For me, 2017 was the year of the contour & highlight. As I look back on my beauty product purchases and splurges, I somehow managed to accumulate a bevy of beautiful bronzers and highlighters. I also realize some of my favorite beauty products from this year are the best drugstore dupes I’ve discovered in a while. Regardless of price point though, I’ve narrowed down my favorite beauty products of 2017. From hair styling essentials to fancy contour palettes, I think it’s time I ban myself from purchasing anymore beauty products this year!
This year I made the switch from dry shampoo spray to whipped foam—what a hair game changer! I discovered Drybar Detox Whipped Dry Shampoo Foam and it’s great for color-treated hair. I dispense just a small swirl and massage it into my roots until the foam disappears. Hello, third day hair.
First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer: Even on my lazy no makeup days, I can opt for this priming moisturizer that has a beautiful dewy finish and feel perfectly comfortable stepping outside with nothing else on my face.
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara: This is my holy grail mascara. How it’s only under $10 is beyond me. I’ve officially jumped ship from high-end mascaras because the wand works magic on my thin and puny lashes.
Too Faced Just Peachy Velvet Matte Eyeshadow Palette: If you follow me on IG, then you know I’m obsessed with this eyeshadow palette. I’ve always preferred matte eyeshadows over shimmer finishes and this palette has so many beautiful shades.
Tarte Double Duty Shape Tape: This concealer corrects and brightens my under eye in one fell swoop. The formula has a thick consistency but I swear by it for special events. I also like to apply it on my lids as a primer for eyeshadow.
There were quite a few bronzers I discovered this year that really upped my contouring routine so it’s difficult to narrow down my pick to just one, so I’m going to share all three:
First, Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer—it smells like a tropical island and it’s only $15! I religiously used this all summer long.
Another drugstore gem I’ve been using is Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette—perfect for traveling or carrying in my makeup pouch when I go to work. The bronzer in this palette has a beautiful shimmer to it and blends really well with my Hourglass Ambient Light Blush.
My high-end splurge of 2017 was Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter, a $45 powder & cream contouring kit. I haven’t had a chance to try every shade in the palette but so far there’s been very little fallout from the powder palette.
Honest Beauty Magic Balm was one of my favorite product discoveries this year. This soothing all-purpose balm is the best multi-purpose beauty product I can use to tame flyaways, moisturize my lips or use as a highlighter.
You know you truly love a product when you’ve reached an empty jar. That empty jar for me was One Love Organics Vitamin C Body Polish—an organic exfoliator with coarse sugar crystals with a slightly sweet coconut scent. It was expensive, but worth every penny for smooth elbows and feet!
Pixi Skintreats Beauty Sleep Cream: It’s my favorite overnight moisturizer during the summer months because it’s incredibly lightweight and melts into skin so quickly.
2017 also marked my first time trying ColourPop makeup and lip products. I am OBSESSED with their Super Shock Highlighters and eyeshadows. Flexitarian is one of my favorite champagne highlighters and Wattles became one of my go-to everyday eyeshadows. Right now both are marked down to under $6 each!
What were your favorite beauty products of 2017?