2015 BEAUTY FAVOURITES

Well my friends, we're wrapping up 2015. Almost there. The last few months have been a bit of a fail on my part. I haven't had the time to create regular content. It's been a huge bummer for me because I well and truly love this crazy little thing called blogging. I wish I could say that that will all change come the new year, however it might take a little longer before everything is back on schedule. For now, I've got a big ol' Holly jolly post for you – my 2015 Beauty Favourites!

Skincare:
Sunday Riley Luna Oil
My skin has been a freaking MIRACLE lately. Not one zit in a month. Boo-yah! I owe a great deal of that to my topical antibiotics I'm sure, however there's also some lovin' to be given to the Sunday Riley Luna Oil. I've tried a fair few retinol treatments before, but this one is something special. It doesn't dry my skin out. It leaves me so soft and silky and I can use it every night. What more can I say, other than I wish it didn't cost $130 for the full size?

Foundation:
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
I've tried a lot (and I mean a lot) of foundations in the past few months. This is still my favourite of the lot. It looks like skin, only more radiant and even. This is the foundation that I use on anyone with dryness or skin texture issues because I know I can rely on it to do the job beautifully. It's got a good amount of coverage for a tinted moisturizer (on par with a light coverage foundation) and it has an SPF of 30.

Concealer:
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
Concealers are my jam. I love testing them out. This one for Laura Mercier is pretty impressive. It covers like a mofo and stays around for the whole day. It's probably not one I would recommend for dry, flaky skin, but for us oily gals... mmm guuurll.

Blush:
H&M Powder Blush in Cherry
I have never in my life seen so much pigment in a blush. I don't know if it's just this shade or all of the H&M blushes are like this, but wowza. I lightly dip my blush in, take off all the product I can on the back of my hand and there's still blush for days when I apply it on my face. And, of course, it lasts splendidly throughout the day. The colour looks a bit cray cray, but actually, it's the perfect “winter flush” shade.

Bronzer:
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Medium Deep
While this isn't strictly a bronzer, it's the best darn tootin' bronzer I've ever used. The Natural Mineralized Skin Finishes have those skin-like “glow with no glitter” effect that lends itself beautifully to bronzer.

Highlighter:
Colourpop Highlighter in Smoke N Whistles
I'm guilty of loving an intense highlight. Smoke N Whistles gives you that in a beautiful pink/white tone. Granted it's not as natural or subtle looking as some highlights, but it doesn't contain obnoxious chunky glitter particles. It's just so beautiful on the skin!

Eyeliner:
Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen*
I received some liners recently from Pixi and I've got to hand it to them, they do liners right. They're the creamiest liners I've ever used. You barely touch your eye and so much pigment is deposited. And, like all good liners, once they set, they don't budge.

Eyeshadow:
Colourpop To-A-T
Kiko Eyeshadow Stick in 05 Rosy Brown
I couldn't pick. Both Colourpop and Kiko do incredible eyeshadows. They are some of the only formulas I can use that don't crease on my oily lids and that's a god send for me. Colourpop To-A-T is a classic camel brown that works perfectly for a grunge eye and Kiko's Rosy Brown is a fantastic dupe for the By Terry Ombre Black Star in Misty Rock.

Mascara:
Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
When I first tried Better Than Sex, I never imagined it would make it into a favourites. I really didn't like it. However, once paired with the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer, this bitch just won't quit. Excuse my language. On it's own the mascara smudges, but paired with the primer, you've got smudge proof, incredibly flutterly, voluminous, sexy lashes. Dayum.

Nude Lip:
Tarte Park Ave. Princess
Best nude lip I've ever tried. It's sheer, but not too sheer. The colour isn't too light, too dark, too brown or too pink. It smells of peppermint and it's thoroughly moisturizing.

Bold Lip:
Nars Dragon Girl
This has been my favourite bold lipstick for years and I don't know if that will ever change. It's somewhere in between red and magenta and, what with the ultra matte formula, it looks hella striking.

Brow:
Anastasia Brow Wiz
Again, some things never change. I've tested out lots of brow products on clients in the past few months, but I always come back to this. The shade range is awesome, the hard waxy texture is awesome, the fine nib is awesome, the spoolie is awesome. It's just awesome awesome awesome.

Fragrance:
Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay
I don't like a lot of perfumes, but I love this one like a child. It's fresh and sophisticated and it works all year round. This is one of the best gifts I've ever been given. Thank you Danielle.

*PR Samples