Monday, January 9, 2012

2011 Favourites!

You have no idea what has gone into this post.  I had a whole post on high/low favourites in most every category, bronzer, blush, etc.  but I wasn't really feeling it.  Then I realized that part of the problem was breaking it into categories, rather than just picking things I discovered and loved last year.  

So with that in mind, here is my 3rd try at this post.  
These are things I started to use/discovered in 2011 and have grown to love.  I hope you enjoy!

Bioderma Micellar water

Actually any micellar water.  I'm now using one from Vichy that I like just as much as the Bioderma.  I love this for removing eye makeup.  I wear contacts and this is one of the few things that doesn't irritate my eyes, while still removing my make-up.  It also doesn't dry out my skin & feels so refreshing.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores

This powder is amazing.  Hands down the best finishing powder I have ever used.  It gives you that soft blurry finish, minimizes your pores and doesn't look like you're wearing any powder.  Also doesn't give you that white cast like other HD powders.  LOVE & will re-purchase again & again!

NYC Creme Stick blush in Plaza Pink

I LOVE this little cream blush.  I warm it up by circling my finger over top of it and then just blend it on my cheeks.  I use this almost like a blush/highlight, because it does give a bit of a glow.
I definitely want to try a few more cream blushes but not until I use up what I have.  
In the meantime, for less than $5 this is a winner for sure. 


Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadows

This particular one is Skinny Jeans but I also have Birthday Suit.  These are exactly what they are advertised to be, CREASELESS.  You can wear these on their own or layer powder shadows on top, for a completely different look.  I use them as an eye base/cream shadow and find my powder shadows last much longer, when layered over these.  Beautiful!!

ELF Mineral infused mascara

I tried this on a whim and I have to say it's a great little mascara.  I love the brush and I also love how it tapers at the end so you can get even the smallest of lashes. Didn't flake or clump on me and applied beautifully.  I will say they dry out more quickly than other mascaras I've used.  But all in all, for $3..I mean come on!  I still love my Clinique and other drugstore mascaras, but if you did a blind test with this mascara and other high end ones, I'd bet a number of people would choose this one.   


Kerastase

The line in general is one of my favourites.  This happens to be the Cement Thermique reconstructor milk, but I also have one of the serums and I just got one of their masks for Christmas.  I will be reviewing the mask soon because it is so amazing I can't barely stand it.  
What I don't like about this favourite is the price.  It is not my nature to spend this kind of money on products, but I have now fallen under the Kerastase spell and I can't help myself. 

Goat's Milk Soaps

This happens to be Winter from the Beekman brothers 1802 line, but any pure goat's milk soap will do.  I LOVE goat milk soaps.  For those of you who haven't tried them, they have so many benefits for your skin leaving it so moisturized and silky soft..without any harsh chemicals.  This particular one 
smells like winter heaven! 

AVON Ideal Shade Custom shade foundation

Despite the ridiculously long repetitive name, this one is an exact dupe for Origins VitaZing.
Exact.  I'm almost completely sure of it.
I wear this and often just finish it with a little of my LM mineral foundation for the perfect everyday look.  This is a great one to wear on it's own if you were going to be out in the sun but wanted some SPF (15), it evens out your skin, provides a little coverage but looks like you're not wearing anything!

Clarisonic Mia

Was there ever any question?  Much has already been said so I need not drone on.  Love it!


ULTA

Might sound strange but until this past summer I had never been to ULTA.  I'm now a fan and only wish there was one much closer to me!

Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter & E25 Eye Blending

I got a few Sigma brushes late in 2010 and a few more in 2011.  These two have 
become two of my very favourites.  
The F35 tapered highlighter is perfect for highlighting and/or contouring. 
The E25 eye blending brush pictured is the travel size, I also have the full size version of this.  
This blending brush corrects every mistake you might have made like magic.  I love it so much I gifted it to all the women in my family this Christmas. 

Cod Liver Oil

I started taking this & thought my skin seemed improved.  Then I started attributing that improvement to my skin care, MIA, etc and became lax with taking my CLO.  I now know that my skin is at it's best when I'm taking this, a 'high quality, fermented Cod Liver Oil.  

So there you have it.  Things I discovered and loved in 2011. I didn't include any skin care because honestly that's a whole nother animal altogether.  I'll have to do an updated skin care routine, because much has changed for me in the last six months or so.  

I think I'll try to do a Things that didn't work list as well, because I definitely have a few items for that and don't we all just love to whinge a little!

How about you, what have you discovered & loved this past year ?

19 comments:

  1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT KERASTASE STUFF! I got some samples of the shampoo, conditioner and reconstructor milk in one of those monthly boxes and I seriously could not stop touching my hair for a couple of days.

    Also love Creaseless Creams - I have a few but not Skinny Jeans. I think I will have to rectify that this year. I have heard some people say they crease on them but they're the only cream shadows I've ever used that don't ever crease on me.

    Are Cod Liver Oil tablets one of those things you can take all the time or only for certain periods? I was reading a book about skin the other day and that went on about the benefits but I swear I read somewhere that it's one of those things you need to have a break from now and then, though I wonder if I've confused that with something else...

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  2. Oh yay! I love favorites lists!!! That Avon VitaZing dupe sounds promising and I am SO with you on the Clarisonic. Oh man, how did we survive before that little gem of a face brush!? I'm shocked to see you dig that e.l.f. mascara, I've always written them off in that category but I'm intrigued!

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  3. I still have to try that NYC Creme Blush, all the shades look gorgeous and it's supposed to be great but I have too many blushes and it drives me crazy! Also I'm still unsure if NYC tests on animals or not -_-

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  4. I really want to try the 'IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores' and micellar water now x x x x
    http://miss-lv.blogspot.com/

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  5. I have to say, I really do rely on your recos for beauty brands. And I can't believe you had never been to an Ulta until last year. I was in the store last Monday and I thought about you. Actually, every time I drive by a Sephora or Ulta I think of you. And I must give you kudos for your Mia Clairsonic plug. I have one too and even my mom commented on how nice looking my skin is. So, what was a girl to do? I got her one for her birthday and she loves it too. And then she got my sister-in-law one for Xmas. A very amazing product!!!

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  6. Cod lIver oil! I need to get on that for sure. Did you get that one at Costco?

    Love your faves Tracy! Every single one!

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  7. Great list, loved reading about your faves and I must say I totally with u on the NYC blush, clarsonic

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  8. You make me really want to try the it cosmetics powder!

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  9. Dee - Another Kerastase fan, yay! Yes silky soft right? And my hair dresser said the milk actually is good for a couple of washes, making it last even longer.

    Charlotte - You have a Tarjay within reach lucky girl, try the mascara and let me know your thoughts :)

    Gaby - Sorry I wish I knew!

    Miss LV - I am pretty sure you'd love them both :)

    Ryan - How sweet of you, I love that! And yes the MIA is life changing, what an amazing gift to get someone. My Dad got one for my step-mom and she is still thanking me :)

    Tracy - The first one I did but I don't think it's high even of a quality. The one pictured is from a health food store (Community Natural Foods). I told them what I wanted it for and she right away recommended that one.

    Nikosmommy - Thanks, great hearing from you and both are big winners with me!

    Tisha - I think you'd love it... :)

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  10. Oooh I really want to get NYC Creme Stick blushes, they seem amazing. And I've heard nothing but good things about those Benefit cream shadows... Also majorly jealous that you have the Mia, I've been wanting it for ages now! x

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  11. The Kerastase brand is still on my list because of you! Oh and I too love the Avon Ideal Shade... because of your post showing how similar it is to the Vitazing. I will totally be purchasing this again when my tube is empty. Oh and Mendi will be talking Sigma soon...:-) She is in love!

    Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

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  12. I HAVE to try that Bioderma cleansing water. Everyone loves it so much!

    I think I have to blame you for the Kerastase love. I bought the Elixir that I sampled from the Luxe Box -- and now I want Kerastase everything. Dammit!

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  13. Summer - You really should try the NYC, they are so affordable & a bunch of different shades. Save for the MIA, you'll thank me!

    Jayme - Yay, I love that you have it on your list. Your hair will be shinier and bouncier than it already is, try that Reconstructor milk. I'm so glad you're still loving the AVON Ideal Shade still, but I think it's only sold in the summer b/c it's not in the catalogue right now :( Looking for to the Sigma review!

    Liz - You and your gorgeous beachy waves hair will fall in love with this line once you try even more! Try any of the micellar waters, they are wonderful.

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  14. Tomorrow QVC's today special is actually going to be a set including the it cosmetics bye bye pores (double size) and other goodies for about $50.

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  15. Tisha - If only I could get QVC...I don't think they deliver to Canada but I'll be sure to double check that. Thanks for the heads up!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your faves with us! My favorite purchase of 2011 was the Clarisonic. Isn't it great??

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  17. Marie - So great...the best thing I've done for my skin in years!

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  18. My mom-in-law got me a MIA for Christmas this year, and I l.o.v.e. it!! My skin has never looked so great and the break-outs around my chin have seemed to disappear! Great product list! I will have to try out a few!!

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  19. Great review dear, love Kerastase!

    www.superclementina.blogspot.com

    xx

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