Beauty Buff Favorites of 2014: Makeup (Face)

Hi, friends! I hope the new year is being good to you so far! I don't know if you saw Friday's post in which I talked about my favorite skincare products of 2014, but today I'm going to start the three-post series on my favorite makeup of the year! Why three posts? Because there is so much makeup in my life that I like to put on my face, that if I included it all in one post neither of us would be able to handle it. So, we're going to start with face makeup today--from foundation to bronzer to blush, it's all here. Let's make today a blast from the past! 

Best Face Primer - BENEFIT the POREfessional ($31 for .75 fl oz)

I've never had much of a problem with my makeup lasting through the day, so face primers are something I tend to skip. However, this primer is one that stands out to me in my collection as one that I miss when I don't have it on hand. This one by Benefit does a really good job of blurring your pores and making them less noticeable. This is a silicone primer that has a light tan tint, but it blends into your skin pretty seamlessly (though I don't know how well it blends in for someone who has very dark skin, so maybe that wasn't such a smart move on Benefit's part). This doesn't offer any benefits such as oil control, and I'm not sure how well it helps the staying power of your makeup, but I recommend checking it out if you have enlarged/clogged pores that you can't seem to cover up. (Keep in mind this does not completely obstruct your pores from vision, but rather just blur them so they're less noticeable).

Read more: Mail Time! June 2014

Best BB Cream or Foundation - DR. JART+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 ($39 for 1.5oz)

This is my HG (holy grail) foundation product! It was also the winner in last year's favorites, and with good reason. Many Western BB creams you find in American stores are basically just tinted moisturizers, but this Korean BB cream offers coverage along with antioxidants and other benefits. This has SPF 45 and offers both UVA and UVB protection (in Asian countries, sun protection is measured in PA, so PA+++ is great). This offers a natural coverage--I would say somewhere in between sheer and medium, but it's flexible depending on how much or little you apply. However, it only comes in one shade, which I think is the downfall of many beauty balms. This wouldn't work on anyone who is other than fair/light, which leaves out a ton of potential consumers, and is a major bummer. But if you try it out in the store and it works for you, I highly recommend it.

Read more: March 2014 Favorites, Beauty Scenario Tag

Best Undereye Brightener - MAYBELLINE Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory ($8 for .05 fl oz)

This is such a great product, and is well-known to be a dupe for multiple high-end products, such as the YSL Touche Éclat or MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter. It was mentioned in last year's favorites, too. The Ivory shade is a little yellow/warm, which works better for my skin tone and for hiding the blue tone in my undereye circles. They also have one in Radiant, which is more pink. I've been using this under my eyes for years, and when I'm in a hurry, I use it to subtly highlight all over my face. If you have very dark circles under your eyes, and just want a little brightening, I think you'll really enjoy this if you haven't tried it yet!

Read more: August 2014 Favorites, This or That? Tag

Best Setting Powder - NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent ($3 for .7oz)

This is my no-nonsense setting powder. It gets the job done, it's not cakey on the skin, and you get a whole bunch for $3. This is talc-based, so if you have an allergy to that, I wouldn't use it. Other than that, if you're out of setting powder and need to run to the drugstore to get some more, give this one a try! 

Read more: Hot Weather Staples, I Love Drugstore Makeup Tag

Best Finishing Powder - WET N WILD Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana ($4 for .46oz)

This powder gives a really nice finish to the skin. It's very finely milled (practically invisible on the skin). It's relatively matte with a slight sheen, and basically matches my skintone. As a pair-skinned gal, to use this as an actual highlight does essentially nothing, but if I apply it lightly all over my face, it gives a really beautiful finish. If you've been coveting the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, but want a finishing powder than won't force you to eat ramen for a month, check this out! It might not be the same, but it's quite lovely. Photographs don't quite capture the finish, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself. Walgreens sometimes has sales on Wet n Wild--I got this for $2--so wait for a sale!

Read more: probably in 2015! 

Best Bronzer - NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny ($3 for .33oz)

Another recurring favorite from last year! If you have fair skin and just want to add a bit of color to your face, this is a great, inexpensive option. It's not too orange, it's matte, it doesn't make you look "dirty." Oh, yeah, and it's $3! This is a little warmer than I usually prefer my contour powders to be, but definitely a nice option for bronzing if your skin is light. 

Read more: Everyday Makeup Routine June 2013

Powder Blush - WET N WILD Color Icon Blusher in Mellow Wine ($3 for .14oz)

My favorite blush of the year is $3! It's getting easier and easier to find great blush options at the drugstore. This blush is basically matte (not 100% matte in the pan but it appears that way on the skin), and it's quite pigmented. This would be a beautiful option for those with medium or olive skin tones, but if you're fair like me, be a little careful. All you have to do is lightly tap your brush in! This color will last me forever, and it's my favorite for fall and winter. I really want to try their other shades, too. Right now I have my eye on Heather Silk.

Read more: October 2014 Favorites

Cream Blush - STILA Convertible Colors ($25 for .15oz)

These are my favorite cream blush of all time! The cream formula is perfect--not too slippery, not too tacky--and they give off the exact amount of color I want. I want one in every color and then I'll never need blush again! They make your skin look naturally dewy and healthy, and they're just wonderful. I wanna catch 'em all! I have Gerbera and Peony right now, and I'm looking at getting Petunia (a cooler, pinky color) next.  

Read more: Beauty Profile Tag, Spring Product Picks

Highlighter - PHYSICIANS FORMULA Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl ($14 for .28oz)

$14 for a drugstore highlighter sounds kind of outrageous, but if you can get this on a sale (which CVS has often) I think you'll really like this. It's shimmery, but not glittery, and looks gorgeous on the cheekbones and all of the other usual spots. It's not too much to wear in the daytime, and I think it'll look best for those with fair skin, They make this in a few different shades, so I think there's a color in there for every skintone. See its mention in my 2013 Makeup Favorites!

Read more: I Love Drugstore Makeup Tag

Best Face Brush - SIGMA BEAUTY Sigmax F80 Flat Kabuki ($24)

This is the brush of my life. It blends out foundation/BB cream like a dream, and it takes just seconds to do my whole face. Sigma raises their prices by a dollar basically every six months, which is total bullsh*t, so I guess try to get your hands on one ASAP before the price goes up again. I think I paid $18-$21 for this a year or two ago, so beware of the price hike. But, I think it's absolutely worth it. I really like the flat cut of the fibers, which makes it easy to get in to the sides of your nose. Plus. it covers a large area so you can be done with your face makeup in just a few seconds if you have to.  I like that it's synthetic so it's soft, doesn't shed, and doesn't soak up your foundation. No brush will ever match this one!

Read more: Five Products I'm Thankful For, March 2014 Favorites

Well, that's everything for part one! Come back later in the week to see all of the fun products I like to put on my eyes. :) 

What were your favorite face products this year? 

Want to see more product faves? See last year's!

Let's be friends! 

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Disclaimer: Not sponsored or affiliated with any mentioned brands. I can't use yolo, inc anymore because apparently that's a real thing so I'm experiencing a slight identity crisis right now don't mind me.