14 Makeup Favourites of 2014

Yesterday I shared my 14 beauty favourites of 2014 and today its time for the fun stuff, makeup. I actually find it really hard to pick my top makeup picks for the year because things like eyeshadow and lipstick I change all the time. I want my end of year favourites to really be the things that I have used the most.

There are no foundations in my favourites this year because I have actually been trying to reduce my foundation collection! Last year I went through quite a few and although some stand out, once I used them up I went onto something different. 

There are so many products I could have put in this post but these are the products I have used the most throughout the whole year. You can also compare this years list to lasts years 13 Makeup Favourites of 2013.

1. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Out of all three Naked palettes, this is the only one I really use. I love the rose gold tones of this palette and I always love my eyeshadow whenever I use it. For that reason this was the eyeshadow palette I used on myself when I was a bridesmaid at my Sister's wedding. My favourite look with this palette is 'Dust' over the lid with 'Trick' applied over the top.

Debenhams £37.00

2. Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in 'Soft Brunette'

Featured in my 2013 favourites

This year I dabbled with a few other eyebrow pencils to see if there was anything better out there, but I always come back to this. I love the texture and size of the pencil, its waxy and gives a very soft look. I have fuller brows so I don't like a really small, defined pencil. 

No more dabbling, I will stick with this now!

Space NK £26.00

3. MAC Eye Kohl in 'Teddy'

I realised how much I loved this pencil when I went on holiday and couldn't find it. I ended up having to buy another one in the airport. I never wear black eyeliner because I find it looks too harsh but this bronzed brown is perfect for adding subtle definition and enhancing blue eyes.

MAC £14.00

4. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

I always thought the concept of a mascara purely for your bottom eye lashes was utterly ridiculous. I still think its utterly ridiculous but after trying it, I can understand the appeal! The main reason I love this is because it doesn't smudge at all. Every single mascara I have tried smudged on my bottom lashes, this is the only one that hasn't. I also love that it defines every lash with no clumpiness or smudging. 

John Lewis £11.70

5. Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel 

Featured in my 2013 favourites

Although I have been using the L'oreal Brow Artist Plumper these last few months, this was the brow gel I used every single day before that. This gives amazing hold and gives you that Cara Delevigne full but groomed brow look that I love.

Beauty Bay £11.50

6. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Featured in my 2013 Favourites

My favourite ever concealer and its all used up *cries*

I call this my industrial strength concealer because it covers anything and it lasts all day, there is a reason that so many makeup artists have this in their kits. I will definitely repurchase this once I have used up my other concealers.

John Lewis £23.85

7. NARS Illuminator in 'Copacabana'

When mixed with foundation, this gives your skin the most beautiful glow. It just has the most ethereal sheen to it, with zero glitter. I can't wait to start mixing this with my foundation again in the Spring and Summer. 

Space NK £22.50

8. Milani Illuminating Face Powder in 'Beauty's Touch' and 'Amber Nectar'

One thing I discovered about myself last year, is that I don't like really strong, pigmented blushers. I haven't touched any of my NARS blushers in over a year and instead always reach for these or my Physicians Formula Happy Boosters. I love that these are light, so its impossible to go heavy handed. I also love that they have a slight highlight to them as they really give a youthful glow. 

Amazon £8.37

9. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in 'Misty Rock'

These Ombre Blackstars are my favourite cream shadows, the stick form makes them so easy to apply and they last all day. I actually think they look even better after a few hours as they look almost glossy on the lid. Misty Rock is a sparkly taupe/purple shade and I often get compliments when I wear this, must be a winner!

Space NK £29.00

10. NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

The best eyeshadow primer, makes any eyeshadow last all day and I love the thin consistency of this compared to other, heavier eye primers.

Space NK £19.50

11. Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in 'Candlelight'

Featured in my 2013 favourites

One of my all time favourite makeup discoveries. I think I actually might be addicted to this highlighter! Its very subtle, with no glitter so looks much more natural than most highlighters. I wear this every single day.

Cult Beauty £34.50

12. Charlotte Tilbury Air-Brush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro Powder

A pressed powder isn't usually much to get excited about but this pressed powder is like something made by Angels and sent from the heavens. Before I digress anymore and start sharing my love for David Boreanaz, let me tell you why. First of all it feels like velvet on the skin, its so finely milled and soft that it is a genuine pleasure to apply. Second of all, it keeps my skin shine free all day without any touch ups and thirdly the rose gold compact is to die for. 

Selfridges £29.70

13. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in 'Dolce Vita'

I have to admit that I am a little upset right now because whilst googling a link for this pencil I have discovered that NARS have discontinued it! Whilst crying into my pillow, let me tell you why it is amazing and why NARS are absolute fools! 

So you know the film The Notebook, of course you do! Well I became obsessed with Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams lipstick, it was this muted rosy, matte red and just looked generally amazing. Dolce Vita is that colour, the colour I was dreaming about all that time! I love the formula of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencils as they don't feel drying at all and I personally much prefer a matte finish when it comes to lipstick. So, although no man has refurbished a house for me, at least I have a fabulous lipstick collection to cuddle at night!

 As I cannot find this online anywhere, try a NARS counter in store as they might still have it (I think I might have to do that tomorrow!) 

Space NK £18.00

14. Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara

This mascara has really spoilt me because now every other mascara disappoints me. Not only does this give a ton load of volume, it also gives length and separation and I have never come across a mascara that has done all three before. I can't imagine going back to any other mascara now!

Sephora $23.00

Face of the Day with Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp Eyeshadow Palette

I have rediscovered a lot of my old favourite products this month and have really been enjoying switching up my makeup on a daily basis. Going from a very conservative, corporate company to the Cosmopolitan offices has been a dream come true, not only for me but also for my makeup collection.

Base

Foundation

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation

I have been loving this foundation. It lasts all day on my skin without feeling or looking heavy, its just flawless skin in a bottle. If you have oilier skin, this will work much better for you than Luminous Silk.

Concealer

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Lets not talk makeup expiry dates but I have had this concealer for years and finally finished it today! Is there anything more satisfying than finishing an item of makeup? This concealer is holy grail stuff for me, its industrial strength and will cover anything. I'm going to miss it but I have other concealers which I should use before repurchasing this....

Bronzer

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder

Pretty much the only item I have tried from The Body Shop's makeup range and I am seriously impressed. If you have pale skin you should check out their shade range as they go pretty light. If I had to compare this to a Guerlain bronzer, which is three times the price I couldn't spot the difference.

Blush

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Natural

And the award for longest blusher name goes to.....

I can't comment on the mood boosting but this is a very pretty colour with shimmer, which acts as a blush and highlight in one. 

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudge proof Eyeshadow Base

My favourite eyeshadow primer.

Eyeshadow

Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp Colour Coded Eyeshadow Palette

I hardly touched this eyeshadow palette in the Summer but now we are back in the colder months I have been reaching for it a lot. These Charlotte Tilbury palettes are expensive but the quality and shades are beautiful, definitely worth the splurge. I would describe The Vintage Vamp palette as wearable purples and the shades are so easy to transition from day to night.

Eyeliner

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I can vouch for this lasting all day and the fine nib allows you to draw a really precise line, one of the best liquid eyeliners I have tried.

Mascara

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Still absolutely loving this mascara combo, on my second tube of Lights, Camera, Flashes now!

Lips

Lipstick

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie

My Revlon Lip Butter obsession has died down in recent years but whenever I use one again I'm reminded of why my obsession began. Berry Smoothie is a really pretty pink, its also really glossy and looks more like a gloss than a lipstick.

Face of the Day with Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in Starstruck

So after my natural, post holiday Face of the Day yesterday, today I have the polar opposite! I was feeling very Autumnal and went to town with a smoky bronze eye and deeper lip. 

I actually really love this look and can already tell I will be re-creating it a lot. 

I am starting a new job tomorrow at Cosmopolitan magazine (ahhhhh!) and one of the things I am really excited about is getting to wear slightly more daring makeup. My previous office job wasn't really strict on dress code but in a sea of grey and beige, anything out of the ordinary stood out!

Face

Primer

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

I'm down to my last few drops of this and even though I was using a long wear foundation, I like to wear a primer just to prep my skin. 

Foundation

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation

What I love about this foundation is that its long wearing but not heavy. Most long wearing foundations feel and look like a mask on your skin, this is the only one I have found that gives a pretty natural finish. 

Under Eye Concealer 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush on Glow BB Highlighter

To brighten those pesky dark circles!

Bronzer

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in Shade 03

I wear bronzer all year round but now we are reaching the Winter months I wanted one that was a bit paler. I have heard a lot of rave reviews about this Body Shop bronzer and I can verify its worth the hype! I think its very comparable to the Guerlain bronzers which cost £30+ and the shade range is great for paler skins!

Powder

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder

Best budget powder out there, controls shine without giving you cake face.

Highlighter

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold

Still loving this highlight after my review here. I just love the warm glow it gives my skin.

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

I always wear an eyeshadow primer because it helps my eyeshadow last all day. I apply this all over my lid and also underneath my lower lash line. 

Eyeshadow

Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette - Starstruck

This is the perfect Autumnal eyeshadow palette. All of the shades are buttery soft and bright, the top left colour 'Fallen' is bar my favourite. 

For this look I used 'Fallen' all over my lid and blended it underneath my lower lash line. To add some darkness to the outer corner I used 'Pagan Poetry' (bottom left) and 'Hermit' (bottom right). 'Hermit' looks a bit intimidating but the red mixed with the brown just adds a beautiful warmth, perfect for blue/green eyes. I don't think this palette is available anymore but her Monarch palette looks similar.

Eyeliner

MAC Teddy Eye Kohl

Sticking with the warm brown tones, I used a brown eyeliner rather than a black. Brown is less harsh than black and will also emphasise blue eyes. 

Mascara

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes and Clinique Bottom Lash

Sticking with my favourite mascara combination of the moment.

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

As both my eyes and lips were quite dark I wanted to keep my eyebrows on the lighter side. That's why I love the Hourglass pencil, because its soft and never looks harsh. 

Lips

Lip Liner

MAC Burgundy Lip Liner

I wasn't planning on wearing a lip liner but because I had patted my lipstick on with my finger, I needed to use one to stop it bleeding. Any dark lip liner will do, I just think MAC have the biggest colour variety.

Lipstick

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in 107

Its back! Is it sad that I was mainly excited for Autumn because I get to wear this lipstick again?! This lipstick costs £5.49 but its just as good as any MAC lipstick. Its a dark red berry colour but if you want to wear it a bit lighter like I have in these pictures, just lightly pat on your lips and blend with your finger. Honestly if you want to revamp your makeup bag for Autumn, this is the one thing you need. 

Face of the Day with Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you might know that I have a slight obsession with finding out the exact makeup used in film and TV programmes. Laura Mercier's Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips is one of the shades used on Christina Hendricks in Mad Men, so of course I had to try it. 

I was thinking I really should do a blog post on my favourite 'your lips but better' lipsticks. You know the ones that give you some colour but you don't have to bother looking in a mirror to apply them! My friends always laugh that I have about 20 lipsticks the same colour!

Face

Foundation

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Light Infusing Foundation

I am so happy that I can finally wear this foundation again! I bought it last Summer but its quite dark so I can only wear it when I have a bit of a tan going on. This is one of my all time favourite foundations and that's compared to foundations that are 3 times the price. It gives a light to medium coverage, so I would still use a separate concealer but the glow it gives your skin is beautiful.

Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

I have actually just finished this concealer and its not one I would buy again. I don't think it gave particularly great coverage, especially for the price.

Bronzer

MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell

This was a limited edition bronzer from MAC's summer collection. It doesn't have any glitter in it, but it has this sheen to it which just makes your skin glow. I hope MAC re-release these next Summer.

Contour and Highlight

Anastasia Contour Palette

Full review here, I just used the banana shade to powder under my eyes and down the centre of my face and used a tiny bit of Fawn to contour the cheeks slightly.

Blush

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Milani blushers are my favourite, they have just the right amount of colour and glow. You don't even need to use a separate highlight when using one of these.

Eyes

Eyebrows

Soap & Glory Archery and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

I ha vent reverted back to my beloved Hourglass pencil.....yet!

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

My favourite eyeshadow primer, makes your eyeshadow last all day but is a nice light consistency, unlike other eyeshadow primers I've tried.

Eyeshadow

MAC Eyeshadow in Romp

I have fallen back in love with my MAC eyeshadow palettes and have been re-discovering all my old favourite shades like Romp and Woodwinked. Romp is a beautiful bronzy colour, which I like to apply all over the lid and blend out for a really effortless eye look.

Mascara

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara

From a re-discovery to a new discovery, oh my is this mascara is good! At first I wasn't sure but after about 2 weeks something amazing happened and this gave me the most volumised lashes of my life.

Lips

Lipstick

Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips

If its good enough for Joan, its good enough for me! This is a really moisturising lipstick and looks really glossy on the lips, the only downside is that it wears off pretty quickly.

Face of the Day with L'oreal Colour Riche L'Ombre Pure Eyeshadow in Golden Nude

I just want to take a moment to applaud L'oreal for some really good releases this year. From mascara, to nail polish, to lip products, I feel they have really expanded their range with amazing formula's that I wouldn't expect from the high street. Maybelline take note, you are letting me down so far in 2014!

L'oreal's latest release are these L'Ombre Pure Eyeshadow's which are amazingly soft, creamy and metallic. They are so smooth that they almost feel like a cream eyeshadow and pack some serious punch when it comes to colour pay off.

I picked up two shades, Golden Nude (204) which is a metallic gold and Cafe Saint Germain (201) which is a metallic taupey/purple colour. 

For £5.49 these are amazing value, definitely worth checking out next time you are in Boots

Now on with the rest of the face!

Face 

Foundation

Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation in shade SP50 mixed with NARS Copacabana Illuminator

This has been my foundation combination for the past month or so. In the Summer I like to wear foundations with a higher SPF so this Shiseido one is perfect.

Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

I finished my Hourglass concealer and have now reverted back to this NARS one. I still don't quite get what all the fuss is about with this concealer. It does a pretty decent job but I'm not blown away by it....maybe time will tell.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC3

I tend to use two concealers, one for under eyes and always my trusty Laura Mercier for spots and redness, you cant beat it.

Bronzer

MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell

I really hope MAC re-release these bronzers at some point, as they give your skin a really beautiful glow. 

Blush

MAC Cheeky Bugger Blush

Full review here, even though this is sold out online check your local MAC counter!

Highlighter

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder in Candlelight

Because I can't do my makeup without applying this!

Powder 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot

A pretty decent setting powder, does the job.

Eyes

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

My favourite brow duo, it never fails me.

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

One of the best eyeshadow primers I have tried, makes my eyeshadow last all day and doesn't feel heavy or cakey once applied.

Eyeshadow

L'oreal Colour Riche L'Ombre Pure in 204 Golden Nude

Mascara

L'oreal Miss Manga Waterproof Mascara

Full review here and the waterproof formula lasts all day with zero smudging.

Lips

Lipstick

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Montego Bay

There are two things I am always looking for in a lipstick:

1) A matte finish

2) A shade that is similar to the lipstick Rachel McAdams wears in the Notebook

I don't ask for much do I ;) 

This ticks both boxes, so naturally its my current favourite!

Face of the Day with L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Colour Riche Liquid Lipstick in Nude Ballet

I am a self confessed makeup addict, my mind is switched to makeup mode most of the time! If I am watching a film or TV programme and I like the look of a particular characters makeup, I start trying to guess what product was used. Before I know it, I'm googling away, trying to find the makeup artist and what products they used.

I definitely have a lot of useless makeup information stored up there but in case anyone else is like me, I thought I would share my two most recent finds.

I am a massive Mad Men fan, cannot tell you how much I wish I lived back in the late 60's early 70's.

 I love the makeup in the show, especially Christina Hendricks' character Joan. I did a little research into her makeup and found that its not always a red lip she's wearing. Due to the colours in the show, when she is wearing a pink lip it appears red and one of the colours used is Baby Lips by 

Laura Mercier, so of course I had to try it. 

On a slightly more embarrassing note, when Kim Kardashian recently got married I was waiting with baited breath for that makeup breakdown. When her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic spilled that he used an £8.99 lipstick by L'oreal, I was in Boots, quicker than you can say Kardashian!

Face

Foundation

Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation in Shade SP50

I like this foundation because its light and doesn't feel heavy on your skin but still gives a good medium coverage. Plus the high SPF is perfect for these sunny days.

Concealer/Highlighter

Max Factor Under Eye CC Stick

I recently did a review of these Max Factor CC Sticks and the yellow toned, under eye one is definitely the best of the bunch. 

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC3

The day I finally finish this will be a momentous day and I don't quite know what I will do without it after all these years.

Contour

MAC Sculpting Powder in 'Sculpt'

Don't worry if you missed out on this in the Maleficent collection, Sculpt is one of MAC's Pro contour powders, which you can buy online here. This has definitely made me fall back in love with contouring.

Blusher

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

These powders by Milani have to be one of the best beauty buys in any American drugstore. I love that they give a sheer amount of colour with a heck of a lot of glow.

Powder

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder

I do like this yellow toned powder for brightening my face, I just wish the packaging was a bit more practical. 

Eyes

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette and Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

 My eyebrow weapons of choice, always.

Eyeshadow

MAC Sculpting Powder in 'Sculpt'

I wasn't feeling eyeshadow, so I just used a bit of contour powder though my socket to create a natural shadow.

Mascara

Benefit They're Real

Its taken a while but Ive fallen back in love with this mascara. The torture ball tip is just perfect for really winging out your outer lashes, giving a pretty cat eyed effect.

Lips

Lipstick

Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips

Baby Lips is a pretty safe, everyday wearable pink colour. There's nothing not to like about it and if you like your nudes more on the natural side like me, then its definitely one to add to your list.

L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Colour Riche Liquid Lipstick in Nude Ballet

Being a Kim K colour, I was worried this was going to be concealer lip nude but its actually pretty wearable. For me it is a little bit pale on its own but I really like it layered over another lipstick. These are seriously glossy and pretty long lasting, I am impressed.

Face of the Day with Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I go through stages with blusher, sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it and just want to wear bronzer. At the moment I am back to loving it because of Milani's Baked Blush in Luminoso. This is the prettiest coral blush I own and it gives your cheeks some serious glow factor. I need to get back to America ASAP and stock up on some more colours!

Face

Foundation

Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation in Shade SP50 mixed with NARS Copacabana Illuminator

In the warmer months I cant bear to wear heavy foundations, this Shiseido one is nice and light but gives a good medium coverage. Adding the NARS illuminator gives my skin that extra healthy glow.

Concealer

Hourglass Hidden Concealer in Fair and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC3

I use the Hourglass concealer under my eyes as it does some serious Kim K highlighting. I don't think its great for blemishes though, so I use my trusty Secret Camouflage for those.

Powder

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot

I am getting a bit bored of this powder now, it does a decent job of controlling shine but I don't think its the best powder I have tried. I've got my eyes on Too Faced's Primed and Poreless to try next.

Bronzer 

MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell

I have been loving this bronzer lately and included it in my May favourites. As I'm still pretty pale this is just the right colour for me. 

Blusher

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

The star of the show, this blush is beautiful and its far better quality then any Chanel baked blushers Ive tried in the past. All of the Milani products I have tried really impressed me but their blushers are definitely a stand out. Although Milani is an American brand, all is not lost if you live in the UK. I actually bought mine from Amazon and for £5.99 its an absolute bargain.

Highlighter

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder in Candlelight

To be fair I didn't really need a highlighter with this blush but I just couldn't resist!

Eyes

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette with Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

The usual.

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

I am so happy that I finally finished that Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer and can go back to my favourite NARS Pro Prime. I like this because its really light but still keeps your eyeshadow on all day.

Eyeshadow 

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley

Burberry make some of my favourite eyeshadows and Pale Barley is a colour that I had completely forgotten about. When it comes to eyeshadow I really only like to wear one colour all over my lid and Pale Barley is the perfect cool toned gold.

Mascara

Benefit They're Real

I got a bit obsessed with this mascara last year but I always find it takes a couple of weeks to get used to it again. I love how this wings out my outer lashes but I do have to spend a bit of time getting my lashes how I like them. If you don't like to spend time applying your mascara I would skip this.

Lips

Lipstick

Clarins Rouge Eclat in Nude Rose

I have never really paid too much attention to Clarins makeup before but these lipsticks are really lovely. The formulation is really creamy and moisturising and all the colours are my kind of natural nudes.