My Favourite Makeup of 2018
This year I’ve been doing more and more makeup before and after photos and everyone on Instagram loves them! I’ll definitely be doing a lot more this year. It made me think, why not do a post on my favourite makeup products of the year! With my chronic pain, I only get ready once every few weeks, which means I don’t get through makeup as much as I once did. It also means that when I’m going out, I often reach for things that I know and trust. Mainly because I don’t want my face to be melting off after an hour or to have my eyeshadow creased. That means that the products below are seriously good to have made it here, they’re long lasting, reliable and as 90% of my makeup is bought by myself, it’s most likely pretty affordable too.
Foundation – Makeup Atelier Paris Waterproof Foundation – £22
If you follow me on Instagram then you would have definitely seen this coming. Sure I’ve tried Kat Von D, Makeup Forever, Revolution, and the It Cosmetics CC Cream that everyone was obsessed over for its supposedly ‘full coverage’, but none of those impressed me enough. Instead, I’ve moved back to Makeup Atelier Paris Waterproof Foundation ever single time. With it being a waterproof foundation it means it’s amazing on oily skin, it lasts all day, it blends seamlessly, it’s a medium to full coverage, and the shade range is amazing. Honestly, I don’t think I’m ever going to find a better foundation. This just ticks all the boxes. For reference, I wear the shade FLW1NB which is pretty much the same as MAC NW10.
Concealer – Revolution Beauty Conceal & Define Concealer – £4
Revolution Beauty has actually impressed this year and not just by copying every other brand’s products. Their foundation and concealer ranges are actually really good, and the shade range is seriously impressive, with it expanding ever more after listening to feedback. Some people think this concealer is too thick, I think they’re using too much! I rarely ever use concealer but when I’ve wanted to, I’ve used this one. It’s super creamy, extreme full coverage, and overall, a fantastic concealer. Beforehand I’d always use the super popular Collection Concealer, but that one oxidises too dark and has a terrible shade range, so it’s definitely been knocked off my top list. I wear the shade C1.
Powder – Collection Pressed Powder – £1.99
Nope, that’s not a typo. My favourite powder of not just 2018 but since I started wearing makeup, is the Collection Pressed Powder. It is amazing for oily, super pale skin and I stock up constantly just in case it ever gets discontinued. It’s better than the £20 powders I’ve tried, better than the cult products every gushes over, it really is a fantastic powder. BUT, and there’s a big but. The shade range is terrible, so if you’re not super pale or suit one of the other 2 (I think 2) shades then it’s no good.
Contour – Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte – £21
When Fenty launched I had to pick up a foundation and the contour stick, after hearing so much about them, I decided that was the two products that would make my mind up on the brand. Although Fenty Foundation seems to work and be amazing on everyone, I hated it on my skin and have given it away after around 7 tries to get it to look remotely nice. The contour stick, on the other hand, is a completely different outcome. I am obsessed! It’s the best contour I’ve ever used, it’s the best shade for super pale skin, in the shade Amber, it’s a great design, easy to apply, and easy to blend. I am definitely going to be buying another one but mine is still going, £21 for a contour stick that lasts all year? I’m happy with that!
Highlight – Illamasqua Beyond Powder – £34
I used to only wear Mary Lou Manizer from The Balm but suddenly all 3 of mine have disappeared (probably in old bags), so I’ve had to find something else. Never did I think a gold highlight would suit my super skin but I’m obsessed with the glow this gives me. The shade OMG is so utterly beautiful and I’m completely in love with the formula. So much so that I asked for another for my birthday in the shade Daze so I can mix them and mix it up a little. Daze is more of a white highlight with a pink undertone, again not what I think would look good on my skin but a little mixed with OMG and I love them!
Eye Primer – Smashbox Photofinish 24 Hour Shadow Primer – £20
This has been my favourite for years and continues to be!
Eye Shadow – Memi Makeup Eyeshadow Palettes – £22
A completely new discovery this year has been Memi Makeup and now they claim two of my favourite makeup spots. The formulas are so beautiful and easy to blend, but the most important thing here is that these shadows are seriously good value. They feel to me like Tarte, The Balm, that sort of high-end eyeshadows, but a palette is just £22!
Eyeliner – Memi Makeup Expert Liner – £10
Beating my seriously loved Stila Waterproof Liner and Kat Von D to the top spot! This is because it works exactly the same, but, it’s half the price. Plus, look at this photo of just how perfect it is after I’ve been out!
Glitter – Stila Glitter Liquid Eyeshadow – £24
Obviously! I have used these SO much, I’ve bought so many of them, and I just adore everything about them. There’s no fall out at all, they don’t move, you can apply them in so many different ways and create different looks. These are everything I’ve ever wanted in a glitter eyeshadow.
A very close second is the Butter London Glazen Eye Glosses. They are seriously so beautiful in their jelly-like formula. These have been my go-to for quick looks as you can buff them in and create effortless glam looks! Plus they’re just £15 and you get a lot of product for your money.
Makeup Brushes – Kit Stars
I obsess over new makeup brushes and I own way too many that what I’ll ever need, but there are certain brushes I just gravitate towards. The brushes that have really stolen the show for me this year are Kit Stars. Not only is the quality and shapes extremely similar to Zoeva, but they’re seriously affordable too. With a full kit costing just £60! The shapes of these brushes are so beautiful, they’ve really changed my makeup game and make blending even easier than before. I am in love and when I actually do need some more, I’ll be buying Kit Stars! They also have vegan sets and a vegan version of every brush, how great is that?
Seen as this post is now huge, here’s a quick rundown of some other makeup favourites.
Eyebrows – Revolution Beauty Pomade – £5
For sweatproof/waterproof brows, add some Wunder Brow.
Lipstick – Stila Liquid Lipsticks – £17
All year I’ve mainly been using the minis I got in a Christmas Set last year, but I’ve just bought a full-size version of Aria as it’s truly such a beautiful colour!
Let me know what your top products of the year are!
