Top 5 Palettes of the Year (..and 7 other standout products)

It's a new year and along with a new year comes new beauty products! I decided to do a "2010 Favorites" list versus the usual "Monthly Favoites" since 2010 just ended. I decided to focus on palettes (although I did include other products) because if you haven't noticed yet, I'm a total palette whore.The funny thing is during the last few weeks, I've actually cleaned out my makeup drawers and given away loads of palettes (about 20+) so while rummaging through my collection to do this post, I found that I don't even have that many palettes anymore! I guess that means more room for new palettes -look out 2011, here I come! Here are the 5 palettes the cut this (or I mean last) year..

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows (review & swatches here)

This was the one Book of Shadows that I really loved. The shades are all fairly wearable and I love me some Alice in Wonderland so it was a definite hit! This baby was sold out in seconds and continues to be in high demand (I still see it on Ebay for double its price at around $100.)

Too Faced Enchanted Glamourland (review & swatches here)

Another amazing palette/kit. This was one of the best values of the year -15 eyeshadows, a full size TFSI, a full size Glamour Gloss, a blush, and a bronzer all for just $49.00 which is a steal. This kit is a MUST HAVE if you love neutrals and color.

Urban Decay NAKED Palette (review & swatches here)

Urban Decay really wowed me this year especially with their NAKED Palette. This was another palette that sold out immediately and continued to sell out for weeks after it first launched. My local Sephora still sells out of these quickly to this day! As you all know, I love neutral eyeshadows so this was something that I used over and over again every single day for months. I also love to travel with it as it contains everything I need. I think every gal needs this one in their collection even if they already own 1,000 palettes.

theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 2 Palette (review & swatches here)

I love my theBalm palettes and I actually liked this one more than the recently released Vol. 3 palette. It's, again, a compromise for neutral eyeshadow lovers like me because it contains plenty of pretty neutrals along with some awesome muted colors that aren't too dramatic for daily use. I also love to travel with this palette.. Get it while you can. I don't think they'll restock once they're out since Sephora just started selling Vol. 3.

Stila Jewel Eye Shadow Palette (review & swatches here)

I love this palette and I think it's one of the best products that Stila's ever produced. It's not just your typical glitter eyeshadow -it gives off this amazing effect so that your eye lids actually look "wet" -like they're glistening with sparkling water or something. I've never seen anything like this and it's the product that I get the most compliments on -even from boys! (..They tend to hate glitter.)

And of course I couldn't just end it with the palettes. Here are 7 more standout products from 2010. They weren't all launched in 2010 but I first discovered them during the year.

Benefit Coralista Blush (Temptalia review here)It took me a long time to jump on the Coralista bandwagon. It just never sparked my interest until this amazing value set was offered at Sephora. My boyfriend bought it for my birthday and I've been using it ever since -I don't think I've even used any other blush besides this. It gives me the perfect peachy coral cheeks and I love to mix it with MAC's Oh So Fair Beauty Powder. (Review coming soon.)

CARGO Topeka Blush (mini review here)This was my main blush during the summer -it's so so beautiful and looks amazing with a tan. I like to break this out whenever there's some sun out. I actually had to convince myself to stop using this because I realized I wasn't giving any of my other blushes any love (I like to rotate the makeup I use LOL.. or else I'd feel ridiculous for owning so much makeup and never using all of it.)

MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder (review & swatches here)

I use this highlighter all the time but, again, try to rotate my highlighters. I'd probably be totally fine if this was my only highlighter -it really goes with everything and just gives the prettiest glow. It's very natural looking so I love to use for my "day looks."

Pangea Organics Lip Balm (review here)I discovered this lip balm this year and love it almost as much as I love my Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm. I also find it more convenient than my Jack Black since it's in a (twist up) tube because I personally like to use my fingers to apply the Jack Black which can be unsanitary. This stuff really keeps my lips calm -even during the cold, winter months so it's a must-have for me.

LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss in Polished (review & swatches here)I use this almost every single time I wear lip gloss which is basically 4-5 days a week. I love this gloss so much that if they decided to discontinue it, I'd hoard 500 tubes of this stuff so I could be set for life. It's just the perfect gloss -I really have no words for it! =P Just read the review..

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Spiced Cream (review & swatches here)I'd (probably) be perfectly fine if this were the only nude lipstick I owned. It's seriously The Best nude lipstick I've ever encountered. The formula and color are perfect and I've never owned another nude lipstick that's even come close. This is great for smokey eyes but also looks amazing with simple, low key looks.

Fresh Twilight Freshface Glow (mini review here)

This is my absolute favorite illuminator and I've been using this deluxe sample tube for months! haven't yet been able to convince myself to splurge on a full size tube since it's $36 for some shimmery lotion but I'll have to when I run out. It really gives the best natural, dewy glow. I use it on my cheekbones, brow bones, and even on my entire face -it never looks "too sparkly" as it's very subtle.

Wheww! That's it for my Favorites of 2010. I was supposed to go to sleep a long time ago since I have school in the morning but what do you know? It's 3:52 AM now and I have to get up in 4 hours. I like to blog at the worst times. Anyways, have a fantastic Monday everyone! <33

November 2010 Favorites: Lots of Lip Balm

During the last month, I barely wore makeup because I've been so busy with school. Because I've had such a heavy load, I haven't had the "energy" to do my makeup or try out new looks -the most I've done has been eyebrows, liquid liner, mascara, and lip gloss (EXCEPT for twice during my trip.) Anyways, this post may be rather dull since my "favorites" have mainly been various lip balms but it'll be great for any lip balm lover. =)

1. Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner in "Black"- I started using this in brown back in May but swtiched it out for my Eyeko Graffiti Liners. This is more "inky" than the Eyeko Graffiti liner which allows me to apply this much quicker -even though I'm less likely to mess up with the Eyeko liner. Because I was using the Brown so much, I went out and bought it in black to change it up a bit. I'd describe the color as a true, medium black (see swatch below.) Click here to buy.

Above (no flash): Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner in "Black"

2. Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base- I've been using the Shiseido Makeup Mascara Base for quite some time now but for whatever reason, they discontinued the super popular (and amazing) lash primer with the new and supposedly improved Nourishing Mascara Base. To be honest, this isn't as good as my beloved Makeup Mascara Base -but it does the job. I went on for months just using mascara and when I started using this (with my mascara), I noticed a big difference. My lashes looked thicker, longer, and actually looked like they were there. Click here to buy.

3. Carmex Lip Balm in Cherry- I hate Carmex in the pot -it just doesn't work for me. But I decided to give it another try after remembering that Val (Val, where you been??!) and some others had recommended this to me months ago. And let me tell you, it works! I don't know if there's a difference in formula (between the tube and pot) but this actually helps to heal my chapped lips. It cure extremely chapped, bleeding lips but it does cure very chapped, dry lips. I've been using this nonstop for over 2 weeks (especially before bed) and my lips are so soft! Also, the SPF 15 doesn't hurt. (Also, I SO meant to buy Strawberry but didn't even realize I bought Cherry until I got home -I'm not loving the taste/smell.) Click here to buy.

4. EOS Lip Balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew- I finally caved in and bought this after my friend raved about how well it worked as a lipstick base. I've seen plenty of reviews on this (especially on YouTube) so I was weary of buying it since so many people were "sent" this product to review. I don't know about you but I AM weary of people reviewing items that they're sent for free -they didn't have to shell out the money to try them! I don't find anything wrong with reviewing items that have been sent for consideration but sometimes, you just don't know who to trust.

However, I am glad that I bought this (now I know they were telling the truth!) I don't recommend this for treating very chapped lips but it's good for lips that are in good or average condition. This DOES NOT heal my chapped lips -it's only good when my lips are already smooth. However, I do think it's a great lipstick base (like my friend said.) When I apply this before lipstick, my lipstick goes on so much smoother and lasts longer. Click here to buy.

5. Pangea Organics Lip Balm in Italian Red Mandarin with Rose- I already reviewed this when I bought Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom but during November, I started using this flavor. It smells just like Mandarin oranges -it's heavenly. As for the quality, it's still there -Pangea Organics' lip balms are among my favorites and they do a great job keeping my lips from getting chapped and nasty. Click here to buy.

6. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Lemon & Chamomile- I've been using this on and off for my lips (as usual) but this isn't why it made it to my "November favorites." While I was on vacation, my feet got so incredibly dry to the point of cracking (I know, TMI and really gross!) When this happens, I usually apply a heavy layer of my L'Occitane foot cream or Vaseline and then put on some heavy socks but I didn't have those with me. SO, I had to improvise and I decided to use this instead! When I woke up (after the 1st night of applying this without socks), the bigger "cracks" had healed and no longer hurt. I don't know what magical ingredients are lurking in this stuff but now I know it works great for my lips and feet. Click here to buy.

That's it for my November Favorites -I hope it wasn't too boring (not much other than lip balm!) What were your November favorites? And your not-so-favorites?

Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom Lip Balm

Repurchase: Yes

Price: $12 (0.25 oz) (Buy it for $6 here)

Product: 22.5/25

Packaging: 4.5/5

Value: 7.5/10

Overall Grade: B+

I'd been wanting to try one of the Pangea Organics lip balms for awhile but I kept feeling that the $12 price tag was too steep. So of course when Sephora had it as a sweet steal for only $6, I of course jumped at the chance!

The Packaging: I really like the packaging of this lip balm. I like the clean, no-fuss look. Also, unlike other lip balms that twist from the bottom, this actually twists from the top. See the ring at the top (right under the cap?)

Don't try this at home!

I twisted the balm all the way up to ya'll how much there is. Big mistake! I couldn't get it back down for the longest time. I had to take the "stick" of balm out and shove it back in the tube.

Finally got it back in!

But it looks ugly. =(

Ingredients!

The Product: I feel that $12 is super expensive for any lip balm -but I rated the "value" a 7.5 because I feel the price is "average" when it comes to high-end brands. However, I do find it overpriced as you can get the same amount of ounces in my Jack Black balm for $7.

I've been using this every day for a month now (I use my Jack Black balm if I spend the day outdoors) and so far, it's been very kind to my lips. It keeps my lips soft and smooth and gets rid of minor to average dryness -everything a good lip balm should do. However, do not expect this to be a lip treatment. It helps but doesn't totally get rid of majorly cracked lips -the only thing that seems to heal that is time.  (Also, I think this would be a good option for those who are allergic to SPF on their lips since my other favorite lip balm, Jack Black, contains SPF 25.)

If I skip more than 2 days of using any lip balm, my lips become really dry. I just naturally have very dry skin and lips. I've tried so many lips balms and treatments and I rarely find one that actually works. They always either don't do anything at all, make my lips dryer or help the dryness -but then have a reverse effect and make them even dryer than before. This is honestly the 2nd lip balm I've ever used that really works for me.

Overall: I gave this lip balm an extra "+" because I felt it deserved it. If it weren't for the price, this definitely would be an A- in my book. I haven't yet been able to find a lip balm/lip treatment that permanently "cures" my dry lips but this is a great substitution -even if I have to use it daily. After a month of use, I'm happy to say that this has made it to my HG list. (P.S. I didn't rate this a full 25/25 in the "product grade" because I'm still looking for something that can cure my dry lips.)

Where To Buy: Sephora, Sephora ($6 price), Sephora (other flavors)

August 2010 Favorites

The products that stood out during the past month for me were mainly newer products from my more recent purchases.

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette- This is probably the most obvious favorite. I've only had the palette 2 days and I'm already blown away by it. The palette provides for endless neutral looks whether you're going for natural or dramatic.

2. Stila Jewel Palette- I absolutely love this palette and I'm so glad I've dug it out again. I use it over other eyeshadows -it gives the perfect, dewy finish. It seriously looks like "shimmering magic water."

3. Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeshadow in Brushed Copper- I bought this a few weeks ago and I'm absolutely amazed by the quality. I love the neutral color -it's great alone and/or paired with other eyeshadows.

4. Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom Lip Balm- I've been using this lip balm for a month now and I've fallen head over heels for it. It keeps my lips soft and smooth and keeps the dryness away. I also like that it's a "stick balm" so I don't get my grimy fingers on it when I use it while I'm out. (I'll be reviewing this tomorrow.)

5. Shiseido Lipstick in Serenity- I found this at a bargain price at T.J. Maxx and I'm so glad I did! It's a pale dusty mauve-y pink with a grayish cast to it. It's so moisturizing and feels like a lip balm -not a heavy, drying lipstick.

6. LORAC Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight- I've been using this highlighter with nearly every look since I snagged it for just $9 at Sephora. It gives a beautiful, luminous glow and really pulls my makeup together.

7. Revlon Polish in Peach Petal- I actually included this in last month's favorites but I've continued using it (on my toes) all through August as well. I LOVE this shade. I'm the type of person where once I find something I love, I can't stop using/wearing it. It looks great with every outfit -I've even gotten compliments on it from several people which is weird to me since I'm really not a "nail person."

That's it for my August favorites. What were your favorite products throughout the last month?