2019 Beauty Faves: Makeup

I know I’m a little late with a roundup of my 2019 favorites and I wanted to do just one post, but there were so many products that launched this year (or that I discovered this year) that I had to break it into three categories. This post will focus primarily on makeup. There will be one for hair and one for skincare. Since this was the largest category with the most products. So let’s jump right into it.

Prime & Set

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer – Hands down, this was probably the best primer release of the year. It worked with practically all skin types and definitely made your foundation last longer. During the warmer months I also enjoyed the cooling effect that this had on the skin once applied. It blurred my pores and no matter what foundation I applied with this primer it extended the wear time and kept my oils in my t-zones at bay.

Smashbox Photo Finish Setting Spray Weightless – I love this setting spray. It really melts your foundation and setting powder so that it is one with your skin. You only need a few sprays and it is a very fine mist. It’s like a combination of Urban Decay’s All-Nighter and Morphe Continuous Mist—also favorites of mine.

Foundation

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation – This was probably one of the most polarizing foundations to release this year. First of all, there was the whole shipping debacle and then there were some who just did not care for the finish or the rather hefty price tag ($68). While I did have some trouble getting the product shipped to me (I waited almost 2 weeks to receive it), I have to say it was well worth the wait. At first I was a little scared that it would not work with my combo-oily skin type, but it did. I had been moving away from matte finish foundations and this leaves my skin with such a glow that is very skin-like. It definitely evened out my skin tone and lasted for hours without breaking up on my face. Initially, I didn’t care for the primer, but it has grown on me (although I will not be repurchasing the primer). Set with the setting powder this foundation is amazing. I find myself reaching for this foundation more often then not whether it be day or night.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30 – Love this foundation because it really lasts all day and does not settle into fine lines. When I use this foundation I can go a full work day without blotting. This is definitely a daytime foundation because if you were to use this at night and someone was to to take flash photography of you, you will get flashback because the rather hight SPF. Shiseido is a brand that is known for their highly effective skincare so to see if that could translate into how they approach complexion products was what I was most interested in. Unfortunately, as much as I love this foundation there are some cons.  

I was working at Shiseido when they were working on the formula for this foundation. I wasn’t able to get all the details, but I really wanted to try this foundation since Shiseido Makeup was relaunching and I had already fell in love with a few of the products —specifically their ModernMatte and VisionAiryGel lipsticks. To be honest, I was a little scared of what the shade range was going to look like since in the past, their complexion products have not been that inclusive. Then it launched. I tried to use a shade match app to pick my shade since I could not wait for it to actually be available in-store at Sephora. I was initially matched to shade 430, but I knew better so I went for shade 440. When it arrived, I was so disappointed. It was way too light for me and left a gray cast because of the high SPF. I was determined to try this foundation because the formula was so great so I went with shade 510 Suede. Ultimately, it’s not my perfect match but when applied with my brightening concealer everything balances out. I hope they expand their range, especially in the medium-dark to dark-deep categories. If you are able to find your shade match it is worth the coin though

 

Concealer

FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer– Honestly, I don’t think anyone can say anything negative about this concealer. It provides coverage, isn’t drying and it’s lightweight. It’s like everything that you want in a concealer. There was an excellent shade range and the price point more than matched the quality of the product.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Instant Fix Concealer – this is honesty for those days when my under eyes need a little more love. The serum side is really smooths the skin before applying the lightweight with medium buildable coverage concealer. I love this product.

Bronzer

If I’m being honest I’ve never been a huge fan of bronzer but when I came across the two bronzers (one being in a palette and the other by one of my favorite indie makeup brands) I developed a love for bronzer and found a place for it in my makeup routine.

The Lip Bar Fresh Glow Bronzer/Blush Duo – First of all, I love this packaging. It’s travel friendly, has a mirror and adds just the right amount of glow to your look. An easy compact to carry from day to night and the color range is great. Please note, that both the bronzer and the blush have a little sparkle so it definitely is good for a night out or a glam look.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Pro Face Palette – Out of all of the Sephora Collection launches, this is my favorite. This was a well thought out palette that was executed perfectly. The palette contains 2 bronzers (one of the bronzers can be used as a contour shade), 4 blushes and 2 highlighters. I spoke extensively about this palette in a previous post when I first purchased it earlier this year and it has been in heavy rotation ever since. In my opinion the value of the palette exceeds the cost, which is alway a win.

Mascara

Lip

Natasha Denona I Need A Nude Lipstick – This year I really got into nude lipsticks. There were a few that I picked up from work that were mostly matte formulas. Then after watching Alicia Archer’s (aka kinkysweat on youtube) review of the I Need A Nude collection I was sold. The formula is so smooth and creamy, yet incredibly long-lasting.

Unframe The Beauty UZ 38ºC/99°F Lip Treatment – This is the most unusual lip treatment that I have ever used. At first glance you would think that it was just a lip gloss—and it is, but it is also so much more. It’s a gloss, sleeping mask and a lip exfoliator all in one. I chose the black gloss which is sheer and looks beautiful on pigmented lips but can be worn as a topper. It’s a treatment that you can use daily. Highly recommend this.

Eyeshadow

Anastasia Beverly Hills x Jackie Aina Palette – Jackie made a palette. For every five times that decide to wear eyeshadow I’m probably choosing this palette two of those times. The other three times I’m wearing Pat McGrath Mothership VI Midnight Sun. Both of these palettes show up beautifully on dark skin and they last forever.

So there you have it, my makeup faves of 2019! See any of your favorites here?

Check back soon for my skincare and hair faves of 2019.