beauty
favourites
Best beauty discoveries of 2015
5.2.16
A new year calls for another roundup of beauty favourites! As I was rummaging through my makeup and skincare drawers, I realised that most of my beauty purchases from the past year came from the drugstore. I feel like it hasn't gone unnoticed in the blogosphere that drugstore brands have really upped their game, yet I was still surprised to see how many of those discoveries I use on a regular basis. Because I don't want to make this list longer than it already is, I'm saving detailed reviews of particular products for future blog posts. Keep your eyes peeled for an updated skincare & foundation routine! For now, let's have a look at my favourite and most used products bought in 2015.
MAKEUP
s Catrice Velvet Finish concealer with hyaluron and SPF6: A lightweight liquid formula that's easy to blend and offers a medium coverage. This one is great for brightening the undereye area.
s Catrice Longlasting Brow Definer in 'flASHy brows'
s MAC Cream Colour Base in 'Pearl': This purchase fed my highlighter obsession for the rest of 2015. Pearl is a cream formula that can be applied with your fingers on cleansed skin, or over foundation or powder products. Super easy and it gives skin a subtle, yet beautiful pearly white sheen.
s Natural Collection powder blush 'Peach Melba'
s MaxFactor Puff Creme Blush in 'Lovely Pink
2015 was the year of base and brows for me. I feel like it was a combination of having found the right products and I also learned a couple techniques on how to improve the longevity of makeup on my skin.
SKINCARE
s La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+
s Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel mask: This was my most used face mask for the past year. I use this before a moisturising mask, such as the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey mask (which also has purifying properties), or as a quick pick-me-up before a long night of wearing makeup. The Enzymatic Peel mask makes my skin smooth and reduces redness. I love this one.
s rose water (forgot to include it in the picture!): Back to basics with rose water as a facial toner after cleansing and before applying a serum or moisturiser. It's a trick I picked up from my grandmother; she used rose water twice every day for years and her skin has always been bright and healthy looking. The product feels very soothing; I especially notice a difference when my skin is irritated from breakouts or long exposure to the sun.
s EOS lip balm with SPF15 in the flavour 'Lemon Drop'
Last year I didn't discover much skincare-wise. I already had a (simple) routine that worked well and I tried to stick to what I liked. However, around October I started getting breakouts that didn't stop for about two months. I cut out a few - possibly irritating - products and have noticed a tremendous difference. My skin is still recovering, but it has improved so much since.
FRAGRANCE, TOOLS & EXTRA
s Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: Hands down my number one purchase. This sponge has completely changed my foundation game! I spray it with some MAC Fix+ to get a more natural finish and add some extra hydration to avoid that makeup will feel drying on my skin.
s H&M nail polish in 'Sky High': A one-coat wonder that has lasted up until a week on my nails before. I should pick up more of these because they're awesome, but I can't decide which other shades I want just yet!
s NYC Cosmetics Shine In A Minute nail polish in 'Upper East Side': My second favourite nail polish discovery is this dupe for Essie's 'Sand Tropez'. They're pretty much identical in colour and quality, only the NYC offering costs a sixth (!) of the price.
s The Master Perfumer 'Absolute Iris' Eau de toilette
s H&M Crisp Cotton scented candle
See any products you like too? What were your favourite discoveries in 2015?
