Now that the year is coming to an end, I thought it would a great opportunity to share my favorite makeup products from 2012!

Since I’ve been in Shanghai the entire year, most of my makeup favorites are my staples that I always loved. And I have some new favorites that were either recommended or gifted to me! I’m so excited to share with you my favorites of the year.

SUNSCREEN:

Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock:

I bought this while I was visiting the BFF in America and I normally buy the regular Neutrogena sun blocks but I have to say that I love this one. It’s a bit thick but I love that the SPF is high, there is no scent and it doesn’t irritate my skin.

EYE PRIMER:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion:

I wonder if having monolids have anything to do with my makeup running off my face all the time. I started using this years ago and it’s been by far the BEST primer for my eyes. I’ve tried others but after a while, my makeup would end up on my cheeks. A tube of this lasts me all year!

EYESHADOW:

Urban Decay Naked Palette:

My SIL convinced me to buy this and I am so glad that I did. Believe it or not, I bought this before Shanghai and I am still using it! The colors in this palette are great for every occasion. The shadows are pigmented, creamy and are sooooooo blend-able. I love that it’s all in one place, easy to travel with and I’ve been using this everyday. I say the EASE of this palette is what makes it my favorite!

Drug store fave: Loreal Infallible Shadows (They are amazing for the price!)

EYELINER:

Milani Liquif’eye: This is an amazing, creamy eyeliner that can be bought at a drugstore. I think I bought mine on sale for “Buy one get one”. Instead of using this directly on my eyes, I use a eyeliner brush and it feels like those expensive, cream liners! 

High end fave: Lancome Artliner, My best friend gifted this to me for Christmas and it is SO EASY to use. It’s the only liquid liner that has been fool proof for me. 

Bronzer:

Guerlain Terracotta: There are some days I only wear this. Whenever I wear this, people say I have a glow, I look radiant and I always get complimented on my skin. I am still using the same compact from two years ago, this lasts forever. It’s definitely super expensive but I got it through a discount. I don’t know if I can shell out that much money for this once it runs out so I’ll have to get a discount again. I haven’t found a drug store brand that has matched this but I’m sure there are plenty out there that others like! 

Foundation: 

Oh dear. My SIL has done it again, I have never bought foundation or felt that I really needed it. However, I have noticed that when we go out to nicer places or having our pictures taken… I wish my skin was a little bit more even. I read her review and saw the pictures but I didn’t believe her. (I don’t know why, she’s always been right with makeup! haha)

So the hubs and I go to Bloomingdales and I stopped by the Armani counter to try their Maestro Foundation. I was fully expecting to not be impressed skin my skin is usually clear and I have a few freckles, redness but nothing to bother me. 

It was A HUGE MISTAKE. YOU KNOW WHY?

I fell in love with my skin! I had a beautiful, even (but natural) skin tone. The redness around my nose, edges of my lips and all of my sun freckles were gone! The foundation melted into my skin and lasted all day, no smearing… I swear I felt like I had NO makeup on. It was an impulse buy but I don’t wear it every day and pregnancy has made my skin a little unpredictable. Can I also say that every foundation that I have ever tried, melts off my face in just a few minutes. This stayed on my face all day and never rubbed off!

Oh my goodness…. I am IN LOVE with this. (and high five to the SIL, you were right!!!)

LIPS:

Any and all of the Burt’s Bees products! I love their regular lip balm and I have one in my purse at all times. The times I want a little color, I use their tinted lip balms and it provides just enough color for me. They are inexpensive and my lips love them. (I also love those Revlon lip butters!)

As far as other products: mascara, blush, etc… I have been using drug store products or gifts with purchases. Mascaras are SOOOO expensive and can’t last, I used to use Dior Show when I had a discount but I don’t anymore and it’s just not worth the hefty price tag to me. Plus drug store makeup is amazing now a days! (ELF blush anyone? They’re amazing!)

I definitely have a lot of makeup that I use but these are my go to products. 

What are some of your favorites??