2015 beauty favorites.

The best of 2015.

2015 was a great year for my beauty collection, thanks largely to Ipsy. I discovered new brands, fell in love with old favorites, and had a lot of fun experimenting with my beauty routine. Take a look at my roundup of top products (and see what's changed since 2013, the last time I did a post like this).

Best Moisturizer: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
While Clinique's yellow lotion will always be a makeup bag staple, the Moisture Surge edition is just what my skin has been craving this year. I have pretty normal skin for the most part. Sometimes, however, I do get dry patches. That's why this gel is perfect. It's incredibly light, it soaks into my skin instantly, and it keeps my face hydrated all day long.

Best Eye Cream: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream
I like to try a new eye cream each time I finish an old one. This Origins one is my latest discovery. I love how the formula is creamy but not greasy. It absorbs quickly and leaves my under eye area looking fresh and bright.

Best Face Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Although I don't use face primer on a daily basis, I will break it out when I'm traveling or when I know I have a long day ahead of me. This one by Smashbox keeps my makeup in place all day. I know I never have to worry about my foundation or concealer sliding around with this on.

Best Eye Primer: Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion
I think I'll always be a Nars eye primer lover, but this anti-aging formula by Urban Decay has won me over this year. It looks invisible when applied and definitely helps to boost shadow pigmentation and lasting power. I haven't necessarily noticed any anti-aging effects, but I haven't noticed any wrinkles either, so that's a good sign!

Best Concealer (tie): Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer (04 Medium) and L'Oreal MagicLumi Highlighter (862 Light)
These two are tried and true favorites. The Clinique one is my go-to for any face blemishes or discolorations. It is a perfect color match for me. I always apply this before my foundation to create a more flawless look. As for the MagicLumi pen, I can't imagine my makeup bag without it. I'm currently on my third one and have no plans to stray to other brands at the moment. It covers and brightens my under eye circles like nothing else.

Best Foundation: Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup (04 Natural)
This was a rediscovery product for me. I've had it in my collection for a while and picked it up again this spring when I started to get more color. In general, I prefer light liquid foundations and BB creams for their dewy, natural finish. This powder, however, looks so natural on my skin that I've temporarily forgotten about my liquid foundations!

Best Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (020 Nude Beige)
I know this powder is a favorite for a number of beauty bloggers, mostly because it's an amazing product for a great price. I use this every day after applying my face makeup to keep my skin oil-free. It works like a charm and, for the price, you can't get any better.

Best Bronzer: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder (720A Sunny)
This is another drugstore favorite. It borders the line between a bronzer and a light contour powder. I use it for both purposes. I love how natural it looks. It adds just enough color and definition to use all year round.

Best Highlighter: Temptu S/B Highlighter in Pink Pearl
I have to thank Ipsy for this product. I had never heard of Temptu until I received this in one of my monthly bags. I'm so glad I got it! I am now a huge fan of liquid highlighter. This one blends so nicely and leaves the perfect glow.

Best Eyeshadow (tie): Urban Decay Naked palette and theBalm Nude Dude Eyeshadow in Fit
The Naked palette is an obvious choice, so I won't ramble on about it. I will say that it is the only palette I brought with me to Italy, which I think speaks volumes about its versatility and value for money. My other favorite is a beautiful bronze single shadow from theBalm. I am a huge fan of this brand for its sassy product names and color selections. Bronze is probably my most worn shadow color, so I've definitely gotten a lot of use out of it.

Best Pencil Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Smog
Speaking of Urban Decay and bronze colors, this pencil liner is a must! It combines my favorite brand with my favorite color. It looks beautiful with brown eyes. I love how it can be drawn straight on or smudged out for a slightly smoky look. Plus, these 24/7 pencils don't lie when they say they last all day.

Best Liquid Eyeliner: Starlooks Pro Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen
After I finished my e.l.f. liquid liner at the beginning of this year, I held off on buying a new one so I could experiment with other liners in my collection. This Starlooks liner was the first pen I ever tried, and I really like it. Not only is it the blackest liner I own, but it also stays on all day. My only qualm is that removing it is kind of a mess. It comes off in little clumps when I run my eye makeup remover over it. It does last all day though, so I'll take the trade-off.

Best Mascara: Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara in 01 Noir Midnight
I go through mascara pretty regularly, so I've been able to try out a number of brands and formulas. This Lancome one is fantastic for creating length and volume. Although it isn't the blackest black, it does have that thick, lasting formula that I love. I never have to worry about my mascara flaking when I wear this.

Best Lip Gloss: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush
Prior to discovering this lip gloss, I was firmly a lipstick girl. Laura Mercier has me rethinking things! This gloss goes on so smoothly and delivers an impressive color payoff. Plus, it smells remarkably like vanilla cupcakes. Talk about yum.

Best Lipstick: Hikari Lipstick in Cabernet
Another Ipsy find! I was in love with this lipstick at first swipe. The color works well year round, although I think it is particularly suited to fall and winter. This is also one of the only lipsticks I own that doesn't require a lip liner. It lasts an absurdly long time too.

Best Lip Liner: Clinique Quickliner for Lips in 35 Rich Red
Clinique wins the lip liner battle for its retractable pencil design alone. I love that I always have a defined point to draw with. As for the color, it is the perfect base for all my red lipsticks. It even keeps my red Laura Mercier lipstick, which loves to spread all over my face, in place!

Best Perfume: Kim Kardashian Gold
Don't knock it until you try it! I may not watch the Kardashians on TV, but I love this perfume. In fact, this is my second bottle! The scent is very tropical, with vanilla, citrus, and spicy undertones. It works just as well in the summer as it does in the winter.

Those are my 2015 faves! Have you tried any of these? Do you know any similar products that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Sabrina