little white truths

Hello and welcome to my next Best in Beauty post for 2018!

As with the past couple of years, I'm dividing these makeup favourites into two: so I'm doing one for complexion and one for cheeks, lips and eyes.

If you're interested in seeing last year's complexion favourites, they're here. And my 2017 cheeks, lips and eyes favourites are here if you'd like to see those.

You'll note that some of the items below are different from last year's list, but three of them are repeats because I haven't found anything in 2018 that knocks them from top position.

So without further ado...

Best Liquid Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Liquid) 

These liquid highlighters are my favourites and I've loved every single one I've owned (this is my third). I've reviewed one here. Do note that while I'll be including my favourite powder highlighter in my second Best in Beauty makeup post, I'm including this one here because I use it more as a complexion product: that is, as a primer or otherwise mixed in with my foundation.

What I love about this formula is that it looks so natural on the skin, and it works well for spot-highlighting, on its own, as a glowy primer and also mixed in with my foundation. Indeed, it's an incredibly versatile product and I always have some kind of use for these.

I also think these highlighters are good value because you get a lot of product and they last for ages. They're my HG liquid highlighters for a reason.

Best Foundation (everyday use): Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

Full review here. This is my HG foundation for day-use and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it. It's one of the most natural-looking foundations I've ever used and it's undetectable on the skin, which is exactly what I'm after.

While it doesn't build well so I can't get even a medium coverage from it, I'm happy with a light-medium for day-use - especially because it doesn't announce itself as makeup. What it does is even out imperfections and add a natural radiance, without sitting in pores or fine lines. It's super hydrating too. 

Can't rave about this enough. I've already bought myself a second bottle, and I so rarely return to foundations: that should tell you something.

Best Foundation (event use): Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation

Full review here. While I prefer my Koh Gen Do Aqua for day-use because it has a little less coverage and is undetectable on my skin, this one's better for night-use or big events because the coverage is better and it's also buildable, which the KGD isn't.

What I love about this product is that it's incredibly natural on the skin while still doing a beautiful job of evening out imperfections, and a little goes a long way so I only need one pump to get a solid medium coverage that looks like skin.

If you have dry skin and want something that looks heavenly and feels hydrating, grab a sample. Sure it's not cheap, but given that I don't need much per application, it's going to last me a while. Love. It's an HG for a reason.