Top Faves of 2017!

In 2017 I tried so many makeup products that it was almost a problem. There were so many new launches that I wanted to try and I had honestly no self-control. I tried to find a favourite product from each category, but for some (blush, brow, setting spray, contour, etc.) I didn't find any products from this year that really stood out and made me fall in love. However, there were so many amazing products that I tried this year that some categories were almost impossible to narrow down to one. This is a long post so grab a drink and maybe a snack because you may be here for a while.

Primer - Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

Finding a primer that doesn’t make me super oily within an hour is a challenge that most primers have failed. However, this primer on any of my oily areas keeps my makeup on all day and doesn’t melt off at all. I don’t use this all over my face most of the time (unless it’s the middle of the summer and I’m somewhere really humid), usually just in my t-zone, but wow does it mattify wherever I put it. It blurs out the giant pores around my nose and helps to keep my oils under control for hours. I don’t think you’d like this very much if you have dry skin, but if you have oily skin or oily areas, definitely check this out. For a primer it’s pretty pricey, but it is worth every penny. CAD $18 for 0.40oz and CAD $46 for 1.35oz at Sephora.

Concealer - Tarte Shape Tape

This is possibly one of the most hyped about products in 2017 and it is 100% worth the hype. The first time I used this, I turned into the heart eyes emoji. Not only did it cover the dark circles under my eyes making it look like I actually get some sleep, but it also covered up even the most ferocious of breakouts I’ve experienced (and this year there were a lot). This concealer isn’t as easy to get in Canada as it is in the US (we have to order it online through Tarte or Ulta) but it is worth the wait to get it and any shipping fees. Not only does it last forever on the skin, but it also takes forever to get through a tube of it because even though the applicator is giant, you need barely any product to achieve that perfect complexion with this concealer. If you have any way to get your hands on this concealer, I cannot recommend it enough. CAD $35 on tartecosmetics.com.

Foundation - Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full coverage Foundation

Clearly I really love Tarte face products because here’s another one that made its way into my 2017 favourites. My sister loves this foundation and has been trying to get me to try it for about 2 years now and I finally got around to trying it. I do not admit this often but my sister was right, this foundation is amazing. It works amazingly for my oily skin, it lasts all day, and gives me full coverage that also looks natural somehow. It doesn’t melt off on and around my nose (which foundations usually do after a couple hours) which to me is a big deal since it is hard to find a foundation that stays like that on my face. Since I started using this foundation in July, I’ve been reaching for it more than all of my other foundations combined. CAD $51 at Sephora or on tartecosmetics.com

Powder - Too FacedPeach Perfect Setting Powder

This powder has already made its way into two other posts of mine (my review on the Too Faced Peaches and Cream Collection and my November 2017 Faves) and it has been one of my all time favourite products from the entire year. It sets my makeup beautifully, doesn’t look cakey, and smells amazing. As a weird and random bonus, if you accidentally get some in your mouth while applying it, it tastes like peaches too. If you want to see more about what I have to say about this powder, check out the other two posts I have with it in there. CAD $40 at Sephora.

Bronzer - Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer (Light Bronzer)

Not only does this gorgeous creamy bronzer smell like coconut lotion, but it’s also incredibly affordable. I use the lightest shade of this bronzer and it works amazingly for my light skin tone. It warms up my face without making me look unnatural or like an oompa-loompa. The shade is perfect for me and I do struggle to find bronzers that are light enough for me or too orange. This is more of a cool-toned bronzer and for me, that’s perfect and gives more life to my skin and somehow even brightens it up. When applying

to the face, this bronzer doesn’t streak at all and gives a gorgeous matte finish. If you’re searching for an amazing matte cool-toned bronzer that also smells like coconut, check out this bronzer if you haven’t already. CAD $19.99 at drugstores.

Highlight - Becca Light Chaser Highlight (Champagne Dream Flashes Bellini)

Sometimes I like to have a glow on my cheekbone so intense that you can see it from space, but sadly that isn’t always appropriate for work/everyday so I tend to wear a subtler highlight in my everyday life. I’ve always been a huge fan of Becca highlighters, and when they came out with the light chaser highlighters, I knew I had to try them and this shade is one that I immediately fell in love with. This highlight I have been reaching for constantly since I bought it. It highlights my cheekbones and gives me a great, healthy-looking glow without looking unnatural or too shiny/glittery. This highlighter collection was limited edition so if you can still find this shade (or any of them in this collection), go buy them! CAD $41 at Sephora (currently on sale for $20.50)

Eyeshadow - Tartelette in Bloom Palette

I had never really tried Tarte eyeshadows until I tried this palette early this year. I can get so many eye looks from this single palette from everyday to more intense looks for a night out and almost everytime I travel, this palette comes with me. The shadows are so pigmented without having a ton of fallout all over my face. The shades in this palette are stunning and so blendable that they can really compliment any eye colour or eyeshadow preference (it has both amazing mattes and shimmers). Throughout this year, I found myself constantly reaching for this palette more than any other eyeshadow palette, which is really saying something because I have a few too many palettes. I cannot recommend this palette enough. CAD $60 at Sephora or on tartecosmatics.com.

Eyeliner - Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (Trooper)

2017 was the year I really moved from gel eyeliner to liquid eyeliner, and this is the reason why. I tried this out to see if it was worth all the hype surrounding it and yes, yes it is. This goes on so intensely black and doesn’t transfer all over my lid or down into my waterline. It is so easy to apply and has such a precise tip that I can easily get a sharp winged eyeliner look. The only downside to me about this eyeliner, is that it doesn’t gradually dry out, it just all of a sudden dies (or at least the ones I’ve used) in the middle of doing your eyeliner. Regardless of that flaw, this is the best eyeliner I have ever tried. CAD $25 at Sephora.

Mascara - L’Oreal Lash Paradise

I know I’m not the only person saying this about this mascara, but as soon as I used this, it became one of my all time favourite mascaras. It makes my lashes so voluminous, adds a little length, and will hold the curl the entire day. I don’t often wear false lashes (to be honest, I really suck at applying them) but this mascara makes my lashes look so amazing without being over the top that I never feel the need to add falsies on top of it. The first time I tried this mascara, I accidentally bought the waterproof version and it looks just as amazing as the non-waterproof version but will not come off without heavy duty waterproof makeup remover, it even lasted through a shower and a heavy cry session (I was watching the notebook, it happens). This mascara is honestly better than any other mascara I have ever tried, and it’s so affordable. CAD $13.99 at drugstores.

Lipstick - MAC Samantha Ravndahl Lipstick

This yeah MAC collaborated with influencers from around the world and the Canadian influencer they chose was Samantha Ravndahl. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, this lipstick was only available in Canada but if you have any way to get it, go for it. It’s an amazing everyday nudey pink and is looks amazing on me. I could only find it online and as soon as I tried it once, I bought 3 backups because I fell in love with it. I’ve already gone through an entire tube and its probably my favourite lipstick of all time. It’s a creamsheen formula (which is my favourite MAC lipstick finish) so it doesn’t dry out my lips but also lasts throughout the day without having to constantly reapply. I’m not sure if you can still find it (if I can, I’ll put a link below) but if you can, get as many as you can because this lipstick is everyday perfection. CAD $22 at MAC. https://www.maccosmetics.ca/collections-samantha-ravndahl

#faves #2017 #makeup #beauty