Best of Beauty 2016 | Make-Up

To say that this post is incredibly overdue would be the biggest understatement of the year - and it's only January! But god damn how time flies. I kid you not it was literally December 20 something when I started planning what products I wanted to include in this post, and I pretty much blinked and Christmas was over, New Year happened and BAM we are almost at the end of January, like seriously guys HOW!? But I still had to go ahead and do this post (even though it might as well be titled Jan faves now...) because I just love Best of Beauty posts as it adds a nice touch of finality to the year. So Happy Belated New Year anyway, I hope 2017 has been super fab for you so far! As for me, I wouldn't even know because apparently I am still living in 2016 *cry laughing emoji* (anyone else still dating things with '16 instead of '17? No? Just me?) However, I decided to split my faves post into make-up and skincare, first being make-up and skincare following up in a few days. Strap in guys, it's gonna be a long one ....

Arguably one of the most anticipated launches of the year was the Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette - and by far my most used and loved eye shadow palette. Initially, I didn't think I would get much use out of it as I wasn't a large user of pink/peach shades as I tend to stick with neutrals and mattes and if I am being completely honest, I bought it mostly due to the social media hype (I know, I know! But come on, I can't be alone...surely...) But boy it did not disappoint! Once I got over how pretty it was to actually use, (and the scent!!??! omg so delicious) I think I have used it almost every day since with my favourite shades being Peaches 'N Cream, Georgia, Luscious, Cobbler, Just Peachy and Bellini. If you are planning to buy this in the re-release in Mecca on the 31st for us Aussies, I say buckle up and get ready to add it your cart as soon as it hits stores, I promise you will not regret it. As for me, the Peach Glow Palette has my name written all over it ...

2016 was definitely the year of the palettes and one palette that I knew I just had to have in my hot little hands as soon as I laid eyes on it was the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Surreal Light Palette. Already a devotee to the HG Ambient Light Powders and Blushes, this was seemed to be a no brainer purchase for me and I am ever so glad I took the plunge and bought it after some initial internal conflict. At first I was a little unsure after reading so many mixed reviews, and did I mention the eye watering price? But really who can say no to pretty marble packaging, not me clearly -  a super genius marketing tactic if you ask me, I wish I had thought of it myself! This palette encompasses everything I love about Hourglass all in one sweet pretty little package. Honestly, the finish it gives my skin, no words. My skin looks pretty much #flawless and natural, and last all day long. This might just be my favourite product of the year... big claim I know.

In terms of glow-getters, I also want to give an honorable mention to the Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Champagne Pop. I also included this in Beauty Favourites of 2015 and it is safe to say this baby stayed near and dear to my heart all year long. I did drop and crack it around about mid-August (RIP) and have just finished up the remnants now (such a sad day). If I can locate another I would definitely repurchase!

I tried out so many new base products this year but the clear standout for me was the L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Matte Foundation. I mentioned this all the way back in my January 2016 Favourites and I have be in love with it ever since. To say this lasts all day wouldn't do this enough justice, like seriously it lasts all dang day. With a good setting powder and primer, you are pretty much set. It's no secret that I love a good matte base and this ladies and gents delivers the GOODS, I highly recommend this if you have oily skin or love a base that goes the extra distance. A more recent base discovery would be the YoungBlood Cosmetics High Definition Translucent Powder* which I reviewed in my last blog post here. Seriously, this setting powder rivals Laura Mercier for a fraction of the price. Paired with the L'Oreal foundation you are quite literally covered all day long.

No 2016 Beauty Favourites would really be complete without a including a few liquid lipsticks. Pretty much all my make-up looks this year veered towards including a matte liquid lipstick of some form and the clear winners for me included the Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Koko K, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II and Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick in Chihuahua. These 3 liquid lipsticks are by far some of the best formulas I've tried, both in longevity and general feel - and are of course are all varying shades of nude pink! I highly recommend all 3 of these. However, my most used lipstick this past year would be the Colour Pop Cosmetics Lippie Stix in Brink which I included in my latest Colour Pop haul, so I won't blab on about it too much again. All I will say is if you have yet to try Colour Pop this is where you need to start, rightttttttt here. Their Lippie Stix are by far my fave CP purchases ever and this terracotta rose shade takes the cake.

Moving on to eyes, my two most reached for mascaras were the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara*. Both do an amazing job at lengthening, separating and adding volume to my lashes, however I do love the BTS mascara just a tad more but in terms of how long mascaras are meant to last, I opt for the Maybelline one more often. I also find the Too Faced formula slightly more dry and clumpy in comparison, just ever so slightly. Nonetheless, they are both incredibly amazing mascaras!

If you have read of any of my blog posts over the last year you would know my love affair with liquid eyeliner, in particular the Stila Stay All Day Liner. However, that all changed this year when I finally discovered the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, which I included back in my March Faves and I swear I have not looked back since. Seriously, I tried going back to the Stila eyeliner after Sephora failed to re-stock the Kat Von D liner for some months. In panic mode I converted back but I am telling you it just wasn't the same! The Kat Von D liner is incredibly easy to use, plus it dries much quicker and IMO lasts all day - much better than my Stila did anyway!

Lastly, another recent addition is the Cherry Blooms Fiber Brows in the shade Mocha*. While I will probably never ever part from my ABH Brow Wiz, this product adds a nice finishing touch to my brows by filling in the gaps and sparse patches near my arches and creating the illusion of thicker brow hairs. I will have brand focus post on Cherry Blooms up soon so also  keep an eye out for that!

That friends concludes Best of Beauty Make-Up picks for 2016 which clearly are still clear faves even in 2017. Stay tuned for my skincare picks which will be up in the next few days - and hopefully before the end of January (here's to hoping...)

Did you spot any of your faves here? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know below!

Chantalle x

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*These products were provided for consideration of a review, but it does not impact my thoughts or opinions. For more information please read my disclaimer policy here.