My Favourite Makeup Discoveries of 2014

I found it really easy to pick my favourite makeup discoveries of 2014 - I found loads of fantastic products this year! What I actually found difficult was narrowing them down!

I have to start with possibly my favourite discovery of the year - the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, which I have in the shade Vanilla (review). I'm on my second tube now and although it's pricey, it's just so, so good that it's worth it! The seriously creamy formula provides fantastic natural looking coverage, making it suitable for dark circles and spots. 

Thanks to the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette (review) I am now a matte eyeshadow convert. It contains 6 neutral shades, with one being "demi-matte" so it can be used to highlight the inner corner. I also love using the darkest shade Crave as an eyeliner, with Walk of Shame all over the lid and Naked2 in the crease and outer corner. 

Another eyeshadow I've loved this year is the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Paint in Rich Russet (review). I love the sparkling bronze-brown shade that is a one wash wonder - the formula is a cream but quite wet, so I sweep it across my lids with the spatula-esque end and pat it out with my fingers and I'm done!

When it comes to eye makeup I've also recently re-discovered kohl eyeliner in the form of the Bourjois Contour Clubbing Eyeliner in Up and Brown. I have a review of this coming very soon, but for now I'll just say that the creamy formula glides across my upper lashline like a dream and lasts throughout a working day. It's love!

Another fab find from Bourjois is their 1 Seconde Volume Mascara. I haven't reviewed this because I bought it at the time that everyone and their dog was reviewing it on their blog, but I now have the Ultra Black version and must make sure I dedicate a post to it. It can be hard to find a good quality, budget mascara from the high street but this does a great job - it lengthens, creates volume and holds a curl.

All year I've been using the same primer to keep my foundation in place - the Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer (review). It's specially for oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin, so perfect for me; I love the formula as it feels and looks just like a moisturiser. It stops my foundation breaking down and helps it stay in place a lot longer.

In 2014 I bought quite a few new blushers, all of which I love, but if I had to choose one it would have to be the Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink (review). It's the perfect shade for a beautiful glow and gives a really a natural looking flush of colour. 

Generally on a day to day basis I like simple, fuss free makeup and the No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter (review) fits that bill - it means I now actually use highlighter on regularly! This shimmery nude comes in stick form so I just literally swipe it across the top of my cheekbones and blend it out for subtle, pretty radiance.

I also must mention the Green People Pressed Powder SPF15 in Porcelain Pale (review) because this has featured in empties posts countless times over the last 12 months. I keep re-purchasing it as it's hard to find a talc free, pressed powder that isn't over £20.00. It's also the perfect shade and finely milled so doesn't sit heavily on the skin.

Onto nail polish now and in the summer I was absolutely obsessed with the Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay Gel Nail Colour in Uptown Blue (review). Unfortunately I forgot to include this in my main picture, so I've included the separate swatch picture so you can see why it's been a favourite. I am in love with the colour of this polish; it's the perfect balance between pastel and bright. I've bought more shades from the Maybelline Forever Strong range since as I'm a big fan of the wide brush for easy application and I get a good five days wear time. 

Thanks for staying with me through this post! I'd love to know what your favourite makeup discoveries of 2014 are? Keep an eye out for my favourite skincare discoveries post, which will be going up in a day or two.

Beauty Bird xx

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