this was a year full of great makeup discoveries – not necessarily launched in 2021, but that I came across and fell in love with this past year –, many of which I’m certain will stay front and center in my collection for a long time.
so grab a cup of your favourite beverage and tag along while I try to collect my thoughts on all the pretty shiny things I’ve encountered last year!
Best Make Up Brand – DANESSA MYRICKS
It’s a woman-owned, black-owned business, no umbrella companies (for now, sadly I know the success of a business is commonly measured by how fast they can expand and how quickly they are acquired by Some Big Suits… anyway!).
The aesthetics and identity are unique and defined, each product is clearly conceived from Danessa’s vision and experience but open for anyone’s interpretation.
Despite the make up artistry editorial edge, all products are surprisingly user-friendly, as long as you dare to step out of your comfort zone and play with less conventional formulations and textures.
It doesn’t stop at the nice concept, though: these products do deliver, they were conceived to perform easily and last on the skin.
Colour payoff, blendability, lasting power, versatility and a myriad of different colours, undertones, textures and finishes that can be mixed, combined and layered, from complexion to eyes and lips.
The price range is mid-high end, which makes things more accessible than luxury brands, yet the performance is, for me, neck and neck with the best.
Danessa herself seems to be very hands-on with her brand – it’s still personal to her, and it shows – and she’s devoted to teaching in order for her customers to get the best from her products, from pros to common consumers: she has an amazing interactive Instagram account, providing super instructional lives with a caring and personal approach, and she has also developed Danessa Myricks Beauty University, where you can access masterclasses – some of them for free.
On top of that, the customer service (at least from the E.U. website) is top notch, making it seem like there’s an active effort to have the whole team on the same page of interacting one a personal, caring, kind way.
I made a deep dive into the brand this year and feel I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Foundation
Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin
Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover
Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream *
Essence Pretty Natural
Honorable mention, since it’s no longer available: BECCA Light Shifter Dewing Tint
Concealer
Fenty Bright Fix (07 Deep Butter for colour correction)
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
Highlighter
Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow in Crystal Nebula
Chanel Baume Essentiel in Rosée (spoiler for a future video: a great more affordable dupe is Danessa Myricks Dew Wet Balm in Rosewater and they have other shades as well)
Bronzer
Danessa Myricks Balm Contour (I’m currently wearing Light 3, in the summertime I’m Medium 1)
Blush
Danessa Myricks Vision Flush (my current favourite is Nutcracker)
Lisa Eldridge Enlivening Blush in Mountain Walk (not available at her website, I wonder if they’re repackaging the thing…)
Natasha Denona Bloom Highlighting Blush
Gucci Satin Lipstick in 104 Penny Beige
Eyes
Danessa Myricks Color Fix – I’m a particular fan of the mattes and the clear glaze
Danessa Myricks Twin Flames in Everlasting
Kiko Fruit Explosion Eye Pencils 02, 03 (limited edition)
Natasha Denona Mini Retro Palette
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
Lips
Make Up Forever Artist Color Pencil in Endless Cacao
Rom&and Juicy Lasting Tints (Fig Fig is my favourite) *
Tools
Vueset Palette – Seneca (usually also available at Beautylish)
Eco Tools Bioblender – compostable makeup sponge
*use the code FREEVOLOUS10 during check-out for a discount on Yesstyle.
the freevolous 