A Year in Beauty: The Best of 2011

Happy New Year to all my readers!  I can't believe how fast 2011 went by and now we're off to a fresh start!  I can't wait to see what this year will bring. 

Well the year has finally come to an end and it's it's a year of new beginnings I thought I'd do a post on my favourite products of 2011.  Check it out!

Best Foundation 

Hands down my favourite foundation ever is Face Atelier Ultra Foundation.  It is my HG of foundations!  I love that it give me a flawless finish everytime!  It's lightweight and also photograph's really well.  This is a must have for anyone!

Best Face Primer

I've used the Korres orignal primer and I do love it.  I like this one as well as it has anti-aging properties.  It's moisturizing and helps keep my makeup on all day!

Best Eyeliners

I have a toss up between two liners.  The Annabelle Smoothie Liners are awesome for bases and shadows as well as liners.  I also really like the Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes which are a staple in my kit!

Best Lipstick

I absolutely love these Cover Girl Lip Perfection lipsticks!  I haven't done a review yet but these were my go-to favourites of last year.  They're so pigmented and last a long time!

Best Eye Primer

Lime Crime Eye Shadow Helper is my #1 primer of choice.  Excellent for oily lids like mine!

Best Eyeshadow Palette

Of course the Urban Decay Naked Palette had to make my list!  What's not to love?

Best Highlighter

LORAC Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in Radian is the perfect highlighter in my opinion.  It's not too heavy and adds the perfect glow to the skin.

Best Lip Balm

eos lip balms are awesome!  They're moisturizing and soothing which is exactly what I need for my dry lips!

Best Moisturizer

Consonant Body Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream is so amazing that my cheeks have been baby butt smooth!  It's so soothing and everytime I put it on I feel like I'm at the spa!

Best Face Wash

I love Consonant Body Organic Foaming Face Wash.  I love that it can take off waterproof makeup so easily!  And it feels refreshing too!

Best Bottom Mascara

I love that Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara has the cutest little brush that it gets every single tiny hair.  The formula is great too as it does not smudge or flake at all!

Best Blush

All year the blush that I have been grabbing for the most would have to be Benefit Coralista.  I find that it gives me a pretty flush.  Just a little the apples of my cheeks gives me a natural look.

Best Bronzer

Vasanti Cosmetics Brazilian Bronzer makes my skin look bright and radiant.  I love this bronzer!  Doesn't give you that muddy look!

Best Concealer

Benefit's Erase Paste is the best concealer to cover those darn dark undereye circles.  You'll be amazed at how well it covers!  It also brightens up that area too!

Best Face Powder

Love MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural!  Wear it alone or on top of foundation and it gives you the perfect finish everytime!

So what were your favourites of 2011?

Makeover: Summer Glowing Skin

Unsure of how to wear your makeup this summer?  Here's a look that is easy to do and doesn't take up a lot of time.  It's simple, it's clean, it's glowing, it's perfect for summer!  Check out pictures of my beautiful sister Laura who let me give her a summer makeover. 

 Before

Products Used:

Face:

- Korres Quercetin & Oak Age-reversing Primer

- Revlon Photo Ready Foundation (008 Golden Beige) and Clinique Bronze Bronzing Gel for Face (mixed together)

- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Medium Plus) to the t-zone area.  I avoided Laura's cheeks to keep the look a little more dewy and not so powdery

- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (Sunny by Nature) to the areas where the sun would naturally hit: the forhead, temples, top of the cheeks, and nose

- CARGO Blush (Topeka) to the apples of the cheeks, blended back towards the temples

- Beauty Addicts Glimmer Sheer Express Illuminizer on top of cheekbones

- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural on top of Beauty Addicts Glimmer Sheer Express Illuminizer

Eyes:

- It Cosmetics concealer (Tan) for under eyes and eyelids, Benefit's Powerflauge to set undereyes

- MAC Paintpot (Rubenesque) on eyelids

- Elizabeth Arden eyeshadow (Teak) in the crease

- MAC eyeshadow (shroom) and on top of Rubenesque and into corners of the eyes

- Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner (Star Black)

- Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara (Black)

Lips:

- BH Cosmetics Waterproof Lip Liner (Earth)

- Bite Beauty Lip Shine (Prosecco)

After

How do you wear your makeup in the summer?  I'd love to know!  Feel free to leave a comment with products you love!

Bridal Trial: Xelanie

A few weeks ago I did a bridal trial with Xelanie who's wedding is coming up next month.  Xelanie normally wears a bare face from day to day so she wanted to keep the look natural.  Here's the result of our trial.

Before

After

Products used:

Foundation: MAC Face and Body in C4

Powder:  LAURA MERCIER Translucent Setting Powder

Concealer: LISE WATIER Concealer Wheel

                 BENEFIT Powderflage

Eyes: BENEFIT Stay don't Stray eye primer

        MAC Rubanesque Paint Pot        

        COASTALSCENTS Eyeshadow from the 28 Neutral Palette

        WET 'N WILD Creme Liner in Black

        MAC Sign Sealed eyeshadow (used for eyebrows)

        COVER GIRL Lash Blast Volume Blasting Mascara in Black

Cheeks: TARTE Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride

             MAC blush in Mocha

Lips: MAC Lipliner in Subculture

        Estee Lauder Lipstick in 117 Rose Tea

        MAC Lipgelee in Jellybabe

Holiday Gift Ideas For All Budgets Part 1 of 2: Stocking Stuffers

Not sure what to get your friends this Christmas?  Check out my holiday gift giving ideas for stocking stuffers or add-ons.

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer$5.99 CAD)

This is a perfect little gift especially for the winter months.  It conditions and soothes the lips while adding the perfect hint of color.  

Joe Fresh Cosmetics ($4-$8 CAD)

If you're looking for affordable good quality makeup Joe Fresh Cosmetics are worth checking out.  With prices ranging from $4-$8 you really can't go wrong. My personal faves are the cheek stains and lip crayons.

CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Blasting Mascara ($9.49 CAD)

This has to be the best mascara I've ever tried.  No clumping, flaking, and no smudging.  And it keeps the curl in your lashes.  Just make sure you get waterproof and you're good to go!  

Annabelle Custom Quads ($4.95 CAD for shadows and $5.95 CAD for compact)

These are a great alternative to MAC's pro custom quads.  Annabelle offers a variety of colors for a great price.  Great for making a neutral, smokey or colorful palette to suit your friends own style.

NYX Eyeshadow Trios ($9.99 CAD)
If you're having trouble making your own combination of eyeshadow.  NYX Eyeshadow Trios make a great gift.  With over 42 combo's to choose from you're bound to find the perfect combo.  

Stila Lip Glaze Collection ($25 USD)
I love Stila Lip Glazes.  Why not buy this collection and break it up giving it to 8 different people.  This set contains the following colors: Starfruit, Kitten, Cranberry, Blackberry, Marmalade, Pinkie Twinkle, Plum Fairy, and Candy.  


Burt's Bee's available at most drug stores
Joe Fresh available at most Loblaws and Loblaw Superstores 
Cover Girl Lashblast available at most drug stores
Annabelle Custom Quads available at Shoppers Drug Mart
NYX Cosmetics available at Pharma Plus 
Stila Mini Lip Glazes available at Sephora