Tampilkan postingan dengan label Best of year. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Best of year. Tampilkan semua postingan

Selasa, 28 Desember 2010

Best of Beauty 2010

It's time for the best of the year , a look back at my top favorites. It's not always easy to slim the list down as I like so many products. But these that follow were the tops, or at least the ones that came immediately to mind. Most were reviewed here before so a link is there if you wish to read the original post. Please share your "best of" for the year in the comments. I'd love to know what's on everyones list.


Dior J'Adore L'Or- Full review coming soon on this as I only tried it at Christmastime.  An updating of the original J'Adore with a focus on purer , high grade essences and rose absolute and jasmine from Dior's own fields, this powerhouse white floral is beyond beautiful. So well done, and a bit more of an oil than as it's an essence of perfume rather than a  straight EDP.

Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio- Another hit from the great house. Love at first sniff and few others came close to it all year. It's not like anything else out there and for Spring and Summer weather,  so beautiful, fresh and  green.

Clinique Acne Solutions  Liquid Makeup - Kept my skin in check all summer, the hottest on record here. Not as matte as I usually use but it worked so well at keeping acne  down and helped oilies as well, while also providing great coverage and good looking skin.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage- A genius idea. Cools, soothes , brightens and de-puffs all at once. Not it is not quite a miracle worker, you don't suddenly lose all puffiness etc.,  but it does make a difference and feels so good on. Anytime your eyes are tired or irritated , reach for this.

Dior Rouge Dior Haute Couleur Lipsticks- There were a lot of fabulous new lipsticks this fall, one from most major brands. I liked or loved  most , but the best to me was the new Dior. It feels like air on your lips but packs pigment and moisture and simply looks like lipstick should. 

Ellis Faas Makeup - Everything in this new  this year line but especially the Eye Lights metallic eye shadows.  With innovative colorways and packaging,  this became a huge favorite.

Origins Zero Oil Cleanser- Most amazing oily skin cleanser ever. Yes ,really. Did wonders for my skin in the super hot summer heat. Kept using all fall and into winter  even. Not harsh but cleanses well and helps bat down that pesky over oiliness. Zero Oil indeed. Maybe not all of it, but enough.

Chanel Les Khakis nail polish- The polish everyone at Fashion Week in Sept. 2010 was either talking about, wanting or wearing. I got more compliments on my Khaki Vert toes than I ever expected. I also didn't expect the  polish to look so good, but somehow it was perfect. The two other shades didn't move me as much but I still like them.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger - This new line  grabbed a lot of reader attention and deservedly so . Deeply repairing for damaged and very dry hair, it's that good. 

MAC Venomous Villains- One of the most hotly anticipated collections of the year . This was simply fun but also had some great colors. I know people who wanted it simply because it was Disney, but most of us I think wanted it because it was Disney and MAC.  The decals/logos were well done and I love having at least one lippie sitting out where I can see it.

Honorable mentions go to :
 1. Clarins Extra Firming Foundation-  they do know foundation as well as skincare there .  Super coverage, firming, radiance. Hits all the marks.
2. Atelier Perfumes- a new, niche line  of old  style cologne  scents modernized and better.  
3. Maybelline Age Rewind The Eraser Foundation - A drugstore foundation that truly competes with the high end lines.

Minggu, 03 Januari 2010

Best of Beauty 2009

It was a great year for beauty . It's never easy to pick the best of they year. The list could be big, but there will always be standouts among an already solid lineup.

Here is my tops of 2009 in no certain order and with links to my original post/review if there was one ( please add your favorites in comments, I'd love to know)

Kiehls Imperial Balm - This one is making every best of list. Does an amazing job on your skin and smells so darn good and spicy warm. I bought the Kusmi tea made to go with this, and it's just as good. The warmth sticks with you long after you're done sipping.


Rouge Allure Laque by Chanel - Gets not simply the best lipstick of the year but perhaps best ever, tied in the year end version with Lancome La Laque Fever, next on the list. Everything I ever wanted in a lippie. Creamy, shiny, lasting, smoothing , elegant, luxurious. The feeling I get when I use this can't be discounted. If a lippie makes you feel that good, it's worth the price.

La Laque Fever by Lancome - One of the best easily. Full coverage , long lasting but never uncomfortably dry. Makes your lips look like you lined them and took more time than you did . Every makeup kit needs one.

Lierac Diopti - I have recommended these to many. All have raved . A full eye care line , one for each issue and they can be combined. These work, the most important thing of all.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Baby - A tinted balm from Guerlain. I swooned at the thought. Color, sparkle, moisture in that silver case. These are loaded with moisturizers and are not just a pretty case.

Heeley Ophelia Perfume- I smell a lot of perfumes. Any regular reader of this blog will know that. So for me to fall immediately for a perfume at first sniff and want to buy it on the spot means a lot. Such was the case with Heeley Ophelia. I didn't buy it ( at $ 175.00 it was simply too much a splurge at holiday time) but I am still smitten with the thought of it. I recall a big but light white floral . Not heavy, not cloying but beautiful. Fellow sniffers at Barneys seemed equally appreciative.

MAC Suntints- MAC Tendertones have made this list since the beginning. They are still one of the tops , but this year gave us Suntints. Tinted lip balm with SPF in a tube. Thank you MAC. Serious moisture with very light tint and a little shine , perfect for almost anytime .

Reviva Vitamin E Stick I blogged about this and then several months later it was in Lucky magazine. I am so way ahead folks ( well sometimes ). This little, $ 3.00 stick is power moisture for the eyes, lips or wherever you need it.


Dior Escale a Pondichery A fragrance for any and all times. I never need to think if I am in the mood to wear this , if it's too heavy or is just not going to sit right that day. It's always just right, and a little uplifting. I do wish it lasted longer but citrus types usually don't. More re-spritzing, that's all.


Bobbi Brown Chrome Eyeshadow- The Pewter shade is my standout . This color is so beautiful . It looks amazing on it's own or paired with any number of other shadows or liners. It flashes silver, grey, taupe , gold and looks like liquid metal. Hard to describe and very unique. One I reach for all the time. ( Gold shown in image)


As for last year's list, just in case you were wondering, I am still very enamored of those as well . Bobbi Brown Glitter Balms , and MAC Tendertones are among others could easily have made this list again.
Full list from 2008:

Jumat, 09 Januari 2009

2008 Favorite Things


Thanks to great blogger Grayburn( over in the Netherlands) for putting together the Favorites posts this year. A number of bloggers have joined together and will all be posting today. A full list will be at the end of this post.

Some of these will be ones I have reviewed before , a few are new. I will try to include links back to the original review in case you are interested( Right now they aren't working. Will try to fix that) Also, let me say, it's hard to pick the favorites as I really liked much of what I tried/used. So these are the very tops.

Please add in the comments what some of your favorites were. I love lists like that and there are so many choices and opinions out there.


-Favorites 2008-

-MAC Tendertones- makes the list again this year. New shades, same great balm. Color, tons of moisture, a little gloss. If only they came in a tube, could it be better.


-Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Balms- I didn't think anything could sway me from my Tendertone love, but these are up there with them. My eyes lit up when I found out there would be a bronzy lip balm. You hardly ever see that. Copper Bronze is so beautiful, it's perfect. A warm , not too dark, but definitely there, golden brown with plenty of shimmer. Not only that but it moisturizes in a big way, and the color and moisture last really long. It's unusual to get long color out of a balm. It will wear down some but still be there for hours. I use this instead of lipstick a lot. Again, if only it was in a stick, but I'll take what I can get. The Pink and Clear versions are nice too.Review Here

- Biotherm Multi Recharge Energizing Eye Care serum- something that didn't make it to a regular review, but I wanted to. A great light serum. Sinks in fast and is so refreshing and slightly cooling. It only gives a little moisture but does firm and just feels so good after a long day or first thing in morning. Peps up and soothes the eye area and has mother of pearl for brightening.

- Chanel Beige perfume- Chanel managed to give us one of the best this year, or any. Beige went straight to the top of my favorite perfumes ever list and if you saw my collection, you'd know that was major. I always have a hard time describing it, but lets say it's a bit floral, a hint of honey and barely there warm woods . It's just beautiful, thats all. This is my favorite of the year in beauty period. Review Here

- By Kilian Prelude To Love - Another gorgeous scent. This one is all citrus and a little floral. Zesty and wonderful. My new favorite By Kilian. Review Here

- The Body Shop Cranberry Body Butter- ok this isn't new, but it sort of is. No more parabens . I had stopped using the butters for awhile as I wished they were paraben free. Now they are and I am back in love with my most favorite Cranberry butter. The smell is a bit different from when I last used it and it's pink now instead of of white, but it still is awesome smelling and moisturizing. Glad to be back together with it.

- Sebastian Liquid Steel Styling Gel- another product thats been on the "to post" list. My all time favorite hair gel ever was Sebastian Control Top. This is their newer gel and it's pretty darn good too. Serious hold and styling ability. No grease, wax or shine. The name says it all.

-L'Oreal Beauty Tubes mascara- mascara that never ever runs, or smudges, stays put all day & night. Lengthens in a big way , even adds some volume. Honorable mention to Estee Lauder TurboLash- truly fabulous, super long lashes and long wearing.

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate-
this is a release from last year but it made tops this year as I used it all summer and fall. A fab product for people like me who have super oily skin especially in hot,humid summers. About the only thing I can put on my face in summer. Makes skin glowy and smooth and because it's a gel serum, it feels cool going on. I tend to love this whole line so wondering if the new body version will make next years tops? About to test it shortly.

-Eve Lom Cuticle Cream- Best stuff I have used. My nails look so shiny . They are also stronger and the cuticle and area around the nails is staying more moisturized. A tiny bit does several nails . It just works. Review Here

- MAC Pearlglide eyeliners- Oh the colors. Bankroll and Rave, swoon. Wolf is great too. I can't use these enough but don't want to wear them down either . You want fast color with no effort , grab one . They go on smooth, creamy, and shimmery. I want them all and in backups. Too bad they were LE, but some counters have a few left. I only bought Wolf a few weeks ago.

-Lady Caron Parfum- A longtime fan of Lady Caron in EDP( thanks to Blogdorf Goodman contributor Cavewoman), I tried the pure parfum recently. It was mind altering. There is nothing like pure parfum in general, and this was just glorious white florals. Not loud, but stunning.

-Biotherm Eau Pure Body Spray/Fragrance- the second Biotherm on the list. I don't think many summer days went by when I didn't spray this on. Refreshing citrus , immediately uplifting on a hot day.Review Here

- Nixie Large Fan Brush- Do I use this brush a lot? No. Do I love it? Yes. It's just the coolest and it is wonderful for bronzers and Mineralize Skinfinishs from MAC. Great quality and fun.

Senin, 31 Desember 2007

Tops of 2007



Annie over at Blogdorf Goodman has organized her annual end of the year “ Best “ lists from fellow bloggers. I am happy to be here for my first year. Many of my favs are ones that I have reviewed in past posts, but at least you know I really do like/use what I talk about and review. The list tends to be fragrance heavy as well, but many good ones hits the stores this year. It is also not in any particular order.
Feel free to weigh in with your “ Best Ofs “, and Happy New Year.




Guerlain Iris Ganache- My favorite release of the year I think. Guerlain had some great releases, and this one I splurged on. Cool , crisp and ever so slightly gourmand. The ganache note is just the right touch of chocolate. Not heavy or cloying, but more pastry like. It blends with the chilled iris and lasts super long. Honorable mention goes to the company’s Spiriteuse Double Vanille, a stunning warm , smoky vanilla. I don’t normally go for vanilla, and the tobacco note is hard for me to like, but all together this is one winner.

Couvent des Minimes Hand Cream- At last years after Christmas sale at Bath and Body Works I got a tube of this. I had already gotten the gift set for 2 people. The holiday scent was orange cinnamon so I had to have it. I love it,as did every gift recipient. I think it’s even better than the original L’Occitane which this seems to be a copy of. Really rich but not greasy, it sinks in, smells wonderful and really gets the job done. I have since gotten backups in the Honey Lemon scent. At the sale this year they are in the 75% off bin and sell for 1.10. Well worth it, and since I think they may be being discontinued, stock up while you can.



Maybelline Superstay Silky Foundation- If someone had told me that I would try a Maybelline foundation, a non oil free one no less, and that it would turn out to be so good and make my skin look so perfected that people would tell me how good I looked, I would never have believed it. (Not that I have a bias against drugstore brands, I am a huge fan of L’Oreal Foundations). Maybelline has done some decent ones in the past but none have overwhelmed me until now. Superstay Silky is a base and foundation 2 part-er that comes out together. Sometimes I don’t even use the primer side, but either way my skin looks great, completely covered and not too heavily made up.

Nioxin Shampoo- I never thought I needed a specialized shampoo. I have easy to deal with hair, but after trying this I was amazed at how much better my hair looked, styled and most of all held on to color. They tell you this line is made for colcor rentention, and I never knew what a difference there was until I used this. Even my hairdresser noted how long the color lasted compared to previous times.

Mac Tendertones- MAC came out with a lot of goodies this year, and many are favs, but to pick one would be Tendertones. I have Purring, which has a just there orange tint, full of shine and some shimmer. Best of all they really moisturize. I love a good lip conditioner and these totally fit the bill. They have it all in one, and I think would be the only lip product you would need if, say, you found yourself in Aspen or Telluride, ready for skiing or sleighriding wrapped up in your shearling. Not that I’ll be there. Sounds good though, doesn’t it? . At least I do have a shearling and a sleigh.


By Kilian- one of the best perfume lines launched recently. Some have been put off by the pretentious sounding PR copy on the website, but forget all that. Kilian Hennessey is totally unlike that in person. He is very nice, and super informed about all things perfume. His line of six scents is fun, unique, sophisticated and smells great. Beyond Love is my favorite, a creamy tuberose with a hint of animalic notes that are barely perceptible.


Parfums MDCI- The best of the new releases, edging By Kilian just a bit. What a year to have 2 great French perfumes lines introduced and to have been fortunate to meet both Frenchman behind them. Claude Marchal is totally charming, and really wants people to love his perfume. His bottles are hand created works of art, and the fragrances within, worthy of the bottles. These say Tres Chic all the way. My favorite of the 3 is Rose de Siwa, I feel so elegant when wearing this.

Estee Lauder Signature Lipstick- It isn’t always easy to put a new spin on lipstick. Estee Lauder this year did it well. The new lipsticks are full coverage, super creamy and come in a wide choice of colors. They also have a very old school pretty case that has some good weight in your hand. Everyone I know who has tried them loves them.


Clarins Color Quench Balm- Hands down the best moisture giving, color depositing gloss/balm. Not new, but it was to me, as I got with a gift card after Christmas last year. Loaded with shea butter, it is super soft and creamy on, and will keep your lips moist all day, all winter. The line is also rich color drenched. You can get pale shades, as well as reds, oranges, and nice neutral browns like mine. At last a lipgloss that does it all. The color lasts long, and it has a great fruity scent.

Neil Morris’ Dark Season Perfume. This one makes it in under the gun, as I just got a sample this week. A winter comfort scent containing balsam fir needle, cinnamon, dark vanilla, myrrh and more. Inspired by a winter in Finland, with outdoors-y and indoors warm notes.


Johnson & Johnson Soothing Naturals Soothe and Protect Balm- a convenient stick that can be used on lips, hands etc. Great for when you don't want to apply hand lotion all over i.e after you just did your nails.

Clinique Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift Firming Cream- at last an anti-aging product that I can use all the time and not break out from as it comes in a version for combination oily-oily skin. I get the anti-aging benefits and some moisture but just a little. Perfect. It really does firm, and make the skin look good. My number 1 skin product right now.


Here's the list of the fellow bloggers who are joining in giving us their Best Of Lists. Take a look and see what we all loved in beauty this year.


  • 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic
  • Afrobella
  • All About The Pretty
  • All Lacquered Up
  • Beauty 411
  • Beauty Blogging Junkie
  • Beauty Talk
  • Beautiful Makeup Search
  • Beauty Hatchery
  • Beauty Jones
  • Blogdorf Goodman
  • Canadian Beauty
  • C'est Chic
  • Coquette
  • eBeautyDaily
  • For The Love of Beauty
  • Give Me Your Eyes I Need Sunshine
  • Getting Amped
  • Grayburn
  • HauteMommaStuff
  • Koneko's Beauty Diary
  • Makeup Bag
  • The Makeup Girl
  • Miss Whoever You Are
  • My Life,My Words,My Mind
  • Legerdenez
  • Perfumista
  • Periodic Style
  • Platinum Blonde Life
  • Product Girl
  • Shop Diary
  • Slap of the Day
  • Steeping Beauty
  • The Beauty Alchemist
  • The Daily Obsession
  • The Life Of A Ladybug
  • The Non-Blonde
  • Urbane Girl
  • Victoria's Own
  • We Love Beauty

  • Thanks Annie for putting this together .