2012 Favorites

Hi everyone! 

This year went by. so. fast. It feels like yesterday I was heading off to Washington DC, but that was MONTHS ago! This year has brought many challenges and blessings, but I am so excited to see what 2013 has in store! 

While traipsing on my adventures this year, I tended to gravitate to certain products. If you want to see ALL of my favorites from 2012, you can click on my favorites posts in the archive to the right. However, if you want the sparknotes version, then keep reading! 

I really fell in love with cheek products this year. I used to think that I couldn't wear blush because I do tend to get red in the cheek. However, I learned that as long as I choose the right shade, I most certainly can wear blush! My favorites that I have definitely harped on about enough this year are the Benefit Coralista Blush and the Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera*. These are a peachy-coral color that looks great no matter the weather. I don't think I've ever been without them since getting them, and I definitely tote them with me wherever I go! For bronzer this year, I've been loving the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer*. It's the perfect color for using all over my face as a bronzer, or to use in the hollows of my cheeks as a contour. Since I'm all for products doing double-duty, this Too Faced bronzer takes the prize this year. 

For eye products, I've been loving my Too Faced Natural Eye Palette. I love taking this traveling with me, because it has the perfect number of shades, and they're all really pigmented and last forever. It's definitely a good buy if you're looking for a new neutral palette! While the Too Faced is my favorite palette, I've definitely been loving the Loreal Infallible Shadows this year too! These are hands down the best drugstore eye shadows I have ever tried. In fact, I will even venture out on a limb here and say that I like these eye shadows more than most of my higher-end shadows! I definitely want to get more shades of these, as I have definitely already gotten my money's worth out of them! 

For mascara, I loved the Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara (not pictured). I'm a huge fan of drug store mascaras, so I wasn't particularly surprised that this one ended up being my favorite. Last Blast is a great mascara for everyday, while also being awesome for nights out. I like that I don't need multiple mascaras for different events with this product, and most importantly I love how it makes my lashes look! This really helps my lashes separate while pumping up the volume at the same time. 

Last but not least, we have come to eyeliner. While I'm a huge fan of the Urban Decay liners, I definitely used this Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner* more. This is a great black liner that stays put throughout the day on the upper and lower lash lines. Bonus: you don't need a sharpener because it twists up!

I think most of these face and lip products are no surprise if you've read my blog this year. I feel like these have been featured in every other post! Since I've already raved about these products loads this year, I'll keep it relatively short. My favorite foundation has definitely been the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup in Nude 40. This matches my skin perfectly in the winter, and can blend into my skin during the summer with a little bronzer. It provides a light-medium coverage that looks totally natural on my skin. To go with the foundation, I've been loving the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Brightener*. This pink-toned under eye concealer helps brighten my under eye area and keeps my looking awake! 

Now, to slap on all this makeup I've been loving the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and the Sigma E40 brush. Both of these blend in my makeup seamlessly and effortlessly. I love using the Buffing Brush for foundation, concealer, cream blush, or bronzer; the E40 is great for eye shadows and cheek highlights. These brushes definitely shave off minutes from my morning routine! 

And last, but not least, we get to lip products! My favorite balm this year has definitely been the Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter. This is a great balm for moisturizing my lips while also providing a hint of color to brighten my face. If I want something more, then I'll reach for the MAC Viva Glam V lipstick or the Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait. These are great lip colors that look natural, but polished :D

What have you been loving this year?

XO,

Kelly