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Hello, 2017. You look smashing. I’m so excited it’s 2017! I have a great feeling about this year because honestly, for political reasons aside, 2016 sucked. Besides the world not facing another plague, it was just crap. Plus, 7 is such a sharp number, amirite? 7 is just cool… 7 is trendy and 7 just feels sassier than 6. No? Whatever. My 2016 beauty favorites are a tallying up of things that have either made repeated appearances in my monthly favorites, or just things I noted in my collection that I truly have come back to again and again. I compiled 10 of my top items, and also decided to include a ‘top brands of 2016.’ These are brands that aren’t necessarily IN my favorites, but brands that have made notable contributions in the beauty community – or to me directly – this year. Here we go!
Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Kit $46 | How I highlight/contour in 2 minutes using the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Kit is one of my most popular posts on Pinterest, for good reason. It literally takes 5-10 lbs off my face instantly. The powders are the perfect shades – not too warm and just cool enough to look ‘natural’- and the pigmentation and longevity is perfection. I’m ecstatic she released the refillable pans for this palette since I’ve clearly hit pan on a few of the shades. A total must-buy.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer $15-29 | This is certainly not a new product to the beauty world, but one I finally tried in 2016. I completely get the hype about this. Another bronzer product that’s not orangey, Hoola looks just as good on pale skin as it does on my more medium/medium-tan skin. I also just adore the little brush that comes with it because it’s perfect for contouring the nose or chiseling the cheeks.
NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray $7.99 | When I talked about this spray in my monthly favorites here, I mentioned how this is the only finishing spray that I’ve ever tried that worked. It’s true and I’m about done with my bottle/need to get another. Tips on usage include to shake it up before spraying and to apply before makeup and after your totally done. Not recommended for those with normal/dry skin… this is strictly for my super oily ladies.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo $23 | So happy I went back to this product after a few years off. The color is spot on, it’s a much more natural finish than using a pencil and the powder simply just lasts WAY longer than any pencil will. I use shade Taupe.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette $42 | If this was a YouTube video, I would have a moment of silence for this palette. It’s so good. It JUST was in my monthly favorites here, but I’ll say it again: it’s the best eyeshadow palette launch since the original Urban Decay NAKED palette. Check out my post here where I featured five different looks using it. Flattering on ALL eye colors, another MUST BUY.
Benefit Gimme Brow $24 | Another not new product, but new to me, Benefit’s Gimme Brow is so awesome at creating defined brows with minimal effort for on-the-go looks. Benefit relaunched their brow products (I THINK earlier this year) and adjusted some shades of Gimme Brow. I used to not be able to match to any shade, but now shade 01 works awesome to set my wild brow hairs while also softening their naturally-brunette color and adding a hint of thickness. I can use this alongside my brow powder or on its own. A definite repurchase (I already have a backup).
Inglot Gel Eyeliner $15 | This is a product very much loved in the beauty community, but not so well known in the mass market. After years of reading about how this was the blackest/most matte gel eyeliner out there, I picked it up at my local Macy’s to see if it could rival my old standby, MAC Blacktrack. It not only rivaled it, it spit it onto the freeway and ran it over 10 ways to Sunday. I will never go back to my former love, Blacktrack.
ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip, Echo Park $6 | I haven’t mentioned ColourPop in awhile, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still in love with the Ultra Satin Lips. Echo Park is a super-Steffanie color: mid tone nude, peachy pink with just enough depth to make sure I don’t look like a corpse. If you don’t like the feel of liquid lipsticks, but want the longevity they provide without the dryness… you need to pick up a couple ColourPop Ultra Satins.
Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Color, Leche $24 | You know how some people just have those signature lip colors they always know will work for them? They may even keep a couple of them in the car/their purse, etc.? That’s what Bite’s Leche is for me. I keep this in my purse and it is always so flattering on my skin tone. I’ve never found a lipstick so instantly flattering on me as Leche. Works with any eye makeup and the matte formula from Bite isn’t dry AT ALL. I will cry a thousand tears if this ever goes away.
amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner, $10-24 | I talked quite a bit about amika this year… half because I love their products and half because I was lucky enough to collaborate with them on a ‘How To Curl Long Hair With A Flat Iron‘ post.
What are some of your favorites from the year? Let me know in the comments so I can add them to my 2017 list of must-tries 🙂
-Steffanie
