2015 Beauty Favorites Roundup | Top 6, Best Brushes & Skincare

 I love makeup unconditionally but my favorite thing this year was my blog. To me, my blog is my personal creative outlet and the place where I can share my love for beauty. In my life, no one around me shares love for makeup like everyone does on the online beauty community.

 It's a wonderful thing to see so many girls (and boys) slay the makeup game and support one another. I have never felt more connected with anyone than I do to those in our amazing beauty community.

 Sure, the makeup and brands are the reason we are all here but we the beauty junkies are what makes this community great. I just hope I can add to that inspiring community with my blog.

Always know I appreciate your time that you spend reading my blog. It sincerely completes my year when I know someone is bonding with me over makeup through my blog. I love you all!

To round up my 2015 favorites I thought it would be a fun idea to pick my ultimate favorites from each category. Down below you'll find 6 products, two from each individual post. So keep reading to see whats the best of the best. You never know, you might find that next amazing product you cant live without!

 The Base Is What's Important! Favorite Face Products of 2015

• Stila One Step Step Correct Trip Swirl Helix Primer

•  Dermablend Intense Powder Camo 

The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul Favorite Eyes Products of 2015

• Morphe 35N palette

• Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Solstice 

It's all about the lips!  Favorite Lip Products of 2015
 

• Maybelline Color Sensatinal Creamy Matte Lipstick

• Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick  

Now let's talk about those extra products that are not the center of attention. I know skincare is the most important but I really dont have many favorites for skincare. I still havent found my holy grail products for every skincare need. Brushes on the other hand I have a pretty decent bunch I love and use daily. Let's see what they are. 

Favorite brush brands 

Highend: Sigma 

Sigma is my favorite high end brand for brushes. They last and feel like they are made with the highest quality on the market but the prices are not bad at all. I mean it's not like Elf but its more like the Olive Garden of makeup- It's not too expensive but you would never know if it wasn't for the label. 

My favorite brush that I can not live without is the Sigma E25. I know so many people talk about it and I'm sure you're ready to throw up. But hear me out...mMy shadow game has changed since I started using this brush. My crease has never looked as defined as it is now. And The E25 just swoops right in there and smokes out my outer corner like no other. And, my god, it's so incredibly soft. If I could only keep one brush in my whole collection, this would be the one.  

Drugstore: Real Techniques, Sonia Kashuk (black handle line), or e.l.f  (studio)

 I know, I know, not everyone wants to spend a lot of  $$$ on brushes. Luckly, there are so many great drugstore brands out there. Sonia Kashuk, in particulary, is my favorite. The black handle line looks far more superior than any other brush line you'll find in the glorious isles of Target. The handles are sleek, fancy, durable and the bristles are tremendously soft. The prices are a little up there for drugstore but they are still cheaper than our beloved high end brands. 

My favorite Sonia Kashuk brush is the Flat Top Multipurpose brush  I love this brush partly for the reasons I listed above. It's perfect for blending out foundation. It doesn't leave streaks but instead leaves a flawless finish. I don't always use foundation brushes but when I do I use the Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Multipurpose brush.  

Other brush brands I love from the drugstore are Real Techniques and elf. Both brands make fantastic brushes. Elf brushes are made a little cheaper. It can be hit or miss. However, the majority of the Studio brushes are pretty good. If you're interested I can do a separate post exclusive to their brushes, just ask.  

Skincare of 2015

I only have three products to share with you. I honestly haven't found much of anything in skincare that has blown my mind. I guess I'm pretty picky because of my acne. Not just any product will please me. 

The first item I thought of is the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refresh Gel Cream. It's lightweight but really moisturizing. I love it for under my makeup. It really sinks in fast and flattens any dry patches I may have. My makeup has changed a lot since I started using it in December. My skin looks a lot smoother and moisturized. My foundation stays on longer and doesn't suck up all the moisture and leave behind a cakey mess like it tends to do. When I run out I will definitely purchase more!  

I'm sure you can guess the next product, Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask . My god, I love this mask. It helps my acne tremendously! My only problem with it is the price ($70). I just can't bring myself to purchase a mask that much. It helps a lot but it's only temporary and I go through it pretty fast. I say try it if you have the money for it. Please, don't purchase it though if you only want to buy it once... You'll be heart broken when you run out. It's like a vacuum for dirt, oil and black heads. It's amazing stuff. 

My last favorite is the St. Ives Clearing Green Tea Scrub . My skin loves this stuff. It doesn't completely get rid of my acne but it does a lot better with it than other scubs I have tried. My breakouts chill out for a while and go on vacation. Even when I do have a breakout the redness eases away after I wash my face with this stuff. It's alsogentle enough to use daily on my sensitive skin. I can't guarantee it will work for everyone. We all have different skin but I can say my experience has been pleasant. I do recommend trying it atleast once, it won't break the bank. 

Well that was fun! I hope you enjoyed this post and found something useful. Let me know what your favorites of 2015 are in the comments below! 

I have purchased a lot of new makeup to review that just launched! So be sure to come back and see what spring launches are worth checking out! And as always, if you have any request just let me know. I love picking up products to review for you! 

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2015 Beauty Favorites | Lips

 I am on it this year! Last year it took me almost all of January to complete my yearly favorites. I guess I had a lot of repeat winners this year. Plus, I have been inspired to talk about my own thanks to Youtube.

In this post I included all of my favorite lip products. I am going to write one more post with all of the links to each segment for my 2015 Beauty Favorites. I may include some of my favorite brushes and skincare items. So be sure to come back and check that out. You can find me on  Bloglovin for your convenience. 

Lipstick (Tube) 

Highend: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick $22

  The Revolution lipsticks apply evenly to the lips and provide extra moisture from the creaminess of the lipstick. I'm a big fan of matte lipstick but creams are still my favorite... And these are the best! The stay on my lips for 5 or more hours. The darkest shades don't bleed from my lips or smear around. And Don't even get me started on the packaging. It's a good lipstick line all around. 

Drugstore: Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte lipstick in Touch of Spice $7.99

Maybelline's Color Sensational Creamy Mattes are the definition of creamy lipsticks for a matte formula. Touch of Spice is a affordable lipstick that has high end qualities. It's creamy, pigmented and long-lasting. If you're looking for that perfect Kylie Jenner look that is affordable, this is your best bet. It's an amazing lipstick and the shade is trendy.

Lipstick (liquid) 

Highend: Too Faced Melted liquified Long wear Lipstick $21

The first thing I have to mention about Too Faced Melted lipstick is the smell. They smell A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. They feel very thin on the lips but pack a serious punch of color. They don't apply streaky or patchy. I can't find a single thing wrong with them. Even the applicator is perfection. They also last for hours and hours!

*Drugstore: Colourpop Ultra Liquid Lipstick $6

Colourpop is the best brand out their for affordable liquid lipstick. The formula actually dries down to a complete matte finish and stays on for the whole day. The Lipstick line has many options to choose from and the price is only $6. The formula is very drying but that's not irregular for matte liquid lipsticks. Some of the shades do have a different formula. They seem to be more hydrating but don't dry completely.  Usually it's the limited Edition shades that have that unique formula. Other than that all of the other liquids have the complete matte, not going anywhere, formula. The only thing I have noticed is if you rub your lips the lipstick can crumble. Nonetheless, It's still my favorite drugstore liquid lipstick line. 

Lip Liner

Highend: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil $20

 Both of these lip liners are smooth and creamy. They pro long the wear of my lipstick and give me a much fuller look that lasts all day. I love the Urban Decay liners but for the price, I say go with the Nyx slim lip pencils. 

Drugstore: NYX Slim Lip Pencil $3.49

Please read the description for the high end option above. 

Lip gloss

Highend: BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie lip gloss  $18

 The Marvelous Moxie lipglosses are beautiful, long wearing, non streaky and very creamy. They are one of the best lipgloss formulas out there. Not to mention their shades are adorable. They're my favorite high end formula but not my favorite formula on the whole market. This next product is! 

Drugstore: Rimmel Show Off Lip gloss (being discontinued in 2016) $4.99

Rimmel Show Off lip lacquers are my favorite lip glosses. They're so so creamy, non-sticky  and pigmented. The shades are so pretty and the price is affordable for everyone. I really wish they weren't being discontinued this year! Buy them while you still can! 

Lip Stain

Highend: It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Blush Hydrating Gloss Stain $24

The It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Blush Hydrating Gloss Stains are sooo moisturizing. If you want a nice tint to your lips when you wake up in the morning and hydrated lips, then buy this Lipstain. The shades are beautiful and pigmented. The packaging is really nice and the wand is super useful. The only downfall is the price. I think they would be a lot better if they were more affordable. 

Drugstore: Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain $9.49

These balm stains come in the form of a chubby stick. The chubby stick allows precise application with easy effort. They come in tuns of cute colors. They're affordable but still perform like beasts. They stay on the lips all day and wear off evenly. I'm sure you'll love 'em.

Chapstick/ Balm 

Highend: Benefit Lip Hydrator $18

 I really like these lip hydrators because they have a tint to them but are still moisturizing. They last a really long time for a lip balm. The packaging is adorable and convenient.

Drugstore: Burts Bees Lip Balm Tin $2.80-3.29

You need this in your life. It's super moisturizing and affordable. It's my favorite lip balm of all time. That's really all I can say about a Chapstick, haha. 

Well, that's it! I had a lot of fun writing this post. I love lip products so much. Don't forget to leave a comment telling me your beauty favorites. Are ours the same?

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2015 Beauty Favorites | Eyes

I'm back with my beauty favorites of 2015! Only this time we are talking about products for our eyes. Let me tell ya, I am so freaking picky when it comes to eye makeup. Well, eyeshadow not so much but everything else has to be spot on. I have very sensitive eyes that have to blink a lot. When I do blink, cheap formulas always smudge and wipe away. So anything that you see in this post is top notch!

Eye primer

*Highend: Urban Decay Original Eye Primer $20

There are so many eye primers out there on the market. Every one has a different favorite but the primer potion is my tried and true. I can always rely on it for a long, vibrant wear. One day when I get married this will be the primer I put my faith into.

Drugstore: E.l.f Mineral eye primer $3

 E.l.f's eye primer is somewhat similar to Urban Decays, just not as good. However, it's great for the price. It will keep my eyeshadow in place all day long. If I ever do run out of primer, this is the first one that comes to mind if I need to purchase one in a jiffy.

Eye Shadow palette

*Highend: Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar $49

I actually just got this palette not too long ago. I always thought the original chocolate bar was amazing but I was wrong. The Semi-Sweet has softer shadows and the colors are even better. Though, either way, both palettes contain a great assortment of neutral/must have shades. I can't live without either one!

*Drugstore: Morphe 35 N $19.99

I'm not going to lie, Morphe can be hit or miss when it comes to their eyeshadows. Luckily, with the 35N palette I think the majority of the shades perform like high quality makeup. They're soft, blendable and pigmented. The staying power is good but better with a primer. The price point is what makes it a top competitor. The palette cost me around $20 and contains 28 beautiful shadows. I reach for it all the time when I am in the mood to play around with my makeup. The variety of looks is astounding with this palette.

Single eyeshadow

*Highend: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Solstice   $21

I know the Moondust eyeshadows are not traditional eyeshadows but I included them anyway. I love how unique the properties are of the Moondust shadows. They're basically for the mobile lid alone but I can't help but think of these when I try to pick my favorite high end shadow of 2015. The iridescence is so dimensional and star striking. It can be applied dry for a nice sweep of color & glitter or applied wet for a full dimension of different tones. The tone of the shadow can be different depending on the base you apply under it.

*Drugstore: NYX Prismatic Eyeshadows $5.99

I used to love the Loreal infallible eyeshadows the most but once I tried the Prismatic formula everything changed. Like the Loreal, they are metallic/ shimmery, affordable, smooth, pigmented and long wearing. The only difference is the Nyx formula is a little creamer, so the shadows are not as powdery and have less fallout. My only grudge about the Prismatic shadows is the durability. They tend to crumble easily. Other than that, I love them to pieces! 

Cream eyeshadow

Highend: Mally Ever color Shadow stick $25

Looking for a creamy eyeshadow stick that doesn't budge all day? Go pick up one of Mallys Ever Color shadow sticks. They blend out easily, then once set, they don't move. Plus, they're very pigmented.

Drugstore: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoos $6.99

This is one of those cases where the drugstore out beats the high end brands. Maybelline's color tattoos are so amazing. Everytime I use one I'm blown away by its awesomeness. They are PIGMENTED. They don't just blend into nothing like some cream shadows. No, they stand out and they're like a tattoo. Do they blend easily? Of course (before they set)!  They're only $7 and you get a lot for your money. You need them in your life.

Gel eyeliner

*Highend: Tarte Tarteist Gel Liner $24

This stuff is so great. It glides over my wrinkly eye lids like no other. It's intense black and lasts all day. If you're looking for a highend liner, this is the one. You won't be disappointed.

Drugstore: Essence Gel Eyeliner $3.99

Essence has the best gel liner. It's shockingly creamy, long wearing, lasts forever in the jar, and it's even more wickedly black than Sigma's. Best part is it's less than $4.

Liquid eyeliner

Highend: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner $22

This liner is very pigmented and easy to apply. It's darker than your exes heart! I really love the thin tip and how it locks into place all day. 

Drugstore: NYC Liquid Liner $2.77

I love the wand on this liquid liner. It's so thin and precise. I'm able to achieve a wing with ease and it always looks great. It's super black and doesn't move all day.

Pencil eyeliner

Highend: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner in Perversion $20

 This eyeliner is very creamy, pigmented, rich, blendable and smudgeable(before it dries)....BUT, it's not as good as Pixi's Endless Silky pen in Black Noir. Yet again, another instance when the drugstore beats high end brands.

Drugstore: Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black Noir $12.19

This eyeliner is like a gel eyeliner in pen form. Every time I use it I'm just in disbelief of its creaminess. Not only is it extraordinarily creamy but it stays put all day. It so dark and smudge-able. I mean, just thinking about it makes me want to go smoke my eyes out right now. It's like black butter on a stick but desirable. If that makes sense? If not, let me make this clear for you all... You, your family, your friends and every girl on earth needs this liner!

Mascara

Highend: Too Faced Better than Sex $23

 Ok, I'm going to do mascara a little different. I pretty much get the same look from these two mascaras but the only thing that is different is the price. Both mascaras are pitch black, voluminous, lengthening, long wearing, clump resistant, flake free and transfer free. With this kind of mascara I don't even need false eyelashes.

Drugstore: Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black $7.99

Read the paragraph above for information on both the Better Than Sex mascara and Carbon black.

Brow Pencil

Highend: Anastasia Brow Wiz $21

 Anastasia has the best colors in the brow pencil world. They look realistic and they're easy to move across the eyebrow. They'll stay in place all day and keep you in the brow game. It's easy to use to shape your eyebrows and the tip is the perfect size.

Brow product

Highend: Anastasia Brow Pomade $18

This is for the girls who don't have much eyebrow hair. It's the best product out there to fill in your brows without disappearing later in the day. Anastasia has many shades to choose from and the price is affordable. It's creamy, yet easy to use. It lasts forever and applies without having a tug-a-war. All you need is a good angled brush and you and your brows are ready to take on the world.

*Drugstore: NYX Tame & Frame Brow Pomade $6.99

This stuff is a lot like the Anastasia Brow Pomade, not exactly the same but it gets the job done just as good. It's pigmented, long lasting and the shade options are pretty decent. I say save your money and buy this one instead. It's just a lot cheaper but still good. 

Ok, that's it for this post. Be sure to stay tuned for tomorrows post, which is my favorite lip products. Click here to read my 2015 Beauty Favorites for my face! 

Don't forget to tell me what your favorite eye products are for 2015 in the comments below. It's always nice to hear your favorites as well. I like to try new makeup too! (obviously, haha)

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