primer as you suggest, but in finger swatches they did not perform well. Such a shame since the colours are really nice and it's apparent that CG can do a nice little palette!
My Bad to the Bronze is getting near 3 years too, I think. I've found that when the surface gets dry, I can wipe some off and the layer below is still good, so I'll stick with it until it gets weird or something. It just always works for me.
DeleteI haven't seen the Jewels palette in a store yet. Then again, I've been avoiding cosmetics sections, because I'm not buying anything for the time being. But it's so unusual for palettes to have excellent mattes and not-so-great shimmers!
I think it's hilarious that they say on the palette "shades like a leading $50 one." Like, just in case you didn't catch our blatant rip-off!!
ReplyDeleteYes, very subtle, whatever could they be suggesting?? Ha. I've taken that sticker off now. It was a little much.
DeleteMy Bad to the Bronze is going on four years old now, and it still works! It's pretty dry, though, and I don't have much left in the pot, so I may destash it soon. I'll miss it, though; I like how cool-toned it is for a bronze.
ReplyDeleteI just bought the Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit in Missy and Fierce, which I'm wearing today. It looks identical to Stila Fiery, for anyone reading this and wanting a cheaper version! I still love that you wore red lipstick to your wedding. More people should.
I just couldn't wear an MLBB lipstick to my wedding, since that's what I wear most days too work. Too ordinary! You look great in that WNW red!!
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