I think we can all agree that 2017 was a bit crap... but at least we got some good makeup out of it.
Here are my favourite drugstore picks from last year:
I don’t know whether it’s because my skin is getting drier, or because of the very fine lines appearing now that I’m in my late twenties, but I’ve really been appreciating the benefits of a glowing, dewy base recently. I tried out the NYX Born to Glow Primer (review here) and it quickly became something I used on a daily basis to perk up my dry skin. I also fell in love with the Maybelline Dream Satin Foundation in 2 Fair Beige (review here) which has a decent amount of coverage but still feels light on the skin and looks completley natural.
Speaking of NYX, I've also tried out a couple of their concealers. Last time I was in one of their stores I picked up the NYX Gotcha Covered Concealer in Alabaster. It's super full coverage and great if you have redness or breakouts. It's a thick, creamy consistency and a little bit of product goes a very long way, so I think this will last me ages. (If you're as pale as me, the lightest shade Alabaster is only avalible on their website over here and in dedicated NYX stores.)
I’ve really got into liquid highlighter last year. It doesn't emphasise my pores as much as powder highlighter, plus it's much more travel friendly. My good friend Natasha Summer reviewed the Gosh Lumi Drops in 002 Vanilla
and I knew I was going to get along with the champagne-coloured Vanilla shade.
I’ve yet to find a drugstore contour product that suits my pale complexion, so I turn to light brown blushes or taupe matte eyeshadow to sculpt my cheekbones. I've been using the Kiko Shade Fusion Trio Blush in 02 Sand (review here), which has three shades so I can wear a softer or bolder contour depending on my look. The blush that I actually use on my cheeks is the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Nude Mauve, which is the perfect neutral colour I've been searching for for years. It has just enough mauve to add colour to the face without enhancing any skin redness, plus it has a really flattering glow without any glitter.
There have been a few favourites for the eyes as well, with a few too many accidental eyeshadow palette purchases. I think the Makeup Revolution Flawless 4 Eyeshadow Palette sums up the trends for warm shades in 2017. There are some vibrant pink, orange and red matte shades, and some stunning gold and jewel tone shimmers. I wore this on New Years Eve and it was perfect for the occasion, but there are a few everyday options in here as well.
I've also been loving the NYX Aqua Luxe Glam Liner in Nude. It’s a gorgeous glittery gold-toned eyeliner, but I really like wearing this all over my eyelid as well. It’s such an easy way to add glitter to any eye look.
There have been a few gems from Primark over the last year - if you want to check out more of their makeup, I highly recommend the Manchester Market Street store. We definitely have the best beauty section! But the one thing I've gone back and repurchased a few times is the Primark Lash Contour Mascara (review here). It's only two pounds but makes the lashes beautifully curled and defined.
While I was in Belgium, I tried out the Essence Make Me Brow Gel in Blondy Brown, but you can get it over here too in Wilko. The brush is spot on; it's tenny tiny and precise, and doesn’t pick up too much product. It only comes in two shades which is a shame, but the lighter one suits me quite well.
When I was looking through the lipsticks I wore last year, it looks like pretty much all of them have been discontinued but I really wanted to include something. I got the Rimmel Moisture Renew Sheer & Shine Lipstick in Good Mauve from Cheshire Oaks and even though I've had a hard time finding it on the shelves, I still thought it deserved some love. I don’t really suit matte, opaque lips on an everyday basis so this one is lovely for a sheer coat of colour, as the name suggests.
What makeup were you loving in 2017? Let me know in the comments!
