2016 Beauty Favorites

Happy new year everyone! It is finally the new year and what a way to start off fresh, but also remember the positive things that happened. I thought I would post today instead of tomorrow since it is the first day of the new year. My blog has been progressing and growing into a really awesome and supportive community. I am so thankful for every one of you who visit, read, and enjoy my content. I hope there are many more great things to come with this blog and you stick with me till the end of 2017 and beyond. 

I have compiled a few (it was really hard deciding) of the most used products and products that have impacted my makeup/beauty regime a ton this past year. 

Nars Velvet Matte Tint Foundation in Finland- This is a new addition to my makeup collection and was my Christmas present to myself. A girl can't go wrong with a really nice and great quality foundation, amirite? I was looking for an awesome matte foundation that wouldn't sink into my skin and show my dry skin or make my face oily after a short period of time--and it is great at avoiding all of those things. I will be doing a separate review of this foundation to get into further depth, but this is a really awesome product and I am already using so much of it. My very first Nars face product is a success!

Travel Size Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla- I actually went in store to be color matched for my foundation, then I bought it online at Sephora and needed a couple more bucks to get free shipping, so I was like what the heck, and bought a mini Nars concealer to try out as well. It is very creamy and I am really impressed by the way it doesn't crease it all under my eyes throughout the day. 

Revlon HD Matte Lip Color in Love- This was one of my Amish store finds recently this year and I scored it at only a dollar. It truly is one of the best drugstore matte lip colors I have found and I love the vanilla scent it has and how long it really lasts and doesn't crumble on the lips. It's one of those matte lip products that won't sink into the creases of your lips and really hydrates them as it stays in place all day. Definitely a great find and a very pretty red for the holiday season.

Milani Conceal and Perfect Foundation- I think one of the greatest drugstore foundations I found this year was this Milani one. I was inspired by many Youtubers raving about how great the formula was and I was looking for a new, long wearing foundation. Even before the Nars one came along, this foundation is super buildable and is great to use with a damp beauty sponge. It doesn't crease or slide around and you hardly need a quarter size amount to get full coverage. 

Soap & Glory Glow All Out Highlighter- I think this year was the year that highlighter really made its mark. Especially in my makeup regime, I never thought about highlighting and didn't quite know about how to do it or where the best products were. Surprisingly, the best highlighters can be right around the corner at your local drugstore and Soap & Glory has to be the main victor when it comes to inexpensive and great quality products overall this year. Specifically their highlighters. This one is not your overly top "KimK" highlight, but is very subtle and adds a really nice glow to the cheek bones.

Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC20- This is also a new addition to the collection and I have been on the search for a new and reliable powder that would make my skin oil free and very, very soft. I also want to write about this powder soon to give you all a full review on it, but so far I have really loved it. I was never one to want or be that interested in Mac, just because there are so many other great brands out there, I was so distracted by all the beauty noise! This powder really gets the job done and is very pretty on top of any foundation. 

Mini Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold- This was a part of the Paint it Pink Sephora Favorites set and I have really made a dent in this little guy! Becca is really known for her timeless highlighters and products and they have become so popular in the beauty blogger world. I really love the smoothness and pigmentation of this highlighter/shimmer pigment. I actually use it more as an eyeshadow and love it. Plus, it's rose gold people.

Mini Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating- I was never into blushes and I don't normally go out to just specifically buy one, but man I have fallen in love with Tarte's blushes. This was another part of the Sephora Favorites set and gives off the perfect peachy toned look. These blushes are incredibly smooth and opaque. 

Essie Polish in Tassel Shaker- Another great clearance find was this Essie polish that is a glitter topcoat with really pretty copper and gold flakes in it. Perfect for New Years and just a really pretty polish in general. I love using it on an accent nail to add a bit of flare to my nails. 

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama- I don't know why, but this mascara really sticks out in my entire collections of drugstore mascaras. It was really hard, to be honest, to choose and not pick out the Maybelline Lash Sensational as my favorite (which it is), but this one just made every eye look "pop". It does a way better job at lengthening and bringing the lashes out more, especially on the sides of my lashes. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette- Ugh. Really no words for how great this palette is. I mean, just look at it... I will definitely be reviewing this, too. Let's just appreciate the artistry incorporated in this palette. Well done, Anastasia, well done. I really haven't put this down since Christmas. 

Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara in Clear- Moving on, another Amish store purchase was this brow gel! I only had one really old and expired Mary Kay Brow Gel, so I was in need for a new one. I heard only a little about Maybelline's new Brow Drama Mascaras and was a bit skeptical at the idea of painting on brows per say. I only like to use clear brow gel and was happy to find one in their collection, especially at an Amish store. It isn't sticky or tacky on the brows and really does help keep them in place. 

Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Cologne- I am very indecisive when it comes to picking out perfume scents and to be honest, bloggers made me ask for this for Christmas (thanks guys). I do have to say, this is probably one of the best perfumes I have ever owned, smelled, and used (and most expensive might I add). If you are looking for a great quality and smelling perfume, that you don't mind splurging on, I would really recommend Jo Malone's. I use this only on occasion, so the smaller bottle is completely fine. This will probably be talked about more later!  

Beauty Blender- Last, but not least is the ever-so-talked about sponge. The thing we all "think" we need in our collections. The "infamous" sponge that costs so much, but works so damn well (to speak candidly). I got this in the Paint it Pink set as well and wasn't wanting to waste $20 on one sponge when I could spend a bit more and get a ton more products for my buck. If you are a crazy makeup lover, this sponge is well worth it and has changed the way I apply and use my makeup. Especially when you use it damp, it seamlessly blends and smooths out your makeup. Another favorite of mine is the Real Techniques sponge for like a quarter of the price. I just had to include this little guy because it's a "life changer". 

Well, I guess that was all of the products I thought made the biggest impact in my makeup regime this year, even though there were still a ton more to talk about. I love reminiscing over the things that made me happy over the year and what I have accomplished. I think we're all ready to see what this new year brings and what new makeup I will discover. I wish everyone a happy new year and a relaxing holiday.

What product made your 2016 worthwhile?

Xoxo, Nat