13 Makeup Favourites of 2013

I have been looking forward to writing this post for months now, my top 13 makeup items of 2013. 

It was hard narrowing down, but these 13 are the best of the best.

If you are interested to see my top picks from last year, you can read my Top 12 of 2012 here

Now, on with the lucky 13!

1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation - I have gone through 3 bottles of this foundation, I think that is testament enough for this to make it into my top 13. Its so light it doesn't feel or look like you are wearing foundation and I have not found anything else that compares.

Available from Boots £32.00

2. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage - There are only 3 products from last year that made it into this years top 13 and this is one of them. This concealer is a life saviour and will cover anything. It is quite pricey but will last you forever and the 2 colours are great for creating your own custom colour.

Available from Space NK £26.00

3. Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer - This looks brand new because its my backup! I have already gone through one of these bronzers and cant bear to use this one just yet! I did a full review on this bronzer here but in summary its the perfect colour to warm my skin up. You might notice that I don't actually have any form of eyeshadow in my favourites and that is because for the majority of the year I used this bronzer as an eyeshadow as well.

Available from Cult Beauty £22.00

4. Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder in Candlelight - This is a very late contender but I have to include it. I have used this practically every single day since I bought it and it is the best highlighter I have ever found. Its very subtle but that's why I like it, as it looks much more natural than big chunks of glitter on your cheek. Although I own an absolutely ridiculous amount of makeup, I'm actually quite the creature of habit. If I find something I like I will use it religiously.

Available from Space NK £35.00

5. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - We have a love, hate relationship. I love that this controls the oil on my face and costs less than a fiver but I hate the cheap packaging and the fact it doesn't come with a mirror so I cant put it in my bag. Despite the rubbish packaging, this had to go in my favourites as it has been used consistently all year.

Available from Boots £3.99

6. Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Warm - You have no idea how long I waited to get my hands on this blusher! One epic trip to America later (not just for this blusher may I add) and its now one of my all time favourite blushers. I don't know if its the tacky but adorable packaging, or the pretty warm pinky/red colour but I love this.

Available from - America (booo) but if you are desperate you can hunt eBay or Amazon

7. Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip and Cheek Balm - Another 2012 favourite returns. My favourite lip balm which is designed to adjust to your skins PH, giving everyone their own personal colour. This gives me the perfect pink rosy glow.

Available from House of Fraser £20.50

8. Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm - Like the Givenchy balm, this is also designed to give you your own unique colour. Its a touch lighter than the Givenchy and I like that its in a lipstick, so you don't get your fingers dirty. I got through a tube of this in just over a month, it turned into a bit of an addiction!

Available from Debenhams £22.50

9. Burberry Lip Cover in English Rose - The third and final product which also appeared in my 2012 favourites. This is my favourite everyday, 'nude' lipstick. I have not found any other lipsticks which compare to this colour.

Available from John Lewis £22.50

10. Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple - How could I not include a Lip Butter in my favourites. I have been obsessed with these all year long. I love how moisturising these are and the colour range is awesome. In the end I opted for Candy Apple as you can't beat a sheer red.

Available from Boots £7.99

11. Benefit They're Real Mascara - I was very late in trying this mascara but 3 tubes later I am well and truly hooked. This gives me defined and lengthened lashes, which I love. The brush is perfect for getting the outer corner lashes and I feel like I'm wearing a pair of Ardell Demi Wispie Lashes when I wear this.

Available from Boots £19.50

12. Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel - Simply, the best brow gel ever. This clear gel keeps even the most unruly of brows in place.

Available from Illamasqua £11.50

13. Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette - I never thought I would replace my beloved Lingering by MAC but this brow pencil from Hourglass has well and truly kicked it to the curb. The angled pencil gives me the perfect, soft brow and the brush on the end is so handy!

Available from Space NK £26.00

There you have it, my 13 most loved makeup products of the year. Tomorrow I'll be posting my 13 favourite beauty products of the year (there was no way I could narrow the makeup down enough to combine the two!)

Face of the Day with Revlon Berry Smoothie

Today was a hat day, you know when you just cant be arsed to wash your hair! I can always be bothered to do my makeup though!

Face

DIOR Airflash CC Primer 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation- I haven't used this since I got back from holiday and I forgot how nice this feels on your skin. Its so light and feels like you are wearing nothing.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer - Now my DIOR under eye concealer has run out I have reverted back to my old favourite. 

Laura Mercer Secret Camouflage - For those pesky blemishes!

Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer - My favourite ever bronzer, I only have the tiniest bit left!

Eyes

MAC Lingering - Although I prefer my Brow Sculpting Pencil by Hourglass, I still think this is an amazing eyebrow pencil and would highly recommend.

Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Almond - I forgot how much I loved this eyeshadow. This is the softest, easiest to blend eyeshadow. I just used this colour and blended it all over my lid and underneath my lower lash line.

L'oreal Voluminous Mascara - I reviewed this in my Cult Mascaras Post and now its had some time to dry out a little I love it even more. Gave me very dramatic lashes with no clump at all. The wear time was also very impressive, didn't smudge either.

Lips

Jordana Tawny Lipliner - Now I'm sorry but this is damn near impossible to get in the UK and trust me I tried. If you live in America, I'm very jealous. These lipliners are amazing, the pigmentation, the quality I cant believe these only cost a couple of dollars. 

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie - I have been getting a lot of use out of my Lip Butters now we are back in the cooler months. Berry Smoothie is my kind of nude, a neutral pink which perks my skin up.

Face of the Day with Revlon Candy Apple

I have tried so many new products this month and with Summer ending I have found myself reaching for a lot of my winter favourites again. I love warm makeup in the winter, flushed red cheeks with red lips. Out of all the Revlon Lip Butters, Candy Apple is by far my favourite and now we are back in Autumn/Winter I am loving wearing it again.

Face 

DIOR Airflash CC Primer - Reviewed here. I just love how quick and easy this primer is to apply.

DIOR Airflash Spray Foundation - Full review here one of the best foundations I have tried. Good level of coverage and semi matte finish means you can skip powder and concealer if you're in a rush, like me!

Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer - My favourite bronzer, this gives my skin that warm glow that I love so much.

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Warm - Oh, i adore this blush. One of my favourite things I picked up in America, the colour is so pretty and it has just the right amount of glow to it. It looks very natural on and I just wish we could get Physicians Formula here in the UK :'(

Eyes

Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette - Amazing, I wont go on!

Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel - See above!

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Toast - I have been using my Bobbi Brown eyeshadows so much lately as  the colours are perfect for providing subtle definition to your eyes. Toast is a new addition and its a light warmed tone brown which I like to run all along my crease from the top of my nose all the way out, for definition and a bit of colour.

Maybelline Great Lash So Very Berry Mascara - I have worn this so much this month, I can officially say I have fallen in love with coloured mascara. The berry colour is dark enough to add definition but I love that the red tones help bring out the blue in my eyes.

Lips

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple - If you aren't a big fan of lipstick or have quite dry lips I would really recommend Revlon's Lip Butters. They feel like a lip balm but provide a good amount of colour. 

I love the red colour of Candy Apple, another favourite is Wild Watermelon which is a slightly more pink red. 

Sunday Face of the Day with MAC Her Cocoa Eyeshadow Quad

I constantly change my makeup depending on what is currently inspiring me. I love makeup, its my art.

I love Autumn, just for the colour of the trees alone. I wish I lived in America, with those wide roads lined with red and orange trees. If Autumn was a decade, to me its the 70s and all I want to do right now is wear mustard coloured polo necks and watch old school horror films! So that was my inspiration for today's make up! I also wanted to use some of my old favourites that I have been neglecting.

DIOR Airflash CC Primer - Review here

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Real Sand - My favourite ever powder, I stopped using this over the Summer as its not the best for shine control, but cant wait to start using it again.

DIOR Skin Flash Radiance Booster Pen

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage - Covers like no other

MAC The Perfect Cheek Blush - Now I do love my red blushes but every now and then I want more of a subtle colour and this is my favourite.

MAC Forever Marilyn Beauty Powder - After snooping inside Chloe's makeup bag I was inspired to dig this out.

Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer

MAC Lingering - After discovering the Brow Sculpting Pencil by Hourglass by much beloved Lingering was tossed aside. I still highly, highly recommend this eyebrow pencil especially if you want a more defined brow.

Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara - Review coming soon!

Benefit Stay Don't Stray - If you can get over the crappy packaging this is actually an amazing eye primer, my eye shadow stays perfect until I take it off at night.

MAC Her Cocoa Eyeshadow Palette - I'm just going to pretend this isn't from the Rihanna collection, don't judge me! The colours are perfect for a bronzey smudgy eye, which is exactly what I was feeling like today!

Brush on the left = PERFECT         Brush on the right = WILL BLEND NOTHING!

Now for a perfectly blended eyeshadow look you need a good brush. Not a sponge tip applicator, a proper blending brush. 

I recommend the MAC 217 blending brush as it will apply your eyeshadow and blend it at the same time. The brush on the right is a flat eyeshadow brush and will only place your eyeshadow, it wont blend it. These kind of brushes are better if you are applying say a glitter or a pigment in the centre of the lid as you can pack on the colour. You should then use a blending brush to blend out the edges.

You don't need both these brushes either, just get one decent eyeshadow blending brush! 

I like to take my eyeshadow really low under my eye and this is where the blending brush is perfect! I just used the darkest colour in the eyeshadow quad and applied below my lower lash line, leaving the brush to do the blending.

Finally for lips I used one of my favourite matte lipsticks, MAC "Velvet Teddy"

Now back to hibernating

Face of the Day with Dior Airflash CC Primer

Since coming back from America I have had so much new makeup to try, I don't know where to start! I'll try and do more face of the day posts as I try out more things!

Base

Dior Airflash CC Primer - I hadn't heard anything about this primer before trying it, but it had just been released in Sephora and it caught my eye. This promises to instantly enhance your complexion in 'one incredibly easy step'. 

This is a like a spray can, with a very fine mist. You shake it up and then spray all over your face. There is really not much colour to it, I have done a very condensed spray on my hand below to show you but when sprayed evenly over your face, very little colour is distributed. Now as far as colour correcting, I think this does very little. There is just no coverage to it, it may slightly even out my redness but in all honestly I cant really tell a difference.

Although its a fail on the colour correcting, I am torn as I actually really like this as a primer. Its so easy and quick to spray on in the morning and because its so light it doesn't feel like I have anything on, which is nice because sometimes you don't want layers of makeup on your face. My makeup also seems to last the day with this, I have some shine by the end of the day but all my makeup is still there.

L'oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder - This is a really good foundation and its just been released in the UK but with a different name "Nude Magique Eau de Teint". It has a very runny consistency which I like, as it means its not as thick on the skin. I love the finish of this as its very skin like, I'm not saying it doesn't look like you are wearing foundation but its not overly matte or glowy, so it looks much more like skin. It reminds me of the finish of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, so if you like a more natural foundation I would highly recommend this.

Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen - This is a very good under eye concealer, with just the right amount of coverage to brighten without looking cakey. It is pricey though and as every brand and their mother have released a highlighting concealer pen, you can definitely find an equally good but cheaper alternative.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - I love this concealer for spots as it has a good amount of coverage but isn't thick and cakey. Personally I wouldn't use this as an under eye concealer as I prefer something a bit lighter.

Rimmel Stay Matter Powder - A good powder, works best with a duo fiber brush as can be a bit heavy with a traditional powder brush. Hideous packaging though, come on Rimmel!

Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer - Just read this

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Beauty's Touch - I have fallen in love with this blusher, its like a blusher/highlighter hybrid. I like that the highlight is quite subtle and buildable, it just really brightens your face. If you are going to America soon you need to try this!

Eyes

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer - This eyeshadow primer is up there with my NARS Pro Prime, one of the best I have tried. My eyeshadow lasts all day and I mean all day, until I take it off at night BUT (why is there always a but in life) the packaging is terrible. This is so thick that you need the teeniest tiniest amount and the pump always pumps out too much so you are constantly wasting product.

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Bone and Taupe - These are 2 of my all time favourite eye shadows. The colours are just classic, creating a very subtle highlight and shadow. I wear Bone all over my lid and then run Taupe just above my crease.

Benefit They're Real - I'm still loving this mascara, the advert for it is beyond ridiculous I actually think this gives quite natural defined lashes, not a false lash effect but that's what I like about it. It gets every eyelash and wings out my outer lashes too.

Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel - I think I rave about these two enough don't you!

Lips

Dior Addict Lip Glow - Featured in my September Beauty Favourites I just love a tinted lip balm!

Face Of The Day With Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry

At the moment I am all about fast makeup, I'm talking makeup that takes 10 minutes max to apply. I think I've got it down to a fine art now and these are some of my secret weapons.

Diorskin Nude BB Creme applied with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush - When I'm in a rush I always reach for a BB cream. I prefer applying this with a brush as it gives me a bit more coverage.

MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter in Light Boost - This is one of the best under eye concealers I've tried. Its much more yellow toned than most, which I like and really does brighten up my dark circles!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - I have really been enjoying this budget buy concealer. It gives a good amount of coverage and I just dab it anywhere I feel I need extra coverage and blend out with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer - I love this bronzer and have used it everyday since I got it. I apply it with my Bobbi Brown bronzer brush in a "3" shape either side of my face. 

Stila Convertible Colour in Petunia - This cream blusher adds a subtle pink glow to my cheeks. I always use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply cream blush as its stops me being too heavy handed!

Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel - This is my perfect eyebrow combination. The Hourglass pencil is double ended, on one end a soft angled wax pencil which keeps your brows looking natural and not too heavy. The other end has a handy brush, perfect for brushing through your brows in case you have gone a bit heavy handed. The Illamasqua gel is heavy duty stuff, I use it to brush my bushy brows up and it keeps them in place all day.

Jouer Sunswept Mattifying Powder Bronzer - I have been skipping eyeshadow lately in favour of bronzer. I use a MAC 217 eyeshadow brush (but any fluffy blending brush will do) and run the bronzer through my crease. It gives a natural contoured effect and the orangey tone of the bronzer makes blue eyes "pop".

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers - Simply the best eyelash curlers out there. Curling your lashes makes the biggest difference and really opens up your eyes, I would never skip this step!

Benefit They're Real Mascara - My current mascara of choice, I slap this on my top and bottom lashes.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry - After what feels like an eternity, Maybelline Baby Lips are finally available in the UK (WOOHOO). After 3 unsuccessful Boots and Superdrug trips I ended up ordering mine from Boots online. Cherry is by far my favourite, its a very sheer red (my fave) and gives you just the right amount of colour and shine. Its love!

Face of the Day with Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - I got a free sample of this and have been trying it out recently. Use it as you would a primer, before your foundation but the trick it not to rub it in. You have to try and smoothe it on your skin, with as few strokes as possible. I'm not sure what I think of this yet, can't say I have noticed a real difference but I still need some time to experiment with it!

Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation - You can read my full review on this here but its a foundation I always go back to, especially in Summer due to the high SPF.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - Ah the cult status concealer in the beauty blogging and YouTube world. Its a good concealer, covers really well and blends in nicely. Not bad for £4.19

Jouer Mattifying Powder Bronzer in Sunswept - Again I have done a full review of this bronzer here but I have quickly fallen in love with this little guy and am now eager to try more Jouer products in order to build my very own lego makeup tower!

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder in Transparent - This is a good powder for controlling shine but be careful as it can look cakey if you use too much. I use the duo fibre powder brush from Real Techniques with this.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - By far my favourite eyeshadow base, blends into nothing and keeps my eyeshadow on all day.

Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette - I think I can officially say this has overtaken my love for MAC's Lingering. This pencil is so easy to use and gives a really soft natural finish to your brows. No felt tipped brows here people.

Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel - The BEST eyebrow gel, clear mascara just doesn't compare. I use this to brush my brows up, it keeps them in place and makes them look a little groomed. If Julia Roberts is your brow hero too then try this!

Revlon Lash Potion - Full review here but in summary, don't be fooled by the pretty packaging!

Smashbox Bronze Lights in Suntan Matte - When I discovered that my local Boots now stocks Smashbox I knew it was going to be a problem! I have wanted to try this bronzer for a long time, its been on my radar for years as I remember Kim Kardashian's makeup artist listing it as the perfect matte bronzer. He was right, there is no shimmer in it at all. It blends seamlessly as the texture is so soft, like butter! I still cant stop wearing bronzer as an eyeshadow and I like using this on my eyes instead of the Jouer as its more red toned, so looks a little more natural.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Golden Pink - A couple of years ago I was definitely a MAC girl, you know the false lashes, the winged liner, changing your hair colour every other week. Well maybe its because I'm going to be 27 this year (gulp) or the fact that I haven't dyed my hair in over a year but I think I'm a Bobbi Brown girl now. I just love the woman, I love what her brand stands for, I love what she promotes. Natural beauty, makeup that emphasises the features you already have, doesn't alter them. 

My Mum is a big Bobbi Brown fan and always has been, but now we enable each other! My mum had  heard about the new Bobbi Brown cream shadow sticks and wanted to try them. I tagged along and it was love at first swatch. 

I wasted no time and grabbed the nearest Assistant "Can we have two of the Golden Pink". If you like MAC's All That Glitters eyeshadow you will love this. As this is a cream shadow in a stick format its so easy to use, you don't need a brush and can just blend out with your fingers. Its also perfect for an inner corner highlight, I love that it looks pretty and natural.  I was seriously impressed at how long lasting this was. That swatch on my wrist, would not come off without some serious rubbing from a baby wipe and it stays on my eyes all day without a primer and doesn't crease at all. I really can't recommend these enough, infact my Mum called me from her holiday, to tell me she bought another shade at the airport! (So proud!)

Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush in Bloom - Again with the Smashbox and the Boots (argh) I love the colour of this blush, its a bright coral red colour (my two favourite colours combined how wonderful!) It gives a really natural flush to the cheeks and again I was impressed by how long it lasted on my skin. My only gripe is the packaging, you have to twist the lid and it kind of grates off the blush. Its just fiddly and I never grate off the right amount, plus it always leaks in my makeup bag. The only thing I like grating is parmesan!

Dior Addict Lipstick in 864 - My kind of lipstick, bright but sheer. Makes me look alive and looks good with the Halo blush!