TOP 5 OF 2014 - Face Products
One of the best things that happened in 2014 for me was starting this blog. Honestly, I had been wanting to do this for a long time and it was such an exciting thing to start it up and start to grow it as far as content and readership. I think I've finally really found my style and my niche and over the holidays when there was just no time for blogging, I really found that I missed sitting down every day and banging out a post. I decided to start the new year with Top 5 lists. Initially, I was going to do my favorite products in every category of makeup and personal care that I could think of, but I found myself choosing products that were my favorites more by default than by sheer awesomeness, so I changed my plan and decided to do Top 5 posts in a series of categories so that I could really highlight products that I have absolutely been loving this year. I decided that the first post would have to be face makeup products since they're the foundation of my daily beauty routine.
So without further adieu, keep reading to check out my favorite face products of 2014...
1. Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Fresh Complexion Oil Free Foundation (Review)
When this first came out, I swatched it on the back of my hand and wasn't overly impressed. I figured, based on the marketing campaign and the oil free assertions that this would be more suited for younger skin than my own. It was only after I saw some absolutely glowing reviews that I decided to pick it up. I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am that I did. I love everything about this foundation, from the wear time to the beautiful finish. I haven't had any issues with my skin since I started using this product, which is always a huge win for me, and I haven't really found any cons to the formula. I previously reviewed this product and it has since remained a staple in my every day makeup routine and has pretty much replaced my previous choice of the Etude House Precious Mineral Bright Fit BB Cream as my day to day foundation product. Honestly, considering that this is one of the most affordable foundations at the drugstore, it really shouldn't be as good as it is. But it really, really is. I've actually recommended this to a few friends who've tried it, loved it as much as I do, and gone on to recommend it to other friends of theirs. It's a winner. If you haven't yet, just give it a try.
2. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20
You guys. Just. You guys. I have a lot of concealer in my collection, since I struggle with dark circles and hyperpigmentation after break outs, and none of them even come close to this one. As far as I can tell, it's a bit of a cult product and I really haven't seen any negative reviews of this concealer. Initially, that was what led me to pick this up and since then every other concealer in my collection has been left in the dust. This concealer ticks all of the boxes. 1. It has amazing coverage without being heavy. It's actually quite thin in consistency and doesn't necessarily seem like it's going to have the coverage that I, and a lot of other women, need, but it really gets it done. 2. It doesn't crease or crepe in my fine lines or on dry patches. I think this is the biggest problem that a lot of women have with a lot of concealers - They look great when you first apply them, but soon enough they settle and crease and ultimately make you look both older and more tired. 3. The finish and lasting power are completely on point. I feel like this sets to a really natural looking finish on the skin so that it doesn't look like you're wearing a lot of makeup and it lasts absolutely all day without any issues. Honestly, I don't think anything else can live up to this concealer for me.
3. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (Review)
This was the first product that I ever listed as a Friday Forever Favorite, and for good reason. This is another one of those products that seems to have something of a cult following, with everyone from young women just starting out with makeup and straight up professional makeup artists singing it's praises. The thing that I personally love most about it is that I can lightly dust it over my makeup if I start to get a little shine later in the day and it doesn't cake up or really look like I've added a bunch of makeup to my skin. It just mattifies and smooths out my skin to give me a really fresh look. This has been a favorite in my collection for a long time and I think it'll definitely continue to be one.
4. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Palette (Review)
Everytime I pick up this palette to use, I get a little thrill. There's something about this packaging and the products that is so beautiful and luxurious that I almost feel like I shouldn't use it every day and just keep it for special occasions, but I still do. I use each of these powders for something different, so I actually do often end up using all three in one look. The one I use the most is definitely Dim Light, which is on the left. This is a perfect powder for setting concealer and bringing a little bit of luminosity to my dark under eyes. There's no shimmer in Dim Light, so it's really versatile and easy to use. The next that I use most often is Incandescent Light, which makes a beautiful, natural looking highlight on the high points of my face. I like to brush it over the tops of my cheekbones at the end of my makeup routine just to give a really subtle glow to the skin. Finally, Radiant Light is great for warming up the skin or topping a blush to give it a little bit of warmth and glow. This is the one I use least at the moment, but is definitely a warm weather staple to just give that healthy, slightly sunkissed glow to the skin. Honestly, this palette is probably my favorite purchase of the whole year. For me, a bit of a splurge, but a worthwhile one that influenced me to pick up the Ambient Blush Palette on Boxing Day - review of that coming soon.
5. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in various shades (Shade shown is Magic)
The first Amazonian Clay Blush that I got was a bit of a dud for me, because while the colour was beautiful it was filled with chunky glitter that just doesn't work with my enlarged pores, and it took me a while to get another one. What was I thinking??? These blushes are really great. I mean, really really great. They're advertised as being long wearing, and they really are. I find that by the end of the day some blushes really have disappeared on the skin, but these ones really hold up throughout the day so that I still have colour on my cheeks after a solid eight hours of wear. They come in all sorts of shades, giving an option for every skintone and every look, so I feel like absolutely anyone could find at least one shade to love from this collection. The first one that I fell in love with this year was Unleashed, which I believe was Limited Edition and was included in the Rainforest After Dark palette, and I was instantly a believer. Honestly, if you haven't tried these out yet, I highly recommend you try because they're just gorgeous.
So there you go. One year, 5 amazing face products that basically create a perfect base for any makeup look with a Prairie Beauty stamp of approval. Check back tomorrow for my Top 5 Eye Products of the year and the rest of this week and next for more of my Top 5 of 2014 series!
What face products have you been loving this year? I'd love to hear your recommendations!
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