12 beauty favorites of 2012

Looking back, 2012 was a great year for discovering new products. I have a lot of favorite products form the year, but only a few that I will re-purchase over and over again. It's hard to even pick an absolute number one makeup product or tool. 

So, here are my "top 12 of 2012." 

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

A lot of people ask if both palettes are necessary. I personally love the Naked 2 better than the original. I use them both, but I reach for Naked 2 more because it has cooler colors that are perfect for everyday subtle looks. 

Maybelline Color Tattoos

I can't say enough about these. The longevity, pigmentation and price. Amazing. More on these cream shadows here.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

Ah, it was the year of the BB creams. Smashbox got it right. It evens out my skin tone, provides light coverage, and lasts all day. Perfect for days in the sun or traveling. 
My post dedicated to this BB cream is here. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

This powder is a savior for girls with oily skin. Apply it in the morning over your foundation and you're good to go for the rest of the day. For $6.00 at the drugstore, you can't beat it! 

Maybelline MasterDrama Eyeliner 

This year I finally found the only eyeliner that does not smudge throughout the day. This has better staying power than Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencils, and you don't have to sharpen these.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer

This is a creamy concealer that really brightens the under the eyes. I like it better than the YSL Touch Eclat concealer (which is $45). See my blog post on this amazing concealer!

Soap & Glory Hand Food Lotion

This is amazing stuff. This is the only lotion that doesn't leave a greasy feeling after applying.  Use before bed and your hands feel so silky and soft in the morning. 

Mary Kay Timewise Moisturizer

I've been using this since late 2011, but I never realized how much I loved this moisturizer until this year. I tried to stray, but I can't find anything like it. Hey, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. More on this moisturizer here. 

Maybelline Babylips in Quenched

The most moisturizing lip balm at the drugstore. They’ve since come out with some new colors that I’m dying to try. Read my post on Babylips here.

Clarisonic Mia

The Clarisonic has kinda changed my life. I’m not really sure how I ever washed my face before. I use it with a gentle Neutrogena cleanser and it gets every spec of makeup off. If you don’t have one, and have been on the fence about getting one, I say do it. It’s definitely well worth the money! 

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Foundation

I know I've mentioned it before, but the Revlon ColorStay whipped foundation has ousted the liquid version as my holy grail foundation. I'm on jar number 3 in just 6 months because I use it so much. It's the longest-lasting foundation with the most natural finish.
More on this foundation here. 

Sultra Bombshell Curling Wand (1 ¼”)

I can honestly say that this curling wand has changed my hair life. I prefer a curling wand over a curling iron because the curls last… for days..and days. If only I was one of those girls that could go a week without washing my hair. But, by day 3 I need a wash and I’m always sad to see the wavy curls go. I highly recommend using a curling wand over a curling iron now. There are some great inexpensive ones at Ulta and Target. You can find the Sultra Bombshell at Sephora.

What were your favorite products of 2012?

xo, Mal

November Favorites

China Glaze Rare & Radiant

This is a perfect Fall-golden-iridescent- multicolored- nail polish for this time of year. 
I think it's also a close dupe for Chanel Peridot. 

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black

I'm trying my hardest to finish this eyeliner up. I swear it just won't dry out-- but I guess that's a good thing. The stiff tip of the pen makes it easy to apply a straight line, and even great for winged liner. 

Benefit Bella Bamba Blush 

(yeah, say that five times fast...)

This is probably my favorite blush of all time. You can achieve any shade of pink on your cheeks with this.  Even if you apply too much, it can very easily be blended to a subtle pink. 

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara

This month I realized I have too many about 10 sample mascaras I have yet to try. I've been LOVING Lancome Hypnose Star. The shape of the brush is perfect for separating and lengthening the lashes, and I haven't had any issues with clumping.
Anyone else love this one? 

L'oreal Eye Shadow in Iced Latte
I did a whole post on this one here. Basically, it's the perfect highlight shade for the inner corner and brow bone. 

Maybelline Babylips in Quenched

I think I'm giving up on EOS lip balms. This Babylips is easier to apply and I find it is way more moisturizing on my lips. With crazy chapped winter lips, this is my go-to for moisture about 10 times a day. The name Quenched is spot-on! 

Oscar Blandi Texture & Volume Spray

Something about the cold months that makes my hair feel like it needs to fall flat every single day. I got this Volumizing spray in my Birchbox and I'm loving it so far. 

Clarisonic  "Deep Pore Cleansing" Brush Head

This was my first time trying out a brush head other than "normal" for my Clarisonic. Not sure how to compare the two other than I love them both. I just like the idea of getting a "deep pore cleanse" at night. I recommend trying this if you have a Clarisonic! 

What have you been loving this month? 

xo

july favorites

Face:

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish (MSF) in Medium Dark

This has completely replaced my Laura Mercier translucent powder for setting my foundation every day. This provides a slight hint of color, which help match my face to the rest of my body since I'm a little more tan now. My favorite brush to use is the Crown Brush C405, perfect for applying this MAC MSF.

ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Duo

This is one of my favorite ELF products, but I forget how much I like it until I start using it again. I like this bronzer for the summer because it’s one of my darker ones, that I can only get away with when I have a tan. This duo is a close dupe for the NARS “laguna/orgasm” blush and bronzer duo, except this only retails for $3 at Target.

NARS Orgasm Blush

Speaking of NARS, I only have one their blushes, and it’s their best-seller, Orgasm. One of my favorite summer-time blushes. It looks pretty intense in the pan, but it goes on as a subtle coral-pink with a hint of golden shimmer. I’ve been reaching for it everyday these past few weeks.

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlight

I definitely don’t use highlighter on my cheekbones everyday, but when I do it’s always this one by The Balm. I got mine for half off on a Hautelook sale. Many times I’m turned off by highlighters because they are too white, or just way too “sparkly.” This one has a natural finish with some shimmer. My favorite brush for applying is the ELF fan brush.

Eyes:

Tease from the Naked 2 Palette

It isn’t often that I prefer a matte eye shadow over one with shimmer. This one, “tease”, is in the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. I probably wear this on my crease 6 days out of 7. You can apply it lightly for an everyday look, or build up the color for a more dramatic smokey eye. My favorite shadow out of both of the Naked Palettes. I like applying it with the Sigma E25 Blending brush.

Maybelline MasterDrama Eyeliner

I’m usually biased to the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencil, but decided to give this Maybelline eyeliner in Midnight Master a chance after hearing good reviews. It’s a very opaque midnight black, long-lasting, doesn't need sharpening, and is inexpensive.

Lips:

Tarte Maracuja Oil Lip gloss in Peaceful

I received this gloss in a Tarte set. I put it to the side for a couple of months because I couldn’t figure out, for the life of me, how to get the product to actually come out. After seeing it in a magazine as a favorite, I busted it out and didn’t stop clicking the tube until I  finally saw some product come through the brush. I’m still not sure why it’s so difficult, (I’m sure it’s user error!) but it’s been one of my favorite lip glosses this month nonetheless. It’s not sticky, and is a perfect sheer pink for summer.

Skin:

Clarisonic Mia

I finally got a Clarisonic! (Thanks mom!) And like the rest of the world, I love it! After getting off of Accutane in 2009, my skin has been near-perfect (minus the scars). But recently I’ve noticed more frequent breakouts around my chin. It’s not enough of a problem to go back on Accutane, and quite honestly I would dread doing that. And since topical gels never did anything for me, I’m hoping the Clarisonic can help prevent any breakouts in my problem areas. We’ll see, but so far so good. My favorite gentle face wash to use with it is the Neutrogena Naturals face wash.

What have you been loving in July?