marissa belle ｡･:*˚:✧｡࿐

2020 is over and the beauty junkie in me is satisfied!

By that I mean that I’ve tried and tested so many great beauty products over the last 12 months and I’ve definitely found a few new favourites. I haven’t written a makeup-related blog post in awhile so I’m glad to be back on track again as it is one of my favourite things to talk about.

I participated in a no-buy November for beauty items, and it worked! I only spent a lot of money on items for my small business, but that counts, right?

From the bases to the eyes, I’ve got you covered! Here are the best of the best of 2020!

Primer Category Winner – ELF Poreless Putty Primer

I’m sure this doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone because this was such a highly-raved-about product all over social media, mostly because of its great affordable pricing.

I had to order this from a reseller online as ELF products are quite sparse in Singapore. I’m glad I did! I got mine for 14SGD and it lasted me long time, and I love how easy it is to apply. It has no scent and doesn’t break my sensitive skin out (as I’m on accutane at the moment).

I’ve repurchased this twice now and I really love it! Would highly recommend.

Foundation Category Winner – L’Oreal Infallible 24H Matte Cover

I saw this in the drugstore during our circuit breaker and I was soooo pleased to see that this product was not only matte and full coverage, but also has SPF 18 which is better than nothing at all.

I love it so much, it provides brilliant coverage without being overly cakey and it isn’t matte to the point where you look like you’ve got plaster all over your face. I’ve used it pretty much daily and I’ve gone through 2 tubes. I’m in the shade 105 Natural Beige, which is yellow-toned but not too much.

The only downside about this product is that L’Oreal is not cruelty free, which is the biggest shame as they do a lot of really amazing products. One can only hope they stop selling to China soon.

Concealer Category Winner – L’Oreal Infallible Full Wear More Than Concealer

I swear by this concealer!

I’ve heard that it is a drugstore dupe for the Tarte Shape Tape which I’ve never tried, but based on how much it was raved about, I do believe it.

This is the BEST concealer I will ever use in my life (I think)! The coverage is amazing, non-cakey, stays on the entire day and really does the job well in every aspect of a concealer. I even use it as ‘foundation’ on days I’m not going to be out for long. Sometimes it even doubles up as an eyeshadow primer.

I’m in the shade Vanilla and it goes really well with the foundation mentioned above.

Powder Category Winner – RCMA No-Colour Powder

I was always very put off by this powder because of the packaging. I’ve always thought it looked cheap and also hard to use because you had to pour it out of a bottle onto a surface (or hand) to be able to use it on a powder brush.

I was given one bottle by someone at work who didn’t like it, and I quickly discovered that it was an amazing, affordable loose powder – perfect for setting foundation. When they say “no colour”, they really mean no colour. Most powders that claim to be translucent end up washing your face out and you end up looking like a ghost, but this powder does not do anything of the sort.

I’ve poured it into an old Innisfree loose powder tub and I’m using it from there and I absolutely love it. I will definitely keep repurchasing this in the future.

It really goes to show – don’t judge a book by its cover!

Eyeshadow Category Winner – Orange You Glad? by Colourpop

I always knew Colourpop was going to be a staple brand in my collection from the moment I bought my first ever palette a few years ago. Not only are they super affordable, the ranges of colours that they have across all their products makes their brand very versatile.

I’m a big fan of pinks, oranges and browns when it comes to eyeshadow. I just feel these colours suit my skin tone the best. I do like a bit of bright purple once in awhile too! But the Orange You Glad? palette has every colour I want to use daily in it. Complete with mattes, shimmers and a pressed glitter pan, what more could you ask for?

It was a hard fight between this palette and Makeup Revolution’s Newtrals 2 palette. Both are equally as amazing but I think I’ve posted about Newtrals 2 before, so I decided to give Colourpop the trophy this time.

Eyebrow Powder Category Winner – Benefit Brow Zings

I was once again gifted this by someone at work whose eyebrows didn’t suit the colour they got. I had never owned a proper eyebrow powder, all my life I’d just been using brown eyeshadow to fill in my brows, and this product was a game changer.

The powder is so pigmented, it’s crazy! There is hardly any fallout as well. I’m someone who finds powder the easiest to work with, so this ended up being my favourite eyebrow product of 2020.

Sadly, it has been discontinued and Benefit only sell the BIG Brow Zing palettes now which I am not going to buy as it has too many things in it that I won’t use, so I am currently on the hunt for a dupe. I’m looking at Anastasia Beverly Hills, but if anyone has any recommendations please send them my way!

Eyeliner Category Winner – Peripera’s Ink Skinny Eyeliner in #03 Pink Chocolate

I never thought I’d say this but I became obsessed with brown eyeliner towards the end of the year.

I stopped wearing eyeliner at one point to gain the more ‘natural’ look (if you know me, you’d know I love to whack on that thick black liner with a bat wing), but ultimately I realised I just loved drawing on some eyeliner as part of my makeup routine. I bought #03 Pink Chocolate by Peripera online and it is such a beautiful colour – and it looks very natural as well!

I feel bad for all the matte black eyeliners I’ve chucked aside but fret not, they will be back I’m sure!

Mascara Category Winner – Essence Lash Princess

YES I HAVE RAVED ABOUT THIS PRODUCT SINCE THE START OF MY BLOG!

But I wouldn’t rave so much about a product unless I genuinely liked it a lot. And this mascara is my holy grail! With the affordable price point and adorable packaging, this mascara changed my life!

My lashes indeed look like falsies when they’re on, it’s insane. Keep in mind I have straight, short Asian lashes.

I couldn’t say more good things about this!

Bronzer Category Winner – Too Faced’s Dark Chocolate Matte Bronzer

I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I have been trying to finish this bronzer for almost 2 years now. I have no idea how it’s still surviving with so much product left!

This is the only bronzer I’ve used all throughout 2020, so it is only fair that I give it credit when it’s due, even though I don’t think it is the best bronzer ever because I tried a travel size of Benefit’s Hoola and I love it so much, bought myself a full sized one, and I’m just waiting to finish this Too Faced one before cracking on with that one as I do think it is absolutely beautiful.

I’m all for matte bronzers, and this shade is a pretty good match for me!

Blusher Category Winner – SANIYE’s Toronja Blusher

SANIYE is a brand I came across when I was googling ‘orange blusher’, and I’m glad I did!

I have mine in the shade Toronja because I prefer my blushers to be a lot more orange, but as you can see, they have a really wide shade range so everyone can find something they like!

Keep in mind that this is a matte blusher, which a lot of people don’t really like, but I personally like matte blushers as I often layer my highlighter afterwards so I don’t want my face to appear too shiny.

Highlighter Category Winner – Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighter in Golden Flower Crown

Last but not least, we can’t be forgetting about the highlighter!

Wet n Wild’s highlighter was super popular on TikTok and Instagram, and I understand why. It is so affordable but yet so pigmented and beautiful. I don’t really like highlighters with chunky glitters, so this was perfect, as it is very smooth.

I don’t have anything bad to say about this product – I’ve used it for a whole year and I have yet to hit pan which is so crazy considering how cheap the product was.

Setting Spray Category Winner – Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray

I can’t say enough good things about this setting spray.

I’ve used it for years and years now, and it is always worth the money. Whilst it is on the pricier side of things, I definitely think this is the best one I’ve used throughout the years and I have tried loads.

I wore this on an extremely windy and rainy day out at Universal Studios recently. Sat on a ton of high-speed roller coasters, waited in line in the rain and got smacked in the face by strong winds – MY MAKEUP DID NOT BUDGE. A little rubbed off the tip of my nose but that was only because I was wearing a face mask. This is how potent and good this setting spray is, and I am someone who wears quite a bit of foundation.

What makeup did you enjoy in 2020?

I’d love to have a little discussion in the comments section below! Next up, skincare favourites!