Best of 2014! | BASE PRODUCTS! (My Favorite Drugstore + High-End Makeup Picks)

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!  Can you guys believe 2014 is almost over??  This was one of the best years of my life.  Just 8 months ago, I was walking down the aisle to marry the best guy I could've ever dreamed up!  We left for a Puerto Rican adventure the next day and the memories made over the course of the wedding and honeymoon were so wonderful, I think of them whenever when I need a pick-me-up.  

My hair had it's own little story arc in 2014.  I cut it in Condado, PR on our honeymoon, went blonde, tried to fix it by going blonder, went back to brunette, and finally, invested in some hair vitamins in an attempt to grow it out long once again.  Biggest thanks go to Stephanie for devising a long-distance at-home hair color fix; my hair would not be the same without you!

2014 was a good year for makeup as well.  I may not have mastered the cut crease or become a pro at doing an ombré lip, but I did discover a plethora of products that made my life easier (and more enjoyabe).  I thought I'd share my favorites with you in a Best of 2014 series.  Today we're focusing on the building blocks: base products!

BASE PRODUCTS

PRIMER

DRUGSTORE: I didn't find a drugstore primer this year that I loved.  Did you?  What would you recommend?
HIGH-END: Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer, $32.00 USD.  This silicone-free primer adds hydration without leaving my combination skin an oily mess.  

TINTED MOISTURIZER/BB CREAM/CC CREAM/ZZ CREAM

DRUGSTORE: Lumene Time Freeze CC Cream, $14.99 USD.  I would put this product up against any high-end base product and I believe it would out-perform it.  The silky finish, high-coverage cream leaves my face looking airbrushed. | FULL REVIEW HERE.
HIGH-END: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF30, $42.00 USD.  What more can I say about this?  The raves are true.  Beautiful dewy finish, surprisingly good coverage, and a solid SPF rating. | FULL REVIEW HERE.

FOUNDATION

DRUGSTORE: Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation, $6.15 USD.  I've literally forsaken all others in favor of this foundation.  Weightless, medium coverage that can be built up to full, and the matte finish is a god-send for anyone with oily or combination skin.  As soon as I finish this foundation, I'll be repurchasing it!  
HIGH-END: Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet, $45.00 USD.  Another beautiful, weightless formula that made my oily summer skin very happy.  Any liquid foundation that allows me to skip finishing powder is a true celebrity in my makeup bag! | FULL REVIEW HERE.

CONCEALER

DRUGSTORE: Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, $12.99 USD.  Caffeine, lemon essence, and mineral pigments combine forces to reduce puffiness while brightening my under-eye area.  The thin, serum-like consistency blends like a dream.  I love putting the tube in the fridge during the warmer months for an even more bombastic cooling/puff-reducing experience!
HIGH-END: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $29.00 USD. This thick but fabulously blendable concealer is great for under the eyes and on the face.  Apply it to the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin, and forehead, and blend it out with a brush or wet blending sponge for that certain je ne sais quoi J-Lo glow. | FULL REVIEW HERE.

BEST OVERALL BASE PROUCT OF 2014

Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation

What were some of your fave base products?  If you could only name one base makeup item as your best of the year, what would it be?

>> Stay tuned for the next Best of 2014 installment featuring my favorite powders, bronzers, blush, and highlighters!