2016 Beauty Favourites!

Happy New Year!

I am sure everyone is saying this, but 2016 has flown past and I seriously cannot believe that I am posting this on the first day of 2017. 2016 has definitely given me the chance to try and experiment a lot more with beauty products, especially makeup. This post is going to be me celebrating all of the beauty products I have loved and discovered this year. Since there are a lot of products I want to mention in this post I am going to link posts that have mentioned certain products in that give more detail so you can read a little more into my opinions of them.

Skin:

Garnier Micellar Water 

I feel like this product has really broken through this year. Micellar water really became a trend this year, especially through spring and summer. This Garnier one is super amazing and has been a constant repurchase of mine this year. Going into 2017, I want to try different kinds of micellar water, just to find the best, but I can't doubt this one.

 Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/2016-empties-2.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/june-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/september-favorites.html

Lush Tea Tree Toner

This year I have really been discovering the different steps of a skincare routine and so toner has been something I have been trialing out this year, and this one has turned out to be my favourite. I have got very spot-prone skin and so this toner has worked best to not upset it and it's helped to sooth it. I would highly recommend this.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/may-favorites.html

St Ives Face Scrub

I have actually just noticed that I haven't mentioned this as much as I thought I had. Anyway I love this face scrub. I have actually been through a whole tube of this but I will continue to repurchase this until I find something better. This is super amazing and it is so affordable so I would definitely recommend it.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/spring-skincare-routine.html

Simple SPF 30 Moisturizer

There have been a lot of moisturizers I have tried and loved but this one stood out the most to me. I used this all throughout spring and summer. It contains spf which is perfect for the sun, I definitely don't think that it is the best but I have just found myself going back to it a lot this year.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/may-favorites.html

Soap and Glory Hand Food

I am so lazy when it comes to moisturizing anything that's not my face, especially my hands. Saying that, I hand cream I always use is Hand Food. It smells amazing, not too overpowering, it is very moisturizing and it keeps my hands hydrated for a long time. Hand cream isn't something I am too fussy with but this is definitely a good one I would recommend.

Soap and Glory Righteous Butter

Probably my favourite skincare discovery of the year, like I said before, moisturizing my body isn't something I am good at but since using this, I have found myself moisturizing more. I have been through so many pots of these and I will continue to love this throughout 2017. The smell is so fresh and the formulation is just unbelievable.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/january-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/on-those-dry-days.html

Zoella Beauty Let's Spritz

I tend to switch up my scent a lot depending on my mood, or the season but a fragrance I have loved and ran out of is the Zoella Beauty Let's Spritz body mist. This year I have actually managed to go through a whole bottle of this and I am so glad to have mini of it. I mainly used this during spring and summer because of it's floral scent but you could totally wear this all year round.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

Makeup

L'Oreal True Match Foundation

This will probably come to no surprise to any of you, I discovered this foundation this year and I am so happy I did. This foundation is so amazing, great colour, great formula, I just can't doubt it, especially for the small price tag it comes with.

 Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Doesn't everyone just love this concealer? I have definitely tried to discover a few more concealers but I always come back to this one. I have no idea how many tubes I have been through of this but I know that it's a lot. This is so insanely affordable, super high coverage and I find that as long as I set it, it will not crease throughout the day.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

 - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/september-favorites.html

Seventeen Stay Time Concealer

Another concealer discovery for me, this one is a lot lighter than the Collection one but I prefer this during the warmer months because I prefer something lighter. It still has amazing coverage and it lasts so long. I would definitely recommend, it's super lightweight and it comes in a great range of shades especially for people who are really fair.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/january-favorites.html

Seventeen Define and Conquer Contour Kit

If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know just how much I love this duo. I discovered it this year and I am so glad I did. It is a face duo that comes with a highlighting and bronzing powder, both matte. I use the highlighting powder to set my under eyes and the bronzing powder to bronze with. This is so amazing and it is from the drugstore, If you have not tried it, you totally should.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/products-i-have-hit-pan-on.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/september-favorites.html

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Another palette I am totally in love with, this is a product that is so hyped up about but it is totally worth it. The formula is beautiful, pigmented, buttery and everything you could ever want in a powder. The colours are perfect for my skin and I will continue to love this throughout 2017 also.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/april-favorites.html

Kiko Blush in Provocative Pink

I bought this halfway through the year, but it is my favourite blush of all time. A matte blush is what I tend to prefer and this is just a beautiful colour on my skin tone. It is a two colour blush that just creates a super light and natural flush. I love how compact it is, I definitely want to look at a few more shades.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/september-favorites.html

Mary Loo Manizer Highlighter

This is definitely a game changer product for me, I can't love a highlighter as much as I love this one. It is a beautiful light gold colour that suits my skin really well. I think it is an over-hyped product but it is good and it is definitely my favourite highlighter out of my collection.

Mac Paint Pot in Painterly

I got this for Christmas last year and it is one of my favourite eye bases. This is my first pot and there is a huge dent in the middle of it. It is definitely an eye base I always go back to, the pigment is there, it is not heavy and it really helps my eye shadow to last all day.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Palette

This is another product I got halfway through the year but I had to give it a little mention. Too Faced eye shadows are definitely my favourite I have discovered so far because they are so pigmented, blendable and this palette includes all of my ideal shades. I love warm, rich eye shadows and this palette has it all. The packaging is super cute and it has been my favourite eye shadows palette of the year.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/lets-travel-to-europe-holiday-beauty.html

Maybelline Colossal Go Extreme Mascara

I am sure I included this in last years favourites, but it is honestly the best mascara I have ever tried. I have repurchased it so many times, always in the waterproof but it is just amazing. This gives me so much volume and length and because I get it in waterproof it really helps my eyelashes to hold a curl.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/april-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

Benefit They're Real Mascara

I did have to give this mascara a bit of a shoutout, I got this for Christmas last year and I loved it throughout the start of the year, I loved it so much that it actually ran out about halfway through the year. It is an amazing mascara, super lengthening, super black and it was amazing. It is definitely my favourite Benefit mascara and one day I would love to own another They're Real.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/january-favorites.html

Kiko Lip Oil in 03

This has been sitting in my draw for the last month empty because I knew I wanted to mention it in this post. I bought this back in August because I really wanted to see the difference between a lip balm and a lip oil and I can definitely say this this has been my favourite lip product of the year. I actually managed to finish this after three months of having it, but it is so amazing, so moisturizing, I really need to get another one.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/on-those-dry-days.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/august-favorites.html

Artdeco Hydro Lip Booster Lip Gloss

I bought these back in Germany at the end of 2015 as a spontaneous purchase but I never expected to love them as much as I do. There is nothing mind blowing about them, the are just simple but lovely. It gives your lips a small tint of colour, a super glossy look and no sticky feeling to it what so ever. I have used these all through the year, every season and every occasion and they are one of my favourite discoveries.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/the-best-lip-glosses.html

Mac Lipsticks

My collection only began this time last year and I some how, now own four Mac lipsticks which is a lot for me because I tend to swich up my brands a lot so there must be something about this brand that I come back to. My most used shades are definitely Kinda Sexy during spring and summer and Velvet Teddy during autumn and winter. Both are matte which is my favourite formula Mac do. They are very similar in colour but the pigment is there, they last ages and they are just beautiful.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/october-beauty-favourites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/day-12-current-top-5-beauty-favourites.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/lip-picks-for-springsummer.html

Barry M Nail Polishes

We all know I love Barry M nail polishes so I don't want to talk about them for too long, but I can't help it, they are spectacular. My most used shades this year are definitely Lychee which is part of the Gelly Hi-Shine range and Kiss Me Quick which is part of their Speedy Quick Dry range. I love every formula Barry M bring out and I honestly cannot fault the brand.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

- http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/august-favorites.html

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

I love this brush, it is quite simple just a round top face brush, but I love the way it blends my cream products. It is great for foundation or cream contour and it is definitely one of most used brushes of the year.

Real Techniques Contour Brush

This brush is so good for so many purposes, contour, concealer, setting, highlighter, I could go on. I mainly use it to set my under eyes and it is definitely a brush I cannot do my makeup without.

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush

I feel as though, this year, I have really stepped up my eye shadow game and this brush has been amazing. It was the first crease, blending brush I owned and I still use it everyday. I love it for my crease and lower lash line, it distributs the product so well and really helps to blend any colour.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

It took me so long to finally try this sponge but I am so glad I did. This is amazing for my foundation, concealer or any other cream products. It makes my base look so airbrushed and beautiful. I am still on my first sponge so I think I will need a new one soon because it is looking a little dead, but I cannot live without it.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/lets-travel-to-europe-holiday-beauty.html

Seventeen Cheeks Brush

This brush is so amazing and deserves a lot of hype because it is incredibly affordable and so good. I loved this for bronzer but it is great for any face powders. It is definitely a brush I am super happy I discovered this year.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

Rucci Professional Large Duo Fibre Brush

This brush actually replaced that Seventeen brush for bronzer because this is so amazing. Since having this, I have learnt just how much I love duo fibre brushes. This applys bronzer and blush beautifully, it is super even and I wish this brush brand was easier to get hold of.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/august-favorites.html

Primark Eyelash Curlers

These are honestly my ultimate beauty product, eyelash curlers. I know a lot of people don't use them, but I can't image doing my makeup without some. These ones from Primark are my favourite and they are only a few pounds. I do need a new pair because these are looking a little worse for wear but they are amazing and definitely a game changer.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/top-10-under-10-makeup.html

Primark Eyebrow Brush

I never really did anything to my eyebrows until this year and this brush has been a life saver. It only cost me a few pounds and it is good. Obviously it is not the best but it has served it's purpose for a whole year, and I am honestly so impressed with this.

Hair

GHD

I got these for Christmas last year and they are so amazing. Definitely the best straighteners I have ever tried, I even love the heat protectent from GHD. Mine is running out so I do need to pick up another but I find this duo the best. The straighters heat up really fast, straighten my hair really easily and I can even curl my hair with this.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/january-favorites.html

Herbal Essence Shampoo and Conditioner

This is a brand I wanted to try in 2016 and I am so glad I did. I have had a few kinds from their range, my favourite being the coconut but all of them have impressed me. I definitely want to try more from them in the furture since there shampoo and condtioners are so good, and smell amazing.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/lets-travel-to-europe-holiday-beauty.html

Bastite

I have tried a few dry shampoos this year so when it came to picking my favourite, I had to say my go-to and that is Bastite. I have no idea how many cans I have been through of this, this year but I know that it is a lot. This has definitely been a saviour product this year and it has served me well. Definitely one of the best dry shampoos out there.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/september-favorites.html

Tangle Teezer

It has taken me so long to get on the hype about this hair brush, but it is honestly amazing. I don't use any other brush on my hair. This is compact, it doesn't tug at my hair and it just makes brushing my hair a dream. If you have not tried this, you really need to.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/lets-travel-to-europe-holiday-beauty.html

Wella Hair Oil

I am sure you have all heard me talk about how much I love hair oil and this one is definielty my favourite. This makes my hair so soft and shiny while hydrating it. I have found my hair to have less split ends since using this and it is just a beautiful formula. This brand isn't too popular but it is one you should definitely look into.

Posts it's mentioned in - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/march-favorites.html

Happy New Year! I hope 2017 brings you happiness and a whole bunch of memories!

Grace xx

Other Posts You Might Like:

2014 Favourites - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/2014-beauty-favorites.html

2015 Makeup Favourites - http://gracexkate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/best-makeup-products-of-2015.html