Favorite Makeup Products of 2018

So, it's the end of the year, and everyone is making their lists of the best and worst makeup of 2018. The older I get and the less involved with the "influencer" side of the beauty industry I become, these lists matter less and less to me. That also might be because we are so inundated with new releases that it's hard to hold onto a few select products as "the best." And even if they do make that cut, where will they be six months or a year from now?

I didn't try a ton of new makeup this year. I did buy some things and I was gifted a few things, but I was generally less concerned with buying.

Because of this, it didn't make much sense to me to create my own "best of 2018" list, since I didn't buy many new releases and mainly just used and loved what I already had. And then it struck me—that's the entire point of this blog. To encourage mindful shopping and using what you already own.

So I decided to write a post on my favorite makeup items of 2018—most of which I acquired before 2018.

FACE

Foundation: Fenty Pro Filt'r 

I talked in depth about this foundation in a recent post, but this is a really fantastic foundation. It gives my skin a light, skin-like finish and provides a lot of coverage while also not looking like a mask. I love the shade range, and it is a brand that I feel good supporting. 

Primer: Australian Gold Tinted Sunscreen

I've used this sunscreen as a primer for a while, and despite trying several different primers this year, it still came out on top for me. My previous favorite foundation (It Cosmetics CC+) had SPF 50 within it, so it is even more important to me now to have SPF in my primer. I've raved about this sunscreen before, and I will continue to do so. It's non-greasy and yet really holds onto foundation well. I love it. 

Multi-purpose spray: MAC Fix+

I have used MAC Fix+ for many years, but I used it more this year than any other. And that's because I finally started wetting eyeshadows. This was never something I was all that interested in, mainly because I didn't feel I should have to wet an eyeshadow in order for it to work. And I still agree with that (I'm looking at you, Makeup Revolution The Emily Edit). However, some shadows still perform dry but pack a little more punch when wet, and those are the ones for which I don't mind putting in the additional effort. To wet shadows, I'll only use Fix+. This product was also heavily used when I was finishing my Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot powder and my face looked like it was caked in product. Fix+ took down the powder look and made my skin appear a bit more natural. 

Bronzer: Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light

It's not surprising that my favorite bronzer is from Hourglass, since all of my favorite powder face products are from Hourglass. I didn't use bronzer for years (I didn't understand the point of it, to be honest), and I still only use a small amount, but I have come to really love the warmth it gives my face. With that said, I'm unsure how anyone ever finishes a bronzer. I have had this product for a long time, and I use it almost daily, and I have only made a small dent in it. 

Setting powder: Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

This is a relatively new product to me, so it might be a little unfair to call it a favorite already, but I don't care. It is. I purchased this powder to replace my One Heck of a Blot powder when it was finished, and I absolutely love it. It makes my skin look airbrushed. That shouldn't be surprising—so many Hourglass products do that. I feel like you might not notice a huge difference with this powder (and other Hourglass products) until you stop using it. That happened to me with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, and I just couldn't understand why my face looked so dull when I didn't use it. I feel the same about this. 

Finishing powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light

I've talked about this product so much at this point, so all I will say here is that I can't really see anything ever topping this powder for me. I plan on using it as long as Hourglass makes it. 

BLUSH

I have a sizable blush collection (though it probably appears small when compared to a large number of beauty content creators), and these four are the ones that stood out to me this year as the best. 

Marc Jacobs Lines and Last Night

Lines and Last Night is a perfect peach/orange blush for my skin tone, and it lasts all day without fading. I have two other Marc Jacobs blushes in this formula, but neither are quite as special (on me) as this one.

NARS Exhibit A

I've talked about this blush several times before, but this is my all-time favorite and the blush I wear the most.

MAC Gingerly 

This blush is such a great color, but unfortunately, the staying power isn't the greatest on me. I really like to pair Gingerly with a yellow-gold highlighter and warm nude (on me) lipstick. It also looks great with green or mustard eyeshadow!

Hourglass Mood Exposure

Next to Exhibit A, this is my favorite blush. Whenever I can't quite figure out what blush to wear, I go for this one. When I'm traveling, this is usually the only blush I take. I think what everyone else loves about Tarte Exposed is what I love about Mood Exposure.

HIGHLIGHTER

I firmly believe that a highlighter is a highlighter is a highlighter. I picked my three favorites from the year and the three I've worn the most, but honestly, while there are differences between them, I think they all look pretty similar on the skin—like almost every highlighter. 

Becca Vanilla Quartz

For years, Becca Moonstone was my top favorite, and it probably still is, but I wore Vanilla Quartz the most in 2018. I like that it has a yellow/peach base instead of a champagne base, which sets it slightly apart from Moonstone. Becca highlighters will likely always be my favorite, and Vanilla Quartz is a stunner. 

Physician's Formula Butter Highlighter in Pearl

I've recently talked about Pearl, but I have to say that I'll never understand why people seemed to have skipped over this highlighter. This is the only highlighter from the Butter line that I personally felt was unique, but performs at a level that is far above its price range. I would think people would rave about the Butter line, but unless I'm missing something, I haven't heard anything. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills X Amrezy Highlighter

This highlighter was given to me as a gift at a time when I really wasn't wearing much makeup or focused on anything other than recovering from 5 years of unhappiness and environmental depression as a result of living in New York City. So, it took me quite a while to use it. But since then, I have worn it a lot, and it has become a favorite.

Honestly, I wouldn't have purchased this highlighter myself, and I debated even including it in this list. And the reason for that is because Amrezy is not a person who I personally feel comfortable supporting. I understand that she and Norvina of ABH are friends, but I don't think she's a good candidate as a brand ambassador.

The highlighter is really pretty, and I was surprised by how much I liked the strong yellow-gold color. I pair this highlighter with MAC Gingerly, and I think the two make a really nice combination.

EYESHADOW PALETTES (NEW)

The irony here, of course, is that my two favorite eyeshadow palettes that released in 2018 (or at least were new to me) are pretty far apart in terms of price. I purchased NYX Grind for $12 (when it was on sale), and the Pat McGrath Decadence palette was a hefty $125. 

NYX Grind

I've heard next to no one talk about this palette, and I really don't understand why. I think it's really fantastic and one of the best color stories to come out in a while. It performs at a level that is much higher than its price range, and I don't have to work to make the shadows perform. They are just high quality. It's always a treat to use this palette. 

Pat McGrath Mothership IV — Decadence 

I bought this palette as a "Congrats, you survived New York" gift to myself. Decadence is the nicest makeup item I have ever owned. (I was then gifted another Pat McGrath palette—one of the smaller ones—and I was not impressed with that.) I have no concept why Decadence was the only limited edition Mothership palette. That makes no sense to me because I feel like it's the best one. And I think it's really disappointing that people can't buy it anymore. 

I had a slightly hard time tracking it down (it was sold out online and I had to put this one on hold at a Sephora near me and then race to buy it), but I never made the connection that it was limited edition (and not a false scarcity tactic). I remember the Sephora employee gasping when I gave my name and said what I was picking up. And I remember thinking that was weird. 

This is a beautiful palette, and these are the highest quality eyeshadows I have ever used. That's especially why I was disappointed in the smaller PM palette as it doesn't seem that the quality is consistent across the board. Decadence is the perfect name for this palette. I only wish it was still available for people to purchase. 

EYESHADOW PALETTE (NOT NEW)

BH Cosmetics Zodiac 

Up front, I need to give a disclaimer. As I detailed in my last post, I'm not sure that I will ever buy from BH Cosmetics again because I have recently had the worst customer service experience to date after purchasing from them. Long story short: They took 28 days to ship a product to me, lied to me, ignored me, and then blamed the USPS for their errors. I was incredibly disappointed by how I was treated, and when I went onto their social media, the comments were littered with people like me who were being ignored and were frustrated. Customer service is a big deal to me (and most consumers), so, at present, this is not a company that I can or do recommend purchasing from. 

With that said, the Zodiac palette is my favorite palette in my collection. And I'm including it in this post because if you already own this palette, I wanted to maybe remind you of how great it is and encourage you to get more use out of it. Zodiac is a fantastic palette, and it performs better than a lot of high-end palettes that I've tried. It is beyond disappointing that BH Cosmetics handled their customer service so unprofessionally because I really do love a lot of their products. 

SINGLE EYESHADOWS

If you've read my blog for any period of time, you'll know that I love single eyeshadows. Reflecting upon which are my favorite of the year, I found that there was a nice mix of new and old shadows. They are:

Marc Jacobs Copperazzi

Fyrinnae Rapunzel Had Extensions

Fyrinnae Serendipity 

Urban Decay Space Cowboy

Marc Jacobs The Big O!

Hourglass Foil

Fyrinnae It Beautifies! 

I have talked about all of these shadows in previous posts, so I will just say that these are the singles in my collection that really stand out, either because of color, texture, or finish. 

SINGLE EYESHADOWS (HONORABLE MENTION)

This might be cheating, but I wanted to give a mention to my giant palette (from Coloured Raine) of single shadows that I either purchased individually or depotted from palettes. This giant collection of singles helps me dupe so many new releases, and my desire to own new things gets immediately curbed. Largely, I don't think singles get enough love, but they are the best tool I have to resist buying something unnecessary. Singles will forever be one of my favorite products. 

LIPS

If I'm honest, I haven't always been a huge lip product person. That's largely because:

• I drink coffee all day and hate getting lipstick all over my nice mugs
• I typically only apply lipstick in the morning 
• I very rarely reapply my lipstick throughout the day

But, even though I might not wear it as much as I would like, I still apply some kind of lip product most days, and these are my favorites.

NARS Barbara

The NARS Audacious lipstick formula is one of my all-time favorites, and Barbara is my go-to warm nude (on me) that I pair with bold eyes, MAC Gingerly, and the ABH highlighter. 

NARS Anna

I think this is a perfect lip color for me and my skin tone, and it feels like the lipstick version of Hourglass Mood Exposure. 

Estée Lauder Shock & Awe

This has been in a monthly favorites post before, and I continue to love it. On me, it's not as bright as it looks in the tube, and I find it to be a really wearable and pretty pink. 

Pat McGrath Antidote

I bought this lipstick at the same time that I bought the Decadence palette, and I absolutely love it. I don't have anything even similar in color, and I love wearing it with a matte mustard eye look. 

Tom Ford Fetishist 

I wrote about this lipstick in a recent post, and I will say that despite the staggering price tag, it's a great lipstick. Its staying powder is like none other in my collection (including liquid lipsticks!). The color is deep and romantic, and it feels every bit as luxurious as you would expect from Tom Ford (and its price!).

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March Favorites

In terms of makeup, I had a good March. I discovered some great new products and thoroughly enjoyed old favorites. Even better than that, I can't remember the last time I was tempted by a new release. That's the fun thing about getting to know your collection and really allowing yourself to enjoy it. Once you do, you realize you have little to no need for anything else new. 

Colourpop Lumiere lipliner and Estee Lauder Shock & Awe lipstick

When I ordered a few Colourpop pressed shadows a while ago, I also added two lip pencils since those are generally reviewed positively. I have never really been a lipliner girl, but that's because until the past nine months or so, I've never really been much of a lipstick wearer. And by that I mean that, historically, I haven't really liked to reapply lipstick throughout the day. I started a "project pan" of sorts in the summer, and one of the items I was trying to use up was a Burberry lipstick. (A project pan, for those of you who aren't familiar, is when you try to use up makeup items.) I did finish that lipstick (and loved it), and since then, I have been a lipstick wearer. 

I really love the color of Estee Lauder Shock & Awe lipstick:

But on me, it felt a little intense to wear to work. I decided to pair it with Lumiere lipliner (I apply the lipliner all over the lips first, not just around the edge of the lips), and the combination is so perfect. It's a beautiful berry color, but more specifically looks like a purple cherry. I love it, and somehow, it's slightly more neutral than Shock & Awe on its own. I have worn this combination almost every single day in the past month. The only days I haven't worn it are when either my eye makeup or shirt clashes with it. And the best part is that even through two cups of coffee, water, and lunch, I don't need to reapply throughout the day. I put it on before I leave in the morning, and the color stays for about nine hours. 

The only downside is that I am burning through Lumiere lipliner. I'm not a huge fan of Colourpop on the whole and don't really want to order more from them, so I hope I can find a suitable replacement soon. To show how much I've used, I've put it next to the lipstick:

Becca Moonstone

As you can see, this highlighter is certainly a favorite of mine, and this has been my primary highlighter for the past month. I've mentioned before that I have many highlighters, but if I was only allowed to have one, this would probably be it. I think the champagne tone is just so lovely, and I think it gives a solid highlight without it looking cartoonish like a lot of the highlighters right now. This is a classic to me, and I love it. 

Marc Jacobs Daisy

If I ever had to describe my "signature scent," it would be Daisy. And that's funny to me because the first time I ever smelled it, more than seven years ago, I really didn't like it. I was living in the UK at the time, and my friend drove us to Cardiff. (We lived in a small town, and I really wanted to go "for real" shopping, so we had to go to a bigger city.) We went into some department store (probably so I could look at makeup), and we stopped in the fragrance section. She tried Daisy and completely fell for it. I smelled it and thought it smelled a little too strong and didn't like it at all (I can't for the life of me remember why I thought that). We both ended up leaving the store empty-handed, but she never stopped talking about Daisy. Many months later, my visa was up and I needed to go back home. I was utterly devastated since I had made so many close friends there, and the day I left remains one of the hardest of my entire life. I was in Heathrow airport, numb from having cried for hours getting there, and I had time to kill before my flight back to the US. I went into one of the Duty Free shops and spotted Daisy. I sprayed it on myself, and immediately I was brought back to that lovely trip to Cardiff with my good friend. And more than that, I was reminded of her. So I bought the biggest bottle of it they had. And since then, it has become my favorite perfume, and as I mentioned, my signature scent. 

In the "project pan" I mentioned above, it was my goal to get through four perfumes this year. This bottle of Daisy was a couple years old, and I wanted to use it up and then use up some of my other perfumes before buying it again. Even though this bottle was a couple years old, it had barely been used. And that's because Daisy is such a precious scent to me that I never wanted to be without it. I decided to throw that out the window this month and use it as much as I wanted, and I ended up using the entire bottle. The scent didn't last too long on me, which isn't something I like about the product, but I did love every second of wearing this. I can't wait to get through some of my other perfumes and then only have the two or three perfumes I most love—one of which will be Daisy. (Also, I said I've never wanted to be without Daisy, so I still have a rollerball of this currently in my collection.)

Illamasqua Cascade

I'll just start with the obvious. This shadow came completely smashed. It wasn't even broken in large chunks; it was entirely power. I was so disappointed and contacted Illamasqua to send me another, but they issued a refund instead. I didn't want to buy another shadow and have to pay another $8 for shipping, so I decided to repress this and hope for the best. And, honestly, I have no idea how this shadow would have performed in its original state, but I absolutely love it. This has actually replaced my beloved Make Up For Ever Pearl as my go-to inner corner highlight. It's a bright white with a blue shift, and the texture is completely smooth. I really can't say enough good things about this shadow. It's the only one I've ever tried from Illamasqua, so, again, I can't really speak to their formula for the most part. 

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy

I had to mention Pixie Epoxy just because I have enjoyed wearing it under shadows since I got it. I absolutely love what it does to my shadows and how it makes them look so foiled and metallic. As a caveat, I don't like products that require a product like this in order to make them work. I think products should be able to perform on their own. That aside, I do love how this works. 

Fyrinnae eyeshadows

Again, no surprise here, and these were probably my favorite items of the month. I have completely fallen for indie shadows, and of the few different brands I've tried, Fyrinnae is my favorite. My two favorite shades have been Rapunzel Had Extensions (left) and Serendipity (right). I am so happy I decided to try these shadows because they have not only calmed any cravings for new mainstream releases, but they have flat out killed them. There is literally nothing out right now that even partially temps me, and I think that's because I know that nothing will be quite as special and lovely as my indie shadows. And I already have my neutrals covered ten times over, so what the hell do I need any more of that for?

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What's In My Makeup Bag?

You have no idea how many eyeshadows, powders, brushes, lippies and mirrors I carry with me. When I was in highschool and college my pen's always missing, but my eyeliners were always complete, and never misplaced. Sometimes I even forget my notes at home,

but my book of eyeshadow palettes were never forgotten...

Makeup Kit last 2010

1.Avon Supershock mascara in black

2. Revlon eyelash curler

3. Estee Lauder eyeliner 

4. eyebrow brush

5. lipbrush from Tinte cosmetics

6.Elf smudge brush

7. Barenaturals flat top brush

8. Tinte Cosmetics Matchbook in Natural Beauty

9. The Face Shop Cream Foundation

10. Lancome ColorFocus Self Select eyeshadow quad

11. that pie looking eyeshadow that I couldn't remember the brand

I used to love that Matchbook from Tinte Cosmetics in Natural Beauty that I bought at Beauty Bar for P1,600 pesos only and the Lancome Color Focus Self Select eyeshadow quad from my bezzie.

More makeups that I alternately use before, some were prizes from Maybelline and L'oreal

when I won for Hair in Manila's contest last 2010.

http://hairinmanila.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/look-of-the-week-winner-jan28-feb5/

When I was working my makeup kit has doubled. Sometimes I carry everything I can,

coz whenever I have free time I put makeup on, take a selfie and blog.

It's my office table way back 2012. That flowery tangerine makeup bag's from Clinique,

and was given by my aunt who gave the same Louis Vuitton's Spring 2002 Collection White Multicolour/Murakami Monogram Speedy 30 bag. I told everyone in the office that the bag's fake every time they ask me if it's authentic. I don't want to overwhelm them like why I use such thing and I seldom use it. But it isn't. It's actually the original LV Speedy 30.

Aunt bought it before the knockoffs were sold in the market. I'm still thankful she gave it to me, of all the people that she knew. The first time that I saw this bag, I think I was in highschool. I don't care much about LV that time. Seeing it again, it didn't look old, and it's more than 10 years old.

What's more important than that bag was the piece of advice she gave me and it really did change some of my plans in life, love and career. Aunt currently resides in California.

I just see her once every 2 years, or twice a year.

Another office table shot! Yes I do share my makeups with my office mates.I even received gifts from them. That Chanel kit was given by Ate Janice, my friend who used to work with Elizabeth Arden at Duty Free Cosmetics aisle.There's more that wasn't even reached by my cam.You have no idea.

Now that I'm preggo I've decided to minimize everything! I only carry the important ones, but they still seem plenty for a small purse.

Purse from: Marithe Francois Girbaud

What's inside my purse?

1. Revlon Eyelash curler

2. Victoria's Secret Dream Angels miniature perfume

3. Clinique eyeshadow and blush quad

4. Mac Heatherette Compact replaced with a dual powder foundation

5. Maybelline Clearsmooth Mineral Blush in Original rose

6. Etude House Shini Star Lipbalm in Guava

7. L'oreal Hip Eyeshadow brush

8. Elf Stippling brush

9. Barenaturals Flat Top brush

10. Kirkland Borghease Eyebrow brush

11. Jazzy Collection Cream Foundation

12. Johnson's baby lotion

13. Nyx Lipstick in Dusty Rose

I even customized my own palette that I can easily carry around,travelling, sleepovers at my father in law's house, anywhere.I depotted neutral eyeshadows and a few pink and peach blushes. Some were from my Kirkland Borghease palette, Sugar Skull Cosmetics 88 Earth Palette, and single eyeshadows that I got from the past.

When I was still a student nurse all the essential things for the patient should be at bedside.

Well, my bedside's like this at the moment, a few weeks from now it'll be different

and all my makeup stash will be there. ^_^ I feel sorry for my husband.

The scent that I'm loving at the moment: Heiress.I've been sniffing this scent from my bestfriend for years and years but I don't like it that much. Now my pregnant brain told my

olfactory nerve that this one's the best, aside from Purr by Katy Perry.

 By the way go and check it out! I'm lovin' these accessories from Sweet Frostings.

https://www.facebook.com/sweetfrostingsph

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4minute Hyuna Bubble Pop MV Inspired Makeup

I love Hyuna. I used to think she was overrated and I don't like the way she dances too provocatively with seducing facial expressions to think she's still too younh, but after I saw her in person during their visit and small show at the SM Mall of Asia,I'm officially a fan!!

She's prettier in person than on television and even pictures. She has a very small face,

thick voluminous hair and she's sexy skinny, I mean really skinny but sexy.

Hyuna was originally a member of Wondergirls, but due to her health she was replaced
and she didn't even make it when the Wondergirls made it big. But I think she fits well with 4minute more than with WG.

Her solo promotions were good.
"Change" was sick,

 

but "Bubble pop" is sicker for me.

When I saw the video I instantly got addicted that I even shared it with my bestfriend.

She dances well and every wardrobe she wore turned out to be amazing.

It hugged her figure really well.

But, the first few minutes from her music video

reminds me of Beyonce's Crazy in love MV.

Same outfit & entrance LOL

However,thefact is she's still very young. Her image doesn't go well with her age.
Sometimes her facial expressions were scarier than any other
sexy stars in Korea, which makes her even older and more experienced than Hyori.
She doesn't look innocent at all which is really sad. She's too young for that.

but I also strongly agree that she will be the next Hyori, but better.

Korea's version of J.lo: Lee Hyori

Now for my ambitious take of her look:

Since it was released during Summer in Korea,

the colors are mostly golden & bronzy.

She even got a fake tan to match her concept.

I'm naturally pale and I didn't bother to get a fake tan coz it wont suit me. 

The products that I used are:

Face:

Estee Lauder Cyber White Foundation in Cool Beige

NYC pressed powder

Clinique Dermawhite concealer

**Thank you Ate Janice Bancud

for the Estee Lauder Foundie

& Clinique concealer

Eyes:

Avon True color eyeshadow quad in Sandy Corals

Maybelline Diamond glow eyestudio eyeshadow quad in Copper Brown

Avon glimmerticks eyeliner

Avon Super Curlacious Mascara

Avon Extralast Liquid eyeliner

Elf eyeshadow in black

Avon eyeshadow in Sandy Corals &

Maybelline Eyeshadow in Copper Brown

Avon True Color Eyeshadow quad in Sandy Corals

Maybelline Diamond Glow eyeshadow in Copper Brown

Cheeks:

Nyx Peach

Elf blush and bronzer duo

Lips:

Sophie Martin lipstick in Summer Love

Revlon Soft Nude

Avon 24k Moisture Rich lipstick in Golden Peach

 

Also, I bought a few products from Avon. I'm an Avon user since highschool.

I used to purchase it from my Aunt who's an Avon dealer as well.

A few days & weeks ago I got the Ultra Moisture Rich Lipstick in Pale Rose,

24K Moisture Rich lipsticks in Golden Peach,  24K Pink and Natural Gold,

(i already gave it to someone) Eyeshadow quads in Sandy Corals & Smokey,
The extralast collection (mascara & eyeliner) & the dual ended brush.

There goes my moolahs.

You can watch Bubble Pop Music Video here: