Absolute Favorite Makeup Products of 2011

Putting on makeup is incredibly relaxing for me, as it should be!  Doing makeup starts off my day on the right feet, making me feel energized, happy, and confident when I head to school/work.  Since my time is precious (as you know from the previous post), I like to dedicate mornings to myself so I can do what I love: being creative with makeup art!  If I had the choice, I would wear more fun, creative looks, but I have work everyday after class.....sooo that's not an option.


This post is dedicated to my makeup loves.  If I have not used these products everyday of 2011, I have at least used them every single day from the first day I purchased the product.  I present to you my top makeup products of 2011 in 11 categories:

1) Mascara: Maybelline Full n' Soft Waterproof Mascara in "Very Black"

I guarantee you that I have used this mascara literally every single day of 2011.  I absolutely LOVE this mascara to pieces.  It is very affordable (I don't believe in buying expensive mascaras because mascaras should be replaced approximately every 2 months to prevent bacterial growth), can be found in any drugstore, the brush grabs every single one of my teeny lashes, lengthens and volumizes, doesn't clump, holds my curl, and the best part: it conditions the lashes so this mascara prevents lash fallout and promotes healthy, long lashes!  I need to take every precaution to make sure my already sparse, dinky lashes don't become more sparse and dinky, and this mascara does the job WELL.  This mascara works hard to make my lashes long and luscious and healthy, so for me to use another mascara that's just going to ruin the hard work this mascara has done is just not worth it.  HOLY GRAIL mascara for life.

2) Eyeshadows:
I love how creative I can be with eyeshadows, so excuse my multiple favorites.  I promise they serve different purposes, and this list was narrowed down from a huge list I had made.


MAC eyeshadow in "Quarry"

My skintone is neutral slightly leaning towards yellow, so pinks, purples, plums, and taupes complement my skintone REALLY REALLY well (balances out the slightly yellow skintone).  I have searched for years and years for the best matte crease eyeshadow for everyday use and for professional/work days.  Defining my crease is one of the most important steps to my makeup routine because it helps to not make my asian eyes look so flat.  Although I do have double lids so I can get away without a crease color sometimes, I find that defining my crease with eyeshadow makes me look more polished and less tired.
I finally ended my search last year with this eyeshadow!  It's a muted purply brown matte color that blends amazingly into my crease, and I absolutely love how natural and flattering it looks on me.  This eyeshadow has been with me to interviews, work, school, parties, romantic dates....I absolutely love how this eyeshadow can be transitioned from day to night with a few touchups!  I'm pretty sure this color can complement multiple skintones, but if you have my skintone, go go go try it!!!!!  This is my HOLY GRAIL crease color for as long as I live and can put on makeup.


Lancome eyeshadow in "Kitten Heel" and "Color Du Jour"

I discovered this combination in a mini sample palette I got way in the past when my mom used to give me all the Lancome makeup samples and she kept all the skincare samples.  I rediscovered this lovely combination this past summer of 2011, and wow these eyeshadows are BEAUTIFUL!!!!  (...I fell so in love that I purchased the full-sized versions as you can tell.)  These pictures don't do the colors and textures justice.  On my eyes, Kitten Heel (the PERFECT rose gold metallic color) is so reflective that it makes my eyes appear bigger/rounder (I love putting this on my lid and inner lower lid), while Color Du Jour (metallic plum with gold sparkles) in my crease has a plum color that flatters my skintone AND has beautiful reflective gold sparkles in it (not chunky).  I wore this all the time in the summer and transitioning from summer to fall....and I wore it a lot in fall too.  I recommend wearing black eyeliner rather than brown eyeliner though.  The brown kind of disappears in the beauty of the eyeshadows, whereas the black eyeliner still packs a punch but is still subtle enough to let these eyeshadows be the stars of the show.


Lancome eyeshadow in "Personal Style"

This eyeshadow has been a winner for the past 3 years for me.  Story: This was actually the first high-end eyeshadow I ever bought.  I bought this as a high-schooler, and at that period, I didn't really think about natural looking eyeshadows that I could wear for everday (hahah such a noob).  I remember wanting a fun, unique, and edgy color, and this one caught my eye....so I bought it.  I have never seen any other makeup company make a sky blue color that's comparable with this eyeshadow.  It's a highly reflective metallic sky blue color that I ADORE putting on my inner lower lid in the Summer months.  I prefer this lighter blue color rather than a medium or dark blue for my inner lower lid because it helps to brighten my eyes and to not make my makeup look too heavy.  Since it's a vibrant sky blue color, it almost makes my eyes look blue that sometimes I do a double take in the mirror.  I always get complements when I wear this color out!  It's kind of funny how the Lancome counters never recognize it as their own while the MAC and Urban Decay counters always think it's their own eyeshadow I had used.  (Warning: on the Lancome website, "Personal Style" is pictured to be a lime green color.  Obviously, they used the wrong photo)


NYX Cosmetics single eyeshadow in "Black" and Maybelline Stylish Smokes in "Natural Smokes" (the super dark brown eyeshadow)

I know these are boring, but I have used these colors everyday to set my gel eyeliners and to prevent the liners from smudging or transferring onto my crease.  I use the NYX Black (purchased from Ulta.com) one to set my black gel liner, and the deep brown one from the Natural Smokes palette to set my brown gel liner.  Even the the most basic of the eyeshadows need some love!  

3) Face Products: 
Missha Perfect Cover BB cream No. 23

I don't like to wear too much face makeup, like liquid foundation, because I'm always scared it'll look cakey (and I need to be fast in the mornings too!), so I really wanted to try a BB cream.  My research for a good BB cream pointed to this one, and I'm so happy with it!  I usually spot cover blemish areas on my face (such as acne scars and redness around my nose) instead of applying the BB cream all over my face.  I have oily combination skin (and now normal combination skin) and this product works for both skin types.  This product provides really great coverage (medium coverage) for my blemishes, looks VERY natural on the face (which is important to me), doesn't make my face super oily by the end of the day, is hydrating, is super easy to use (applied with fingers), is very concentrated (you only need a very small amount), has a nice convenient pump, blends easily into my skin, has sunscreen in it!, and supposedly fades acne scars and brightens up my face complexion.  Though I don't think this product works as a skin brightener (my skincare products work better to fade my acne scars), the convenience and natural finish it gives make this face product a winner for me.  I haven't had any problems with the smell since you pump out such a small amount of product....I don't even notice the smell usually.  Be careful when you purchase this online because Ebay and now Amazon seem to sell a lot of fake Missha BB creams (I guess it's that popular?).  I bought mine at a local Korean grocery store in St. Louis so I know it is genuine, but I don't recommend that way full-heartedly because I paid full price for the BB cream!  There are always sales for this BB cream online, so too bad I didn't get the sale price.


Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in "Beige (Medium 2-2.5)"

This setting powder is a LIFE SAVER during the summer months.  In the summertime, my face tends to get really oily in the T-zone, and I'm always finding ways to de-shine my face!  This is the only setting powder I have found that literally keeps my face matte for approximately 10 hours.  I have repurchased this 4 times now and this is my 5th container with the pan already exposed.  This powder is mostly translucent when applied, but does have a slight tinge of color; thus, it's not meant to be a powder foundation.  I like to use this powder to set my BB cream and my concealers since it doesn't look cakey at all over other makeup products.  This product is a dream to apply with it's silky smooth texture, and it's reapplications never looking cakey.  Truly a HOLY GRAIL mattifying setting powder!

4) Concealer: Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer in "Light Pale"

Photo from Beautylish

If any of you guys suffer from cakey under eye concealers, you might want to give this cheapie a try.  Since this concealer has the lotion (white swirls) mixed with a creamy concealer (nude swirls), it's a more hydrating under-eye concealer, which makes the concealer less likely to cake on your face.  There is a lot of product in the little jar, which I feel justifies the semi-high price (in terms of how drugstore makeup is priced).  I believe it runs around $10.00.  I do admit that this does sometimes get cakey but only when I don't properly moisturize my under-eye area.  I'm waiting for this one to run out so I can try the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind treatment under eye concealer (not because this covergirl one is bad, but I just want to see if the Maybelline one is better), but it's taking me forever to finish this hefty jar!

5) Lip Product: Supercalifragilipsticks

If you looked at my past review for these "lipsticks", this lip product winner is a no-brainer!  So I cheated and purchased some of the Revlon Lip Butters, even though I didn't plan on buying them since I was already obsessed with the Supercalifragilipsticks....and 2 lip products are seriously enough for my makeup collection.  Fortunately, I did find that the "Pink Truffle" Revlon Lip Butter is an exact dupe to my favorite "Bashful Blush" Supercalifragilipstick (currently sold out), and I think the "Raspberry Pie" or "Lollipop" Revlon Lip Butter might be a dupe for the "Fuschia Fete" (currently sold out), but I wouldn't know for sure since I haven't tried those lip butters.  Both Supercalifragilipstick and Revlon Lip Butter don't dry out my lips, but the lip butters are way more hydrating.  The reason why Supercalifragilipsticks won my heart over the Revlon Lip Butters is because the Supercalifragilipsticks are more long-lasting and sets on my lips, whereas the lip butters come off really easily and need multiple reapplications throughout the day.  Thus, the Supercalifragilipsticks are just more convenient in that way.  And of course, how could I not love Kate Spade and their creativity?

6) Makeup Brushes: Sonia Kashuk Multi-Purpose Nylon Brush; ELF Blending Eye Brush; Sephora Classic Eye Brush Blending Brush #29 (from top to bottom in photo)

Top Brush: I love how multipurpose this brush is since it has synthetic fibers, but I only use this for placing the outer crease eyeshadows (so much for being multipurpose in my routine...).  The brush fibers taper to a small dome at the tip, which gives me precision in placing the darker outer crease colors.  This medium-stiff brush also can easily blend out the dark colors, yet the brush will never lose its shape.  You can find these at any Target store for an affordable price!

Middle Brush: I have been loving using the ELF Blending Brush to place my crease color and to help blend it out.  If you have issues with it feeling prickly (like I did with one of my ELF blending brushes), I promise that with multiple uses, it will feel softer over time.  Washing this brush frequently also helps to make the brush hairs feel softer.  I own 4 of these brushes (only costs $1 each!!!!!) and right now, these brushes are incredibly soft for me.

Bottom Brush: I have never tried the MAC 217 blending brush or the Sigma ones.  All I know is that this one ROCKS!  It's sooooooo soft and blends harsh lines AMAZINGLY.  I only wish I could add another one to my collection because I used this every single day of 2011.  I will DEFINITELY be using this everyday of 2012.  HOLY GRAIL blending brush on my list!

7) Primer: Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 38

I discovered this trick from the amazing, beautiful youtube makeup artist xteeener!  I couldn't believe it when she raved about how this sunscreen controls oils on her face.  Why sunscreen right?  I decided to try it out because I'm always looking for ways to reduce the shininess in my T-zone.  Lo and behold, this product worked on me too to control my oils on my face!  It's very concentrated, so you only need the tiniest amount to cover your entire face.  Though it does not give 24 hours of oil control, the oil control usually lasts for about 8 hours on me, which is plenty enough for my daily life schedule.  This product purely as a sunscreen works great too!  It is not greasy at all and is super long-lasting.  I'm glad this "mattifier" can also help prevent premature wrinkles and those pesky sunspots/freckles (my freckles come out splotchy and huge and look weird).  The SPF is also low enough to not leave a crazy white cast on my face when I take photos (it does leave a slight white cast on my face in photos).  This is my 2nd tube of this product, and the previous one I got was the SPF 50, which did leave a noticeable white cast.  Both controlled my oils the same regardless of the level of SPF.  If you're interested in this product, go go go for the SPF 38 one.  This is my go-to, HOLY GRAIL sunscreen/mattifier.

8) Blush: Jane blush in Blushing Earth Sheer

I had a hard time choosing between this blush and the Lancome Rose Fresque blush (matte cool-toned pink that complements my skintone super well) since I use those 2 the most often.  This Jane one won mainly because of two reasons: 1) how easy it applies and 2) it's multifunctional since it acts as a blush and highlighter in one and yall know how much I LOOOVE multifunctional products.
1) This blush is best when applied with your fingers because it actually picks up the beautiful peachy pink color.  When I used a brush, it only picked up with satin-y shimmer and no color.  Because this applies better with fingers, I always take this when I travel since I don't need to carry an extra brush!  So for convenience, the Jane blush is the way to go!
2) Besides being super affordable, I think this is the best I-wanna-glow-from-within drugstore blush in the market (don't quote me, this is just my experience).  It leaves such a healthy glow on my cheeks along with a gorgeous peachy pink color.  I love using this blush especially in the spring and summer time!  I absolutely love using the Rose Fresque one in the fall/winter, but I have to be careful because that blush is SUPER pigmented.

9) Eye Liner: MAC fluidline gel liner in Blacktrack and Dipdown

After I started using gel liners, I have not been able to revert back to pencil liners (and I've never liked liquid liners).  These are very smooth to apply and the product hasn't dried out on me despite owning them for 3 years now!  I have not tried other gel liners, but these liners have served me well.  The "Blacktrack" one is a pretty dark black that dries matte (which I prefer, instead of a shiny finish) and stays on all day on my top lid.  I also like to put this gel liner on the waterline/tightline, but I find that it is more longlasting on the tightline than on my waterline.
The "Dipdown" color (the brown gel liner) doesn't show color accurate in this photo.  It's actually dark, deep brown that almost looks black on me, but you can definitely tell that the "Dipdown" liner looks less harsh on my eyes.  I use this Dipdown color a lot when I want to look professional because it looks the most natural on me.


10) Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

I've heard this eyelash curler to be comparable to the Sephora eyelash curler; however, I own both and the Shu Uemura completely trumps the Sephora one.  It sucks that this Shu Uemura one isn't stocked in Sephora anymore (you can still purchase this online here), but holy bajeezus, it's SO worth the investment ($19).  For someone with stubborn, stick-straight, sparse lashes, I can attest to how great this eyelash curler works to make every single lash stay curled all day, all night.  HOLY GRAIL eyelash curler for foreveerrrr.

11) Eyeshadow Palette: Too Faced Natural Eye Palette

I cannot say enough GREAT things about this palette.  These are my most buttery, blendable eyeshadows that I own.  It's so easy to blend that I can blend a crease color in exactly 4 strokes.  Yes, I counted.  If I'm in a rush in the morning, which is most days, I always grab for this palette because it's just too easy to use.  I noticed that some other eyeshadow palettes I own have colors that I rarely use, but I can literally use every eyeshadow in this palette (Look below for how I use each eyeshadow for different purposes, and you can tell that I love every single eyeshadow in this palette).  I know that other bloggers and youtubers have complained about the fall out (especially the glitter fall out in "Nude Beach" eyeshadow), but I find that tapping off any excess eyeshadow from a brush or my finger (your finger is your best makeup tool!) works just fine for me.  I never have any problems with fall out.  Your finger actually works best to apply the more shimmery eyeshadows since it presses the eyeshadow onto your eyelids more efficiently.


How I use this palette (which is almost everyday):
FIRST ROW: The first eyeshadow on the first row (the matte cream-white eyeshadow called "Heaven") is my favorite highlight of all time.  It's pigmented, matte, blendable, not powdery, silky, and long-lasting.  The medium grey-ish taupe brown eyeshadow called "Velvet Revolver" can be used to fill in my brows when I want to look more polished.  I use the matte dark chocolate brown eyeshadow called "Sexspresso" to set my gel liners, use as my top lid liner for a more natural look, or as an outer-corner color.  A very multifunctional color.
SECOND ROW: I always mix "Silk Teddy" (champagne pink shimmery eyeshadow) with "Nude Beach" (nude glittery, shimmery champagne eyeshadow) from the 3rd row because it gives the perfect champagne color that's nude-leaning-towards-pink with rare pieces of glitter that reflect the perfect amount of light to grab someone's attention, but not enough that your eyes feel overwhelming like a chunky disco ball.  Mixing the eyeshadows together makes the prettiest reflective champagne color that I'm absolutely obsessed with.  I've never found another champagne color to be this reflective.  I use "Push-Up" as my crease color so often that I have already hit pan (as evidenced by the picture above).  It's a shimmery purply mauve-y medium brown color that complements my skintone so freakin well.  Although I prefer a matte crease color over a shimmery one, this color somehow looks great in the crease on me.  I use "Erotica" (shimmery grey-brown) in my outer-corner color because it doesn't go on my eyes shimmery at all.  You can tell there's a slight sheen, but from far away, it looks matte.  This color seems more grey in the pan, but on the lid it is more brown.  This color complements "Push-Up" really well, so I use those two together often.
THIRD ROW: (I talked about "Nude Beach" above) I use "Honey Pot" (the perfect satin-y honey gold color for my skintone) all over my lid space and "Cocoa Puff" (shimmery medium-dark chocolate brown) in my outer-corner ALL THE TIME in the summer.  Together, the eyeshadows create a warm, golden, and summery feel to the look, and "Honey Pot" is really reflective in a satin-like way, so I love putting a little bit in the middle of my lower lash line to make my brown eyes pop and appear bigger.


The only thing missing in this AWESOME palette is a great matte crease color and a matte black eyeshadow.  If only MAC's quarry eyeshadow and NYX's black eyeshadow were in this palette.....


(Surprised the Naked 2 Palette didn't make it to my list?)


I apologize if this post took you a week to read through....


heart, Alice


What are your absolute makeup loves?  I wanna hear them all!