Year-end Review: Best Make-up Products and How to Shop Smarter

Kids get  to play with crayons and finger-paints, mommies get to play with long-wearing shadow sticks and cheek stains. The only difference is some of our kids' "works of art" never see the light of day, while we have to display our handywork right there on our faces for the world to see.  It is so easy to add filters and smooth away imperfections with 99 cent apps but when we try to do the same with real cosmetics we often end up leaving the make-up counter having spent hundreds of dollars only to discover that at least half of our purchases are pure rubbish.

How to shop smarter...

Here are my top 5 tips on how to avoid spending-an-arm-and-a-leg-on-cosmetics-only-to-end-up-looking- like-a-clown.

1. Wash your brushes and wipe your make-up containers REGULARLY.
When you do this, you take stock of what you have and what you might need. Often you realize that that new item you've been really wanting is right there in your own collection! Plus, you can achieve a smooth, light application ONLY with clean make-up brushes so wash them every week or so...

2. Remove lipsticks and stuff from purses and cosmetics bags REGULARLY.
I am bad at this one. Most of my bags or coat pockets have a lipstick or lip balm rolling around in them somewhere. Of course it is nice to re-discover a product but it is better to have them all hang-out together as a family.

3. Read reviews...
Make-up Alley, Beautypedia, Amazon, Paula's Choice, Elle, MarieClare, Allure, Beauty Bloggers, Make-up Vloggers on You-tube...there are literally millions of reviews out there. When reading reviews remember that many products such as foundations work differently on different skin types. I find negative reviews of product packaging or faulty packaging to be the most accurate. If a few people have written that the product is hard to use or carry because of bad package design...it is almost always the case.

4. Get your make-up done on UNSPECIAL days...
MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars (and almost everyother brand) make-up studios, hairdressers all do make up in Turkey. Some of these make-up artists are trained, some are naturally talented and some just completely suck. Plus, some are really good at teaching you how to use certain products and some are great at matching you with products that you actually need (as opposed to just making the sale). The way to maximize this entire experience is to experiment with brands, products and artists when you are not going to your sister's wedding or a high school reunion. Less pressure, more time, less psychological noise while you are making your decisions.

5. Ask your friends...
The best reviews and recommendations come from your friends....period.

Top 12 Products of 2015...

Here is what I have used and thoroughly enjoyed in 2015...Hope you enjoy them too...and please let me know what you are loving to use these days...