As we say goodbye to 2013 and take a look back at all the memories, we also say goodbye to our well-loved products that we religiously used throughout the year. Just kidding, of course we're not going to say goodbye to these beauties. In 2013, my banks balance was given a good hit and I was a regular visitor in Boots and Superdrug. My makeup collection has most definitely filled up this year, all thanks to blogs and YouTuber's. Yes, I blame you all. I have a tendency to buy a new product every time I'm shopping, even if I don't necessarily need it, and so I've grown to love many products that I have used almost everyday. I'm going to admit, it was hard finalising my choices for each section but I did it!
Face
Primer: Benefit POREfessional
This primer was all the rave in 2013. I thought I'd it to my collection and bought it at Heathrow airport back in February. I'm not really a primer fan. I sometimes wear it, especially when I'm going out and want my make up to last, however other times I usually just stick with my everyday moisturiser. But, this does wonders, it is easy to apply and makes your skin feel silky smooth with the added bonus of making your make up last. It is quite pricey at £24.50.
Foundation: Rimmel Wake Me Up and Bourjois Healthy Mix
I found it quite difficult to choose one foundation as I had used one for the majority of the year until around autumn when I changed. So, I stuck with two. I began the year with Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation, another well-hyped product in the blogosphere. I loved this foundation so much that I repurchased it without wanting to try another foundation, which kind of proves it's worth using right? It contains a slight shimmer to give the skin a radiant glow. I wrote a full review on it here and you can buy it from any drugstore for only £8.99. However, after summer was over, my skin started to become dry and a nesting area for spots. Basically, I needed a higher coverage foundation. I took my usual trip to my local drugstore and searched round for a new foundation. I had heard so many good things said about the Bourjois foundations and I really liked the sound of their healthy mix range but could never depart from my trusty Wake Me Up. I did manage to whip out my debit card and purchase the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix foundation for £9.99. I haven't put this foundation down since I bought and i would highly recommend it for anyone who wants a higher coverage foundation. It still leaves a nice dewy finish and doens't look cakey on the skin.
Concealor: Collection Lasting Perfection
Oh, the well loved Collection concealor, how we all adore you. I'm going to stick with this concealor as my favourite because it is honestly amazing. Such good coverage and lasts all day! I can get bad under eye shadows sometimes and this hides them perfectly! It's a good buy as well at only £4.19.
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte
Again, another well loved and trusty product. This powder is by far the best powder I've used. I just dust it over my forehead, nose and chin and then pat it into the skin around my eyes after I've completed my foundation and concealor. Itt sets your make up into place and helps it last longer. It's a bargain as well at only £3.99!
Cheeks
Bronzer: Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder
I'm more of a blush girl and when it comes to bronzers, I don't really have a preference just as long as they're not too dark for my skin because I'm quite pale. I'd heard loads of good things about this bronzer so I thought I'd give it a go and it does the job. I haven't used any other bronzer this year, but mainly because I don't use a lot of it so it is no where near the stage of running out. I use it to contour my cheekbones and bronze up my nose and neck to give a bit of warmth to my face. It also smells like chocolate and costs £6.99.
Blush: Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush and MAC At Dusk
Again, I couldn't choose one blush so I went for two, well three (kind of). I used these Bourjois Cream Blushes in 02 Healthy Glow and 03 Rose Tender and applied them by using a Real Techniques Buffing brush which gave them a great finish. They're well pigmented and last all day! These were the first cream blushes I had tried and certainly loved them throughout 2013. They cost £7.99 and I've already hit pan on one of them! Sad times. I then turned to a powder blush from MAC in the colour At Dusk. It is an Extra Dimension blush and is pricier than the other products mentioned at a cost of £20.00. It's a dusty pink shade and suits my skin tone perfectly! It is well pigmented and very long lasting, gives a glowing look to the skin.
Highlighter: MAC Soft and Gentle Mineralise Skin Finish
This had been at the top of my beauty wishlist for such a long time and when I went on holiday in the summer, I thought I'd treat myself to it before I left. It is honestly the best highlighter I've used and I always turn to it for an amazing glow to add to my cheekbones, cupid's bow and nose. It's not too shimmery so it doesn't make you look like Edward Cullen when you step outside but gives a subtle shimmer and brightens up your look. It's quite pricey at £22.00 but well worth it!
Eyes
Base: Maybelline Colour Tattoos
This was the year that I got into eyeshadows. I never used to do anything but apply eyeliner and mascara so I thought I'd experiment more with my make up and push myself to try some eyeshadows. I knew I needed a base for my eyeshadow and after the whole craze over the Maybelline colour tattoos came about I thought I should join in. They're known as the dupe for MAC's paint pots and they're such a cut on the price. I love the shades Pink Gold and On and On Bronze and sometimes I just wear them on their own with a bit of eyeliner or use them as a base to keep my eyeshadow in place. They're only priced at £4.99 and at that bargain they're definitely worth a try!
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Palette
I bought this for my Year 11 prom back in 2012 and I never really used it again until this year. I've been experimenting with different looks from the palette and I'm in love with it, just like everyone else. It's a trusty palette with a range of neutrals, both shimmer and matte, and the colours are so pigmented and long-lasting. The palette costs £37.00 which can be seen as pricey for many but what you get in it makes it definitely worth the money.
Eyeliner: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner
After running out of my well-loved Seventeen liquid eyeliner pen and discovering that it was discontinued *sigh*, I needed to find a new eyeliner friend. I decided to go for a gel eyeliner because I had heard that they were long-lasting and easy to apply. Let me tell you, the first bit is right, but the latter...it takes a while to get used to applying it. I'm still no good and I've had it for a few months now! It's a great little eyeliner and finishes off the look perfectly. However, at a price of £7.99, I personally think it's a little overpriced for how much you get but still worth it.
Mascara: Maybelline The Falsies
After watching a few of Tanya Burr's YouTube videos, she always went on about how much she loved this mascara and whenever she applied it, it looked amazing! So, yet again, I thought I'd treat myself. It is honestly one of the best mascaras I've used. It lengthens your lashes, curls them, volumises them and lasts all day. Perfect. It costs £7.99 from any drugstore.
Brows: Body Shop Brow and Lash Gel
I don't tend to fill in my eyebrows because I have thick and dark eyebrows already however, I do have to tame them and keep them in place. I bought this product at the end of 2012 and have used it ever since. I'm in need of a new one though, hence why it looks so dirty, my baaad! It keeps my brows in place and costs £10.00.
Lips
Lipstick: MAC Hue and Creme Cup
I always wear nude lipstick, even if it's just something to pop on in a hurry. However, this year I have branched out and reached for the reds and darker tones but nothing will ever be the same as these two beauties. MAC's Hue is the perfect nude. It suits any skin tone and is great when you want to keep the look simple and sophisticated and not look like you have foundation lips. MAC's Creme Cup is more of a pinky nude and gives a girly feel to any make up look. They are both moisturising and give a hint of gloss too so that they don't mattify your lips. Well pigmented and very long-lasting! They cost £15.00 which I think is getting a bit overpriced, the prices seem to be going up which I'm not impressed with!
I found some great buys in 2013 and definitely products that I will use again. I wonder what 2014's make up collection will bring and we'll see whether any of my favourites are the same this time next year!
Let me know in the comments below what your favourite products have been throughout 2013!
Charlotte xxx
