I know we’re at the end of January but I don’t think it’s too late to share my makeup favourites from last year. I feel quite lucky that I was able to try a lot of beauty products last year and some of them have become my go-tos.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette in Surreal Light

The first photo is the palette in its current state and the bottom is when I got it. This was a limited edition palette as Hourglass brings out a different one every year just before Christmas. This was the most expensive makeup item I’ve ever bought and one I find worth it. I know this isn’t everyone’s favourite Hourglass LE palette but I love this. There are two blushes, bronzer, highlighter and powder so it has everything I need.

I have so many foundations in my drawer but the two that stood out the most are:

W7 Genius Feather Light Foundation

This is the foundation I’ve been wearing to work every day because it’s super light and I don’t tend to wear heavy makeup to work. It has a dropper and the formula is quite watery but it still gives coverage. The best part is that it’s super cheap. I think I got mine for $5 at a makeup sale.

Wet N Wild Photofocus Foundation

I got to try this foundation towards the end of last year but I instantly loved it. It’s has medium to full coverage, not cakey and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. For $12.99, I can’t fault this.

Beauty Blender

I can’t live without a beauty blender when it comes to putting makeup. The one in the photo above is a spare one I have and I bought that during my Sydney trip back in 2016. I haven’t found a sponge as good as the bb.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

I also purchased this during my Sydney holiday but I only started using it mid last year. I like that this isn’t oily and good at smoothening out the skin before I put foundation on.

Wet N Wild Cover All Concealer Palette

When I received this, I didn’t think I’d use it because I preferred my concealers in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. However, I decided to test out the pink shade to counteract my under eye circles and I liked it since. I’ve used it so much that I’ve hit pan. I use all three shades in the palette except for the white ‘highlights’ one.

Rimmel #Insta Fix & Matte

I’ve always liked Rimmel face powders. The Stay Matte powder was an old favourite but sine trying this one, I prefer this more. It’s translucent and keeps oil at bay. I like setting my makeup with this.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in Unstoppable

I got this mini blush from a Sephora set. It’s such a gorgeous shade and has been my favourite blush for all of last year.

Mary-Lou Manizer highlight

I’ve heard a lot of people rave about this highlighter but I didn’t get to try it until towards the end of last year. I now know why because it’s beautiful. Out of the three sister highlighters, this is definitely the best.

MaxFactor Masterpiece Transform mascara

I’ve loved this mascara for a long time but I didn’t repurchase it because I have so many other mascaras. I really like the brush and how it lengthens and adds volume to my short and straight lashes.

Benefit 3D Browtones

I first thought this was a gimmicky product as it’s not really a brow mascara to help fill in your brows but a ‘highlighting gel’ but after using it, I fell in love because it does give my brows dimension so it’s not full on matte and unnatural.

Mellow Brow Pomade

I prefer this over my ABH brow pomade. This is much cheaper and a NZ brand too. I love using this to fill in my brows when I have a full face of makeup.

Rimmel Magnif’eyes Palette

I don’t wear eyeshadow every time I do my makeup but whenever I do, I’m most likely have used this palette. I love all the shades and I’ve used them all. They’re pigmented and blends well. It’s also a compact size.

Tarte Lipstick in Living

This is a mini lipstick I got with the blush. It’s a perfect nude shade for me and it’s so cute and perfect to bring in my bag.

Mellow Matte Liquid Lip Paint in Auckland

I’m not actually a big fan of matte liquid lipsticks because they’re so drying on the lips but when I got the mini trio of the Mellow liquid lip paints, I of course gave them a go. I find that the formula isn’t too drying and it lasts really well on my lips. I’ve been quite impressed with this brand and it also happens that the shade Auckland (where I live), is my favourite nude shade from the collection. As you can see, the two lipsticks above are fairly similar.

Lastly, I thought I’d also include my favourite perfumes: Elizabeth Arden White Tea and Karen Walker A. I love these two. My Karen Walker one is basically on its last few drops.

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That is all for the makeup products I loved and couldn’t stop using in 2017. I’ve continued to use most of these products as well so they’re truly my favourites. Let me know down below your makeup faves from last year.

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