For me, 2015 was the year of more thoughtful decisions when it came to buying makeup. I think I finally passed the stage of the ooooh-shiny-must-have-it-all makeup addiction, especially when it came to limited editions, and focused a lot more on skincare. In conclusion, I became really picky and borderline cranky about all that stuff that companies churn out day in, day out. And then, once in a blue moon brands came out with really innovative, thought through, great products so that I didn’t loose my faith completely. Phew!
Without further ado, these are the products that I enjoyed most this year or have been memorable in any way:
Best new lipstick formula: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip Potion. I wrote a review, Astrid wrote one, and since then I got another one. I love that stuff, especially since they’re not drying, yet long-wearing.
Best repromote: I hoped for a repromote, it happened, and then I couldn’t stop talking about them (see here and here): MAC Huggable Lipcolours. A gel-like formula that forms a light film over your lips (aka hugs them). For me, they’re the best thing since sliced bread and I could (and did) wear them basically ever when I wanted a comfortable, slightly glossy and translucent lip.
Best cream eyeshadow: Armani eye tints. Do I need to say more? We wrote about them here, here and here, and I think that covers it nicely. If you’re not in the mood to read reviews the length of a ambitious novella – slightly finicky, yet great formula. Find the right brush and you’re heading for an happily ever after. (Also, try layering another cream shadow *under* it. Something like a shadestick, cream shadow stick or whatever it’s called when it’s a creamy formula in a stick. Magic, I tell you. And much easier than blending two eye tints.)
Best new powder eyeshadow: MAC Dazzleshadows. Glittery and totally over the top. The internet agrees that they’re best for clubbing nights and parties. I wear them to buy groceries. (And keep the rest of my makeup down.) Hope they’ll make a comeback in the future (find my original review here).
Best new lipgloss formula: Mac Huggable Glass. Nobody tells me I’m not dedicated in my makeup addict ways – the Huggable Glasses came out on New Year’s Eve, and I went out (on NYE!!!) and got them, and tested them on a long, long plane trip to Asia. Happy to report that they were totally worth it – they’re gel-like glosses that are very moisturizing, non-bleeding or feathering and I hope that they’ll replace the Mineralize Glasses at some point in the future.
Best foundation that I actually bought: MAC Waterweight SPF30 Foundation. My other foundation fave was my DIY concoction that I wrote about here. But otherwise, the Waterweight formula was everything I wished it to be – natural looking yet with a satisfying, medium coverage. It also doesn’t settle in my pores or fine-lines and looks great at the end of the day. I’m still undecided which yields the best application result, though – the accompanying 196 brush, or the 130 with some finishing touches of a wet beauty blender. (You’ll see it in action here.)
Best highlighter that is not new at all: MAC Lightscapade. While everybody and their kitchen sink went bonkers over strobing and contouring, I managed to actually buy two highlighters (you’ll see the significance of that statement when I tell you that I managed to buy one blush and neither contouring nor bronzing products), used both a few times and then came back to my old true love: Mac Lightscapade. It’s permanent. It’s great. It’s one of the rare MAC products that I think everybody should own.
Best contouring powder that I nevertheless didn’t use: MAC Strada. Yep, I own it. I loved it when it came out with Gareth Pugh and wore it every day. Guys, I contoured my face everyday!!!111 And then the craze started and I was suddenly over the whole look. I didn’t once contour my face in 2015. Yes, really.
Most hyped product that I bought, loved and then went back to my old staple: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade. I was incredibly happy when I found it in a random Douglas in Den Haag (why doesn’t Douglas carry the brand in Germany?!), and immediately bought it in Ash Brown. Used it religiously, and then mysteriously went back to my usual routine of a cheap P2 brow powder with Essence brow gel to set it. Was happy. No idea what happened.
The only blush I bought, and it’s amazing: Max Factor Pastell Compact Blush in Nude Mauve. It’s called Creme Puff Blush in the UK (whatever), and it’s great. I love a good mineralize blush, and it’s good. Deceptively to it’s rosey mauvey appearance in the pan it pulls slightly bronzey (slightly!) on me, making it perfect for summer looks. Can’t say that it’s a dupe of Hourglass blushes, but for around 6 Euros it can’t hurt to try, right?
The one item that I bought three backups of: Ebelin blender brush. Perfect for the Armani eye tints. Also great for blending powder eyeshadows, especially if they’ve got a crumbly or ‘creamy’ formula. Soft. Bouncy. Not floppy. 2,95€. Do I have to say more?!
Brushes that cost an arm and a leg that I love: Hakuho-do + Sephora Pro Concealer and Large Teardrop Brushes. Unusual shapes that convinced me utterly. I love that Hakuho-do did synthetic brushes, and both have become staples. I use the teardrop brush with setting powder and it’s magical, mainly because you don’t sweep the brush over your face, but tap the powder into your skin instead. Hope they’ll come out with more.
Makeup item that I absolutely never want to be without: Nars Translucent Chrystal Light Reflecting Setting Powder loose. What a mouthful! But it’s holy grail for a reason – this makes every foundation look better. End of story.
Prettiest makeup item that I bought: Guerlain Meteorites Flocons Enchantes. Otherwise known as the Holiday Meteorites aka the ones with the stars. Nothing will ever beat that (original review here).
Best drugstore dupes: No need to shell out for Bioderma and some expensive cleansing oil when you can just pop into the drugstore (dm in my case) and get L’Oreal Skin Perfection 3in1 Reinigungsfluid and Balea Reinigungsöl. I wrote about the L’Oreal before here and am completely content with both products. They do the job, and they do it well.
Best new brand: HighDroxy. FabForties made my buy it – one of my best skincare decisions this year. HighDroxy as of now has three products in their range. I tried the Face Serum with Mandelic Acid and Niaciamide and I’ve seen the results on my skin – generally smoother, generally less agitated. Best acid product I’ve ever used. I’ll be definitely following this brand’s journey and I’m intrigued with what they will come out with in the future!
Best behind the scenes helpers: Lumos Heilerde (medicinal clay) and La Roche-Posey Toleriane Ultra. During the height of summer my skin decided to stop playing nice and threw one tantrum after another. It broke out, looked blotchy and became generally irritated with me and my whole skincare routine. I’ve made the experience that in cases like that it’s best to cut back on products to minimize possible irritation instead of throwing more at it. So I cut back on everything. What helped most were masks with Lumos Heilerde mixed not with water but yoghurt, and LRP Toleriane Ultra moisturizer. Very unglamorous, but after a few weeks, my skin was back to normal. Phew!
Resolution for 2016: Clean my cell phone every night! Something I learned early this year: Phones are dirty. Especially mobile phones that you carry everywhere all day every day. You know how I really realised that? I destroyed my phone and couldn’t use it for over a week. And the left side of my face, which is always looks worse than my right side (more redness, more spots, more everything) the one that’s usually pressed against the phone when I talk to somebody – well, it got better. Lesson learned.
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