2015 has been a weird year for me. Not my best ever, for sure. But thankfully, I’ve made it through. I’m looking forward to 2016.
But in terms of beauty products I’d say it was a stellar year! Frankly, it’s difficult to limit my favorites to a manageable number, so I am going to tackle makeup on its own, and I’ll do another post on Skincare and Beauty Tools. I’ll break it down by category to make it easier. The products I’m highlighting may not be new for 2015, but they were new to me.
Foundation
- CoverFX Custom Cover Drops is one of my favorites with a caveat. I love the creativity and versatility of these pure pigment drops, but I wish CoverFX would change the packaging. I hate the messy dropper. There must be a way to make a squeeze bottle. Nevertheless, a great product to wear mixed with moisturizer or concealer or to lighten or darken another foundation or concealer that’s not quite right.
- Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 was a late entrant for me. I bought this foundation in November, and I love it. Lightweight, good coverage, doesn’t settle into lines, and lots of shades. I feel like Bobbi Brown is often overlooked but this foundation is a stand out IMHO.
Concealer
- I have a million concealers for different purposes but the one I reach for most often is the Amazing Cosmetics Perfection Stick. I’ve got two shades. Easy peasy at home or on the go.
- One of the game changers for me is Tarte Color Correcting Concealer. This slightly orange, slightly darker opaque concealer does a great job camouflaging my dark circles and dark spots.
Eye Shadow
- Viseart Paris Nudes that I finally purchased on sale a couple of weeks ago is a compilation of soft, super blendable, shimmery, warm shades. It is perfection in combination with Viseart Neutral Matte Palette. Everyone needs to own both of these beauties.
- The palette I’ve reached for most since it arrived is butterLONDON Custom Eye Shadow Clutch, a customizable palette in which you can swap out the pans. The shades of beautiful, warm, mostly neutrals with a mix of satins and mattes. Very user-friendly.
- ColourPop is a new brand of indie, affordable and stunning color cosmetics that came out this year. Probably it’s as big a deal as the CoverFX Custom Cover Drops in terms of excitement. I haven’t tried everything yet, but the eye shadows with their distinctive gel/powder formula is beyond amazing for shine and long wear. Plus each shade costs $5 each. Can’t beat it.
- Pur Minerals Eye Polish is an eye shadow that uses the cushion technology developed, I think, in Korea for BB cream. It’s a water based polish that glides onto my eyes, weighs nothing, lasts forever, and gives my eyes a lovely sheer shine.
Eyeliner Pencils
- All the beauty bloggers who received the Lancôme Drama Liquid-Pencils raved about them especially because of their long-lastingness. I wondered whether they were as good as everyone said so I bought one during the Sephora coupon event. Yes, they are! This is the only eyeliner I can apply to my upper waterline that doesn’t come off on my bottom waterline. My only small complaint is that it’s not as soft and easy to apply, especially to the waterline, as some other eye pencils.
- Mirabella Beauty came out with a lovely, soft, black eyeliner crayon as part of its holiday collection. It is a dream to apply: no tugging whatsoever, no need to go back over the line. The only disappointment is that this does come off on my lower waterline when I apply to my upper. Guess you can’t have everything. Oh, and I love the Wanted Velvet Lip Crayon too!
Liquid Eyeliner
- Jordana Cat Eye Liners were my favorites this year without a doubt. With their tiny brushes, they’re easy to apply even for a liquid liner klutz like me. And the colors are beyond fabulous. At $2.99, the price is good too.
Mascara
- I thought CoverGirl The Super Sizer Mascara was going to make my Best of 2015 list, but unfortunately after loving the first tube I received, it wasn’t as great when I bought a second tube. I’m wondering about the consistency of the formula.
- Osmosis Mascara has emerged as one of my favorites. I love the volume and length that I get from it. It has a normal looking wand, and it’s easy to use.
- Benefit The Roller Lash has really impressed me. It’s especially good for lengthening and for creating and keeping a curl. I usually don’t like curved wands, but this one delivers such long, curled lashes that the curved shape must be doing something special. Definitely give it a try if you haven’t already!
Brows
- The brow pencil I reach for most often is Mirabella Borrowed From the Boys in Light. It’s soft and easy to use and it has a built-in spoolie.
- I also like both the MAC Brow Gelcreme because the color is great for me and Osmosis Brow Gel because of the perfect built-in brush.
Blush
- I’m a fan of cream blushes, but often they disappear as the day wears on. Not so Stila Convertible Cheek & Lip Color. I’ve got shade Peony, a beautiful peachy brown, and it stays on all day long till I remove it.
- Too Faced Love Flush Blush has to be on my list for cuteness alone. But the pigmentation in this heart-shaped powder blush does not quit. Amazing and long wearing. I apply it with a fan brush because it packs so much punch.
Lipstick
- I’m not really a fan of this year’s mega-trend – matte lips – because they dry my lips out so badly. But among the mattes, my favorite was Jordana Modern Matte lipstick because they have good pigment, good variety, great price, and they’re long wearing.
- My favorite lipstick has to be Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte because it is so darn gorgeous. I dropped it the other day when I was at Vidal Sassoon Salon, and one of the young stylists asked me what it was and said it was the most beautiful lipstick (case) she ever saw. I agree. And I love the super hydrating formula.
- Jordana wins again for me with the hydrating, affordable Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stain in my favorite shade, Fig . It is long-lasting but when it dries down, it leaves behind a berry stain.
- butterLONDON Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayons. I usually can’t wear anything with peppermint oil in it, but somehow it doesn’t bother me in these hydrating, fun lip crayons. I love the shades. I wish I could find Lady Bird, the first one I got, because it’s a fabulous red-orange and would be great to wear today.
Nail Polish
- I adore the butterLONDON Arm Candy Collection of nail lacquer that I received toward the end of the summer, reviewed and swatched here. The variety in the finishes and especially the shades that seemed to be made specifically for me was terrific.
- I just tried my first Formula X nail polish in Revved Up, a lovely, soft rose gold metallic. One coat would have been enough, though I applied two, and it was very long lasting. I need to try more from this brand.
So this is my Best of 2015 Makeup list. What were some of your winners for 2015?
What’s your Reaction?
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The CCD is my product of the year. Paris Nudes was on my shopping list at Beautylish but it wouldn’t let me combine my order with the Lucky Bag so I would have to pay shipping and decided not to buy it for now. Maybe as a birthday treat later.
Renu recently posted…Beauty Products Emptied in December 2015 + Link-up
You will love the Paris palette – your kind of shades though I know you own a number of similar palettes.
WOW!!!!! This is an absolutely fantastic list! I see so many things that I need to put on my list!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Aftelier Perfumes Organic Jasmine Face Elixir: Best Beauty Oil of 2015 | Review
2015 was a good year for beauty products, don’tcha think, Helen?!
Wow, so many favorites! I hope I get to try the Custom Cover Drops next year. I agree with you on the packaging. It’d be really cool if they made it in a tiny air-tight pump bottle–totally sanitary and safe from air and light. I sincerely hope you find your Ladybird in 2016!
Sammi the Beauty Buff recently posted…My Favorite Things: December 2015
I found Ladybird last night, Sammi! What a relief 😉 I love your idea for the CoverFX drops. It would be so much neater. Thank you for actually reading my post xoxo
Awwww yay, I’m so glad! 🙂 Of course!
Sammi the Beauty Buff recently posted…My Favorite Things: December 2015
I love the Cover FX custom drops & Rollerlash mascara as well and Colourpop is definitely my fave! I see some other things I would like to try like the Jordana lipsticks and the Bobbi Brown foundation, great selection of products!
Kara recently posted…Paula’s Choice Skincare |For Eczema & Dry Skin Conditions
Thanks so much, Kara! The Bobbi Brown foundation is great for dry skin like mine, and it comes in lots of shades. 2015 IMHO was a banner year for Jordana, but I’m not sure what’s going on with them in 2016. I want to grab another Twist & Shout Balm in Fig just in case
oooh great round up! I love the benefit roller lash too (thought They’re Real is still my fave) and the tart blush is one of my favourites too!
Elaine recently posted…Make Heads Turn this New Years Eve with Voluminous Hair
They’re Real is still one of my faves, and probably the reason why I tried Roller Lash. Now I wish I had bought the full size instead of travel size 😉
Now that’s a GREAT list Allison! I love all of your choices. I had so many winners too that I’m still working on my post.
Stacie recently posted…Long Lasting Lipsticks
Stacie, it was so hard to pare it down. I’m doing skincare and beauty tools separately. Too many great products this year, but who’s complaining, right?!
I agree on 2015 not being a great year. I’m so excited for 2016! But you tried such an amazing array of products this year!
The Beauty of Life recently posted…#ManiMonday: My 2015 in Nails
I’m sure you’ll have a great year of new adventures in LA in 2016!
Love that you have so many cruelty free brands up there!
Phyrra recently posted…New Gorgeous Pravana Hair from Christian
Activists like you, Courtney, have made it easier for the rest of us to find cruelty-free products! I’m happy to see that so many of the products that come my way lately are cruelty-free.
Great list! I bought the Jordana Cat Eye Liners because of you, and I’m so glad I did. One of these days I have to try Viseart palettes.
Rachel, I put my Jordana cat liners in a bag in the closet and I can’t find them. I need them for NYE! They’ve gotta turn up soon. I know you would love the Viseart palettes. The Paris Nudes are gorgeous but you might also like the brights. Keep an eye out for sales on AlconeCo.com and frends.com. Around big holidays, they often discount Viseart. That’s how I got mine, otherwise too pricey (tho’ worth it!).
Oh, no! I hope you find your liners. I hope you’ll share your NYE look with us.
My entire makeup bag that I keep in my purse has gone missing. I never take it out; I just swap out the eyeliner and lipstick. I can’t think what I would have done with it. It had one of my Kat von D lipsticks and a new mascara, so I hope it turns up.
All the Visearts look good. Thanks for the site recommendations. I only knew about Sephora carrying them.
I know how you feel, Rachel! I hope you find your MU bag. Now that would be a tragedy to lose it. I found my butterLONDON Ladybird last night, under the sink in an old ipsy bag, yay!! Unless you need the points, don’t buy Viseart at Sephora. Although the Viseart palettes are often sold out everywhere including Sephora, when AlconeCo has them, their regular price is $75, $5 less than the other places, but as I mentioned, both AlconeCo and Frends have fairly frequent sales. Re: NYE, I was waiting for a Besame lipstick to arrive, but now I don’t think I’ll get it in time. I have to start working on what I’m wearing. We’re going out to dinner at a nice restaurant with friends so I have to come up with something to go with green, I think. How ’bout you? Going out, staying in??
I’ll be doing my 2015 favs next week sometime, crazy how fast the year flew by! I still haven’t tried any Viseart (that will change! lol), and I seriously lusted after those Pur liquid shadow pots. The swatches are so pretty and pigmented!
Julie recently posted…Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupte Trio
I love the Pur eye polish. I need to do a post on it by itself!
I agree with a lot of these and some will make it on my list too!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette: Review, Pics & Swatches
Some like CoverFX CCD were so big they’ll be on everyone’s list, I’m sure. I tried to add in some personal favorites that others may not think of/know of like the Jordana products that were incredible in 2015.
I kept nodding my head reading this – my loves from your list are the Benefit Roller Lash, Butter London’s palette, the Pur Eye Polishes (I need the blackish one!!), and the hearts of the Too Faced Blush. (oh, Viseart too)
I’ve been thinking about a best of list but it would take me a week of posts!!
MarciaF recently posted…RoC Resurfacing Disks fight fine lines gently and economically #gotitfree #RoC
Oh, I know, Marcia! I had to leave out so many! That’s why I’m going to do Skincare separately. So many great makeup items this year!
Great list. I like Viseart palettes for sure! Btw I mean to tell you, your page isn’t mobile-responsive. I can only comment from desktop…
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…THE BEAUTY COUNCIL WINTER BEAUTY E-BOOK | Get Exclusive Access!
Thank you, Katherine. Unfortunately, I know that my theme isn’t always compatible with mobile commenting. I use Wiziapp that shows my site in a mobile-friendly format, but commenting is a different story. Sometimes it works, but more often, it doesn’t. I need a new updated theme but I need someone to move my blog to it. Do you know anyone who does that? I keep coming up empty whenever I ask. I don’t feel comfortable doing it myself.
Allison, you’ve got an awesome list of products. It’s so weird that I don’t own any Viseart palettes yet. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it too. I know your 2016 will be better xo
Brigette Ramos recently posted…Farmacy Holiday Seedling Kit Unboxing and First Impressions
Thank you, Brigette. I def hope 2016 will be better. Definitely keep an eye out for the sales on Viseart at AlconeCo and Frends throughout the year. You would love those palettes!
I agree that the Butter London Clutch is a standout. I find myself reaching for it all the time – even to pair the neutral matte browns with other palettes. The creme, tan, and brown from that set are *amazing* and the other colors are really great, too. I’ve fallen in love with two lipsticks, too – the YSL Rose color that I believe you reviewed via Influenster is amazing, and the new Burt’s Bees lipsticks feel like high-end, not drugstore.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…I Gotta Wear Shades, my skincare’s so Bright #BrightThearpyTrident
I missed the buzz lol on the Burt’s Bees lippies! Thanks for letting me know. I will have to try ’em
These are my favorite types of posts each year. I love reading about the products that bloggers liked and had success with. I agree with so many of your choices. I have the Roller Lash mascara but haven’t opened it yet because I’m finishing up other mascaras. So cool that it worked well for you. 🙂
I think you’ll enjoy the Roller Lash, Natalie. I’m amazed at how my lashes actually hold the curl! 2015 was a good makeup year. What was your fave?
My favorite for sure are the ColourPop eye shadows. I really love them for a pop of color and the quality is outstanding. 🙂
I agree, Natalie. ColourPop is literally one of the bright spots in MU for 2015! I want more!
The Cover FX drops are definitely next on my “to buy” list. I’m so intrigued, everyone LOVES them!
Chelsea recently posted…Formula X Bottle Service Set
The CoverFX CCD are just so darn handy. Used them yesterday to lighten up my summer CC cream.
Okay so I need to try like half of these products lol. I keep forgetting how big the beauty industry is, and how there are probably a million products I need to try. Top few, the cover fc dropper. My shade is in-between always, I guess cause for ethnic skin tones there isn’t nearly as much variety in terms of shade. So that’s a must. YSL lipstick, because everyone keeps raving about it. I already rave about Coloupop, you will LOVE their shadows, so pigmented and so creamy. Apply with your fingers though for bolder colours. Great post, thank you so much for sharing.
Ashlyn recently posted…Bold Holiday Make Up
Yes, there are probably a million products I need to try too and one of the key reasons I had such a hard time limiting my picks! I’ve got a ColourPop fotd post up today
I enjoyed reading your review of your Makeup Winners for 2015…I def love Bobbi Brown’s tinted moisturizer (I don’t maybe as BDay gift or wait til Mother’s Day) but I do have a pink lip gloss! I have so many faves but I love the LOC golden eyeshadow from Birchbox for a start!
Ursula
I’ve never tried LOC. I’m going to be getting Birchbox so I’ll keep an eye out 😉
I had a super fantastic product year as well!!!!
Tee recently posted…Valentia True Glow Review
Glad to hear it, Tee!
What a great list! All the lippies you mentioned I pretty much love! But can you believe I still haven’t tried the CoverFx??
Babi recently posted…Get Gorgeous Skin with PMD Personal Microderm!
Thank you, Babi! A number of women mentioned they hadn’t tried CoverFX yet so you’re not alone. I find it so handy for altering foundation shades that are too dark or too light and for days when I just feel like wearing moisturizer with a few CCDrops in it.
Fabulous post as always honey. I love the Too Faced blush too and that YSL lipstick packaging is to die for! How do you think the Bobbi Brown foundation would work on those with very oily skin? I am yet to try anything from them base wise xxx
Laura, I have never had oily skin so I can’t really say. However, the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is oil-free so I don’t think it should be a problem. It’s a very lightweight foundation that seems similar to the NARS Weightless All Day Foundation that I’ve also been wearing this year.
Wow such an epic post! I adore Roller lash! Hands down one of my favourites. Those Cover fx custom color drops sound really good, and I still haven’t tried Colourpop! That Viseart palette looks so gorgeous too!
Thanks, Kate! It was hard to pare the list down, so many goodies this past year! The 3 brands you mention are definitely worth trying!
You have some great picks here! I have my eye on the visart Palette. it is quite hard to get hold off in the UK!
That’s too bad, Nifasah. I have 3 of the eye shadow palettes from Viseart, and though expensive, they truly are the best I’ve tried
The only one of these I’ve tried is Benefit Roller Lash. I’ve got some serious experimenting to do!
Kristin Bassett recently posted…A Bavarian Wedding and Four Hours in Munich, Germany
There were so many great new product introductions in 2015 plus I discovered a lot of others this year. A wonderful year for makeup!
I have been dying to try the viseart stuff
You’d love the Paris and Neutral Matte palettes!
So many great products. I loved the butterLONDON eyeshadow palette and lip crayons as well!
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest recently posted…Best of 2015 Part One
Thanks, Cassie! Yes, I wear those butterLONDON products all the time 🙂