Best of Beauty: My Favourite Products of 2011.

December 23, 2011 | 13 Responses

Out of the many products that I tried this year, here are the 9 that have stolen my heart forever (in no particular order). Links lead to the products’ corresponding reviews.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora is the first Dior makeup I ever bought, and is still my favourite bronzer to this day. Let’s hope they come out with another great one next summer. (Limited Edition for Summer 2011)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush gets a lot of rave reviews and for good reason. I recently added Exposed to my stash and my friends agree that it is a universally flattering blush.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast is my first line of defence against under eye circles every. single. day. It is life changing.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara is my favourite mascara of the year. I recommend it to everyone.

Lise Watier Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Quad in Équinoxe + Métamorfix Liquid Transformer was the best makeup palette/set I tried this year. The colours and performance are unparalleled. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani in Rouge 406 is a beautiful red lipstick and the formula is divine. I try a lot of lipsticks and think that the Rouge d’Armani is one of the best. I must try more colours next year. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil is one product I can’t stop raving about. What can I say; I just love it so much! This one isn’t new; it’s a classic that I got to finally try this year.

Velour Lashes in You Complete Me gives me Bambi eyes. That is all.

THANN Jasmine Blossom Set is a staple in my bathroom. I just can’t get enough.

What are your favourite beauty products of 2011?

FOTD: Craving Colour.

July 17, 2011 | 40 Responses

Pin it

I love a good colourful look to celebrate summer. Today I was inspired by Lisa Eldridge’s new video Beach Brights to take my bright eyeshadows for a spin. At first I thought I’d just do a bright eyeliner, but as you can see, I kinda went colour crazy. It’s the first time I’m trying a teal and purple combo, and I think it works well. I also wanted to show off Chanel Rouge Coco in Jersey Rose (thanks H. of 25fLONDON!), which is my go-to lipstick this summer. Enjoy the look!

Swatches (from left): Sleek Chaos i-Divine Palette Eyeshadows in Teal, Sea Green, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Auraline Bright Violet, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, build up the colour by patting on a bright teal (Sleek Chaos i-Divine Palette) all over the lid and on the lower lash line. Blend the colour into the crease, then apply a medium brown on the crease. Deepen the outer crease by adding a dark brown. On the outer lid, blend in a vibrant purple (Auraline Bright Violet) and the outer third of the lower lash line. Highlight the brow bone and inner corners with a light peach (MAC Arena).

Line the upper lash line with a black gel liner (MAC Blacktrack), and the waterlines with a black pencil liner (Giorgio Armani waterproof). Apply your favourite mascara (CoverGirl Lash Blast).

For the cheeks, lightly bronze all over the high points of the face with a peachy pink bronzer (Dior Aurora). Then, on the apples of the cheeks, apply a light dusting of a shimmery peachy pink blush (NARS Deep Throat).

For the lips, apply a warm rosy pink lipstick (Chanel Jersey Rose). Add a shimmery lip gloss on top (Chanel Maline).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

Click here to see more pictures!

What True Love Looks Like: Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora.

July 10, 2011 | 26 Responses

Pin it

It’s not often that a product gets a re-post in my blog, so if it does, you know that I have found true love. I wrote about Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow in Aurora almost two months ago, and since then our love has flourished into a beautiful thing. Yes, I’m still talking about a bronzer.

Brand new Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora, from May 2011

This isn’t a case of love at first sight, unlike many of my luxury brand buys (this Chanel blush for example, needs to get more sweet lovin’ from me). We’ve been seeing each other everyday, and what we have is real. Here is Aurora now, in all his thoroughly loved glory.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora, July 2011

Now that I have an early summer tan (NC40-ish), I still wear Aurora all over the high points of my face for a subtle glow and highlight. Because it has a dip in the pan now after a short time, I’m wondering if I should get a backup. It scares me to think that I might hit pan this year.

Do You Have Any Recent Buys That Have Quickly Made Your Holy Grail of Products?

Please, pretty please, let me know. I’d hate to miss out on a good thing.