As 2013 draws to a close, we can take some time to hunker down and consider the year.
Enda's photobomb, the IMF, and the fact that everyone we're related to is in Australia - none of these make for Christmas cheer. Twinkly lights, mulled wine and stuffing, however, do make for Christmas cheer.
So while we're enjoying the atmosphere and making the most of those who are around us over the festive season, we CAN think of lovely things like pretty cosmetics. And oooh, it's been a good year for makeup!
Here are my favourite products of 2013:
- Nars Radiant Cream Compact Foundation (€38)
I waxed lyrical on my love of this foundation before. It's uniquely beautiful in texture and has shades to suit every skin tone, from milky pale to deep ebony. This is the perfect foundation for any time-strapped people who love a five minute face in the morning. It applies wonderfully with either a sponge or brush, provides nice coverage, and looks great on the skin. This is the foundation of 2013 for me.
- Benefit Fake Up (€26.50)
This handy concealer is surrounded by a layer of hydrating loveliness. It covers mild to moderate undereye circles well and keeps the undereye area in good fettle while concealing just how much sleep you haven't been getting. It's a handbag essential!
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- Armani Rouge Ecstasy CC Lipstick in 400 (€28)
I had a fuss about this lipstick because Armani claim that you don't need to use lip liner with it, and you just do, okay Armani? That said, it is a glorious formulation. This shade is the hero of the range. A true red, perfect for Christmas, it has a beautifully thick texture and completely opaque pigment. It is the red of reds.
- Nars Eye Paint in Snake Eyes (€25)
Perhaps it's that Christmas feeling which draws me so completely to this metallic forest green pigment, but the colour is divine. This product can be used as a liner or a shadow. It glides on silkily to provide truly opaque coverage. This product alone is enough for an easy, sultry eye. I know I have two products from Nars on the list, but the brand has really exceeded itself this year.
- Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara (€22)
The launch of Charlotte Tilbury's makeup range at Selfridges in London was undoubtedly 2013's most exciting development in makeup. Tilbury is a world-renowned and hugely knowledgable makeup artist. Having done campaigns for brands like Tom Ford, and worked on famous faces (Kate Moss among them), all of Tilbury's knowledge and experience has gone into her range of cosmetics.
I've chosen her Full Fat Lashes Mascara simply because I had to choose one product for the sake of this list and it is the best mascara I have ever used. Anything I've tried from the range is genuinely excellent, and I intend to find out just how excellent the rest of the range is too! It's not available in Ireland yet, but you can find the range online.
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What are your ultimate makeup products of 2013? Reveal your cosmetic champions of 2013 in the comments!
