2015 beauty favorites
I wasn't sure if it was too late into January to post a favorites of 2015 post, but considering I read/ watched some 2015 favorites posts/ videos this weekend I figured I wasn't too late.
It seems that everyone does yearly favorites slightly differently. Personally when I was narrowing down what products would qualify for a highly coveted spot on my top beauty products of 2015 list, I had two stipulations:
1) I must have purchased the product at the end of 2014 or the first three quarters of 2015. It just didn't seem fair to claim a product I used for a month or two as a yearly favorite, despite how much I loved it.
2) They must have been a new purchase for me for the year of 2015 aka I couldn't have purchased it before 2015.
Now onto the mini reviews!
Hair
Klorane Dry Shampoo: sold at sephora, net-a-porter, birchbox, folica, amazon
I'm not sure how many bottles of this dry shampoo I went through in 2015, but it was definitely nearing the double digits. Not only does it make my greasy roots disappear, but it also brushes sooo easily into my black hair. Actually I don't even need to brush it in, a quick tousle with my fingers is all that's needed for it to blend seamlessly into my hair.
DevaCurl Styling Cream: sold at sephora, ulta, target, nordstrom, birchbox, dermstore
I talked about this product earlier in the year before I chopped my hair (you can read that review here.) Now that it has grown a bit longer I've been reaching for it again. On days when I don't want to fuss over my hair, I distribute a few pumps of this through my damp hair. The result is a less frizzy, more defined version of my naturally curly hair. Another plus is that it smells absolutely delicious!
Skincare
Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm: sold at urban, target, birchbox, beauty.com, dermstore
$20 is pretty pricey for a lip balm in my book, but that hasn't stopped me from repurchasing this baby 2 or 3 times this year. The thick, waxy texture of this balm is unlike any other lip product I've tried. The unique formula hydrates my chronically dry lips like a dream. When I remember to slather it on my lips before going to bed, I wake up with soft, plump lips.
Philosophy Purity Cleanser: sold at sephora, ulta, nordstrom, beauty.com, dermstore, macy's
This is my holy grail facial cleanser. I use it in the morning, in the night, with my clarisonic, with my foreo luna, in the summer, in the winter. I basically just use it all the freakin' time. While I do have other face washes, this is the only one I use year round since it's perfect in dealing with both oily and dry skin. The one thing it isn't perfect for is washing off makeup, but that's a small downside in my book.
2015 was the year I ventured into higher end skincare, and it doesn't get much higher end than glamglow (at least for me it doesn't.) This mask is almost magical in its ability to suck oil, blackheads, and all sorts of other gunk out of my pores. It also works as a nice overnight treatment on any emerging pimples (ew.)
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse: sold at birchbox, target, bloomingdales, dermstore, beauty.com
In all the facial oils that I tried in 2015, this was the only one that didn't cause me to breakout. I like to mix a few drops in with another lotion for a instantly moisturizing, lux overnight face mask. I also use it on the ends of my hair after applying leave in conditioner to help lock int he moisture. Yay for a dual purpose product!
Sephora Instant Moisturizer: sold at sephora
I feel like I talk about this in every single beauty post so I'll leave it at this: this moisturizer + dry skin = no mo' dry skin.
Makeup
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer: sold at sephora, ulta, nordstrom, macy's, beauty.com
This was the first primer I've ever purchased and as I'm writing this, I'm wondering how the hell I ever wore makeup in the past without wearing a primer. It extends the longevity of any face makeup and makes my makeup apply a much more smoothly. One of my biggest makeup pet peeves is patchy, almost shriveled up makeup and wearing this primer helps solve that problem. In the new year I've been testing out some new primers but I've still been reaching for this guy on days when my skin isn't dry.
Lorac Mega Pro Palette
There was a whole fiasco with the release of this palette last holiday season (2014) but by chance I was able to snag one off Amazon at the last moment and boy am I glad I did. Thanks to the vast array of colors found in this this palette, I didn't buy any eyeshadow in all of 2015. Albeit I don't wear eyeshadow all that often, but when I do it's almost always from this palette.
Nars Audacious Lipstick in Audrey: sold at sephora, nordstrom, saks, beauty.com, neimans, barneys, bloomingdales
Nars hands down makes the best lip products in my humble opinion, and if I could I would own every audacious lipstick because the formula is ah-maze-ing. They're long lasting, pigmented, and not at all drying. Audrey is described by Sephora as a "red currant"... and if you're like me and don't know what is, I would describe it as a dark, rosy red.
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry: sold at target, drugstore.com, ulta
This is the lipstick that launched my love for all things mauvey lips. It's matte without being drying and the color is sooo beautiful. You can read my post from last year here, where I have swatches of it.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: sold at sephora, ulta, macy's, beauty.com
It seems like 2015 was the year of primer for me. As I mentioned above, I don't wear eyeshadow all that often but I do wear eyeliner on most days. Because my eyes are on the precipice of being hooded, eyeliner on my top lid has a tendency to rub onto my brow-bone area. The solution? Applying this primer before applying my eyeliner-- then my eyeliner lasts all day long without smudging.
Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation in 6.5: sold at sephora, nordstrom, saks, bloomingdales
I want to say that I've got a weird skin tone and find it impossible to find foundation/ concealer that perfectly matches, but it seems like everyone has that same exact problem. This foundation is the only one I've tried that matches my skin tone flawlessly. Overall I think the range of colors they have is expansive. On top of that, the finish is very skin-like and light and works well with both my dry and oily skin. While I do prefer applying most makeup with brushes/ sponges, I appreciate that I can quickly sweep this across my face with my fingers.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC35: sold at mac, macy's, nordstrom, bloomingdales
This concealer somehow manages to be really lightweight while also providing a fuller coverage. The best part of this concealer is its ability to conceal bumpy pimples. Usually I avoid concealing any "fresh" pimples because a) that isn't going to help it heal b) makeup can look patchy over them thus attracting even more attention to the blemish. Thankfully this concealer doesn't cause either of those problems.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner: sold at sephora, ulta, urban, nordstrom, beauty.com
Winged liner became part of my "signature look" in 2015 and more often than not it was thanks to this eye liner. It's a deep, deep black, applies easily, lasts all day long, and best of all-- the tube doesn't dry out! I do wish it was a bit more matte and dried a bit quicker after application. But overall it still gets a thumbs up from me.