Wowweeee was 2016 a year of makeup! New releases every couple of weeks, collaborations left, right and centre and new brands popping up non-stop.

I’ve brought together a list of my top picks from 2016!

Anastasia Beverley Hills Modern Renaissance palette was alllllll the hype this year! It is the best formula out of all the ABH palettes so far and the tones just soothe my soul. The palette has buttery matte shades which are so rare to come by – they’re usually super chalky!

Anastasia Beverly Hills x Makeup By Mario palette has such a soft, buttery formula. It has the right amount of shimmer with some matte shades to help blend them out. This palette has been perfect for corporate work-wear as it has the right colours and right amount of shimmer – no chunky glitter!

MAC Ruby Woo wasn’t a new release but I did use it for the first time this year. The cool tone complements my skin tone and really packs a punch. It’s also super long-wearing.

Huda Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Spice is a great cool tone nude lipstick alternative. The formula of these lipsticks are great! Huda Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Heartbreaker is another go-to red!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Budapest is a burgundy-brown which I love wearing to work. It isn’t as long wearing as a normal liquid lipstick but it is so so comfortable on the lips!

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit in True Brown K is the best warm brown liquid lipstick a gal could ask for. It’s deeper than my skin but isn’t muddy or dull like a lot of other browns I have tried. It also lasts (with touch ups after meals). The liner has been my go-to to blend in nude lip colours that are too light for me.

L’Oréal Pure Clay Detox Mask is my new favourite. It makes my skin feel a lot cleaner and I love that you can see the disguising little dots of where the mask has pulled out impurities – ew, yet satisfying.

Avène Tolerance Cleansing lotion (and just the tolerance range in general) has been doing wonders for my skin. It is rich and moisturising and creates a soft, smooth base for my foundation.

TanglePro is something I never really believed in but WOW has it helped! It’s a comb that detangles your hair with no pain – and it works! As someone with curly hair who also straightens it, I brush my hair quite often (before I straighten) and this has made it so much easier.

Klara Reset Glow is amazing. It’s a primer/ liquid illuminiser that makes your skin have a healthy glow. I always get compliments on my skin when ever I use this. You can use it under makeup of even on its own.

BH Cosmetics Buffing Brush 123 is soft on your skin and really blends out my tinted moisturiser. When my Beauty blenders are in need of a wash, I turn to this brush. But lately I’ve been using it instead of a sponge. It gives you coverage and doesn’t irritate the skin like a few others I’ve used.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation is the only stick/dry foundation that works with my skin. It applies so nicely and a little goes a long way!

Nude By Nature Stick Highlighter in Rose is my blush and highlight combined. It rolls on foundation with minimal-no lifting.

Ciate London Wonderwand Mascara is a new find. It’s formula is quite thick and wax-like so it holds a curl really well! As it doesn’t give length, I like to use it with another mascara.

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Shadow Duo is a liquid bronze eyeshadow and a glitter liner (which I usually use on top of the shadow for a glittery dramatic look). I love the no-crease, stay in place formula and use this one for special occasions and a khaki coloured one for work!

Sportsgirl delivered some really good beauty products this year, including this nude polish. This shade Wonderland is a matte but I usually as a Gel top coat to make it shine!

Benefit Precisely, My Brow pencil is my eyebrow pencil of the year. It is soft in impact so you can really get a natural look. The tip is very thin, making it easy to create thin hair-like strokes.

Lush Northern Lights Bath Bomb surely the photos speak for themselves. I love how the bath bomb has its own colour breakdown that then turns green. It still maintains a rainbow colour. It is also moisturising for the skin!  If you see it in store – grab it quick!

What do you think? Did I get the list right?! Let me know!

Til next time,

Meneka x