There is a long list of new discoveries I’ve fallen in love with this year. Many were thanks to other bloggers (thank you for your inspiration). It’s been a challenging year for me in my non-blogging work life. Thanks to many of you for keeping me inspired and for your never ending support. For my top picks, this year’s favorites include the following:
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No. 1 – Best Splurge – Tom Ford Beauty Brushes
After reading numerous raves, I decided to purchase the Tom Ford Brush Set. It was a hefty investment but the brushes are well designed with an ultra-soft luxurious feel. The performance is simply amazing with makeup application. You have to try it to believe it. I have a detailed review on the Eye Contour Brush #12. The two others eye brushes I’ve acquired since then are equally amazing and while they were insanely expensive, the performance of these cannot be matched. I would say start with the Eye Shadow Brush #11, Eye Contour Brush #12 and Blush Brush #06 if you’re new to his brush line.
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No. 2 Best Beauty Collection – Tom Ford Fall 2012
Since Tom Ford launched his beauty line, I mainly fell in love with his lipsticks and blushes. I felt the rest of the line was just ok. The quads were either too glitzy or glittery, nail polishes were thin and inconsistent in formula/pigment, liners seemed basic. However something happened with the fall line. I saw a significant improvement in texture and pigment with the metallic nail polishes in Dominatrix and Minx along with the Enchanted quad. Narcissist blush was as amazing as expected – a gorgeous hot pink.
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No. 3 Best Cheek Products – Chanel Rose Initiale and Lumière d’Artifices Beiges
The prettiest neutrals for cheeks this year (for me) came from Chanel’s Fall 2012 collection. Rose Initiale is a soft yet healthy neutral pink. The Beiges highlighter gave my complexion a natural glow. A more detailed review linked here.
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No. 4 Best Lipsticks – Burberry Beauty
The best and most-used lipsticks for me this year were from Burberry Beauty. They have the most naturally flattering colors. It’s nearly impossible for me to pick out favorites as I adore most of the colors. My top three most-used were Rosewood, Cameo Pink and Field Rose (a few swatches here and here). I also tried a few of their lip velvets but did not have time to review. The colors are richly pigmented and texture is smooth but not dry like the name “velvet” might imply. (Great swatches on Café Makeup and Kais Obsessions.)
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No. 5 Best Eye Base – Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base
I was lucky to test a prototype of Edward’s Eye Base at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills in April 2011. I waited a year before I was able to buy the actual product. Edward Bess’s Illuminating Eye Base is by far the best eye base I’ve tried. I alternate between two shades in Dune (lighter matte) and Suede (a darker satiny color). They help shadows stay put. They even out the lids. And the best for me is that they don’t dry my lids like most other bases do. They are swatched here.
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No. 6 Favorite Palettes – Le Métier de Beauté
As time goes by, I fall more and more in love with Le Métier de Beauté’s Eyeshadow Formula. Their Eye Kaleidoscopes are just breathtaking and the color combinations pure genius. I love the smooth pigmented formula that layers and blends so well. Nouvelle Vague is unique and the delicate pink shades combined with the darkest black creates a sultry eye. Bauhaus is yet another beauty that I love. I hope more kits come out and that they are made more widely available.
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No. 7 Favorite Home Fragrance – Diptyque Candles
There a number of candles I love, but this year Diptyque won my heart. I love that their candles double as lovely brush or pen holders once finished. See them here too.
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No. 8 Favorite Color Theme – Coral
The most-frequently worn color for me this year was coral. My favorite coral was Chanel Distraction. See the color focus series here.
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No. 9 Nail Polishes – Chanel
Chanel still wins best nail polish category for me in terms of color selection, pigment, consistency and quality. My favorite colors this year (swatches linked): Island, Distraction, Malice, Accessoire and Delight.
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No. 10 Top Three Favorite Staples – NARS, Dolce and Gabbana and Edward Bess
The top three beauty things I couldn’t live without this year: Edward Bess’s Daydream Bronzing Powder (the original one, already hit pan on one), Dolce and Gabbana’s Powder Foundation in Warm 100, and NARS Volumizing Mascara. These are things I’ve repurchased.
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In addition, a few reflections I’ve enjoyed reading that I wanted to share:
What were your top picks this past year? I’d love to hear what made your favorites list!
