Makeup: My Favorites in 2017

Makeup favorites may be even more personal than choices in skincare. But what the heck, I want to share my makeup favorites that I discovered in 2017.

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As with my skincare post, it is possible that not all of the products were new in 2017, though a number of them were, but they were new to me. As always, my favorites are a mix of mass and higher-end products. Some were press samples that I ended up loving, and others were makeup that I bought. Let’s take a look.

Face

• Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Liquid Foundation: After falling in love with MUFE Ultra HD Stick Foundation in 2016, I was delighted to get a chance to try MUFE’s Ultra HD Liquid. And it did not disappoint. Ultra HD was developed, I believe, for makeup artists to use on their clients who are on TV, in the movies or being photographed because the formula does not give the dreaded white cast. I like the foundation because it feels completely lightweight but provides almost full coverage (it covers everything but my most stubborn dark spots that require a dab of concealer). Easy to apply, long-wearing. Worth the $43. Perfect for hot weather. (review here)

• Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF 15: I discovered Hourglass Illusion foundation in November, but it has become my go-to foundation. The name “Skin Tint” is a misnomer: this mousse-like cream goes on so well with a blending sponge and provides full coverage – meaning I don’t need concealer on my dark spots. Wow. It has a lovely semi-matte finish, and because of the hyaluronic acid in the formula, it’s so comfortable to wear. And it is long-wearing. Wish it weren’t so pricey, but I would have a difficult time not replacing it when it gets used up. $56 (review here)

• Mirabella Mini-Compact Pressed Powder: I love this art deco-inspired mini pressed powder compact from Mirabella. Although I mostly use it when I go out, I enjoy just looking at it the rest of the time. The finely milled powder is perfect for a touch up. It can also be used as a powder foundation though I don’t use it that way. (review here)

• NARS Liquid Blush, Orgasm: Years ago, I used Clinique liquid blush, but sadly it disappeared from their product line. So happy that NARS launched a liquid version of Orgasm. I still don’t see the need for both a dropper and a pump in one bottle, but I truly love this blush. A little goes a very long way. $30 (review here)

• Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter, pink: The buttery, bouncy consistency of this odd cream that reminds me of the original ColourPop eyeshadows applies so nicely. I love this highlighter because it doesn’t overdo it: I can apply as little or as much as I like. Great stuff! about $12.99 (review here)

• Wet ‘N Wild Rainbow Highlighter, Unicorn Glow: I don’t use the WNW Rainbow Highlighter very often, but I get such joy just looking at it. Well worth the $5.99! We all need a little rainbow in our lives. (review here)

Eyes

• Beauty Junkees Eyeshadow Singles and Magnetic Palette: First, I have three magnetic palettes from Beauty Junkees that I think come in two sizes. This one is the larger size, and it holds 28 of the Beauty Junkees eyeshadow singles. It has a huge mirror, and it comes with a double-ended eyeshadow brush. The eyeshadow singles can be purchased single or in quads on Amazon. They have a lot of shades though I don’t know the exact number, but it’s more than 35. The shadows come in mattes (lots of them!), satins and shimmers. Neutral lovers are in luck because there are many to choose from. I really enjoy having all these shades in a one palette. My Beauty Junkees palette is one of the palettes I reach for most. (review here)

• Huda Beauty Smoky Obsessions Mini Palette: Because of its handy purse size, Huda is another palette that I use all the time. The 9 shades in the Smoky Obsessions are a mix of neutral mattes and fabulous metallics. I bought it for the silver that has quite a bit of shimmer. This ended up being my go-to palette for the holidays. Poor thing: I dropped it a number of times, and I noticed that the black shadow shattered. I use black the least, but I do use it from time to time. I’ll try the alcohol repair soon. $27 (review here)

• Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Shadow Palette, Edgitorial: The slim and sleek black palette is certainly an attention-getter. And it feels so good in my hand. Beautifully designed! I was so happy to get the shades that I requested when I received this fab palette from Influenster. The champagne, yellow gold and bronze shimmer shadows are my favorites, but I love the fact that there are matte milk chocolate, forest green, and a pale peach matte in the mix. I haven’t used the black glitter polish, but hopefully I’ll get up my confidence and try it one day. Several other shade families are available. $49 (review here)

• MAC Paint Pots, Painterly: You know I adore cream shadows, and my life changed when I finally tried the MAC Paint Pots. This past year, I bought Painterly, a pale pink/peach, that works as a perfect base shade over my red eyelids or as a nice everyday color on its own. MAC seems to have discontinued quite a few Paint Pots shades, but I hope that means they’ll introduce new ones in 2018. Painterly is one of their most popular shades, so thankfully, that one won’t be going anyway. $22 (review here)

• Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil, Charcoal: I received a travel size Aqua XL Eye Pencil in Black, of course, in a Sephora Play bag, and I was impressed with the formula – so easy to apply and long-wearing. I really like grey eye pencil so I bought a full size pencil in Charcoal.They have lots of shades. This year, I’m eager to get another one in a color like navy or plum. $21

• Urban Decay Glitter Liner: I don’t care what other people think. If I want to wear glitter liner, I will. So there! The silver glitter liner, Glam Rock, that looks best over black or charcoal eyeliner (I use the MUFE Aqua XL Eye Pencil) is so amazingly sparkly! It can lift any mood. The glitter doesn’t stray when I’m wearing it, but it does take a little bit of patience to get them all when I remove it with micellar water. Well worth the couple of extra minutes during removal. I think I’m going to buy the brown glitter liner that has colored glitter in a brown base. $20 (review here)

• MAC Upward Lash Mascara: When I bought the Paint Pot, I received a sample of Upward Lash Mascara. You know me – I love the small wands with plastic teeth. Upward Lash had a short wand head with plastic teeth that I find so easy to maneuver around my downturned eyes. I don’t know if it’s the formula or the wand head or both together, but when I use this mascara, I do not need to curl my eyelashes. I’m sold, and I’m on my second full size tube after going through two travel sizes. $23 Love this stuff! (review here)

Lips

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss, Caramel: As I’ve gotten older and my lips have gotten drier, I have rediscovered my love for lip gloss. I know, the wind and longish hair can be a pain, but the Anastasia Lip Gloss is not particularly sticky. I love the thick, glossy beauty of the ABH Gloss. I plan to try another shade or two this year. $16 (review here)

• Rimmel Renew Lipstick: I still enjoy actual lipSTICK especially hydrating ones. Rimmel Renew has a easy to apply, highly pigmented formula in lots of colors. And at the drugstore so it’s affordable. I love the coral shade that I bought, and there were so many more to choose from. $6.79 (review here)

• Jesse’s Girl Matte Finish Lip Color: It’s no secret that I have very dry lips, and that most matte lipsticks don’t work for me. But Jesse’s Girl Matte Finish Lip Color is an exception. I received one in a neutral shade, Angelica, to try for review, and I was shocked that I can wear it over a dab of lip balm. In fact, I liked it so much that I bought another one in red. If you have trouble wearing liquid lipsticks, give these a try. $3.99 (review here)

• Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Color: In some ways, this new liquid lip color from Marc Jacobs that I just received from Influenster made my favorites list because of its innovative formula more than anything. I have to wear this over lip balm, and I can’t wear it as often as even the Jesse’s Girl Matte Finish Lip Color, but the Le Marc Lip Crayon form and the amazing buttery, liquid formula is something different. If you don’t have a problem with dry lips, try Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayons! $26 (review here)

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

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