Best of 2015

I know this is rather late, but better late than never, right? xD

Here are the best of 2015 according to yours truly.

Base Make Up

Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer in Light - The best primer I've tried so far. Lisa Eldridge often raves about it and she made me buy it. I actually used it up and plan to repurchase. It took me awhile to really appreciate this primer but now I really enjoy it. It prolongs the wear of foundation and provides a nice base for it. Not in a way like Benefit Professional or other pore minimising primers do. Sunday Riley EBTP acts like a tinted moisturiser , it's hydrating without being greasy. It creates a smooth base without being silicone-y and it doesn't interrupt the work of foundation or powder. 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3in1 Foundation in shade 810 - This one is easy to pick, best drugstore foundation in 2015. I also almost use this one up which is rare for me as I have a lot of foundations on rotation. This one even outperformed some of high end foundation I own. The coverage, the texture, the staying power are all excellent. If you don't have Covergirl where you live, try Max Factor Facefinity 3in1 Foundation, they're basically the same.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in shade 3.5 - It's difficult for me to pick just one high end foundation. But, this one stood out among other candidates. This is the foundation I usually reach for if I have a long day ahead or for special occasions / parties. The finish is flawless and it's really long wearing which is a plus point.

Maybelline Instant Age Effect The Roller Concealer in Light - I'm on my 3rd tube. If you haven't tried this one, do give it a try. It's really good. The texture is creamy, rich but it blends effortlessly. The coverage is great without being cakey and it's long wearing too. The shade light is a perfect match for my skin, it's yellow toned and therefore corrects redness under my eye area very well and brightens up the area too. The only downside is the attached sponge which is not the most hygienic way to apply concealer. But, I trick it with always wipe the sponge clean using anti bacterial wipes before application , or you can look at youtube to see some tutorials to remove the sponge.

MAC Blotting Powder in Medium - I currently have 2 of this powder on duty. One on my dressing table to set the make up and 1 for the on the go touch up. I hit pan on both which is a sign of my love for this powder. It works really well to set my Tzone and keep oil at bay. It's lightweight and doesn't interrupt the finish of whichever foundation I'm wearing. It's also not cakey even after layers of touch up I do on the go. Just love.

Blush - Contour - Bronzer - Highligher

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Duo in Light - This is actually a new addition in late 2015, but it managed to take the throne of my favourite bronzer slash contour from Burberry Earthy blush. I still love Burberry Earthy, but this CT one is just as good - if not better - since it also comes with a highlighter which makes it more travel friendly. I like the highlighter too, but not as much as I adore the contour slash bronzer shade. It's just the right amount of brown, not too warm nor too cool and most important not orange. It's expensive, but let me tell you it's worth all the hype. From the beautiful packaging, nice smooth texture, blend ability ah I like it so much I almost consider myself started to like Miss Tilbury a bit. Just a bit. xD

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette - One of the best purchase ever. I just love all the three blushes in this palette. It's compact and great for traveling. The texture of this ambient lighting blush is excellent and I just couldn't find anything better than this in my collection. I use this constantly during 2015 and haven't even hit pan which is great since this one is limited :/.

Dior Blush Stick in Cosmopolitan Rosewood - Okay, I used to hate it for like the first 1-2 moths because I didn't know how to apply it best. It's so pigmented and not the kind of cream blush you can blend using your fingers. The texture once applied on the cheeks is not emollient or creamy, it kind of stuck where you apply. So I thought at first it was a failed purchase, which is such a shame since I really like the color. But, then I tried applying it with Real Technique stippling brush and man it worked really well. It turned out to be one of the cream blushes I enjoy the most. The color is so flattering on my complexion and the stippling brush makes it easy to blend. It sort of melts in to the skin and become very natural. 

BECCA Pressed Highlighter in Opal - This is also a new addition by the late 2015, but it's been on almost daily duty ever since. I didn't expect to love it that much. It's quite intense for what I'm used to but the glow is so pretty and much needed during the dry and dull winter. The texture is fine and almost creamy which makes the application easier. 

 Eye Make Up

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eye Shadow Palette - I know I've been talking about this palette too often but I just haven't found anything better than this one. It's so versatile and easy to use. The texture is fool proof. I just can't put it aside.

Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Cream Eye Shadows - I own 2 shades from the Illusion d'ombre range ; Rouge Noir and Ebloui and both are excellent. They're so complex and amazing. They're not cheap but definitely worth the money. There are a lot of similar products out there, but I have yet to find anything as complex and as iridescent as Illusion d'ombre. They're just really pretty. They usually apply sheer but easily build able.

KIKO Long Lasting Eye Shadow Stick - They're the best eye shadow stick available in the market. Period. Give them a try and you'll get what I mean. A lot of people compare them to By Terry Ombre Backstar eye shadow stick, which I am sure really good too, but the price? I'd come back to my Kiko ones gladly.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade - Basically the only brow product I've been using for the past 2 years. This little pot goes a long way. I almost reach the pan and use it up, but it's been 2 years! I've read people complaining theirs dry up pretty quick, but I always close the lid tightly and once in a while bath it inside a bowl filled with warm water, never have a problem with it getting dry till now. €18 well spent!

Kiss Me Heroine Liquid Pen Eye Liner - I lost count on how many of this liquid pen eye liner I used up. It's the best I've tried so far. The only downside is that it's difficult to get outside Asia, but there is eBay and I always stock up whenever I come back home for holiday. 

Max Factor 2000 Calories Mascara - I don't use a lot of mascara since I wear false lashes on daily basis. But this one from Max Factor is my favourite. It's affordable, waterproof and gives my pathetic lashes a bit of life xD.

LIPS

Burberry Lip Cover in Blush - I very rarely use up any lip products but I just used this one up and actually just ordered a back up xD. I think I have talked enough about my love to Burberry lipsticks, right? The formula is discontinued but I tried the new kisses range and I like them as well. So I'm fine with that :-)

Rouge Bunny Rouge Lipstick in Whim of Mine - Another lipstick I just used up in 2015. And I repurchased it too. The color is the right peachy nude for my complexion. Major love. The texture is hydrating, creamy and long wearing. It's one of the most underrated lipstick in the market. If you have access to Rouge Bunny Rouge, you should give it a try.

Rimmel Kate Moss Red in shade 111 - My all time favourite red shade. It's matte, but creamy and comfortable to wear. The finish is nice and the red is the perfect red for my complexion. It's affordable as well.

Essence Lip Liners - I always go to Essence every time I need lip liner. I am too stingy to splurge on a lip pencil because I don't use them often. I wear lip liner only when I am wearing bold lip color. So I don't see a point why I need to spend much money where the €1 one from Essence does the job very well. It's creamy, pigmented, and long wearing.

PERFUMES

Jo Malone Vanilla and Anise Cologne - My first Jo Malone scent which I bought 3 years ago. I am on my second bottle now and still haven't got tired of it. The scent is warm, spicy and a little bit sweet. It's not a popular one from Jo Malone, but it's what makes me like it even more because it means less people use it :D

Jo Loves White Rose and Lemon Leaves - Another brand from Jo Malone. I fell in love with the brand the first time I stepped in to the store at Elizabeth Street in London. The shop is small, but very nicely decorated and has a very nice atmosphere. The SAs are all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I would love to buy everything they sell. Too bad I don't have the money. lol xD

SKINCARE

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater - I am on my second bottle too. I use this daily on the morning and before bed. It smells nice and feels nice on the skin. I don't particularly notice any long term skin care benefit, but I've been enjoying it very much.

Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleanser - Best cleanser ever. Period

Aurelia Probiotic Revitalise Glow Serum - I've been exploring the brand ; Aurelia in 2015 and I fell in love. I've tried several stuffs from the brand and they've all been pleasant. The glow serum has a nice lightweight milky texture and feels very nice on the skin. I use it as my AM serum and my skin looks healthier, and more radiant. 

PIXI Glow Tonic - My so far, favourite astringent toner. It's gentle but not 'too gentle' that I barely see any result. It's just the right amount of everything for my mid 20 skin. I use it every evening for my PM routine. I like the smell as well. I first got a 100ml bottle from my Marks and Spencer Advent Calendar, almost use it up and already repurchased the 250ml bottle. 

Kypris Beauty Clearing Serum - I got to know Kypris Beauty in 2015 and part of me ( my skin and my inner cosmetic junkie ) is very happy while the other part ( my wallet ) is not. LOL. They're so expensive but the ingredients are really nice, shoppisticated and the brand's philosophy and concept are well thought and different compare to - for instance - 'mass produced' brands. The clearing serum is part of my PM routine and I use it as the first layer of my serum treatment. If my skin can speak, I know it will say thank you. xD

Sunday Riley Good Genes - A friend of mine struggled with acne scaring and after incorporating Good Genes to her routine for a few months, her skin has improved a lot. The scars are blurred and reduced and her skin looks much better now. So , even though I don't have problem with acne or scarring, I was intrigued to try the product as part of the treatment. It's quite 'harsh' for my skin though so I only use it every other day. And halfway through the bottle, I notice some improvement to my skin's texture and the whole appearance of my skin. It's expensive, but I do think it works. 

Menard Pack Aserie Clay Mask - The best clay mask I've ever tried. It cleanses but not in a harsh way. My skin feels very nice and suppled , energised and glowing every time after I use this mask. Ever since I got this mask, I've been neglecting other 'clay masks' I have because they just can't beat this one.

Pfiiuh that's a long one!
ps : I did individual posts on most of the products mentioned above. You can search them using the search tab. Sorry I was in a hurry and didn't have time to link them one by one xD

What's your highlight of 2015?  It was a very good year to me and I am so thankful for it. I hope 2016 will be even better :-D

Love,

Pam