Favourite Products of 2011

I cannot believe that it's already midway through January 2012.  It seems that 2011 passed by in the wink of an eye.  I hardly remember what I did and when I did it.  It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating NYE 2011 with my girls.  Talk about fast.  I admit that a lot of things happened in 2011 though.  That being said, I think I've grown up some and though I'm still searching to find myself and what inspires me, I found a lot of things that I liked over the last year.  So without further ado, here are my favourites of 2011!

Disclaimer: all products mention were purchased by me with my own money unless otherwise stated.

1. Make Up Forever HD Foundation (#140)
As in my December favourites, this has been my HG foundation for most of - if not all of 2011.  I love this foundation and it applies beautifully with most of the brushes I use, or even my fingers.  Not much more to say abou this - if you would like a full review on this product, please leave a comment telling me so!

2. Make Up Forever Full Cover Concealer (#7)
I purchased this in the summer of 2011 and have loved it since.  This is one of my favourite concealers to cover up any dark pigmentation, scars or red marks on my skin.  It has amazing coverage - full coverage as it's name implies.  It is also waterproof - and yes it does take makeup remover wipes to get completely off.  It has a very thick consistency and dries relatively fast.  I apply this with either my fingers or my new sigma P80 brush.

3. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (#25)
This is my everyday concealer.  Relatively inexpensive (I usually buy it in the states or when it is on sale).  It matches my natural skin tone quite perfectly - with a little blending.  It has a very smooth creamy consistency.  It is not watery or thick but a nice light texture to it.  It blends easily with fingers or a concealer brush.  I use this to lightly cover spots on my face or under eye circles on a more regular basis - instead of using foundation.  Love this stuff.

4. Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration SuperKeratin Spray (Heat Protectant)
At the beginning of the year, I though it would be a good idea to dye my hair completely black - which it hasn't been since I was a little girl as I've always had natural highlights.  Needless to say, I fried my hair. As I have a relatively oily scalp, I was looking for a light leave in conditioner that I could put in my hair right up to the roots.  I came across this at the drugstore and it was on sale for $3.  I decided for the low price, I could give it a go.  Well, it quickly became a favourite of mine - I am now on my second bottle.  A few quick sprays all over damp hair before styling or air drying helped restore my hair to its healthy, shiny state.  It is light weight and doesn't have too much of a scent to it.  I'm not sure how good it is as a heat protectant as I always use another on top of this, but it did wonders to my fried roots without weighing my fine hair down.


5. Naked Palette by Urban Decay
What can I say about this palette?  Since I got my hands on it - a few months after it came out, it has been my go-to palette.  There is a nice variety of neutral colours (which are more along the warmer-taupe end) as well as 2 matte browns that I always use for blending.  It works perfectly for travel - light weight and compact.  Nothing I really dislike about this palette except for the glitter fallout from the colour 'Sidecar' - which I still love as an all over eyelid colour.  The amount of fall out is not nearly enough to make me dislike this Palette in anyway.  As always, UD created amazing shadows with great pigmentation.

6. Fresh: Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Rosé

My all time HG tinted lip balm.  These are super moisturizing, go on effortlessly and actually leave colour on your lips that are along the lines of a luster lipstick.  I love how this one smells like roses and makes my lips feel so soft and supple after application.  I have used this for over a year now and love it.  It comes in a nice metal lipstick tube that is very durable albeit a little bulky.  The other colours I have are: Passion (which is a red - and new), Plum, Honey (a neutral), and the clear Lip treatment.  There is also a new Intense Lip Treatment as well.  The only downfall? The price.  I am on my 3rd tube of this - having it always in my purse, and they cost around $25 each.  Expensive but so worth it.  I LOVE these.

7. Daisy Perfume/Eau de Toilette by Marc Jacobs
I am not a huge scent girl, but I love smelling pretty and do have a small collection of small perfume bottles - mostly from friends.  I love this scent.  It is on the heavier side of florals but it is still light and fruity and floral.  I love how this smells on, this is the perfect all year scent to me as it is - in it's parfume form - a little heavier and yet in it's Eau de Toilette form or Eau So Fresh form - lighter and more appropriate for spring and summer.  It is my perfect classy, elegant and fun scent.  It's one of those scents I always go back to.

8. Tarte Amazonian 24-hr/long-wear Clay Blush
I currently own this formula of blush in Tipsy (a bright coral) and Exposed (a nude).  I adore these,  I do own other blushes but these are always out on my counter.  They never let me down.  With my combo-oily skin, I don't expect the average blush to last more than 5 hours on my cheeks - on the best of days.  These, however, last a good 8 or more hours without fading.  I adore how pigmented they are, a little goes a long way and how the colours seem to be so universally flattering.   I like to apply this with my eco tools blush brush or my sigma F40.  Hands down, this is my HG blush.


9. Co. Bigelow Metha Lip Tint in Magenta Mint 
Being a lip product kind of girl, this comes as no surprise to me.  I have used up 2 full tubes of this this year.  I'm on my 3rd!  I use this stuff like clear lip balm.  I love mint and this minty lip gloss is no exception.  I love wearing this when I'm wearing nothing but lip gloss and mascara to days where I am wearing no make up to days when I'm all decked out.  This is without fail, always in my purse.  I tend to reach for this the most if I want a quick 'pick-me-up' and pop of colour.   It's a brighter pink but because it's sheer, gives a beautiful wash of colour to my lips and the peppermint instantly makes me feel more awake.  I cannot live without this stuff.  If you're looking for this, it can be found at Bath and Body Works.

credit to 'beautyscribbler.com' for the photo

10. Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black
What I love about this eyeliner is that it has a fine BRUSH tip that looks like a felt.  It creates everything from thin lines to thicker more dramatic winged eyeliner.  I have no idea if this has actually made my lashes any longer but I still love the packaging and formula.  It could be thicker and darker, but for what I can easily get my hands on, this has been my favourite everyday liquid liner.  It is easy to apply and toss in my bag if I need a touch up.  I would love to try the dolly wink eyeliner if I can ever find it.  But this works for the cause and is affordable and thus great for the price.


11. Slatkin & Co. Candles from Bath and Body Works
Ok, so not a beauty product but I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THESE CANDLES.  Some of them just smell so incredibly amazing.  My favourite scents have to be Leaves, Spiced Apple Toddy, Cool Ocean Breeze, and Vanilla Cinnamon.  I love how this candle - even in it's smallest form - can fill an entire room with good smelling yumminess.  I can't really say much about these candles - aside from there always seems to be a deal on these - which is also amazing.


Please note that all of these items are essentially items I used the ENTIRE year.  I would include more but they have only been in use for the 2nd half or less of the year and thus, to me, don't qualify as 'yearly favourites'.

Hope you all enjoyed this post!
What were your favourites of 2011?  Leave a comment below!

xo, Chanel