TWENTY 16'S TOP MAKEUP TRENDS

2016 is officially over and there have been some crazy makeup trends throughout the year, from faux freckles to rainbow coloured eyebrows. Not everything was this extravagant, though. Today, I'm going to recap on the more wearable beauty crazes that us makeup fanatics just can't get enough of. I have also carefully selected some of my favourite products to help you recreate the looks at home!

Let’s begin with the art of contouring (accentuating your natural features by creating the illusions of shadows on your face). Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH) took the whole beauty world by surprise after launching their 'Cream Contour Kit' (£40). Despite the expensive price tag, I just knew I had to get my hands on my very own… The item is a real luxury and didn’t disappoint! The kit contains six shades, two for highlighting, three for contouring and a red corrector shade which helps to conceal any imperfections. Although long wearing and highly pigmented, I noticed that after a few months, it lost its creamy consistency. I’d suggest adding a couple of drops of facial oil to it, making it as good as new! If you’re a makeup beginner, powder based products are always easier to work with. I’d strongly recommend the award winning bronzer, 'Hoola' by Benefit (£21). The blendable formula gives you more control and a natural, sun-kissed look.

The most popular craze this year, and my personal favourite, is highlight! Yes, all that “glittery stuff” girls put in the inner corners of their eyes, brow bones, cupids bow and the high points of their cheekbones. With hundreds of brands selling (what appear to be) very similar highlighters, it’s difficult to distinguish which ones are worth investing in… Fear not. I’ve narrowed it down to just 3 of the best products, suitable for all different budgets. ABH launched 5 glow kits. I own 'That Glow' (£40), which is best for those with naturally tanned skin. The cardboard palette comprises of 4 metallic powders which are refillable and, although subtle, can be layered to achieve a more dramatic look.

If you want to spend a little less, then I’d suggest using 'WattsUp' by Benefit (£25). The creamy highlight is found in a stick formula and is perfect if you’re looking for a cool, icy tone that adds height and brightness to your face. It suits all skin tones and gives a truly illuminating and soft finish…The application process is incredibly simple and the product just glides on. At times it is a little difficult to buff out, but I feel like this is a small price to pay for such a fantastic, unique product. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that the queen of reality TV, Kim Kardashian, is also a huge fan of this product!

Finally, I have the cheapest alternative of all 3, 'Solstice' by Sleek (£10). This metallic palette is versatile and can be used on your face or body. It contains 4 shades, two powders, one silky shimmer and a cream. The powders in particular are incredibly long lasting, have a smooth texture, easy application and are immensely pigmented. This palette is honestly one of the biggest bargains I have ever found!

Now, let’s talk big, bold, beautiful brows! After supermodel, Cara Delevingne, embraced her natural, thick, dark eyebrows, everyone wanted to replicate the look on themselves. But with hundreds of products on the market, and no personal makeup artist on hand, it’s no surprise that the simple concept of filling in our eyebrows, seems like an overcomplicated and very daunting task. My advice is simple... I love a gel based product as they’re extremely pigmented, enabling you to achieve that sharp, neat and flawless finish. My all-time favourite brow product is the award-winning, long-lasting, creamy and even waterproof 'Dipbrow Pomade' by ABH (£15). It lasted me 2 whole years and is available in 11 shades. If you’d prefer to stay natural, then I’d suggest purchasing the cheap and cheerful 'Brow Kit' by Collection (£4).

The internet went into total meltdown when Insta-famous Kylie Jenner decided to have lip fillers, aged 16. The socialite started an extremely popular trend, but unfortunately, most of us don’t have £3000 spare for a lip augmentation. However, there’s no denying that big, plump lips are a great look! The best way to achieve this, non-surgically, is using a matte lipstick and a liner to overdraw your lips. I’d always encourage firstly prepping your lips with a 'Lip Scrub' from Lush (£6). These contain all natural ingredients like sugar and olive oil, which remove dead cells and increase blood circulation, making your lips appear plumper and redder in colour. If you'd prefer, you can make your own lip scrub using ingredients found in your kitchen cupboard. My DIY blog post can be found here.

After exfoliation, it’s advisable to moisturise your lips using an EOS Lip Balm (£7), which will ensure they’re not chapped when applying your matte lipstick. MAC have a selection of bold, high quality liquid lipsticks (£18) and NYX offer affordable alternatives which apply glossy but dry matte (£7). These products are fantastic in the sense that they last all day without movement.

The newest of all crazes is baking- and I’m not talking about making cookies or cupcakes. Instead, you apply a thin coat of fine, white powder under your eyes and below your cheekbones for a defined look. A personal favourite is the 'High Definition Powder' by Makeup Forever HD (£22). You simply apply the product, leave it to set for 10 minutes and then gently sweep the excess away using a buffing brush. The result is a flawless, glowing, photoshopped finish, which leaves the skin feeling and looking healthy and shine free throughout the day.

Ancient Egyptian winged eyeliner has come back into fashion… It’s surprising that a simple, black line above our eyelid can enhance our eyes, giving the illusion of a different shape or even size. Being an eyeliner obsessed individual, I have tried and tested a great deal of liners, and have to admit that Collection’s 'Extreme 24 Hour Felt-Tip Liner' (£3) is still my favourite! It does exactly what it claims… The jet black, long lasting, easy to use pen, doesn’t transfer and much like an ordinary felt-tip, has a thin edge and gradually gets thicker, enabling you to adjust the thickness according to your preference. 

Finally, you can complete the look with a set of fake eyelashes. My preferred brand is Eyelure (£6) because no ordinary mascara comes close to accomplishing the gorgeous, dramatic effect that their lashes do. Their boxes include a pair of eyelashes and an eyelash glue, which are designed to make your lashes appear fuller, thicker and darker. They add texture and depth, are lightweight and are even reusable, so are worth every penny.

…And that’s a wrap! You can purchase the Anastasia Beverly Hills products from Cult Beauty and everything else can be found in Boots. Girls! It’s time to go on a shopping spree and splurge all of that Christmas money on some new makeup!

What trends do you expect to see in 2017? Leave a comment down below, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading,

Rikki x