2017 Make Up Favs

(Holy Goodness this has been sitting in my drafts box for like... I don't know... a month? I guess I really got ambitious about being a better blogger before the new year - which obviously didn't last long - ha!) 

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If only phone cameras could show you what make up really looks like in person... sigh. BUT! Almost everything caked on my face in this photo is a product that I've LOVED in 2017! Also, I'm still posting about make up on this blog because I haven't grown the lady balls to start an instagram account dedicated to my love of make up... maybe I should add that to my New Year's resolutions? For now, we're going to keep using this blog as a security blanket, okay? Okay.

Here we gooooo.

Primers: I feel like this was my year for trying out lots of different primers! The more I try, the more I believe that primers really are essential and not just a gimmick. I think my most favorite this year has been the E.L.F. Mineral Infused Primer - um, hi Smashbox Photofinish dupe!!! Seriously, it looks/feels the exact same as the Smashbox one. Plus, I can't help but swell with pride at the fact that I only pay $6 for it!

Another primer that I feel really is worth the splurge is the Tarte Clean Slate/Poorless primer. This one truly fills in my huge A pores. I love putting the E.L.F. one on all over my face and then using the Tarte one in my t-zone.

Foundation: I honestly didn't branch out this year and try a bunch of foundations. Still love my IT Cosmetics CC cream!

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape (who isn't still obsessed with this?) or Maybelline FitMe (if I'm not wanting full coverage)

Setting Powder: NYX HD Finishing Powder in "banana"- oh my heck I love this stuff. Sometimes when I don't feel like putting on concealer, I just put this powder on under my eyes and it instantly brightens everything! Another favorite would definitely be the Coty Airspun translucent loose powder (great for baking!) - it's dirt cheap, too!

Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay blush. I was lucky enough to snag their blush palette that has 4 different shades in it for just $18 at Ulta. I love Tarte's blush because you barely even have to dip your brush in it and you get so much color payoff. It stays on a long time, too!

Highlighter: Cover FX Custom Enhancement drops in the shade "moonlight." The tiniest drop of this goes such a freaking long way! I've also started adding a drop or two to my foundation to make my skin look more glowy and I love it! It is really pricy (I got it on sale for 50% off though), but it truly would last you years. I also love setting this with a little of Becca's Champagne Pop! (perfection!!)

I also went through a very intense obsession with  Laura Geller's Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in "Gilded Honey" this year. This one gives you the perfect subtle glow!

Bronzer: Hands down my favorite bronzer was/is Physician's Formula's Butter Bronzer. It smells freaking divine and I never get sick of slapping what smells like a tropical island getaway all over my face. I feel like this bronzer is the perfect shade... not too cool, not too warm, and it's not shimmery! I reach for this every single day (over my Benefit Hoola!).

Eyeshadow: Obviously one of my favorite make up items has to come from Jaclyn Hill...
Ever since I got her Jaclyn Hill x Morphe palette, I haven't reached for anything else! It truly is the dream palette and has everything you could ever need. If you don't like this palette, it's because you don't own it. I'm sure of it.

Another eyeshadow worth mentioning though would definitely be the Stila Magnificent Metals liquid eyeshadow. This is THE glitteriest eyeshadow I've ever used and I love that it has an easy to use applicator. Obviously I'm not rocking glittery lids every day, but this is the perfect eye shadow for a special occasion or party.

Lips: As I type this I realize now that 2017 might have been the year of Tarte because my favorite lip product was also by Tarte. I love love love the Lip Sculptor Lipstick and Lipgloss duo. I feel like no one talks about this! First of all, you get both a lipstick and a gloss! + The lipstick is so creamy and pigmented! I love throwing the gloss on top of it, too. I have the shade "life" which is a peach nude and it goes with basically any make up look.

I also really enjoyed Urban Decay's 24/7 Lip Liner in the shade "Naked" - perfect for every day makeup!

Mascara: If I was stranded on an island and could only take one make up product with me, it would always be mascara. I'm a mascara junkie. I will try anything and everything! This year I finally tried Benefit's Roller Lash and absolutely l o v e d it! This one makes my eyelashes suuuuper long! Another mascara I tried + loved (which I wasn't sure if I would) was actually Younique's Epic Mascara. I've never used a mascara that is so great at layering! This one gives me huge volume AND length! If you're skeptical like I was because it's an MLM product... don't be! This one really is bomb.

Some drugstore mascaras that are worth mentioning are the Essence Plump No Clump! (it's freaking $4!!) and also the Kokie Professional Lengthening and Defining Mascara at Wal-Mart. Drugstore mascaras are my jam! I'm always most excited to try cheap mascara.


Annnd there you have it! My 2017 MakeUp Favs! What make up products do I need to try in 2018?! You know I'm always looking for an excuse to roam around Ulta with a large drink in hand...


(If I didn't mention certain makeup products it's probably because I'm still using my 2016 favorites which you can read about HERE!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Our countdown for 2018 didn't end at midnight last night. . . 

We'll be counting down until May 2, 2018 - or until our baby GIRL decides to show up! 

...my heart still kind of sinks/somersaults every time I let someone else in on our secret, because I have so many mixed emotions with this pregnancy (obviously grateful is the biggest one!!!), but then I try to remind myself that my uterus doesn't know when I announce that I'm pregnant, so to stop worrying, you big weird! Plus, this little miracle deserves to be celebrated, too! Even if it scary for me and Chris.

We are so so SO grateful that everything has gone well so far during this pregnancy and pray that it can continue to for the next 17 weeks. The one true "resolution" I have for this year is to have this girl arrive here safely. Okay, and maybe not eat so many freaking carbohydrates + read "The Infinite Atonement" (thanks for the recommendation, Whit!), but that's it! I swear. 

Even though 2017 brought on the hardest trial I've ever gone through, it also brought me some of the happiest moments of my life - my time with Jett and Graham, drawing closer to my Savior, growing closer with my family, and of course, getting pregnant again with this baby girl. A good word to sum up 2017 would definitely be G R A T E F U L. 

Here's to the new year! + hoping I'm a better blogger in 2018 (ha!)