Best Beauty Products | December 2017 Report
Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of December, plus a summary of how many products and brands were reviewed and a break out of ratings! 🙂
I think it’d be fun to go through what we used, purchased, resisted, and so forth each month, here are some questions:
- What were your favorites from the last month?
- What didn’t impress you?
- Did you return anything you purchase?
- Or successfully resist temptation?
Wayne Goss The Air Brush Rose Gold ($40.00) is a smaller, flatter brush with a rounded, softly tapered edge. It looks a lot like a flattened blush...
Wayne Goss The Air Brush Rose Gold ($40.00) is a smaller, flatter brush with a rounded, softly tapered edge. It looks a lot like a flattened blush...
Bobbi Brown Poison Ivy Luxe Eye Shadow ($38.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a dark green with warm, olive undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich color...
Bobbi Brown Poison Ivy Luxe Eye Shadow ($38.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a dark green with warm, olive undertones and a metallic sheen. It had rich color...
Pat McGrath Leatherette LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark brown with warm, red undertones and a satin finish. The...
Pat McGrath Leatherette LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark brown with warm, red undertones and a satin finish. The...
Pat McGrath Unfaithful LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium plum with warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was...
Pat McGrath Unfaithful LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium plum with warm undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was...
Bobbi Brown Berry Rose Luxe Lip Color ($35.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It had rich,...
Bobbi Brown Berry Rose Luxe Lip Color ($35.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy plum with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It had rich,...
Make Up For Ever ME614 Graphite Brown Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, chocolaty brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a...
Make Up For Ever ME614 Graphite Brown Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, chocolaty brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a...
Make Up For Ever D326 Black Bronze Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a blackened brown with soft, warmer undertones and a sparkling sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever D326 Black Bronze Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a blackened brown with soft, warmer undertones and a sparkling sheen. ...
Givenchy Framboise Couture (323) Le Rouge ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a cream finish. The...
Givenchy Framboise Couture (323) Le Rouge ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a cream finish. The...
Bobbi Brown Overheated Luxe Eye Shadow ($38.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light-medium gold with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. There were faint...
Bobbi Brown Overheated Luxe Eye Shadow ($38.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light-medium gold with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. There were faint...
Wet 'n' Wild Goddess Glow MegaGlo Liquid Highlighter ($5.99 for 0.50 oz.) is a medium gold with warm, orange undertones and a fine, pearly sheen. It...
Wet 'n' Wild Goddess Glow MegaGlo Liquid Highlighter ($5.99 for 0.50 oz.) is a medium gold with warm, orange undertones and a fine, pearly sheen. It...
Pat McGrath Lust Angeles LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a soft, medium beige with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. I found...
Pat McGrath Lust Angeles LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a soft, medium beige with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. I found...
Save It for Later is a medium-dark gold with warm, bronzy undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, cream-like texture...
Save It for Later is a medium-dark gold with warm, bronzy undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, cream-like texture...
Givenchy Prune Trendy (327) Le Rouge ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark berry with cool, pink undertones and a cream finish. It had good color...
Givenchy Prune Trendy (327) Le Rouge ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark berry with cool, pink undertones and a cream finish. It had good color...
Pat McGrath Exxotica LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, dark purple with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque...
Pat McGrath Exxotica LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, dark purple with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque...
Pat McGrath She's So Deep LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, red-toned brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. It...
Pat McGrath She's So Deep LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, red-toned brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. It...
Givenchy Rouge Fetiche (325) Le Rouge ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium orange-red with warm undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It had...
Givenchy Rouge Fetiche (325) Le Rouge ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium orange-red with warm undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It had...
Stila Jezebel Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow ($24.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark copper with warm, orange undertones and a pearly sheen. ...
Stila Jezebel Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow ($24.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark copper with warm, orange undertones and a pearly sheen. ...
MAC Patrick Woo Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark cherry red with cool, blue undertones and a jelly-like finish. The texture...
MAC Patrick Woo Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark cherry red with cool, blue undertones and a jelly-like finish. The texture...
Becca Vanilla Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light, white gold with a pearly sheen. If it sounds familiar, it's...
Becca Vanilla Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light, white gold with a pearly sheen. If it sounds familiar, it's...
Chanel Or Rose Le Signe du Lion Illuminating Powder ($70.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, light peach with warm undertones and pink and gold shimmer. The...
Chanel Or Rose Le Signe du Lion Illuminating Powder ($70.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, light peach with warm undertones and pink and gold shimmer. The...
Shiseido Rose Syrup (BR721) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, taupe brown with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte...
Shiseido Rose Syrup (BR721) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, taupe brown with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte...
Shiseido Amber Afternoon (BR322) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium brown with warm, rosy undertones and a semi-matte...
Shiseido Amber Afternoon (BR322) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium brown with warm, rosy undertones and a semi-matte...
Saddle is a muted, medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It was richly pigmented and had a smooth, almost cream-like texture...
Saddle is a muted, medium brown with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It was richly pigmented and had a smooth, almost cream-like texture...
Bobbi Brown Plum Rose Luxe Lip Color ($37.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a rich plum with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. The texture was smooth,...
Bobbi Brown Plum Rose Luxe Lip Color ($37.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a rich plum with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. The texture was smooth,...
Soft Brown is a light-medium brown with warm, rosy undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer with a smooth,...
Soft Brown is a light-medium brown with warm, rosy undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer with a smooth,...
What were your favorites from the last month? Smashbox Metallic Matte lipsticks and Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten. Both are items that I’m going to be repurchasing a lot! Also, Pat McGrath She’s Heaven and Madam Greige – really gorgeous and great performance!!
What didn’t impress you? Colourpop Semi-Precious. It’s ok, just not quite as good as I hoped, and the colors don’t totally work for me.
Did you return anything you purchase? KVD Mini Metal Matte. It was a total impulse purchase online. It’s bigger than what I want for travel and I have no need for it otherwise.
Or successfully resist temptation? No, I’m horrible at resisting temptation – something to work on this year!!
What were your favorites from the last month? Lorac Pro 2 eyeshadow palette and an old (even the formula is discontinued) Clarins lipstick – the Rouge Prodige formula in the shade Redwood
What didn’t impress you? probably the fact that Dior is replacing the “existing” Forever foundation with a newer formula (same name, though) which means I haven’t been able to purchase the shade I am desperate to have – all 3 of the retailers in this area are out of the light shades and only have really dark shades
Did you return anything you purchase? Nope
Or successfully resist temptation? the MAC Jade Jagger eye shadow quad (the one with the disappointing blue shadow in it; I’m still obsessed with having that quad, as well as Double Gleam highlighter but it has been too darned cold to venture out to get them)
I’ve been using Guerlain Kiss Kiss lipstick in Air Kiss a lot. I bought a backup but resisted ordering other shades from the line, though I plan to try a few in store. I tried one of Bobbi Brown’s Crushed lip colors but returned it–it was drier than advertised. So resistance again there because I was eyeing a few other shades.
My favorites would include the Pat McGrath lipstick in Beautiful Creature and Sorry Not Sorry, my Chosungah foundation, J One Jelly Pack and Smashbox Primerizer.
What didn’t impress me: NudeStix Pencil Lipsticks. The one they collaborated with several beauty influencers. They were so incredibly dry they sucked the life right out of my lips.
Returns: No I didn’t return anything this month.
Resist temptation: Every day I have to resist temptation but I really didn’t see much that I needed to resist. I probably should have passed on the Spring e/s palette from Dior but Tarababyz got me again! It swatched really well for her and it is in purples so had to have it!
Do you think thenprimerizer seems like bug spray?
Hi Janine,
I am not sure if you are referring to the scent, the texture or what but I don’t notice a bug spray scent or texture. I really like it and since I have very dry skin it is just another layer of moisturizer for my skin.
Hi Deborah—sorry I was referring to the smell of it. I have a large sample and it seems ok just the smell makes me think of bug spray. Maybe it’s the batch I recieved.
What were your favorites from the last month? MAC Jade Jagger Collection
What didn’t impress you? Can’t think of anything, maybe that Chanel release but not sure if it was in November.
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? Yes, both quads from PatrickStarrr but I still might get them. Hoping they sell out to save me from myself. I have all of the shades except OMIGAUD which is easily dupable but it’s nice to have all of my workhorses in space-saving quads.
1. Favorites? MAC Whisper of Gilt. Becca Light Chaser Highlighter in Topaz Chases Gilt. Laura Geller French Vanilla Highlighter. ABH Modern Renaissance and Prism palettes. Cover Tru Blend Blush in Medium Rose. Too Faced Papa Don’t Peach Blush. Laura Geller Vivid Baked blush in Bora Bora. KVD Mad Max Brown Ink Liner. MAC pressed pigment in Day Gleam. Chanel LE Volum Black Mascara. Girlactik Matte Liquid Lip in Romance. Limecrime Velvetine Liquid Lip in Bleached. KVD Everlasting Liquid Lip in Lolita. MAC I’m Glistening lipstick from Snowball Collection.
What didn’t impress? Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer. It’s meh. I’m finishing up primers and this one is nothing special. I finished up a No. 7 Dramatic Lift Black Mascara. It’s very generic.
Return? I bought a Nudestix lip set. I returned it. It’s nothing special
Resist temptation: Too Faced Chocolate Gold Bar. I like glitters etc. but every time I swatch in store, I’m underwhelmed. I cannot bite the bullet. The green shade, which initially interested me, is kind of a let down!
I did give in on the last sale day at Muse and buy the Viseart warm mattes and dark mattes. I’ve been using some warm mattes in the crease.
I got theColourpop Dream St palette and it’s nice and also the Colourpop concealer. I like the concealer but when used with the new Patrick Starr powder it looks gross.
I bought the red lipstick Patrick woo and matching lipgloss but red lipstick is so high matenance. It smears so easy.
Favorites are Essence mascara ( its amazing and $5) Flower beauty sponge and Patrick Starr powder.
What were your favourites from the last month? Seeing the beautiful (but out of my price range) Pat McGrath lipsticks and the Huda Smokey Obsessions palette.
What didn’t impress you? All, and I mean all, the brands putting out red, orange, pink eyeshadow palettes. The never ending releases of highlighters in pretty much the same shades.
Did you return anything you purchase? No – very much frowned upon here.
Or successfully resist temptation? Yep – pretty easy to do lately as the shades are generally not right for me. However I did splurge on a few Elizabeth Arden Ceramide lipsticks just before Christmas as they were hugely discounted.
What were your favorites from the last month? Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette, ABH Prism Palette, BH Cosmetics Zodiac Palette, Huda Beauty Obsessions Palette in Electric, UD Distortion and Troublemaker Palettes, UD 24/7 Lip Pencil in Perversion, Black Moon Cosmetics Cosmic Eye Dust Vault and Black Metal Trinity liquid lipstick set.
What didn’t impress you? I got the ColouredRaine Berry Cute palette on sale. I had some friends who loved it. It’s not awful, but I think your review was pretty accurate, Christine. So while I like it O.K., it’s not impressive by any means. Nothing like my Queen of Hearts.
Did you return anything you purchased? No
Or successfully resist temptation? I resisted the new Violet Voss purple palette; don’t remember what it’s called. I also resisted the new ColourPop SSS that went on sale today. I resisted the latest Juvia’s Place palette.
Hi Rachel. I found myself pleasantly surprised by the BH Zodiac palette ok. Nice quality or the price.
So sometimes I hate autocorrect. I really liked the BH Zodiac palette. Good quality for the price.
I’m glad you liked it!
Favourites: have learned to love my Smashbox eyeshadow I’m panning: S5 from the Full Exposure palette, Benefit Dallas blush and Got the Too Faced Chocolate Gold palette for Christmas which has become an instant fave.
I’ve just finished a tube of First Aid Beauty Cleanser and this did not impress me. Felt too soapy and drying on my skin. Will not repurchase.
We don’t have a returns policy in the UK unless purchased from QVC however I have not bought anything from them in a long time.
We have a department store here in the U.K. called John Lewis which has a great beauty hall. I have amassed a substantial sum in gift cards for this stone and am saving them to buy a new handbag. We were recently instore and my husband asked if I had brought the cards with me and I said no as the temptation would have been for me to go and buy beauty products I don’t need. That was a proud moment.
What were your favorites from the last month?
First one is Giorgio Armani PowerFabric. I know, I am late to the hype of this good boy, but it is a good late purchase, the finish is so so perfect, semi-matte finish. Made me wanna to try other GA foundations. The second is L’occitane Comforting Cream Light, this one is good for my combination skin in winter time, the texture is quite light and no greasy for my skin. This one get rids of my dry patches, and the final one is the Almond Shower Oil, my body gets very itchy this winter, this shower oil save me so much.
What didn’t impress you?
The Colourpop Semi-precious and Golden State of Mind palettes. The Golden one is too light and shimmery, and the Semi-precious just not my taste.
Did you return anything you purchase?
Fortunately, nothing I tried really made me wanna to return at this moment.
Or successfully resist temptation?
The By-Terry compact-expert dual powder, had been eyeing on this on for so long, but I think I won’t get it, and I really really really want to get more Viseart palettes, hope I can resist this huge temptation, or maybe I will get them after I post this comment. XDDD