This year, I’ve made an effort to expand my collection of beauty products. I’ve tried a lot of new things, in part thanks to my Birchbox subscription. I thought it might be helpful to share my new favorites from this year! Here we go!
Favorite Leave In Conditioner
Seriously, this stuff is AH-MAY-ZING. It’s $21.95 for the full-size bottle and is available exclusively through Birchbox. I have never had a conditioner leave my hair so soft and silky, especially without weighing it down. It’s also helped in my endeavor to grow my hair longer because it reduces tangling and makes my hair healthier. Seriously in LOVE with this stuff.
Favorite Concealer
Fakeup concealer by Benefit is awesome. I have really terrible under-eye circles because my allergies are so terrible. There’s nothing I can do but cover them up, which has been nearly impossible. I got a sample of this in my Birchbox one month, and I went to pick up the full size at Ulta within a week! It moisturizes, conceals, and brightens… all without caking or creasing. I opted for the light color, and it blends really well with my skin tone. At $24 for the full size, it’s a bit on the pricier side, but definitely worth it!
Favorite Blush
My previous favorite blush somehow managed to break into a million little pieces, so I was searching for just the right replacement hue. This perfect peachy pink shimmer popped up in my Birchbox at just the right time, and I really love the color! It’s not too pink, not too brown, not too coral-y… it’s just the right blend of warm and cool tones for my shin and really brightens up my face. At $20, it’s a little more pricey than its drugstore counterparts, but I looked everywhere and couldn’t find a color I liked even half as much. Love it!
Favorite Shampoo and Conditioner
As I explained in my earlier post about growing out my hair, I discovered that using good hair products really does make a difference. This is my favorite shampoo and conditioner duo. Not only does it leave my hair silky, smooth, and healthy, but the conditioner smells fantastic and leaves a spa-like tingly sensation on your scalp. Again, more pricey than the stuff you can buy at your local grocery store, but worth every single penny!
Favorite Eye Shadow Palette
I am such a fan of this nude-hued matte palette. The range of shades lets you go from natural to dramatic, and there’s no shimmer or glitter to irritate my eyes. It’s great for everyday makeup looks! Not only that, but the quality is amazing. It’s so much smoother and lasts so much longer than the drugstore shadows I had previously been buying! It’s $27, which initially seemed like a lot to me. Then I added up how much it would cost me to build my own matte palette like this one, and $27 started to seem like a good deal. Besides, it blows the drugstore brands out of the water with its quality.
Favorite Eyeshadow Primer
I had never used an eyeshadow primer before I tried a travel size of this, but I’m so glad that I did! It definitely does make a difference… eyeshadow goes on smoother and more evenly, lasts longer, and doesn’t crease or smear. Awesome to use every day, but especially on special occasions! At $12 for the travel size and $20 for the full size, it’s definitely worth the investment!
Favorite Mascara
One of my friends gifted me with this miracle mascara, and it’s great! Makes my lashes look longer without any clumping, and comes off relatively easily without smudging. Plus, since this isn’t one of the big name brands, it’s relatively inexpensive. It’s less than $8 at most places I’ve seen it. Good stuff!
Favorite Nail Polish
Anyone who knows me knows how difficult it is for me to choose ONE favorite nail polish for the year. I am obsessed and feel like I love them all! But I keep coming back to this one. It works throughout every season, and it’s a good balance of sparkly fun without being overdone. The holographic silver shimmers so pretty in the sunlight, but it’s not an overpowering chunky glitter that’s inappropriate for more formal settings. I like it so much that I’ve already gone through about half the bottle! Although butter LONDON lacquers are $15 a pop, I’m willing to spend the extra cash for colors that I adore, like this one.
Favorite Lip Color
I actually haven’t bought the full size of this one yet ($22.50) because I’m still working on the sample I got from Sephora. I pretty much always forget about my lips when I do my makeup, so I appreciate that this is easy to carry along. It is light and fresh and goes on more like a chapstick or lip balm than a gloss or lipstick. I really like the consistency, and it adds just enough color to bring life to my lips without making a big statement.
What are some of your favorite beauty finds from this year? Or classics that you just can’t get enough of? Please share them in the comments! I’m always looking for something new to try, and I’m much more likely to do so with a recommendation than just browsing a store. Hope you enjoyed!
Class and Creation 