2016 was not my favorite year, but I did have a lot of favorite beauty products that I got to try out in 2016. In fact, it’s hard to limit the number, so this post will focus on Skincare and Makeup.
Skincare
PCA Skincare Ideal Complex Revitalizing Eye Gel: At $84, this is a pricey eye gel, but it does the best job at firming the loose skin under my brows/above my crease. I’m on my third tube.
StriVectin Tightening Neck Serum Roller & Neck Gel: I haven’t had a chance to formally review this duo, but they are both lightweight and do the job of making my neck look better. The lightweight gel is perfect for those who found the StriVectin Tightening Neck Cream too heavy.
Good Earth Beauty Rose & Green Tea Normal Skin Facial Moisturizer: This fabulous moisturizer from natural brand, Good Earth Beauty, was a true surprise. Although it comes in a jar (that I know some of you won’t like), this fragrance-free whipped moisturizer provides just the right amount of long-lasting moisture to my dry skin. I think everyone but those with oily skin would love this product.
Belif Hungarian Water Essence and Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Moisture Bomb: I was on the hunt to find an essence to replace the incredibly expensive travel size SK-II Treatment Essence, and at $43 Belif Hungarian Water Essence fits the bill. I’m into skincare layering, and I like adding more hydration with this quick drying essence. Belif Moisture Bomb was what first attracted me to this brand. I was looking for a more moisturizing face cream, and I came upon this hyaluronic acid gel cream from Korea. Because of the gel cream form, I’d say this moisturizer is perfect for just about all skin types.
Coola Face Classic Sunscreen SPF 30: This lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen is my favorite. It’s especially great for the hot weather because it’s so light. Wish it came in an SPF 50!
Avene Hydrance Hydrating Serum: A drop or two of this fabulous hyaluronic acid liqui-gel serum makes my skin feel softer, better hydrated and more comfortable immediately. I love that I can buy this wonderful French skincare in the drugstore!
Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Cream: Unfortunately, I’m almost out of a big tube of Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Cream, a multitasking makeup remover/cleanser that’s perfect for my dry skin. Although I don’t use it to remove eye makeup, it does a great job removing face makeup and cleaning my skin without drying it. It’s perfect especially for the colder months.
MEG21 Clinical Skincare Toner: The MEG21 Moisturizing Toner is serious skincare but a delight to use. It has a lovely light fragrance that I find very calming. The Moisturizing Toner contains Supplamine, Sodium Hyaluronate to maintain moisture, Multi Fruit Acids for gentle exfoliation, Trinity Tea Complex to fight free radicals, Arnica to reduce irritation, Calendula to soothe and heal skin, and an Amino Acid-rich antioxidant complex to accelerate skin cell repair. It makes my skin feel clean, but plump and hydrated.
Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm: This stuff is one of the only things that helps my desiccated lips. I’m on my third tube.
GlamGlow Gravity Mud Firming Treatment: This firming mask makes me look like the Tin Man, and that is certainly part of its appeal. Who doesn’t want to look silver while wearing a mask? But it also does make my skin look and feel a bit firmer.
FarmHouse Fresh Pudding Apeal Mask: I adore this hydrating incredibly delicious-smelling mask. I need to remember to use it every night because it’s just so nice. If you haven’t tried anything from FarmHouse Fresh, make sure that’s on your to-do list for 2017!
Bioderma Micellar Water: I almost forgot one of my favorite discoveries for 2016! I’ve used the pink label Sensible for normal, sensitive skin and blue label Hydrabio for dry skin, and though I like them both, I love the extra hydration from Hydrabio.
Makeup
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation Stick: This lightweight, super easy-to-apply foundation was my major makeup find of 2016. It takes just seconds to apply with my fingers and a blending sponge. Plus it provides just about full coverage (it covers everything but my darkest spots that can require an extra dab) and it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all. I tried out Hourglass Stick Foundation but couldn’t find the right color match. I actually prefer this MUFE Foundation Stick because it doesn’t settle into my lines. I’d say this is a great stick foundation for older skin.
Mirabella Lasting Lash Waterproof Mascara: A favorite mascara is a personal thing because there are so many variations in wand shape and size as well as formula. But Mirabella Lasting Lash Waterproof Mascara is my jam. I love the skinny wand with plastic teeth that gets to all my odd shaped lashes on my downturned eyes. It doesn’t clump or flake. For me, it’s both lengthening and volumizing. I have never worn a waterproof mascara before that I enjoyed, but this one is just perfect for me.
Judith August Orange Masking Concealer Trio: I found this cream concealer trio on Facebook from Judith August, a model from a couple of decades ago. I love that I can use the 3 different shades in the container for different tasks or even mix them. Also, this concealer doesn’t fade.
MAC Paint Pot Cream Eyeshadow: I just bought my first MAC Paint Pot, and what a difference between this stuff and Maybelline Color Tattoos. It’s a much creamier, easier to apply and blend formula. And so far, it hasn’t shown any signs of drying out in the jar like Maybelline can do. Definitely worth the extra few dollars.
PUR Love Your Selfie 2 & Transformation Palettes: Love Your Selfie 2 is such a handy palette for any time of the year. I love the generally cool-toned shades, and the fact that it has just about everything in it: shadow, mascara, lipgloss, and shadows that can be used as liner and highlight. The Transformation palette of autumn pressed powder eye and cheek shades is so perfect for this redhead. Plus the slim silver case is both gorgeous to look at and easy to carry. So happy they came my way.
Mirabella Visionary Longwear Eyeshadows: I received three cream (but a different kind of cream) eyeshadows from Mirabella’s spring collection, and I’m still in love with them. The non-creasing formula and the bright shades for spring, summer and fall are perfection, and Imagine, the taupe metallic is perfect for right now!
Youngblood Luminous Creme Blush, shade Tropical Glow: Of course with my dry skin, I love cream blush. Not only is the deep peach shade Tropical Glow perfect for me, this blush is easy to apply and the pigment lasts until I remove it. Comes in 7 shades one of which looks like a perfect highlighter.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Vitality Brightening Creme Blush, shade Je Ne Sais Quoi: Again, it’s a cream. So quick to apply with my fingers and go. The medium pink sheer shade is perfect for everyday. My only complaint with this blush is that the color isn’t as long lasting as other cream blushes like the Youngblood blush.
Mirabella The Brow Pencil, Auburn: It’s hard for me to find the right shade of brow products, but Mirabella’s Auburn Brow Pencil is almost perfect. Plus it’s so easy to apply. I hate doing my eyebrows, but this pencil makes me hate it less.
Tarte LipSculptor Lipgloss & Lipstick Duo: I love this lipstick and lipgloss in one so much that I bought it in three shades. Sass, a dusty pink shade, is the one I wear most often. The lipstick is creamy and non-drying, and the gloss is not too sticky. My dry lips love this product!
Beauty Junkees Contouring and Highlighter Palette: I love these silky, non-powdery matte contour and highlighter/finishing powder shades that are perfect for light skin toned gals. Check out my review for swatches and a discount code.
PUR Elevation Highlighter Palette: I can’t wear too my bling at this stage of the game, so I pick carefully. I found it hard to resist PUR’s limited edition Elevation Highlighter Palette (see my full review for swatches). The peach shades don’t shout. And the multi-toned highlighter in the middle pan is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Love love love it! For $15, just buy this palette!
So that’s it for now. Frankly, there were about a million other products I could have added to the list especially when it comes to eyeshadow palettes and lipstick. But I chose the products that I use most often as an indicator of my true favorites.
What are some of your skincare and makeup highlighters for 2016?
I need to look into that lip balm!
Naked Without Polish recently posted…Cupcake Polish Blood Hound Swatch and Review
Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm is one of the only things that works for my super dry lips!
Love a stick foundation. I have used Max Factor’s for years. (Does that age me? ?) but it is getting hard to find these days. I use it for my concealer. Will have to try the Make-up Forever brand. Now I have a reason to go to Sephora! ?????? (Like I need a reason. ?) ??❤️
Stick foundations have made a big comeback this year, DiEtta, so you’re definitely ahead of the curve! Max Factor’s “pancake” – isn’t that what they called the stick, or am I confusing the name with a different product – was a makeup icon for decades! My mom used to use it, my friend Nancy who did their advertising in the 1980s used it. Didn’t it come in a white plastic container? Anyway, MF disappeared from the US but made a comeback this past summer. However, the comeback included a limited product lineup: mascara, 2 lipsticks and eyeliner, I think. They wanted to make a comeback in the drugstore but I haven’t seen it on shelf yet. It’s supposed to be available at walgreens.com, target.com and on Amazon. The MUFE version is definitely more expensive, but I managed to buy it when Sephora had its 20% off sale so that helped a little. Go in and ask for a sample to try!
Yes Allison …….. Max Factor stick foundation came in a white tube. Then they brought it out in a black tube. I also used Jerome Alexander stick foundation until I couldn’t find it any more. I will be going to the Sephora Store on Jan 12 when I get my hair cut. I will look for Make Up Forever Brand. I will ask for a sample to try.
🙂
I’ve not tried any of these products! I guess I know what I’ll be doing in 2017!
I think empties and favorites posts are a good way to learn about new products
Can’t believe that the year are almost over and to say what my favourite products was i would say a lip balm would be one of them. I’m just glad that i have found a lip balm that are really great on my lips, since my bottom lip always tend to be drier than my top lip – strange i know.
It’s the exact same for me, Leanie, so maybe we’re not so strange after all. Glad you found your HG balm too!
What a great roundup of 2016 favorites! I need to bookmark this page because there are lots of goodies that I haven’t tried here! I knew there had to be StriVectin and Exuviance on this list!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Miss Spa Masks for Glowing Skin
Oh yes, you know my faves, Helen!
It has been a disgustoid year for me – among my worst three years ever – but like you, I discovered some amazing skincare (and makeup), and my routine is now in place. The silver lining!
CosmetopiaDigest recently posted…2016 Makeup Favourites: Best 10 Lipsticks
Yay, I am so glad that your skin is healed and you have a new regimen to keep it that way. Hope 2017 surprises us all in a good way xo
I need to check out some new masks! Thanks for sharing your favorites.
Phyrra recently posted…Makeup Geek Plush Lip Mattes
You have some great picks here like the Farmhouse Fresh! That line is such a favorite and not many know about it, surprisingly!!
I love Farmhouse Fresh too! The scents of all their products alone is enough to make me love them!
So many products for me to try! Thanks for all the suggestions. My all-time favorite product from 2016 was the Drunk Elephant TLC Glycolic Night Serum, it has cleared up my skin from dark spots and made the texture a lot more even.
I’ve heard quite a bit about the Drunk Elephant brand but haven’t had a chance to try them yet. I can definitely use help with the last and toughest to get rid of dark spots so I’ll put it on my list. Thanks, Yami!
Great choices, I have many of them myself!
Glad we’re on the same page!
I’ve been thinking about this kind of post but I can’t narrow things down. I’m impressed with your choices. Quite a few of these are things I use all the time.
That’s pretty much what I do, Marcia – I choose the products that, left to my own devices, I use the most. I was going to do one big post but there was too much so I’m doing two categories a day for 3 days. I don’t know if many people are around reading blogs this week so I figured this is a good time for it! Hair and Nails (a shorter post) tomorrow 🙂
Great round up! I am interested to try belif
Kath Thefabzilla recently posted…Popsugar December 2016 #MustHaveBox
I think you’d like Belif
I’ve gone through several samples of the Belif gel-creme stuff. I like it. I also love that Avene serum.
Some of my best finds this year have been:
1. A good match with Nars all day luminous weightless foundation in Mont Blanc.
2. Andalau Naturals apricot probiotic cleansing milk (the box/bottle goes on a bit about fruit stem cells, which I kinda think of as bunk, but it’s still a nice smelling non-stripping cleanser to use in my morning routine)
3. Korres black pine active firming sleeping oil. (My face LOVES this stuff. Debating repurchase. Will probably do, but want to clear stash a bit more.)
And speaking of clearing the stash, this year cemented my love of the Hourglass Arch brow pencil. I allowed myself to use up the beloved pencil in an effort to force myself to use the rest of the products I had sitting there. OMG, NEVER AGAIN! I will stop griping about the cost of the Hourglass pencil and just replace as necessary from now on.
So glad to hear from you, Rach! Happy Holidays 🙂 I agree with you on the NARS foundation. I bought it in 2015 (which is why it’s not in this list of favorites for 2016), and I think I have Mont Blanc too. It’s a terrific lightweight foundation. I wear it a lot in summer along with my other lightweight fave, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. I’ve been hearing a lot about Andalau Naturals lately, but I haven’t tried it myself. The cleansing milk sounds lovely. I’ll put it on my list. I’m loving Korres lately too, but I wasn’t aware of the black pine sleeping oil. I’ll look at it at Sephora and see if they’ll give me a sample coz I have sooooo much skincare to test I can’t buy right now. I almost bought the Hourglass brow pencil, but the Mirabella Beauty auburn is such a good match for me along with Anastasia Brow Gel that I’m all set. But I know what you mean about when you find the right brow products, that’s it. Just hand over the $$
Great picks! I love your skincare roundup, everything is so luxe!
Thanks, Stacie! I almost added a wonderful night cream that I’m testing out these days, but the price tag is $385 so I decided to skip it. Talk about luxe!
Love seeing ‘favorites’ posts – you have SO MANY I’ve never tried out and now I need to!
I have so many favorites for 2016, Lisa, that I’m splitting it into 3 days worth!
Amazing post! I’ve been wanting to try that Avene serum for a while, it looks so soothing.
Anastasia recently posted…Blue Beauty Products to Soothe Winter Skin
The Avene Hydrating Serum truly is one of my all-time favorites. A great way to get extra hydration