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This is AWESOME! It’s interesting to see where we agree and disagree on certain products (we agree a lot more than we disagree). Also, it’s great to see your recommendations on things you don’t normally review, such as mascara, tweezers, hand cream, etc. Thank you for all your hard work!
My pleasure, Seraphine!
Reflecting on my `Readers Choice` comments, I actually own right now the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer and it’s a great primer (and I have oily creasy hooded lids, so I need a lot from an eyeshadow primer). But still, if I had to choose, I’d go for the Shadow Insurance or Primer Potion… it’s odd how some products are similar in performance, but I simply (for no apparently reason), prefer to choose one. It also happens with the Anastasia Brow Wiz… I tried many good brow pencils (even cheaper ones), but I would still select the Brow Wiz.
The Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Crayon (the matte black) is my mom’s favorite make-up product (and I think the only she wears at this point in life). She always asks it as a present when I visit her. 🙂
UDPP (original) has always creased on me! I like the Anti-Aging but still prefer Smashbox’s as I find it more flattering on my skin!
So weird! I have oily hooded lids and tried UD anti aging for the first time last couple of weeks and it only lasts 8 hours on me, whereas UD original/TF shadow insurance/BM Prime Time will last 12+!!
I have normal-to-dry eyelids, so creasing isn’t a major issue with me, but UDPP is one product that doesn’t do well for me.
Forgot to mention that the UDPP I rave about is the Anti-Aging one, not the original.
And it’s odd, since the Anti-Aging one has Oryza Sativa (Rice/Riz) Bran Oil as one of the main extra ingredients from the Original formula.
I am always amazed how the chemistry of our faces can make a product work or not. 🙂
Thanks so much, and kudos for your great achievements in 2018. CP was founded in 2014; hard to imagine, as they are such major, major players. They seem to have been with us forever, esp when you consider how heavy their representation is in all our collections! They set a bar that is hard to beat, and a pace that is moreso. Many stellar products this year in budget and HE. If anyone was really paying attention, their stash was truly enhanced and curated this year. Thanks to you, of course.
You’re always so supportive + kind, KJH! Thank you for taking the time out of your days to comment and enjoy the content here!
I *love* these lists! They’re ultimate reference guides. I bookmark them every year. Thanks for all you do — I can only imagine how much work goes into them.
I’m so glad it’s useful, AB! Thank you!
This is a wonderful list, and several of my favs are on it. I think the most underrated HE line, however, may be Givenchy — lipsticks, eye pencils, powders to name a few stellar products. In fact, I don’t think I saw one Givenchy product make your list, if that kinda highlights my point. No big deal. I’m no big advocate of the line. I cherry pick from them all. (I guess I’d toss in Chantecaille as well, come to think about it.)
I was just thinking about Givenchy this week – there are a few products I really like but most of the time, they’re just not THE best against all other brands out there.
Christine, thank you so much for all the hard work to give us such a trustworthy review. I look forward all year to your ‘choice’ awards.
My pleasure!
Christine, would you consider reviewing Makeup Revolution Flick Renaissance eyeliner pen and Flower Beauty Blush Bomb blushes? I saw both products used by a YouTuber, JAMBEAUTY89, and she really liked them. I’d just like to know your opinion and to see how they rank with your grade algorithm. Thank you for considering the idea.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Overall, I feel like my preferences match pretty well with yours, Christine. I do tend to prefer and use HE brands most of the time with the exception of ColourPop. I don’t have a lot of drugstore brands in my stash and even the ones that I do, I don’t use them often. I am not sure if it is a real preference for HE brands or some sort of snobbery! When I actually stop to think about it I think it might stem from my introduction to makeup. In any event, I think I need to pay more attention to the drugstore brands that you have chosen and pick a few up to try. Thank you so much for your hard work on the blog and I look forward to seeing what 2019 brings in the area of beauty.
Thank you so much, Deborah, for taking the time to read the list! 🙂 Drugstore brands have been stepping up their game, especially in lip & cheek products!
Loved reading your top picks of everything! So amazing all that you review and do! Reading the comments here…I use the anti-aging UDPP and it does okay with my oily lids but it still creases before the end of my work day, which I suppose is 6-7 hours (actual work/commute time is longer). I should research what else is out there for oily lids.
Have you tried NARS, MAC, or Smashbox’s?
Dear Christine – thank you as always for all that you do for the beauty community! 🙂
I do have one question – in the best lipstick category, could you share what you enjoy more about UD Vice than PMG LuxeTrance? I know you score the latter with a lot of A/A+s while Vice averages a B+. Not critiquing the choice, am genuinely curious – as it makes me wonder whether I should go back and try Vice again…
I enjoy LuxeTrances a lot, but my personal preference is actually for more luminous/shimmery finishes so when it comes to an all-time favorite, I regularly wear and pull out UD Vice Lipsticks with many of them being “staples” for me – like Rebel, Outspoken, Heatwave, 100 Degrees. They have a huge variety in finish, color, and depth, too, which are things that are important to me personally. Guerlain Rouge Gs were the previous fan, but the revamped range didn’t have the color diversity/range that spoke to me like the original range did.
Got it! Thanks Christine 🙂
So fun to look through! Thanks for putting this together!
No problem!
Lots of new products for me on your list. No surprise seeing you choose Pat McGrath. 😉 But I didn’t think Colour Pop was still so hot. I’m not a fan, but it’s not because they aren’t good, I’m just not a big customer since you have to have them shipped to Europe. I’m hoping Sydney Grace will dethrone them this year for pressed eyeshadows.
That makes sense that ColourPop isn’t your favorite as it’s less accessible!