2016 Beauty Favs

. . . because everybody is doing it! Also, I know pretty much all of these products I mention have been out for a long time and were not released in 2016... but these were the products that I have enjoyed most this year!

Primer: NYX Angel Veil Primer. I feel like this primer is one that anyone would love... whether you're oily, dry, large pores, etc. it makes your foundation go on SO smooth and last a long time. The only downfall about this is that it IS one of the more pricey products from NYX.

Foundation: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. Oh, Ulta... why did you have to give me a sample of this stuff? After months of literally squeezing out every.last.drop of it, I finally broke down and just bought the full-sized tube. I love this stuff because it looks so natural on the skin, but it's still full coverage. With that being said, you will need to blend this stuff out with a brush or a damp sponge, don't try to rub it in like a tinted moisturizer, or it'll be a complete disaster! Also, this stuff smells good, like citrus... I love it.

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer. Everybody and their dog on Youtube talked about this stuff this year... and for good reason. The tiniest bit of the product goes such a long way, and I love the huge doe foot applicator! This stuff is extremely full coverage, but it's super easy to blend out. If you can ever find your color in stock... just buy it. You won't regret it. And just in case you're wondering, this stuff smells good, too!

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo. Been using this stuff for two years... only just this month did I have to open up a new one! I've tried other brow products from Anastasia, but I feel like powder is what works best for me and my brows. Annnnd that's all I'm gonna say about that, because brows are boring.

Eyeshadow: Makeup Geek. Why it took me so long to purchase these, I have no idea. Maybe it was the fact that they were single eyeshadows? + the thought of having to get a z-palette just seemed too intimidating for my eyeshadow palette loving heart! But I'm so happy I finally purchased some (peach smoothie, creme brulee, cocoa bear, prom night, and grandstand), because they blend out so well, and are very pigmented. Plus, I just feel kinda fancy whipping out a z-palette now ha! (Am I Jaclyn Hill yet?!) I definitely understand why these shadows have been talked about on Youtube for years!

Eyeliner: Essence gel liner. I feel like no one talks about the brand Essence! It's so freaking dirt cheap and such good quality! I feel like it's even cheaper than E.L.F! Anyway, I decided to try their gel eyeliner, since my Maybelline one was drying out, and I'm so glad I did! It's literally half the price of Maybelline's... and Maybelline's is already cheap! I feel like this gel liner is even better than Maybelline's... it's creamier and blacker! There's a lot of things from Essence that I love, but this is probably my favorite. This brand is seriously the best kept secret at Ulta!

Mascara: Butter London Double Decker Lashes. This is another product I have to blame (or thank?) Ulta for giving me a sample of, otherwise I would have never even looked at this, but it was truly love at first swipe. The brush reminds me a lot of the Loreal Voluminous and the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara- so obviously it's a volumizing mascara. I must say that my other favorite mascara this year would still be the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara, too... I will always love it (and the price).

Bronzer: Hoola Bronzer by Benefit. "If it's not broken, don't fix it"-my motto for this bronzer, since I've been using it for almost 3 years. Maybe my 2017 resolution should be to branch out and try more bronzers?! I really just love this stuff so much. It's the perfect color on everyone I put it on!

Blush: Milani Baked Blush in "Luminoso". Why was I so late to this party?! Oh well, I'm on the luminoso train, and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. This stuff is the perfect everyday color blush, and I love that it gives you a little highlighted glow! I have never hit pan on a blush until this... that's how much I'm obsessed with this stuff.

Highlight: Champagne Pop by Becca x Jaclyn Hill (of course). I think another 2017 resolution would be to branch out with more highlighters... but I think I will always love this the most, mostly because Jaclyn Hill created it ;) #highlightonfleek

Setting Spray: Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray. Ain't NO oil getting through my huge-A pores while I'm wearing this stuff! This spray is an oily girl's best friend.

Lip products: Buxom Lipgloss in "White Russian," Bareminerals Marvelous Moxie gloss in "Rule Breaker," and NYX retractable lip liner in "Sand Beige" This year I was all about those super glossy, almost wet looking lips (thanks Kardashians). Most days I would line and fill my lips with NYX lipliner in "nude" and then throw on one of these lip glosses. Sooooo pretty + easy + no worrying about it being on my teeth.




Annnnd there you have it! My 2016 beauty favs! What products do I need to try in 2017?! You know I'll take any excuse to go to Ulta.