Best of Beauty 2013

Now that the holiday madness is over and everything is back to normal, I thought it would be fun to do a little year-end review talking about all the fun makeup items I loved the most in the past year. So without further ado, here are Savy’s Most Savvy of 2013:

Foundation: Inglot YSM FoundationI’ve talked about this before. I pretty much love everything about this foundation. The finish is great, the lasting power amazing, it blends easily and doesn’t feel heavy. Plus, it’s super affordable. What’s not to love?

Concealer: Collection Lasting Perfection ConcealerI’m hesitant to name this as my fave because it’s only available in the UK but it has been my Holy Grail concealer since I picked it up overseas in June. This stuff is super full coverage, has a beautiful creamy texture and doesn’t crease on my undereye area. If anyone is heading to the UK any time soon, pick me up some! I’ll take shade fair or light! Thanks in advance! I’m holding on to what I have left of my tube like it’s GOLD!

Powder: Too Faced Primed and Poreless Loose PowderThis stuff will make your face feel like silk. I’m always a skeptic about products that say they are going to ‘blur’ and ‘eliminate the appearance of..’ but this one is legit. Dust this on as a setting powder over your makeup and it will make whatever foundation you are using look that much better. And since it’s translucent, it’s not going to make you look cakey or change the color of your makeup.

Blush: Illamasqua Naked Rose
Illamasqua makes a mean blush. For some reason, my biggest problem product always seems to be blush. I always seem to have problems with blending or getting an even distribution of color. Illamasqua gets it done every time and the color Naked Rose is one I think you could wear with any makeup look.

Bronzer: NYC Sunny Bronzer
The best probably $4 I spent this year. It’s pretty much the perfect bronzer. It’s matte but blends well and doesn’t have too much red in it so it doesn’t turn pale me into an Oompa Loompa!

Highlighter: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light
These Hourglass Powders are luxe. They are so finely milled and smooth that they add a little something special without being BAM! highlight. The Luminous Light shade is my favorite to add to the tops of my cheekbones for a beautiful glow.

Liner: Tarte SmolderEyes Skinny LinersThese are a gem. I’m forever on the hunt for a good liner and these get it done. They glide on like a dream and will not budge. The black Onyx shade in particular is SUPER black and longwearing. Who doesn’t need a great eyeliner?

Mascara: Tie: Cover Girl Clump Crusher & Mally Volumizing MascaraI just really don’t think that you could go wrong with either one of these. I have the Cover Girl in Brown for when I want a more ‘natural’ look but still want my lashes to have some ‘umph’ and I’m completely out of my tube of Mally so that should tell you something if it ran out before drying up!

Palette: Lorac ProI recommend this palette to anyone whenever they ask me for a recommendation on palettes. It’s really got everything. An entire row of mattes, and entire row of shimmers, all the neutrals you need, great blending colors, and a couple of subtle colors. Plus, the pigmentation and butteryness of these shadows can’t be beat. I don’t know of anyone who I have recommended this to that has been disappointed.

Lips: Anything in a jumbo lip crayon format
I just can’t get enough of lip products in a jumbo crayon form. It’s just way too easy to have a lipstick in crayon form so that you can get right to the edge of the lips without a liner. Precision is key, my friends. There are tons of brands that have a product like this but my favorites are from Tarte and Jordana.

Favorite New Brand Discovery: The BalmThe Balm is a brand that I have discovered this year and it has left me wondering where it’s been all my life. Their shadows and blushes are standouts in the line but I’ve been impressed with everything that I’ve tried so far. The brand also branches into skin and haircare and I’ve recently picked up some shampoo and conditioner that I’m eager to try. The Balm is frequently featured on Hautelook so keep an eye out for good deals. As an added bonus to their fab products, their packaging is SUPER adorable. I highly recommend checking out some things.

Beauty Resolutions for 2014:
-Establish and stick to a solid skincare regimen. I have so many skin care products and gadgets I need to use but I always tend to get lazy and use a makeup wipe and call it a night. I’m going to see to it that all of these products and devices get the love and attention they deserve in the coming year.

-Shop my stash. After IMATS next week, I’m putting myself on a serious makeup no buy. Particularly on foundations and mascaras. I need to get through what I have so I can enjoy some new goodies. It’ll be hard…but I’m going to do the best I can!

-Keep learning, building my business and blogging. I want 2014 the year where I really get serious about my makeup work. I want to get new clients, do more jobs and generally get better at what I do. I’ve been freelancing for about 7 years now for fun but I’d like to make it more of a priority and focus in the coming year. And, of course, continue to pass some of my knowledge onto you, my dear readers!!!

What are some of your favorite products of 2013? I want to know! Also, do you have any ‘Beauty Resolutions’ you are going to ‘try’ to stick to? Are you as nuts as me about makeup and have to put yourself on a product no buy?

Here’s to a BEAUTIFUL and SAVVY 2014!!!