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?

Blush Pretty The Beauty Board: Summer Loving Event

Me and Stephanie of Blush Pretty

This past Sunday I along with 6 of my gal pals attended The Beauty Board presented by Blush Pretty.  We got to mingle, eat great food, but best of all we got to try amazing new products from some of our favourite beauty brands as well as new brands.  My favourite brand of the day was Dalish Cosmetics who not only sells cosmetics but also baby skincare.  A double bonus for this beauty and baby loving mama!  Check out pics of the event below.  I must warn you that this post is picture heavy!  Enjoy!

Me with fellow Toronto bloggers Anjali (Rock That Look), and Meredith (et tu and you)

Me and YouTube vlogger/guru Fiona (fionaman on YouTube)

Me and Andrea Creator of Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics

New to the beauty board this year was Revolution Organics.  Can't wait to try the lip gloss I received in the swag bag!

With Gargi of Vasanti who bronzed me up with Vasanti Brazilian Bronzer - Brightening Mineral Powder.

Can you see the glow in my face?  Loved it!

Me and Kristin from Consonant (I bought their Organic Foaming Face Wash so look out for a future review!)

Me wearing some beautiful pieces from Stella and Dot and Stylist Christina,  Check out this awesome cuff bracelet below that I won in a raffle!  I love it, it is so my style! 

Avon/Mark Cosmetics.  Interested in purchasing anything?  Check out www.torontobeautyreviews.com and get in touch with Elaine!

Posting with an EH-Culture t-shirt  

Amanda from Featherband.  She hand makes all these pretty feathered accessories!

Gosh I wished I had taken a better picture and one with Melanie the owner of DaLish Cosmetics.  This pic just doesn't do the brand justice!  Afterall, this was my favourite brand of the day!

Baby Butter and Baby Balm by Dalish Cosmetics that I purchased for my sweet little baby 

A special thanks to Stephanie of Blush Pretty for organizing and hosting such an awesome event!  I'll be sure to come back for the next one.  Until then I'll be playing around with my awesome swag and purchases!

Check out my Facebook Fan Page Makeup by Donna Marie for more pictures of the event, my purchases, and my swag!

www.blushpretty.com 

Hope for Haiti Beauty Benefit

On February 7th a group of beauty industry professionals and about 50 attendees joined together for the Hope for Haiti Beauty Benefit which was organized by makeup artist Rhia Amio with the help of fellow makeup artist Joy David-Tilberg.  Attendees were asked to make a minimum donation of $25 to the Canadian Red Cross and all monies raised would go towards relief efforts in Haiti.  This fun filled day consisted of makeup and hair makeovers, pigging out on delicious cupcakes and food (well I could only speak for myself! haha), taking some before and after head shots, entering to win beauty prize raffles, and mingling with everyone all around.

At the end of the day everyone took home some awesome swag bags filled with goodies.  And in total we raised an amazing $2,354 which was way more than what was anticipated!

Event organizer, Rhia and Me

A big thank you to Rhia for organizing such a successful event.  Looking forward to more events like these!

 

Me and Makeup Junkie, Joy

Be sure to check out some pics from Hope for Haiti below and a list of volunteers and Sponsors.

 

I can't count how many of these I had!  

Check out www.sointocupcakes.com 

  

Pretty floral arrangements added a nice touch to event 

Check out Madame BLOOM

Annette after her makeover

  

Makeup Artist Delia

  

Anne's makeup by Delia

 

Glowing Mama to Be, Mae

Makeup by Yours Truly

 

My Gals!

 

Robyn's before shot taken by Spencer Fu

 

Robyn's aftershot

Makeup by Me :)

Photograph by Spencer Fu

 

The gang of Beauty Pro's

Photograph by Spencer Fu

MAKE-UP:
Rhia Amio (http://www.artistrhi.com)
Joy David-Tilberg (http://make-upjunkie.blogspot.com)
Maggie Ng (http://www.maggieng.com)
Ande (http://www.makemeoverservices.com)
Donna Marie (http://www.makeupbydonnamarie.blogspot.com)
Nicole Robinson (nahmakeup@gmail.com)
Jennifer Min
Bernadette Howard
Delia Lupan (http://makeupbydelia.ca)

HAIR:
Suzie Choi Bridal Hair (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzie-Choi-Bridal-Hair/155570319978?ref=ts)

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Spencer Fu (http://spencerfu.com/blog/)
Nadia Cheema (http://www.nadiac.com)

CUPCAKES:
So Into Cupcakes (http://www.sointocupcakes.com)

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS:

MadameBLOOM (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mississauga-ON/Madame-BLOOM/166149826089?ref=search&sid=512076013.1514506884..1)

SPONSORS:
CARGO (http://www.cargocosmetics.com)
BALMSHELL (http://www.balmshell.com)
Mary Kay (http://www.marykay.ca)
Shoppers Drug Mart (http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca)
Face Atelier (http://www.faceatelier.com)
Vidal Sassoon (http://www.sassoon.com)
Cake Beauty (http://www.cakebeauty.com/home.asp)
CoverFX (http://coverfx.com)
LIFT Beauty Boutique (http://www.liftbeautyboutique.com)
Brill Communications (http://www.brillcommunications.ca)
Vasanti Cosmetics (http://www.vasanticosmetics.ca/can)
Lash Extensions by Maggie Ng (http://www.maggieng.com)