Compiled by BR Kellie
There's nothing like the looming new year to make one look back on the months that have been and reflect on the events that have proved memorable, the way those events have shaped us, the things that have mattered. Or, in the beauty crew's case, look back on the beauty products we've tried and fallen in love with!
So what cosmetics have rocked our world in 2017? Check these out!
BR Merilyn: Being fair-haired I'm all about creating a defined brow and this year I discovered a new must-have brow product with the Fab Brows Duo. What sets this set apart? It comes with a stencil, which makes it easier to create perfect looking brows.
BR Nat: Trust me, no one is as surprised as me that my favourite new (to me) product of 2017 isn't a primer. Y'all - it's a highlighter. The Nude by Nature Touch of Glow retails for about thirty bux but I picked it up on sale in their massive end of tax year promotion. I was rather conservative and bought the one shade, Champagne but they also do a bronze and a rose, presumably for some glowy light contouring action. Anyhoo, why do I love this? The rose gold casing is as luxe as it gets, it looks proper classy. The stick format makes the application of what is essentially a cream highlighter easy peasy. And the result is...beautiful. It's not an Instagram highlight (although if that's your jam, it could be), it just adds a stunning luminosity to your look. Buy it.
BR Kell: How hard is it to find the perfect foundation? Pretty darn hard. I have a bunch of foundations in my collection. Most I really enjoy. Some I dislike and wish I hadn't bought. Others I'm ho-hum about. But this year saw a foundation enter my life that I loved so much I used up the whole bottle. The foundation? Max Factor Miracle Match. It's everything I could ask for in a foundation. It's not drying. It doesn't grab onto dry patches. It blends a dream. It's not too heavy in coverage. The shade 'warm almond' suits my skin perfectly. Soon as I get through some of the others in my collection I am repurchasing - along with its matching primer, which I also loved. If you're after 'my skin but better', this is it.
BR Amelia: The Eye of Horus Sahara Nude eye pencil is my second most used cosmetic (the first is the EOH Goddess Mascara...but you already know how great that is right?) This eye pencil is the perfect shade for doing so many makeup tricks, it'll quickly become a daily staple. I use this on my waterline to make my eyes look bigger (its a much nicer look than white eyeliner) and under my brow arch. Check out Pixie's article for more ways to use a nude pencil here.
BR Tabatha: Yeah, I'm late to the party on this one but the Pixie raved on about hers so much I had to see what the big deal was. There's a lot of big deal. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette was made by angels, I'm sure of it. The powder is so finely milled it's incredible. And the effect is subtle, yet knocks me out every time. The Radiant Glow makes me look like I've been lightly kissed by the sun. The Incandescent Light is the most natural but effective highlighter I've ever used (though probably not for those who want their highlight to be seen from space) and Dim Light... it's like I apply it and my face just looks better. So. Much. Love.
BR Elaine: Want lips that are smooth as a baby's bum? Get your hands on Maybelline Baby Lips. It's cheap as chips (so you can have one in every bag) and it does a fab job of moisturising and nourishing lips. Try the Mango!
So there you have it - the BR Crews favourite cosmetics for 2017. Are any of ours on your list? What's floated your boat this year? What do we need to hunt down and try for 2018? Chat away!
I haven't had much luck with Maybelline foundations if I'm honest, but sounds like a good one to try BRKell. My problem that I have is picking the correct shade and also checking for skin sensitivity as so many foundations react with my skin.