2015 Makeup Favourites

Year 2015 has been my turning point. Makeup has become one of the most important parts of my life (and hopefully job). I started testing lots of different products and learning various techniques for make up applications. 

So i'm so happy to share with you my most used and loved makeup products of 2015.

FACE

L'Oreal Infallible 24h-matte Foundation "22 Radiant Beige": i think it's my holy grail foundation of 2015. As it claims it is a complete matte foundation. The consistency is in between thick and liquid, the perfect application is with your fingers and the staying power is amazing. This is the only foundation that completely makes my pores disappear and it never happens with any foundation (even high ends). I always struggle in finding the right shade for my skin tone but this one perfectly matches my complexion. I don't wear it every day but only when know that i will stay out for the whole day. It's also ideal for rainy days because it's practically waterproof and also for hot summer days because it's matte and controls the sweat. Even if i touch my face it doesn't transfer at all. Sometimes i use the L'Oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer before applying the foundation and it makes my skin looks like porcelain.

Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless Foundation "Sand": this is another foundation that i love. It works as primer, foundation and concealer all in one. I reached for it almost every day last year. This color suits my complexion even much better than the l'Oreal Infallible 22. The best application is with the Beauty Blender, like that your skin looks really flawless. It's not longlasting as the Infallible one but lasts almost 8 hours on me before starting to fade just a tiny bit on my nose and chin. The finish is matte but not flat, let's say it gives your skin a healthy look.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer "Light/Medium": It's the most high coverage concealer i have ever tried. The best thing i love about it is that it dries and sets perfectly under the eyes without any need to powder, and i hate powdering my face because it always makes my wrinkles stand out. It's also waterproof and has the most long wearing performance of all times. I made a complete review and swatches of it here.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer "Light Warm": the performance of this concealer is similar to the Estee Lauder Double Wear. The differences are that the application of the Naked Skin is better with the Beauty Blender (not a concealer brush) and the feeling on the skin is very lightweight. The only problem is the shade range; i opted for "Light Warm" that is a bit lighter for me but the other shades were way too dark or way too light. I make it work anyway and it really highlight my undereye area. It doesn't crease and doesn't set in the fine lines. It covers my dark circles perfectly and lasts the whole day.

Beauty Blender The Original: this little sponge changed my world. I always used my fingers or a foundation brush to apply any kind of foundation, but now it's another story! The final effect that the Beauty Blender gives to my skin is really flawless. I think i will go on buying it forevah!!

The Balm "Bahama Mama" bronzer: it's my autumn/winter shade. It's perfect for a light contouring because it's matte, cool toned and not orange at all. I put it in the morning and at night it's still there. I think it's a must have.

Too Faced "Chocolate Soleil" bonzer: i have a sample size of it but i think it will last me forever! It's the perfect summer shade for contouring. In winter i feel that it's too dark but on a slightly tanned skin it works perfectly. The chocolate smell of this bronzer is a bonus. Who doesn't like their make up smells like chocolate? I do like it!

Mac Blush "Melba" : It's the only Mac blush i own, i raved about this since Kathleen Lights made me discover it in one of her "beauty favourites" videos, so when i had the chance i bought it without even thinking. It's a matte peachy pink blush, it gives you a natural healthy look and lasts pretty well. I think it flatters every skin tone. It's probably a spring/summer color but i love to use it every time of the year.

Revlon Powder Blush "006 Naughty Nude": The shade of this blush is similar to Mac "Melba". I bought it when i didn't have enough money for "Melba", the only difference is that is not completely matte but has a slight sheen to it. I use it mostly in spring and summer when i want a bit of glow on the cheeks.

The Balm "Mary Loumanizer" Highlighter:  what we can say about this highligher? It's just PERFECTION! It's ideal to have a discrete glow but you can also buld it up to have a super shine (for a disco night, yeah!). I apply it with my Real Techniques contour brush on the upper part of my cheeks, tip of my nose, chin and cupid bow. Sometimes i use it also to highlight the inner corners of my eyes and under the brows. This is the highlighter of my life :-)

EYES

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24h "Creamy Beige":  this has been my everyday base for every look i made. When i am in a hurry i just put it on the lids blending a brown matte shade in the crease, a lot of mascara and i'm ready to go. This is also a perfect shade for a no makeup look or when i want to draw the attention on the lips wearing a bold red or a dark lipstick.

L'Oreal Color Riche Mono Eyeshadow "200 Over the Taupe":  it's a neutral shade not too warm not too cold, a perfect everyday color. I use it all over the lids or in the crease to give depth to the eyes. The pigmentation of  L'Oreal Color Riche eyeshadow is something out of the world, they last forever without fading. I'm planning to get more colors from this range. Absolutely recommended!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal "Black": this is the first eyeliner of my life, i have been using it forever. Super creamy, well pigmented and last a really long time. A lot of eyeliners generally transfer on my upper lid but not this one. It lasts until i decide to take my makeup off. I never used it in the waterline but i have heard that it last pretty good as well. I suggest you to try all the color range (that unfortunately i can't find so easly here in Italy)

Too faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner "Perfect Black Orchid": When i don't want to use the black eyeliner i opt for this plum/blue color. It has a sponge on the opposite end that allows you to soften the line or smoke it. It's perfect for hot or wet conditions because it stays put forever.

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara: The holy grail mascara of all times. Every beauty guru seems to love it and i completely agree. It gives me everything i can ask from a mascara: lenght and definition. Not so sure about the volume but if you built it up you can reach a dramatic effect. I can't ask for more! It's my on the go mascara perfect for every day. The big advantage is that it never, ever clump my lashes.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara: When i have time to dedicate to my lashes i choose this mascara. It can become a bit clumpy if you don't pay attention, i always have to eliminate the eccess with a clean spoolie brush. I wrote a specific article on this mascara here

Nabla Brow Divine "Jupiter":  It's the best brow liner that i found here in Italy. It is very similar to Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow wiz (maybe it's a dupe). It has the perfect small tip that helps me to fill in the gaps of my eyebrows. It's very quick and easy to use. I think i will buy a tons of those eyebrow liners.

L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper "Medium/Dark": After filling my brows with the liner i fix it with this gel. I have big eyebrows that are always out of control. This gel allows me to make them stay in place the whole day. I have also the clear version but the consistency of the coloured one is better and fix the brows more firmly.

LIPS

Best Purple:

Too Faced Liquified Long Wear Lipstick "Melted Fig": The most flattering color of the year. I know that it was released before 2015 but i discovered it just recently. It lighten up my face even if i have no make up on. You can read the full review here

Best Dark Red:

Maybelline Color Sensational Matte "Divine Wine":  This is the color of my autumn/winter, a brownish burgundy shade. Great formulation, matte finish and super long lasting staying power. You can read about it and see it in action here

Best Red:

L'Oreal Pure Reds "Blake's Red": this is my perfect red! It is completely matte and lasts forever on my lips. I got many compliments on this color and i think it suits every skin and hair color. Not every red lipstick looks good on me but this one is heaven, it makes me feel like Snow White. I started to wear reds the moment i got this shade. Absolutely love it!

Best Nude Pink:

Mac lipstick "Mehr": even though is a matte formula i feel it very confortable on the lips. It's a dirty blue pink shade. Normally i don't like pinks but above every expectation this one is super flattering on me. There is something in this color that compliments my skin so well that makes me feel i have the most beautiful full lips ever. I can't stop using it every day, every night, with every makeup look and with every outfit. I feel it was made for me. The perfect lip liner match for "Mehr" is Rimmel Exaggerate in "Eastend Snob"

Best Gloss:

L'Oreal Shine Caresse Lipcolors: i consider them glosses because they are very shiny. I fell in love with the performance that plumps my lips making them look bigger and fuller. I have almost all the shades but for every day i always reach for "Lolita" for a perfect "MLBB". I also love the shade "Eve" a purple pink that i often put over Mac "Heroine" lipstick to add a bit of a shine. 

The longevity of those lipcolors is stunning considering they are like glosses. I can eat or drink and they stay clung to the lips for such a long time. If you want a glossy effect without worrying about reapplying the product every hour you need those lipcolors in your life.

And those were my favourite makeup products of 2015. Hope you enjoyed.

I hope 2016 will be the best year of your lives! :-)