2015 Makeup Favourites

Now that 2016 has arrived, it's time to give you the low-down on my favourite products from the past year, starting with makeup. Whilst I've already harped on about my love for the majority of these products, there's a few in there that may surprise you!

Despite being a late contender in the running for my favourite primer of 2015, as it was only released in September, the Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot Primer bowled me over from first use and instantly rocketed to the top spot. Unlike many pore-perfecting primers which can feel drying and suffocating, this one is more hydrating and helps to keep my makeup looking flawless all day and night. It's magic. To hear more about how impressive this primer is, check out my full review.

Although I've always coveted the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, I had neglected it slightly when others hit the market and caught my attention. To rekindle our romance, I picked up a new tube during summer and re-discovered just how gorgeous it is. Providing broad-spectrum sun protection, a second-skin, luminous finish and a generous coverage for a sheer formula, this is definitely worth a purchase.

For foundation, my winner had to be the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, which I've raved about in more depth here. Having a medium, build-able coverage and a radiant, satin finish, it makes the skin look beautiful rather than completely masked. As it's very long-lasting and doesn't contain SPF, it's the perfect choice for special occasions.

I may have included the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in my 2014 makeup favourites, but it's still my holy-grail concealer and I'm yet to find anything to beat it. A multi-tasking marvel, it camouflages blemishes and dark circles equally well, whilst still looking natural. There's no obvious shimmer within the formula but it instantly illuminates the complexion and the creamy consistency never starts to cake if you layer it.

For even more of a brightening effect under my eyes, I always like to blend some of the Clarins Instant Concealer over the top of my Nars concealer. Super concentrated, the fluid concealer delivers an extra boost of coverage, with the peachy undertone counteracting the blue tinge to dark circles. Light and refreshing, the gel-cream hydrates and smooths the eye area, minimizing the look of wrinkles. Amazingly, it doesn't settle into fine lines and refuses to crease, negating the need to set it with powder. Again, I've dedicated a whole post to this concealer, as I love it so much.

Powder isn't something I get very excited about, if I'm honest. Saying that, MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder was a total staple in my makeup bag for the best part of last year and it's one of my most-repurchased products. Either worn alone or used to set my base in place, it provides a sheer coverage and mattifies areas, whilst giving the skin a healthy radiance. It never looks dry or chalky on the skin, but it is guaranteed to cause major flash-back in photographs.

It took me a while to believe the Nars Laguna Bronzer hype, but now I totally get it. Finely-milled, the powder is buttery soft and, as a result, it always blends perfectly and never looks patchy. Shot through with a gentle dusting of golden shimmer, the bronzer doesn't look too flat, but it can still be used to contour with.

When I first spotted the Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes, I had my fingers crossed that they would make a great dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes and they didn't disappoint. Each marbled blush marries two colours with veins of soft shimmer which combine to give a lit-from-within glow to the cheeks. If you want to see some swatches of these blushes, then have a look at my full review.

I know there was a huge surge of highlighter hype in the beauty world last year and there were a few products in particular that people lost their *%&# over (I'm looking at you, Champagne Pop). But, when I thought about the product that I'd consistently reached for, Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter came to mind. Appropriate for both day and night, this creamy stick adds a soft, warm, pearly sheen to the face, without being too stark. 

Choosing just one eyeshadow favourite was a real struggle for me. So, I picked two. First, I have to mention the Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palettes which are just dreamy. Not only do the palettes look luxurious, but the formula is so perfect that application is totally fool-proof. Being velvety smooth in texture, the shadows blend so well and the pigmentation is strong, which you can see from my swatches in my full review.

A special mention had to go to my MAC Eyeshadows. Always a favourite, my customized palettes are such a must-have in my collection. With so many various shades and finishes on offer, MAC are hard to beat when it comes to their eyeshadow range and I'm always tempted to purchase a few more whenever I pop to a counter. During 2015, my favourite shades were definitely Patina, Omega and Era, but have a peek at my full MAC Eyeshadow Collection for more swatches.

For eyeliners, I have to choose the Topshop Waterproof Eyeliners. These pencils glide on so  smoothly without needing much pressure, but they set in minutes and stay in place until you remove your makeup. Knocking similar liners from premium brands out of the park, they're affordable, too.

For brows, I'm staying loyal to my beloved Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil & Brush, which I included last year and is a great dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wiz. As the pencil has such a fine nib, you're able to draw individual strokes in to the brows for a more natural, believable look. Having the additional spooley at the other end of the pencil means you can soften the brows as you go, to prevent them looking too harsh.

There was no question as to which mascara I'd pick for this post - it had to be Maybelline's Lash Sensational. The curved, plastic wand catches every lash and creates the most insane volume in just one coat. For me, this mascara delivers on all its promises and out-performs many of the high-end formulas I've tried.

Moving on to lip products, my number one liner has to be Max Factor's Color Elixir Lip Liner with the shade Brown n' Nude being my favourite. With a thick, almost gel-like consistency, these liners draw on easily and have amazing longevity, holding on through eating and drinking. Creamy in texture, they feel comfortable enough to be worn alone, too.

For a neutral, lip colour option, I had to give the Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors a shout-out. The brand's original glosses from the same line are famed for their formula and natural-looking shade range, but I prefer the more moisturising balms. Non-sticky and nourishing, the creamy balms actively hydrate the lips, add a hint of a tint, smell of vanilla toffee and give a plumped, glowing, 'my lips but better' effect. What more could you want really?

When going bolder, I was obsessed with the Sephora Cream Lip Stains. These velvety, liquid lipsticks glide on so easily and precisely. Thanks to the pointed, doe-foot applicator, you don't need to use a separate liner with these cream stains. Delivering an abundance of opaque pigment in just one swipe and drying to a matte finish, the bold colour is locked in to place and won't budge for hours. Infused with avocado oil, the stains feel comfortable to wear, rather than dry and irritating. Bonus.

What were your stand-out makeup products of 2015?

AGB X