Best of Beauty 2015
My Top Cruelty Free Beauty Picks of 2015
Throughout the year I am always on the hunt for new products to try and to add to my list of my holy grail, every day products. Here I have a list of what were my favorites of the past year. What I use on a daily basis and products that I definitely will continue to repurchase. Most of these are drugstore products, with a few exceptions. My philosophy will always be that you don't need to spend a lot to look good and there are so many easy to find cruelty free brands out there now. Beauty doesn't have to break the bank!
Joanna xoxo
Primer
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer- perfecting
Hard Candy has some great affordable primers but this is one of my faves out of the line. This particular primer is meant to minimize lines and pores and provides a smooth finish. I love the feel of this primer, very lightweight on the skin. It provides a nice smooth surface for your makeup without emphasizing fine lines or dry patches.
Makeup Setting Spray
Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous makeup setting spray
Another amazing Hard Candy find. This is by far the best drugstore makeup setting spray I have tried. It really makes your makeup last all night and feels great on the skin, while drying quickly. Even when I apply a full face of makeup, my makeup will look pretty much flawless even by the end of the night. A must have!
Foundation
Wet n Wild Coverall cream foundation
Wet n Wild is such a great super affordable brand that has many products that really are stellar, this foundation being one of them. This foundation provides medium to full coverage without feeling heavy on the skin. It's a satin matte finish and also says it reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. Ever since I bought this foundation, it has become my holy grail foundation. And if you have dry skin like me it doesn't emphasize dry patches, which is a major plus. You need to try this, now!!
Concealer
Hard Candy Glamoflage heavy duty concealer
Every year I talk about this concealer but for good reason. It's just that good! It's lightweight, doesn't settle into your fine lines but still provides amazing heavy duty coverage. And if you set it with a powder, it won't crease throughout the day. This is my go to, every day concealer. Hard Candy makes a few other concealer formats that are really good as well so if this particular one is too heavy duty for you I would suggest trying some of their other options. Hard Candy concealers are on point!
Bronzer
Milani Tantastic face & body baked bronzer
Milani has some amazing baked bronzers but this by far has become my new all time favorite. This bronzer has such a beautiful golden finish that it provides your skin with that dewy, glowy look. It's absolutely stunning in the summer months, but to be honest I use it year round. It's just so beautiful! This can also be used as a highlight so it's always great to have a product that is essentially a two in one.
Blush
Essence Silky Touch blushes
These blushes amazed me from the first time I tried them. Essence is a crazy affordable brand and for the price, these blushes totally blew me away. They are highly pigmented and go on so creamy and feel so lightweight on the skin. These have become my new favorite blushes...and they're around $3.00!
Highlighter
Hard Candy Contouring Face Trio
I basically use this trio only for the highlighter but it's the perfect shade. It provides that glowy look without looking too shimmery and you can build it up, depending on the look that you want. A beautiful, cheap highlighter.
Face Powder
ELF High Definition powder
This is my holy grail face powder, hands down. I use it to set my foundation. It feels so lightweight on the skin and provides a really natural glow to the skin without being sparkly. And ELF is so crazy affordable that you can't afford to not try this product. You will not regret it|!
Eyeliner
Annabelle kohl eyeliners
Annabelle is a drugstore brand that I discovered not too long ago. It's a Canadian brand and has a wide range of products. I have only tried a few but their eyeliners have really impressed me. They don't irritate the eyes, which happens to me a lot with many eyeliners, and they are very creamy and pigmented. If you are an eyeliner junkie like I am but have very sensitive eyes, I highly recommend these.
Mascara
Essence I Heart Extreme crazy volume mascara
This is another product from Essence that is well worth the buy. So far I have loved all their mascaras but so far this one has been my favorite for when I want super thick, voluminous lashes. It provides crazy volume but without clumping, which is key. Super impressive for a mascara that costs around $4! Highly recommend!
Palette
Smashbox Shape Matters palette
This palette has everything you could ever want. You really get a lot of bang for your buck with this one because it includes brow products, a powder, a contour shade, a highlighter, as well as eyeshadows. All of the products fee super lightweight on the skin, the eyeshadows have no fallout whatsoever and all the products are long wearing and won't crease over time. An amazing palette that I think every makeup lover needs. Also, great for travel since it has pretty much everything you need. Honestly, this was one of my top purchases of the year. A must have!
Lip treatment
First Aid Beauty ultra repair lip therapy
I have tried countless lip balms and lip products because my lips tend to get very flaky and dry, especially during the cold winter months. And I also love to wear matte lipsticks which do tend to dry the lips. Well if you are like me then you really need to try this product. Even when my lips are super cracked this lip treatment soothes my lips and makes them feel smoother even right as soon as you apply it. Added bonus, it's petroleum and fragrance free as well as being hypoallergenic. A little pricey considering you can buy other lip balms for only a few dollars but believe me, it is worth every single penny. Love!
Lip Gloss
NYX Mega Shine lip glosses
I confess. I am 100% a lipstick girl. But sometimes you just want a nice lip gloss or just something with a slight color to it. But my major pet peeve with lip glosses is that so many are so sticky and just feel heavy on the lips. Well NYX's lip glosses are not any of those things. They are not overly sticky and provide subtle color. Hands down my favorite lip glosses.
Liquid Lipstick
Kat Von D Everlasting liquid lipsticks
So unless you've been living under a rock, you know that liquid lipsticks are all the rage. Unfortunately here in Canada they can be hard to find so I have yet to try really amazing drugstore liquid lipsticks but I am in love with the formula of the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks. They dry completely matte without drying out your lips, which so many of them are notorious for. They feel really light and natural on the lips and the pigmentation is crazy. She has a wide range of colors from more neutral, every day colors to some out there colors. Something for everyone. Only downside is they are really hard to get your hands on because they sell out super fast so run, don't walk, to your nearest Sephora. Now!
Lipstick
Wet n Wild Mega Last lipsticks
Milani Color Statement lipsticks
So no surprise here that I couldn't just choose one lipstick as my top favorite but honestly both of these brands are stellar and they are both my go to lipstick brands. The Wet n Wild lipsticks are more matte and can be drying on the lips so if you prefer something more moisturizing and creamy I would suggest the Milani lipsticks. Plus, the Milani ones smell fruity and oh so delicious. But both brands are long wearing, apply evenly and come in a wide range of colors.
Makeup Remover
wipes
Live Clean refreshing facial wipes
My skin is pretty sensitive and some makeup wipes irritate the skin but these feel great on the skin and leave your skin feeling refreshed. I just love this line in general. Really great products at affordable prices are all of their products are hypoallergenic, 98% plant derived, sulfate/paraben/phthalate free. A great brand that I love supporting.
eyes
Sonia Kashuk eye makeup remover
It's so hard to find makeup remover for the eyes that doesn't irritate and that actually removes even the darkest of eye makeup. This remover does the trick and is super gentle. It doesn't sting at all and won't irritate. Basically you shake the bottle to activate it and apply some to a cotton round and voila, your eye makeup is removed safely. A definite staple for me.
cleanser
Lush 9 to 5 cleansing lotion
I use this cleanser after I remove my makeup to remove any excess dirt and makeup and also just to refresh my skin. It feels amazing on the skin and leaves your skin silky smooth due to the almond and orchid oils. This product has become one of my holy grail skin care products and is part of my daily routine. Highly recommend!
Foundation
Wet n Wild Coverall cream foundation
Wet n Wild is such a great super affordable brand that has many products that really are stellar, this foundation being one of them. This foundation provides medium to full coverage without feeling heavy on the skin. It's a satin matte finish and also says it reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. Ever since I bought this foundation, it has become my holy grail foundation. And if you have dry skin like me it doesn't emphasize dry patches, which is a major plus. You need to try this, now!!
Concealer
Hard Candy Glamoflage heavy duty concealer
Every year I talk about this concealer but for good reason. It's just that good! It's lightweight, doesn't settle into your fine lines but still provides amazing heavy duty coverage. And if you set it with a powder, it won't crease throughout the day. This is my go to, every day concealer. Hard Candy makes a few other concealer formats that are really good as well so if this particular one is too heavy duty for you I would suggest trying some of their other options. Hard Candy concealers are on point!
Bronzer
Milani Tantastic face & body baked bronzer
Milani has some amazing baked bronzers but this by far has become my new all time favorite. This bronzer has such a beautiful golden finish that it provides your skin with that dewy, glowy look. It's absolutely stunning in the summer months, but to be honest I use it year round. It's just so beautiful! This can also be used as a highlight so it's always great to have a product that is essentially a two in one.
 |
| shade- Fantastic in Gold |
Blush
Essence Silky Touch blushes
These blushes amazed me from the first time I tried them. Essence is a crazy affordable brand and for the price, these blushes totally blew me away. They are highly pigmented and go on so creamy and feel so lightweight on the skin. These have become my new favorite blushes...and they're around $3.00!
 |
| (top to bottom) Adorable, Autumn Peach, |Life's A Cherry |
Highlighter
Hard Candy Contouring Face Trio
I basically use this trio only for the highlighter but it's the perfect shade. It provides that glowy look without looking too shimmery and you can build it up, depending on the look that you want. A beautiful, cheap highlighter.
Face Powder
ELF High Definition powder
This is my holy grail face powder, hands down. I use it to set my foundation. It feels so lightweight on the skin and provides a really natural glow to the skin without being sparkly. And ELF is so crazy affordable that you can't afford to not try this product. You will not regret it|!
Eyeliner
Annabelle kohl eyeliners
Annabelle is a drugstore brand that I discovered not too long ago. It's a Canadian brand and has a wide range of products. I have only tried a few but their eyeliners have really impressed me. They don't irritate the eyes, which happens to me a lot with many eyeliners, and they are very creamy and pigmented. If you are an eyeliner junkie like I am but have very sensitive eyes, I highly recommend these.
 |
| (top to bottom)- Black, Curacao, Lotus, Silver |
Mascara
Essence I Heart Extreme crazy volume mascara
This is another product from Essence that is well worth the buy. So far I have loved all their mascaras but so far this one has been my favorite for when I want super thick, voluminous lashes. It provides crazy volume but without clumping, which is key. Super impressive for a mascara that costs around $4! Highly recommend!
Palette
Smashbox Shape Matters palette
This palette has everything you could ever want. You really get a lot of bang for your buck with this one because it includes brow products, a powder, a contour shade, a highlighter, as well as eyeshadows. All of the products fee super lightweight on the skin, the eyeshadows have no fallout whatsoever and all the products are long wearing and won't crease over time. An amazing palette that I think every makeup lover needs. Also, great for travel since it has pretty much everything you need. Honestly, this was one of my top purchases of the year. A must have!
 |
| brow products |
 |
| face products |
 |
| eyeshadows |
Lip treatment
First Aid Beauty ultra repair lip therapy
I have tried countless lip balms and lip products because my lips tend to get very flaky and dry, especially during the cold winter months. And I also love to wear matte lipsticks which do tend to dry the lips. Well if you are like me then you really need to try this product. Even when my lips are super cracked this lip treatment soothes my lips and makes them feel smoother even right as soon as you apply it. Added bonus, it's petroleum and fragrance free as well as being hypoallergenic. A little pricey considering you can buy other lip balms for only a few dollars but believe me, it is worth every single penny. Love!
Lip Gloss
NYX Mega Shine lip glosses
I confess. I am 100% a lipstick girl. But sometimes you just want a nice lip gloss or just something with a slight color to it. But my major pet peeve with lip glosses is that so many are so sticky and just feel heavy on the lips. Well NYX's lip glosses are not any of those things. They are not overly sticky and provide subtle color. Hands down my favorite lip glosses.
 |
| one of my favorite neutral shades- Smokey Look |
Liquid Lipstick
Kat Von D Everlasting liquid lipsticks
So unless you've been living under a rock, you know that liquid lipsticks are all the rage. Unfortunately here in Canada they can be hard to find so I have yet to try really amazing drugstore liquid lipsticks but I am in love with the formula of the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks. They dry completely matte without drying out your lips, which so many of them are notorious for. They feel really light and natural on the lips and the pigmentation is crazy. She has a wide range of colors from more neutral, every day colors to some out there colors. Something for everyone. Only downside is they are really hard to get your hands on because they sell out super fast so run, don't walk, to your nearest Sephora. Now!
Lipstick
Wet n Wild Mega Last lipsticks
Milani Color Statement lipsticks
So no surprise here that I couldn't just choose one lipstick as my top favorite but honestly both of these brands are stellar and they are both my go to lipstick brands. The Wet n Wild lipsticks are more matte and can be drying on the lips so if you prefer something more moisturizing and creamy I would suggest the Milani lipsticks. Plus, the Milani ones smell fruity and oh so delicious. But both brands are long wearing, apply evenly and come in a wide range of colors.
Makeup Remover
wipes
Live Clean refreshing facial wipes
My skin is pretty sensitive and some makeup wipes irritate the skin but these feel great on the skin and leave your skin feeling refreshed. I just love this line in general. Really great products at affordable prices are all of their products are hypoallergenic, 98% plant derived, sulfate/paraben/phthalate free. A great brand that I love supporting.
eyes
Sonia Kashuk eye makeup remover
It's so hard to find makeup remover for the eyes that doesn't irritate and that actually removes even the darkest of eye makeup. This remover does the trick and is super gentle. It doesn't sting at all and won't irritate. Basically you shake the bottle to activate it and apply some to a cotton round and voila, your eye makeup is removed safely. A definite staple for me.
cleanser
Lush 9 to 5 cleansing lotion
I use this cleanser after I remove my makeup to remove any excess dirt and makeup and also just to refresh my skin. It feels amazing on the skin and leaves your skin silky smooth due to the almond and orchid oils. This product has become one of my holy grail skin care products and is part of my daily routine. Highly recommend!
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