I don’t know about you, but my eye shadow will crease like no other without a good base. I’ve been using the NARS Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base for ages, but I never mention it. It’s about time it sees some love! J I really don’t know what I would do without the NARS Primer because everything else that I have tried still ends in creasing shadows. So definitely a huge fan of the NARS Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Primer!
My brows are something I pretty much never neglect when doing my makeup because my natural brows are so faint. For quite some time, my stand by brow pencil was the Tarte Architect Brow Pencil, but it’s recently been usurped! It’s a really great brow pencil and the replacement is quite similar, but the color is just a smidge better and the pencil glides on just a tad smoother and easier. So what is this new wonder pencil? It’s the Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil in Blonde. It’s just the perfect color for my brows, and it is so quick and easy to fill them in. I also looked in to the price per ounce, and it actually costs less than the Tarte version when you look at the value for money! Nice to know because it is a pricey brow pencil, but it has a ton of product hidden inside. Sorry Tarte, but Hourglass’ Arch Brow Pencil has beaten you in both formula, color and value this year!
My absolute favorite standout eye product of the year comes from Charlotte Tilbury. I really have no words. That’s good because the Colour Chameleon Colour Morphing Eye Shadow Pencil does not come with a light price tag. But in my eyes, it is worth every cent! J The shade Dark Pearl is absolutely to die for. It blends to the perfect wash of color over the lids, or can be deepened up a bit more if you want a more dramatic effect. It is the quickest, easiest way to look pulled together when you are anything but! So perfect for a lazy or rushed day. These pencils just blend amazingly, last really well and I really cannot describe the color. It is absolutely perfect. Definitely give the Charlotte Tilbury Eye Shadow Pencils, especially Dark Pearl, a look if you haven’t already - the pictures cannot do it justice!
Dark Pearl swatched (left) & blended (right)
Next up for eyes are two shades from the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette (the original one). I’m actually not the biggest fan of this palette by itself, but I think like most people, I find it quite useful when paired with other shadows. Basically the only two shades that I find myself using are the not-quite-matte highlight called Venus (only available in this palette I believe) and the darkest of the browns, which is called Faint. Definitely used those two shades a fair amount this year…though I doubt you can tell from looking at the palette! I wouldn’t race out to buy the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, but Venus and Faint stole my heart this year.
Venus (heavily swatched) & Faint
A new entrance into the eye shadow game…well, a new formulation of it anyway…are Milani’s Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows. They have a ton of beautiful, affordable shades, but only one has been used repeatedly by me so far. That would be the shade Bella Cappuccino, which is a pretty basic warm medium brown. Rather boring, but it’s a great transition or crease color. Bella Cappuccino is a winner to these eyes! J
Bella Cappuccino
The winner for most unique color selection in eye shadow this year has got to go to Ardency Inn and their Modster Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments. I have more shades than I care to admit and they are all gorgeous! Colors aside, they are very pigmented, easily blended, so soft and almost creamy. They’re truly beautiful shadows. Again, not cheap, but worth the splurge. The shades that I probably find most unusual are Hell, Heaven and Sunday. Love those names too! J Peacock is also beautiful, but there are a number of similar colors out there from other brands. So yea. Love the Ardency Inn Modster Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments.
Clockwise from Left: Heaven, Sunday, Hell & Peacock
Sunday, Heaven, Hell & Peacock - The swatches do not do them justice!
I feel that I need to include a favorite palette of the year too, though I feel like I have actually been gravitating towards shadow pencils and single shadows in 2014. However, if there is any palette that stands out, it is hands down the Chocolate Bar Palette from Too Faced. Yup. I drank the Kool-Aid too! This palette is just everything you could ask for and more. It’s filled with beautiful neutrals in a variety of finishes. It works for Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring equally well. It smells like chocolate, which would actually be the only thing I don’t like about it and it looks like a stinkin’ chocolate bar. How cute is that?! J The shadows themselves are wonderfully soft and blendable. There’s a bit of fallout with some shades, but nothing unbearable that can’t be remedied by a tap of the brush. The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette is by far the most perfect neutral palette I have seen in a long time, if not ever!
Ok. Eye Liner. I found what I would say is the best pencil liner for tightlining without transferring this year. It’s not fool-proof, but it’s by far the best I’ve found. It is, of all things, from Butter London. It is called the WINK Eye Pencil and comes in quite a few interesting and unusual shades, as well as the old standbys. I have been addicted to the shade Union Jack Black. It’s not the blackest of blacks, but it’s definitely a good solid black. I use it pretty much every day to tightline my upper lash line and it travels very little on to my lower water line, which I greatly appreciate. When used more traditionally on the lid or lower lashline, it doesn’t tug, can easily be smudged, but then stays put after waiting about a minute. Basically it’s like any other gel-pencil liner out there, but it transfers a bit less on my eyes. You cannot pry Butter London’s WINK Eye Pencil out of my grubby little hands – ever! J
Finally, we have a reoccurrence from last year’s favorites. I had to include it because it is practically the only mascara I can bear to use anymore! It is…drumroll please…Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara. Seriously. It’s amazing. I didn’t even remember that I had tried this mascara last year (though I did review it here), but apparently it’s been going one year strong…well, the formula not the same tube. I have pretty decent lashes in terms of length and they’re ok on volume, but I feel like this would make even non-existent lashes look incredible. It holds a curl, doesn’t smudge, comes off without tugging and adds serious length and volume with ease. My mom actually asks me if I’m wearing false lashes from time to time when I’m wearing this mascara. That’s impressive. I love the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara so much that I don’t know what I will do if they ever stop making it!
Whew! Ok. We’re done with the eyes. That was a workout! J Assuming you’re still with me, thank you for checking out my Best of 2014 – Eye Makeup! There’s only one more Annual Favorites post to go. I know. I’m terrible at editing things down. J I hope you have enjoyed these picks and I hope you’re looking forward to the final installment. It is quite possibly the most exciting…at least to me – Lips & Tips! J Get excited because I am! Until then, thanks for sticking around and if you’re hankering for more, check out my prior posts linked below.
For more Best of Picks, check out these posts:
Best of 2014 - Skin Care, Body Care & Hair Care Best of 2014 - Face Makeup & Tools Best of 2014 - Lips & Tips
Best of 2013 - Skincare for Face & Body
Best of 2013 - Hands, Nails & Tools
Best of 2013 - Makeup!!!
Worst of 2013 - The Fun Stuff
Best of 2012 - Skincare!!!
Best of 2012 - Hair & Body Products!
Best of 2012 - Favorite Complexion Perfectors
Best of 2012 - Favorites for Eyes, Lips & Brows
