Best and worst products for 2016

GingerLily

GingerLily wrote: »

Hits;
Becca - highlighters (pearl & moonstone pressed), backlighting primer, undereye corrector

Beauty Blender and the solid cleanser

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing gel

Pixi Glow Tonic

Mac Fix+ - I'm addicted

First Aid Beauty repair cream

Misses;
Stila liquid lipstick in Petina - awful shade

Alpha H Liquid Gold - too much alcohol for my skin

KVD tattoo liner - very hard to work with, nib dries too much

Loreal clay mask - red one, broke me out

More to add that I only remembered while putting on my makeup today -

MAC MSFN in medium dark, I use it as a bronzer when I'm pale and it's amazing for warming up my skin.

Catrice liquid camoflage concealer - works great over L'Oreal True match foundation blended in with a beauty blender.

Soap and Glory archery 2in1 pencil and brush, I use it with a brow pomade to fill in bald patches.

KVD shade and light contour palette, it's amazing, my only regret is I didn't get the refillable version.

StripedBoxers

Hits

Make up

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel foundation - love this for a light-medium coverage, lasts well and looks glowy but not oily which is something dewy/glowy foundations make me look.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - love this for healthy look with more coverage than the serum foundation but not heavy/cakey looking

Chanel Perfection Lumière Long-Wear foundation. Exactly what it says, its long wearing, looks natural, gives great coverage without looking "made up" or cakey. Expensive, well worth it though. Beautiful foundation.

L'Oreal Glam Bronze Duo Sun Powder - I find a lot of bronzers don't suit me but this is one that does and it doesn't look orange/muddy/patchy, the highlighter in it is gorgeous too

MAC Upward Lash mascara, this is amazing separation and volume, it makes my own looks like I've extensions when I don't.

MAC False Lashes Extreme mascara, love this for a natural look, it doesn't give much volume/drama to my lashes but my own are long, thick and jet black naturally that said, this is one I'd recommend and repurchase.

L.A. Girl PRO conceal absolutely love this concealer, stays put, doesn't budge, can settle into lines though but apart from that I love it.

Morphe palettes, I have the 35T and 350 and they were definitely my most used palettes last year, despite almost daily use on them I have yet to hit pan on any of the shadows and find the quality to be absolutely fantastic for the price they cost as well. I'd definitely recommend checking out Morphe for palettes cos they are well worth it.

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/morphe-brushes-nature-glow-eye-shadow-palette-35o.html

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/morphe-brushes-35-colour-taupe-eye-shadow-palette-35t.html

NARS NARSISSIST eye palette - and oldie but a good. Dug this out again last year and loved it even more. Such a great mix of colours and the quality is amazing, buttery, pigmented, easy to blend, etc. Horridly expensive, well worth it though.

http://www.temptalia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nars_narsissisteyekit002.jpg

Laura Mercier Eye Art Artist's Palette – amazing palette, pricey, but worth it. Beautiful pigmentation, super easy to blend, looks great, last super well even without primer (and I’ve oily lids), well worth the splurge - http://www.sephora.com/artist-palette-for-eyes-P383070?skuId=1677848

Sephora Outrageous Curl mascara – brilliant mascara for volume, drama, separation etc. only thing is it smudges and there isn’t a waterproof version. I’d recommend it, but not for bottom lashes as it will smudge. It’s absolutely jet black though so looks amazing on - http://www.sephora.com/outrageous-curl-dramatic-volume-curve-mascara-P386619?skuId=1580166
Kat Von D Lock 'N Load Makeup Setting Mist – fantastic products, really helps make up to set and last and not separate. Only setting mist I’ve used so I can’t compare it to anything but it’s definitely intrigued me to try other mists out there - https://www.amazon.com/Kat-Von-Lock-Makeup-Setting/dp/B004K8QS1I

Smashbox oil free Photo Finish Foundation Primer, this has been a long-time favourite of mine but between trying other primers I kinda forgot about it til last year, and rediscovered it. I can't believe how amazing it is and its definitely become a firm favourite with me again. I want to try their hydrating primer next. Just need to work through the primers I have first.

L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection Magic Touch Instant Blur - this is fabulous at blurring. I use it under my eyes, around my nose (pores) and around my mouth/lines area and it works amazingly at stopping products seeping into the lines and looking awful. It’s hard to find as its often out of stock I find but it’s worth trying it if you can get it, its bloody brilliant.

http://eu.feelunique.com/p/LOreal-Paris-Skin-Perfection-Magic-Touch-Instant-Blur-15ml

Tarte Holiday Blockbuster Collection - love the lip pencil and blushers, you do need a very light hand with the blushers though as they are heavily pigmented and you can get the clown look easily. The lip pencil is gorgeous, a lovely nude pink and it lasts really well on the lips and fades evenly so no patchiness or streaks.

http://beautygeekuk.com/2015/12/tarte-holiday-blockbuster-collection.html

MAC Pigments, my all-time favourite pigments, they last so well, they are beautiful, easy to apply, blend, wear well etc. definitely my favourite pigments, I can't wait to pick up more from them.

Anastasia Beverly Hills highlighter in So Hollywood. Where do I begin. I wouldn't be a fan of highlighters usually, but this is beautiful. A stunning product and a firm favourite of mine anyway. I want to get Rivera next as that looks beautiful too.

Benefit Bella Bamba blush is beautiful too, its discontinued now, typically for me as its prob one of the few blushers I’d repurchase.

Bobbi Brown Desert Pink blush, again, another beautiful blusher, a matte finish and looks somewhat natural without the clown look. Definitely a firm favourite.

MAC Lip liners, best I’ve used, I have a few cheaper ones which are great but not comparable IMO.

MAC lipstick in Velvet Teddy, beautiful colour. I love nudes but often find they don’t suit me so I was delighted with this one.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner - got this last year in the M&S advent calendar and am converted, its easy to apply, and get thick/thin line, its jet black and its lasts for ages. Its not waterproof though as I've taken it off before with a baby wipe (before proper cleansing), it doesn't smudge if you just rub your eyes though so needs some liquid/moisture to get it going. http://www.eyeko.com/eyeko-skinny-liquid-eyeliner

Skincare

Organic Surge as a brand over all, bloody amazing products and for next to nothing in TK Maxx as well.

Some of my favourites are the following products, have repurchased many times and will continue to do so

Super Intensive Moisturiser - amazing moisturiser, probably my all-time favourite one so far. It’s so luxurious feeling and sinks in immediately and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling or residue on the skin - http://www.lookfantastic.com/organic-surge-daily-care-super-intensive-moisturiser-50ml/10574221.html

Hot Cloth Cleanser - my skin feels incredible after using this, and I had oily skin and it didn't irritate at all, my skin is dry now and still no irritation just a gorgeous feeling on my skin after using it - http://www.lookfantastic.com/organic-surge-extra-care-brightening-hot-cloth-cleanser-150ml/11266100.html

Extra Care Ultra-Light Oil Control Lotion - a gorgeous lightweight cream (heavier than a lotion I think) that is great for summer time when you don't want an intensive moisturiser or anything. Hard to find though can only seem to get normal version which I haven't tried but must try it now http://www.lookfantastic.com/organic-surge-extra-care-ultra-light-oil-control-lotion-50ml/11266106.html

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment – amazing face mask, the best I’ve used, a firm favourite, expensive but absolutely worth every cent. http://www.boots.ie/en/GLAMGLOW-SUPERMUD-CLEARING-TREATMENT-34g_1911831/

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Charcoal Face Mask – fantastic face mask especially for the price. Well worth picking up - http://www.boots.ie/en/Boots-Tea-Tree-Witch-Hazel-Charcoal-Face-Mask_1493092/

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Charcoal Facial Scrub – amazing face scrub, one of the best I’ve used anyway. Grains are a nice size and not too scratchy on the skin either - http://www.boots.ie/en/Boots-Tea-Tree-Witch-Hazel-Charcoal-Facial-Scrub_1493090/

Misses

Tarte Holiday Blockbuster Collection eye shadows. the shadows are hit and miss, bad pigmentation, they don't last well even with primer, they crease easily and I wouldn't recommend them, the mascara wasn't great either.

http://beautygeekuk.com/2015/12/tarte-holiday-blockbuster-collection.html

Max Factor Masterpiece Transform Mascara - just not great, doesn't do much, it smudges etc., not one I would recommend or repurchase.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Mascaras/Max-Factor-Masterpiece-Transform-Mascara/B00MHNI7EE

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara same as above. I don't seem to have luck with MF mascaras.

http://www.boots.ie/en/Max-Factor-False-Lash-Effect-Mascara_641711/

Organic Surge Extra Care Hydrating Eye Cream – lovely cream just didn’t feel it did much for me personally so I wouldn’t repurchase it.

Organic Surge Intensive Smoothing Serum – again a lovely product just didn’t feel it did much for me. It’s worth trying though if you like serums, I just struggle to find ones that do what I want without causing irritation.

Sephora Smokey It Palette – one of the worst palettes I’ve ever had. Little to no pigmentation and takes a LOT of work to get any colour and when you do get colour, it’s very patchy - https://www.amazon.com/SEPHORA-Collection-PALETTE-Smoky-Eyeshadow/dp/B00DWZ291S

Anthony Wake Up Call Hydrating Treatment Gel deluxe sample – this is okay; it seems to have strong menthol scent which I dislike (I don’t like mint scents anyway) so would avoid this one if you don’t either. It didn’t do much for me so I wouldn’t recommend or repurchase it really http://www.sephora.com/wake-up-call-hydrating-treatment-gel-P386497

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation – awful stuff. Thick, heavy, mask like, cakey coverage and look. 100% avoid. Lucky mine was a sample cos I’d be seriously disappointed to spend so much and be that disappointed in it.

Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer – awful concealer, thick, heavy, mask like, extremely cakey and settles in every line there is. Another major disappointment, thankfully another sample so I hadn’t splashed out on it.

A bigger list than I thought, sorry I could go on but I'll leave it there

Octavian Pepper

This probably won't reflect all of the cosmetics I've bought this year, but going off the top of my head....

Hits;
Most (if not all!) of the NYX cosmetics I've bought this year have been of great use to me. Honorable mentions include the HD foundation/primer/powder.
Bourjois Volume Reveal.
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet
Urban Decay Naked Palette (This is my first Naked Palette, so far so good).
MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash.
MAC Liquidlast Liner (Wow, does this stuff last!).
MAC Whirl lipstick and lipliner.
MAC Ruby Woo.
Penneys PS Pro Eyeliner Correcter (I bought this for a euro but it really is good!)
Penneys PS Lip Scrub (Again, a cheapie, so far so good).
Penneys PS Love To Glow face mask.



Misses;
Urban Decay Subversion Eyelash Primer (I already owned the Perversion mascara, but the two together are awful.

BeeMee_123

My Hits:

Rimmel volume colourist mascara
Mac Studio Sculpt foundation
Maybelline eraser concealer
*** Rimmel setting spray, I cant find actual name anywhere, i've got oily sometimes combination skin and have tried every primer/setting spray imaginable so last week rimmel had spend €10 get this primer/setting spray for free and it was fab. I used maybelline baby skin primer, a spray of this put on my make up then sprayed again and really felt the make up tighten.
Pennys PS lipsticks

Miss:
Flormar Primer
Flormar setting powder
Penny's banana powder
NYX, eyeliner/liquid liner combo

Any questions on any of these just pm me

urbanshirl

Hits:
Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
Garnier Simply Essentials bi phase Makeup Remover
Loreal Morroccan Oil Cleanser
Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Bath Oil
Inglot Duraline
Penneys Individual lashes


Misses
Inglot AMC foundation too heavy and cakey, too yellow toned
Bare Minerals Bare Skin Foundation, too oily and no coverage
Charlotte Tilbury, in general was disappointed with the foundation, eyeshadows and lipsticks
The Balm Mary Lou Manizer- too white/grey looking if you apply a lot
Too Faced Chocolate Bar palettes- not very pigmented compared to UD palettes

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

weathermaiden

I just found this thread and it is SO helpful!  I hope you won't mind me reviving it now in 2018.....
HITS:
Catrice HD Foundation - almost too good to be true
Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Pencil – perfect for overdrawing my lips by about an inch or so and believing it isn’t obvious
L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil - I use it on my hair when it's dry and it's like instant silkiness
Tesco Hairspray - whatever the strongest hold one is, it's like CEMENT.  Brilliant when you need hair to stay put.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara - I love the Carbon Black, and the brush is super narrow for those of us (me) who tend to bash the brush off your face at the last step 7 out of 10 times
Essence Superlast 24h eyebrow pencil
technic Soft Focus Translucent Powder - impulse buy from boohoo.com and love it!  Probably suits pale skin tones better as it's white but takes the shine away!
technic Get Gorgeous highlighting powder - also boohoo, pleasant surprise!
Rimmel 60 Second Nail Varnish
Penneys Nail Drying Spray - actually seems to work!
Johnson's Face Wipes - I use the ones for sensitive skin and my face always feels lovely and soft after!  For those times when you cannot fathom washing your face right now
Batiste Dry Shampoo - I've tried them all and I always come back to this.
Lidl Cien Spray Deodorant - the blue one is the business!  The dry shampoo is a close second to Batiste.
Inglot Gel Eyeliner - the one in the pot that you have to use a brush with - stays on and hasn't dried out in the year I've owned it with daily use - still have half the pot left too!
Ted Baker - got the blush/bronzer palette in a gift hamper last year and love it!
Eylure Lashes - the Natural style ones you'd genuinely get away with in the daytime - and only Eylure glue!
Penneys new range of strip lashes - Wispies maybe?
Cocoa Brown shimmer oil
SEVENTEEN Stay Time liquid concealer
Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palettes
 
MISSES:
Inglot HD Foundation – horrible coverage, doesn’t stay. Terrible.
Rimmel liquid eyeliner – you’re better off using a Sharpie
Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation – disappointing
Herbal Essence dry shampoo – laughable.  Essentially hairspray that you brush out, and then your hair feels even worse so you have to wash it.
Benefit High Beam Highlighter – it dries too quickly or something, I never like the result.
Benefit They’re Real Mascara – suuuuper thick, excellent if you’re about to perform in a drag show but otherwise one coat is too much and the brush has notions.
Catrice lip pencils
Simple, Boots brand, and Penneys brand Face Wipes – meh, meh, meh
NARS Sheer Glow foundation – not worth the money
Activated charcoal tooth whitening powder – it might work wonders with consistent use but for me no better than normal whitening toothpaste
Penneys tweezers – none of them work for actual plucking
Any Dove spray deodorants

Wow, I have a lot of opinions apparently. :blink:

dee_mc

I tried the Simple wipes too, just for emergencies, and found them very dry - I took a micellar water I also didn't like (I think it was the Penneys one but there have been several I haven't got on with!) and poured a bit into the pack of wipes, and now I use them to clean my makeup bag and palettes etc.
That Catrice Hd foundation is my favourite, too. Up there with Double Wear.
Also love the L'Oreal salt spray for beachy waves, it's the pale blue one. Handy locking mechanism on the spray top, too.