2013 Favourites

Well, this post has ended up being much later than I originally planned. Excuse? I decided to paint the passageway at home in between working and just being lazy. By the way, painting is hard work! This post was also hard work! It was much harder to pick these products than I thought. It is hard to remember a whole year in the terms of what make up I wore and loved. 

For my 2013 Favourites post I decided to go through my stash and just pick on the products that I kept coming back to in the past year. Not all products were released in 2013 but I discovered most of these products in 2013. There is one Holy Grail product that snuck its way into a consecutive yearly favourites post. With a few of these products, I haven't actually chosen a favourite shade - it is the product I love and I enjoy the shades all equally. If a product is good enough for me to buy it in different shades then you know it is a good one!

My makeup ways have changed a little over the year (and especially since my 2012 Favourites post). I am a lot subtler with my lip products thanks to work. I don’t have the time to maintain and bright pink pout nor like the comments it can bring. I also look for products with a long wear time – I now know why people like 12 hour wear products (a work day can be that long). My eye shadow preferences have stayed the same – neutral and easy. 

BURBERRY – Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base

This has become my go-to primer when I want a smooth base with a really dewy and luminous finish. This primer really helps to brighten my skin and give it that ‘glow from within’ look. It is also great to use on its own or as a subtle highlighter over foundation. 

GIORGIO ARMANI – Maestro Fusion Makeup

I was pretty skeptical when I first purchased this expensive not quite foundation, foundation. I however fell in love hard and fast. This foundation is amazing. It gives me a light to medium coverage with a velvet finish but it doesn’t feel like anything on the skin. It is so light feeling, when applying it is like rubbing water onto your skin. I also love how quick it is to apply – it blends seamlessly and is best applied with fingers. 

CHANEL – Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup

This is the sneaky Holy Grail product that actually made it into my 2012 Favourites post too. This foundation is amazing! This year I actually finished one bottle and repurchased it (that is how good it is). I always reach for this when I want beautiful, glowing and natural looking skin. I see this being a Holy Grail product for years to come. Originally reviewed HERE (way back in September 2012).

NARS – Radiant Creamy Concealer

This is one product that the hype around it is well deserved. This concealer is great for under the eyes – it covers my dark circles well, is not drying, does not crease, feels light on the skin and blends easily. Yup, lots of pros and no cons with this one. Great shade range too. 

HOURGLASS – Ambient Lighting Powder

Who knew powder could be this amazing? The Ambient Lighting Powders really blew my mind in 2013. They are simply amazing. They give the skin an airbrush finish with the swish and swipe of a brush. I currently own three shades – Luminous Light, Dim Light and Radiant Light with plans to buy the other three shades in time. 

CHANEL – Le Blush Crème de Chanel

It is pretty much a guarantee when Chanel does something – they do it well. Their cream blushes are no exception. Beautifully pigmented yet super easy to apply and blend. They dry down to a powder finish that is beautiful on the skin. They wear well and there is a lovely range of shades. The three shades pictured here are Fantastic - a plumy pink, Affinite - a bright pink and Inspiration a nude pink. 

BURBERRY – Sheer Eye Shadow

Here is another freaking amazing product that I cannot (and will not) live without. These Burberry shadows are buttery soft with beautiful pigmented shades. The luxe packaging makes these an all-star product. I am hoping to grow my collection this year. The three shades I own are; Rosewood, Midnight Brown and Pale Barley. Original review HERE. 

LAURA MERCIER – Caviar Stick Eye Colour 

Another product I fell for hard in 2013 (originally reviewed HERE). These are Gods gift to “lazy eye shadow appliers” (i.e. ME). These are pigmented, easy to apply and last all day on the lids. There is nothing to not love about these – a possible Holy Grail product. I own the shades (from top to bottom); Cocoa, Amethyst, Khaki, Sugar Frost and Rosegold. 

SHU UEMURA – Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick

I love matte lipsticks but usually find them to drying on my lips. These have a matte finish but are so comfortable to wear. They don’t dry out my lips or start to look flakey after an hour of wear. Great shade range too. The three shades pictured are (left to right); MPK348, MPK335 and MPK355. 

CHANEL – Rouge Coco Shine in 54 Boy

This lipstick received the title of ‘My Favourite Lipstick’ (post HERE) earlier this year and that hasn’t changed. A fantastic shade that would be flattering on everyone – love the formula too. It is still one of my 'go-to' lipsticks when I need to be ready in a flash (and that is often as I snooze my alarm far too often).

MAC – Lustre Lipstick in Lovelorn

This soft pink lipstick has become my go to work lipstick when I want colour but not ‘over the top’ colour. The formula is quite moisturising which is always a bonus. Sadly mine has really melted and is looking pretty ugly at the moment (doesn't help that I dropped it with the lid off either). 

GIORGIO ARMANI – Flash Lacquer 

I am not a lip gloss person. I hate the sticky and heavy feeling they have on my lips. That is not the case with the Flash Lacquers. They sit nicely on the lips, are not sticky or heavy and are comfortable to wear. They are really pigmented and glossy too. The darker more reddish pink shade is 523 and the light pink shade is 522. 

HONOURABLE MENTIONS 

These products didn't quite make the cut because I wanted to keep the post at a reasonable length, if I wanted an encyclopedia length post then I would have included these too.

• Burberry Sheer Foundation
• Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder
• Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
• MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow 
• Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Shadow
• NARS And God Created the Woman Eye Palette
• Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil
• Tom Ford Cream Colour For Eyes
• YSL Rouge Volupte Shine
• EOS Lip Balm

What were your 2013 Favourites?