Most Outstanding and Utterly Superb Cosmetics of 2015
I honestly can not believe that 2015 is almost over already! This year really snuck up on me to be honest. Unlike 2014 there were lots of things and changes happening and when that is the case time usually passes by a lot faster than usual. I might have been quite busy this year but I still used a lot of fantastic cosmetics which I would like to share with you today. Even though I had specific product categories last year I won't do so this time again since I simply have not used enough new makeup to fill each section.
Alright then here I present to you my favourite cosmetics of the tumultuous year that was 2015:
Acids:
This year I have tried a lot of different products that contain Hydroxy acids but two of them stood out to me in a significant way.
Papa Recipes White Flower Clear Up 8% AHA Gel (review here) was not only effective and gentle at the same time, it is also the most hydrating acid I have used so far. When using this (especially on dry or dehydrated skin) the waiting time goes by in a breeze since you dont have to sit there with super tight and painful skin. The good news is that since it does absorb into nothingness it is also suited for oilier skinned people. And to top it off it is one of the cheapest acids around since one bottle may last you an entire year since it seems to be an endless pit filled with AHA goodness.
If you are more of a BHA type person you might like to give Chica y Chicos Beta Salic 2.0 acid a try. As I have written before Johnny has issues with almost all BHAs since they irritate his skin. Not only is this gentle enough for him to use 4 times a week but it is strong enough to be effective. I say four times since his skin gets slightly irritated if he uses it every day or twice a day. A fact that makes me believe that the product is effective after all. Not being sensitive to BHAs I use this every day on porey areas and it works wonderfully to keep my skin in check. Both our pores have been looking pretty fresh recently and due to its cream format it isn't overly drying either. Not as hydrating as Papa Recipes AHA but not as drying as 80% other acids I have tried.
Gentle, effective and non drying Huzzah!
Gentle, effective and non drying Huzzah!
Essence:
Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Essence (review here) is a weird product. Seemingly not doing anything until you stop using it and realise that it was making your skin feel scrumptilicious! As written in my full review here, I really didn't know if it even did anything at all but it did indeed. It is more hydrating for me than Hada Labos Lotion and has a big dose of super ingredient Niacinamide to boot. This stuff may feel like nothing but after the plump and glowy face you will likely get from this, it might just become a staple product in your routine.
Serum:
An ode to C20/C21.5 (review here and mini review here). I love you and the magic you produce on my face is so shocking it makes me rethink all expectations I ever had for cosmetics. I know that not everyone gets their fine lines zapped away with this as I do. I still dont understand how this serum manages to get rid of my lines after a week of use. I am not complaining so I will simply accept it. Vitamin C is incredibly beneficial for a myriad of skin types and concerns and this happens to not only be effective but also very affordable. I have used this on and off for over a year now and everytime it is not in my routine I miss it. I hope it never gets discontinued!
Oils:
This was a very good year for facial oils and me. Usually I have a huge beef with them since they generally are so unpleasant yet a necessity for my super dry skin.
First off is Graymelins Natural 100% Facial Oil (review here) which might not be the richest in the world but it is definitely the dryest oil I have used. It definitely gives me the benefits of using a facial oil without the oiliness that entails. It feels more like a hybrid serum than a true oil which makes it more comfortable to use. I like to mix this into creams and lotions or use it just by itself when my skin is feeling tight.
The Saem is one of the brands of the year for me. Practically all of their items have been a hit for me and it all started with this precious Urban Eco Harakeke Seed oil (review here). This oil is richer than the Graymelins and even though it feels a little more like oil it is still very comfortable to use. It doesn't feel too filmy or oily and absorbs quite fast. I really like this stuff and hope to try other products from the same line soon.
Sunscreens:
I am generally a fan of Japanese sunscreens and Korean sunscreens leave me a little unimpressed. This year I had the chance to try a ton of Korean sunscreens though (I think around 15 or so!) and actually found one that I liked just as much as it's Japanese counterpart.
Etude Houses Sunprise Super Aqua (review here) is so comfortable to use since it leaves no white cast, absorbs fast and is non oily. It is quite watery like most japanese sunscreens yet more hydrating than most.
It is a great budget sunscreen that will likely always be in my stash in case I run out of Japanese ones.
Masks:
I am not a fan of masks, neither sheet masks nor wash off masks. I do enjoy the occasional sleeping pack but haven't found an HG there yet.
The Cosrx Apple Zone Power Patch (mini review here) caught me completely by surprise too. It was sent to me by Cosrx as a little freebie and I am so happy about it since I would never buy it myself.
Before using it I was laughing at the thought of a tiny sheet mask for my cheeks and eye area only and I admit I still find it kind of silly. But this stuff is truly amazing. I don't know how they do it but after using it my skin looked so crazy smooth and even my small pores become smaller. They were practically invisible. One could see exactly which part was masked and which wasn't since the rest of my generally good skin looked not so good anymore compared to the bits that were Apple patched. The mask is also comfortable to use since it is a lovely hydrogel texture that is non wet and sticks really well to the face. The only thing I wish is that it was a full face mask since it works so well.
I really hope that they make a full Apple mask happen one day, I would probably buy them all!
I really hope that they make a full Apple mask happen one day, I would probably buy them all!
After discovering lip tints I have more or less given up on lipsticks since tints are so much more convenient, long lasting and unnoticeable on the lips.
When I got the Saems Eco Soul Kiss Button Lips Matte lipstick (review here) though I loved it so much that I have been using it regularly ever since. The color (mixed and unmixed) is very pretty and super flattering, but the texture of this is one of the nicest matte textures I had the luck to have on my lips. It is also long lasting which makes this the full package. I hope to try more colors soon and possibly discover more favorite lipsticks in the future.
This is the only non Asian Beauty product that made it onto the list. I still use a good amount of western products since they are easy to get but most of them don't wow me too much. The Blackbird Cosmetics (review here) eyeshadow set happens to be the nicest shadow I have used in a long time. I like the quality of it more than my Stila and Mac shadows and the colors are incredibly gorgeous. They are now also available pressed which makes them even more convenient. I still hope that Blackbird will come out with blushes since my collections is lacking in a blush that I love.
What have your favorite Cosmetics of 2015 been?
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