Hey, friends! 2016 was a big year for the beauty industry. As social media continues to evolve and change the cosmetics world, consumers want bigger, better releases in much quicker succession - as a blogger, I am exhausted, let me tell you. Also broke. So broke.
Anyhow, I thought I'd round up my top 10 releases of the year that was. Like a little makeup time capsule.



1. ABH Modern Renaissance Palette
I'm sure everyone and their mother's neighbour's goldfish expected this to make my list - call me predictable (read: obsessed), but its just that good. The ultimate basics palette for all those who adore warm/pink tones, with adorable packaging to boot.

2. Becca Cosmetics X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette
Speaking of packaging, our girl Jaclyn Hill expanded her collaboration with Becca Cosmetics this year, and this face palette is god damn dreamy. Beneath the luxe white and gold packaging lies two incredible highlighters and three equally beautiful blushes (I have a full review here), and I have to stop myself from using them daily so as to not run out! Damn you LE products, damn you.

3. Makeup Geek Manny MUA Palette
This year has been huge when it comes to the breaking down of gender roles in the beauty world, from the first Coverboy to Manny MUA having one of the most hyped palette releases of the year in the form of his collaboration with MUG, it's been a good'un. Pizza rolls not gender roles, am I right? Anyhow, despite not owning this palette, I got my greedy mitts on my friend's and it is god damn delightful - as you'd expect from any MUG release.

4. Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipsticks
These tie with Anastasia Beverly Hills as my favourite formula of liquid lipsticks, like, ever. They are very thin, incredibly pigmented, but don't leave your lips feeling like you've been making out with a sand pit. Moreover, the colour range is droolworthy - Child Star, Sell Out, Mrs Roper, and Lady Balls are particularly notable in my humble, lip-owning opinion.



5. Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara
Ok, so this was a low-key launch - Tarte tends to do mass releases, back to back (how do they do it???), and so occasionally a product gets superseded by another amazing launch, and this mascara fell victim to this cruel fate. However, this mascara deserves a fanfare because it is everything my lashes need in one aesthetically pleasing tube of wonder. My poor, sad lashes are lifted, separated, and lengthier than a LOTR marathon. Love.

6. Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette
No 2016 beauty review would be complete without the palette that dominated Instagram and Youtube for a hefty portion of the year. Damn, this palette is wonderful. I have a full review here, so I won't bore you by waxing poetic once more, but just know that this palette performs as well as it smells (which is delightfully, mind you). Plus, peachy tones are very on trend right now, if that's your thing. If you want to get your paws on this palette, they've just re-released it here!



7. Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kits
Yeah, ok, I had to include these. Although they aren't my favourite liquid lipstick formulas, you've got to give credit where it's due, and boy has baby KJ created a solid foundation for her empire. Like her or not (I have no issue with her, myself), you can't deny the dedication it takes to cultivate a group of individuals willing to throw money at anything you put your name on. Long live the lip kit!

8. Benefit Brow Collection
Benefit truly changed the game with this release, reinventing themselves as a brow authority with an entirely reformulated range of caterpillar-grooming goodies. Precisely, My Brow! Pencil and Gimme Brow are ride or die products as far as my brows are concerned, though all of the products are pretty damn great. Plus, the packaging is as cute as heck.  



9. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Yes, I know that every beauty guru worth their weight in Sephora points has gushed about this concealer, but god damn it, you're about to hear another spiel. I love this concealer. If this concealer were a witch, I'd give it my first born child. It is the ultimate multi-tasker and sits so nicely on my face area, tricking people into thinking that I get a restful sleep each night. Please buy this. Please.

10. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Everyone's (read: my) favourite mascara went waterproof this year and holy shortbread I was delighted. The formula is excellent, the curl-holding ability has increased ten fold, and have you seen the packaging? Look at it. Ogle. Weep gently. Then pull yourself together, damn it. Enjoy from afar in a decorative mug.

So, these were the beauty icons of 2016. Did any of your favourites make the list?

Enjoy!
Sophia ♡