Favourites of 2014 - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of my favourites of 2014! If you haven't already checked out Part 1, it's full of my skin, hair and body care loves.
I love makeup, not in the same way that a makeup artist loves makeup, but just how it enhances what's already there...or covers what you wish wasn't! This year I stayed true to old faves and discovered some new ones. The reason I never do looks of the day, is because it's rare that I try something different. I'll usually just change up my lippy or blush. I'm a creature of habit, what else can I say?

Base: It`s really no surprise that Sappho`s Liquid Foundation in Leisha is here. It's a beautiful foundation that makes me feel like I'm not wearing any makeup at all, it covers well, and it has great ingredients. My only problem is that it oxidizes a bit. 
The next fave is the *Zuzu Luxe Dual Powder Foundation in D-10. I've only had this for a few months but I've reached for it every time that I've done my makeup. It offsets the oxidization of Leisha, provides a tad bit more coverage, and gives me a flawless complexion. I even love using it on its own when I just need to even out my skin. Full review to come.
Concealer: I haven't found one that works well for covering dark circles. I'm open to suggestions! I've heard Christopher Drummond is amazing, but (for some odd reason) I'm still on the fence about trying it.

Cheeks/Bronzer: I absolutely adore W3LL People's Universalist in #7. It's a super pigmented, deep cool toned pink cream blush that blends beautifully on the skin. 
Next up we have a hybrid, Physicians Formula Organic Wear bronzer/blush. This is my go to when I want a bronzed rosey cheek without the effort of contouring and blushing. It isn't all that pigmented so there's no way of applying too much. It works with any eye and lip combo. 
Lastly, we have Alima Pure Bronzer in Mauna Loa. I've had this bronzer for over two years now, it's insane how long this little jar has lasted. I love the warmth it gives, especially when I'm tanned and my foundation is a tad light, this evens it out. It can be built up or blended out for whatever intensity you're looking for. 

Eye Primer: Again, I haven't had this product for long but reach for it every time I do my makeup. The *Gabriel Eye Primer in Neutral is amazing! It evens out the lid, intensifies each shadow, and keeps shadows from creasing for several hours.

Eye Shadows: As you can see, I've made quite a dent in the two pictured shadows. They are my daily go tos and I literally cannot be without them. They are Pure Anada Pressed Shadows in *Whisper and Burlap. I use Whisper all over the lid, including the inner corner and brow bone, as well as on my face to highlight (seriously!). Burlap is a fantastic crease and transition colour, it's a matte light brown/taupe shade. Love!

Mascara: This was a tough one for me but, the standouts (not pictured) were Pure Anada and Earthlabs.

Brows: Sante Eye Brow Pencil in No. 2 is my holy grail brow pencil. It's the perfect dark brown without any warm (aka reddish) undertones. It fills in sparse brows like a dream and lasts for months. If you have lighter brows, I recommend Zuzu Luze Brow Pencil in Russet.

Lips: Yet another product that I haven't had for too long but have reached for more than any other lip product. This *Gabriel Color Lipliner in Berry is stunning on its own, under a gloss, or under a lipstick. It's creamy, pigmented, and lasts for hours without budging. It's a beautiful soft pink that would flatter any skin tone.

Brushes: Although many people like to use their hands, I prefer to apply makeup with brushes. That being said, these were the most used for 2014. From top to bottom we have Ecotools Shadow Brush, Alima Pure Crease/Blending Brush, Sigma Large Angled Contour Brush (used for blush), Sigma Large Powder Brush (used for bronzer), Real Techniques Multi Task Brush (used for powder), and the newest addition that I haven't been able to put down since getting it from Glam Goes Green is the *Real Techniques Powder Brush (used for powder).

Those are my makeup loves! Suggestions and your faves are always welcome, so leave them down below.

*PR SAMPLES. All opinions are my own

Faves Friday! - New Series

My attempt at doing a Faves Friday every Friday has already started off poorly. It's Saturday, as you all know, and that's that. I will be better prepared next week, promise!
Anyway, I will be doing a weekly faves in place of a monthly one because I was big time slacking on those. I also think it's easier to remember what I've been using and loving weekly vs. monthly. Every week I'll choose the top 3 products that I've been loving, excluding this post as I'm covering the last two weeks, and tell you why. Blah, blah, blah. Shall we just start now?

One Love Organics Vitamin B Active Moisture Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover - review here - This stuff is amazing! It removes makeup beautifully without drying out my skin AND having to do a double cleanse. 

Skin Essence Organics Nourish Moisturizer Serum - review here - I have mixed feelings on this product, but do find it moisturizes incredibly well. I've been loving it mixed with the next fave.

Tamanu Oil - review here - I'm almost running out of this bottle and will NEED to repurchase whether it's still #NoBuyJanuary or not because it's a staple for keeping my skin happy. Skin Essence mixed with this has been very nourishing, especially with the extreme weather killing my skin.

*Therapi Orange Blossom No. 3 Honey Moisturizer - review here - What a beautiful moisturizer! I have been using it morning and night for an extra moisture boost. It's great alone, when my skin isn't so dry, but has been working even better with oils underneath or mixed in. It creates a beautiful base for makeup and deeply nourishes at night. 

*Pure Anada Pressed Foundation in Very Fair - review here - This foundation is amazing. My cheeks have been tomato red and this works to cover that up without having to apply too much. I'll use this shade if I'm doing a full face of makeup and Light on "no makeup" days. Love applying it with the EcoTools bronzer brush.

*Sappho Concealer in Neutrality - review here - This neutral pinkish shade has been working well under my eyes. I finally gave up my favourite Origins concealer and while this isn't as good, it works. Neutrality makes me look more awake and polished.  I apply it with the Real Techniques domed shadow brush. Oh Sudz is on my radar though!

That's what I've been loving for the last 2 weeks. What have been some of your faves lately?

*PR Sample

Swap with Naturally Marcy

Naturally Marcy and I have been discussing a swap since the end of 2012, not the END (of the world) but the end of the year. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, you must, she's basically my other blogging half! I thought it would be fun to post what I received from her.

Real Techniques Travel Essential Kit which includes includes:

• essential foundation brush: Build flawless custom coverage with liquid foundation or concealer 
• multi-task brush: for effortless application of powder, blush, and bronzer
• domed shadow brush: tapered design smoothly shades and defines eyes
• panoramic brush case is a 2-in-1 case + stand

I'm super excited for this set! Hoping to get to the USA and pick up the Starter Set and blush brush next!

Simply Natural Chamilla Lip Balm: This smells and feels absolutely divine thus far! I only applied it once, but am loving it.

Badger Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Mocha Cocoa: I'm not a coffee drinker and don't enjoy the smell of coffee/mocha or anything BUT this balm has grown on me.  I went from thinking "ew, what the heck did she send me!?" to "can't.live.without.this". Superb lip balm!

Bubs & Scrubs Virgin Coconut - Coconut Milk Soap: This sounds like it's going to be delicious. I can't smell it through the packaging but I will definitely do a review when I get around to using it.

Youngblood Pressed Shadow in Zen: This shadow is a deep forest green with gold flecks, it's beautiful.

Alima Pure Shimmer Blush Sample in Freja: It's a beautiful neutral pink with lots of shimmer. I look forward to trying it.

Alima Pure Bronzer Sample in Belize: This bronzer is a beautiful medium high shimmer bronzer. It's very pretty and I think it would be best used on the decollete area because of how shimmery it is.

That's all folks! Hope you enjoyed seeing what I received in my swap! :) To see what I got her, click here.

Thank you Marcella for sending me fantastic products!

xo

DISCLAIMER: We both set a budget that we met quite well. There was a slight misunderstanding, seeing as it was our first swap ever, so there is no need to write negative comments about who spent more, etc, etc. We are both thrilled with what we received!