Hello!
In my main post, "Beauty Awards: 2014", I stated that my plan was to talk about the products in each category. The first category is Face. In this post you will find out why the products chosen are the best of the best. If you have any questions about anything, just let me know in the comment section below.
Primer
Highend: Stila One Step primer $36
Stila One step is a prestige primer that contains color correcting pigments. The first thing I notice when I apply this primer is how powerful the green correcting pigment is. When I'm having a really bad breakout I apply this primer and it helps calm down the redness before my foundation is applied. The next thing I notice is the extended wear of my foundation. I have a problem with my foundation breaking up all over my cheeks and chin. However, when I wear this primer my foundation doesn't budge all day long. This primer is seriously a miracle worker. The only thing I don't like is the price of it. So I don't use it all the time.
Drugstore: E.l.f Hydrating primer $6
Even though I have acne, I have very dry skin. Pretty much everyday I'll reach for something that provides extra moisture for my skin and that special product is e.l.f's hydrating primer. It really helps my foundation go on smoothly and prolongs the wear of it. It's not quite as good as Stila's primer but it's the best from the drugstore.
Foundation
Highend: Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme $44
For so long I was on the hunt for the perfect foundation. When I saw this foundation on Ultas website, I was instantly intrigued. I'm so happy that I purchased it. This foundation provides a seamless full coverage finish. It lasts all day and does not break me out. Fortunately, i don't get oily in my T-zone it can, unfortunately it can cling to some dry patches. To fix that problem, just add some liquid luminizer to the foundation and viola, it's perfect for dry skin as well. I just can't get enough of this foundation. Plus, the packaging is so sleek!
Drugstore: Loreal True Match Lumi $12.99
I have very needy skin. My skin doesn't agree with a lot of drugstore foundations. Either they look to heavy, cake-y, too sheer, break me out, or seperate on my skin. Loreal's Lumi True Match is one of the only drugstore foundations that actually agrees with my skin. It doesn't seperate or look cake-y on my face. It lasts all day and doesn't cling to my dry acne. Most importantly, it doesn't break me out like a lot of drugstore foundations do. The coverage is medium to full but buildable. I highly recommend it.
BB cream
Highend: Skin 79 Oriental Gold BB cream $100
We all know that I have acne and I have never felt comfortable going in public with just BB cream on. However, this BB cream has changed my life, literally. Use to, I would have to go through the whole process of foundation and concealer. Now, I can apply two layers of BB cream and actually feel comfortable going out in public. Skin 79 Oriental Gold BB cream is a discontinued product but it's still available on Amazon. It has buildable medium coverge, its long wearing, moisturizing, applies smoothly, lasts for hours and gives the skin a beautiful appearance. I will always love this BB cream and I'm even hesitant to tell anyone about it. I would hate it if it sold out for good.
Drugstore: Maybelline Dream Pure with acne treatment $8.99
At first I hated this BB cream. I tried it for a week and didn't notice any difference in my skin.. Then after I stopped using it, I started to break out really bad. Why? This BB cream actually did help my skin. It helps reduce the amount of acne I have and provides a light to medium coverage while I wear it. The only thing I don't like is how it tends to stick to my dry acne. You definitely need to moisturize before hand. Other than that, it's a great drugstore BB cream. I especially think people with oily skin will love it. It would even be perfect for men who have problems with acne and would benefit from the coverage (due to the lack of self confidence).
Under Eye concealer
Highend: MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear concealer $20
I had a hard time choosing between Mac's pro Longwear concealer and Nars radiant concealer. The reason I chose Mac's is becuase it works great as an eye primer too. If your not worried about that, both concealers are high coverage, creamy, crease-resistant, Blendable and dependable. If price helps you choose, then go with The pro Longwear. It's only $20 and has a pump, which is also great for preventing bacteria growth.
Drugstore: Maybelline Isntant Age Rewind concealer $8.99
There are a lot of gems in the drugstore but nothing is as good as Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer. It's coverage packs a huge punch and the creaminess is divine. My under eyes instantly look brightened and I love the awake appearance it creates. It's also crease-resistant, lasts all day and the price is a steal. You seriously need to try this concealer. I promise you won't regret it.
Facial concealer
Highend: Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Concealer $22
I love this concealer. It gives me medium to full coverage without looking cake-y. It doesn't clog my pores or fade away throughout the day. Bonus, it's not even that pricey.
Drugstore: Hard Candy Glamoflauge $6
Hard Candy's concealer is often raved about. Being only six dollars and having full coverage, it's bound to stand out in the drugstore. I personally don't think it provides "full coverage" but I do think it provides the best coverage from the drugstore. I can still achieve a full coverage look if I wear a full coverage foundation but then things tend to look cake-y. I suggest getting this concealer if you're okay with a Med-full coverage. However, if you want ultimate coverage, go to Ulta or Sephora and get yourself a high-end concealer. If you're on a budget, than this is your best bet from the drugstore. Worn with a natural looking foundation, it looks nice and lasts all day. It doesn't break me out or crease into my fine lines. Overall, it's a spectacular concealer for the price.
Translucent powder
Highend: Tarte Smooth Operator Clay translucent powder $32
This powder is the best powder I have found to diffuse the appearance of my imperfections. That alone is the reason why it's my favorite translucent powder so far! It gives me such a silky appearance and I can't get enough of it.
Drugstore: E.l.f Cosmetics HD powder $6
Having acne my whole life has taken a total on my face. E.l.f's HD powder helps create a soft look on my skin. It blurs out all of my rough edges, prolongs the wear of my makeup and keeps my makeup from separating. But I have to say the price is the best thing about this HD powder!
Powder foundation
Highend: Lorac Cosmetics Porefection Baked Perfecting powder $33
This lightweight powder helps keep my makeup set all day long and gives me a Poreless finish. It applies easily and doesn't break me out. It also helps provide extra coverage for my acne. Which is a must have in my life.
Drugstore: Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder $4.99
I'm sure by now you have all heard of this powder foundation. It's sets makeup amazingly, keeps oil at bay and it doesn't look cake-y.
Bronzer
Highend: Hula Benefit $28
Need a bronzer that doesn't break you out, look muddy, blends easily and can be used to contour? Hands down, This is your girl!
Drugstore: BH Cosmetics Bombshell bronze in Diva $5.95
First, I want to say this bronzer is NOT for contouring. It's way too warm. However, it gives a glorious bronzey glow to the skin. I love how soft it is but that can also be a bad thing if you're not careful. It can look muddy with a heavy hand. But if you apply it correctly, it's so gorgeous and blends in like a dream.
Blush
Highend: Nars Orgasm $30
Everyone has heard of it, almost everyone has it and no one can live without it. Nars Orgasm is such a pretty shade to sweep across your cheeks. It blends easily, lasts all day and gives a subtle glow to the skin.
Drugstore: Milani Comsetics Luminoso $8.49
All of Milani's blushes are fantastic but Luminoso is just one of my favorite shades. It blends easily, lasts all day long and it's affordable. What more could a girl ask for? Oh Ya, a nice sheen on the cheeks.Which Milani has you covered!
Highlighter
Highend: Becca Opal $19-41
Another product that lives up to the hype. I don't have the powder form but I do have the liquid form. It's such a beautiful highlighter on the cheeks or all over the face. It's so pretty, I could shower in it. But damn that would be an expensive shower. It applies smoothly, blends easily,doesn't break me out and the color is universal.
Drugstore: E.l.f Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls $3
This affordable highlighter gives a nice luminosity to the skin. It doesn't irritate my skin and the color is to die for!
Setting spray
Highend: Mac Fix+ $22
Guys, the hype is true. There are days when I put on way too much concealer and what comes to the rescue? That's right, Mac Fix+. It takes away the powdery look and leaves a beautiful canvas after a light spritz. The only thing it doesn't do is prolong the wear of my makeup. But that's ok, I have primer for that. Go pick it up!
Drugstore: NYX Dewy setting Spray $7.99
Nyx setting spray is pretty much the same thing as Mac Fix+. However, it doesn't take away the cake-y appearance quite as good but it does prolong the wear of my makeup. I use it daily and save the expensive one for parties, holidays, ect.
What were your favorite products of the year?
Have you tried any of my favorites?
Let me know in the comments below!
