Top 18 Beauty Products of 2018

I am bringing back my year end favorites, and this year was harder than most! There were a ton of really high quality items that I discovered this year. Not all of the goodies on my list were launched in 2018, but every single one left a lasting impression on me. 

Here are my top 18 beauty products of the year:

It was a good year for palettes.  Finally brands incorporated more colorful mattes and rust tones that complement my blue eyes.

• Jeffree Star Cosmetics Thirsty Palette - This was the palette of the summer.  Upon launch, it sold out quickly and it is no surprise that it did. From smooth mattes to shiny metallic pigments, this palette is for those who want something more exciting from their eyeshadow. 

• Coloured Raine Beauty Rust Palette - My first trip to Riley Rose resulted in me purchasing this 6-pan palette.  A must-have for fall, this palette enhances blue eyes like no other. 
  

• Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Scandalust Palette - If you like a bit of luxury in your makeup collection,  this 7-pan sleek palette is for you. With mattes, shimmers, neutrals and bold colors, this palette will satisfy those who like a variety of finishes to choose from. 

• Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blood Sugar - I almost passed on this palette.  What a mistake that would have been! The quality of these shadows is truly spectacular, and the case is among the most creative I've ever seen. It holds 18 pans and while it may look intimidating at first, there are enough neutrals to round out the palette perfectly. 

• Jeffree Star Cosmetics The Alien Eyeshadow Palette  - Maybe I should just name this post the top Jeffree Star Cosmetics beauty products.  Honestly, this brand is killing it. While other companies crank out the same boring products year after year, JSC managed to create products as innovative as they are interesting.  The quality of the shadows in this palette are out of this world!

Now, let's move on to my favorite topic; brushes!

• Lottie London Angled Bronzer Brush - This was such a great introduction to this brand. Another buy from Riley Rose, I never guessed this brush would become a favorite. There is something about the large brush head, soft bristles and fun color that make this a go-to tool for me.

• Wet n Wild Brush Set - My cousin tipped me off to this set which was on sale at Walgreens. The quality is impressive, especially when you consider the super low sale price. It is no surprise these sold out fast!

• Aveda Inner Light Foundation Brush - This was another impulse buy. I was at my local Aveda salon and picked up this brush. If you wear mineral foundation, you will love the dense, angled bristles on this oversized foundation brush. It blends on powder products like a dream.

• Aveda Inner Light Dual Phase Mineral Foundation  - I just reordered this product because it is something I use daily. The kind folks at Aveda sent me my first pan of this earlier in the year and now I am hooked. Even on days that I wear liquid foundation, I top it with this mineral foundation because it adds such amazing coverage. On days where my skin is looking less than stellar, this powder helps me feel more confident. Plus it can be used wet or dry. 

• IT Cosmetics Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream - This is an amazing CC cream. Like everything this brand makes, this product is great for those concerned about their skin. It is super hydrating and the perfect one and done beauty product. 

• E.L.F. Cosmetics Beauty Sponge - Move over Beauty Blender, there is a new pink sponge in town. This one has a nice flat edge to spread product on with and cost a fraction of what you will pay for that other little pink sponge. 

• Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define - This is another gem my cousin got me into. A true dupe for Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer, this tube retails for under $10 and is available in a large variety of colors. It can be used to conceal, highlight or contour. 

• Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Retouching Fluid - This is probably the most misunderstood product of the year. I know some people could not figure out if this was a concealer or a foundation. It is neither.  A totally new product,  this is a light coverage hydrating fluid meant for mid-day makeup touch-ups. I never leave home without a tube of this in my bag. 

• Fenty Beauty Match Stix (Linen, Amber, Starstruck) - Makeup artists everywhere are raving about these little sticks. They come in a variety of colors, and can be used anywhere on the face. I love them because unlike most cream products, these never seem to dry out.

• Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder - A new brand to my collection, Beauty Bakerie has taken the beauty community by storm. High quality products housed in some of the cutest packaging on the market....What more can you ask for?

• Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter - This drugstore gem comes in a variety of colors. I consider this to be one of my "grownup" highlighting products because it doesn't emphasize my fine lines. 

Finally, I am ending my list with my favorite lip products.  The two on this list are truly standouts and I highly recommend them. 

• Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner in Confidential - This is a chubby pencil with a capped lip brush on the other end. The formula is matte, but very comfortable to wear. Plus it makes your lips look fuller!

• Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick - I own so many of these. The formula is like no other on the market. These are eye safe, so can be used as lipstick or liquid eyeliner. They provide one swipe full coverage that is long lasting, but never drying. The color pictured above is called Allegedly, and it is my favorite from the brand.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I will be working on my usual follow up post complete with links and where you can shop all of my 2018 favorites. I intentionally did not include brands that I have an affiliate link with for this post. 

*This post may contain some products sent for consideration. However, this is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews. I do not accept money or products in exchange for posts.