2014 Makeup & Beauty Favorites!

2014 Makeup & Beauty Favorites

This year has flown by, and I for one am actually glad, because that means I can tell you all about the makeup and beauty favorites I have loved this year! Since starting to work at Ulta this past year, I've been able to try quite a few new things! Here we go! 

Let's starting with the non-makeup!

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm

I received this little beauty from work and have been absolutely in love with it this month! I never realized how dehydrated my eye area was until I started using this twice a day. The fine lines are less prominent and my concealer applies much easier and looks more natural under my eye. If you're in the market for a hydrating eye cream that helps with anti-aging, save up and get this one! This retails for $65 at Ulta and Sephora.

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm

Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover

I've been on the hunt to find an expensive makeup remover to use before cleansing my skin, and this one is my absolute favorite! It takes off all of my excess makeup on the surface and in my pores. It doesn't irritate my skin and has 86% natural ingredients. It has a slight scent but nothing overly floral or irritating. Doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or red. Retails for around $6.99 and $7.99 at mass retailers, drugstore and ulta.com.

Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover

Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in "Caramel Cupcake"

My favorite nail polish to rock this year is actually a nude shade by Rimmel. I started picking up the 60 Seconds nail polish formula this year due to the inexpensive price of $1.50. Their color range is slowly expanding and my favorite shade from this range is "Caramel Cupcake", a pink beige that is the perfect nude shade for almost every skin tone. The formula of these polishes in general are not too thin or streaky. 

Full Review HERE.

Rimmel "Caramel Cupcake" Nail Polish

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

If you haven't tried the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, you need to! For $9.95 at Ulta this top coat adds a glossy finish to any nail color and locks in the color and protects it from chipping. The only downside is that after the bottle is halfway gone, the formula does become thick and more difficult to apply. But for keeping your nail color on for longer than a few days, it works perfectly! 

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

And now onto the makeup!

Essence 3D Duo Eyeshadow in "Irresistible Vanilla Latte"

I have blogged about this product a lot recently. If you've been following my recent posts you know that I have actually been using this and LOVING this as a dramatic and glittery face highlighter! This duo is very sparkly and glittery and actually has a really soft texture. So if you're not into the sparkle, maybe pass on this. But for those who love the sparkle, give this little gem a shot! I find it lasts all day, doesn't break me out, and it's only $3.49! 

Full Review HERE.

Essence 3D Eyeshadow "Irresistible Vanilla Latte"

Essence Silky Touch Blushes

I have been a long time fan of the Essence Silky Touch Blushes, and this year is no different, I even expanded my collection to just about every shade they have! These blushes are as they claim, very silky and soft to the touch, a couple taps of the blush is all you need for a good payoff. I find that their lasting powder could be a little better, I get about 6 hours before I notice fading, but for $2.99, and they don't break me out, I'll take it! 

Full Review HERE.

Essence Silky Touch Blushes

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Powder

Having such fair skin, I often find it difficult to find face powders that are light enough to highlight my skin. But thanks to ThaTaylaa on Youtube, who recommended this powder by Physicians Formula, I tried it as a highlighting setting powder for the center my face! I absolutely fell in love! The shade seen here, Translucent, is an almost white beige. Perfect for those of us with very fair skin. The texture is very soft so be aware it will kick up some powder. This retails for around $12.79 at mass retailers and $13.99 at Ulta. 

Full Review HERE.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Powder

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

My go to foundation for my long days at school and at work has been this one! The Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation is a full coverage foundation that leaves a natural finish to the skin and comes in a huge variety of shades. This is perfect for those of us with acne scars or things we want to cover up on our faces. Plus I find that it doesn't break me out and lasts a good 10 hours before wearing down. I highly recommend this foundation! This retails for $37 at Estee Lauder counters.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

NYX Cream Shadows

I picked up a few of the NYX Cream Shadows from Ulta on clearance this past year. At first, I wasn't impressed with them and wanted to return them. However, I realized these made amazing top coats! I apply just a few dabs of these over the top of my powder eyeshadows, blend them out, and bam, I have a gorgeous glittery or metallic finish that adds a little more drama to my look! I have still been finding them at select Targets for $4.99 but it looks like these are being discontinued. Hurry and find them while you still can!

NYX Cream Shadow

Prestige Total Intensity Eyeshadow in "Hocus Pocus"

I have been a loyal MAC shadow lover for years now, but this Total Intensity Eyeshadow by Prestige knocks them out of the park! This shade is a gorgeous red-brown and dark teal duo-chrome color that has insane pigmentation as well as incredible longevity without creasing or fading. The texture is also amazing, very similar to LORAC in that it is very soft and buttery. For $8.49, if you have not checked out this shade, and you love a dramatic eye look, you need this in your life! And as an added bonus, they're paraben-free! 

Full Review HERE.

Prestige Total Intensity Eyeshadow in "Hocus Pocus"

Prestige Total Intensity Eyeshadow in "Hocus Pocus"

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

One of the very first things I purchased when diving into makeup was this, the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I had heard rave after rave about it's great lasting powder for eyeshadows, and everyone was right! I have extremely oily eyelids, so getting eyeshadow to no crease before 8 hours was impossible. When I use this under my eyeshadows, I'm able keep my eye look looking amazing and crease for around 12 hours! This retails for $20 at Ulta. Plus, it's paraben-free!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

L'Oreal False Fiber Mascara Waterproof Formula

I have been on the hunt this year to find a parben-free drugstore mascara to replace my once favorite Maybelline Falsies, which does have parabens. I think I found my new favorite! This mascara by L'Oreal has small fiber extensions in the formula that adds length to your lashes, holds a curl, as well as some great definition. So if you like the look of false lashes or need some length, give this a shot! However, if you're eyes are very sensitive, this may not work for you. But for $8.99 at Ulta, why not try it out! 

Full Review Here.

L'Oreal False Fiber Waterproof Mascara

Physicians Formula 3-in-1 Eye Booster Eyeliner

One of my staple eye liners in my collection is this pen style eyeliner from Physicians Formula. I have extremely oily eyelids and this style of liner is one of the few that doesn't smudge onto my eyelids as the hours go by. I get a precise and opaque line without any mess. The applicator is a flexible brush tip rather than a stiff felt tip. However, it is not a waterproof formula. It's available in three shades, and retails for between $9.69 and $10.99 at Ulta and other mass retailers. If you love a cat eye or just love lining your eyes, definitely pick this up!

Physicians Formula 3-in-1 Eye Booster Eyeliner 

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner Trio

Being that i have extremely oily eyelids, I find it nearly impossible to find an eyeliner that doesn't transfer down my face and smudge. But these liners from Physicians Formula are some of the best out there for longevity and not transferring! Packaged in a set of three for between $9.99 and $11.99 at mass retailers and drugstores. A great deal for three liners. The liners are retractable, so no need to sharpen them, and they come in a variety of shades. There are smoky shades, neutrals, blues, greens, and purples! For those with very oily eyes, give these a shot!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner Trio

Ulta Gel Eye Liner Pencil

I finally picked up some of the Ulta brand makeup this year including the Gel Eye Liner, in the pencil form. I did not have high expectations for this liner but I fell absolutely in love with it! Especially the shade seen below, Peacock, a bright teal. These liners are very creamy and easy to smudge out but set into place and last all line on the lower lash line, however I would not use them on the water line, they don't adhere. These retail for $8 but go on sale regularly. I find they last about 8 to 9 hours before I notice smudging. Definitely give them a shot!

Ulta Gel Eyeliner Pencil in "Peacock"

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lipstick in "Rose to Fame"

Staying on trend this year with the "Kylie Jenner 90s Lip",  I found a beautiful medium rose shade from the Wet n Wild Halloween 2014 Collection! This line of lipsticks are in general completely matte and have incredible staying power! Unfortunately while this shade was Limited Edition, I highly recommend this entire line of lipsticks! Plus, they're paraben-free, and only $1.99 at mass retailers!

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lipstick in "Rose to Frame"

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks

One of the newer lipsticks to hit the market in the past year is this line from bareMinerals. Just as a side note, these lipsticks in the picture are only the deluxe sample size, not full size. This formula leaves a beautiful shine to the lips as well a great pop of color! Now, they do not have great longevity, but if you want a comfortable lipstick to wear and don't mind touching up after about 3 hours, then give these lipsticks a shot! Plus, they're paraben-free! These retail for only $18 at Ulta and Sephora. 

Full Reviews Here for "Get Ready" & "Speak Your Mind".

"Get Ready"
Marvelous Moxie Lipstick
bareMinerals

"Speak Your Mind"
Marvelous Moxie Lipstick
bareMinerals