As 2013 comes to a close, I’m doing a lot of reflecting. I thought it would be fun to share what my favorite skincare and makeup products from this year are!
First up, skincare. My skin totally changed this year, what used to work for stopped working. I was on a quest to find a new skincare regimen that would give me clean skin that looked healthy. After kissing a lot of frogs, I’ve finally found a few new products that are working well for me right now:
1: Benefit: Triple Performing Facial Emulsion I love this moisturizer; it’s lightweight but really moisturizes skin. I like to mix this with my favorite CC cream (more on that in a second) and apply after washing for just the right amount of moisture and coverage.
2: Benefit: Foamingly Clean Facial Wash I use this face wash every morning and night. I think it does a great job removing my makeup (just not eye makeup– I use a real makeup remover for that) I love that I can use it with, or without the Mia. I also like that it’s not super drying. Much like the lotion it has a fresh, clean scent that is pleasant but not overpowering.
3. Clarisonic: Mia 2 I did a post when I first bought the Mia 2, I had debated for months if I should invest or not but now that it’s been a few months I am SO glad that I did. I feel lost without this thing; last month when we were in Germany I forgot to bring this and the entire week I felt just gross. One of the first things I did when I got home was wash my face, it felt so good! Clarisonic recommends replacing the brush head every three months or so, I started with the Acne brush head which I read good things about because its gentle on the skin. A few weeks ago, I decided to pick up a new head and went with the Deep Pore brush head, and it’s working just as well! This was probably the best beauty purchase I made in 2013!
Now for the fun stuff, my favorite makeup items from 2013:
1: Urban Decay: Naked Palette This is my go to eyeshadow palette, I use it basically every day! Naked, Buck, Smog, Darkhorse, and Hustle are the colors I use most frequently- although I really use them all.
2: Supergoop: Daily Correct CC Cream When everyone jumped on the CC and BB cream bandwagon, I really wanted to as well. CC Creams even out skin tones, shrink the appearance of pores and leave skin looking healthy, all while providing complete sun and environmental protection. I tried so many and couldn’t find one I liked, until this came in my Birchbox a few months ago. I like to mix it with my moisturizer and apply before I start my makeup- I think it gives just the right amount of coverage without looking weird. I highly recommend giving this CC cream a try if you’re looking for one!
3: Diorshow: Iconic Overcurl & Diorshow: Black Out I use both of these mascaras regularly, and I couldn’t pick a favorite. I love the dark color they both provide, Iconic Overcurl does a nice job lengthening and I use it even for low key days. I think Black Out really makes my lashes darker and longer- they totally stand out. If I’m going out I usually use both, starting with the Iconic Overcurl, and finishing with Black Out.
4: CK One Double Ended Eyeliner beat it / rock out I really like the rock out color- it’s like a dark navy/purpleish color; in fact the turquoise beat it I rarely use. Purple & navy eyeliner are one of my favorite makeup tricks- I think they provide a look that is similar to black eyeliner, without all of the harshness. This is the pencil I’ve used most this year, but I’ve also had several from Mac that I like just as much.
5: Benefit: Hoola Bronzer For the last decade or so, I’ve been pretty loyal to Bare Minerals for my bronzers. When my last container ran out, I went to Ulta to replace it, and they were out. I checked out a few others, and settled on this one. I don’t love the packaging, but the product works, I especially like that the product is matte. I think it gives me good color without having to use a ton. My best tip would be to ditch the brush that comes with it and use a nice powder brush to apply.
What are your favorite beauty products of 2013?
