Favorite Beauty Finds of 2016

by Rachel McCarthy
best-beauty-products-of-2016
ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE | TEN

At the start of each year, I like to review a few of my favorite beauty and fashion finds from the past few months. These are just a few of my top discoveries of 2016 and products that I use either daily or weekly. 


ONE // Dior ‘Crème de Rose’ Smoothing Lip Balm: A recent discovery, this lip balm not only tastes good but leaves your lips feeling so soft and smooth. Although I just started using this at the beginning of December, I have been religiously wearing it each night and cannot believe how hydrated my lips feel. In the winter, my lips are constantly chapped and I have yet to experience that dry feeling since using this lip balm. A little on the expensive side, but totally worth it! 

TWO // Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery: This oil is one of my favorites. I apply this concentrate to my clean skin every other night {to make it last longer!} and have noticed a huge difference in my skin. By morning, my face feels and looks smoother and more radiant. Originally, I bought this last January to wear only in the winter months when my face was feeling dry, but I continued throughout the summer and fall because it was that good. You only need about two drops — I’m still on my first bottle that I purchased almost a year ago! **If your hands are super dry like mine, you can put a drop of the oil in your hand cream before massaging into your hands.**

THREE // IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer: I was introduced to IT Cosmetics in 2016 and I use their products each day. I love everything I have tried! {you can read a full review of the latest line from IT Cosmetics HERE} For the purposes of this post, I had to limit myself to my two favorite products: THIS under eye concealer and THIS mascara {see below}. This concealer can really hide it all — use it under your eye or over blemishes. A little goes a long way and I typically apply the concealer using THIS concealer brush or the beautyblender {see below}. For reference, I wear the “light” color.

FOUR // Simple Foaming Face Cleanser: For an everyday face cleanser, you can’t get much more practical than this foaming cleanser. I first tried this brand at a conference in Chicago and loved their makeup removing wipes. But, I actually discovered the foaming cleanser by accident. I had run out of THIS Clarisonic cleanser and while at the grocery store, I saw the familiar Simple packaging. I didn’t have time to stop at Ulta that day, so I picked up this foaming cleanser — it was designed for sensitive skin and I had loved the makeup wipes, so why not? Priced at under $6 {!!!} this is my go-to, everyday face wash. I sometimes mix it up with other formulas {see THIS post} but for an everyday /two times a day cleanser, this is awesome. And perfect for sensitive skin!

FIVE // Beautycounter Hand Cream: I was first introduced to Beautycounter back in 2015, but it took me until 2016 to discover the hand cream. As I have mentioned countless of times, my hands are terribly dry in the winter. I keep THIS hand cream {I use the citrus mimosa scent, but it’s also available in rose neroli} by the side of my bed and put it on each night before going to sleep. Although I keep other hand creams around the house, at my desk and in my purse for moisturizing throughout the day, this is my favorite to use at night.

SIX // Jouer Long-Wear Liquid Lipstick: I am always looking for new lipsticks to fall in love with {you know how I like to match my lipstick with my outfit!} so when I discovered Jouer and all the pretty colors they have to offer, I was definitely intrigued. The first color I bought was cabernet {pictured above} which was perfect for fall and the holidays. I also have cassis, another fall favorite. I have never been a huge fan of matte lipsticks, but I love these. The colors are gorgeous and they are super long lasting. Next on my “to try list”: THIS lip topper from Jouer and their line of hydrating lipsticks, specifically the Whitney color — perfect for spring!

SEVEN // beautyblender Makeup Sponge: Before purchasing the beautyblender for myself, I had heard SO many people rave about it. I finally broke down and purchased one for myself. As I mentioned above, I like to use it to apply concealer to my under eye area {along with the concealer brush} for easy application. For me, I think the beautyblender takes a little more time, so I typically only use it when I have plenty of time for applying makeup aka not on workdays! 

EIGHT // Drybar ‘Hot Toddy’ Heat & UV Protectant: After running out of the usual heat protectant my hair dresser uses, I happened to be at Nordstrom when I came across the entire Drybar section of products {if you haven’t checked out their line, I would highly recommend it. Next on my list: THIS dry shampoo — because I use dry shampoo just about every other day!} I love that this is not only a heat protectant but also UV, perfect for summer days. I apply this to my wet hair before drying each time I wash my hair. It protects your hair up to 450 degrees!

NINE // IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara: The second of my top 2 IT Cosmetics products goes to THIS mascara. I had been using the same mascara since high school, it was in my comfort zone and easy for so many years, why change? But after trying this Superhero Mascara, I haven’t looked back. This formula not only lengthens your lashes but also makes them look fuller. For simple makeup days, I usually just wear an everyday eyeshadow {THIS is my favorite in retrospeck} with this mascara. The mascara gives your lashes such a dramatic effect, you really don’t need much more for a casual look.

TEN // Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask: I have had the opportunity to try quite a few face masks over the past year and THIS exfoliating mask from Tula is definitely a favorite. I use it mainly in the colder months when my face is in serious need of exfoliating and purifying. Although the mask can be used up to two or three times a week, I only use it once a week during the winter months. I apply a thin layer of the mask to my clean, dry face and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before massaging the mask into my face with damp fingers and rinsing it off with cool water. I love how soft my face feels after using it!

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That’s a wrap on my favorite beauty products from 2016! I’ll be back tomorrow with an all new outfit post so stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow!

17 thoughts on “Favorite Beauty Finds of 2016”

  10. All of these products sound wonderful! I've heard or tried some of them myself and some are new to me. I don't believe I've ever came across the CD lip balm, it sounds amazing! I'll have to check it out the next time at Sephora. I've literally tried everything these past few months and my lips are forever chapped! I've heard such wonderful things about Kiehl's in general, so I'm sure that oil is worth looking into. Thanks so much for sharing your faves with us, beauty, and I hope you're having a wonderful week so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

  11. Such a great review on so many products! I am going to pin the IT Bye, Bye Under Eye and that Hot Toddy Heat Protectant to try later!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  12. I wish the IT Cosmetics would release more shades in their concealer. I bought it, tried it but it was way too light for me and the medium was way to dark. It was a good concealer too.
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

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