Anastasia carli bybel palette

2019 Favourites | The Makeup

Rather than doing one big lengthy post of my favourite beauty product discoveries of the year, I’ve decided to do it in segments I’m thinking. Today I’m starting with the makeup products that I’ve discovered and fallen in love with over the last year. Hopefully this won’t be too atrociously long-winded…

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L’Oreal Infallible Glow-Lock Illuminating Primer ($18.99 CDN): I’m kind of shocked that I found a primer I liked throughout the year, as I’m not usually impressed by them. It’s a water, silicone and plant oil based formula that leaves the skin moisturized and smoothed with a soft glow – but no actual shimmer particles – and allows for a more skin like foundation application on my drier skin. I find it to be less of a glowy primer and more of a great hydrating one that has a slight brightening effect.

Laneige Whitening BB Cushion ($43.70 CDN): This was easily my most reached for everyday base. It never clung to dry patches, looked like my actual skin but evened it out and brightened it to a significant degree, leaving a luminous skinlike finish. It has broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen with a PA+++ rating, containing zinc and titanium dioxide, along with the chemical active octinoxate. Despite having skin that typically gets irritated by chemical filters, I happily used this one. It offers buildable coverage too and actually lasted hours and hours on my skin. I also applaud the product for having actual skincare benefits. It contains a healthy dose of the superhero niacinamide, anti-inflammatory green tea and a stable form of vitamin c.

Dior Forever Skin Glow 24h Wear Radiant Perfection Skin Caring Foundation ($64-68 CDN): This foundation discovery almost makes me forgive Dior for discontinuing my longtime favourite Star foundation. I might say it actually improves on that formula. It has become my go-to foundation when I’m looking for more coverage and substance than the cushion provides. It’s a solid medium buildable coverage foundation that leaves a luminous finish and brightening, skin smoothing effect. It has a much improved shade range and lasts forever on my drier skin without highlighting texture and dryness.

L’Oreal Infallible Full Wear Concealer ($16.49 CDN): It’s rare that I find a concealer worth raving about, let alone one that I love enough to purchase in multiple colours for any sort of skintone variations; this one has made me do both. It’s super full coverage but doesn’t highlight dryness excessively when you thin it out to the degree I do, so I’m able to achieve coverage without much in terms of creasing. Also, it wears fantastically as an eyeshadow primer on my crease-prone lids. I love using it under my eyes to camouflage my dark circles and it also functions as a spot concealer. The shade range is ridiculously good as well and it comes with much more product than the typical concealer, making it economical.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($54 CDN): I honestly can’t tell you the last time that I found myself reaching for a highlighter that wasn’t this one, and it’s even made its way into my more minimal makeup routine. The oversize doe-foot applicator allows for effortless application and it leaves a gorgeous pale dewy sheen to the skin that doesn’t read makeup-y and doesn’t highlight texture. I also love that it’s alcohol free – especially because I apply it to a particularly sensitive area on my face – and features replenishing squalene.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo in Fair/Medium ($85 CDN): You could say that 2019 was the year I tried out and fell in love with this hyped luxury line. The real reason I loved this product was the perfect neutral bronzer tone that the bronzer has. To be honest, the highlighter isn’t my favourite. This bronzer builds up nicely and with ease and has a nice neutral golden tone that helps to sculpt my moderately fair skin while still providing a sun kissed hue.

Anastasia Beverley Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette ($55 CDN): This crimson-leaning neutral palette was actually included in last year’s version of this post with the caveat that it was a last minute discovery. I’m happy to report that I still love wearing this mostly matte palette for natural to smokier looks. I really enjoy the combination of pale shimmery lid and highlight shades and rustier and pinky-red hues. I’m even willing to forgive the powderiness of the formula.

Anastasia Beverley Hills Carli Bybel Eyeshadow Palette ($60 CDN): The latter half of the year, I invested in and happily used this eyeshadow palette. Initially I was hesitant of investing in yet another influencer collaboration but I must admit that I like the selection of colours and textures featured in the palette. I really enjoy the pigmented and powdery formula, also. Rather than being comprised primarily of mattes, the palette is an even mixture of mattes and shimmers/metallics. The colour scheme is surprisingly versatile, with a nice selection of neutral shades with fun metallics and pops of colour thrown in, creating neutral looks, smoky looks of varying intensity and looks with a bit of colour. I do get the most use out of the warm neutrals, however.

Any favourites to share?
Maggie, x.

 

A Holiday Gift Guide

A good three or four times before, I’ve actually intended to write a gift guide kind of post but have never gotten my act together to post. This time, I’m throwing together a hodgepodge of items that I think would be great ideas for women in your life. There’s definitely some beauty picks but with my recently rekindles interest in style (thanks to my wardrobe clearout and attempts at the capsule wardrobe), there’s some fashion as well. Let’s get to it before I get entirely sidetracked:

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  1. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($54 CDN): While Charlotte Tilbury’s packaging screams luxe indulgence as a gift, the product here is actually the best part. Enriched with squalene, this liquid illuminator creates the look of dewy skin under the most flattering lighting impossible. The shades have a sheerness that makes them easier to choose for someone else and are flattering with their lack of actual shimmer particles.
  2. Zara Menswear Style Coat ($159 CDN): In a sense, outerwear is something rather difficult to buy for someone else. However, I feel comfortable with the sizing of this classic Zara coat enough to recommend it. It’s a wool-nylon blend that has held up rather nicely – I have last years version – and has a classic fitted tailored silhouette. It runs a touch small but the sizing is fairly standard, especially for Zara. It has flattering tailoring, a single breasted closure and a slightly nipped in waist. It’s also warm enough for below-zero temperatures. The quality is impressively good, too.
  3. Fossil Elle Crossbody ($198 CDN): This was actually a gift I received maybe three holiday seasons ago that I love. It’s a good quality leather purse that isn’t exorbitantly expensive or trendy. It’s the perfect cross body size, with two different zippered comparments that have the dimensions of an agenda roughly but are deep enough for all of the essentials. I have a beige one that I reach for often without thought. It straddles the line of being classic but also cool.  The leather holds up well and the bag is surprisingly versatile.
  4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Carli Bybel Eyeshadow Palette ($60 CDN): If you are someone who loves their neutrals but wants to incorporate some metallics and jewel tones and just generally have some fun with eyeshadow, I think this palette is worth a shot. The one thing that I’d say is that the metallic shades can have severe fallout but that’s kind of expected. I like the balanced mix of warm and cool toned shades and neutrals and more fun shades. Also, I appreciate the mix of mattes, shimmers and metallics. The quality is good but the real gem is the colour selection which is great for neutral, amped up and looks with some colour.
  5. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask ($12/ 30 mL): While this mask is among my absolute favourite deep conditioners for my waves and curls, I think it actually holds universal appeal. I don’t really know of anyone who couldn’t use a masque or deep conditioner during the cooler weather and this is an excellent one for all hair types and textures. It has a good balance of moisture and protein, is nourishing while being lightweight, has slip and is concentrated. The ingredient-conscious crowd will also appreciate the composition.
  6. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo with Brush ($99 CDN): It appears that my makeup picks are very Charlotte Tilbury heavy, here. This was unintentional. I can say that this limited edition holiday packaged set would be an excellent pick for anyone kind of fair to medium in skin tone. The bronzer is so smooth and easy to apply, kind of light to medium in depth with neutral undertones that can provide sculpting action and a touch of warmth. I’m not usually one to wax poetically about packaging but the compact is lovely and the brush looks great. The highlighter is soft and golden in tone as well, on the subtler side of the spectrum.
  7. Zara Double-Faced Biker Jacket ($159 CDN): Motorcycle jackets are some of my favourite pieces of outerwear and they had a major moment this fall. However, they are usually reserved for Fall and Spring. This season, shearling lined aviator styles are trending for the winter and they give effortless cool girl vibes.    The cream version might not be super practical but looks great and the easy fit would make it an easy gifting pick.
  8. H&M Off-the-shoulder Sweater ($29.99 CDN): I think sweaters might be the easiest item of clothing to gift to someone else and they are one that I always appreciate. This is actually I sweater I picked up when H&M was having a sale event and I’m wearing it non-stop. It’s super soft and non-itchy – with a little bit of stretch and some wool content – that’s cozy without making me overly warm. It looks great with a front tuck into jeans and I also like wearing it as a cowl-neck kind of sweater, also. It runs a little oversized.

 

Any thoughts?
Maggie, x.