Blogmas #8: best make-up 2017

The post you’ve been asking for over the last couple of weeks – best make-up of 2017! This year, it’s exclusively drugstore (although some prices are pushing over to the high-end side) and to be honest, I’m really happy about that. I don’t think that things we enjoy should cost and arm and a leg so I’m happy if I can find inexpensive products that are awesome. Enjoy (and also, get yourself some wine and popcorn, because it’s a long one).

Best make-up 2017 – great base

It was easy to choose my favorite foundation for the year 2017. It’s Paese Liquid Powder Double Skin Aqua – lightweight and moisturizing foundation (mine in the shade 20A). Their foundations have 4 squares on the side. This particular foundation has 3 filled up which means medium coverage, so I’m guessing all four would mean full coverage. Easy way to find the foundation you’re looking for. The application with the doe-foot applicator is easy and although it tends to oxidize on me the tiniest bit, it’s nothing compared to other foundations. I’d say this one would be great for almost any skin type.

It’s primer galore in my house and I’ve tried many great primers this year, but again, I have to go for the same brand. Paese mattifying make-up base (for oily and combination skin). It’s a silicone primer which will make your foundation look beautiful. I don’t think it would do any favors to super oily skin though – silicones tend to slide right off it. In combination with the foundation mentioned above, it looks stunning.

I’m not a big believer in  BB creams but Vipera BB Cream (02 natural) that reduces redness and evens out the complexion totally changed the game for me. To be quite honest, I don’t even see it as a BB cream but a medium-coverage foundation which covers up all imperfections quite well. I enjoy using it when I don’t want to worry too much about my foundation. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re still on the hunt for a good BB cream.

I’ve tried perhaps a dozen concealers this year – both high-end and drugstore – and haven’t been impressed at all until I bumped into Catrice Liquid Camouflage high-coverage concealer. My first one – I don’t know how I’ve never come across it before. I don’t apply it directly on my under-eye circles directly because it’s quite fair and would make them stand out even more. First, i cover them up with a concealer closer to my skin tone and then I apply this concealer to brighten up the area. Also use it to carve out my eyebrow when I feel like it. Great full coverage concealer for less then 5€? Sold!

For finishing powder with some extra coverage, I can’t say enough good words about Bell Hypoallergenic Mat Powder (I think 04 – I’m a bit annoyed it doesn’t say anywhere on the packaging itself). I’m on my second one, and I’ve got a back-up as well. It’s not exactly lightweight, but applied over a light weight foundation, it gives you that extra coverage and makes your skin look beautiful. Low Maintenance Beauty approved! Read more about it *here*.

2017 was definitely a year of translucent powders. Out of all I tried, the price-performance ratio was the best with Avon Mark Magix HD Finishing powder. Why yes, I do also pay attention to the price. If I’m going to recommend something for 40€, it better be  worth it (which it usually isn’t in my opinion) and the same way around – if I’m going to find a powder for a couple of Euro that works (almost) just as well as the one for 30€, I’ll recommend it to you. The Avon Mark magix powder is very finely mild and will definitely keep the shine at bay! You can read more about it *here*.

Best make-up 2017 – adding some color to the face

 

Powder highlighters are my nemesis as I’m drawn to them like a moth to a flame. My absolute favorite this year has been Essence Cubanita Jumbo Highlighter
(unfortunately, LE but perhaps you can still find it somewhere). A beautiful golden shade and powdery formula, this highlighter is super simple to work with. The size promises at least a couple of years of use so I’m in love.

Liquid highlights are also tempting, but I’m hard pressed to find ones that show up well and are at the same time not difficult to blend out. L.O.V LOVglow Highlighting drops meet both criteria. I like that they aren’t too difficult to work it and not over-pigmented, so I can easily control the level of shine on my face. They come with a great easy to use dropper which is perfect for liquid products. Don’t forget to always apply liquid products before you set your face, otherwise it will look unnatural! I did some swatches *here*.

I’m also a big sucker for bronzers and always on a hunt for the next perfect bronzer for my collection. Catrice Soleil D’Ete Sun stripping bronzer (LE) was my absolute favorite this year. It’s a matte bronzer which looks slightly orange in the pan, but comes out quite a few shades darker. Because of neutral undertone, it could also be used as  a contour shade on a very pale skin. It reminds me a lot of the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer.

Even though I don’t use blush every day, I still love buying and trying them out. Catrice Light and Shadow blush (030 – Rose Propose) has been my absolute favorite this year. For a couple of Euro, it beat blushes by Illamasqua, Bobby Brown and Benefit – so that’s saying something. It’s a beautiful dusky rose color and I apply it sparingly, but try to swirl both colors together for that perfect light rose tone.

Best make-up 2017 – brow (just brow, not Instabrow)

I’m not a big fan of the instabrow and although I like my eyebrows to have a nice shape, I much prefer them to look at least semi-natural. This year, I fell in love with the Max Factor Brow Contouring Kit in the category of powder brow products. They are buttery but incredibly long-lasting. I use all the shades as I already described in *this* post.

For brow pencil, I have to go with the Paese Brow Couture (mine in the shade 177). It holds a pencil on one side and spoolie on the other. Admittedly, it’s not the softest pencil I’ve ever come across but really has the staying power and if sharpened, is thin enough to get those precise strokes in. They come in quite a few shades and don’t have that gray undertone that’s so common with brow pencils.

Best make-up 2017 – eyeshadow galore

For eyeshadow primer, I chose Avon Eyeshadow Primer (Light Beige) yet again. It’s really one of the best primers out there, but then I again, I don’t have super oily lids so it’s not hard to find one that suits me well and prevents my eyeshadow from creasing. I’ve dug a big hole in it and although it’s more then a year old, I’m not ready to part ways with it just yet.

For liquid eyeshadow, I have to go with Catrice Aquafresh Highlighting eyeshadow (020 – Luminous sensation). This is the stuff dreams are made out of. It feels like jelly, applies beautifully and dries down in seconds. You can apply it all over the lid for a light everyday look or as a shimmery contrast to your matte shadows. I’ve been using mine for 6 months and doesn’t show any tendency to dry out yet.

Single shadows are always a category that gives me a headache since there are so many really good ones to choose from. The Catrice Single shadows are the winners this year (left to right – 030 Please tell Rosie, 040 Wild Ginger, 080 Madomiselle Chic and 110 Chocolate cake by the ocean). I’m putting these in the singles category because you buy each one individually – if you put them in this (super practical) palette or not is up to you. The formula is soft, creamy and incredibly pigmented. I love the formula of these and I’ve bought quite a few which I’ve depotted and placed into my magnetic palette. 030 Please tell Rosie and 040 Wild Ginger and matte shadows, super creamy easy to blend out. 080 Madomiselle Chic and 110 Chocolate cake by the Ocean are shimmers. Madomiselle looks gold in the photos (and in person) but is actually rose gold on the lid. The price:quality ratio is great since you’re paying just a few cents over 2€ for each of these. I also cannot recommend the palette strongly enough – sturdy with a mirror. Hopefully, they come out with an 8-pan as well, similarly to what Essence offered in their line.

I love eyeshadow palettes and this year, I’ve tried quite a few great ones – interestingly, my favorites are all drugstore! L.O.V Eyeshadow palette (720 Devoted to metallics) is the winner in my books. I already have a full post on it *here* so I won’t repeat myself. I stand behind my words when I say that I think it’s worth every penny.

For mascara, I went for the one that gave me great lashes for the least amount of money. Essence Instant Volume Boost mascara is just a proof of what I’ve been saying for over a year now – Essence is really stepping up their mascara game. This mascara will separate your lashes nicely and give them tons of volume. I’d definitely recommend it if it’s volume you’re looking for!

I don’t use liquid eyeliner a lot, but whenever I decided to give myself a line this year, I reached for the Avon Mark pen. Because of the precise tip, I found it really easy to use and the pigmentation is amazing!

Best make-up 2017 – beautiful lips

Although the matte trend is slowly waving goodbye, I’m still a fan of liquid matte lipstick. Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme (12 Loved Aime) was my absolute favorite this year and I can’t believe it took me so long to finally buy a few Milani lip cremes. Although I’d like it to be the tiniest bit less drying, I’m willing to pay for absolutely awesome wear time – this lipstick will live through a three – course meal and some intense kissing. The shade range is also great so I’m sure you’ll find one to your liking.

I honestly cannot remember the last time I bought the same lip balm two times in a row. The honor goes to L’Occitane Pivoine Sublime lip balm which I already mentioned *here*. It’s slightly tinted, smells wonderful and makes my lips hydrated and look yummy at the same time.

Lip liners are something I don’t use everyday, but I’ve really been loving the Nabla Magic Pencil (Dark Nude). This pencil really is almost invisible but creates an almost waxy line around your lips which acts as a barrier which the liquid lipstick cannot transfer. Although a bit expensive for a lip liner, I think it’s really worth it.

Best make-up 2017 – two MVP’s

I’m also giving out two special rewards this year. First goes to Max Factor Lash Crown Mascara for the most innovative product. You can read the whole post about it *here* to see what I’m talking about. I’d definitely award it the best mascara award as well, but it dried up in two months which was kind of a bummer. Still, for those two months, I had gorgeous, really separated lashes and what impressed me the most is that I could also get my lower lashes looking great with the help of the smaller wand. A really great product!

The last honorable mention goes to Essence Hip Girls Wear Blue Jeans Illuminating Face Cream gel in the “so sorry” category. Why so sorry? Because it was limited edition and I’m unsure you can get it anywhere anymore. This gel has micro shimmer which, applies under foundation, looks completely amazing. It gives you a healthy glow but doesn’t shimmer unnaturally. Great product that I’m hoping to see a repeat of in the upcoming Essence or Catrice collections.

So these are my favorite make-up products for 2017. Mostly drugstore, although L.O.V and Paese are really pushing the line between drugstore and high-end. Still, many of these will only cost you a few Euro and I can honestly say that I think it will be money well spent. Until next time, stay beautiful!

 

 

 

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