Best of 2014: Makeup

Last year has been an adventure in makeup, and in beauty-stuff in general. I thought I finally had it figured out looking quite pretty...Then winter came and I gotten into the "why I look like this? I'm so healthy, use such great products, etc" phase. Either way,  makeup has helped me in getting my extra-pretty on in the good phase, and taking of the edges on the 'blah'-moments.

Blush:

Surratt, especially La Vie en Rose & Grisaille

I started out with a little number called "la Vie en Rose" and ended up with 4 more! I would say that Surratt makes the most unobtrusive blush around...I can either shade it in gently, or give it a bit of 80s exaggeration. Basically: LOVE.

Bronzer:

Ellis Faas Glow Up in S503.

Originally, I was send the wrong colour and tried it before I noticed (mind, Dutch shops are less forgiving on returning policies). I ended up loving this little number for being a supergorgeous bronzer, though the season for bronzing has not really arrived yet.

Foundation:

Edward Bess  Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector

 Actually, a tinted moisturizer with the right kind of build-up level. My healthy lifestyle gave me the liberty to go lighter on foundation (until winter came...sight).

So for winter I went for Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Fluid Foundation. It reminds me of Armani Designer Lift Foundation in terms of being powdery/velvety, only better. I don't have a full review yet but Monsieur Alex has a good review going on and foundation-pro The Beauty Professor too.

Powder:
Koh Gen Do Natural Lighting Powder
Light, airy and a beautiful finish without loosing radiance.

Concealer:
Dolce & Gabanna in Creamy has been both brilliant in concealing pesky spots as eliminating undereye circles.

I liked Charlotte Tilbury retoucher for blurring out undereye circles. But I'm still smitten with Givenchy Mr. Light.

Highlighter:

Charlotte Tilbury wins it on the liquid front.

Surratt is the perfect powder highlighter.

Primer: 

No real winners either. I'd be curious for By Terry Densiliss if only it was not claimed to be so fraganced.

Mascara:

Makeup Forever smoky Extravagant Mascara.....

I received a mini-size in the Sephora Happy Birthday set. I just love everything: from the way the brush is shaped to it's glossy but still 'grip-py' formula. I pair in over my lash-primer Kanebo Kate Maximizer in black (review here) which will keep my lashes long, strong and weatherproof until I take it off.

Eyeliner: 

Kanebo Kate Supersharp Liner

I rediscovered it again for being thin & foolproof for dummies like I am. Also, it stays on until you take it off.

Eyepencils:

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayons

I still really like Pixi Endless but the Marc Jacobs wins by convenience: the twist-up formula!

Eyeshadow:

 Chanel Poésie

Chanel is not my ultimate eyeshadow formula around but I reached most for this palette for having the perfect balance of neutral colours.

Eyebrows:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde. The right colour for my light brows and the cream is a breeze to apply with the right brush.
 
Special Occasion:
Velours 'Are those Real' Fake Eyelashes

There are times a girl needs some extra flutter and these held up quite well with a bit of clear eyelash glue.

Lipstick:

Tom Ford Lips & Boys

The boys won from NARS female stars (Audacious): The formula is more my cup of tea, the packaging, and what about the brilliant selling point?

Lipgloss:

2014 was such a lipstick year but Marc Jacobs Lust for Life Lip Vinyl won me over for feeling so minty fresh and having that superb multisparkle that only a lipgloss can really pull off.

Nails:

Burberry nails in Nude Pink has been my favourite for being so effortlessly neutral, having good coverage and a longer wear than most nailpolishes.
 
 In general, I have had some changes since my Best of Makeup 2013, but I still love plenty from that year. I rotate my Koh Gen Do Maifanshi foundation and the RBR Time Defying foundation with my newer loves. NARS concealer is still one of my favourites.
 I somewhat lost my love for organic makeup, which I made up in skincare. I did try out some newer formulas and I still rely on Kjaer Weis & RMS Uncover when my skin is acting up. I hope to find some newer organic makeup loves in 2015 so I can have a cleaner choice when I want/need to.

last week in beauty

I actually want to make a general post today about the things I (re)discovered in beauty last week.

First, I ventured on Sleek blush in Flamingo, which, pricewise, was not an expensive venture. After reading many descriptions of it being terribly bright in the pan but subtle on the face I decided I wanted this particular poppy pink. Ehm, people who follow me know I'm spoiled with my high-end blush and that is my first disclaimer: I'm a blush-snob! 
To me, this one looked as scarily on my face as in the pan, probably worse because the pigmentation went bezerk on my unmadeup face (tryout). A good quality blush has the ability to look good on an unmadeup face, because the pigmentation will even out, but yeh...I looked like a kid playing with the makeupbox..
So this one can be used, only with a stippling brush/care/lots-of-time-on-my-hands. Somewhat, I expect it will end up far away in my beautycloset or I will add it in a giveaway.

Already feeling spring-like by adding lot's of pastels to my nails. Catrice is quite cheap but I really like the quality of their nailpolishes.

Another good-quality Catrice is that blue-ish eyeshadow I added. Also, I varied the safe neutrals with a pop of colour...

I almost finished my second tube of the Jurlique Purely White Skin cream. I think it really works: I already noticed this the first time when I had to correct some odd pigmentation on my forehead due to forgetting to add sunscreen that day. This time I noticed, cheapskate me, that my neck was darker than my face. Reason: I only slathered it on my face instead of the neck.

I finally jumped upon the Ellis Faas lip -hype, the glazed versions. I already have her foundation (post here) and I really liked the look of the L307 after seeing it on Kate (drivol). On me that L307 looked like a weird apricot muddy pudding, so testing is always good before you buy. Anyway, I loved to go a bit more red and I found a rather perfect red in the L303.

Ellis Faas L303

The best thing is that it fades in the most beautiful way: reds are always so dangerous with fading and they are normally so high-maintainance but this one really fades into a stain...so gorgeous.

Patriotic Purchase: Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation

I got myself a pretty new pen, albeit an expensive one!

Living in a smaller country, the amount of cosmetic products that come from Dutch grounds are not as elaborate as to say the UK or the US.

The one that really is quite undutch because of its niche-ness and high quality (with a price that includes that) is the makeup from Ellis Faas.

I skipped Ellis Faas for that specific reason, quite expensive and niche. Also, the lipstick-colours and blush did not really shouted out to me.

One product that wowed me lately has been their fluid foundation:

I would have skipped this foundation half a year ago because it is quite sheer, and almost like a tinted moisturizer. During summer I could use a lighter product.

So now I could venture on a thin foundation that is not a complexion hider, but a complexion embellisher!

Comes in Ellis Faas Skin Veil:

The beauty of its foundation is that is functions as that extra bit of candelight glow effect, or that bit of softening effect that you can do with your photoediting tool.

From Ellis Faas site it says the following:

SKIN VEIL FOUNDATION
ELLIS FAAS believes that foundation should illuminate the skin without feeling or appearing like a mask. With an exceptional balance of high-quality ingredients, Skin Veil glides on in a thin layer, blending into the skin.
Skin Veil minerals diffuse light across the skin’s surface, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. ELLIS FAAS foundation incorporates moisturising ingredients which nourish the skin as well as up to SPF 15 PA+++ for ultimate protection.
  ELLIS FAAS Skin Veil is recommended for all skin types.

I had the choice between the pump-disposer product, that on economic base would have been a better deal. Nevertheless, I opted for the silver pen for practical reasons: to take it on the road!

You can argue about the hygiene of this product, but similarly as cult-product YSL touche éclat, it is as hygienic as you can keep it: you can cleanse and desinfect the brush as much as possible. (which I intent to do).

I also got an extra ink-bullet, ehm, foundation-bullet for when the first one runs out. So it is a reasonable deal.

Duh, I am already talking about deals without even saying anything about its price. I purchased the pen for 45 euros and that will give 14 ml of product in total. The pump would give you 30ml for 65 euros.

I think there are quite some places to buy this, but I will give the link to Ellis Faas site. I personally bought mine in a brick-and-mortar niche Dutch Shop, but they were too cheapskate (or skint) of samples so I will not give you that link. Ha ha, at least something can be typically Dutch (although a shame on them, for a niche shop)