Best Makeup of 2019!

2019 was a big year of decluttering and really pairing down my makeup collection in terms of keeping only the things I truly love. I wrote way less new makeup reviews, gave away a lot of makeup I didn’t need and put way more use to the stuff I already had and loved. Here were my absolute top favorite products of 2019:

FOUNDATION ::: BeautyBlender Bounce • I was obsessed with the Too Faced Peach Perfect Foundation in 2018 and the beginning of 2019, until I tried this. Weightless, matte finish, full coverage but never looks heavy/cakey. I have the hardest time finding the perfect foundation, it’s either too full coverage, the shade doesn’t totally match, accentuates texture, oxidizes, the list goes on and on. The beautyblender bounce foundation has been my #1 most used foundation and I love how natural it looks while still adding just enough coverage.

CONCEALER ::: Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer • So, I only discovered this the last 2 weeks of 2019, but it outperformed any other concealer I’ve used throughout the year. It comes in 25 shades and will cover dark under eyes and discoloration with the tiniest amount of product. It’s a game-changer and pretty sure one that will be hard to replace.

FINISHING POWDER ::: Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation • Technically this is a powder foundation but what I use it for is an all over setting powder after applying liquid foundation and concealer. Although that sounds like I’m just caking on layer after layer, it doesn’t look heavy when used lightly just buffed all over the skin. On days I really feel like achieving the “no makeup” makeup look (most days) I apply just 1 pump of foundation, sheer it out with a beautyblender sponge, skip concealer totally and then lightly powder specifically in my t-zone area to add the slightest amount of coverage and keep my skin shine-free.

BRONZER ::: Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer & Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer • I currently only have 5 bronzers total but these are the 2 I reach for constantly. Hourglass is expensive but the quality is so, so good, it blends so easily and leaves the most beautiful sun-kissed glow. The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is a cult-fave with good reason. It’s way more affordable and mimics the results of higher end makeup. It comes in a few shades, I use the shade “bronzer” and love that it has a somewhat cooler undertone making it suitable for light contouring as well.

BLUSH ::: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tints & Kevyn Aucoin Pure Powder Glow Blushes • After looking online, I think the Kevyn Aucoin blush was discontinued which is super disappointing because this has been one of my top favorite blushes 2 years in a row now! It’s so so good and the shade Ariana is the perfect nude everyday color. Also a 2 year favorite is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. This is probably my most reached for blush. On days when I want to wear minimal makeup but still look put together, Mood Exposure. On days I want to feel dressy and glam, Mood Exposure. It’s my perfect shade of blush and adds a sheer flush of color and luminosity. While I don’t typically use cream face products, I’ll make an exception for the Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tints. They come in 6 shades (pictured is Poppy) are vegan, formulated with natural and organic ingredients: sunflower wax, shea butter, coconut oil and bamboo stem extract. These semi-sheer cream blushes melt right into your skin leaving such an natural, flattering flush that truly is so, so easy to achieve.

HIGHLIGHTER ::: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed Highlighter (Opal) • To be honest, I don’t wear highlighter most days. And when I do I like to keep it simple and this “oldie but goodie” does just that. It blends out so effortlessly and doesn’t leave that noticeable shiny “stripe” across the cheeks like many highlighters tend to do.

FACE PALETTE ::: Too Faced Natural Face Palette • If you cant already tell from the photo above, this palette gets a ton of use. It’s for sure my most used face palette and it’s great for traveling. The exterior packaging is beautiful and I use every single shade included. I use the Sunny Honey bronzer and Pink Sand blush the most but love them all.

EYESHADOW PALETTE ::: Natasha Denona Mini Star Palette & Aether Beauty Amethyst Crystal Gemstone Palette • If there is one brand you need to try in 2020 if you haven’t already, it’s Aether Beauty. I love every single product they’ve released thus far and this palette is my match. I LOVE purple eyeshadow for green eyes and this is purple eyeshadow done right. It’s stunning. It has just enough color to make it interesting but subdued enough to pass off as “neutral” in its own way. I love it and can’t get enough of the muted purple shades. I also really loved using the Natasha Denona Mini Star Palette. I don’t think this one got the best of reviews overall, but I love it. The small size makes it great for traveling and having only 5 pans makes this super user friendly and easy to put together a quick look. The mattes are pigmented and blendable and the shimmers add depth & dimension when applied overtop. I find that the shimmers apply best with a brush damped with setting spray to get the color to pop and last all day.

SETTING SPRAY ::: Urban Decay All Nighter • My #1 favorite setting spray of all time, UD All Nighter. It’s the first setting spray I ever used on my wedding day in 2012 and the one I’ve consistently reached for since. If 8 years of constant use and multiple replacement bottles doesn’t say enough, I don’t know what will. Get this, you won’t be disappointed.

LIP GLOSS ::: Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lip Gloss, Smith & Cult Shining Lip Lacquer & Ever Skincare Flash Gloss • I’m at the point where I don’t even really bother with any lip products other than a gloss. I’m not into liquid lipsticks, dry lipsticks or anything other than a smooth, comfortable to wear nude gloss. I have like 10 shades that all kind of look the same but these are probably my top 3. I love the plumping effect and scent of the UD glosses (I rotate between 5 shades, Midnight Cowgirl is my fave). I don’t see the Smith & Cult lip lacquers on their site so I’m assuming they are no longer available which just goes to show how long I’ve had this 😳. And the Ever Skin gloss in Rose Nude is the perfect “your lips but better” shade and made with safe, quality ingredients.

Those were my most used, favorite makeup products in 2019 and products I wouldn’t want to go without. Excited to see what remains a fave in 2020 and what gets replaced!

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Disclaimer ::: As always, my reviews are not paid and are based on my own opinion, personal use and results.