2016 was a great year for Green Beauty; new brands emerged, endless products were launched, and for me, it was a fantastic year for skincare!
All of the products I mention are Cruelty-Free, Vegan, and all but one are completely free of potentially harmful ingredients!
Let's get started!
Skincare
 |
| Acure Brightening Facial Scrub |
The Acure Brightening Facial Scrub has been a savior to my skin this year. Its rough granulated texture is fantastic for ridding the skin of excess dead skin cells that can clog your pores and cause your skin to look dull and unhealthy. I highly recommend this clean exfoliator for all skin types except sensitive.
$9.99, Acure & Target (Review)
 |
| Radha Beauty Rosehip Oil |
On my journey to better skin, I wanted to find an oil that would help lessen the appearance of my acne scars and better my overall complexion. The Radha Beauty Rosehip Oil has done all that and more for my skin! I apply this oil as my last step in my skincare routine like a moisturizer. It has greatly reduced the appearance and texture of post acne scars, brightened and evened out my complexion, as well as keeping my oily skin hydrated. There is a strong yellow color and scent to this particular brand of Rosehip Oil, so I'll be on the hunt for one with less color in the future.
$13.95, Radha Beauty & Amazon
 |
| Radha Beauty Tea Tree Oil |
Also a key component of my skincare routine is keeping my acne at bay. The Radha Beauty Tea Tree Oil has been a life saver! I have added this oil to my facial cleanser as well as in combination with the Rosehip Oil as my facial moisturizer. The oil is completely clear but has a noticeable scent. If you suffer from acne, I highly recommend this oil. It also works beautifully at ridding bacteria around the home too!
 |
| Thayer's Alcohol-Free Unscented Witch Hazel |
The Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel is a staple in my skincare routine. Substituting for a traditional toner, Witch Hazel is a natural disinfectant, it helps get rid of the last remnants of oil or dirt that is left on my skin post cleansing. I highly recommend anyone that is already using a traditional toner to swap it out for an Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel. Thayer's makes a few different varieties, the Original and Rose are my favorites.
$10.99,
Thayers & Health Food Stores
Makeup
 |
| Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending Mascara |
The Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7-in-1 Mascara has been a part of my everyday routine since trying out this mascara. The plastic bristle wand has a dual action mechanism that allows you to change the size and distance of the bristles, creating the option for your lashes to have more length or more volume. This formula wears beautifully all day without smudging, transferring, and holds a curl!
 |
| Honeybee Gardens Pressed Eye Shadow in "Canterbury" |
The Honeybee Gardens Pressed Eye Shadow in Canterbury has been by far the most versatile matte shade I have used all year. The color is similar to that of MAC Quarry, it's a light mauve toned brown. The color blends beautifully and lasts all day when worn with a primer. I see myself ordering more of the Honeybee Garden matte shades in the future.
 |
| Honeybee Gardens Pressed Eye Shadow in "Daredevil" |
The Honeybee Gardens Pressed Eye Shadow in Daredevil is a gorgeous deepened berry with a satin finish. Much like the shade Canterbury, I love how smooth the formula and the pigmentation is on this shade. It applies beautifully to the crease, the outer v, or even as an allover lid shade for a darker smokey eye. Daredevil and Canterbury are beautiful on their own and absolutely stunning when paired together!
 |
| Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Liquid Eyeliner |
The Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Liquid Eyeliner is the only repeat product from last years' favorites. This felt tip style eyeliner has an inky black consistency that applies smoothly and evenly. The formula dries quickly so there is no smudging or transferring onto the eyelids. I recommend the shade "Ultra Black" for the darkest and most intense line.
$11.99,
Ulta & Drugstores
 |
| Silk Naturals Brow Cream |
The Silk Naturals Brow Cream was one of my favorite brow purchases of the year! If you love the look of a strong and defined brow---along the lines of the Anastasia Brow Pomade---you will love this product. The Brow Cream is very soft so I recommend applying this with a stiff angled brush. I wear the shade "Medium Ash", a light/medium ash brown.
 |
| Silk Naturals Highlight Powder |
If there was one product that dominated the makeup industry in 2016, it was the highlighter. My two favorites from this year were the Silk Naturals Highlight Powders in the shades "Fluff" and "Sunny". A loose powder formula, they are both provide a high shine and almost metallic finish to the skin. I should note, the Highlight Powders are very small. "Fluff" is a light pink with gold duo chrome, "Sunny" is a light pale yellow gold. I have received many compliments from people in my everyday life when I am wearing either of these shades!
$4.50, Silk Naturals (Fluff Review, Sunny Review)
 |
| Lily Lolo Pressed Mineral Blush in "Coming Up Roses" |
The Lily Lolo Pressed Mineral Blush is by far my favorite blush formula in both the green and traditional beauty market. The blushes have a soft formula that blends easily onto the skin without being patchy or uneven, and the color lasts all day! My favorite shade is "Coming Up Roses", a medium mauve with satin finish. This shade will flatter those with a fair to medium complexion.
$20. Lily Lolo & The Detox Market (Review)
 |
| Honest Beauty Luminizing Powder in "Dusk Reflection" |
The Honest Beauty Luminizing Powder in "Dusk Reflection" was actually a recommendation from Teri Miyahira, who if you haven't watched on YouTube or checked out on Instgram, YOU NEED TO! She recommended Dusk Reflection, a warm toned brown with a hint of mauve, as a non-toxic option for Benefit's Dallas Powder. The Luminizing Powders have a very soft texture and are very easy to apply and blend out on the face. Dusk Reflection is the perfect bronzer for those with fair to light skin tones who like the look of having been in the sun all day, as opposed to a cool tone for contouring.
$25, Honest Beauty & Ulta (Review)
 |
| Silk Naturals Velvet Matte Lipstick in "Garter" |
My hands down favorite formula for the year is the Silk Naturals Velvet Matte Lipstick. This formula is moisturizing yet long-wearing and highly pigmented! My go-to color has been the shade "Garter", a light mauve toned pink. Perfect for those with fair to light skin tones. If you are just getting in to Green Beauty or are a lover of matte lipsticks, you need to give the Velvet matte Lipsticks are try. You won't be disappointed!
$5.99, Silk Naturals (Review)
I can't wait to try new products this year and report back to you guys! Foundations....lipsticks...I'm coming for you!
Comments