It’s almost the holiday season which means it’s time to round up my favourite beauty products from this year, and share them with you. I’ve always enjoyed doing roundup posts like this and try to diversify the brands featured on my Best Beauty Products of 2018 from previous years.
I thought I’d have more “new” products to include in this list but I realized my shopping for new launches have been minimal this year. A great thing for my wallet, and soul as I am now discovering a lot of old favourites and slowly culling down the beauty stash.
The first product I want to rave about is the Too FacedChocolate Soleil Bronzer ($38, available here). This bronzer has been my constant companion this past year, and I’m only hitting pan now. Good thing I’ve got backups. This is my favourite bronzer with its matte brown-grey hue that looks natural on the skin. It’s such a versatile colour that when I’m a little bit more tanned during the year, I can wear this as a blush. I love how it sculpts the face without much effort and that it blends in so well!
I am rediscovering my obsession with the StilaWaterproof Eyeliner ($30, available here). It’s been a staple eyeliner for years and though I’ve strayed and tried others, every time I come back to use this one, I always wonder why I bother trying out other ones. It’s too bad that there isn’t much product so I tend to go through this fairly quickly. However, I’ve recently been using the applicator with other formula’s with great effect as well. It’s a good way of using up liquid eyeliners that I normally have a hard time with, using an applicator that I’m very familiar and used to.
I thought it would be remiss to not include the Urban DecayNaked Palette palette given the brand’s decision to discontinue it. It was my very first palette that I bought in 2013, and I had to get my hands on it again when it was announced UD planned to discontinue it. No other Naked palettes are as good as this, between the combination of colours, pigmentation, and excellent formula.
I have long been a huge fan of the ClarinsOmbre Iridescente eyeshadow ($26, available here) for its excellent formula, long-wear, excellent pigmentation and overall, fantastic product all around. The shade #09 Silver Rose is my favourite shade to wear daily – it’s the right kind of colour to add a little something-something, but not too much that it looks like you spent hours on your morning routine. What’s also really great about this colour is you can really dress it up or down – a hint of lilac or purple or burgundy makes a lovely date night pair, browns or taupes make it a great cocktail event pair. The combination is endless!
I have had a long love-hate relationship with the Make Up For EverUltra HD Invisible Cover Stick foundation ($52, available here). On one hand, it is one of the best formula’s that beats out even my favourite liquid foundations. However, the colour tends to oxidize or not be as good of a match as the liquid version which actually makes this a bit of a miss for wearing daily. Fortunately, it makes for a really fantastic concealer to go under most of my foundations.
The OrdinaryRetinoid 2% Granactive Emulsion ($9.80, available here) is a tried and tested favourite over the last year and a half. For a good reason too. Clocking at only under $10, this is the product that’s kept my skin virtually blemish-free no matter how much oily and indulgent foods I consume. It has helped lighten the old acne scars so I always have at least 3 brand new bottles stocked at home. It’s a fantastic product and for me, each bottle lasts about a month from using it once a day (PM only).
What are some of your favourite staple products from 2018?