Okay, ladies. It’s that time of year! Time to look back on the best/worst in makeup and beauty of the year. Cast your vote in the comments for the best brand, based on any criteria. Did your best brand exceed your expectations with a single particular release, or did they consistently knock it out of the park time and time again?
Who hit it f u r t h e s t out of the park this year? A titan like MAC, Chanel, Shu or Dior? Or was it a relatively new participant like Illamasqua or Dolce & Gabbana Make Up?
Cast your vote in the comments, preceding your pick with the word “VOTE:”
VOTE: Chanel
Under Peter Philips, global creative director for Chanel Makeup, every collection has been filled with surprises, like their latest holiday stuff — WOW! Not just your typical smokey eyes and red lips. They went with teals, blues and golds, and more sheer colors than I would have expected from a holiday release.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
VOTE: Tarte
I was really impressed by Tarte this year! I bought their holiday kit and was totally impressed! Amazing pigmentation of the shadows and blushes, and awesome lipglosses, some with opacity. I think they did well on their releases this year, especially considering how eco-friendly they are.
I LOVE Urban Decay this year (and every year). Packaging is always adorable, colors are always great, and I’e never regretted a purchase.
NARS!!! I loved practically all their Fall and Winter duos this year as well as the wide variety of palettes they offered for the holiday season. Expensive but worth it in so many ways.
Vote: Estee Lauder does it better and better every year. You can count on them.
I’ll throw another vote out there – Guerlain. I fell in love with EVERYTHING this year. But quite possibilty its just because I love the light violet smell…
VOTE: Guerlain
Forgot this the first time!
vote: lancome for their hypnose and their colours..
VOTE: MAC for being best all around. The collections they released this past year offered a wide range of color and technique by their MUA’s. If I was voting best new line I have discovered it would be Urban Decay.
Vote: Benefit
Maybe it’s just because I haven’t paid them that much attention in the past, but I have fallen in love with the brand this year. Their box powders are amazing, I love their velvet eyeshadows, creaseless cream shadows and concealers, and I’m addicted to their silky finish lipsticks. They’re definitely my favorite brand from this year, with MAC and Mary Kay in a tie for second :).
.-= Alexis’s last blog post… Product Rave – Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation =-.
VOTE: Chanel
Awesome brand with the best quality and amazing design!
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Blue Rhapsody Collection by Make Up For Ever for Holiday 2009 =-.
Vote: Coastal Scents
Their 88 palettes are definetely my best buy this year – I keep finding new looks every day. In second place comes Elizabeth Arden for pretty much the same reason, just with a 12 color eyeshadow palette 🙂
Vote: Dior definitely! I bought their 2 palettes this year and I think that’s the best thing I could’ve bought when it comes to e/s. Ofcourse, MAC is #2 😀
I’m torn between Chanel and Guerlain. Well, i voted Guerlain on another poll, so let it be Chanel 😀
Vote: Benefit
The lipstick line that finally convinced me to wear lipstick! The silky finishes are amazing, and I love the colors. Also, their bronzers are great and smell delicious (which is, for some reason, important to me).
Close second would be UD, of course.
.-= veronica’s last blog post… An Interview with Jim Donnelly (from The Internet) =-.
Vote: Urban Decay- They released a ton of new products this year, all very impressive! Their packaging is innovative and their products are superior to many others on the market. I personally loved Primer Potion in Sin, 24-7 Super Stash, and the face primers. Their eyeshadows released in the fall were beautiful as well. I also appreciate the fact that they offer multiple friends and family sales throughout the year as well, unlike most other brands that offer only one or so.
I was pretty close to voting for Benefit, with the release of Coralista, Sugarbomb, and One Hot Minute. Too Faced was also close with the cute blushes and palettes they released. The one brand I was most disappointed in this year (surprisingly) was MAC. I am a total MAC junkie. Last year, I purchased at least a couple things from almost every collection that was released. This year, I’ve skipped most of the collections and only re-stocked my basics and a few things here and there, such as the MAC Volcanic Ash exfoliator. I just wasn’t as impressed as in years past. Hopefully next year will bring some more interesting goodies.
Vote: MAC
MAC had many fun launches this year that really stand out. The mineral eyeshadow combos, skincare lotions and primers, and artist-inspired color palettes were definite winners for 2009. The high quality of MAC products are still affordable compared to many other lines out there.
Vote – Chanel – Mac would be second.
VOTE: MAC
Always my favorite! Bold colors, a foundation that actually matches my skin (i am o so pale), and they are not crazy expensive. It has just gotta be MAC!
VOTE: MAC
I call it MAC CRACK!
.-= styleezta’s last blog post… Happy happy Joy joy 🙂 =-.
VOTE: Urban Decay. I’m addicted to that brand. It’s so edgy and fun, and I love the colors. I bought a load of stuff from them this year. UD, you will have my heart forever!
VOTE: Lipstick Queen! This independent brand does nothing but lip products, and it does them superbly. Gorgeous colors, intense pigmentation, clever packaging and inventive marketing make this line the standout of the year for me, a longtime lipstick and lipgloss junkie. I love the Big Band Theory gloss, the Butterfly Ball lipstick and the 15 Minutes of Fame gloss all introduced this year. My absolute favorite lip product of 2009: The Chinatown Glossy Lip Pencils. I couldn’t decide which color was the most amazing, so I bought them all!
Vote: DIOR! Im completely head over heels in love with anything and everything Dior. Their quints are amazing texture, blend amazingly and are just perfection on my eyes. If i could use onbe brand for the rest of my life, This would be my choice =]
Lorac – specially eye shadow in Rhapsody.
VOTE: Chanel
I love that they change up their concept from collection to collection. For winter some tropical colors, for spring a more conservative approach. Plus, they have some of the most attractive packaging around. I will admit I am a Chanel whore!
.-= Jennifer A.’s last blog post… Look What Santa Brought (via FedEx): =-.
I am going to say MAC can never be Matched!
Michele
VOTE: Urban Decay
I have never used this brand before Sephora opened in my city. U/D introduced me to their wonderful 24/7 eyeliners and eyeshadows from their Book of Shadow set.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Bling Bling Nails NOTD Sephora OPI Nail Lacquer Too Good For Him =-.
I was about to write the exact same post! Urban Decay had lots of great collections and I loved their (more) affordable prices compared to Chanel and Dior etc
VOTE: Dior!
I loved 3 out of the 4 collections released this year (with the exception of Spring). Also their Cristal Boreal pendant was the highlight of my year. Their nail polish formulas are the best I’ve seen. Love love love Dior!
.-= Sheila’s last blog post… NOTD Christmassy nails: Dior Vernis in 842 Red Queen Satin =-.
Benefit gets my vote. Fabulous, wearable shades with gorgeous finishes. I get lots of compliments every time I wear Benefit! 🙂
Urban Decay! Their shadows are amazzziiinng.
My favorite drugstore brand would probably be Revlon for their eyeshadows, lip glosses, and mineral foundation!
Guerlain , hands down !
another vote for Urban decay!
i only own a couple of products from their line, but i love going to ulta to swatch their shadows! their variety of colors are amazing, and their packaging gets a huge thumbs up 🙂
as for drugstore brands, i give a vote to physician’s formula for their high-quality products that are quite affordable to a girl of my budget, and also sinful colors for their nail polishes that amaze me everytime i use them! 😀
VOTE URBAN DECAY ROCKS!! I Dont want to repeat what everyone else said, but UD is affordable, fresh, and does not disappoint. My favorites primer potion, 24/7 liners, eyeshadows (all) and the awesome concealer pencil!!
urban decay for sure! i just got the book of shadows volume II for christmas and i love it, along with all my other urban decay products.
VOTE- Hourglass Cosmetics.
Although many people have yet to discover it, they offer an awesome line of foundations and primers as well as gorgeous lip and eye colors. While in the pricey range, they have a wonderful ingredient list which is kind on the skin. You also featured them a few weeks ago for their current collection which I highly recommend everyone tries. It’s available at Sephora.
I Have to say Tarte: Because everything is just so bright and the palettesare so pretty.
The biggest thing for me is that they were the ones that started the whole good for you make up concept like the lip glosses that are infused with vitamins and antioxidants and no harsh chemicals and for second place definitely Illamasqua because it’s so good in it’s first year who knows what tricks they have up there sleeves in the future.
VOTE: MAC
I came late to the MAC bandwagon…..but the range of colors and the consistant launch of new collections, keep me on my toes!!
Vote: Stila
I just discovered this brand. The quality is great and it’s not too expensive.
MAC! I love their limited editions. It means something new to play with every few weeks. If the latest isn’t for you, the variety in their permanent line is fabulous. I’ve enjoyed the vast majority of MAC’s collection this year.
.-= Christy’s last blog post… Maybelline Eye Studio Duo Khaki Craze & Ivy Icon Review & Swatches =-.
Urban Decay. They’ve got me back into makeup. I love the Super Stash 24/ eyeliners, as well as the Get Baked and Show Pony eyeshadow collections.
Vote: Nars.
All of their collections, not to mention their ads, were absolutely stunning this year. The colors have been unique and daring, not like some of the cookie cutter collections that were put out by other brands. Off the top of my head, the Pleasures of Paris palette, entire fall and winter collection, plus the Sheer Glow foundation line have been amazing!!!
.-= Natalie’s last blog post… Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief =-.
Vote: MAC!!
I love MAC, almost all my staples are from there. I love everything except for their foundations. But their concealer is amazing! I think second would be Urban Decay for their wonderful eyeshadows and eyeliners (although I only have a palettle, two eyeshadows and two eyeliner colors). I can’t wait to try more from both lines. I think MAC especially wins because they have so many new collections.
Vote: Too Faced!
I can’t believe I am the first one!
I love their palettes, especially “Natural Eyes.” Their packaging is fabulous enough, but the products are equally fabulous.
Vote: Olay
Vote: Urban Decay
I love love love this brand! I can’t live without UDPP or the 24/7 eyeliners. Every color I could ever need can be found in the UD line.
vote: smashbox!! i love love love their velvety eyeshadows and lipgloss! the eyeshadows are not just pigmented, they glide on easily and blend without much effort. they are hands down my fav eyeshadows (urban decay is a close runner up). i love their lipglosses!! not too sticky, lasts, and SHINES! i never need chap stick after them. i also love their powders! coverage is amazing. i can just dust on powder if i’m too lazy to put foundation on and i am good to go.
Bobbi Brown. Always classic, always beautiful.
vote: mac
mac gives me allllll i need ! they give me the joy of buying make up (and using of course hehe)
i just loooove mac and i love going to their store whenever i can, i can never have enough of their reliable products !
ah! wanna go right now !
VOTE: Benefit
This was the year I fell in love with Coralista 🙂
Vote: Stila
Their e/s are some of the softest most blendable in my opinion. I also love their kajal pencils so much that I have them in every color. Not to mention that their products are very affordable & they consistently have sales on their website.
Vote: Chanel
Always amazing quality and beautiful colour and textural creations. What I love most is that the colours are always on trend yet very wearable, for example the Noirs Obscurs collection of Rouge Allures, the colours were dark but still very wearable. The packaging is always stunningly beautiful and I have to mention the awesomeness that is the Le Vernis – Jade in particular. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next year!
I’m voting for Rock & Republic. I’ve been totally wowed by their eyeshadows, powder blushes and cream blushes. I’m just sorry they aren’t creating more. The pigment in these is fabulous.
Prescriptives. Wearable, custom, and sadly gone.
Vote: Urban Decay. I have totally fallen in love with their 24/7 eyeliners. I used to hate wearing eyeliners, because none of them worked well for me at all, but I love the Urban Decay ones. I am also a fan of their Primer Potion – just wish the packaging was better. I tried a sample of their cream eye shadow and thought it was pretty terrific.
My Runner Up List:
For lip products, it’s Benefit Silky finish lipstick, Benefit Full Finish Lipstick, MAC Slimshine, and Jesse’s Girl lip gloss in the color Idyllic.
For eye shadows, it would be MAC and NYX.
Vote: MAC has such a great variety
VOTE: Bobbi Brown
I really love a lot of brands, but I consistently buying BB all year! My favorite additions this year is Ballet Sparkle e/s from Blushed Pink collex, Marina Sheer Gloss from Nautical collex, Nude Shimmerbrick from Nude collex, Wild Rose lip crayon, Golden Leaf Shimmerwash e/s, and Forest Shimmer Ink e/l from Ivy League collex, as well as Pewter Chrome e/s from Holiday collex.
VOTE: Lancome
Under Aaron de Mey the brand has changed a lot! I loved loved loved Declaring Indigo and their mascaras have me hooked. HOOKED I tell you!
Vote: Prescriptives
I love the pigmentation in their eye shadows and blushes. I’ve also used their Flawless Skin Total Protection pressed powder for years. When I found out they were going away it was a baaad day. I’ve been trying to find a suitable replacement for the powder for a few months with so-so success.
VOTE: Bare Essentials
Great colors, great coverage and you never know you have it on!
VOTE: Urban decay. I’m absolutely in love with their smooth pigmented eyeshadows and their 24/7 eyeliners.
Close second: Benefit, loove their spunky product names and their products. I use benefit moon beam every.single.day
Ok, so I’ve only tried a couple of products from the line, and it’s not available here, but my VOTE would have to go to URBAN DECAY because it gets me drooling with every release and I love their variety of 24/7 pencils.
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Feliz Navidad – Feliz Natal – Merry Christmas – Joyeux Noel – Natale Allegro =-.
Yves Saint Laurent – No matter which brands i flirt with I always end up returning to YSL. Outstanding quality that even with my Chanel fetish easily outclasses what should be the superior brand. For proof look no further than the mascara’s. YSL’s Mascara Singulier is tons better than either Chanel’s Exceptionnel or inimitable