Lipsticks are on their own level, am I right? At any given time if you open my purse you are bound to find a minimum of 7 lip products. I just have favourites for everything! I can't help it. There is no way I could incorporate them into my beauty round-up post since I am beyond addicted to skincare, too. 2018 served up a lot of lippies. Silky, shiny, plumping, matte, stick, tubes, pots, wands-- and the list goes on. In fact, I am spilling my purse right now to scour through them all to bring you the most used, the most loved and the most impactful lipsticks I tried. The shells may be cracked, dirty and fading, but that just means they are the best of the best, right?
Here we go, the best lipsticks of 2018:
Firstly-- A little lip prep:
Boosh Lip Plumping Balm
A perfect peppermint balm, natural and made with organic ingredients! I am hooked on this little stick. The peppermint is so invigorating and I love how hydrating the formula is (thanks to the beeswax). Recently, I've been trying out more lippies from Boosh (Dusty Rose is a serious contender for the best pastel pink!). I also love that Boosh is a local company and the products are produced with local ingredients. Plus, the container is aluminum and not plastic!
Buxom Va-Va Plump Shiny Liquid Lip
My go-to, no matter the shade! I did a whole video on these because I love them so much. The hydrating formula plumps your lips, are long-lasting and they shine so magnificently without getting sticky or smudging. And I don't normally love a shiny lip, but something about these makes you feel like you're ready for the red carpet. Beg for Mauve and Boldly Go are two of my favourite shades. Apply the Buxom Big O for some serious plumping! I can't even count how many of these I used in 2018. A favourite, for sure!
BareMinerals Gen Nude Liquid Lipstick
This is my Buxom counterpart for matte lips. I especially love the silky smoothness of this formula. Luxe is a dirty pastel pink which is in my purse every single day! I can't get enough of the texture since it goes on like a cream but has a matte finish. They also smell like vanilla cake, which I am obsessed with. Even the red shares are so deep and long-lasting. Gen Nudes are also found in shiny versions, so make sure you're sourcing out the liquid lipsticks for the gorgeous matte finish.
Lipstick Queen Nothing But The Nudes
A more recent discovery for me which I love! And the name says it all... Queen is right! I first fell in love with the "Nothing but the Nudes" collection, which is the creamiest collection of nudes. The colour is rich and pigmented. This can be hard to come by with nudes as they are typically so sheer. I've been wearing "Hanky Panky Pink" all fall! I especially love how they are packed with vitamin E to make them hydrating and smooth.
Spoiler alert: The Rear View Mirror Lip Lacquer collection is launching Spring 2019, and prepare to fall head over hood (they are inspired by the feel of a new car)! I love how easy this application is, the lacquer glides on perfectly. You can line the lips and then fill them in all with the same stick. Lately, I've been loving "Little Nude Coup". These are going to be such a hot release for 2019.
Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lip
Oh baby, do I love these, too! They are an amazing price point so you can literally stock your shelf. They recently came out with 5 additional bold shades which I have been loving. I always get asked what I'm wearing when I wear these. That is because the colour is striking, it is extremely matte, ultra pigmented and it does last hours. They contain rosehip and beeswax so they are super duper hydrating and long-lasting. Also you can't beat the angled applicator to really shape the lip.
I think matte was my go-to look this year...
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick
No 1- Le Rouge. It is the ultimate, BEST red. The formula for this creamy lipstick is absolutely divine. My lips could be dry and cracking and the minute I apply this, all is healed! The staying power on this lipstick is also revolutionary. Eat, drink, sweat... it does not budge! Plus the gold sparkling case is an added bonus. Luxe, glam and worth the hype!
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! I tested, tried and fell in love with so many beauty, skincare and make up products this year. First of all, get out that champagne and let's toast to all the amazing products of 2018! 2018 was a serious deal in the beauty world and I really feel like I came into my own. I discovered more about my skin type and focused on what truly works for me, and not just on the hype products of the moment. There were so many amazing new brands that came out to really shake things up. We had a rise of plant-powered ingredients, tons of green beauty and I gravitated towards natural beauty and skincare. So, while I haven’t tried it all and there are some products I’m itching to get my hands on in 2019, today I’m capping off the 2018 beauty posts with the best of the best.
Here they are, by category, the best beauty products I tried in 2018.
Can you tell by my empty bottle how much I use this? This has become my number one morning foaming cleanser. I use it every single morning to prep my skin for the day. It’s green, clean and all natural so I don’t have any quaff with using it daily or twice daily. It amazes me how light it is yet how well it foams and actually penetrates and lifts dirt. I have yet to find a natural cleanser with the same results (that leaves me feeling refreshed). Definitely going to restock this come 2019.
Total game changer. This is my go-to night cleanser when I need to seriously remove makeup, open up my pores without stripping my skin, and just feel ultra luxe. With ingredients like chamomile, cocoa butter and clove you just feel soothed, calmed and refreshed in the most luxurious way. There’s a reason why it’s been named the best cleanser in the world. It’s gentle, does not dry you out and improves skin texture. It's a staple. Use it as the first step in a double cleanse, or on its own and you will not be disappointed. I'm so glad I discovered this in 2018.
For the second year in a row, Pixi wins my vote for the best toner for noticeably different results. I tried a fair few and seem to always come back to this one. It’s so gentle on the face, balances the skin and preps it perfectly for subsequent skin care products and reduces the size of pores. I’ve been trying to reduce my consumption of disposable makeup wipes in 2018 by using spray toners, but Pixi does it best. I hate how most toners have a tendency to make you feel so dry and stripped of your natural face oils, and this does NONE of that. I just love how you don't raw or overexposed after this toner (it's alcohol-free!).
Okay. I’ve been through my fair share of scary peels, where I’ve been inflamed, red for hours, and felt like my face was going to burn off. These peel pads are the most gentle, non-abrasive pads I’ve tried and there is noooooo recovery time needed. I can’t believe how gently they are on my sensitive skin and how I can go about my day with zero redness or inflammation. All your left with is perfectly buffed, texturized skin since they remove all the dead skin cells and leave visibly smoother skin. No parabens, sulfates or nasties. These will continue to be a necessity as I get older!
Eye Cream Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream
Again, I've tried so many eye creams this past year and nothing does it like Origins GinZing Eye Cream. I have brought this with me on long-haul flights, across the world, and back again. It seriously reduces under-eye puffiness and smoothes out lines and creases like no other. It also leaves a little bit of illumination which I love. I came back to it all year and will continue to do so in 2019.
All-in-one Moisture Cocokind Matcha Stick
This is another life saver which I became obsessed with in 2018. Under the eyes, on dry patches, on my lips-- basically anywhere. It smoothes and soothes the skin. It's a does-it-all kind of product, and you don't need to worry about where you're applying it since it's 100% natural and organic. The ingredients are just coconut oil, beeswax, and matcha powder! Allow this one to become your BFF in 2019.
Healing Balm Huna Apothecary Nourish Skin Nutrition Balm
Guys... this stuff is a miracle worker. If you remember back in the summer I broke my foot and had to get stitches. Honestly, it was a nightmare! The cut was huge! I started applying this natural balm on the cut and it healed fast and the scar lessened! That's because it's packed with 22 essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients like camellia seed oil, pomegranate oil, chia seed oil, and the list goes on! It nourishes, replenishes and protects. I even apply it to dryer skin and on my lips. Brandon has actually stolen this product from me as his skin get's sooo dry in the winter. Looks like I need another already!
Serum SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
I have tried so many serums this year and always seem to come back to this one. It's like I miss it when I forget about it for a few days. It's that good. And you can see the results, instantly. We're talking instant skin glow and radiance, and it prevents existing skin damage and reduces wrinkles and lines. It's packed with pure vitamin C and worth every penny. Trust me.
Day Face Oil Indie Lee Squalane Face Oil
I actually went through a bottle in a few weeks, which is kinda crazy! A little goes a long way but I just love how it feels. It works on all skin types and it's green and clean! I love that it is a lightweight oil and improves texture, tone, reduces wrinkles and lines and leaves you glowing. Squalane oil is great for anti-aging, it calms inflammation and to promotes a healthy glow. Mix it in with some face cream for an even lighter application, or mix it in with some foundation for a dewy look!
Night Face Oil Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil
This rosehip oil by Pai has become a nightly addition. I love how nourishing it is and actually seeps into the skin. I lather it on nightly and wake up with radiant, glowy skin. It also makes you look a little bronzy which is an added bonus to me!
Masks
Summer Fridays Jetlag Mask
Worth the hype, 100%. It hydrates your skin in the most loving, rich, penetrating way. I love how it seeps into the skin, totally absorbs and does not leave you feeling greasy. Puffy, inflamed, dull skin be gone! It's packed with vitamin C, E and hyaluronic ingredients which not only evens out the skin but also boost hydration. It's also very luxurious feeling. I apply before bed and wake up with silky, smooth, baby soft skin! I even apply under the eyes anytime I need a little revival.
Eve Lom Rescue Mask
Man, oh man. There is a reason it's called rescue. When your skin is puffy, tired, hungover, dull, or just lacking in life-- let this be your guiding light back to life. This is my morning after mask, when I need a skin reset. It gives you that deep cleanse, does not dry you out and completely resurfaces the skin. We're talking evens out the tone and texture, too. I love that it reduces redness and inflammation too. It's thanks to the Kaolin clay, honey, and almonds. Just love this mask.
Moisturizer Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
While I'm still waiting to try La Mer, Tactcha, and Sunday Reiley, Charlotte Tilbury's magic cream is my miracle worker. It's luxe, rich, yet does not overpower your skin or feels heavy. It's light and airy and transforms the look of your skin, completely. It's collagen boosting, so gives you the ultimate hydration and plumps your skin back to life. Love the way it smoothly glides on the skin. I am obsessed with the new mini size... perfect for travelling!
Tinted Creams L'Oreal Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator
This is the best drugstore illuminator I discovered all year! It gives you serious glow and dew which I am all about! I still wear my It Cosmetics CC Cream, but I wore this one by L'Oreal all summer, brought it on vacation in the Bahamas and still mix it in with some moisturizer in the winter. Since it's an amazing price point, you can't go wrong. You could just apply it to certain areas you want to highlight, but if you're like me and love the radiance, apply all over! You'll never feel more sunkissed.
Bronzer Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer
There is not a week that goes by where I don't get asked if I've just come back from vacation, or why I'm so tanned. My sly response "I do the Hoola". Seriously, this is probably my most asked about makeup product. It is by far the most perfect shade to give you a sun-kissed glow. It's matte so there is no shine or shimmer which I love as a base on my cheeks! If you need a bit of shine you can just add some highlight on top (which I do), but as your base, you cannot go wrong with the Hoola. It's great for contouring and adding a pop of colour to your face and body!
Lips Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This one I purchased late into the year, so I wasn't sure if I should include it since I haven't given it the minimum two-month trial. But, YES! I am obsessed. I apply the moisturizing balm before bed, and every time I wake up with supple, plump and completely hydrated lips. It's amazing and completely worth the hype! It's not sticky at all, it contains berry mix complex, which is refreshingly sweet, and it's packed with hyaluronic acid to inject moisture into the lips. I even use it as lipstick primer! It's a lip saver! Also, I love the little applicator it comes with, so you don't have to stick your fingers in the pot.
Niu Body Vanilla Lip Polish
I love this lip product too! I use it as a scrub when my lips feel damaged and are cracking/flaking, and need some exfoliation. So perfect to use in the winter months! I scrub it on my lips and the natural ingredients (shea butter, sugar, hydrating oils) make my lips so moisturized and full of life. Follow with the lip sleeping mask and you are set!
Hair Care Ouai Anti Frizz Hair Sheets
I just had to try these. I was sick of applying some sticky product into my hair to tame the frizz. And, HOLY MOLY, are these a game changer! The make your hair so sleek, without altering your hairstyle and totally tame the pieces that are frizzing out of control. It's a little sheet and you essentially wipe your hair. That's all. And the frizz is gone. I keep them with me in all bags and in my car for all the moments.
And a bonus, because I can never go anywhere without bold brows.
Eyebrow Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil
My brow savior. I find this to be the easiest product to apply to your eyebrows. It's a one swipe does all. I love the creamy texture of the product and the angled shape. It looks so natural on the brow as you can really fill, shape and blend with the built-in spooli which is on the opposite side of the applicator. It comes with me everywhere I go.
What products did you fall in love with in 2018? I can't wait to hear!
P.S.: Stay tuned for my best post where I'll be sharing the best lipsticks I tried this year.
"There will always be another pair of black pumps". This was my first thought when I spotted these gorgeous velvet, brooch toe pumps at Ted Baker. They came in two colours-- cherry and black.
I immediately knew that the Ted Baker cherry velvet pumps, paired with this sequin blazer would be the perfect holiday outfit for my upcoming Christmas parties this season.
But really investing in statement accessories can be tough. It's so easy to gravitate towards black and more black. When I am shopping for accessories there are a few questions I ask myself before I make the commitment.
1. Can this be paired with a variety of colours?
These pumps can be paired with black, but also with emerald green for a jewel-toned statement look. What about more pink for a love-filled Valentine's day outing (or my typical Saturday night look... lol). Or gold? Or even blue! See, I rest my case. These were a necessity after I did the colour test. They go so well with so much! But really, you need to ensure the colour isn't too wild that it won't work with the colours you have rotating in my closet. If you plan to wear them often make sure you can work the piece with a few different colour combinations to spice things up for different seasons.
2. Do you have at least three outfits you can make up in your head right now to wear these with?
If the answer is yes, it makes it so much easier to splurge. If you have to think about it for longer than 15 seconds you're likely going to find yourself struggling on your closet floor trying to whip an outfit together. I knew I would have ample outfit possibilities with these. Dress them down with a pair of jeans, play on the femininity with a mini flare dress, or really hone in on the glam with black on black.
3. Is this trendy or timeless?
There are some style that you may love, but will they really stand the test of time? For instance, my Louboutins, I purchased in the nude shade and the iconic point-toe style. These will just not go out of style. They are timeless! There were many other more seasonal styles out, however sticking to something that you can see yourself wearing in 5 years is very important when making a splurge.
Do you have any times for making splurge purchases? What are your go-to holiday outfits!?
Now I just need to decide whether or not to splurge on the matching bag...
