Over this past year, I have gotten the chance to try so many new beauty products. There have been some that I don't like, some I do like, and then there are others that I am obsessed with! I thought that it would be fun to share with you my all-time favorite products of the year. They are my ride or die, in thick & thin beauty products that have not let me down, and I just know that you'll love them, too! I'm also going in detail on why I love them, so you know the goodness each product brings. P.S. Stick around to the end of the post, because you'll have the chance to enter to win some of my beauty favorites worth over $150!
The links within this post are affiliate links. This just means if you choose to purchase something, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting ACF!
Skincare & Skin Prep //
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm //
This cleaning balm literally melts your makeup right off. You apply it to dry skin, massage your face to loosen your makeup, and then rinse with water. It's safe to use on your eyes as well. It removes waterproof makeup effortlessly, leaving your skin feeling soft, supple, and moisturized. You can also leave it on your skin for 60 seconds for a deeper clean and intense hydration.
If you've never tried this peel before, you need it in your life. It's seriously heaven on earth for your skin. It gently exfoliates your skin and removes all of your dead skin and dirt! You notice a difference immediately in skin texture, and it helps your makeup go on so much smoother! My hubby uses it too and he loves it!
I use this as a spot treatment on my acne scars. I've been using it for a few months religiously and on and off for a few years. I notice fading on my scars so quickly. I love tea tree oil, and it's loaded with tea tree goodness.
I am a Philosophy addict and yes, I am a soap snob. I just can't use any other body soaps! There are a variety of scents so that you can pick a lighter scent, fruity, or sweet. My favorite scents are pure grace, amazing grace, glazed honey buns, and cinnamon buns. The olive oil body scrubs are amazing, too! There's nothing better than an all over body gentle exfoliation to reveal smooth and brighter skin.
Ever since my first collaboration with Harry's, I can't use any other razor! I get such a close shave with these razors. My hubby ended up stealing mine and I had to get another, because he loves it for shaping his beard!
I love having a sun-kissed glow year-round. If you're looking for a natural looking tan, this is for you! It doesn't make you orange what-so-ever, and it doesn't smell like a "fake tanner" either. The tan will usually last me a little over a week with each application.
Pro Tip: Apply at night and take a quick rinsing shower the next morning for the most natural looking tan.
Pro Tip: Apply at night and take a quick rinsing shower the next morning for the most natural looking tan.
The Dermaflash is a skin game-changer. It exfoliates your skin while removing peach fuzz and dead skin cells revealing smooth, soft, and radiant looking skin. I've been using it since February, and I've noticed an increase in cell turnover (helped me with my scaring!) and my makeup has a much smoother surface and in turn, lasts longer!
Makeup & Tools //
IT Cosmetics brushes are the ultimate brush. They may be slightly pricier than others you can grab quick at Target, but let me tell ya, it's worth it. I've had the same brushes for about four years and they still look and feel brand new. As long as you wash them properly and store them upright, they will last so you're sure to get your money's worth!
I happened to try this foundation, because a friend gave it to me and it's the perfect light-weight full-coverage foundation. I love that it doesn't feel heavy, but it covers any redness, breakouts, and scarring effortlessly. I also love that it comes in a pump form so it's super easy to go from pump to brush.
Not only is this concealer full-coverage, it's waterproof! It does have a thick consistency, but if you squeeze the tiniest amount (seed like small amount) on your ring finger and massage it together with both ring fingers, you will warm up the formula. This will make it apply super smooth and creamy and blend in perfectly with no creasing. I use a beauty sponge to melt it into my skin.
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I'm pretty sure this concealer is the most talked about concealer of 2017. I use it for highlighting my face, applying the smallest amounts under my eyes, on my chin, forehead, and the bridge of my nose. Not only will it give me more coverage, but with the right shade, I get the most gorgeous brightening glow. I use a beauty sponge to blend Shape Tape!
I've tried several setting powders and the LM TLSP is by far my favorite. I used every last bit of my first container and of course repurchased. I think what I love the most about it is I don't use a ton of it to set my entire face. I set my under eyes liberally along with my entire face, and it still lasted 9 months! That's just amazing to me.
The RT Beauty Sponge is the only sponge that I've found that's budget friendly and actually works! When wet (as it should be used to blend) it melts my makeup into my skin so that my makeup looks as natural as possible, while still providing full-coverage.
When I was on the hunt for the perfect bronzer for my wedding, I came across this one. It's not too dark and does not give you a muddy contour, which is key! It gives me a pretty natural glow. It also comes with a skinny contour brush that allows you to concentrate more product in one area to sculpt your contour (and nose!) perfectly. I'll usually use the included brush first and then use a fluffy brush to blend out and bronze my forehead.
This is probably my favorite product from Bare Minerals. Not only does the color Golden Gate work with so many skin tones, it's made with the finest of minerals so it won't clog your pores or cause breakouts!
I am a JH fan through and through. When she launched her palette, I knew I had to have it. I was one of the crazies that had a million alarms set to make sure I didn't miss the first launch. Ever since I've had this palette, I hardly reach to use any of my others! It has just about every color needed to create so many looks. It's perfect for beginners and expert makeup applicators.
I used to be addicted to the Anastasia Brow Definer, but I kept going through them like crazy and I don't have a zillion dollars to replace it all the time. I discovered the Maybelline brow pencil, and it works just as well and is a fraction of the cost!
The Voluminous Primer makes a world of difference to an eye look. It instantly creates a boosting effect giving you dramatic lash volume and length. It also conditions your lashes overtime for soft, nourished lashes!
Lash Paradise is the best drug store mascara I have ever used! In my opinion, it is right on par with Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara. It has the same brush shape and applies very similarly. I get the same, if not better lashes and it's under $10!
This setting spray offers you up to 16 hours of melt-free, fading, smudging makeup! It helps extend the wear of my makeup tremendously, and I find that I hardly have to do any touch ups, if any! It's also perfect to use on an eye shadow brush with a shimmer shadow to create a foiled eye look that will last!
I'm a huge believer in lipliner extending the wear of lipstick. I've tried some high-end lipliners and the low-end, and I found that NYX lipliners help extend my lip products, for sure! It's not as creamy as the high-end lipliners that I've used/have, but it definitely stays on.
Different lip products were all the rage during 2017. Matte lip lines were launching within every makeup brand, but to me, one really stood out. It's super smooth on the lips, the color pigment is extraordinary, and it truly lasts forever! It's also waterproof. I wore a Vice liquid lip on my wedding day and I didn't have to touch it up for over 8 hours through food and kisses! There is a huge shade variety too, so you are bound to love one...two...or all of them!
Giveaway //
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for! Drum roll please!!! Use the Rafflecopter Giveaway form to complete the various tasks to be entered to win this bundle of goodies!!
What's Included in the Giveaway //
IT Cosmetics Mini 5-Piece Face & Eye Travel Brush Set
Harry's Razor Starter Kit (c/o)
Philosophy Pure Grace Olive Oil Body Scrub
Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (Crimson)
L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Set
OPI Nail Polish (Adam said, "It's New Year's, Eve."
Black Velvet Makeup Bag
OPI Nail Polish (Adam said, "It's New Year's, Eve."
Black Velvet Makeup Bag
Good luck, friends!!
What are some of your favorite beauty products that you fell in love with and/or have been loving this past year?!
Stay Classy.
xx,
Kristen
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