2016 Beauty Round-Up

2016 happened so quickly, it's ridiculous. It's been a while since I've posted anything about beauty, and paired with my non-stop watching of YouTubers' end-of-the-year Beauty Reviews, I've decided to do one of my own. I'm apologizing now for the quality of pictures. This was a last-minute decision that I wanted to fit into my day. With all of the cleaning and storing we've done in the past week, my nice camera wasn't on-hand for this one. However, in the future, I promise - higher quality, beautiful photos! :)

Let's get into this! Mentally prepare, folks, because this will be a long one.

Skincare

I've fallen in love with face masks this year. And face oils, toners . . . just skincare in general. My skin has improved greatly since I've started paying more attention to it. The above products have helped in my skin's story.

Lush Tea Tree Water Toner - I put off buying this product for a while because I thought it was silly to buy water. However, this product works on my combination skin. It keeps oils at bay while also hydrating my dry spots. It's a miracle worker - I've had it since February, and the price point is pretty good.

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water - The first time I used this, I couldn't believe how great it felt on the skin, but also at how fantastically it took off my makeup. I usually do a 3-step process. I use a face wipe with Urban Decay's makeup remover lotion, then the micellar cleanser, then the tea tree water toner. My skin reacts really well to this system, and I always feel so clean and refreshed every morning/evening that I do it.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea 4-in-1 Spray - I love this entire line from Tarte, and can't wait to purchase their moisturizer (it's so good, but I go through it so quickly that at $40 a pop, I have to limit myself). This spray claims to be a setting spray, skin refresher, primer, and hydrating mist. I use it for hydration and as a skin refresher. It's a tad wet to use as a setting spray. It smells delightfully of citrus. My only complaint is that after I used this product a few times, it stopped spraying well and started shooting out in lines rather than as a mist. Not as fun as before, but I still love this product.

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - I just bought these in November, and they are probably one of my main highlights every week. Every Friday, I try to do a face mask and any other skincare that I've neglected throughout the week. These pore strips for the face and nose are so gross but so gratifying. My husband even gets in on the action sometimes too, which is a major accomplishment.

GlamGlow YouthMud Clearing Treatment - I love this mask. This would be a product that I would gladly pay the $69 for again because it works that well. It pulls all of the grime out of my pores as well as gives my skin a wonderful softness and glow. It's amazing. 100% worth the hype, and does wonders for combination/problem skin.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - Thanks to Estée Lalonde from YouTube for this product as she suggested it last winter (I believe). I use this and the eye cream at night, and my skin thanks me every morning. If I have a huge pimple or red spot, or even severe dryness, this oil takes care of it. While my spots are not 100% gone by the morning, they look much smaller and less hostile. No complaining about that!

Shea Moisture Problem Skin Moisturizer - I purchased this recently because my Yes! to moisturizer ran out. It's much heavier than I anticipated and I'm not crazy about the smell, but it helps balance my combination skin. As well, the price point is a non-complaint.

Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Eye Concentrate - This is my most expensive beauty product, and also one I probably will not repurchase once it runs out. I have yet to find an eye cream that I feel is actually working. My test is my fine lines and dark circles underneath my eyes - nothing has changed their appearance and once I find something that does, I'll let you know. Maybe in the long run, using this eye cream will help. I like how gentle the smell is, and in the mornings, I can feel the black tea working to wake me up, but that's about the extent of it.

Caudalíe Detox Mask - Not as effective as the GlamGlow mask, but still pretty great. I just recently purchased this in a gift set from Sephora, and I'm impressed! :)

Makeup

Since my skin hasn't been as problematic as it has been in the past, I've been opting for using concealer as my "foundation" and skipping really heavy makeup application. What I usually do is use a primer, conceal any spots and under my eyes (and set with a powder foundation), and then do a light dusting of bronzer, blush and highlight. Products I've used the most or used for the first time and loved are here!

Make Up For Ever Smoothing Primer - My first primer was the Smashbox purple-tubed primer, and I thought it was amazing. Amazing until I tried this one. For me, MUFE works much better. There are days I'm confident enough to go out of the house wearing only this on my face. I have huge pores, so anything that significantly reduces the look of them is a miracle.

Maybelline FitMe Concealer in Sand - I bought the Urban Decay concealer first, but in a shade too, too light for me. I tried exchanging it, but every time I did, my color was out of stock. The lazy girl in me went to Walmart and picked up this one, and I haven't looked back. It's a great (lightweight) replacement for foundation, and gets the job done quickly during my morning routine.

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed - I wanted this originally because of the packaging. I don't use bronzer that much, so I held off getting it until my pale winter skin made its appearance. This is a beautiful bronzer that adds the right kind of warmth to my face. However, I have noticed it's a bit red-based, so if your skin doesn't agree with pink undertones, be wary.

L'Oréal True Match Mineral Powder in N3/Natural Buff - I use this foundation powder to set my concealer. It's still super light coverage, but I like it better than banana powder as I feel that lightens my face a little too much.

Jaclyn Hill/Becca Prosecco Pop & Pampelmousse Split Pan - I love this combination for the summer. Prosecco Pop is, indeed, Champagne Pop's little sister. It's much brighter. However, when Jaclyn's holiday collection came out, I told myself I would only get a blush and a highlight if they came in separate packaging. I loved her collection, but not all of it. So when she introduced split pans, it was perfect. I was able to get my two favorites and be done (Pampelmousse is a vibrant coral blush that I absolutely adore).

Eyes

Like I said previously, I've been trying to keep it relaxed on my overall style. My friend who did my wedding makeup selected shades and put them into my smaller z-palette and I haven't changed much from the original configuration. I love Make Up Geek shadows, and these shadows have helped me keep things simple on days I want to wear a little something on the eyes. As well, that sample of Becca's Opal works beautifully as an eye shadow rather than a highlight.

L'Oréal Smoldering Eye Liner - This doesn't particularly stay in my waterline perfectly all day, but if I set it, it stays put pretty well. And it is the blackest black, super smooth to apply. I love it.

Urban Decay Heavy Metals Glitter Liner - I have wanted to get my hands on these for YEARS. I finally caved in 2016 and snagged Midnight Cowboy, and I love it. I knew I would. It is the flashiest, most glittery eyeliner that is so easy to apply. It amplifies any eye look and takes it to the next level.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue - This stuff is easy to apply, and keeps glitter/pigment locked in place. I love this stuff when I'm working with loose eye shadows.

MAC Pigment in Rose - I originally bought this to try out the MAC pigments. I don't use this color a lot, but every time I do, I get compliments. It's a gorgeous red-pink, and the reflects are stunning. If only I could get more MAC pigments in this travel size!

Colour Pop Eye Liner in Zulu - Love, love, love this eyeliner for the spring and summer. I pair it with a simple eye and a bright lip. It stays put on my waterline. It doesn't tug tremendously if I use it along my upper lash line. Love.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara - I have a love/hate relationship with mascara recently. I feel like in high school, drugstore mascaras did it for me. I thought they worked so well on my eyelashes. Until I went with luxury mascara. But then, I started to lose interest as they didn't seem to be doing well. Until . . . Tarte's Lights, Camera, Flashes. This mascara amps up my eyelashes in a way that other mascaras have yet to do. And it's consistent. The formula doesn't kill my eyes, nor does it seem to have varying effects on my lashes. So far, this is my keeper.

Ardency Inn Punker Liquid Eye Liner - I bought this because I had tested Kat Von D's Trooper and Stila's Stay All Day liquid liner. This one is okay - it's not as matte as I'd like it to be, its tip frays, and I feel that it separates from my lash line easily. As I go throughout the day, I'll notice that dreaded gap between lash line and eyelid, and I hate that. So, I probably won't be repurchasing this one. However, it is easy to work with and apply.

Make Up Geek x Z Palette - I love Make Up Geek eye shadows. This palette was close to what my friend had organized when she did my makeup for my wedding. I swapped out a couple colors, but kept it intact for the most part. Make Up Geek z-palette shades: (1) Beaches and Cream, (2) Peach Smoothie, (3) Sorbet, (4) Frappe, (5) In the Spotlight, (6) Cocoa Bear, (7) Americano, (8) Bitten, (9) Grandstand.

Becca Opal Highlighter - I received this as a point perk, and was so excited. However, it's already basically started to shatter, so I can't travel with it like I'd like to. I love using this with a dark outer corner to make an easy night look.

L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara - Again, the mascara that was used on my wedding day for my real lashes before falsies were applied. It works like a dream, but doesn't wow me. It's my go-to for waterproof as it gives nice separation of the lashes and a pretty, natural look with just something a little more.

Lips

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Charlotte - This was my first luxury lipstick purchase, and will probably be my last. I love this lipstick, and wearing it out during fall and winter. With a lip liner, it dries down and practically won't budge (or stain my lips) all day! It's definitely my favorite lipstick that I own.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Licorice - This color is perfect for fall. I love how deep it is. I haven't really played around with this a lot - I've worn it once, and I liked it. It was comfortable, but it didn't wear off very flatteringly.

Colour Pop Lippie Stix in Toucan (matte finish) - You can't beat Colour Pop's value. The first time I wore this, without a lip liner, it barely wore down, and when it did, it did so beautifully. My friend said she watched it all day and was impressed as I made it through morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and it stayed put. This is such a beautiful spring and summer shade.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm - This is a "my lips but better" shade. It wears off easily, but for $4 or however cheap it is, you can't beat it! I love wearing this with an intense eye look, or even for a no-make up day. Who am I kidding? I wear this color the most.

Maybelline Color Sensational Mattes & Bolds in Touch of Spice (not pictured) and Smoking Red - I loveeee this lipsticks! Both stay put for long periods of time, especially when paired with a lip pencil. They aren't uncomfortable. The color selections are stunning. And the price point is perfect. I highly recommend!

Colour Pop Lippie Stix in Rocket (satin finish) - While this isn't a matte finish, it wears beautifully, and the color is fantastic. A perfect shade for the spring and summer!

Left to Right, Top: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm, Bite Amuse Bouche in Licorice, Maybelline Color Sensational Loaded Bolds in Smoking Red, NARS Audacious in Charlotte. L to R, Bottom: (not pictured) Maybelline Color Sensational Mattes in Touch of Spice, Colour Pop Lippie Stix in Rocket (satin), Colour Pop Lippie Stix in Toucan (matte).

That's it for my 2016 beauty review! I'm sorry it was so ridiculously long. But I hope that if you're looking into trying some new products in 2017 that this helped you a little bit. I mixed some affordable products with some not-so-affordable products that hopefully can hit any budget. (I know right now things are pretty tight for me, so I'm holding off until tax return season for any major purchases, if any!)

Here's to being your BEST self in 2017 - make up or none. Whether that's exercising more, committing to a face routine, or just trying to build better habits (going to bed earlier and waking up earlier is currently one of mine) -- I hope you have a fantastic year! Let's be better, together.

Cheers!