While there were many interesting things that happened in 2016, one thing remained pretty consistent, makeup brands delivered some game-changing products to the beauty community. Here are my favourite high end highlights from last year!

Primer: Smashbox Photo Ready Primer

You don’t need much of this to create a great base for your face makeup, and it’s super comfortable and heavy-duty on the skin. You can see my review on it here.

Foundation: NARS Sheer Glow (Monte Blanc)

This is my favourite foundation, particularly for evening wear when I want luminous-looking skin. I could go on all day about how beautiful this looks even when I’m having a dry skin day, but I’ve already said it all in this full review.

Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Surreal Light (LE)

I love lightly dusting this all over my face to add a healthy all-over glow. I wouldn’t use this to set my face, and less is more when it comes to this powder. It’s the perfect finishing touch! I’ve reviewed this in detail here.

Brows: n/a – can you recommend a good one for me?

I’m thinking of trying the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, but I’m not sure if it’s the one for me. I’m looking for something fool-proof and not too heavy!

Eye primer: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I love using this primer for intense eye looks, particularly when glittery shadows are involved. It has the perfect consistency and blends beautifully.

Eyeshadow single: n/a – can you recommend a good one for me?

I’d like to try Makeup Geek eyeshadows when I have a chance, particularly their foil and duo-chromes. Can you think of any other good single eyeshadow brands that I should try?

Eyeshadow palette: Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons

I could tell you I didn’t buy this partly for the packaging, but then I’d be lying. This is hands-down my favourite eyeshadow palette, as it has the perfect mix of pinks, neutrals and a few pops of colour. You can see swatches of the palette here.

Mascara: Stila HUGE Extreme

If you’re looking for thick, dramatic lashes, look no further than Stila’s HUGE Extreme mascara. I only need one coat of this to get the full effect of plump lashes. The only downside is that I do get a tiny bit of smudging above my eye around the 6 hour mark.

Bronzer: Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil

It’s a matte bronzer that’s actually light enough for my pale skin…do I need to say more? You can just make out faint pan ring lines, which tells you just how much I love this item!

Blush: Becca Flowerchild

This photo honestly doesn’t do this blush the justice it deserves. It’s the perfect everyday blush and the first one I reach for when I don’t have time to think. Check out swatches of this blush in my Becca x Jaclyn Hill split pans review.

Highlight: Becca Rose Quartz (LE)

Lots of checking, refreshing and fast checkout fingers is how I ended up with this highlighter! It’s such a gorgeous light neutral-pink highlight, and is definitely a collector’s item in my opinion. I’ve written a full review with swatches here.

Lipstick: Kat Von D Lovesick

This was my second liquid lipstick purchase from Kat Von D. It’s just a pretty pinky-mauve tone that last almost all day. This is my favourite liquid lipstick formulation, and I hope to purchase more this year! You can see my review on this one and Lolita here.

Setting spray: Urban Decay All Nighter

This is the product that brings looks together and keeps them in place. While I trust my primers to do some of the work, I believe the heavy lifting (or staying-power) comes from the setting spray. I’ll definitely be repurchasing a full-size of this soon!

What were your favourite high end products from 2016? Please let me know in the comments below!