2021 Beauty Favorites

Time to do a little roundup of some products I loved last year! I change it up a bit each year. In 2020, I included skincare. And honestly, as far as skincare goes, not much has changed aside from a product or two. The products I featured in 2020 are still absolute winners, so much so that a few are repeated this year! With not leaving home much due to the pandemic, these were my "reach fors" practically every outing even if just to feel put together for a moment to pick up curbside orders and when it began to feel like if I don't make some sort of personal effort, that I'll forget what it is like to function among the land of the living and outside of my four walls.

What did you love last year? I'd love to know! While I mentioned there are a few repeats on my list from 2020, I did add a few new things to my collection that lived up to hype or expectation. To make it easy to organize, I've broken it up into categories with six products each. Do we have any in common? If you would like a more in depth review or swatches on anything, let me know and I'll work on getting a post together. 😊

This was really a year I focused on getting a few new brushes. It had been too long of a time since I last purchased any new ones. All of these but the sponge were new purchases!

• ELF Contouring Brush - I didn't have anything like this in my collection. The perfect density for applying and blending creamy contour formulas.
  
• ELF Buffing Foundation Brush - I'm more of a sponge person, but this brush makes me second guess that each time. Now, I do a hybrid of the two to get the application I want.
  
• MAC 270S - An excellent brush for concealer. Holy grail status!
  
• Tarte Blush Brush - Picks up and dispenses powder like a dream.
  
• Tarte Fluffy Eye Brush - Just a good ol' everyday eye brush. And the handles on these are 😍!
  
• Real Techniques Beauty Sponge - Tried and true favorite. I don't think my collection could ever be complete if a makeup sponge isn't in it at this point.
  

• Colourpop Frozen II Little Snow lipstick - My first dive into their lipsticks. This one was on sale a few months ago and I couldn't resist. I'm liking the formula and would purchase again!
  
• Maybelline Lifter Gloss - I own two, Petal and Amber. Both are gorgeous, though I do favor Petal (pictured here). Such a beautiful pink! I can't wait to add more of these to my collection. I've already been given a few recommendations for my next shade!
  
• Bobbi Brown Oil-Infused Gloss - This shade is Free Spirit and pairs so well with nude lipsticks. Being oil-infused is a nice addition for my dry lips. I don't usually have much of a reason for gloss in recent times with wearing a mask, but it photographs lovely. And one day, hopefully soon, I'll be able to wear it out more.
  
• Rare Beauty Lip Cream - This is the shade Confident and it came with the birthday duo at Sephora last year. The blush in the shade Adore from that set is a stunner, as well! This formula is nice and light on the lips. These were my first Rare Beauty items, but now the brand is definitely on my radar to try more.
  
• Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink - I don't think these will stop making my lists anytime soon. My favorite liquid lipstick out there and if they ever stop making it or change the formula, I will curl up into a ball of emotions. These last through EVERYTHING. Mask proof, kiss proof, food proof, you name it.
  
• Wet 'n Wild Sleeping Lip Mask - I keep this by the bed and use it nearly nightly. The lavender scent is dreamy and it doesn't feel heavy on the lips. It does its magic while I sleep and does moisturize my dry lips nicely. Super affordable and works like a charm!
  

• Too Faced Teddy Bare Palette - I adore this palette. It's a little on the small side, but I like that about it. The shades are so pretty and most of them work really well. The shimmers have to be rubbed down a bit, but then they are gorgeous though I wish they applied more opaque with brushes as opposed to fingers.
  
• Maybelline Sky High Mascara - I didn't think it would be better than the original Lash Sensational, but it's tied with it in my books.
  
• Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliners - My favorite eyeliners for I don't know how long, it must be over a decade by now. They are so creamy, but don't crease. And if that isn't enough, I live for the shade selection. Soooo many shades at any given time! My favorite is Stray Dog, which of course only comes back every now and then as limited edition because that's how it always goes! Fall in love with an LE item and you might as well prepare yourself for the heartache when it goes away.
  
• Urban Decay Primer Potion - I've been on the primer potion train since the beginning and watched it change packaging so many times. I can't say this is the best packaging, but it is better than some of the ones in the past. I was using other primers for a while, but felt like adding this back into the mix when I placed my last UD order. You just can't beat the original!
  
• Maybelline Tattoo Brow - This takes a bit of a learning curve, but it's still pretty foolproof. Tattoo Brow gives you beautiful lasting brows. I honestly didn't expect much and thought it was going to be a gimmick, but it works!
  
• Tarte Lil' Toasted Palette - Such a gorgeous palette for fall and winter. Of course, it's fine for all seasons but I think of cold weather when I look at it. It's full of warm shades and smells sweet.
  

• Physicians Formula All-Star Face Palette - I've heard some of their bigger palettes can be hit or miss, but this one and the Weylie one are excellent. This is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the brand and try some of their bestselling powders.
  
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush - I have a few of these and swear by the formula. This particular one is Quirky. It was part of their birthday gift on their website last year. These last so long on my skin and blend so effortlessly.
  
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment - Can't live without it, I mean it. Nothing works under my eyes like this! Covers well, doesn't crease, and doesn't look heavy. Always a repurchase!
  
• Urban Decay Hydromaniac Tinted Glow - If you have dry skin, a winner. Probably a skip if you are more on the oily side! It feels light and provides medium coverage. I wouldn't say it is completely budge proof. If wearing a mask, it will rub off a bit.
  
• Wet 'n Wild Photofocus Foundation Stick - I got the shade Sunkissed Beige to use as a contour shade. What I didn't expect was how darn creamy this formula is. One swipe of a finger and it just glides across. I've found foundation sticks to usually look cakey on my skin, but maybe I just wasn't trying the right ones. All I know is that this one was a pleasant surprise and works well as a cream contour.
  
• Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow Facial Spray - I love the original All Nighter. I'm just a big sucker for a facial mist period. I'll try them all! I can't say I notice a huge difference between the original and the Ultra Glow. Maybe a little extra hydration, but it has the same lasting effects!
  

• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer - How great is it that we can finally get this in Canada?! I love using this one for brightening up a few areas of my face, but the coverage is nice too.
  
• Too Faced Melted Matte Lipstick - A fantastic formula that feels light on the lips. It doesn't have the staying power of the SuperStay Matte Inks, but it's still one of my faves.
  
• Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil - If you don't know where to start with Benefit, start with the brows. They do brows justice. The Gimme Brow Tinted Gel is also a great option. They even have a gray option!
  
• Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer - Always, always, always HG. I've gone through several tubes of this (I've been using it for over a decade- I got my first tube in 2010!) and will continue to repurchase. It covers everything and survives better and longer than other concealers I've tried. The only reason that it is an honorable mention this year is due to simply not needing it as often with the lockdowns.
  
• E.L.F. Putty Primer - This is a great primer! I know they have a luminous version out now and I'm looking forward to trying that one, especially with the addition of hyaluronic acid in the formula.
  
• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - I said Sky High was tied with this one, so I just had to include it. I've used other mascaras this year and some of them rank high as well, but these two are among the best. Sky High gets a lot of talk and hype, but don't overlook the original Lash Sensational. And they are both great with layering!