I am a make-up, skin care, whatever you call it fanatic! I take advantage of the "if you don’t love it return it” policy at Sephora, and it has definitely been worth it. While my favorites may not appeal to everyone, remember we all have different skin tones, types, and blemishes, what works for you may not work for me, but that’s the beauty of make-up, you can find whatever it is that appeals to your skin’s uniqueness. Here’s the top five best and worst beauty products I have found in 2016. Enjoy!
The Best
1. "Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW!" by Benefit Cosmetics
Forget a contour kit! This powder Highlighter is absolutely stunning! Having oily skin, it’s safe to stay with powder based highlighters rather than cream based. I am a huge Urban Decay fan, I cannot find a product of their’s that I don’t like! This illuminator comes with a small brush as a bonus, I am still partial to applying it with an angled brush. It isn’t think, but really light and airy, with a sheer highlight. It also has small hints of sparkles that really do bring out natural highlights in your skin and enhance the highlight effect of the powder without covering your face in sparkles. It has a very pale neutral
color tone, rather than gold, which creates more of a natural look. Want to give it a try? Sephora has it for $32.
3. Laura Mercier "Hydrating Primer"
This brand of cosmetics is really over looked! I have been through the ringer with primers, from oil free to pore minimizing, I couldn’t find one that actually kept my make up on; Until Laura Mercier came into my life. It is a really light feel and comes out almost like a lotion that just glides on your face. My favorite part is that it doesn’t clog your pores, yet it still keeps all day coverage. Again it is so light that it just feels like a moisturizer rather than a thick primer. To find this product I suggest going to to Sephora, $36.
4. Murad "Time Release Acne Cleanser"
I suggest any of the NAKED palettes! I know that everyone always says they’re the best, but they are! Each of the palettes are unique in their own way, I really enjoy the NAKED palette because it can compliment every eye and skin tone which makes it irresistible. Each palette comes with 12 shades and a double ended brush, with great quality! The color combinations are endless and you can mix and match tones from all of the palettes! I recommend getting your NAKED Palette(s) at Sephora, $54.
& The Worst
1. Self Sell Products
UGH! One of the biggest make-up let downs of my life. Benefit recently came out with this new highlighter that was literally like glue. It was not a subtle highlight, but it was an orange color and the cream effect lead to a caked on look. It did not blend very well, and it clogged my pores leading to more blemishes. Also it had on oily look rather than a soft shine. My advice, don’t try it.
3. "Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer" by Smashbox Cosmetics
I absolutely hate Smashbox products, they never live up to the expectation. This primer is oil free, making me think it would reduce acne, instead it caused a major breakout. The primer was a cream that had a really dry feel that did not keep make-up on all day. I didn’t have to worry about make-up clogging my pores because this primer was literally suffocating my pores. It was heavy and ineffective. This was just a disappointing product all around.
4. Cetaphil Cleanser
I was recommended this cleanser by a dermatologist for my acne. It said that it was great for oily skin and didn’t give a drying effect. This product definitely did not dry my skin out, but it increased the oil and caused my acne to worsen. The nice thing about this cleanser is that it is under $10, but I recommend spending the extra money to get healthy, happy skin.
5. "Grandiose Mascara Noir Mirifique" by Lancome
This mascara was very expensive, and I was willing to pay the price for it being water-proof and actually keeping my mile long eye lashes out of my eyes. This was not water-proof what so ever. It kept my eyelashes curled up for maybe an hour, but it was so flakey! I mean this would fall off in huge pieces and into my eyes, this wasn’t even air proof! I’d recommend a drugstore mascara over this high end one.
