EYESHADOW SINGLE
DRUGSTORE: L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Bronzed Taupe, $6.36 USD. A lot of people overlook loose shadows and pigments because they think they're messy, but they have a dimensionality that's unparalleled by any pressed shadow. I'm a bit biased since I started my own makeup journey years ago with Bare Minerals Loose Eyecolors, but there is truly no easier impactful eye than a few pats of loose shadow! The L'Oreal Infallibles are gorgeous, and this year I particularly fell in love with Bronzed Taupe. I like to apply it to my lid with a wet brush and blend out the edges with a clean blending brush for a simple, yet beautiful single shadow look.HIGH-END: MAC Tan Pigment, $21.00 USD. This stunning color is universally flattering and looks like you spent 45 minutes doing your eye makeup when in reality it took 2. I'd recommend picking up a Sized To Go Pigment ($10.00 USD for 2.5 oz) unless you're a professional makeup artist and/or have 9 friends to split the full-sized pigment with. You will NEVER finish the 4.5 oz version!
EYESHADOW PALETTE
DRUGSTORE: Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips All-in-1 Custom Nude Palette for Face & Eyes in Warm Nude, $11.16 USD. If you love shimmery neutrals, you should definitely give this a try. The 12 shades are rich and creamy and can be combined to create a ton of different looks. It can also be used as a highlighter, but I can't vouch for that since I've never used it that way. I used this palette a lot over the summer for shimmery copper eyes! The bright coral shadow is also surprisingly wearable and different.
HIGH-END: LORAC Unzipped Palette, $40.00 USD. This palette of warm, pink-toned neutrals (along with 2 beautiful browns) has been the palette I've reached for the most ever since I got it. If pinks aren't your thing, LORAC is releasing a gold-toned version on January 15th!
EYE LINER
DRUGSTORE: NYX Slide On Eye Pencil in Jewel, $7.99 USD. This plum liner, shot through with copper and plum shimmer, enhances all eye colors. The smooth, skip-free formula stays put on my oily lids (with primer) all day.
HIGH-END: MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Lord it Up, $16.00 USD. I picked mine up from the Archie's Girls collection and my socks were knocked completely off by the ultra creamy formula and iridescent shimmer-infused golden brown color. The Pearlglides are part of the permanent line so you can pick one up anytime. One caveat, sometimes the glitter particles bother my eyes toward the late afternoon hours, and sometimes they don't. The shade itself is so stunning, for me it's worth the gamble. I wore this on my wedding day and it didn't bother my eyes at all, and on top of that, it stayed put until 4 AM when I finally took my makeup off! I know Jaa/HelloJaa is a huge fan of this formula and has a detailed review with swatches of 5 of the shades here.
MASCARA
DRUGSTORE: L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara, $6.39 USD. Huge thanks to Vita/MakingUp4MyAge for putting me over the top on trying out this mascara! The formula and brush are perfection for my skimpy lashes! The brush is cone-shaped with a very tapered tip to reach the inner corners and coat the bottom lashes without bumping the lid. I've already repurchased Miss Manga several times; I just love it!
HIGH-END: Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes*, $29.00 USD. Truly the best find for anyone who isn't confident whipping false lashes on in 60 seconds. The fullness and length I get from a single coat of this 2-step lash building system is unreal! *Press sample | FULL REVIEW HERE.
BROW PRODUCT
DRUGSTORE: Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil, $7.99 USD. On a simplicity scale of 1 to 10, this slightly waxy pencil scores a perfect 10 for being the fastest way to get beautiful brows with minimal effort. I love that it comes with a spoolie attached for blending!
HIGH-END: Anastasia Beverley Hills Brow Wiz, $21.00 USD. Another easy brow product with an attached spoolie! I'm seeing a trend here, lol! This super fine retractible pencil makes filling in brows effortless and the finished results look natural, not painted-on.
What was your favorite eye product this year?
I need to check out the NYX eyeliners! I haven't tried them before. Do you ever wear them on your waterline? Makeup Geek eyeshadows were my favorite this year. The quality and price are hard to beat! I was surprised to enjoy loose pigments and included them (also MUG) in my faves too.
ReplyDeleteHey Kristen, ahhh despite the fact that I seldom use pencil liners, Lord It Up keeps calling my name! It's such a gorgeous shade! I keep reaching for shades that are complex enough to pretty much function on their own (because you know, lazy). By Terry Bronze Moon, Chanel Mirage, and RBR Rufous-Tailer Weaver are some good examples :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have the attention span this year to do a favourites round-up, lol. Everything is a fave at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI want to steal your LORAC palette and now am reconsidering the L'Oreal Infallibles (I had 4 and got rid of them). :s
Ha ha! I thought I was being all unique doing a yearly favorites but it seems like everyone had the same idea, lol! I had no idea LORAC wasn't sold in CAN any more - what a travesty! :\ I do love the L'Oreal Infallibles. There's a violet one that really kicks bottoms, as well. You may need to hit up Shopper's Drug Mart the next time there's a sale! Look at that knowledge of Canadian drugstores. I know you're proud. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh Sunny, Lord it Up is a total winner! I've looked for dupes ever since I got it and haven't found anything that matches the glimmery finish. I love shades that are complex enough to work on their own. You've made me think I need RBR RTW so many times! And you and Divya are both Chanel Mirage champions. I think that one may need a look! ;)
ReplyDeleteJewel is the only NYX liner I own, but it's such a stunner! I've never tried it on my waterline because I fear the shimmer could cause issues. I made that mistake one time with MAC Lord it Up...I had glitter in my eyes all day like a moron, lol! I really do want to try some MUG, but I keep waiting for Barcelona Beach to be restocked. I think it's been 4 months now? I'm thinking maybe it won't be restocked and I should move on! I know you and I have discussed that color before and you said it was more taupe than brown. Can't wait to read your faves and pick out some MUGs to try!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe LORAC isn't sold there any more! WHAT?! The Physician's Formula palette is really wonderful. The texture of the shadows is creamy like Urban Decay's! I've been eyeing the concealer myself! They also have the most gorgeous blush coming out as part of their Argan line that you would swoon over!
ReplyDeleteI know! It's a travesty LOL!
ReplyDeleteI will for sure look for that PF palette in California this week! I love Ulta. BING BANG ZOOM DRUGSTORE+HIGH END CRAVINGS DONE hahaha! And there's one right by Marky's school! It's like the city was made for me LOL!
And I hope that Argan blush is there too!
I LOVE Tan pigment, just don't have the time anymore to pull pigments out. I can't tell you how many times I have put Unzipped in my shopping cart then took it back out? About one million. Are you going to be getting the Unzipped Gold when it comes out? Its looks kinda amazing! I think I've mentioned it in another post of yours but I gotta try that Manga...but I'm in a love affair with Lash Sensational still, and it is even BETTER once it dries out a little. Manga is the next though! Ironically I believe Lash Sensational and Too Faced Chocolate Bar were my best eye products of the entire year! AMEN sister!
ReplyDeleteLOVE all the picks Kristen! I love many of them too :) so agree on the mini size pigments. If you ask me, they should just stop making the humungous sizes already and just sell them to MUAs lol. Happppy New year Kristen:)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try that Nude palette for quite some time. This may have pursued me. I'm obsessed with Miss Manga. (:
ReplyDeletewww.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
Hahah "9 friends" to split the pigment with!? I've always been intimidated by loose pigments, but that is such a nice hue. Also; Lord it Up?! I've never shopped for eye pencils at MAC but this one looks so brilliant I may just have to. Also; I cannot express how much love I have for the Brow Wiz. I am obsessed. I hated messing around with powder to fill in my brows for every day. I'd have to clean up too sometimes and this brow wiz is just making it so easy to fill brows in like 5 min (that actually sounds like a long time?!). But you were one of the main players in recommending it for me, so THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteI've also never seen a NYX eye liner!? I don't know how, because I'd praise their lip liners from the rooftops! Thanks for another fantastical best of 2014 :D Bah bah bah bah bahhhhh I'm lovin' it!
MUCHO POTATO (love)..
Thanks for the shoutout Kristen! It was purely by chance I found that mascara myself when I was hunting down waterproof mascaras in Walgreen's on my vacay - I hear they will finally release in Australia this month or next and I'm hanging onto mine until they do! I love L'Oreal Infallible shadows too although I don't use mine nearly enough and omigosh I'm still lusting after a Lorac palette - ANY Lorac palette to have at least one in my collection...
ReplyDeleteKRISTEN! You are the most organized blogger I know!!! I love that your BEST of 2014 is very detailed and segmented. Huhu I wish to do this but planning it in my head already sounded like so much work LOL. #LAZIESTBLOGGEREVER But gurrrl, you must know that I admire your work! Will be backreading like crazy.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of eyes alone... can I be one of those 9 friends you can split the pigment with? I've always wanted to try those beautiful MAC pigments but have hesitated because I don't have 9 friends to split it with!! Haha. But yes, I wish they came in a smaller size for those interested to 'try' them first. Love the look of the Lorac Unzipped but will have to plow through my Lorac Pro first - I've almost finished up one pan! YAY! haha.
The Anastasia Brow Wiz was something I wanted to pick up but when I found a cheaper, very similar alternative by Heroine Make, I've crossed it off my wishlist. On the mascara level though, I'm always looking for new ones to try so I think I'll be purchasing the Miss Manga one this year when I run out. :) Hopefully I find my FAVORITE mascara this year!
Kristen, I love your eye picks! Loreal Infallible eyeshadows are absolutely great and I agree that they are underappreciated. I don't have this shade and I need it ASAP! Loreal Miss Manga mascara is great too. I had only one tube but I think I am going to repurchase it!
ReplyDeleteL'oreal's Infallible in bronzed taupe is one of my FAVES!! And dangit, once again, you convince me to go buy Miss Manga mascara!!! I'm in need of something new in terms of mascara so I'm all over this drugstore brand.
ReplyDeletetan pigment has been on my wishlist for ages!
ReplyDeleteI think we were twins in another life, Kristen! I love every single one of your picks! The colors are just soooooooooooooo... I dunno... just so RIGHT, ya know? I would break into your bedroom (or wherever you keep your make-up) and steal all these beauties right off you!
ReplyDeleteHa Ha, Melissa! Sistahs from another mistah, maybe?! :) So glad you find my eye picks worthy of breaking and entering. There is no higher honor! ;)
ReplyDeleteHa, Lily! The Brow Wiz and Pomade are both excellent, but the Wiz is definitely easier to use to me. I think it all goes back to what you're most comfortable with. If it's powder/gel with an angle brush, you'll probably prefer the Pomade. If you're a pencil and go girl, the Brow Wiz will probably light up your life!
ReplyDeleteI could send you some, neighbor! :) I only have enough for 35 people.
ReplyDeleteYes! Bronzed Taupe is BOSS! I can't wait for you to try the Miss Manga mascara! It really works to separate lashes and add a ton of oomph!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Agata! You will not be disappointed with L'Oreal Bronzed Taupe. It goes with EVERYTHING and looks so beautiful! I do love me some Miss Manga. I will definitely be repurchasing it when it's time for a new mascara!
ReplyDeleteHa! Thank you so much, Shari! I am so happy you think I'm organized, lol! I really loved doing the best of 2014 series and plan to keep it up as the years go by.
ReplyDeleteYes you can certainly be one of the 9 friends to split MAC Tan Pigment with, lolol! It is honestly HUUUUGE and there's no way in hell I'll ever finish it. I've already shared it with one lovely lady known as my mom, and I filled an empty L'Oreal Infallible shadow with it and I still have almost a whole JAR left over. They really should sell all of their pigment shades in the smaller sized-to-go bottles. I think even a makeup artist would struggle to use the full sized jar!
You go girl on being close to pan action on your Lorac Pro!! That's awesome! Unzipped would be beautiful on you. Miss Manga is a great mascara; it gives my wimpy lashes LIFE!
And kudos on finding a cheaper alternative to Anastasia Brow Wiz! Thanks for the tip - will keep that in mind when I finish up my Wiz (WHAT?! LOL!)!
I KNEW the Mac Pearlglide would make the list!!! ;D Thanks for the shout-out, Kristen! You're the sweetest! <3
ReplyDeleteI'm getting more and more intrigued about the Younique 3D Fiber Lashes! I don't think I have ever come across one bad review on it yet! Heading to your review page to read about it again and maybe this time I'll consider getting one! :D
Oopsie almost forgot! Happy Blog Birthday to Glambunctious!!! Let's partayyyyy :D
ReplyDeleteHappy blog anniversary! I can't believe it's only been two years. It feels like we've been visiting each other's blogs for much longer. :)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the products, I'm with you on Anastasia Brow Wiz! I broke my no backup rule to get another during Sephora VIB. Still haven't finished the first tube though.
I love this post so much that I had to comment twice, LOL. ;)
ReplyDeleteThose L'oreal eyeshadows look soo nice. I've heard mixed reviews about the Miss Manga mascara but now you're making me want to try it! I'm thinking I need to try more L'oreal products :) Also, that Lorac Unzipped palette is just so beautiful, ahhh.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely sounds like that city was made for you, lol! And I LOVE that you can get drugstore and high-end stuff at ULTA! So convenient.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Sarah! Tan pigment is so beautiful! Ooh and Unzipped should go into your cart and then come to your house b/c the colors would be so flattering on you! I'm skipping Unzipped Gold b/c gold is probably my least used eyeshadow color (aside from black), so a whole palette dedicated to it would never get used. Are you getting it? I used to wear gold shadow all the time but now I don't love the way it looks on me any more! I'm looking forward to Lash Sensational drying out a bit. I liked it more the last time I used it so you're definitely onto something!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee! I agree, MAC really should make all of their pigments available in the sized to go vial - people might actually have a shadow of a chance at making a dent in them, lol! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I hope you love it if you do try it! And yes to the Miss Manga obsession! It's SO GOOD!
ReplyDeleteYou would love Lord it Up, it's such a beauty and I've yet to find a true dupe for it! Brow Wiz definitely cuts down on eyebrow filling in time like nobody's biz! Also, you'll be proud: I finished my first Brow Wiz yesterday!!! I couldn't believe it! I went to twist and there was no more! YAY! Luckily I have a second one, lol. NYX Jewel and me are good friends. It would be in my desert island beauty bag FO SHO, lol!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Vita! Thanks for the intro to Miss Manga! I loves! Oh and yes to the LORAC palette magic! She makes amazing palettes. I've never been disappointed by a LORAC palette, especially Unzipped!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you, Jaa! :D
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Jaa! You know me well! How could I not mention Lord it Up?! Definitely try the Younique. I know a lot of people are tired of hearing about it b/c some of their reps are a bit high pressure on Instagram, but it's really worth a look!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz! I can't believe it's only been 2 years either, it feels like there was never a time when I was at least reading blogs, much less writing one! I *just* finished my first Brow Wiz yesterday!! I was so excited - but probably only b/c I had a second one on hand, lol!
ReplyDeleteThe L'Oreal shadows are really fantastic! And Miss Manga works really well for those looking for volume at the root and long lashes. I'd loved to know what you think if you end up picking up a tube! And Unzipped! Such a great staple palette! Pinks are surprisingly easy to wear!!
ReplyDelete