Happy New Year!!
An entire calendar year of blogging has introduced to me to wayyyyyyyy more beauty products than I would have tried or lusted for otherwise! But rather than haul every so-called amazing product out there, I have to admit I'm rather choosy about what I get, and spend a lot of time (too much time), lusting and debating before I even get something! (Impulse shopper I am not!) So here's my list of the favorite products I've encountered in 2009.
Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15
Great moisturizer for spring and summer if you have oily-to-combination skin! It moisturizes without causing your skin to become oily.
Boscia Balancing Tonic
I love this so much that I just bought a full size bottle after using quite a few different toners this year! It's refreshing and smells nice.
VOV Daily Fresh wash-off pack in 17 Cereals, Seaweed Purity, and Volcanic Powder
Although they're hard to find Stateside (aside from Gmarket), they have ridiculously cute packaging, are very affordable (if not outright cheap), and what counts most is that they work! These three are my favorite because they make my face insanely soft and Seaweed Purity gave me an ethereal glow.
My Beauty Diary sheet mask in White Truffle (Luxury Line)
I just started using My Beauty Diary over the past couple of months, so I'm still testing out the many "flavors" that appeal to me. So far, White Truffle is my favorite! I'm definitely going to stock up. These fit my face well, have a lot of serum, noticable effects, and are very affordable. It's a bonus that the packaging is beyond adorable!
MAKEUP
Guerlain Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer
I know it's pricey and I could live without it...but right now, I just don't want to. It's lightweight and fluid, and brightens my face as well as tone down any red in my skin.
Guerlain Extreme Parure Liquid Foundation
I fell either in love or very deeply in like with this! It's lightweight but offers good coverage. It looks natural and makes my skin look nearly flawless without looking caked up.
MUFE Aqua Eyes
Pearly Brown 2L was my first and summer favorite; now it's Champagne 23L. Either way, it doesn't matter because these babies are my favorite eyeliners, period. I never worry about smeared panda eyes! I also love that they can fill in the outer corners of my eyes with ease.
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner
While I have noticed that some of these do crease without primer,they are really great for when I want quick eye makeup for work or just going out the house. My favorite is Samba-dy Loves Me (I love the shade and name), and second is Busy Signal.
Visee
My favorite Japanese eye shadow palettes. Whenever I feel like changing up my eye makeup, whether it's for day/night, I reach for one of these. Pretty colors and good pigmentation.
Benefit CORALista
This is my favorite daytime blush, it gives you a very pretty flush without making your face look too red, and I wouldn't be surprised if it looks great on everyone!
I love using The Multiple in St. Bart's and Copacabana to contour my cheeks, and then sweep Orgasm on top. The Multiple blends like a dream and Copacabana really keeps Orgasm from making my cheeks look too reddish pink!
YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15
Luxurious, creamy, indulgent, and very pigmented. This is my "I'm spoiled" lippie. Looks just as great at night and with camera flash for pictures.
Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick
Creamy, pigmented, and affordable. Pretty and wearable shades, they're great for daytime.
Dior Rouge de Serum
Very smooth texture and supposedly it softens and improves your lip texture. While I'm not sure if it really does improve over time, it's my favorite work lipstick - smooth and very natural/neutral-looking (has sheer pigmentation, needs several layers, but I worry less about it looking a mess).
For 2010, I've decided I'll focus more on skincare products and less on makeup. I've never had perfect skin, and I'd like my skin to look young and healthy. The better your skin, the less makeup (and Photoshop) you need and also the better makeup looks on you (and better applied too).
I have a lot of new products that I can't wait to try out and see if they'll make the cut for 2010! It'll be interesting to see if I find favorites for which I have none, like mascara, and also see if I find better and/or less pricey favorites for my current ones. (A girl can hope!)
What were your 2009 favorites and what are you hoping to find in 2010?
