Best of 2014 Beauty Products

Happy New Year JFOG readers! 2014 is behind us and 2015 is here! I have finally completed my list of beauty favorites for 2014 and I sorted the products by categories. Here is what I absolutely loved in 2014:

Eyes

Lorac Pro Palette - I love this palette for my kit and for my personal use. If I could only own one palette this would probably be the one, which speaks volumes, as I am a major palette junkie! This palette has everything that is needed to create a full eye look for people of all complexions. I purchased this palette at Ulta. It is the only Lorac palette that I currently own.

Mac Rule eyeshadow - I also love this shadow for my kit and for my personal use. It looks amazing on everyone. It shows up as sort of a burnt orange color. Back in the day I used it as a blush as well! It is definitely a multi-use product!

Mac Orange eyeshadow - this shadow is beautiful on deeper complexions. I love it as a crease color for a bold eye. It is truly an orange eyeshadow. It is super pigmented and a little goes a long way!

MAC Goldenrod Eyeshadow - This color is very unique. I have never found a similar color in a different brand. Goldenrod could best be described as marigold or mustard. It is beautiful on most skin tones and especially gorgeous on deeper complexions. I didn't use it as much as I would have liked to in 2014 but I love it!

NYX white eyeshadow base - this base made all of my eyeshadows pop! A little goes a long way and you get tons of product in one container. The product is more likely to dry out before you can ever use it up. I purchased it at Ulta. 

NYX Jumbo pencil in vanilla ice - this pencil made for the perfect inner corner shadow for most of my looks for 2014. I bought it a while ago but I could not stop reaching for it in 2014. 

LA Colors Dramatilash kit - I purchased two variety packs of these lashes from Ross for about $5 each. They were amongst the most beautiful lashes that I owned in 2014. I am not so great at saving lashes so I went through these packs much quicker than I probably should have. I have to do better with preserving my lashes in 2015. 

 

Urban Decay Deep End liner - I threw on this turquoise liner with nearly everything in 2014! I always get so many compliments each time that I wear it and it makes my brown eyes pop. It enhances the most simple makeup looks and it is an effortless way to give the appearance that you put thought into your makeup look. I purchased this pencil in the 2013 Ocho loco set but it is sold individually at Sephora. 

Lorac Front of the Line liquid liner - this liner lasted forever and it made liquid liner extra easy to master! I love this liner! I purchased it with my Lorac pro palette set but it is available for individual purchase at Ulta. 

Complexion 

Kat von d lock-it tattoo foundation - I love this full coverage foundation. It lasts all day and stays matte without transfer or separation. I featured a full review in a past monthly favorites post. I wear the shade Deep 71. This foundation is exclusive to Sephora. 

Mac Pro longwear concealer - this is my holy grail concealer. I love the full coverage and anti-crease technology. I wear the shade NW40. (In MAC foundations, I typically wear the shade NW43) I repurchase this concealer each time that it runs out. 

Mac mineralize skinfinish  - I love to set my makeup with this sheer powder. I also repurchase this powder each time that it runs out and I use it in my freelance kit as well. It is light enough to set makeup without changing the color of the complexion, and it is buildable to use on its own as a sheer coverage foundation powder.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz - this is the best highlighter that I have ever purchased. It is so finely milled that it melts right into the skin very seamlessly without creating texture on the skin, resulting in a natural sun-kissed glow. I purchased this highlighter at Sephora. 

 

Lips

Mac Nightmoth lip pencil - this lip pencil goes with nearly everything! I especially love it in fall and winter when I wear darker lips. I can pair it with nearly any color from red to purple!

Mac Magenta Liner - I wore this liner to death during the summer. It seemed to go with nearly every lipstick that I used. 

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment - I love using this lip moisturizer at night before bed, as it truly hydrates and softens my lips. It is pricey but it lasts a long time and it truly works. 

Tools

Sephora #74 contour brush - I love using this as a blush brush, though it is amazing for blush, highlighting, and contouring. I love multi-use tools!

Mac 224 blending brush - I love using this brush to blend my eye looks together. It makes blending super easy. 

Mac 217 crease brush - I can not function without this brush! It is amazing for applying shadow in the crease. It is useful in assisting to blend out shadow as it is applied (the brush practically does the blending for you).

Mac 239 lid brush - I love to use this brush on my lid, as well as to contour my eye with a darker eyeshadow. It works really well. It is dense so it is great for packing on color. 

Real Techniques Sponge - this was a holy grail in my kit and for my personal use in 2014. I own about 10 of them and I love them for blending out foundation and concealers, and creating a flawless complexion. This sponge works well both wet and dry and it is easy to clean.
 

Skincare 

Fresh soy cleanser - I have blogged about this cleanser multiple times! It is amazing for my sensitive skin. I purchased it at Sephora.
 

Bliss Lid & Lash Wash - this was one of the best things that I have ever purchased at Marshall's. I keep hoping that I will run across it again, but wishful thinking! When I am done with all of my eye makeup removers, I will definitely repurchase the Bliss eye makeup remover, as it is very gentle, yet effective. 

Vaseline Spray n Go - I love the convenience of this product. There is no excuse to skip lotion with this product, even when in a hurry!
 

Hair

Darcys Watermelon seed oil - I love this oil! It smells yummy and it is light, yet moisturizing. One bottle seemed to last forever and it was my absolute favorite hair product during 2014.
 

Fragrance 

Atelier Cologne Vanilla - I have never mentioned this fragrance on my blog because I don't even actually own it! I spray it at Sephora nearly every single day. Since working at sephora, my fragrance collection has started collecting dust, as most of the fragrances that I love are at sephora, and I see no point in depleting my supply each day when I have the privilege of trying different fragrances at work. I only fall in love with about one to two fragrances per year and I usually purchase those, as it is difficult for me to regularly find one that I love, so this is on my to-buy list! This fragrance is very unique and warm, as it smells like pure vanilla with notes of amber! I absolutely love it!

 

Thank you for continuing to read my blog. I look forward to a great year of lipstick and love in 2015! I would love to know what items made your 2014 favorites! Please leave feedback below. I love reading your comments!

November Favorites

Hello JFOG readers! Can you believe how close we are to Christmas?! This year has flown by! And it is already time for me to share my November favorites! This will be my last monthly favorites post of the year, as my next favorites post will include my top products of 2014. So stay tuned! Here is what I enjoyed during the month of November:

NYX White Eyeshadow Base - I purchased this at Ulta a while back, as I read many positive reviews on Pinterest, so I decided to give it a try. I have tons of eyeshadow bases, and I feel that it is very necessary to have a wardrobe of bases, as eyeshadow bases and primers are not one size fits all and certain shadows work better with certain primers. With that being said, I reached for this one most often during October and November for vibrant looks. It makes the shadows appear more pigmented than if I were to use a standard primer. It retails for about $7 and you get plenty of product so it is worth a try!

Donna Marie Super Buttercreme - I have always loved this moisturizer. I have not used it in a while but I opened a new jar last month and it helped me to remember why it is perfect for winter. Firstly, it smells like cake frosting, and the smell does not linger! Secondly, it makes my hair super soft, and keeps it moisturized. Last, it can be used on wet or dry hair. I purchased it on Beauty by Donna Marie's website. A little goes a long way, the ingredients are clean, and it is worth every penny.

Sephora Collection Always Red 01 lip stain - I don't own many lip stains, but this is one that was on my must-have list for a while, and I would never remember to put it on my radar to purchase during my weekly hauls at Sephora. I finally bought it and I absolutely love it!! I think it looks amazing on anyone. It is a universal lip shade and a lot of clients at sephora tell me that it's a dupe for MAC Ruby woo but I don't prefer to compare them since one is a lip stain and the other is a lipstick. I will however say that it is very similar to Stila Besos lip stain. It lasts all day through eating and drinking, and it dries to a matte finish, without the matte feeling, as it is very comfortable. You can't beat the price of only $13, so I would say that this is a must-have for every girl who loves a red lip! I am wearing the lip stain in the picture below, paired with MAC Beet liner.

MAC Goes and Goes lipstick - I have slept on this lipstick. I have owned it for a while but I never wore it until recently. I could not stop wearing it during the month of November. I loved pairing it with MAC Vino Liner. This shade has been discontinued but it is similar to MAC Up The Amp lipstick or OCC lip tar in Rollergirl (available at Sephora). Below I am wearing Goes and Goes with MAC Vino. 

MAC Vino lip liner - this was one of my favorite lip liners during November. I paired it with nearly everything! I have a habit of pairing Nightmoth with nearly everything but I decided to lighten up a bit this season and use some of my other liners. My favorite combination was Vino and Kat Von D Vampira. Below I paired Vino with MAC Strong Woman (limited edition):

Kat Von D Vampira - the dark lip has been trending for the past two cold weather seasons. Vampira sells out almost immediately each time it is restocked at Sephora. The lip stain is beautiful and it looks great on most skin tones. The stain lasts throughout the day and it is also comfortable in spite of the matte finish. I purchased Vampira at Sephora. Below I paired Vampira and MAC Vino. 

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara - some days I don't have time for lashes, so I have to layer on the mascara. This mascara really gives me length, volume, and curl. It doesn't clump and it doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes. I usually pair it with Benefit They're Real mascara. Urban Decay Perversion mascara is available at Sephora. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara - this product has been hyped forever! It definitely is a cult favorite at Sephora. I avoided it forever because I did not like the plastic wand. I received it in gratis at work and decided to start using it when I ran out of my Givenchy mascaras and wanted to try a new one. They're Real lengthens and separates my lashes. I like to apply it before Urban Decay mascara. It makes my lashes look amazing, and if you know me, you know that I have short, tiny, struggle eyelashes!! They're Real mascara is available at Sephora. 

MAC Concealer palette in Medium/Deep - I have wanted this concealer palette for my kit for a while but I vowed to wait until I used up my Coastal Scents concealer palette, which I rarely use because the concealers aren't very creamy and are harder to work with. I decided to go ahead and purchase it, as my clientele is growing. The MAC palette is small, easy to carry, and has the perfect combination of creamy concealers in one palette. Previously, I only used my Coastal Scents concealers for brows, but the Mac concealers are so pliable that I use them for brows, foundation, highlighting, contouring, and color correcting. This palette was "everything" for the month of November! I purchased this palette at Mac Cosmetics. 

Dior Duo Express Instant eye makeup remover - described as "a non-oily eye makeup remover that quickly and effectively removes all eye makeup, even the most stubborn, waterproof mascaras". When I tell you that the description is facts! Those are facts!! This makeup remover even removes my lash glue! It doesn't irritate my eyes, as it is ophthalmologist tested and great for sensitive eyes like mine. I love it! I received it in gratis from work but this item is available for purchase at Sephora. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tamanna Palette - I am a palette junkie! So I was super excited to add this to the collection. My favorite thing about this palette is that there is enough range of colors to create an entire look using the palette alone. Most of us know that to be a rarity for palettes, but the social media beauty guru know as @dressyourface did an awesome job with selecting the shades for this palette. The color pay off is great and the shadows last all day. I created very quick and simple looks using the palette (as shown below) and the packaging is a nice size so I was able to throw it in my bag on days when I needed to do my makeup on the go. I purchased this palette at Sephora. The palette was limited edition but the colors are sold individually on the Anastasia website. 

Mac Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish - I purchased this product at the beginning of 2014 because it was so coveted on YouTube after its 2012 release, that I just knew I had to have it. I had not seen many brown girls wearing it but I figured I could make it work. With hesitation, I purchased it in stores after the brown girl at MAC told me that it would make a beautiful highlight for me. After I got it I contemplated returning it, but I rarely return items to MAC, so I decided not to worry about it. I also noticed that it remained on the Mac website for months thereafter and I started to think that it was permanent. I said all of that to say that I slept on this highlighter! It is gorgeous. I really like it for holiday. It is a warm pink so it complements my complexion without appearing grey. I wore this several times during the month of November! Stereo Rose was limited edition and is currently unavailable at MAC, but there are several dupes listed all over the internet. 

 

Sephora Collection ultimate oil in gel lipstick remover - prior to using lipstick removers I used eye makeup remover to remove lipstick and lip stains, but I always questioned the safety of this practice. When one of my co-workers showed me Sephora's lip oil I knew that I had to try it. To use, I put a small amount of the oil on my lips and let it sit for about 30 seconds, usually while I remove my eye makeup, then I take a wet or dry cotton pad and remove the oil. It does the job regardless to if the cotton pad is wet or dry but a wet pad is more soothing. The oil removes all of the lip color while leaving my lips soft.  I purchased this lipstick remover at Sephora. 

Sephora Collection rose mask - This single-use mask promises to provide deep moisture and brightening properties through natural rose extract. The masks from sephora collection are dermatologist tested so they are great for girls and guys like myself with sensitive skin. Another plus is that there are no worries of the masks drying out before use, as they are very saturated with product within the packaging. After leaving the mask on your skin for 15 minutes, the directions state that you are to remove the mask and gently massage your face, allowing excess product to penetrate, and there is no need to rinse. My skin felt very supple, plump and hydrated after using the mask. I have others that I plan to try and I plan to follow up with a report of my favorites. The masks are sold individually for $6 at Sephora, and there is a variety pack available for holiday, where you get all 5 "flavors" for $24. 

Glamglow SuperMud Clearing Treatment - this mask promises to visibly draw out dirt and congestion with charcoal. I use this product once per week but it is safe to use 3 times per week, and it works. It helps with reducing texture on my skin and it zaps active breakouts. I have a lot of "under the skin acne" on my forehead, and while it does not noticeably clear that issue, it definitely contributes to leaving me with smooth skin. This product is available at Sephora. 

Soap and Glory Rich and Foamous Body Wash - contains raw flower honey, almond milk, and skin conditioners to moisturize the skin while cleansing. The fragrance is described as almond oat and brown sugar. It reminds me of a warm vanilla sugar scent and I absolutely love it! It's creamy and it leaves my skin soft, clean, and smelling yummy. I purchased this body wash at Sephora. I took the pic below in front of one of my grandmother's old portraits. I love the way it looked!

I hope that you enjoyed reading my monthly favorites as much as I enjoyed sharing. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below. I love to hear from my readers and I appreciate you all!

What I have used up lately....

I have not been on target with my monthly empties reviews but I have been somewhat keeping track of my empty products; so here are the products that I have recently depleted:

SheaMoisture Moisture Retention Shampoo - This has been my holy grail shampoo for years. I have one bottle remaining and when I am done with it I plan to try other cleansers, just because I am bored with this one and I wonder if there are better cleansers for my hair. I have reviewed this product in a previous Monthly Empties post. I typically purchase SheaMoisture products at Target or Walgreen's.

Curl Junkie Beauticurls Argan and Olive Daily Hair Conditioner - This is one of my favorite instant conditioners. I love to use it in the summer to co-wash and I also use it to help detangle my hair. It makes my hair super soft and moisturized. I have one more bottle remaining and I will probably repurchase when that bottle is complete. This conditioner has been on my holy grail list for years. I usually order this product from aveyou.com but it is also available on curljunkie.com.

Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream (AOHC) - I have been using this leave-in hair cream for about four years. I have another jar on deck but I rarely use this product. When I first went natural it was one of the only products that kept my hair moisturized, but it is very heavy so you only need a little, thus one jar has lasted me forever. This product does not mix well with other stylers, and since I have primarily worn twist-outs over the years, it is rare that I have the opportunity to use this product. It also does not work well alone for loose styles, as it does not help my hair with definition (which the product is not intended to do such, so this is not a complaint, just an explanation of usage). I enjoy using this product when I am preparing my hair for a long-term protective style because I know that I can depend on AOHC to keep my hair soft and moisturized. I would recommend this product to anyone who has trouble with moisture retention.

 

Claudie's Hair Revitalizer Renew Protein Conditioner - This is one of my favorite protein conditioners. It helps to strengthen my hair and restore elasticity, especially when I over-moisturize my hair. I have very fine strands and my hair is prone to reduced elasticity, so I apply this product and sit under my heating cap or dryer for about 30 minutes, and then follow with a deep conditioner. It seems to work instantly as I immediately see results when handling my hair (my hair feels less fragile when wet). I typically use this product once per month, and I recommend Renew Protein to anyone who fears a more aggressive treatment or anyone who is more ingredient conscious as this product is handmade. I purchase this product at claudieshairrevitalizer.com and the owner  provides excellent customer service. I plan to repurchase this product soon.

Claudie's Hair Revitalizer Hair Gel - This is my holy grail gel. No other gel has worked as well for me as this one. I usually wear this gel when I wear my hair pulled back in a bun or ponytail, and I can wear it everyday without it building up in my hair or causing my edges to feel stiff. I will repurchase this product soon, as I have been giving my hair a break from ponytails and I have also been trying to use up all of the hair products that I have been hoarding. This product is also available on Claudieshairrevitalizer.com.

Boscia Makeup Breakup Cleansing Oil - I love the way that this product removes makeup. I typically use it before my regular cleanser on days that I wear makeup. I have featured this product in a past monthly favorites post. I am still trying to develop a regular skincare routine that I love so I am trying other makeup removers and have not repurchased this one yet. I purchased this cleansing oil at Sephora and it is also available at Sephora.com.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - I love this cleanser. It is very gentle and I can use it morning and night without fear that it will over-dry my skin. I have combination to oily skin and a lot of the cleansers for oily skin are too aggressive and drying for my sensitive skin. Fresh Soy cleanser is recommended for all skin types and safe for eyes. I plan to repurchase this cleanser. Soy Fresh cleanser is available at Sephora.

Shi Naturals Creamy Leave-In - this leave-in conditioner really helped to keep my hair soft and moisturized when I was struggling with chronic thirsty hair during the spring. It is creamy and water-based and easily absorbs into my fine strands. I plan to repurchase this leave-in after I use several more. This product is available on Etsy.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - the purpose of these pads are to exfoliate, tone, and brighten. I used them after my cleanser and they helped with oil-control. I noticed that my skin would be far less oily during the day when using this product. Though I suffered no harsh side effects during use, lately I have been fearful of over-drying my skin as this product contains glycolic acid, so I have not repurchased the FAB pads. However, these pads are available at Sephora.

Ren T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel - I received this gel in gratis from work. It is a gentle, antibacterial facial cleansing gel for combination to oily skin. This cleanser did not produce any negative side effects but there are other cleansers that I favor, thus I do not plan to repurchase this cleasing gel. This product is available at Sephora.

Ren Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel - I also received this product in gratis at work. I like that it brightens and makes the eye area appear less puffy. I recommend this gel to clients who are primarily concerned about under-eye bags and dry under-eye areas. I would repurchase this gel, but at this time I am testing out other eye creams. This product is available at Sephora.

Tarte Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment - I purchased this product in a set with maracuja oil. I did not use it consistently enough to see a difference. I plan to try it again before making a definite conclusion because I did find it to be moisturizing to my under-eye area. I purchased this product at Sephora.

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation in Macao - this was my holy grail foundation for years! It matches my complexion very well during the summer and it does not oxidize during wear, plus I love the natural finish that it provides. The product is a sheer to medium coverage, and as I have become more of a full-coverage girl I do not plan to repurchase in the near future. I still love the product and I still use it on clients. I purchased this product at Sephora.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - I love this primer! It was really there for me this summer when our store was undergoing renovations and the air conditioner wasn't working properly in this humid, Houston heat. I would start to sweat at work and my makeup stayed put because this primer repels water, thus making your makeup sweat-proof and humidity-proof. I have an additional small jar of this product remaining and at this time I plan to purchase a full-size bottle in the future. The Hourglass brand is exclusive to Sephora.

Algenist Genius Anti-Aging cream - this is one of my favorite moisturizers that truly hydrates without leaving behind a sticky film or extra oils. I have raved about this product in a previous monthly favorites post and months later I still love it. I finished a small jar of this product but I plan to repurchase in the future. Algenist is available at Sephora.

 

Almay Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads - I typically use the Almay oil-free pads and purchased these unintentionally. The waterproof pads work really well to remove lip stains, but sense my eyes are sensitive I prefer the oil-free variety for eye makeup removal. I usually buy these pads at Target but they can be found at any drugstore where Almay is sold.

IntensivEye Makeup Remover Wipes - I randomly found these pads in Marshall's one day and decided to give them a try. At the discounted rate, they are about $3 more in price point in comparison to the Almay pads, and they do not do anything special. I prefer the Almay brand over these pads and I do not plan to repurchase.

 

 

MAC Pro longwear concealer NW40 - this concealer is a staple for me in my personal makeup stash. It is often described as the best concealer in the industry - as it is full coverage, long-wearing and crease-proof. I have tried other concealers that receive equally rave reviews and found that they do not measure up to my beloved pro longwear. I repurchased this product the day that I realized that the bottle was coming to an end. This product is available on the Mac Cosmetics website as well as Mac counters. 

 

MAC Brush cleanser - I have featured this brush cleaner in a previous empties post. I have already repurchased this cleanser as it is one of my favorites. There is a new brush cleanser that I have had the opportunity to try at work, that I also plan to purchase to compare to MAC's cleanser. MAC's brush cleanser is available on the MAC website and at MAC counters.

 

Josie Maran bear naked wipes - I love these wipes because they do not irritate my skin! I have expressed in an earlier post about how my skin reacts with  severe dryness to most facial wipes. These wipes are great for removing makeup before I wash my face, as well as removing oils on days when I don't wear makeup or on days when I don't leave home. I have already repurchased this product from Sephora.

 

Croc Clips - I had a box of croc clips that lasted me for a few years. The final clip broke during the month of March and I repurchased two new boxes. I prefer the safari print edition. These clips hold large sections of my thick natural hair and they do not snag my hair at all. I purchased these clips at Sally's Beauty Supply. Sephora also makes similar clips that I plan to try.

Pura Body Naturals Murumuru milk - I featured a full review of this product in a past monthly favorites post. This leave-in conditioner helped combat my chronic dryness this past winter. I recently finished a bottle of this leave-in and I have additional bottles of this product on deck, thus I do not have a need to repurchase at this time. 

 

I have used up quite a bit over the last couple of months and I have purchased less than I have used. I used up far more than I was able to post but I edited this list in hopes of not boring you to tears! Thank you for reading my blog and feel free to leave questions and feedback below. If you have tried any of these products I would love to hear your thoughts!