I am quite late onto the bandwagon but finally, here are my absolute favourites of 2014! It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to sort out the best of the best in my collection, considering I clean out my makeup and skincare almost weekly (relieves anxiety - y'know, from holidaying too hard). Anyway, here are my favourites/most used throughout the year which I tried to narrow down to one product each 'category'.
And for a little bit of shameless advertising, I now have an Instagram for this blog site. Check out all TWO pictures so far @ofmymemories :)
And for a little bit of shameless advertising, I now have an Instagram for this blog site. Check out all TWO pictures so far @ofmymemories :)
EYE SHADOW
I don't have a lot of eyeshadow, well too much for a pair of eyes - not as much as fellow beauty enthusiasts - but what I didn't expect when I was looking through my eye makeup drawer was to pick out these two Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio's in Multi-Flash and Filter. These are so easy to use for everyday, natural looks as well as being blendable and pigmented. I take them with me when I travel or if I'm running late and do my makeup on the train. I love that each trio is colour coordinated for complete eye looks. These are perfect for eyeshadow newbies albeit they are a bit expensive at $38 per trio at Mecca Maxima. I still think these cute trio's are worth it, if anything I want more.
EYELASHES
After about a year of practising not poking my eyes out whenever I use mascara, I have found that I prefer products with smaller wands, and fibre formulae. My absolute favourite mascara is the Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Neo Mascara (review here). I love how it makes my lashes look longer and fuller, in a natural sense. I have learnt to embrace my short eyelashes and really find ways to make my eyes pop. So the fact that these do the bare minimum without the "fake" lashes look just adds to my love for it. I can't find it anywhere in Melbourne, so if someone does know where please share :)
I forayed into many different products this year but the most interesting thing I used was definitely the Blinc Lash Primer. It really lifts and lengthens mascara in a way that looks natural, which I love and also does not flake, dry out or iffy-up my mascara. I haven't tried any other lash primers, but I don't think I want to as this is already an amazing product.
EYELINER
I can't find my Savvy Soft Glide Eyeliner in Brilliant Brown anywhere, but it is most definitely the best kohl eyeliner I have EVER used. Trust me, I have used a lot. It glides so soft, smooth and easy, it's blendable for a beautiful kohl rimmed eye look before it sets/dries where it last for the whollleee day. Seriously, I have the hardest time removing it, even with micellar water.
MAKEUP BRUSHES
I have quite a few brushes and tools, so it was very hard to narrow it down to one hence I chose two. The first is the Models Prefer Airbrush Buffing Brush for a flawless, airbrush liquid foundation finish. Seriously, this AU$18.99 brush is so amazing I don't even want to look at buying a Sigma F80. The other is the Ecotools Large Powder Brush which is so affordable (on IHerb) and wonderful for applying powders, especially the Nars TCLRPP for me. The craftsmanship of Ecotools brushes is wonderful for eco-friendly brushes which just makes me love the brand more.
I don't have a lot of eyeshadow, well too much for a pair of eyes - not as much as fellow beauty enthusiasts - but what I didn't expect when I was looking through my eye makeup drawer was to pick out these two Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio's in Multi-Flash and Filter. These are so easy to use for everyday, natural looks as well as being blendable and pigmented. I take them with me when I travel or if I'm running late and do my makeup on the train. I love that each trio is colour coordinated for complete eye looks. These are perfect for eyeshadow newbies albeit they are a bit expensive at $38 per trio at Mecca Maxima. I still think these cute trio's are worth it, if anything I want more.
EYELASHES
After about a year of practising not poking my eyes out whenever I use mascara, I have found that I prefer products with smaller wands, and fibre formulae. My absolute favourite mascara is the Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Neo Mascara (review here). I love how it makes my lashes look longer and fuller, in a natural sense. I have learnt to embrace my short eyelashes and really find ways to make my eyes pop. So the fact that these do the bare minimum without the "fake" lashes look just adds to my love for it. I can't find it anywhere in Melbourne, so if someone does know where please share :)
I forayed into many different products this year but the most interesting thing I used was definitely the Blinc Lash Primer. It really lifts and lengthens mascara in a way that looks natural, which I love and also does not flake, dry out or iffy-up my mascara. I haven't tried any other lash primers, but I don't think I want to as this is already an amazing product.
EYELINER
I can't find my Savvy Soft Glide Eyeliner in Brilliant Brown anywhere, but it is most definitely the best kohl eyeliner I have EVER used. Trust me, I have used a lot. It glides so soft, smooth and easy, it's blendable for a beautiful kohl rimmed eye look before it sets/dries where it last for the whollleee day. Seriously, I have the hardest time removing it, even with micellar water.
MAKEUP BRUSHES
I have quite a few brushes and tools, so it was very hard to narrow it down to one hence I chose two. The first is the Models Prefer Airbrush Buffing Brush for a flawless, airbrush liquid foundation finish. Seriously, this AU$18.99 brush is so amazing I don't even want to look at buying a Sigma F80. The other is the Ecotools Large Powder Brush which is so affordable (on IHerb) and wonderful for applying powders, especially the Nars TCLRPP for me. The craftsmanship of Ecotools brushes is wonderful for eco-friendly brushes which just makes me love the brand more.
HIGHLIGHTER
I LOVE THEBALM'S MARY-LOU MANIZER. Just, read the review.
BLUSH
I love the Everyday Minerals Blush in Snooze Bar so much. I hauled this a while ago and did not even use any other blush for months afterwards. It just gives this lovely, warm-peach-pink-bronze satin finish look to my never-blushing cheeks. I think it is similar to MAC's Warm Soul, as in they're both natural blushing shades for all skin tones. I don't want to say much more on this because it's been discontinued and that makes me sad. There is a lot of product though so there's the silver lining I guess?
POWDER
I LOVE the Nars Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Pressed Powder (how's that for a mouthful). Again, see review here.
FOUNDATION
I use a few different foundations, but the one I can keep coming back to, with practically no thinking required is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel foundation. The list of things I love about this base is: coverage is medium; finish is dewy; does not clog pores; good colour match for my light SE Asian skin tone; and is a miracle worker for when my skin is feeling extra dry. Love it, love it, love it.
CONCEALER
The concealer that I can trust and keep coming back to is theBalm's Time Balm Concealer. This stuff is the bomb! Fantastic coverage for blemishes, long lasting, rare to no clinging to dry spots and great shade range - what more could I ask for?!
PRIMER
I always prime before putting my base on and I've tried quite a few in the last year. However, one I keep coming back to is the Natio Ageless Illuminating Primer. I'm all about dewy, lit from within skin and I feel like this primer gives this nice dimension to often flat looking bases. It does help prolong makeup by like, an hour and a half, but I didn't buy it for that purpose haha. This also smells amazing.
I LOVE THEBALM'S MARY-LOU MANIZER. Just, read the review.
BLUSH
I love the Everyday Minerals Blush in Snooze Bar so much. I hauled this a while ago and did not even use any other blush for months afterwards. It just gives this lovely, warm-peach-pink-bronze satin finish look to my never-blushing cheeks. I think it is similar to MAC's Warm Soul, as in they're both natural blushing shades for all skin tones. I don't want to say much more on this because it's been discontinued and that makes me sad. There is a lot of product though so there's the silver lining I guess?
POWDER
I LOVE the Nars Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Pressed Powder (how's that for a mouthful). Again, see review here.
FOUNDATION
I use a few different foundations, but the one I can keep coming back to, with practically no thinking required is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel foundation. The list of things I love about this base is: coverage is medium; finish is dewy; does not clog pores; good colour match for my light SE Asian skin tone; and is a miracle worker for when my skin is feeling extra dry. Love it, love it, love it.
CONCEALER
The concealer that I can trust and keep coming back to is theBalm's Time Balm Concealer. This stuff is the bomb! Fantastic coverage for blemishes, long lasting, rare to no clinging to dry spots and great shade range - what more could I ask for?!
PRIMER
I always prime before putting my base on and I've tried quite a few in the last year. However, one I keep coming back to is the Natio Ageless Illuminating Primer. I'm all about dewy, lit from within skin and I feel like this primer gives this nice dimension to often flat looking bases. It does help prolong makeup by like, an hour and a half, but I didn't buy it for that purpose haha. This also smells amazing.
Hang in there guys! Almost to the end of the post... Maybe that's just what it feels like typing this up :)
LIPSTICK
This was so hard to decide!! So many great lip products were bought this year, and so much money was wasted on not so great lippies. BUT I've narrowed it down to my all time favourite red. I have been obsessed with buying red lips lately. Warm reds, cool reds, dark reds and lightly hued reds. I think about a third of my lip collection is red lipstick/lipgloss. Natio's Ruby Shine is just the epitome of the best red I can ever wear. It's a bloody beautiful dark, deep red with blue undertones but is also a little on the warm side as well. I always get complements when I wear this, and when several people tell you it's amazing, including a Tom Ford Beauty shop assistant, you kind of begin to worship the lipstick. I am upset however that I didn't buy more because this was in a limited edition set. *sad face*
PERFUME
The very first post on ofmymemories was a review of Burberry Brit EDP and to this day, it is still my very favourite, everyday, every season perfume. I cannot stray from this because it is so perfect and works so well with my skin territory. See review here.
2014 was an amazing year for me. Full of firsts and new experiences and I hope 2015 brings blessings for everybody and their families. See you soon! xx
LIPSTICK
This was so hard to decide!! So many great lip products were bought this year, and so much money was wasted on not so great lippies. BUT I've narrowed it down to my all time favourite red. I have been obsessed with buying red lips lately. Warm reds, cool reds, dark reds and lightly hued reds. I think about a third of my lip collection is red lipstick/lipgloss. Natio's Ruby Shine is just the epitome of the best red I can ever wear. It's a bloody beautiful dark, deep red with blue undertones but is also a little on the warm side as well. I always get complements when I wear this, and when several people tell you it's amazing, including a Tom Ford Beauty shop assistant, you kind of begin to worship the lipstick. I am upset however that I didn't buy more because this was in a limited edition set. *sad face*
PERFUME
The very first post on ofmymemories was a review of Burberry Brit EDP and to this day, it is still my very favourite, everyday, every season perfume. I cannot stray from this because it is so perfect and works so well with my skin territory. See review here.
2014 was an amazing year for me. Full of firsts and new experiences and I hope 2015 brings blessings for everybody and their families. See you soon! xx