After revisiting all the products that I’ve tried this year, I finally came up with my final list of products that I love for 2016. Again, they are not necessarily new rather, they are the items that I’ve tried this year and really impressed me.

I’ve already published my favourite skincare products and you can read it here so most of these are makeup-related items. Let’s start!

FACE PRIMER

• Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment

  • I used this back whenever I have pimples that are drying as it works well with the acne marks or whenever the skin has a texture.

• Makeup For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer

  • This was included on my last year’s list and still on my 2016 list. I use this together with the Cover FX mattifying primer.

On good skin days or whenever I want a light makeup look, I would pick up Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer. And last November I purchased my very first Guerlain product and now, I can’t stop using it. The product is their L’Or Gold Primer and although I can’t feel the “tightening effect” that they say, I feel like I always have a good makeup day when I’m using this (regardless of the foundation that I use).

COLOUR CORRECTOR

• Makeup For Ever’s Step1 Radiant Primer – No. 8 Peach

  • This was my first colour corrector and I use this to get rid of my dark circles and it’s also perfect for dull skin.

• Makeup For Ever’s 5 Camouflage Cream Palette

  • I picked this up because of the green corrector that I badly need since I suffered from redness caused by pimples. Aside from the peach and green correctors, I can also use the first 3 palettes as a concealer as highlight and concealer.
  • Since these are cream products, a little goes a long way and it’s also travel-friendly.

• Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector

  • If I were to arrange these three (under eye) correctors, Becca will be my no. 1. It’s not very liquid like MUFE’s Radiant primer but not too creamy like the MUFE camouflage palette. Very easy to work with.

CONCEALER

I got 2 brands for this year’s favourite concealers and the second spot goes to MUFE Ultra HD concealer while my no. 1 pick will be It Cosmetic’s Bye Bye Under Eye. see full review here.

FOUNDATION

My ultimate favourite and, hands down, the best foundation that I’ve ever had will be La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Concealer and Foundation. See full review here. It is worth every penny and it’s always a good makeup day whenever I wear this. Already saving for my next bottle.

Next is actually a combination of 2 brands. This foundation concoction hit the web when Kylie Jenner showed how she mixes MUFE’s Ultra HD foundation and Urban Decay’s Naked  One & Done for a more flawless and full coverage product. I already love the performance of the products individually but when you combine them, it’s more flawless but not thick.

The lighting varies as I used natural light from my window when I took the photos.

My special mention to It Cosmetic’s CC Cream –  full review here because this is my go-to face makeup if I’m out for a quick errand or if I want something light but with coverage.

POWDERS

I’ve been saying this over and over but these 2 are worth the splurge. I use Laura Mercier’s Translucent powder to set my concealer and face. Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish powder has a bit of colour and I would use this if I want a flawless, more of a “photoshopped” kind of flawless look.

EYEBROW

Benefit Cosmetics upped their brow game this year when they launched (& relaunched) these brow products. I haven’t tried them all but I was amazed at their Gimme Brow and Precisely, My Brow Pencil. I still use my favourite Anastasia Brow Wiz and dip pomade but when I’m in a rush, all I need is Benefit’s brow pencil (42 SGD). Plus, it’s easily available here in Singapore, tho’ it costs more than the brow wiz (35 SGD).

EYELINER

Tom Ford’s Eye Defining Pen is so easy to use especially when you are doing that signature cat eye look while Stila’s All-Day Waterproof Eyeliner does not move or fade on my lids and same goes with KVD’s Tattoo Eyeliner. NARS’ Larger Than Life in Via Venetto and Kyliner are my favourite for tightlining.

EYESHADOW & PALETTES

I did full reviews on these and the links are provided below. Out of all, Makeup Geek (MUG) is one of the biggest revelations (at least for me and I know I’m late on this) because it’s an indie brand that delivers the quality like that of MAC eyeshadows – that’s according to beauty gurus and experts. I cannot personally say that because I don’t own any MAC eyeshadows yet (yes, I am serious about that. Not a single one) but I’ve used my MUG eyeshadows and I’m very happy with them.

• Natasha Denona Star Palette (Limited Edition)
• ABH Master Palette by Mario (Limited Edition)
• ABH Modern Renaissance Palette – full review to follow
• Makeup Geek x Manny MUA 
• Huda Beauty Textured Shadows Palette Rose Gold Edition
• Kat Von D Shade & Light Eye Palette
• Kylie Jenner Creme Eyeshadows

HIGHLIGHTER

If I need a subtle, but extra oomph after a tiring day I use Urban Decay’s Afterglow in Aura. It gives you a glow of freshness, like for real! But if I want that “glow from within” then I’d use Becca’s Shimmering Perfector. Finally, if I want a sexy glow especially for special events, I will pick up Becca x Jaclyn Hill’s highlighter in Champagne Pop or Prosecco Pop.

BEAUTY TOOLS

Finally, the beauty tools.

I just started purchasing the brushes that I need when doing detailed eye look since I’m finally getting the grip of which are for what. My first brush set was the Coastal Scents’ 22-piece brush set and I really don’t understand the function of each brush. I ended up giving them away to my friends who needs makeup brushes.

Click the photo to read the full post.

Investing on high-quality brushes like the Wayne Goss Air-Brush brush (see full review here) is a good decision. Brushes are your partners when it comes to applying and blending makeup products and of course, you would want something that is worth your money and can deliver the quality that you are looking for.

Does it have to be expensive?

Well, not really. Again, that is a personal choice but these brushes are priced that way for different reasons. For example, Wayne Goss’ brush are handcrafted in Japan and it will last for at least 4-5 years or maybe more.

This year I purchased my first couple of Sigma and Zoeva brushes. They are reasonably priced and performs well. But on top of these, one of my best buys was the Sigma Beauty Spa Express Brush Cleaning Glove. Cleaning my brushes are easier; they are cleaner than before (like zero amount of product on the bristles/hair) and most importantly, they are not deformed.

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And we’ve finally reached the end and if you’re wondering why I didn’t include my lip products on the list that’s because I’m gonna have a separate post for that. With the number of lipstick reviews that I did for 2016, the lippie department deserves its own post. So be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss my upcoming posts!