best of 2011

The Year in Review: 20 of My Favorite Makeup and Beauty Blog Posts of the Year

December 31st, 2011 by Karen 9 Comments

Some of my favorite posts of 2011

According to my blogging software, I clicked the “Publish” button on exactly 1,770 blog posts in 2011, and at an average of about 300 words each, that’s about half a million words!

I wish I could say that I remember writing most of those posts, but yeah, no way. A few of them do stand out, though, like these 20, which were some of my favorite posts of the year.

Are You a MAC Wonder Woman?

A Tour Through the Urban Decay Offices in Newport Beach

I Love MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass

12 Ways to Wear MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass

The Bobbi Brown 1991 Lip Palette

Saying Hi to The Urban Decay Naked2 Palette

Lessons learned from going away to college

NYX Slide-On Eye Liners or Urban Decay 24/7 Pencils?

The Essie French Affair Collection

Benefit Watts Up Face Highlighter

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The Year in Review: 10 More of My Favorite Products of 2011

December 29th, 2011 by Karen 9 Comments

10 of my favorite beauty products of 2011

I was writing in my journal this morning about how we’re about to end another year, and I just can’t believe it… I know that everyone says, “Where does the time go?” but I’m serious — what the heck happened to 2011?

Remember when you were a kid and every day felt like an endless stretch of open highway with no end in sight? Years back, one of my co-workers said to me, “Karen, time passes faster the older you get.” I didn’t see it then, but dang! I sure do now.

Well, at least you and I had beauty to brighten our lives this year. 🙂

Continuing with our Year in Review, here are 10 of my favorite products (and in one case, combinations of products) of 2011. All of them are things that by virtue of winning my heart also worked their way into my regular rotation.

What would you say were some of your favorite makeup and beauty products of the year? Beyond that, how about your favorite products of 2011 in general, beauty and otherwise?

Chanel Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Fauve

Mix these mascaras for longer, thicker lashes

Dolce & Gabbana Nail Lacquer in Platinum

NARS Pro Prime Eyeshadow Base

Lululemon Athletica 50 Rep Sports Bra

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10 of My Picks for Head of the Class: A+ Makeup and Beauty Drugstore Products of 2011

December 28th, 2011 by Karen 18 Comments

Best Drugstore Makeup and Beauty Products of 2011

Going to a drugstore after a long day is one of my favorite ways to unwind. I’ll flip through a few magazines, grab an ice cream cone, and cruise the cosmetics aisle looking for a little something I can get myself as a budget beauty treat.

It’s been a ritual of mine ever since I was a teenager. 🙂

Sure, I do love department store beauty and big brands like Benefit and NARS, but some of my favorite makeup and beauty products don’t reside at stores like Nordstrom, Sephora or MAC, and that’s why I’ll always have a soft spot for drugstores. Not only because they make it possible for gals on a tight budget to look great from head to toe, but because they also make it easy to treat yourself without breaking the bank.

I came across quite a few new drugstore loves this year, and here are 10 of them, each one costing less than $10. If you’re looking for a fun, affordable way to ring in the new year, try one of these A+ drugstore gems.

E.L.F. Eyes Lips Face $1 Nail Polish Remover Pads

EcoTools $3 Bath & Shower Gloves

Burt’s Bees $5 Honey & Shea Body Bar

$8 Sula Beauty Lipstick in Awake Till Sunrise

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10 of My Picks for Head of the Class: A+ Makeup and Beauty Department Store (and Other) Products of 2011

December 27th, 2011 by Karen 16 Comments

2011 was another awesome year for feline and human makeup and beauty. Along with rediscovering/falling in love again with a slew of pulse-pounding permanent products from some of my favorite lines like MAC and NARS, I also bumped into bunches of beautiful products to lurve on drugstore and department store shelves.

If you’re on the market for something special to spend a Christmas gift card on, consider one of the overachieving A+ department store products below. All of them are looking for new homes just like yours and can be found in stores now. 🙂

$25 Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush