2014 has officially come to a close. Amongst all the “baes” and “or nahs,” “Let It Go’s,” (what needs to be let go is that song) and abundance of Netflix binges, I fell in love with some pretty cool products. I handpicked 14 of my personal beauty faves just for you!
1. Clarisonic Mia – I am borderline obsessed with this thing. How does it spin? Why does it spin? Does it actually spin or just vibrate? The world may never know, but what I do know is that it actually makes me want to wash my face at night, and for that I am eternally thankful. My face is softer, smoother, clearer, and feels cleaner after I wash it. ($99 at Sephora)
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel – I was cursed blessed with oily/combo skin that always seems to dance the line between Sahara Desert and BP oil spill. This moisturizer has dramatically (actually) helped quench the dry patches on my face without increasing oil production. It’s a little pricey, but will probably last me 8 months to a year. ($26 at Sephora)
3. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – If you’re like me (and every other sane person in the world), and think that paying $20 for a BeautyBlender SPONGE is outrageous, then you should try this product. I don’t doubt that the BB is a fantastic product, but the RealTechniques sponge has the exact same rating as the BB and has gotten a lot of publicity on YouTube. It flawlessly applies liquid foundation and blends undereye concealer like a dream. It is so soft and bouncy! And it won’t break the bank. 👍 ($6 at Ulta)
4. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette – I had my eyes on this palette for quite a while before my awesome boyfriend gave it to me on my birthday! It has 12 taupe-inspired shades ranging from matte to shimmer, and is my most-used eye product. I use it every day! The brush it comes with kind of sucks, but shadows are soft and pigmented. This one lives up to the hype. ($54 at Sephora)
5. e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator – I bought this on a total whim on Cyber Monday, and it has quickly become an everyday staple of mine. I have chronically dry lips that peel and flake no matter how many layers of chapstick and balm I apply. It smells good, tastes good (it is a sugar-based exfoliator after all), and actually works. It leaves my lips smooth and primed for lipstick! ($3 at elf)
6. BareMinerals Lasting Line Eyeliner – I got this liner in a gift package from my friend Audrey for my birthday. I wasn’t actively seeking out a new eyeliner, but when I finally ran out of this stuff 4 months later, I actually yelled “NOOOO!” It’s creamy and black, retractable, smudgeable, and comes with a built-in sharpener in case the point gets dull. It lasted all day on me and successfully helped me define my eyes without looking like a raccoon or 14-year-old scene kid. And in my book, that is a win. ($16 at Ulta)
7. Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara – I am not the kind of person who spends $20 on mascara. I got this on Black Friday at Ulta for $10, but I would seriously pay the $20 for it again. It contains 0.51 fl oz of product, which is like…miraculous considering my usual standby (L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly) only contains 0.21 fl oz. This mascara is a one coat and done kind of deal. Which is also miraculous. It makes my lashes super black and full, and doesn’t flake. I will say that it occasionally smudges on my lower lashline, and is pretty difficult to wash off, but not so much that it’s obnoxious. ($20 at Ulta)
8. Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Blush Beige – For the majority of my makeup-wearing life, I have avoided nude lipstick on the principle that I don’t want to look like my lips disappeared into my face. I can’t stand the look of pale, concealer-toned lips. Why are your lips flesh toned? Are you a vampire? I bought this on sale at Target, and I’ve actually come to love it. It’s sort of an apricot-beige tone, creamy, and doesn’t camouflage my lips. For someone with fair skin like me, this is an ideal nude that goes perfectly with a smoky eye or just an everyday lip. ($7.50 at Ulta)
9. Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Blonde – There is a saying that goes, “Don’t let anyone with bad eyebrows tell you sh*t about life.” I firmly believe that. Get your eyebrows right and then we can talk 👌 This is definitely more expensive than my long-loved e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit (which is $3), but I can’t go on enough about how pigmented and creamy this product is. Once it sets, it won’t smudge or wipe off, and the pot will easily last me an entire year or longer. I highly recommend going into an Ulta or Sephora and having an artist match your brows with a shade – I could have worn blonde, taupe, or soft brown. I went with blonde, and even with my light brown hair, it’s still pigmented enough. BROW POWER ($18 at Sephora)
10. Sigma F8 Flat-top Kabuki – This brush deserves every little bit of hype it gets. I tend to only purchase high-end beauty products when I’ve tested them and heard overwhelmingly good reviews about them. So, although I was content with my elf and RealTechniques brushes, I decided to splurge on this brush. (I purchased it from Amazon for $19 through an authorized retailer, but I have heard that it’s safest to order directly from Sigma) It is SO soft and beautifully blends in liquid AND! powder foundation with no brush streaks. I was able to get full coverage with less product compared to my RealTechniques expert face brush. It feels like you’re applying foundation with a non-ticklish feather. It is that soft. ($24 at Sigma)
11. MAC Satin Lipstick in Rebel – This lipstick makes me feel cool. I feel like I could intimidate people with this lipstick on. Maybe even rob a bank. It’s a rich plum color and ultra-popular this fall and winter. It’s creamy, non-drying, and lasts all day. In fact, it stains my lips for about two days. But I love it so much that I don’t care. Having purple lips is cool. ($16 at MAC)
12. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer – Maybe you’ve read my previous rant about Maybelline Fit Me foundation. Maybe you haven’t. All you need to know is that the foundation is the absolute worst 💀🔪 and the concealer is awesome. It’s creamy, smooth, amazing for undereye concealing, and medium-coverage for spot-concealing. ($7 at Ulta)
13. Neutrogena Shine Control Primer – As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I have oily skin. The kind of oily skin that breaks up your makeup halfway through the day and keeps people wondering, “Am I supposed to be able to see my reflection in her face?” First of all, the answer is no. Second of all, this primer keeps my shine at bay for at least 4 extra hours than if I don’t use it. It’s a little pricey to me since I’m not super into primers, but it’s lasted me around 6 months with regular use. And if that means 4 extra hours of not having people mistake my face for Exxon-Valdez, then I’m willing to pay for it. ($14 at Ulta)
14. MAC Mineralize Blush in Gentle – I am a huge sucker for berry blushes. I don’t know why, and I’m almost certain that most fair skinned people like myself shouldn’t be wearing it on a regular basis, but I’m kind of a rebel and do it anyway. I was looking for a blush to coordinate with MAC Rebel lipstick, which I originally purchased to wear to my boyfriend’s Marine Corps Ball. (Is coordinating blush and lipstick a thing? No?) I watched what felt like, and probably was, ten billion YouTube videos before I pulled the trigger on this blush. I love it! It’s pigmented, but not so much that you have to be careful when applying it. It has a sheen, but not so much that it’s frosty on your cheek. If you want to look like a gorgeous sugar plum fairy, buy this blush. ($27 at Nordstrom)
🎉🎉🎉 That is my official list of favorite products of 2014! Comment and let me know what your 2014 favorites were!
wisconsinwhimsy 