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Saturday 12 December 2020

Ten Top Tried Of 2020 - Makeup #DitsyDecember



Every #DitsyDecember, I like to do a post like this, where I round-up my ten top favourites products that I tried that year. It's usually pretty difficult to narrow it down - and this year has certainly been no exception - and that's also why I make these posts a 'Makeup Only' type affair, as goodness knows how much longer they'd be if I included all types of beauty products! So there's definitely been some good'un's left off this list, but if I really had to pick just ten top, top picks from everything new, makeup-wise, that I tried in 2020 - these are what they'd be...

REVLON CANDID CONCEALER - I bought this concealer on recommendation from MakeMeUpMissa - who suggested this as an eye base/primer as it was apparently one of the few concealers that she could use to prime with, without setting it and it still wouldn't crease. I was a little skeptical as personally I only ever used concealers to prime if I was going to lightly set them first as I too always had the issue of them creasing and disrupting my eyeshadow. However, I was right to trust Missa as I have been loving this concealer as an eye base ever since! I simply use a light layer of this all over my lids, go straight in with my eyeshadow and it works like a dream. My shadows apply with ease - full of pigment, opaque and smooth - and they also blend seamlessly. But, perhaps most importantly - my eye look stays fully in place all day long, without creasing, transferring or fading at all! I don't know how this concealer has defied the odds, but I'm sure glad it has...

ESSENCE CONTOURING DUO PALETTE - I had to give this contour palette a mention as ever since I tried it out, it's all I've reached for! Inside here you get two contour shades - one lighter and one deeper - and I've found this set-up to be just perfect. The darker shade is like my usual contouring colour, so I use this for the bulk of my contouring (cheekbones, jawline, temples etc); whilst the lighter colour is only shade or two away from my actual skin-tone, so this works a dream for areas like my nose where I typically want a lighter colour to sculpt with. As for the formula, these powders are well-pigmented and blend super easily too. Basically, this palette has made me realise how much I appreciate having two tones of contour - and it's so super affordable too!

BENEFIT COOKIE HIGHLIGHTER - It wouldn't be a post of favourite finds from the year without a mention of an awesome highlighter I tried - and loved - and of them all, I'd say this one from Benefit just takes the prize. After hearing so many good things about Cookie, I finally gave it a go myself and I have certainly not been disappointed! This is such a gorgeous, pearly champagne. I was a little worried it would be a touch too dark for my paler complexion, but thankfully - it works like a dream. It's just so intense and glowy, all with the smallest amount of product. Whilst it is pretty reflective, it's still so smooth and not chunky or glittery at all - it simply appears 'wet' on the skin. Love, love, LOVE!

PRIMARK LIP LINER IN 'TOAST' - I had to give this lip liner a shout-out as it really has been a go-to for me, ever since first trying it earlier this year. Another Missa suggestion, I picked this up after seeing her use it in a good few videos and ever since, it's been one of my favourite nude lip liners - so much so, I have used the first one completely up! This is the perfect mid-toned, warm, browney nude that works with so many of my favourite nude lippies. It's the perfect depth that's deep enough to create definition and shape to my lips and also create a nice ombre if paired with lighter nude lip colours, but also not too deep to appear too harsh. That and the good formula (creamy enough to apply, waxy enough to stay put on the lips) make it ideal for overlining too - which is something I always like to do to my my lips appear extra pout-y. And at just £1 a go, it's so cheap too! 

BARRY M UNICORN PRIMER DROPS - I've heard some good things about this primer from Barry M for a little while but it's only this year that I finally decided to give it a go. And I'm pretty glad I did, I really like it! Simply dispense out with the handy little dropper applicator, blend into your skin and apply your base makeup and you'll find not only does it adhere perfectly, the finished result is pretty flawless too. Formula-wise, it's quite a runny texture, but it quickly sinks into the skin and leaves behind a slightly tacky feeling, which is always a sign of a good primer! My foundation applies and blends super easily and also sits so nice and smoothly on the skin too. Pores are minimised and in general, everything just looks airbrushed and kinda flawless. And even better, I find this to really help my makeup last and stay put impeccably throughout the day too...

REVOLUTION CONCEAL AND GLOW FOUNDATION - I've loved a lot of foundations this year, but if I had to pick one which has perhaps been a favourite, favourite - it's this one right here from Revolution. I liked the Conceal and Define, loved the Conceal and Hydrate and now, I'd say I equally love the Conceal and Glow! It's very comparable to the Conceal and Hydrate Foundation - with its easy to blend formula, glowy finish and great lasting power - but I would say the formula is slightly more runny than the C&H and also, it does deposit slightly less coverage too. It's still got a strong, medium coverage but unlike Conceal and Hydrate, I don't find I can achieve a full, full coverage finish with this one. That's really no issue though, as a lot of the time I enjoy a more middle-of-the-road base and then using a full coverage concealer to beef things up where I need it. So this works like a dream! Plus, don't let the word 'Glow' put you off, though this base leaves your skin looking super glowy, radiant and healthy - there's no shimmer or glitter to be seen, yay!

ELF HYDRATING CAMO CONCEALER - ELF, as a brand overall, was a real major love of mine this year and one of my favourites of the bunch had to be this concealer right here. I didn't really enjoy the original Camo Concealer - mainly as I found it a little too dry and heavy - so when I saw there was going to be a more hydrating, dewy version, I was very interested! And since trying it, it's quickly become a go-to concealer for me! It's got great coverage, blends easily and sits really nicely on the skin (especially around the under-eyes). Also, though it's still got great coverage, it feels so much more lightweight and comfortable on the skin than the original Camo Concealer. All in all, I love this!

BEAUTY BAY X MMMMITCHELL PALETTE - I knew I wanted to put an eyeshadow palette in here somewhere as I've tried so many this year that I've loved and adored. However, it was so difficult to choose - until I had a thought. I think if I have to choose just one palette that's been my top, top try of 2020 - it has to be the Beauty Bay X MmmMitchell Palette. Cause, when I think about it, it was this palette that really reignited my love for bright, bold and colourful looks in the Summer when I first tried it (after the challenging few months between March-May which kind of killed my inspiration for a little while). Plus, this palette really got me properly into Beauty Bay shadows - and I guess prompted me to buy the Sunset Horizons and Book of Magic Palettes later on in the year, as I was so impressed by this one! So, when I think about it like that - that's why this palette has to be included in this round-up...

MAYBELLINE HYPER EASY LIQUID EYELINER - This liquid liner has done the impossible - replaced my beloved NYX Epic Ink Liner - and because of that, it has to feature in a post like this! This has a similar, brush tip (which is always my personal fave) and it's just so easy and kinda fool-proof to use. The brush tip enables you to create both thinner and thicker lines and is saturated enough with product to glide easily on the eyes and create smooth, precise wings - but without being too 'wet' and making things bleed, smudge or transfer! It dries to a kind of semi-matte finish (which is again, my usual preference) and it's really intense, black black in colour too. It lasts flawlessly throughout the day, with no flaking, crumbling or fading - all in all, this is now my favourite, go-to liquid liner!

I HEART REVOLUTION COCONUT BAKING POWDER - Last, but certainly by no means least - we have this loose powder right here. I'd heard so many rave reviews about this and eventually, I caved and bought it to try for myself - and I'm definitely not mad I did! Not only does this smell all coconut-ty and tropical (think Malibu vibes), it also works like a dream as a loose powder! This is a super light, near translucent colour that works perfectly on my paler complexion and the formula is a winner too. I use this to 'bake' areas such as my under-eyes and smile lines which I want to really lock into place and prevent from creasing and this one does the job flawlessly! After dusting off the excess, this leaves my skin looking (and feeling) so smooth and soft. It feels lightweight and doesn't make my skin look cakey or dry in anyway either. At the same time, also it makes my skin last impeccably throughout the day - which is always super important too!

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