BEST OF BEAUTY 2013

It's that time again for another 'best of beauty' yearly round up! I've really enjoyed reading what everyone has been posting, I love that I'm getting a quick rundown of the favourite of the most favorited, ultimate number one, beauty products of 2013 in one single blog entry. I have a good few products to go through on my list, but I'll try to keep it short and precise!

Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer & Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

Hands down my favourite primer and foundation combo. Hyda Veil is a great primer all-round, but the lightness of the formula works really well with the creaminess of the Skin Base foundation, creating a smooth finish that lasts all day. Illamasqua Skin Base is medium to high coverage, but it wears surprisingly natural whilst giving a flawless finish.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

Probably my most used foundation of 2013. I think this is the perfect everyday go-to foundation, it gives my skin that much needed boost in the morning without wearing oily during the day. I can't say that this foundation hydrates my skin, but it definitely gives the illusion that my dull skin is smooth and moisturised after application. Plus it's so affordable!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer & Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Maybelline has won me over with their concealers this year, I've almost stopped using high-end concealers altogether! Instant Age Rewind is amazing for underneath the eyes, it wears a little thicker and creamier, so it's perfect for eliminating dark circles and smoothing out the skin. Maybelling Fit Me is thinner in consistency and coverage, but is great for anywhere on the face because it blends seamlessly and doesn't look too heavy.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

I've been really digging my drugstore products for face this year, and Rimmel Stay Matte is probably one of my favourite finds for 2013. I was actually given this after my friend who bought it swore it was the worst product ever, but luckily it wears very well on my combination/dry skin (my friend has oily skin). I only apply powder on the t-zone area which do tend to get oily very quickly, but this really sets everything in place making my foundation last a lot longer.

Benefit Hooler Bronzing Powder and Rockateur Blush

I've been wearing these two babies on an almost day-to-day basis, and they pair beautifully together. I tend to be super nitpicky when it comes to bronzers because a lot of them make me look orange, but Hoola is the perfect shade to compliment my skintone. I don't think I need to talk much about Rockateur, it's pretty much universally loved by the blogging community and I can't agree more - the shade is simply gorgeous!

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Dixie

This shade looks a little intense in the swatch but it wears a soft pinky coral when blended out. The texture of Illamasqua Cream Blushers are top notch, they are super pigmented, very easy to blend out (whether using your fingers or a stippling brush) and give a lovely natural dewy finish. I've been eying a couple more of these to add to my collection in 2014!

Jump for the best of 2013 eye products!

TOO FACED JINGLE ALL THE WAY PALETTE + FOTD

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful time during Christmas and New Years, I'm really grateful to have spent this break surrounded by family and friends, I'm all refreshed and ready to go for 2014. Let's leave all the unhappy things behind in 2013 and make the new year one to remember! ;)

I'm a little behind in making this post (as the title of the palette suggests :P), I was gifted this at Christmas but didn't get around to using it till recently. I must admit I was skeptical about the whole iPhone exterior, still seems a bit gimmicky, but after actually swatching the shadows and creating this look I'm completely sold on this set.

Too Faced 'Jingle all the Way' palette consists of 11 eyeshadows, 1 bronzer and 1 blush - all tightly packed to fit the size of an iPhone case! I haven't tried any Too Faced eyeshadows or own any of their palettes, and I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of the shadows/bronzer/blush in this one compact. Everything is very nicely pigmented, especially the blush, and though the glittery shadows do have a slight gritty texture, they wear super sparkly on the eyes - I even got compliments! The different shades are sectioned a little small, so it does get messy when you dip your brush into them, but there's so much variety in the set I think it's a good compromise.

Unfortunately this palette is only available for a limited time (I do believe this was only for Christmas), it's a really cute gift and I'm looking forward to new palette releases from Too Faced in 2014!

Jump for the FOTD!

TOM FORD LIP COLOR

I finally did it. I bought my very first Tom Ford lipsticks! Woohoo!!
I've wanted these for the longest time now, but had my reservations because they are RIDICULOUSLY expensive here in Australia (and in general all over the world I believe). I'm still recovering from the damage this purchase had on my bank account, but I'm so happy to finally get my hands on these. Now let's get ready for some lipstick loving!

First off, let's appreciate the packaging because it is simply gorgeous. I love the bold clean lines on the edges and the clash of black with the gold. The weight of the encasing is slightly heavy, especially for a lipstick, but I feel this adds to the value of the product. The overall look is super luxurious, chic and timeless.

Jump for swatches!