Best of 2023 ~ Top 10 Makeup Products I Tried This Year

I'm always excited to round up my MOST favourite products of the year - I always pull from any makeup that I've tried within the year whether it was released in 2023 or not, if I've tried it this year and loved it, it's in here! 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

With that being said, everything I talked about on my Monthly Favourites, I still love; but, when I think of the best products of the year, I think of the ones that have been total standouts or game-changers in my routine! So, that is what I'm going to focus on for this year's Top 10 Favourites! 

Halloween Makeup 2023 ~ Cat Princess Peach Makeup (Shop My Stash)

Happy Halloween everyone!!! If you guys have been around for a few years, you know we take our Halloweens pretty seriously (or at least - I take my Halloween pretty seriously and everyone else in the house puts up with it!)

The Estee Lauder Primer was received as PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

I tend to plan my costumes around my kids (while I still can - if it fits in to a family costume!) and Elliott asked to be a Cat Goomba, so since I was Princess Peach last year, I thought it would be perfect for me to be Cat Princess Peach! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - June 2023

Here's a look at what I've been loving this past month:

The Paula's Choice was a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

Last year I started just picking any number of products I'm loving, instead of trying to find 5 each month (which I did previously!) So, whatever number of products I'm loving, that's what I will be sharing. 

New At Shoppers Drug Mart ~ Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint, Milani Conceal + Perfect Undereye Brightener in Rose, Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Beach Vacay Bronzer and Blush Duo, and NYC Fat Oil Lip Drip

I'm so excited to share some new products that I've found at Shopper's Drug Mart this month - I've been enjoying doing these collective product posts trying everything instead of all individual posts! 

I purchased everything in this post

I've been waiting for this Benefit duo to come online and I jumped on ordering it! Plus I picked up a few other goodies along with it that have caught my eye - they YSL Nu Bare Look Tint has been on my radar for a while, so I love that I can pick it up now using my PC Optimum points. Plus, the Milani concealer and the NYX Fat Oil have been hyped up so I couldn't resist trying them too! 

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ May 2023

Last year I set a monthly beauty and books budget at $200 per month and I really stuck to it! I am trying to be thoughtful in my purchases, so this has been holding me accountable for being reasonable with my spending. Since it worked so well last year, I'm really trying to do the same thing this year! 

I do always love my Monthly Haul posts - it's a good way to keep track of everything that I picked up each month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 

I purchased everything in this post

Shoppers Drug Mart Haul ~ $20.17 CAN. I have been saving some points for some new items launching and as soon as I saw these Benefit Bronzer and Blush Duos released, I had to place an order! I have been wanting a new skin tint and I liked the other product from the YSL Nu line, so I was excited to use my points on a luxury brand! The NYX Fat Oil Lip Oil and the Milani Concealer were hyped, so I had to try them too! Then I picked up two Sally Hansen x Gladd Pride polishes and I've already used the red (you can check it out here!) And I picked up a set of Quo press ons! 

Monthly Beauty & Book Haul ~ June 2022

I'm switching up my Monthly Haul posts a little bit this year, because I'm actually *trying* to stick to a bit of a budget! I've been going a little crazy on the beauty and books front, so I just want to be a little more thoughtful in my purchases. So. I'm trying to keep my beauty and book purchases to $200 a month - we'll see! 

I do always love my Monthly Haul posts - it's a good way to keep track of everything that I picked up each month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 

Shoppers Haul ~ $11.58 CAN. Okay, what better summarizes my haul posts up - I can get books and beauty at Shoppers! Okay, I went in for mascara and ended up with a whole body line from a new Shoppers Brand, Truly, some lip balm, a dry shampoo, and a couple of Summer books! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - June 2022

Here's a look at what I've been loving this past month:

The JVN and Cheekbone product were received in exchange for a review - this post contains affiliate links

I used to always have pick 5 products each month for my Monthly Favourites, but that is one thing I'm changing this year - whatever I'm loving, I will share whether it's 2 or 10 products!

New Yves Saint Laurent Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint in Nu Pinch - Swatches and Review

Okay, who am I getting two new product reviews up in just as many days?! Ya, pretty with it beauty blogger over here - I'm being sarcastic over here, as I usually take forevvvver now to review new products; but, I really spotted this earlier this month, bought it early and tried it multiple times right away! 

I purchased this product on my own - this post contains affiliate links

I haven't really seen this "Nu" line from YSL; but, I was excited - it is a high end designer brand and when I saw this on the Sephora app, it's reasonably priced for the brand! (I checked it out and it looks like is was released last year influenced by the eco-conscious gen Z and featuring botanical ingredients (sourced from YSL Beauty’s Ourika Comunity Gardens in Morocco) as well as packaging made from recycled materials and printed with vegetable inks. The range was designed to offer “unapologetic” natural coverage, allowing “real skin” to show through! 

Project Pan 21 in 2021 ~ Final Update #6

I have really enjoyed working on a project pan last year, it really made me enjoy using up older products in my collection, so I was excited to start a new project pan in 2021 - I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021! I will again, be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links 

I started the project off with the first 10 products and was going to treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! On my first update, I reached my goal on 1 product, then with the second update, I finished another 2, my third update I finished another 4 products, in my fourth update I finished 1 more product, and in my fifth update I finished another 3 products! So, going in to this final update, I have hit my goal on 11 products, and had 10 more to go! (I have to be honest though, I lost all steam on this project this month and did not add in new products and just worked on finishing what I had).

Project Pan 21 in 2021 ~ Update #5

I really enjoyed working on a project pan last year, it really made me enjoy using up older products in my collection, so I was excited to start a new project pan in 2021 - I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021! I will again, be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

I purchased all the products in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I started the project off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! On my first update, I reached my goal on 1 product, then with the second update, I finished another 2, my third update I finished another 4 products, and my last update in August I finished another 1 product. So, I'm down to 13 more products (yikes - I'm feeling like final crunch now!!)

Project Pan 21 in 2021 ~ Update #4

I really enjoyed working on a project pan last, it really made me enjoy using up older products in my collection, so I was excited to start a new project pan in 2021 - I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021! I will again, be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

The Rodial product was received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

I started the project off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! On my first update, I reached my goal on 1 product, then with the second update, I finished another 2, and my last update in June I finished another 4 products, so I'm down to 14 more products to go! (But, over the Summer, I haven't reached for these products as much!)

Project Pan 21 in 2021 ~ Update #3

I really enjoyed working on a project pan last, it really made me enjoy using up older products in my collection, so I was excited to start a new project pan in 2021 - I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021! I will again, be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

The Estee and Rodial were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

I started the project off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! On my first update, I reached my goal on 1 product, then with the second update, I finished another 2, so I'm down to 18 more products to go! 

Monthly Beauty Haul - April 2021

I always love these haul posts - it's a way to keep track of everything that I picked up every month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 

Last year, I got a little crazy about trying to stick to a crazy budget and this year I'm just going to buy what I want and try and be reasonable about my purchases! 

(Also, I'm only sharing what I received every month now since I'm not trying to stick to a crazy budget, so some things I ordered in April will show up in my May haul now if they don't show up on time, ect!)

I purchased everything in this post

April Lush Kitchen Subscription Box ~ $95.68 CAN. I love getting this fun subscription from Lush every month - you can check out my blog post here to see a little bit more about everything in this month's box! These are pricey with the exchange because of shipping from the UK, so how do we get Lush North America in the subscription business!

Project Pan 21 in 2021 ~ Update #2

I really enjoyed working on a project pan last, it really made me enjoy using up older products in my collection, so I was excited to start a new project pan in 2021 - I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021! I will again, be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

The Rodial brow product was received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

I started the project off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! On my first update, I reached my goal on 1 product, so only 20 more to go! 

Project Pan 21 in 2021 ~ Update #1

I really enjoyed working on a project pan last, it really made me enjoy using up older products in my collection, so I was excited to start a new project pan in 2021 - I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021! I will again, be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

The Rodial brow product was received as PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

I started the project off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! I have a mix of goals between finishing products and hitting pan, so this should be a lot of fun! I also picked a mix of products that I will reach my goals quickly on and some that may take close to the whole project to reach! I will update every two months:

January Shop My Stash - Pantone Colour of the Year Ultimate Grey & Illuminating Makeup Look

I've taken a couple month break from my Shop My Stash looks because I had a ton of makeup to get through, so I'm excited to jump back in and play and create fun looks with my makeup stash! 

The setting spray was received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

I decided for my first look of the year, that I was going to go out of my comfort zone and do a makeup look inspired by Pantone's Colours of the Year for 2021 - Ultimate Grey and Illuminating! They chose two colours, grey and yellow for "a marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting."

Project Pan 21 in 2021 Introduction & Makeup Look!

I am still a fairly new project panner, but I just wrapped up my 20 in 2020 Project Pan (one tiny little product short), but I really enjoyed the idea of focusing on some older products in my collection and getting use out of them so they don't get wasted! 

I really enjoyed working on the project, so I'm am starting another year long project and I am hoping to use up or hit pan on 21 products in 2021 - I will again be focusing on all makeup products as I am pretty good about working through my skincare products. 

I purchased all these products - this post contains affiliate links

Just like last year, I'm starting the project off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! I have a mix of goals between finishing products and hitting pan, so this should be a lot of fun! I also picked a mix of products that I will reach my goals quickly on and some that may take close to the whole project to reach! 

November and December 2020 - Monthly Empties

Alright, I was incredibly behind on my November empties, so I figured it's just best if I combine the two months in to one post - it's a bit of a doozy:

Some items were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Color Correct Cushion Wonder in "Peach" ~ $6.98 CAN. This color-correcting serum instantly provides weightless color correction of any skin coloration concern.

I you've seen my Project Pan 20 in 2020 Wrap up Post, there will be a few repeat products in this post, because I finished quite a few goodies. This was a good product and I did like it, it was creamy and blended in so nicely. It was peach so it worked to colour correct under my eyes and looked good. This was a Monthly Favourite back in July 2017 but the cushion just got so messy and I probably wouldn't pick this up again only because of this.

Repurchase: Not likely 

20 in 2020 Project Pan - Final Update #6

In December last year, I kicked off my big year-long Project Pan - I was planning on using up or hitting pan on 20 makeup products throughout the whole year and I'm using 10 products at a time. So, I introduced the first 10 products in December, did an update in February, an update in April, an update in June, an update in August, an update in October and this is my final wrap-up update! 

The Paula's Choice & Hard Candy items were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

At the end of my last update in October I had reached my goal on 13 products, so I had 7 more products to go to reach my goal - do you think I made it?!?! 

20 in 2020 Project Pan - Update #5

In December I kicked off my big year-long Project Pan - I am planning on using up or hitting pan on 20 makeup products throughout the whole year and I'm using 10 products at a time. So, I introduced the first 10 products in December, did an update in February, an update in April, an update in June, an update in August, and this is my 5th update! 

The Hard Candy and Paula's Choice were received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

At the end of the last update I had reached my goal on 11 products already, which is okay - I was hoping I think to be a little farther along, and I'm starting to feel the crunch a little bit that I might not reach my goal, but I do have some really long term products that I am whittling my way through, so fingers crossed in two months, I can finish 9 more products!