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Here is a list of my HOLY GRAIL Products for 2012
Favorite Makeup Brushes
I have more
e.l.f. Studio brushes than any other brand.
I do have some
MAC Special Edition brushes and a 217 from their permanent line.
I plan to invest in
Sonia Kashuk in 2013.
Skin Care Products
I got a deluxe sample of
MURAD Resurgence Sheer Luster Day Lotion with SPF 15 from
Sephora.
This had to be the best moisturizer I used in 2012. I do plan to purchase the full size of this item!
I got so many compliments on my skin when I used this product! I LOVE IT!
I neglected my
Clairisonic Mia in 2012. I did however continue to use my microfiber washcloths.
I did not use my
African Black Soap as much as last year. My most reached for cleanser was
Philosphy's Purity Made Simple. My favorite Makeup Removing Cloths were from
Neutrogena.
Face Primer
Black Radiance Complexion Perfection Shine Control Primer - Affordable, Easily Accessible
Milk of Magnesia for my oily nose.
Eyeshadow Primer
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer - Although this is expensive, it gives me all day staying power, makes colors pop and does not crease, despite my super oily lids!
Favorite Corrective Concealer
LORAC Cover Up C7. This was the solution to my dark undereye circles. It is a bit pricey but I DO plan to repurchase this!
Favorite Foundation
My favorite foundation for 2012 is
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light. I wear the shade Intensity 3. Although I despise the packaging and it is rather pricey for the small amount of product,
it is the BEST match for my complexion. It has wonderful staying power. I cannot say enough good things about this product!
Favorite Eyeshadow
I wore more neutral eyeshadow looks during 2012. This was partially because I started a new job. Neutral eyeshadow is the quickest go to look for me. I also focused on building my staple neutral single eyeshadows from
MAC this year. New editions to the family include FOLIE, BROWN SCRIPT, and SADDLE.
I tried to use my
Wet N Wild Vanity Palette as sparingly as possible as I only have the one and it is no longer available for purchase. I added Urban Decay's NAKED 2 Palette and LORAC Pro Palette to my collection.
Favorite Eyeshadow Highlight
My most reached for eyeshadow highlights this year were
Urban Decay's FOXY and
L'Oreal HiP Loose Pigment in Restless.
Favorite Brow Products
I was disappointed that
Maybelline decided to discontinue the Define A Brow Pencil in DARKEST BROWN. Two of my friends who live out of my state were able to snag several of these from Dollar Tree.
When we find a HOLY GRAIL product, we hate change. I hope that Maybelline reconsiders their decision.
I used
MAC Studio Finish Concealers for my Brow Highlights.
Favorite Mascara
Maybelline the COLOSSAL. They had better not ever discontinue this formula.
Favorite Lipstick Finish - Matte
I have been obsessed with matte lipsticks. My favorite brands have been
Revlon - Great pigmentation, matte, but not drying at all.
Wet N Wild Megalast - Markwins finally heard our complaints about the lack of name labelling on their lipsticks. The new Megalast Lipsticks have the name on the bottom.
Aside from
Wet N Wild Megalast lipsticks,
MAC got most of my money for 2012. Their having released so many limited edition lipsticks almost had me in the poor house.
Favorite Blush - NARS and
La Femme top my list for the most pigmented and reached for blushes of 2012. Although I have enough blush PERIOD, I do want to purchase a couple of La Femme blushes in 2013.
Favorite Nail Products
I upgraded my organization from shoe boxes to acrylic wall organizers.
This was a huge help as I can now see all of my colors at a glance instead of rifling through boxes and neglecting colors. Despite my having painted my nails less in 2012 than in 2011. I attribute the decreased manicures to not making the time to do them. Working at my job has cut in to my beauty time. I seemed to gravitate more towards
Sinful Colors than any other brand this past year. I did step up my game and invest in a few
China Glaze Wish List colors. My favorite finish is cream. My Favorite top coat is Seche Vite. My favorite Nail Polish Blog is
nailsbeautiqued. The Lovely Blog Author says that "Nail Polish is something every lady should have time for." During 2013 I plan to branch out into other brands such as
American Apparel,
essie and
OPI.
Favorite Makeup Organizers.
Hands down,
MUJI gets my vote for the #1 organizer of makeup products for 2012. I was OBSESSED with acquiring these acrylic drawers! I love them because I was able to customize my organization.
I have been eyeing the
ediva Princess. Stay tuned for future updates.
Favorite Beauty Trend
Despite my desire to not give more of a spotlight than necessary to the Kardashian family, I will have to say that my favorite beauty trend of 2012 is the Kim Kardashian Highlight. It adds a youthful lift and light to the face.This is credited to her makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic.
Favorite Hair
I would love to be able to say that my favorite hair for 2012 was MY OWN. *laughing*
However, I focused on the convenience of human hair wigs for protective styling until I am comfortable with the length of my natural hair. I was OBSESSED with short wigs during 2012. No hassle, no tangles, no glue, no tape are the reasons for this choice. My favorite wig for 2012 has to be Sensationnel FAB FRINGE.
I am on the fence about buying the same wig with highlights (Autumn). However I am dedicated to NOT purchasing more wigs for 2013. I do want to loc my hair. I have been toying with the idea of Sister Locks for about 2 years now. The cost is somewhat prohibitive. However I am still weighing my options.
Favorite Lip Gloss - Milani 3D Lipglass. This is the best dupe ever for
MAC Dazzleglass.
Favorite Eyeliner - Revlon ColorStay is my liner pencil of choice. The black seems darker than
Urban Decay ZERO and is more affordable. It stays put!
Wet N Wild H20 Liquid Liner was my most reached for liner as well.
Favorite Body Lotion - Korres Body Butters
Favorite Fashion Trends
Skinny Leg Pants. Prior to this year, I did not own very many pairs of pants. I love the look and feel of dresses and skirts. At my new job, I incorporated pants into my wardrobe. I found skinny legs to be my favorite cut.
Animal print will continue to be one of my favorite fashion trends.
Did you share some of my favorites for 2012?
If you are so inclined, please do share in the comments.
