2016 Beauty Favourites
I often get asked by clients and friends alike what my favourite beauty products are and also which brand is the best for make up.
In truth, I could not bring myself to exclusively live for one brand. Instead I have a multitude of 'holy grail' products for different purposes. In the past year or so thanks to Instagram and YouTube, there have been quite a few new-ish brands that have surfaced and caught my eye while scrolling through my news feed daily. 2016 I have to say was the year I invested a lot of my hard earned cash into my professional and personal make up kit. Through researching other blogs and watching reviews on Youtube I've luckily found amazing products I want to share my honest thoughts with you guys so you can get an idea of what to purchase.
Product 1 'Best Palette' goes to Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance
I'm sure this palette is on pretty much every make up fanatics favourites list. ABH doesn't disappoint us with the range of buttery and extremely pigmented shadows this palette has to offer. The colours are on the warm side however so if your more of a classic greys and black shadow kind of a person this may not be the one for you. The thing I like most about this is it has a good range of matte shadows that aren't chalky and a few transition colours for the crease line so you can create a whole smoky eye look with this one palette. There aren't many shimmery shades- 3 to be exact but again they are non chalky and the pigment pay off is amazing. The only downside is the shadow fall out is a bit of a problem so be careful when applying this or better yet, apply the eye make up first then the face make up. Which is what I do any way so the make up looks even more flawless.
Product 2 'Best eye primer' is Mac Soft Ochre Paint pot
I love this product for making sure eye shadow stays put and crease free. I also use this to clean up the brows for a more polished appearance. I have a slightly purple discolouration on my lids so this covers them perfectly so the colour of the eye shadow stays true to the original colour. Tip; apply in a buffing motion, less is more. Then set with a flesh toned eye shadow or translucent powder. A cheaper alternative that I've tried on myself is Maybelline 24 hr colour tattoo creamy mattes eye shadow in crème de nude.
Product 3 'Best face primer' is Nivea for Men Aftershave Balm
Smells like a clean man. It has a pleasant fresh scent that is a bonus for me and my clients love it. I owe this peculiar discovery to Nikki Tutorials. She explained it works at keeping make up on because of the ingredient in it, Glycerine is kinda like glue for the face so it gives the foundation something to grip on to. I also find it smooths the skin too so the canvas has been prepped for foundation. She also said the trick is to not just slap it on, you have to massage it in until it goes 'tacky' then your ready for foundation. Another bonus for me is that it's easy get hold of at a supermarket or drug store and its around a fiver.
Product 4 'Best Drug-store Foundation' Maybelline fit me Matt and Poreless.
I have oily skin and this foundation lasts! Its very lightweight but it covers imperfections and smooths the skins appearance so I love it. It also photographs well as it doesn't contain SPF
'Best High End Foundation' MakeUp Forever Ultra HD Foundation
I use this for brides mostly as it's the most natural looking foundation yet it offers good buildable coverage for all my clients. Again it doesn't contain SPF so it photographs beautifully. Brides have often reported back saying it lasted the whole day and into the next morning. It has a smooth finish that I would have to set with a loose powder if my client is on the oilier side but other than that I wouldn't be without this staple in my freelance kit.
Product 5 'Best Beauty tool' Real Techniques Miracle sponge
Personally I prefer this to the Beauty Blender as its not as expensive, I personally find its easier to clean with any anti bacterial hand soap and I like that it has an slanted edge to it so you can get into crevices like around the nose and under the eyes. It applies foundation like it's been airbrushed onto the face and blends concealer out easily. Also you can apply loose powder with the edge of the sponge to 'bake' your highlight areas for extra staying power. Apply slightly damp so your foundation isn't completely wasted and absorbed through the sponge.
