Crystal Says: 2011′s Greatest Hits in Beauty
Here’s to a new year! I’m beyond excited to see what innovative goodies our favorite beauty brands will be bringing us in 2012. Looking back, last year was when the nail industry caught fire. Though some products and trends already existed, brands made them cool again with inspired collections, bringing them to the front of our minds.
And I loved every moment of it. After blogging about some truly great products in 2011, I wanted to highlight some of my favorites. Some may not have been released then, but that’s when I discovered them, which is really what beauty is about. Discovering yourself and rediscovering yourself with some indulgence in the aesthetic side of life.
The Lorac Ooh La Lace Palette wins for most versatile eyeshadow palette in my book. I frequented it so much I never bothered to put it away where my other makeup is organized. The gorgeous, pigmented colors and even mix of matte and shimmery shades ensures that it’s a classic here to stay.
I didn’t know it would happen, but the Maybelline the Falsies Mascara holds the place for my holy grail mascara. It’s been a permanent fixture in my makeup bag and actually gets better with age! Curl, length, and just enough volume to make me a happy camper in the lash department.
The Inglot AMC Lipgloss in 541 is so bizarre and unique that I have to include it on this list. The fluorescent color glows and transforms into a lovely fuchsia shade on the lips with just the right amount of purple and blue to keep things interesting. The fruity scent and taste is just the icing on the cake.
Even if I tried I couldn’t complain about the Wet ‘n’ Wild Color Icon Eye Shadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells. Beautiful neutrals for less than the cost of a Starbucks drink? One order please! If I’m in a dash to get out the door, a one minute eye look is made possible thanks to this indispensable steal.
I thought I’d have to live my entire life setting liquid eyeliner with eyeshadow to keep it from smudging after a few hours. The Lorac Front of the Line Pro proved me wrong. Inky black, any lines I draw on stay put until I want them off. The thin, tapered brush is perfect for achieving a multitude of looks and getting into each corner.
I realized that I love almost all of Tarte’s Amazonian Clay products but, the Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner takes the cake. The Black hue is darker than any other (yes, even Urban Decay’s Perversion!) and it stays on without losing vibrancy the longest. New colors for 2012 pretty please?
From the time I reviewed the Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer, I still haven’t finished the bottle yet my morning skin looks better than ever. The SPF 30 is a rarity with lightweight daytime moisturizers in the drugstore market, and the other skin-prettifying ingredients smell good!
A special gift from my little sister, the Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Across the Universe was my first Lippmann polish. Since then I’ve acquired two more bottles, but neither are as stunning as this. Sequin glitter only makes the navy and mermaid green colors that much more beautiful.
What were your favorite beauty discoveries from 2011? What do you hope companies will bring to the markets in 2012?
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On January 1st, 2012 Erin O'Brien said:
LOVED your 2011 round-up! I wish I would have seen your Falsies review before I purchased mascara the other day; next time!
On January 1st, 2012 Crystal said:
Thanks Erin O’Brien!
The Falsies Mascara is amazing, definitely a must-try. The other day my sister actually asked me if I was wearing false lashes, which never happens to me with other mascaras!