It seemed like there were three hundred makeup launches a week last year. Practically every day something new was landing on my desk and had me cooing over it like a baby, instagramming the hell out of it and hailing it a complete must-have. Although I do love me some makeup, I'm very fickle and rarely stay loyal to anything - as soon as there's a slightly new version available, I'm there with bells on. However, there are ten products that have stayed in my makeup bag all year long and will continue to play a fundamental part in my look for the months to come. Here are the shortlist of products I've really relied upon and can thoroughly recommend for those of you looking for something new to add to their collection in 2015.
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1. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette (£45.00)
This chocolate scented palette contains sixteen of the most wearable eyeshadow shades possibly ever packaged in one tin. Including enough nude base shades to keep my yellowing eyelids happy, delicate brown tones to contour and darker shades to create depth, it's all you need to take you from day to night. Although Urban Decay's Naked is often hailed as a must-have, this for me offers better value and a more balanced portfolio of colour.
2. Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Crayon (£11.70)
The best brow tool I've ever used, although this isn't technically for the eyes it does help to create a wide awake and balanced look around that area! The precision tip allows you to draw in individual hairs, while the texture of the crayon ensures a natural finish and long-lasting result. It's not scratchy, chalky or smudgy - just brilliance in a teeny tiny package.
3. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Sparkle Shadow & Liner (£20.00)
These little pots contain one of the best formulas I've tried in recent years. The gel-like texture can be used precisely along the lashline as a liner, buffed in as an eyeshadow or used to create a smokey look that can be blended out to the side of eyes. It's easy to build up the colour result, simple to blend and stays put all night long without flaking. These are my go-to products for a Saturday night as I know they'll meet my every need - especially as they're available in a range of fab colours.
4. Pixi Fairy Dust Eye Shimmers (£10.00)
Often one of the brands that passes me by, these little shimmer sticks are great for adding a touch of light around the eyes or creating a smudgy smokey look. Although they can be quite messy, I love that they add a hint of sparkle to eyes and come in colours that allow you to create either a subtle or maximum impact result. The best bit is that they're so quick to apply, making them fab for mornings when you've run out of time and don't have more than thirty seconds to perfect your eye makeup - they're also great for on the go!
5. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Crayon (£19.00)
I was so late to the Tilbury party it's not even funny, but when I got there these delicious crayons were awaiting my arrival. Available in a multitude of shades, I love the rich colour and maleable texture that allow you to blend and buff into the eye socket. These are fabulous not only as a touch of colour or liner to lids, but can be used by even the most novice of makeup artists to create an effortless smokey eye. The best thing is that once they're dry, they don't budge - bonus.
6. Bare Minerals 5-in-1 Eye Primer (£14.95)
A revolution in makeup, as these little tubes of wonder combine skincare benefits with a creamy makeup base that can be used to create the foundations of a fab eye look. Not only are these available in ten understated colours, but the brightening, smoothing and priming power also includes mineral sunscreen to protect eyes from harmful ageing UV rays. I love the nude shades on naked lids, either worn alone or with a touch of liner, as well as the slightly darker shades blended to create the base of a smokey look.
7. Illamasqua Vintage Metallic Eye Shadow (£16.50)
Available in three exquisite shades as part of the 'Once' collection, my personal preference is the delicate gold that works perfectly as an eyelid brightener when buffed into skin. The creamy texture is extremely blendable and buildable, making it easy to work with and a great alternative to traditional powder shadows. The shimmering pigments catch the light and add a touch of radiance to eyes, while the darker shades make creating smokey looks easy peasy - you don't even need a brush as your finger and the product do the work for you.
8. Lancome Grandiose Mascara (£24.50)
A true innovation within the mascara category, the patented 'Swan Neck' brush provide a fuss-free finish and aids application to the 'hard to get areas' - including the inner corner of your eye. The densely packed brush helps you to apply just the right amount of product, which can be gradually built-up for a fabulously lifted and volumised lash line. This is definitely a 'party' mascara that removes the need for false lashes; a few coats of this and you'll have the lashes you always wanted. I've no doubt 2015 will see many copycats of this unique product.
9. Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara (£18.00)
One of my favourites early on in 2014, this mascara provides a superbly natural finish, which sees lashes look longer, fuller, separated and full of life. The long bristles on the brush really work every single lash, covering them to lift and lengthen while separating the overall look. Despite the relatively sticky formula, there's no sticky feeling on the lashes whatsoever - in fact, the mascara applies easily and works exceptionally well when layers are built up over one another.
10. Charlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick Eyeliner (£22.00) Although this is pretty pricey, it makes creating feline flicks simple as pie. The precise and lengthy tip ensures you can build up your flick and create a multitude of widths, while the formula is jet black and long-lasting. It doesn't smudge or budge, plus it helps me to create striking eyes in literally seconds. There's no doubting this has become my weapon of choice - regardless of the price.
Do you have any favourite eye makeup products from the last year? Have you tried any of my top picks and love them as much as me?
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1. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette (£45.00)
This chocolate scented palette contains sixteen of the most wearable eyeshadow shades possibly ever packaged in one tin. Including enough nude base shades to keep my yellowing eyelids happy, delicate brown tones to contour and darker shades to create depth, it's all you need to take you from day to night. Although Urban Decay's Naked is often hailed as a must-have, this for me offers better value and a more balanced portfolio of colour.
2. Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Crayon (£11.70)
The best brow tool I've ever used, although this isn't technically for the eyes it does help to create a wide awake and balanced look around that area! The precision tip allows you to draw in individual hairs, while the texture of the crayon ensures a natural finish and long-lasting result. It's not scratchy, chalky or smudgy - just brilliance in a teeny tiny package.
3. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Sparkle Shadow & Liner (£20.00)
These little pots contain one of the best formulas I've tried in recent years. The gel-like texture can be used precisely along the lashline as a liner, buffed in as an eyeshadow or used to create a smokey look that can be blended out to the side of eyes. It's easy to build up the colour result, simple to blend and stays put all night long without flaking. These are my go-to products for a Saturday night as I know they'll meet my every need - especially as they're available in a range of fab colours.
4. Pixi Fairy Dust Eye Shimmers (£10.00)
Often one of the brands that passes me by, these little shimmer sticks are great for adding a touch of light around the eyes or creating a smudgy smokey look. Although they can be quite messy, I love that they add a hint of sparkle to eyes and come in colours that allow you to create either a subtle or maximum impact result. The best bit is that they're so quick to apply, making them fab for mornings when you've run out of time and don't have more than thirty seconds to perfect your eye makeup - they're also great for on the go!
5. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Crayon (£19.00)
I was so late to the Tilbury party it's not even funny, but when I got there these delicious crayons were awaiting my arrival. Available in a multitude of shades, I love the rich colour and maleable texture that allow you to blend and buff into the eye socket. These are fabulous not only as a touch of colour or liner to lids, but can be used by even the most novice of makeup artists to create an effortless smokey eye. The best thing is that once they're dry, they don't budge - bonus.
6. Bare Minerals 5-in-1 Eye Primer (£14.95)
A revolution in makeup, as these little tubes of wonder combine skincare benefits with a creamy makeup base that can be used to create the foundations of a fab eye look. Not only are these available in ten understated colours, but the brightening, smoothing and priming power also includes mineral sunscreen to protect eyes from harmful ageing UV rays. I love the nude shades on naked lids, either worn alone or with a touch of liner, as well as the slightly darker shades blended to create the base of a smokey look.
7. Illamasqua Vintage Metallic Eye Shadow (£16.50)
Available in three exquisite shades as part of the 'Once' collection, my personal preference is the delicate gold that works perfectly as an eyelid brightener when buffed into skin. The creamy texture is extremely blendable and buildable, making it easy to work with and a great alternative to traditional powder shadows. The shimmering pigments catch the light and add a touch of radiance to eyes, while the darker shades make creating smokey looks easy peasy - you don't even need a brush as your finger and the product do the work for you.
8. Lancome Grandiose Mascara (£24.50)
A true innovation within the mascara category, the patented 'Swan Neck' brush provide a fuss-free finish and aids application to the 'hard to get areas' - including the inner corner of your eye. The densely packed brush helps you to apply just the right amount of product, which can be gradually built-up for a fabulously lifted and volumised lash line. This is definitely a 'party' mascara that removes the need for false lashes; a few coats of this and you'll have the lashes you always wanted. I've no doubt 2015 will see many copycats of this unique product.
9. Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara (£18.00)
One of my favourites early on in 2014, this mascara provides a superbly natural finish, which sees lashes look longer, fuller, separated and full of life. The long bristles on the brush really work every single lash, covering them to lift and lengthen while separating the overall look. Despite the relatively sticky formula, there's no sticky feeling on the lashes whatsoever - in fact, the mascara applies easily and works exceptionally well when layers are built up over one another.
10. Charlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick Eyeliner (£22.00) Although this is pretty pricey, it makes creating feline flicks simple as pie. The precise and lengthy tip ensures you can build up your flick and create a multitude of widths, while the formula is jet black and long-lasting. It doesn't smudge or budge, plus it helps me to create striking eyes in literally seconds. There's no doubting this has become my weapon of choice - regardless of the price.
Do you have any favourite eye makeup products from the last year? Have you tried any of my top picks and love them as much as me?