It's the beginning of July (how?!) and so I figured I'd bring back a post format that I tried out for the first time around the same time a couple of years ago and brought back in the July of last year too. You know how at the end of the year I like to do one big ramble about all my beauty favourites from the past twelve months? Well, think of that - but halfway through the year. Today, I'm talking you lovely lot through all my top, new products I've discovered and have been loving in the first half of 2016. Let's get started, eh?
RIMMEL LASTING FINISH PRIMER - Starting off with the very beginning of your makeup (at least, if you're beginning with your Face Makeup, that is) - Primer. Sometimes I skip on primer and simply utilise my day cream as a base, but more often than not I go in with a good face primer and one which has been a firm favourite of mine for years now is this one from Rimmel. Its thick, creamy texture is very similar to that of a moisturiser and it also feels kinda hydrating on the skin, something which works particularly well for my dry skin. It smooths everything out slightly and leaves behind a slightly tacky residue which always assures you it'll help your makeup apply and stay on really well - and it definitely does exactly that.
BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX FOUNDATION - Now this is a proper oldie, but goldie, isn't it? This was once my only go-to foundation and still now, while I've found many others I love, it remains a staple I go back to, time and time again and would highly recommend to pretty much anyone and everyone - hence it making its way into this post! It's such a solid, awesome foundation - medium-buildable coverage that can be sheered out or built up as you'd like it, a skin-like finish that's not too dewy, nor too matte and sits nicely on the skin and it lasts all day long. What more could you want?
REVOLUTION CONCEAL AND DEFINE CONCEALER - Concealer-wise, I used to be all about tyhe Collection Lasting Perfection (as I'm sure you well remember) and while I still adore that concealer, this year I found a new favourite and I just feel it has to be given a mention in this post. Yes, you may not get the most product and yes, the tube may not last the longest, but a little of this stuff sure does go a long, long way - which I feel definitely makes up for it. Also, the formula and finish of it is awesome. It's thick, but blends like a dream, sits on the skin equally so and, best of all, is super-full coverage and once set into place, doesn't move until you say so.
COLLECTION PRIMED AND READY INVISIBLE SETTING POWDER - If it's a pressed, translucent powder you're after from the drugstore - look no further than this one from Collection. It's completely colourless and doesn't add any extra colour or coverage, but instead simply mattifies and sets really well. It's very fine in texture and so doesn't make areas look cakey or dry in any way, just takes away the shine, whilst locking things into place - and it keeps it that way too!
LOTTIE LONDON 'READY SET! GO' TRANSLUCENT FINISHING POWDER - ...However, if it's a good translucent loose powder you're looking for, this one from Lottie London has recently become a new favourite of mine. Once again, this stuff leaves behind no colour and also, most importantly when it comes to translucent loose powders, doesn't create a 'white cast' or flashback. Yay! I personally use this to 'bake' certain areas of the face and it works like a dream. The texture is super finely-milled and light, setting things into place without weighing things down and leaving a behind a super smooth, flawless finish that's fully locked into place all day long.
CYO 'WHEN THE SUN DON'T SHINE' BRONZING POWDER - Another pretty recent favourite product, but ever since I started using it, I haven;t reached for any other bronzer and I just know this is gonna be my new go-to for a long time to come. Not only is it completely shimmer-free (always my personal preference when it comes to bronzers), it's just pigmented enough to deposit colour without being too much at once and the formula blends out easy-peasy too. I personally have mine in the lightest shade - 'Fair' - which I love as it's the perfect kind of depth and tone for my complexion and there's a few other shades, so if this colour isn't right for you, check out the rest of the range!
NYX HIGH DEFINITION BLUSH IN 'TAUPE' - Contour-wise, this is another one that's kinda more specific to my paler skin-tone, but as it's my favourite from this category, I knew I just had to give it a mention. Yes, this is indeed a 'Blush', but when you actually take a closer look - the ashy, cool-toned tawny colour certainly suggests otherwise - hence why this makes the perfect contour colour for me! It's super-pigmented, menaing you require a lighter hand with application but it also means it lasts for ages. Seriously, I have only recently hit pan on mine. Whilst very rich in colour, it blends really easily and the ashy tone means it adds a shadow-like depth, but still manages to not look too 'un-natural' or muddy on the skin. It's a winner...
REVOLUTION X SOPH HIGHLIGHTER PALETTE - Then, we come to good ol' Highlighter. As you can probably guess, I could have easily mentioned a tonne of good un's for this section, but in the end I plumped for a palette. Yes, this one from the lovely Soph (of 'SophDoesNails') again. But seriously, it really is awesome, and not just because it's a collaboration. Not only is it super affordable, you get a wide section of shades - meaning there's versatility for what ones you can pick and it also means it'll *hopefully* cater for all skin-tones. All powder formulas, inside here you get eight different glow givers - ranging from an almost-white hue, all the way to a deeper, golden-bronze. The powders are super-duper pigmented and blinding, yet you can easily apply with a lighter hand or using less product to sheer them out if you wish (#DefinitelyNotMe) and they're not chunky or glittery in anyway - they just sit so beautifully on the skin, giving a gorgeous, 'lit from within' kinda glow.
EYLURE X FLEUR DE FORCE BROW DEFINE PENCIL IN 'MEDIUM' - Brow-wise, again this is a kind of a difficult one to pinpoint as it's definitely more of a specific item depending on your brows, but personally for me, this is by far my favourite thing I use. This is a dual-ended pencil with a lighter colour on one end and a darker on the other and the pencils themselves are also super-slim and so make for a really precise application and make getting super sharp, clean brows with hair-like strokes a dream. The texture is creamy enough to apply, but waxy enough to stick around all day and 'Medium' is a perfect colour-match for my brows - not too dark, n or too light and with a nice, slightly ashy undertone too. Once again, if that colour isn't for you, there's definitely others in the range to check out!
L'OREAL BROW ARTISTE PLUMPER IN 'MEDIUM' - To finish my brows off, this quill always be a favourite of mine. Personally, having naturally sparse, fair brows, I like a brow gel that will do that little bit more - yanno? So, not only does this set them into place and keeps them where I want them all day long, it also adds a final tint of colour and - if that wasn't enough - has fibres integrated into the formula, meaning it adds a slightly fuller, more volumised and thicker appearance. This also comes in a lighter shade I think too. Yay!
MAYBELLINE EYESTUDIO COLOR TATTOO GEL CREAM EYESHADOW IN 'CREME DE NUDE' - Then, we come to Eyes and obviously, I wanted to try and include some sort of 'base' in here. However, as you probably well know, my forever favourite is the Urban Decay Primer Potion - something that most definitely is not part of the drugstore market. But, after a little rummage through my drawers I came across this one and actually, if you're after something more affordable that does a similar kind of thing - check this out. It's actually a 'cream eyeshadow', but the creamy colour and matte texture means it works as a god eyeshadow base. I've personally only used it a handful of times in this way (like I said, UD's is my go-to) but when I have, it's worked perfectly fine and I've also heard others recommend it for the same use. Think of it like a dupe for MAC Soft Ochre. It completely cancels out the natural colour of your lids, creating an even base and making shadows apply really well and last all day long and really, what more can you want?
REVOLUTION EYESHADOW PALETTES - I mean, when it comes to drugstore eyeshadow palettes, there is always gonna be one brand I will recommend, above all others. Revolution palette are just awesome. They're sper affordable (usually just a tenner per palette) and you typically so many shades and there's so many available, all with different shade ranges for pretty much anyone and everyone, no matter what colour scheme you're after. If that wasn't enough though, the quality is just amazing. The shadows are so creamy, easy to apply and blend and super-duper pigmented to boot. The mattes are not at all chalky, the shimmers super metallic and almost foiled-like, even without wetting your brush or using your finger to apply. They never crease, fade or flake off throughout the day and all in all, every single one I've bought has been just as amazing as the one before, if not even better.
NYX EPIC INK LINER - If a good liquid liner from the drugstore is what you're after, look no further than this little beauty. The slim brush tip makes getting your wing on - and getting it all precise and sharp too - pretty quick and easy and the formula is super-duper intensely black too. Whilst it applies very wet and liquidy, it soon dries down to a matte finish and once on, it doesn't budge until you say so.
COLLECTION LASH SURGE MASCARA - Mascara is another toughie as it's another one that's more specific to each person - what they like and also what their lashes are like - however, if I have to pick one mascara that I personally really enjoy, it's this one from Collection. It's my current fave, so I just had to give it a mention. It basically does everything I want in a mascara - lots of length, volume, thickness (but also separation at the same time) and a full and fluttery finish. It's not waterproof, but doesn't smudge or flake off all day long - and I also find my lashes to stay looking how I left them throughout the day too.
ARDELL 'DEMI WISPIES' LASHES - When it comes to Lashes from the affordable/drugstore scene, there's two main suggestions I would give - one being these ultimate classics from Ardell. I mean, lashes may not be the first thing you'd think of picking up when starting out with makeup, but if you do want to give them a go from the get-go, first of all - good on you and good luck! - but secondly, these are great. They're super-full, but yet also really light and feathery too. I mean, they're by no means 'natural-looking', but they look more of a Faux Mink-style lash that gives a tonne of drama, but in a softer way (and that are also way more expensive than these actually are) and for that, they get the thumbs up from me.
EYLURE X FLEUR DE FORCE LASHES - ...However, another range of lashes I would also most definitely point you in the direction of is this one from Eylure, in collaboration with another awesome 'influencer', Fleur De Force'. I have tried so many of the different styles in this collection and every single one has been a favourite of mine - hence why I couldn't just pick one here. They're all pretty easy to apply, feel so comfortable to wear and look so pretty on the eyes and as I said, there's so many styles for all different occasions.
RIMMEL LIP LINERS - Then, we go onto the Lips. The one area which I feel is the most difficult to narrow down and even now, there's plenty of other awesome products that could have easily made their way into this line-up. However, one which definitely did have to get a shout-out are the lip liners from Rimmel. If you'e after a good lip liner, Rimmel's are where you need to head. They're pigmented, with that perfect creamy-yet-waxy texture that applies easily, yet stays in place (and also keeps whatever you pair it with in place too!) and there are so, so many colours to choose from.
MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY MATTE INK LIQUID LIPSTICKS - Would it be a post like this if I didn't give some liquid lipstick recommendations? We all know by now they are probably the set-up that I reach for the most often for lips and I definitely have found a few favourites from the drugstore that I adore - these from Maybelline being one of them. These differ from my usual liquid lipstick formulas as whilst they still apply glossy, set into place and last forever, they don't fully mattify into my usual preferred powdery-matte effect. However, they are probably one of, if not the most long-lasting formula of them all. Bizarre, but true. They are still completely transfer-proof and once on, don't move all day long, but the slightly shiny, patent-like finish they retain just makes them even more comfortable to wear than other formulas - bonus! They're fully opaque in one coat and come in so many shades, all of which I've tried I love. Yay!
BARRY M MATTE ME UP LIQUID LIPSTICKS - I mean, I had to give these a mention, didn't I? These are possibly my favourite formula of liquid lip I've ever tried from the drugstore. Once again, they apply opaquely in one layer, go on glossy and yet almost instantly dry down to that powdery-matte finish I love. Once set down, they're completely transfer-proof and don't move at all until you say so. The colours are stunning and if you like 'em,. you can even pick them up as part of a 'Lip Kit', where you get a matching lip liner to outline (and overline) that pout beforehand.
REVOLUTION ROSE GOLD LIPSTICKS - However, if it's a 'traditional' bullet lipstick you're after - the ones from Revolution are great. 'Chauffeur' (a light pinky-nude) is a great nude lip on my paler skin-tone, but I also have a couple of other colours in my stash that I equally love - including the new nude shades in collaboration with SophDoesNails again. They're so creamy, with a satin-finish that whilst not the longest-lasting, feels uber-comfortable on the lips and makes them look pretty darn juicy too.
BARRY M FLAWLESS MIST AND FIX DEWY SETTING SPRAY - Last, but definitely by no means least - Serting Spray! The finishing step to settle and melt everything together and just generally make your makeup lock in all day long. You all know by now that my ultimate fave is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - but once again, it's definitely not drugstore-friendly. I'll admit, I have never really found anything from the drugstore which even compares, but if I had to pick one which whilst not the same, does a good job nevertheless - it's this one from Barry M. This sets my makeup nicely, whilst also leaving behind a slightly dewy, radiant finish - which I always like to go for - and it also feel super-refreshing to spritz on, especially around this time of year.
BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX FOUNDATION - Now this is a proper oldie, but goldie, isn't it? This was once my only go-to foundation and still now, while I've found many others I love, it remains a staple I go back to, time and time again and would highly recommend to pretty much anyone and everyone - hence it making its way into this post! It's such a solid, awesome foundation - medium-buildable coverage that can be sheered out or built up as you'd like it, a skin-like finish that's not too dewy, nor too matte and sits nicely on the skin and it lasts all day long. What more could you want?
REVOLUTION CONCEAL AND DEFINE CONCEALER - Concealer-wise, I used to be all about tyhe Collection Lasting Perfection (as I'm sure you well remember) and while I still adore that concealer, this year I found a new favourite and I just feel it has to be given a mention in this post. Yes, you may not get the most product and yes, the tube may not last the longest, but a little of this stuff sure does go a long, long way - which I feel definitely makes up for it. Also, the formula and finish of it is awesome. It's thick, but blends like a dream, sits on the skin equally so and, best of all, is super-full coverage and once set into place, doesn't move until you say so.
COLLECTION PRIMED AND READY INVISIBLE SETTING POWDER - If it's a pressed, translucent powder you're after from the drugstore - look no further than this one from Collection. It's completely colourless and doesn't add any extra colour or coverage, but instead simply mattifies and sets really well. It's very fine in texture and so doesn't make areas look cakey or dry in any way, just takes away the shine, whilst locking things into place - and it keeps it that way too!
LOTTIE LONDON 'READY SET! GO' TRANSLUCENT FINISHING POWDER - ...However, if it's a good translucent loose powder you're looking for, this one from Lottie London has recently become a new favourite of mine. Once again, this stuff leaves behind no colour and also, most importantly when it comes to translucent loose powders, doesn't create a 'white cast' or flashback. Yay! I personally use this to 'bake' certain areas of the face and it works like a dream. The texture is super finely-milled and light, setting things into place without weighing things down and leaving a behind a super smooth, flawless finish that's fully locked into place all day long.
CYO 'WHEN THE SUN DON'T SHINE' BRONZING POWDER - Another pretty recent favourite product, but ever since I started using it, I haven;t reached for any other bronzer and I just know this is gonna be my new go-to for a long time to come. Not only is it completely shimmer-free (always my personal preference when it comes to bronzers), it's just pigmented enough to deposit colour without being too much at once and the formula blends out easy-peasy too. I personally have mine in the lightest shade - 'Fair' - which I love as it's the perfect kind of depth and tone for my complexion and there's a few other shades, so if this colour isn't right for you, check out the rest of the range!
NYX HIGH DEFINITION BLUSH IN 'TAUPE' - Contour-wise, this is another one that's kinda more specific to my paler skin-tone, but as it's my favourite from this category, I knew I just had to give it a mention. Yes, this is indeed a 'Blush', but when you actually take a closer look - the ashy, cool-toned tawny colour certainly suggests otherwise - hence why this makes the perfect contour colour for me! It's super-pigmented, menaing you require a lighter hand with application but it also means it lasts for ages. Seriously, I have only recently hit pan on mine. Whilst very rich in colour, it blends really easily and the ashy tone means it adds a shadow-like depth, but still manages to not look too 'un-natural' or muddy on the skin. It's a winner...
REVOLUTION X SOPH HIGHLIGHTER PALETTE - Then, we come to good ol' Highlighter. As you can probably guess, I could have easily mentioned a tonne of good un's for this section, but in the end I plumped for a palette. Yes, this one from the lovely Soph (of 'SophDoesNails') again. But seriously, it really is awesome, and not just because it's a collaboration. Not only is it super affordable, you get a wide section of shades - meaning there's versatility for what ones you can pick and it also means it'll *hopefully* cater for all skin-tones. All powder formulas, inside here you get eight different glow givers - ranging from an almost-white hue, all the way to a deeper, golden-bronze. The powders are super-duper pigmented and blinding, yet you can easily apply with a lighter hand or using less product to sheer them out if you wish (#DefinitelyNotMe) and they're not chunky or glittery in anyway - they just sit so beautifully on the skin, giving a gorgeous, 'lit from within' kinda glow.
EYLURE X FLEUR DE FORCE BROW DEFINE PENCIL IN 'MEDIUM' - Brow-wise, again this is a kind of a difficult one to pinpoint as it's definitely more of a specific item depending on your brows, but personally for me, this is by far my favourite thing I use. This is a dual-ended pencil with a lighter colour on one end and a darker on the other and the pencils themselves are also super-slim and so make for a really precise application and make getting super sharp, clean brows with hair-like strokes a dream. The texture is creamy enough to apply, but waxy enough to stick around all day and 'Medium' is a perfect colour-match for my brows - not too dark, n or too light and with a nice, slightly ashy undertone too. Once again, if that colour isn't for you, there's definitely others in the range to check out!
L'OREAL BROW ARTISTE PLUMPER IN 'MEDIUM' - To finish my brows off, this quill always be a favourite of mine. Personally, having naturally sparse, fair brows, I like a brow gel that will do that little bit more - yanno? So, not only does this set them into place and keeps them where I want them all day long, it also adds a final tint of colour and - if that wasn't enough - has fibres integrated into the formula, meaning it adds a slightly fuller, more volumised and thicker appearance. This also comes in a lighter shade I think too. Yay!
MAYBELLINE EYESTUDIO COLOR TATTOO GEL CREAM EYESHADOW IN 'CREME DE NUDE' - Then, we come to Eyes and obviously, I wanted to try and include some sort of 'base' in here. However, as you probably well know, my forever favourite is the Urban Decay Primer Potion - something that most definitely is not part of the drugstore market. But, after a little rummage through my drawers I came across this one and actually, if you're after something more affordable that does a similar kind of thing - check this out. It's actually a 'cream eyeshadow', but the creamy colour and matte texture means it works as a god eyeshadow base. I've personally only used it a handful of times in this way (like I said, UD's is my go-to) but when I have, it's worked perfectly fine and I've also heard others recommend it for the same use. Think of it like a dupe for MAC Soft Ochre. It completely cancels out the natural colour of your lids, creating an even base and making shadows apply really well and last all day long and really, what more can you want?
REVOLUTION EYESHADOW PALETTES - I mean, when it comes to drugstore eyeshadow palettes, there is always gonna be one brand I will recommend, above all others. Revolution palette are just awesome. They're sper affordable (usually just a tenner per palette) and you typically so many shades and there's so many available, all with different shade ranges for pretty much anyone and everyone, no matter what colour scheme you're after. If that wasn't enough though, the quality is just amazing. The shadows are so creamy, easy to apply and blend and super-duper pigmented to boot. The mattes are not at all chalky, the shimmers super metallic and almost foiled-like, even without wetting your brush or using your finger to apply. They never crease, fade or flake off throughout the day and all in all, every single one I've bought has been just as amazing as the one before, if not even better.
NYX EPIC INK LINER - If a good liquid liner from the drugstore is what you're after, look no further than this little beauty. The slim brush tip makes getting your wing on - and getting it all precise and sharp too - pretty quick and easy and the formula is super-duper intensely black too. Whilst it applies very wet and liquidy, it soon dries down to a matte finish and once on, it doesn't budge until you say so.
COLLECTION LASH SURGE MASCARA - Mascara is another toughie as it's another one that's more specific to each person - what they like and also what their lashes are like - however, if I have to pick one mascara that I personally really enjoy, it's this one from Collection. It's my current fave, so I just had to give it a mention. It basically does everything I want in a mascara - lots of length, volume, thickness (but also separation at the same time) and a full and fluttery finish. It's not waterproof, but doesn't smudge or flake off all day long - and I also find my lashes to stay looking how I left them throughout the day too.
ARDELL 'DEMI WISPIES' LASHES - When it comes to Lashes from the affordable/drugstore scene, there's two main suggestions I would give - one being these ultimate classics from Ardell. I mean, lashes may not be the first thing you'd think of picking up when starting out with makeup, but if you do want to give them a go from the get-go, first of all - good on you and good luck! - but secondly, these are great. They're super-full, but yet also really light and feathery too. I mean, they're by no means 'natural-looking', but they look more of a Faux Mink-style lash that gives a tonne of drama, but in a softer way (and that are also way more expensive than these actually are) and for that, they get the thumbs up from me.
EYLURE X FLEUR DE FORCE LASHES - ...However, another range of lashes I would also most definitely point you in the direction of is this one from Eylure, in collaboration with another awesome 'influencer', Fleur De Force'. I have tried so many of the different styles in this collection and every single one has been a favourite of mine - hence why I couldn't just pick one here. They're all pretty easy to apply, feel so comfortable to wear and look so pretty on the eyes and as I said, there's so many styles for all different occasions.
RIMMEL LIP LINERS - Then, we go onto the Lips. The one area which I feel is the most difficult to narrow down and even now, there's plenty of other awesome products that could have easily made their way into this line-up. However, one which definitely did have to get a shout-out are the lip liners from Rimmel. If you'e after a good lip liner, Rimmel's are where you need to head. They're pigmented, with that perfect creamy-yet-waxy texture that applies easily, yet stays in place (and also keeps whatever you pair it with in place too!) and there are so, so many colours to choose from.
MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY MATTE INK LIQUID LIPSTICKS - Would it be a post like this if I didn't give some liquid lipstick recommendations? We all know by now they are probably the set-up that I reach for the most often for lips and I definitely have found a few favourites from the drugstore that I adore - these from Maybelline being one of them. These differ from my usual liquid lipstick formulas as whilst they still apply glossy, set into place and last forever, they don't fully mattify into my usual preferred powdery-matte effect. However, they are probably one of, if not the most long-lasting formula of them all. Bizarre, but true. They are still completely transfer-proof and once on, don't move all day long, but the slightly shiny, patent-like finish they retain just makes them even more comfortable to wear than other formulas - bonus! They're fully opaque in one coat and come in so many shades, all of which I've tried I love. Yay!
BARRY M MATTE ME UP LIQUID LIPSTICKS - I mean, I had to give these a mention, didn't I? These are possibly my favourite formula of liquid lip I've ever tried from the drugstore. Once again, they apply opaquely in one layer, go on glossy and yet almost instantly dry down to that powdery-matte finish I love. Once set down, they're completely transfer-proof and don't move at all until you say so. The colours are stunning and if you like 'em,. you can even pick them up as part of a 'Lip Kit', where you get a matching lip liner to outline (and overline) that pout beforehand.
REVOLUTION ROSE GOLD LIPSTICKS - However, if it's a 'traditional' bullet lipstick you're after - the ones from Revolution are great. 'Chauffeur' (a light pinky-nude) is a great nude lip on my paler skin-tone, but I also have a couple of other colours in my stash that I equally love - including the new nude shades in collaboration with SophDoesNails again. They're so creamy, with a satin-finish that whilst not the longest-lasting, feels uber-comfortable on the lips and makes them look pretty darn juicy too.
BARRY M FLAWLESS MIST AND FIX DEWY SETTING SPRAY - Last, but definitely by no means least - Serting Spray! The finishing step to settle and melt everything together and just generally make your makeup lock in all day long. You all know by now that my ultimate fave is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - but once again, it's definitely not drugstore-friendly. I'll admit, I have never really found anything from the drugstore which even compares, but if I had to pick one which whilst not the same, does a good job nevertheless - it's this one from Barry M. This sets my makeup nicely, whilst also leaving behind a slightly dewy, radiant finish - which I always like to go for - and it also feel super-refreshing to spritz on, especially around this time of year.
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