Thursday 24 January 2013

My 2012 Favourites

     Despite it nearly being February already, at the end of December I vowed to write a post on my favourite beauty products of 2012, so after much procrastination and general busy-bodying after my return to England, here it is. 

     (I've even tried to be creative with the pictures, causing some numb fingers!)


      Firstly, I wrote about the infamous Nars Laguna bronzer in my very first post, after hearing so much hype about it. I can confirm that, everyone can believe the hype with this one.
It's the perfect pick-me-up bronzer as it makes you appear tanned and glowing, rather than orange, like some bronzers.
You can buy Nars Laguna here.

     The Maybelline 'Fit' foundation was a total impulse purchase and accidental buy if I'm honest. My friend Natasha and I were doing our weekly food shop in Kroger, in Memphis when we came across the reduced section. I found this little beauty for two dollars, when there was nothing wrong with it at all. 
    Luckily it was the perfect shade for me, and I find it to have great coverage with my spot prone skin, without looking too matte.
     You can buy the foundation here. (Unfortunately not as cheap as when I bought it!)

     The Estee Lauder Michael Kors blush/bronzer was actually part of a free gift from Estee Lauder. The gift included a gorgeous Michael Kors makeup bag, complete with the obligatory 'MK' gold key chain. Other items were a lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner and nail polish.      Definitely the best free gift I've ever had!
      With this compact, you can either sweep all the colours together to create a warm glow, or simply use one of the colours to achieve a more definitive look.
     At the moment, I'm using the darkest colour on the apples of my cheeks.
     I can imagine this product being very pricey if it were sold alone!

     Once again, I've already written about the Clinique quickliner for eyes but I absolutely love it. It certainly isn't the cheapest eyeliner ever but it's so pigmented which is what I look for in an eyeliner. 
     You can purchase the quickliner here.

Now for the lips!

     Since I bought 'Rebel' by MAC a few months ago, it has become my fail-safe lipstick to carry around in my bag. Despite it being quite dark in the tube, it comes out lighter on the lips and I think you can wear it during the day or for a night out. The berry/plum colour is perfect for the cooler months of the year. I even wrote an article about it, amongst other things, which you can read here!

      The bright red beauty in the gorgeous gold packaging is a lipstick that was part of the Estee Lauder Michael Kors giveaway. It's packed with vitamins so it keeps your lips super soft and nourished. For a red lip, it has great staying power, although it is quite glossy when applied.
     I reserve this lipstick for special occassions only, as I don't want it to run out!

     Last but not least, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain. I was a bit dubious about these balm stains because I tried one on the lighter coloured ones on the back of my hand a while ago and just thought it looked like very faded lipstick.
     However, this one (Crush 005) is a lovely plum shade, much like 'Rebel' and moisturises my lips a treat.    

Does anyone have any fave products of 2012 that I should be coveting?!