Best Beauty Products of 2014

Since I started Never Say Die Beauty, I have really tried a lot, and I mean a lot, of beauty products. Probably more just this year than in the entire rest of my life!  😳  😆  Because it’s the end of the year, I wanted to put together a list of the products that I enjoyed the most in 2014.

My list includes the best beauty products that I myself started using in 2014. They may not be brand new, but they were new to me. Some of the products are ones that I’ve mentioned previously, but if this a “best of beauty”, they deserve to be mentioned again. And I have added some that I haven’t “reviewed” before.

best-beauty-2014

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Skincare

Lift Labs Skin Regeneration

  • Lift Labs Purify & Clarify: This cream cleanser does double duty as a light exfoliator and masque. It feels so good on my skin, I massage it on for a light exfoliation every day, and at night, leave it on for 5 minutes as a daily masque. $65
  • Lift Labs Lift & Moisturize: I adore this moisturizer. I love it so much it got me to spend much more money on skincare than I ever have. This moisturizer is not at all greasy and makes my skin feel so hydrated and smooth. It does have dimethicone in it, so if you can’t do that ingredient, skip it. It’s fine for my skin. I can’t do without Lift & Moisturize. For me, it’s worth the splurge. $145

NeoCell

  • NeoCell Collagen +HA Capsules: I’ve had good luck taking NeoCell Collagen +HA capsules. Truth be told, I’m taking a half dose (2 capsules a day) because I can never remember to take them twice a day. Nevertheless, my skin is more hydrated and firmer looking when I take it. The bonus is that my poor knees that have suffered through 30 years of jogging feel better when I take it, too. About $12-14 for 120 capsules

Haircare

  • Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil: Darshana is a prewash that is applied to hair at least 30 minutes before washing or it can be applied and left on overnight. The shine and silkiness after using Darshana Indian Oil is beyond belief. And it doesn’t make my shower floor a slippery death trap. $18 for 2 oz or $38 for 6 oz.
  • Just Natural Shampoo to Remove Buildup: Just Natural haircare products are just that: all natural and made with wonderful essential oils and other goodies. They also have a huge product line for all kinds of hair problems. The peppermint-scented Clarifying Shampoo that I love is used once a week or whenever to remove buildup from haircare products. But it’s gentle and it’s safe for color-treated hair. $28

Makeup

Face

  • Makeup For Ever Mat Velvet Mattifying Foundation: I have super dry skin so I was surprised that the MUA at Sephora recommended a mattifying foundation for me, but it’s fine. It is easy to apply, has a smooth matte finish, feels lightweight, and lasts for many hours. $34-36
  • Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer with Collagen and Vitamins C&K from IT Cosmetics: First surprise was that I bought shade Neutral Medium. I have really light skin so it amazed me that this shade was a perfect match. Bye Bye Under Eye provides full coverage but it takes just a teeny, tiny bit to cover dark circles. If your skin is dry like mine, make sure you moisturize your under eye area well before applying the concealer. Using a Beauty Blender or a brush makes application much easier, and check out the deal below to get an IT Cosmetics concealer brush with it for an extra $5. Concealer alone: $24
  • Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer: Why do I need two concealers? LM Secret Camouflage is even stiffer and more opaque than Bye Bye Under Eye. It does a better job covering my dark spots that appear to be of a different composition than the rest of my skin. And speaking of two concealers, the Secret Camouflage contains two shades that you mix together. I don’t get too carried away with matching. I just stick my finger in the first shade to heat up and melt the concealer a little and then do the same with the next shade and pat on with my finger. $36

Eyes

  • Viseart Neutral Matte Palette: I know I’ve mentioned this fabulous eye shadow palette twice before in Holiday Picks and Beauty Products I’m Thankful For. But it is so wonderful that I must mention it yet again because it is hands-down the best product I have purchased in 2014. 12 neutral shades some of which you can also use on eyebrows or for contouring. $80 if you can find it in stock at Sephora or Alcone Co.
  • Jesse’s Girl Liquid Eyeliner Pen: I have a tough time applying liquid eyeliner on my older eyes. The felt tip eyeliner pen by Jesse’s Girl makes it easier. I liked it so much I bought one in black and one in brown. Love.
  • L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara: I am so grateful to L’Oreal for coming out with a new and improved wand and a new built-in fiber formula for their Voluminous Butterfly Mascara line. This is mascara perfection for me: adds both length and volume to my blonde eyelashes. Thank you, L’Oreal! $8.99-9.45

Lips

  • City Lips Lip Plumper: I started using City Lips Lip Plumper in July, and it definitely made my lips fuller. However, they don’t keep growing fuller and fuller over time. I’ve reached my maximum fullness, lol! But the big benefit for me is that City Lips, chock full of collagen and HA, is the best lip hydrator I’ve ever used. Period. The end. $40 but often on sale for half that price

Milani Cosmetics

  • Milani Anti-Feathering Lip Liner: Are you one of those women who has a different lip liner for every lipstick shade? I’m not. So thank goodness for Milani Anti-Feathering Lip Liner. The clear gel helps keep my lipstick and gloss from migrating for a few hours. $4.49
  • Milani Power Lip: Power Lip in Macaron is the lipstick I reach for most often. It’s a cross between a liquid lipstick and a gloss, very hydrating, and stays on for quite a while unless I eat something. Love all the shades available. It has a built-in brush applicator that I prefer.
  • Milani Lip Intense Liquid Lipstick: This liquid lipstick is a must for when I want a real punch of color. These shades will knock you out and certainly get you noticed. $6.49

Beauty Tools

  • IT Cosmetics Brushes: I just got my first IT brush, the double-ended eye shadow brush, for patting shadow on and for blending. The IT Cosmetics brushes are unbelievably soft and thick. I wish I could buy the entire set. $24
  • Beauty Blender: It is a great invention. Makes applying foundation so much easier. Just get one. $19.95

It was tough to limit my list to these 18 products. In fact, I should’ve added in the holiday mini lipsticks from Bite Beauty and, of course, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder but hey, I gotta stop somewhere.

So what are your favorites from 2014?

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Today's Author

Allison Cohen
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75 comments

  5. I love the Coui Super C serum that you recommended earlier this fall. It hydrates and repairs my dry skin. It’s very comparable to Ole Henricksen’s Truth Serum at a much more affordable price from Amazon.

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Lisa, for letting me know that you had good results with Coui Super C Serum! I don’t always get to find out what other’s think about my reccos 😉 It is still tied for #1 serum for me, and I just got another bottle. Also, I hope to get my review of their facial sunblock up on my blog in January. Happy New Year!

      Reply

    1. Albertine, I got theBalm palette on sale at Hautelook so keep your eyes peeled for theBalm bargains on there. And the MUFE was recommended by lots of MUAs in a group I belong to & by the MUA at Sephora. I think it’s a terrific foundation. Thanks for letting me know what struck your fancy in my post 🙂

      Reply

  10. I’ve never tried the IT Cosmetics bye bye under eye, but I have tried their Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream and it work fabulous!

    And that Milani anti feather lip liner is amazing. I pick one up every time I see one (they are usually always sold out).

    Monica.

    Reply

    1. IT Cosmetics always seems to have great products. Have you tried any of the brushes yet? And I’m glad the Milani lipliner worked out for you. I love it! I wish there was a mini one to carry in my makeup bag in my purse! Happy 2015!

      Reply

    1. Which concealer have you switched to, Kath? The color corrector & the concealer shade help hide a relatively massive dark spot from sun damage that doesn’t want to stay concealed. But I still haven’t found the holy grail spackle to hide that darn thing.

      Reply

    1. Thanks for reading it, Lola! I really like the Darshana Indian Oil a lot, but it can be tough sometimes to plan in advance to use it. But it definitely makes a difference when I do. Happy New Year, Lola!

      Reply

    1. Keep your eyes peeled for sales on Hautelook, Erika. I’m sure more of theBalm will turn up. I also have to check to see if the Walgreen’s with the upscale indie brands like Cargo and theBalm and PurMinerals ever go on sale.

      Reply

  16. I have been wanting the cheek palette from the balm for so long but I hear mixed reviews I may just go ahead and buy it next time they are on hautelook or their website is having a sale. Great list!

    Reply

  19. Happy Holidays! Nice choices! I have the NeoCell Collagen tablets too but always forget to take them. lol I guess you reminded me to put them out where I’ll see them so it will be easier to remember. My favorite from 2014 is the Naked 3 palette. I’m still in love with it. Thanks!!

    Reply

    1. Great to hear from you, Natalie! I’ve been away from home and I didn’t take the NeoCell bottle with me, and I can tell the difference. I know I’ve been stressed out, but the NeoCell definitely made my skin look better 😉 I didn’t buy the Naked 3 palette, unfortunately, but I just got Naked On The Run and between that and a Wet n Wild palette (Smoke & Melrose) that I picked up at the end of the summer with similar shades, I’ve come close. Nevertheless, there’s nothing like the real thing! Happy New Year, Natalie!

      Reply

  21. That Bye Bye Under Eye concealer from IT Cosmetics is so amazing. I got a sample size in a recent beauty box and now I’m definitely going to purchase the full size!

    Reply

    1. Megan, I got a sample back in the spring and I put it somewhere and I can’t find it. I love it and I’d love to keep it in my makeup bag. It really is a wonderful concealer and a tiny bit goes a very long way 🙂

      Reply

  22. I’ve tried far more products this year than um…ever, and I DON’T write a blog! What does that say about me?!? Wait, don’t answer that, hahahahaha!

    I have Rimmel’s version of the clear pencil and I like it a lot. The Milani one has never been in stock when I visit the store. Maybe someone comes in and scoops them all up, or the store only gets two at a time, or they never fill the display anyway….. I don’t know!

    Reply

    1. I had a feeling that you were in the running for makeup queen, Rach! I didn’t know that Rimmel had a clear pencil. I still have plenty of my Milani pencil left, but when it’s gone, I’ll check out the Rimmel! Happy New Year, Rach!

      Reply

    1. No, Nidia, I haven’t tried the Physician’s Formula eyeliner. I’ll look at it next trip to CVS. Thankfully the Jesse’s Girl is easy to apply with its felt tip for the few times I wear liquid eyeliner.

      Reply

  31. Great list of favorites!! I have written down a few of these because they seem interesting! My absolute favorite product from 2014 was bye bye redness from it cosmetics! IT was THE best product I had used on my complexion the entire year!
    Christine recently posted…My 2015 GoalsMy Profile

    Reply

  35. Well, I apply it to my whole face, it has medium coverage (liquid to powder foundation) then I add touch ups of my concealer to cover my dark circles. I think it’s an Italian brand, found it in the local Body Shop store.
    I switched concealers more than once lately, because I didn’t find a good one. Lately, I bought Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles, I used it once. So I can’t tell if it’s a good one.
    Dima Al Mahsiri recently posted…Best of Tips for Natural beauty 2014My Profile

    Reply

    1. Now I understand, Dima. I hope the Maybelline concealer works out. Someone was just telling me that she has good luck with Benefit Erase Paste and I just discovered two other Benefit stick concealers that I also haven’t tried yet. Years ago, I had a great stick concealer from Benefit but it was discontinued. Now I’m eager to try the replacements. Do you have Benefit in your stores?

      Reply

  36. I don’t think so. I haven’e seen Benefit in local stores.
    I am always afraid that cream concealers settle in the fine lines, how was Benefit for you?
    I have fine lines under my eyes, and these always cause me problems when applying the concealer, I tried Max Factor Pan Stick concealer, and it was very thick, most of the time ended up with cacky look 🙁
    I tried brushes and sponges and my fingers for application, and found that liquid concealers works best for me.
    If you ever try any Benefit concealers, I would love to read about it. I can order it from Amazon, you know, but I have to risk choosing the color online!
    Dima Al Mahsiri recently posted…Best of Tips for Natural beauty 2014My Profile

    Reply

    1. I don’t think it’s worth it, Dima, to buy a concealer without seeing and testing it in person. Too difficult to get the shade and the appropriate consistency right 🙂

      Reply

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