Best of 2014: My Beauty Favorites

Happy New Year Everyone! We see another year ending and I'm so glad to be able to accomplish so much in the past 365 days. I'm very thankful as I take a look back at my adventures in beauty (or what I personally call "ka-artehan"). I hope to have more opportunities to discover more great products in the coming year. Here are my favorite products for the year that was 2014:

Best of 2014: My Beauty Favorites

Best Base
Cover Girl + Olay Tone Rehab CC Cream - I love how lightweight this feels on the skin. It does not feel greasy and controlled my oiliness more than the average foundation or BB creams I've used before.

Best Concealer
Laura Mercier Undercover Pot - This brand is my go-to for concealers. I have so many others but this is the only concealer that's long-lasting and budge-proof, even on my very oily, sweaty face. See it in action here: Minimal Makeup Look

Best Eye Shadow
Stila In The Light Eye Shadow Palette - The reason why I don't buy so much eye shadows lately. This is my everyday versatile workhorse. Gives me natural-looking yet defined eyes.

Best Eyeliner
K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner - This eyeliner lasted on me all day. Non-flaky, non-smudging, very black. You can create fine or thick lines with this, it's very versatile. I used it for this look: Holiday Glam.

Best Mascara
K-Palette 1 Day Lash Perm Volume Curl Mascara - Makes my straight-as-a-rod eyelashes look very full and long. Does not clump, dries fast, and buildable. I used this for my Holiday Glam look.

Best of 2014: My Beauty Favorites

Best Blush
Rimmel London Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint in Sunkissed Cherry - A natural-looking blush that gives just enough flush to brighten up my face. Blendable, lightweight, easy-to-use and convenient for travel.

Best Lipstick
MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy- It was tough to choose my favorite lipstick, but Velvet Teddy has been with me whenever I go ever since I purchased it. This is my go-to lipstick for any occasion, the perfect nude for me. See it in action: Minimal Makeup Look.

Best Lip Gloss
Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Gloss in Treasure Hunt - Makes your lips juicy-looking and lush. Lightweight formula, super shiny, opaque color. This is a relatively non-sticky lip gloss that feels comfortable on the lips.

Best Eye Brush
Sigma E25 Blending Brush -This brush is workhorse in my eye makeup routine. I use this to apply eyeshadow as well as blend out colors. A very useful brush that I wouldn't mind paying full price for.

Best Multi-Purpose Brush
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - I love how versatile this brush is. I use this to blend in liquid foundations and BB/CC creams. This creates an even and flawless base. Because it's small enough for the cheeks, I also use this to apply cream/powder blushes.

Best of 2014: My Beauty Favorites

Best Foaming Cleanser
Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser - A no-nonsense cleanser that effectively cleans my face including waterproof makeup. Non-drying, fragrance-free and very gentle.

Best Cleanser/Toner
Haruhada Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cleansing Water - Melts waterproof makeup without tugging your skin. Great especially for removing heavy eye makeup.

Best Night Moisturizer
Steam Cream - Lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that's quickly absorbed by my skin.

Best All-Around Moisturizer
Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream - Gives me a supple, firm and hydrated skin without the grease. I use this all day for an instant, fresh pick me up. My pores are now smaller, my skin clearer and I'm less oily. This made Buzzfeed's list of 22 Cult Beauty Products From Asia.

Best of 2014: My Beauty Favorites

Best Sun Block
Daylong Kids Lotion SPF 50+  - I use this when I have to go in the sun for longer periods. The high SPF protects my skin without it feeling greasy and oily. The lotion is readily absorbed into the skin. I also use this on my face as this does not make me look like a I doused my face with oil. Expensive but worth the price.

Best Body Lotion/Moisturizer
Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum SPF 25 - I use this as an everyday body lotion so that I would have UV protection. It's very inexpensive sunblock that I won't feel guilty of using. Very moisturizing and surprisingly non-greasy. It's always sold-out in Watson's though. I really should stock up on this.

Best Beauty Supplement
Belo Nutraceuticals Glutathione with Collagen - I now take just one capsule every night before I sleep. I don't particularly get the whitening effect because the dosage says I should take 2 capsule daily. I feel that this keeps my skin supple and smooth so I use this as a maintenance.