Hey everyone! It's officially the LAST day of the year and I couldn't go to the end of 2016 with my last post being about a no-buy, could I? Nah! So I decided to pop in here for one more post about some of my favourite products that I bought/received this year (I'll make a note where appropriate!)
This list includes some high end and low end products, but there were several budget buys that didn't make the list that really surprised me this year, from Cover Girl's Katy Perry collection, to the ever-consistent NYX (which you'll see below) and Essence's continuous surprises.
So, in no particular order, here we go!
It's Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette Time!
Too Faced's Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette
I know I said that this was in no particular order, but anyone who knows me can tell you that this is definitely my favourite thing I bought this year. From the insanely cute packaging to the beautiful scent and buttery, rich shades, this palette is a home run. I haven't hit pan on any shades yet as I'm trying to spread the love to some other palettes this winter, but I've DEFINITELY made a groove in Bananas, Peanut Butter Cup and Jelly! I also bought the Too Faced Totally Cute palette this year and have been mixing and matching between the two palettes, but this one is by FAR my favourite. And for the best news? This is no longer an Ulta exclusive! You can get this now from Too Faced online. Hallelu!
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, Light to Medium
Now, don't hate me, but I actually WON this beautiful bronze and highlighter duo in a Holt Renfrew crane game. Yup. I played a game of skill and my prize was MAKEUP. How magic is that? The duo is packaged in this beautiful, Hollywood glam gold case with a full mirror on the inside, and the bronzer is light enough but builds nicely, while the highlight is universally flattering. The only thing I would caution is that the bronze does have gold sparkle in it, so if you don't like your contour to be sparkly, you may want to avoid. But I use so little that it works for me! You can buy it online here.
Too Faced Born this Way Naturally Radiant Concealer in Light Medium
I actually lucked out and got this product early from IPSY's Generation Beauty 2016 event in Toronto, but within days I already ditched my other concealer (bye bye Sephora B right Future Gel Serum) and replaced it with this baby. It's not my HEAVIEST concealer. for that I pull out my Smashbox, but otherwise I use this daily to dab and correct areas on my face that need attention. It's also super hydrating and doesn't flake or dry up like other wands I've tried. Find your shade here.
MAC Star Trek Strange New Worlds Trip the Light Fantastic
Despite the fact that I need more blush like a hole in my head, when I saw this gold/bronzey beauty I knew I needed to buy it pretty much instantly. Slap on some Star Trek branding and I was sold! The Star Trek collection brought some truly unique products to MAC this year, but this powder blew it all away. It's a buildable colour, so it can be used for a sheer wash on your face or built to develop a strong hue. It's not as pigmented as some of my faves from The Balm or Benefit, but it's worth the extra seconds. This product is now on SALE at MAC for only $20 CAD! Go now!
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Chocolate
While I don't suffer from thin or wispy brows, I do need a product to keep them in line. But whether I used Essence, Benefit or Anastasia Beverly Hills, I've never been super satisfied with brow products and always chalked it up to my ineptitude. I even tried a few other NYX products that didn't work, but the Micro Brow? This little monster has it made. The only downside is that there's VERY little product in this pencil so I imagine I'll have to buy them more frequently than dip brows or other kits.
Essence Superfine Eyeliner Pen
I promised there'd be some budget beauty, didn't I? I have a GIANT collection of eyeliners to choose from, liquid to pencil and dip, but this felt-tipped pen is so consistent that when I'm in a pinch, I just grab it and go. It's a completely reliable longlasting daily eyeliner that's pretty much smudgeproof, and when I noticed the tip was getting saggy, I snipped it off and extended it's use by another few months! Can't get much better than that. Oh yeah, and it's $3.99.
Too Faced Melted Chocolate in Chocolate Honey
After I saw Chelle's swatches last January of this new line, I knew I needed one of them in my arsenal. For the longest time I thought Chocolate Cherries would be the one to beat, but when it came time to choose, I went with my gut and got Chocolate Honey instead. I absolutely LOVE this shade, I wore it all summer and fall and while I'm dabbling in darks during the winter, I've worn it on the odd occasion. And yes, it does smell like chocolate.
Dr Roebucks Face Moisturizer
Dr Roebucks Face Moisturizer
This summer I learned about this cult-favourite skincare company when Dr Roebucks held a launch at Toronto's Spoke Club. There we were able to test out a bunch of Dr Roebucks products and how they can help our skin. And I was HOOKED. This creamy, hydrating moisturizer is what is helping me get through this bone-dry winter, and if you have skincare issues such as dryness or excema, this may be just the ticket to soothed skin. It's worth every penny, so why not read on for more?
Clarins Paris Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil
This luxurious surprise was part of a gift pack I received for winning a Dave Lackie contest a few months ago. I received a whole bunch of gorgeous Clarins products for the summer, but my favourite thing by far was this red berry lip oil. I'd been on the hunt for a moisturizing and soothing lip product for some time now, and with it's deliciously soft, chubby doe head applicator, this lip oil is doing magic for me this dry winter. It's replaced Fresh as my lip treatment du jour. [Get it here.][6]
Caolin Where is Pore? Duo Pack
Last but not least, this product snuck in at the end of the year, after I picked it up in a Black Friday sale last month. I heard some other beauty bloggers extoling the benefits of this dual-mask set, which includes a charcoal/volcanic ash steaming mask, to follow up with a soothing cooling mask. And this stuff means BUSINESS. I've done full face with this kit, used it for my blackheads and spot treatments where necessary. It is a serious competitor for GlamGlow in my opinion, and for considerably less of the cost! (I guess this counts as a budget buy too? Sort of?)
And there you have it! My top products of 2016, tied up in a neat little bow. What were some of your favourite buys this year? Let me know in the comments!
