Caveman couture? The Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection had me rolling on the floor…not laughing, but coughing up hairballs.  I am only posting things that I thought were decent from the collection, you can view the entire collection yourself here: Chanel Show Photos

Grab your Furminator and take a look:
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
All of the models basically had the same makeup on.. dramatic black shadow on top lid, muted eyebrows, heavy black liner on outer corners of eyes, skintone / peach blush, muted lips. Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
Will you wear those boots this Fall / Winter? Will you carry a comb just in case they get mangled?
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
Fur skirts.. I am really loving the boots & jacket on the right.
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
Fur pants.. I have been really wanting a fitted bomber jacket like these and haven’t been able to find anything.
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
Fur hot pants.. sports bra with diamond necklace.. love it!
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection

Ok, now this I can see myself wearing! Love both of these!
Chanel Fall / Winter 2010-2011  Ready-to-Wear collection
Best dresses in the show! I absolutely adore the cinched waist style dresses and the colorful patterns.

As far as the makeup goes… wow, a little depressing. I am aware that the clothing is supposed to be the focal point, but I was hoping for some really awesome insight as to what the color palette would be for Fall / Winter. I’ll keep digging around for more shows!

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I spent a good deal on my weekend trip to Sephora looking for a new foundation. I am always on the lookout for something THICK and with a full coverage. After trying products like MAC Studio Tech and even pancake makeup (ewww!) I was either too greasy, too matte, or just couldn’t find the right color to match my skin tone. The problem sometimes with a heavier foundation is that it is creating problems while you wear it, like acne, clogged pores, more oil secretion, etc. so that you need more of the product just to cover the damage it created! Ugh…

So, I came across this new product:
Clinique Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector $49.50 for 1 oz.

This product is already getting rave reviews from Clinique customers, and it’s not just for age spots, it helps even out the skin tone by fading the skin. It is a serum for all ethnicities and skin types. If you have dark spots, acne scars, age spots, then this sounds like it is for you. I am going to give this a try! It’s been my goal to perfect my skin tone so that I will use less foundation. Added to wishlist!

ghd IV Styler Flat Iron

I went to Regis Salon at my local mall for a haircut, root touch-up and some foil highlights. After a 2.5 hour appointment, scalp chemical burning included, I noticed that the stylist was now using a ghd IV flat iron instead of the FHI one she was using before. My hair turned out so straight, I didn’t even recognize my own hair! It was so silky straight that I was in disbelief. I have to have this iron!!!! $240 @ Sephora! Expensive as hell, but I heard from my stylist that the Regis stores will now carry the iron for a better price. I have to make sure it’s the exact model that she was using. If anyone uses this iron, please comment below and tell me how you like it. Note: the pink iron pictured above is more expensive than the black one. Check prices, shop around!

Urban Decay Box of Potions
I am a total sucker for “primers”, “preppers”, and “mattifyers”.. especially those in cute packaging. I am going nuts for this Urban Decay Box of Potions from Sephora.com (online only!) $65. This kit comes with :

- 1 oz Complexion Primer Potion – Brightening
- 1 oz Complexion Primer Potion – Pore Perfecting
- 0.34 oz Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- 0.3 oz Eyelash Primer Potion
- 0.07 oz Lip Primer Potion SPF 15

Totally travel-size and just adorable. Wish listing! It is a Limited Edition product, so I better check it out soon!

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New Design – Same Stuff!

Nope, you are not going crazy! KristaDior.com has been re-designed into a fab new place to be! I decided a few days ago that I needed a bit of an update, a little more sophisticated look, so I went for it. After fixing many bugs and tweaking fonts, colors and spacing, I finally figured it all out. There are probably some issues here and there that I gotta fix, but I went ahead and launched the new site anyway. The navigation is now on the right, in case you wondered where the heck it went.

Updates to come soon.. I have my Sephora haul from the weekend.. still testing everything out! =)

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My big trip to Sephora should be happening on Saturday, so I’ll have updates soon after that! I am going there to check out the Tarina Tarantino makeup collection and try on a few goodies while I am there.

New for Spring 2010!

MAC Viva Glam 2010
MAC ‘Viva Glam VII’ Lipstick ($14 each @ Nordstrom / Macy’s / MAC Pro Stores)

This is the highly anticipated collection of Viva Glam lipstick from MAC.. starring the shock-popstar Lady GaGa and 80s pop legend, Cyndi Lauper. Although I am not a GaGa fan, I am a super-fan of the Viva Glam GaGa lustre formula light blue / pink lipstick color, which has been a signature color of mine for years (I wear the matte YSL version, and NYX). The Viva Glam Cyndi is a lustre formula shade of a light reddish coral.. this is also a must-have! Do not forget that every cent raised through the sales of Viva Glam lipstick go to the MAC AIDS Fund to help support the fight against AIDS / HIV. A hot lipstick shade with a good cause, it can’t get better than that!

Givenchy Powder Blush
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush
This is a four-color blush palette with gorgeous high-pigmented shades that you can use all together or one shade at a time. This product allows you to customize your color! I am loving the It-Girl Purple, and since this is a Sephora-only product, I am going to defs test this out on Saturday!

Available in the following colors:
- Aficionado Peach
- It-Girl Purple
- In Vogue Orange
- Fashionista Brown (pictured)

Kim Kardashian Fragrance
Kim Kardashian fragrance (starting at $16)
Ok, so I want to see what all the “stink” is about. Since I hear that Kim stole her fragrance logo from a jewelry company logo, and that she probably stole her fragance scent from J. Lo (that is just my joke, not a rumor!) I gotta see what the fuss is about and if this product actually delivers.

Laura Mercier Mattifying Gel

Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel
($27 @ Sephora) and the
Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control ($32 @ Sephora)
I have oily skin and the summer months ahead only mean trouble for sebum control! I am always trying new things, so this might be just what I am looking for. This Secret Finish Mattifying Gel is a shine-controlling liquid-gel formula that you can use to touch-up your shiny areas through the day, you can even dab this over makeup! The current mattifyer that I use by Clarins (in a little red pot) breaks my skin out within an hour. I really want to give this one a try! Along with that, there is the Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder for shine control, another product that looks excellent for oily skin!

Make Up For Ever Creme Blush
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush ($25 @ Sephora for .33 oz)

Want a healthy and lasting glow? Well, this new cream blush in a pump looks awesome! The blush combines mattifying & reflecting powders to create a soft-focus glow.

Can’t wait for my mall trip! I hope I don’t spend too much.. my taxes are coming back soon, so we will see!

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Today is Valentine’s Day and I am getting ready to go out to din-din with my special man. I received a shipment from Revlon to try their new products: Revlon Fantasy Length Lashes and Revlon Color Allure glue-on nails. I am also going to review and post a video on how I use the L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara (globe brush style).

Thank you, Revlon!

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Lashes

The point of these products is to make life a bit easier and to reduce expensive salon costs. The lashes are very natural-looking and easy to apply, the nails are not long and perfect for just wearing for a night on the town or to a special event. Why waste hours and money getting your nails done in a salon?? Well, there are definitely pros and cons to the Revlon Color Allure nails (runs about $10 per box) as I had trouble not getting the glue on top of the nails or on my skin. I accidentally glued my fingers together at one point and had to use nail polish remover to get them apart (as my fiance laughed and thought it was so damned funny!).  The nail kit includes very strong nail glue, it’s just like crazy glue! You get a rather large 3g bottle of glue, enough to use to repair a broken lamp? There are enough nails to do them twice. Below are photos that I took right after I applied them. You can see the glue boo-boos that I made!

I pretty much have ugly hands to begin with, but I honestly think these glue-on nails are better than I expected.. and made my hands feel pretty today! I used to get the gel glitter tip nails and I would spend about $50 to $70 for a full set and $20-$25 for fills every two weeks, needing a full set put on every month, it seemed. A box of these nails are about $10, and probably last about a week. I’ll carry the glue with me just in case! I can’t wait to try the glitter tipped nails from the set Revlon gave me. Update: The nails lasted about a week and a half and basically fell off on their own. That is pretty nice considering if you have gel nails that you might have to have a nail tech remove them for you and it’s painful! I like to let my nails breathe for a while before putting fake nails back on.

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Faux Lashes : Flirty


Revlon Fantasy Lengths Maximum Wear Glue-on Eyelashes – Flirty – Drugstore.com (Currently on sale $3.84)

I have worn false eyelashes for years and I’ve tried high-end and low-end cheapies from the Halloween stores. There are some excellent cheapies out there, you just have to hunt.  These Revlon lashes are definitely everyday wear lashes that are not too long or too flashy.

I carefully peeled away the lash strip off the plastic base (still ended up tearing a few lashes off the end) these lashes seem really delicate, so be careful when taking them off of the package! I applied my eye makeup first:

Brows: Hodgepodge MAC pencil

Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, bottom lid: Urban Decay Polyester Bride eyeshadow, crease: Milani Coffee Shop Runway Single Eyeshadow, brow highlight: Benefit High Brow pencil.

Liner: Estee Lauder Artist’s Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Black.

Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara ($7.99 @ Target)

Here is a VERY short video of me putting this mascara on. My camera ran out of space during the application!


This is the finished product! This mascara is pretty nice, a little strange to apply, but I am liking it so far. It doesn’t really add the dramatic thickness to my lashes that I like, but I am adding lashes, so I figure that this is enough!

So, now that my lashes are prepped and ready to go, it is time to bust out the eyelash glue and pop these babies on!

I dabbed a little bit of lash glue on the back of my hand and dipped the lashes right in it. The glue is white, but dries clear, so do not worry about it looking white on your eyes.

Here is another video, this time I am showing how I press down and separate the lashes with the end of a rat-tail comb.(Yes, that’s HOLE playing in the background heheh!)



After I finished up my eyes, I applied Sebastian brand “So Shy” blush which is a matte baby pink and a discontinued Tony & Tina lipstick which is a matte pink/red.

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I want to dedicate this blog space for a wonderful, creative and innovative man in the fashion industry that we lost today: Alexander McQueen.

Alexander McQueen

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It’s Beauty Coupon Time! Valentine’s Day Sales

Time to do the coupon dance! Wooot! I love a good deal, discounts, etc. especially on cosmetics since there are no discounts on cosmetics  in department stores! I worked at Macy’s for three years and the #1 customer question was … ” Can I get a discount?” My answer, ” Uhh yeah, open a Macy’s account!” Puh-lease.. don’t ever get a department store credit card unless you know you will be paying off the balance every single month. Seriously.. that’s the best advice I could give to anyone .. ever!

Last month, I saved over $10 on my beauty.com order because of their rewards program.

Bath & Body Works : Code: 1626
Free Signature Travel Item with Any Order

Beauty.com
: Free Bronzing Shimmer with $35 on Mystic Tan

HSN : Code: C72038
$10 off $75 on Beauty

Philosophy: Code: 476LPQ
Free Amazing Grace Spray Fragrance with $15

Bliss : Code: BUTTER2
Free Shipping with $50 + 2 Free Body Butters (instructions: offer valid on two free 2.5 oz body butters)

ULTA : Code: 97176
20% off Any One Item

Prescriptives: Code: BRUSH
Free Foundation Brush w/ Liquid Foundation

Lancome : Code: BEAUTY09
Beauty Box for $52 with any $36 purchase (instructions: Retails at $330! Only while supplies last!)

Elizabeth Arden: Code: LOVE35
Free 8pc Deluxe Gift Set + Free Ship w/ $35

Sephora Weekly Specials: http://www.sephora.com/promo/beautybonuses/index.jhtml?pageCode=ws&_requestid=111525

Yves Rocher: Code: YRLOVE
Free Lip Gloss & Charm with Any Order

Avon: Beauty Gift Sets from $9.99

Pur Minerals: Free Shipping with $50

Lipink: Valentine Lip Sampler Kit 30% off

StrawberryNET
: FREE Black & Silver Flower Pattern Oval Mirror

FragranceNet: Code: HPGP9 15% off

Benefit Cosmetics : Sale Items

Clinique: Code: VALENTINE
Free Tote Bag with $30 purchase

Clarins: Free Samples w/ Any Order

Bobbi Brown: 2 Free Samples with Any Order

ThePerfumeSpot.com:  Code: val5
$5 off orders of $75

Cosmetic Mall: Free Gifts w/ Purchase

Perfumania: Code: AVDAY15
15% off

Makeup.com: Free Shipping with $40

E.L.F. Cosmetics: Code: REDMINI
Free Red Mini Makeup Collection with $10

BuyMeBeauty.com: Save up to 60%

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Happy Christmas – Happy Holidays!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know I am taking a little vacation, so I won’t be posting for maybe a week or so. If anything super exciting comes up, or if I get the itch to do some type of tutorial (New Year’s Eve makeup!?) I will def. post something up for ya!

Christmas shopping is almost done, still have a little bit more to do.. I wonder if I am going to get some of those cool Sephora gifts that I asked for?? My fiance saw my list and was like, “OH GOD.. more makeup???” I didn’t really ask for makeup! I asked for girly tools like the Clairisonic MIA skin brush and a gigantic makeup train case. We will see what happens. I got him everything HE wanted, so why can’t I get the same in return? EH??? We will see.

Krista Dior is blonde!

Merry Christmas.. yes, I am blonde with a bit of strawberry blonde going on. No more black left in my hair!

Makeup Shown: Maybelline Super Stay Foundation, MAC Hodgepodge pencil on brows, MAC White Glitter on eyes applied with eyelash glue, MAC Chromaline in Black Black eyeliner on inner rims, Lancome Miracle Juicy Tube Lipgloss (faded from pink to white over time), Lancome Fatale Mascara, Bare Minerals Blush.

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Sheesh, we haven’t even opened our holiday gifts yet and already I have the 2010 MAC Cosmetics Trend Report for Spring & Summer. I was actually a little turned off by the whole introductory description of it, but I guess I need some pictures to prove that it’s something to get excited about.

The “Anti-Glamour” season is coming… does that sound depressing or what?

From MACPro.com:
Of difference: we’re at a moment in beauty when identikit perfection looks positively passé. Touching on tribal elements with striking originality (underground society), taking a couture approach to nude makeup (pale ‘n’ dandy), feeling the heat of a carefree, sun-warmed vibe (american nomad) or getting creative with the murano-glass palette being passed about (dye-a-tribe) feels eminently more interesting and appropriate. “The essential point with makeup this season is that it’s about projecting emotion and attitude, about not looking the same as everyone else,” explains Terry Barber.

Gorgeousness of last season has been replaced by marks of urban grooming and freshness; or, of making one unexpected, attitude-projecting beauty statement that employs striking colour and construct to a punchy end. On both counts, the quieter leaders of individuality are important in showing us what’s to come: a mascara-less lash and the ubiquity of a bleached brow both emphasize the features, planes and shadows of the face to instantly underscore its uniqueness. “It’s definitely an anti-glamour season,” confirms Gordon Espinet. Bring on the tribal gathering!

All I could think of is that we are all going to end up looking like bleached out like Tilda Swinton (Narnia). No mascara? Bleached brows? How can this be cute?

Look #1: Underground Society (AKA: The Cullens? Seriously. This is Edward Cullen meets Courtney Love) It’s all about not looking cute.. it’s about expressing individuality by being a minimalist. What if my individuality is multi-faceted..and being cute?

MAC Spring 2010 LookMAC Spring 2010 Look

MACPro.com Description: An aerodynamically misplaced streak of liner. A lip packed in Pigment or duo-chromatically constructed…a hardass brow. “It’s more of an attempt to project an attitude of individuality and a sense of ownership than about looking gorgeous in any traditional sense,” explains Terry Barber.

Quotes
Gordon Espinet “These makeups are all about one element on the face. Rather than defining the features, it’s almost more about the product being an accent on a practically naked face… it’s minimal makeup, maximum impact, and definitely with an edge.”

Key Products
Chromaline In Black
Black Chromaline In Cyan
Penultimate Eye Liner In Rapidblack
1 Lash
Crush Metal Pigment In Stacked 1
Glitter In Pink
Lipmix In Ochre
Lipmix In White
Paintstick In Pure White
Eye Shadow In Rule
Eye Shadow In Very Violet
Lipstick In Russian Red
Lip Pencil In Cherry
Pro Pigment In Acid Orange
Lipmix In Blue

Look #2 : Pale N’ Dandy. Wake up and do nothing. Just walk out the door, I guess.

2010 MAC Spring LookMAC Spring 2010 Look

From MACPro.com: Take bleach to your brows… (Ok.. people at home reading.. I caution you.. do NOT bleach your freaking brows unless you have experience doing this. Go to a salon if you really want to do this!)
Or pull them into distinctive focus. A brow, or distinct lack of one, is essential on this season’s uncomplicated face…sit them on skin that’s under-refined yet ultra-alive with gloss and light-reflective textures…ensure your lips are fresh and free of colour…leave lashes bare. Such are the touchstones of this season’s über-nude look. Yet, there’s nothing alien or odd about this pallor. Pulling reference points from English aristocracy and portraiture to grooming on the verge of grunge, this girl is tough, urban and consciously plays with a certain androgynously sensual beauty. (Did I NOT say Tilda Swinton like ten times already?) She doesn’t care a lot, but she cares enough, and minimal amounts of makeup upgrade what’s naturally there. It’s a look brought to life by the dominance of shine-enhancing textures. “It’s about pale with a texture to it,” says Gordon Espinet. Hydrated and bathed in light, this skincare-effect makeup is low-level languid for the most enigmatic feel. “It adds a vulnerability and openness to the face,” says lyne desnoyers.

Quotes
Tiffany Johnston “Gloss texture on the eye and brushed through the brow is officially the most popular product of the season.”

Key Products
Gloss Texture
Strobe Cream
Strobe Liquid
Lip Conditioner
Face And Body Foundation In N1
Cream Colour Base In Luna
Eye Kohl In Fascinating
Brow Set In Clear
Studio Moisture Tint Spf 15
Select Moisturecover Concealer
Care Blends Essential Oils
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Fix +
Set Powder In Invisible
Prep + Prime Lip
Brow Set In Mink
Sculpting Powder In Emphasize
Shaping Powder In Lightsweep
Pro Longlash In Barelash
Lip Erase In Dim
Lip Erase In Pale

Look #3: American Nomad. I’m loving the whole beach girl Chapsticked lips look with the gold eye. Very Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon.

MAC 2010 Spring LookMAC 2010 Spring Look

From MACPro.com: Surfer girls after a day at the beach…
California tans in shades of dusty sands…Peter Lindberg meets West Coast hippie: this summer’s girl has eased up on her spf 50 obsession and faced the elements for a dusky tan. “It almost seems like a non-beach tan…more like she’s been stuck in the desert for a day,” says Gordon Espinet. So she’s got a relaxed athleticism that’s all about skin and sport; a play on boyish bravado with a tawny, tan cheek. It’s about going lo-fi with high-tech products to achieve the most translucently youthful and health-pumped finish possible. Get laid back, soak in the sun-warmed vibe, and think “discreet and effortless” with the season’s gentle take on bronze…

Quotes
Charlotte Tilbury “It’s healthy, honeyed, recession-proof makeup…Sports Illustrated ’80s icons and gorgeous athleticism.”

Key Products

Crush Metal Pigment In Tan
Lipstick In Fresh Brew
Sculpting Powder In Sculpt
Cream Colour Base In Mid-Tone Sepia
Bronzing Powder In Matte Bronze
Mineralize Blush In Warm Soul
Lip Erase In Dim
Powder Blush In Taupe
Powerpoint Pencil In Duck
Lipstick In Twig
Crush Metal Pigment In Stacked 2!
Brow Pencil In Lingering
Eye Pencil In Coffee
Cremeblend Blush In Joie-De-Vivre
Blushcreme In Cherché
Zoom Lash In Lofty Brown
Face And Body Foundation In C5 And C6
Pro Blush In Clove
Crush Metal Pigment In Stacked 1!
Eye Shadow In Electric Eel (How did bright blue eyeshadow get thrown into this list?)

Look #4: Sculpture Club I’m pretty much loving this.. no soft focus, just hard outlined textures. Pretty cool.

Mac 2010 Spring Eye LookMAC Spring 2010 Look

From MACPro.com: Natural is a built beauty for A/W09. After seasons where a more scrubbed, virginal pure complexion stood at the fore, what looks new for naturalness now is a distinctly constructed, considered forming of the face. In terms of effect, think ‘surgery’ without the ‘plastic’, but regards technique this is sculpting, highlighting and contouring at its most advanced.
“Highlighting and contouring is seriously back – it’s all about those old Eighties techniques and tricks that makeup artists used before retouching…I’m doing a lot of triangular shapes to contour and thinking about contrasts between matte and shimmer and light versus dark,” declares Charlotte Tilbury. “It’s punk couture,” adds Tilbury, who was also feeling “lots of burnished reds and coppers – offbeat Eighties colours, super super blended,” she stressed. And make that blending professional, please. “This is photoshopping, pre-photoshop,” says Val Garland, commanding that “it’s not finger makeup, it’s brush makeup.”

Quotes
Val Garland “We don’t live in a photoshop world so we need to use technique to get there: the more blending you can do on contours the less literally Eighties they’ll be. Use brushes, and don’t buy cheap, buy well.”
Charlotte Tilbury “It’s recreating that feel of ‘80s album cover beauty.”

Key Products
Studio Sculpt SPF15 Foundation
Face and Body Foundation
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Cream Colour Base in Pearl
Sculpt Powder in Emphasize and Light Sweep
Strobe Cream
Cream Colour Base in Tint
Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light
Sheertone Blush in Gingerly
Eye Shadow in Cork
Lip Pencil in Hodgepodge
Lipstick in Shy Girl
Lip Erase in Dim
Lip Conditioner

As Seen At:
ANNE VALERIE HASH
ALESSANDRO DELL’ACQUA
BALMAIN
BLUMARINE
CHLOÉ
DANIELLE SCUTT
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI
JAEGER LONDON
MARIO S SCHWAB
MEADHAM KIRCHOFF
PREEN
PROENZA SCHOULER
RODARTE
TOMMY HILFIGER
VERONIQUE LEROY

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2009 is coming to an end, so I thought I’d recap on some of the beauty highlights from this year’s collections. These choices are based on my own experiences with these products, what I’ve heard from friends & blogs, and what I see listed as “best-sellers” on Sephora.com, Beauty.com, Ulta.com and top department store websites.  If you want to chime in to give your opinion on any of these, or if you want to add to the list, just leave a comment below! Enjoy!!

Top Mascara:

Maybelline Lash Stylist.  This product was discontinued early on this year, but it still remains my top searched keyword on this blog. Thousands of women have expressed interest in this product and have grown to love it, and are now completely upset that Maybelline decided to give it the boot. With its V-shaped comb wand and thickening & lengthening formula, this winning combo sent lashes into space. The price was right, at around $7 per tube, it beat most expensive department store brand mascaras in the butt.
Top Selling Mascaras: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara, CoverGirl Lash Blast, Dior DiorShow Mascara.

Top Liquid Foundation:

This is a toss up between Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation and Boots No7 Intelligent Balance Mousse Foundation. I like them both, and I do like many, many other foundations, but as far as top performing, these are the best that I’ve used. I used to be a huge Revlon ColorStay fan, until the original formula changed, and I switched to MUF HD. I ran out of the MUF HD rather quickly ($40 per bottle) and found the Boots foundation at Target, and loved it ever since. I switch on and off between Boots and the Maybelline SuperStay foundation, but SuperStay it does not and it’s running down my chin by noon. It’s a nice foundation for sure, but it doesn’t perform like I expected.
Top Selling Foundations: Max Factor Lasting Performance, MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation, Prescriptives ‘Virtual Skin’ Super-Natural Finish.

Top Mineral Powder Foundation:

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup SPF 10. This powder is high-end, but I find that it’s the best finish you’ll find as far as mineral makeup goes. It glows and not in a bad, greasy way! I wear this on top of my liquid foundation for extra coverage. I’ll share some best-sellers: bareMinerals MATTE SPF 15 Foundation is among the top-seller on many store’s lists, PUR Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15 won an Allure Editor’s Choice award for being awesome, and I’ve tried a sample of this stuff at Ulta and I actually liked it, but didn’t have a chance to purchase.

Top Concealer:

Depending on how much coverage you need: Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT is actually a brightening product with a bit of color in it to help conceal and liven up dull areas. I love how the product doesn’t cake up or settle in lines. I don’t like greasy concealer either! For a bit more coverage, the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage duo concealer is pretty good. There is a light side and a dark side so that you may mix to your perfect matching color. I’ve used this product before and thought it looked flawless for a little while, but got cakey and greasy on me later. Friends have sworn by the product and said they didn’t experience what I did, but they have different skin types than I do. I’ve also tested the Kat Von D. tattoo concealer at Sephora and found that my friend’s tattoo was nowhere near being covered up (have you seen the pics where K.V.D’s tattoos are virtually erased by this product? hahah Photoshop.. hello?).

Top Foundation Primer:

Since I struggle with primers with my oily skin, I am going to let my friends and store ratings do the talking in the case of makeup primers. I have tried Per-fekt, loved it, but felt that it wasn’t doing anything spectacular to my skin. I’ve tried Clarins, Make Up Forever, MAC, so trust me, just about everything, even have tried Monistat Anti-Chafing gel (Yes, you heard me.. Monistat) which contains the same ingredients as most high-end primers. The only primer I have been using lately and is working the best for me is a product that was created by my aesthetician, there is no brand name! You can’t really buy it unless you see her, either. My friends swear by the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light, which should be great for oily skin. I haven’t tried it enough times to give my final verdict as to whether or not I am impressed by this product. Feel free to leave a comment about which foundation primers you like the best.
Top Selling Foundation Primers: Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Hydrating, Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base.

Top Eyeshadow Primer:

No contest here. Urban Decay Primer Potion is the only thing that keeps my shadows from creasing up. I’ve used it for years and the tube itself will last about a year. If your eyelids still get oily after using this product, dabbing a bit of setting powder over it should help. UDPP (for short) is a best-seller across the board.
Top Selling Eyeshadow Primers:Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow, Laura Geller Spackle Trio, Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer.

Top Eye Cream:

I’ve tried Strivectin, Arcona, Benefit’s Eyecon, MAC’s Fast Response, and a plethora of drugstore brand eye creams that claim to de-puff, de-line and de-darken. I haven’t been repurchasing anything in particular, so obviously I haven’t seen any dramatic results from anything I’ve tried. Since eye cream is normally expensive territory, I don’t tread too often. Since I just started using the Strivectin eye cream about a month ago, I still have to give it time to ‘do something’.
Top Selling Eye Creams: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream (Allure Editor’s Choice Award), Philosophy Eye Hope Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream, Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

Top Moisturizer for the Face:

I gotta say, I love my Strivectin Wrinkle and Stretch Mark Cream! I have noticed a difference in the coloring of my skin, it’s less blotchy and my pores have reduced a little bit, all after one month of use. I also noticed some acne scars disappearing and acne itself seemed to pop up less. As far as wrinkles go, I don’t have any to mention just yet, but I do feel like the cream firms the skin a little. My makeup goes on a bit smoother with use of this product, and since I do not need moisture for oily skin, I am fine with this, it doesn’t add any grease. I love the tingle factor!
Top Selling Moisturizers: Estée Lauder ‘Nutritious’ Vita-Mineral Moisture Gel (Only at Nordstrom), La Mer Moisturizing Cream (Very thick, more for mature or dry skin),and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (My mom likes this).
Top Tinted Moisturizer: Since I normally don’t have much luck with these, I’ll let the best seller’s list do all the talking: All Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizers, Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer, Smashbox ‘Sheer Focus’ Tinted Moisturizer, and drug store favorite, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer.

Top Body Moisturizer:

I’ve loved this product for a long time – Hempz Herbal Moisturizer (the bottle with the pot leaf on the front). It not only smells real yummy, but it performs! Made with pure Hemp seed oil and extracts, Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Ginseng, I really haven’t found anything to beat this. Not a lot of people have heard of it since it’s usually only sold in beauty supply stores and high-end nail salons. You should give it a try!
Top Selling Body Moisturizers: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion, Kiehl’s Crème de Corps.

Top Nail Color Brand:

This is a toss up between O.P.I nail color and Chanel nail color. I love the color variety that O.P.I offers, especially the pinks and corals, but Chanel’s nail color has lasted the longest on my nails out of anything else I’ve tried. I stopped buying nail polish a while ago because I have way too many!
Top Selling Nail Color Brands: Lippmann Collection (Celeb manicurist, Deborah Lippmann), NARS Nail Polish, Essie Nail Polish.

Top Brow Product:

I was using a MAC matte eyeshadow to fill in my brows, but now that my hair has been lightened to nearly blonde, I need to find something new .. stat! Just about everything that is Anastasia brand is a best-seller as far as brow products go. Anastasia is the celebrity eyebrow guru, and if she had anything to do with Megan Fox’s brows, I’m in. Although, I heard she gets her brows done at the Pink Cheeks salon in LA. Lucky bastards!
Top Selling Brow Products: Prescriptives Groom Stick for Brows, Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duos, bareMinerals Brow Color (loose mineral powder).

Top Fix-It Product:

I do not think I can live without Benefit High Brow. I use this product nearly every single day, it seems to last forever, and it saves me! I use this pink/beige creamy pencil under my eyebrows to highlight, brighten and to cover up unplucked brow hairs. It leaves my eyes looking polished, helping my eyeshadow blend a little better, also. My trick is to put this product on BEFORE filling in my brows. It helps the brow product glide on smoother.. plus, if you put this on after you have filled in your brows, it tends to wipe away some of the brow product if you are not careful. I also use this product in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten up my look, as well as using it in the water line of my eye instead of using a white eyeliner pencil.

Top Eyeshadow:

This is a super toughie. I have only owned one of these, but I have to say that Makeup Forever eyeshadow is superb. I use the shadow in Sephora when I go there to “play” and I am always impressed with the texture, color selection and blendability of MUF. I plan on purchasing more of these shadows in the future. Next up, of course I have to mention MAC eyeshadow. I love the pan refill shadows for my big palettes, the MAC Pigments and the color selection cannot be topped. One more! I also use and love Bare Escentual Mineral eyeshadows. These puppies last ages and always blend flawlessly. My drug store favorite eye shadow is the Milani brand eye shadows, which I have found at both Target & Walgreens. You can fit Milani single shadows inside of a MAC Pro palette, which is a total added bonus!
Top Selling Eyeshadow: Prescriptives ‘U-Pick’ Eye Color, Stila Eye Shadow Pans, NARS Single Eyeshadows & drug store favorite, Jane Eye Zing.

Top Liquid Eyeliner:

My favorite liquid liner was made by Chanel, and I do not see it listed anywhere for sale. Bummer! It was not the automatic pen liner, it was a very small well of color, with a very small and precise brush. Pretty sure it was the best ever.. and where did it go!? Well, there is yet another that I use, which is the Maybelline Line Works Ultra-Liner Waterproof Liquid Liner. For around $6 you can’t go wrong. The only thing that people may find strange about it is that it comes off in one piece when you wash your face. It’s almost like a thin strip of rubber. I’ve been swimming with this eyeliner on, and it worked without running! One of the cons to this product is also the fact that it’s a little shiny, it’s not that noticable, but if I want the product to look more matte, I will apply a bit of a black matte shadow over the top with an angled brow brush.
Top Selling Liquid Eyeliners: Lancome ARTLINER – Precision Point EyeLiner, blinc brand eyeliner, MAC ‘Penultimate’ Eye Liner, and drug store brand CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen (Allure Editor’s Choice award).

Top Gel/Creme Eyeliner: With MAC’s launch of the Chromaline collection,  I’ve been all over these gel liners like crazy.  MAC Chromaline Gel liner in Black Black is my best friend.  It stays put, does its job and doesn’t act like a brat. I love it! I also use this product in the waterline of my eyes and it doesn’t run. I also have used MAC Fluidline, but it dried up in the glass jar rather quickly, so I am sticking to this new product.
Top Selling Gel/Creme Eyeliner: Stila Smudgepots, Make Up Forever Aqua Creamliner, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (Have used in several tutorials), and Allure Editor’s Choice winner, L’Oréal Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Color Truth Cream Eyeliner.

Top Pencil Eyeliner:

I don’t exactly use pencil eyeliner anymore since the discovery of the MAC Chromaline gel eyeliner, but I do have a great suggestion for those looking for an awesome pencil liner – Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. End of story. That is THE eyeliner of choice, and is one of the 2009 Allure Best of Beauty Winners.
Top Selling Pencil Eyeliners: Jane Iredale Pencil Eyeliner, Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes, MAC Splashproof PowerPoint Eye Pencil, and CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Self Sharpening Eye Pencil.

Top Blush:

I have several fave blush brands: MAC Blush (color choice is awesome), LORAC Blush (Great pigmentation!), Milani Blush (Great drug store brand with awesome quality, very similar to NARS) and NARS Blush (Nice finish, great quality).
Top Selling Blushes: bareMinerals blush (I have several of these and use them when I am doing a more natural look), Makeup Forever Powder Blush (Have tried and loved! Intense pigment), Bobbi Brown blush (Allure Winner), and drug store fave, CoverGirl Classic Color Blush.

Top Bronzer:

I’m as pale as a ghost, so a little bronzing goes a really long way. Since I have oily skin, I have to be careful that my bronzer doesn’t turn into a muddy mess later on. I prefer a matte bronzer and use NARS Matte blushes as a bronzer & MAC’s Bronzing Powder compact, which has an ever so slight shimmer.
Top Selling Bronzers: Laura Geller Bronze-n-Brighten, Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, drug store fave, Jane Oil-Free Bronzing Powder, and Allure Beauty Winner, Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer.

Top Lip Liner:

I am straying away from lip liner a little bit (going for the ‘just gloss’ look), but if I need to define my lips and not worry about feathering or bleeding, I use the Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner. Just like the 24/7 eyeliner, it is pretty much awesome. I use the color “Naked” (Matte mauve/nude) and it works with just about every lip color I own, except for light pinks.
Top Selling Lip Liners: bareMinerals Escentuals Quick Stick, NARS Lip Liner Pencil, MAC Lip Pencil, and drug store fave, Milani Easyliner for Lips Retractable Pencil.

Top Lipstick:

I am a lipstick girl when I have the time through the day to reapply it (like when I am going out on the weekends) and I have probably over 200 lipsticks sitting around the bathroom in bins, boxes, makeup bags, etc. It’s kinda sad! I love so many different lipsticks, so many brands, I can’t pick just one fave. I’ll just list the brands that I use most often, how about that? Let’s start with YSL (Yves Saint Laurent), the lipstick is elegant and just makes me feel rich, pretty, and maybe a little famous. A lot of celebs wear YSL lipstick (including Dita VonTeese -her signature red) and well, I feel celeb-ish when wearing it, too. Of course, I love MAC lipstick, the range of colors is ridiculous, the wide range of textures is just crazy. I also like Boots lipstick, Milani Lipstick, NYX lipstick (for the bright pinks), Vincent Longo lipstick (the texture is really smooth), and Chanel lipstick. Lately, I’ve been wearing the Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick and I’ve liked it, but I think it lacks pigment (sheer is sometimes not my cup o’ tea).
Top Selling Lipstick: Trish McEvoy Cream Lip Color, NARS Lipstick, LORAC Lotsa Lip Lipstick, drug store fave, CoverGirl TruShine, and Allure Winner, Revlon ColorStay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor.

Top Lip Gloss:

Ahh lip gloss, something I can’t live without.. I’m sure you share the same sentiment. My favorite all-time gloss was the Clinique Colour Surge Lip Lacquer High Shine Sheers in shade New Rain. It was the perfect high-shine gloss, and was purchased around 2004. I found an Amazon store that had it in stock and I had to purchase it. I am so glad I found it! Since the product has long been discontinued, I really don’t think it’s fair to list it as a 2009 product, but I thought I would share since you may or may not be interested in finding it online, I’ve seen some floating around. Just like I mentioned in the Lipstick list, I probably have hundreds of lip glosses, and it gets quite unorganized at times. I tried putting peaches, pinks, browns, etc. in zip lock bags and storing them away, but it just didn’t seem to work out since I am such a huge hurry out the door for work. Things just end up getting tossed in my purse or in another drawer. I’ll list the products that I’ve used the most this year, and loved: Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss (elegant, sheer, beautiful colors), Chanel Glossimer (Highly pigmented, rich, long-lasting), Tarte glosses (natural, feels good, sheer), MAC Lipglass (awesome color selection, liked mostly the limited edition colors) Mark. Cosmetics Juice Gems in Juicy Fig (Similar to Lancome Juicy Tubes, but very inexpensive).
Top Selling Lip Gloss: Lancome Juicy Tubes, NARS Lip Gloss, Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips, Target best-seller, e.l.f Hypershine lip gloss, and Allure Winner, Clinique Long Last Glosswear.

Top Lip/Cheek Stain:

This is not exactly my area of expertise since stains never work on me. I used to buy the Eyeko brand lip markers, same as Paris Hilton used, and they were the best. Discontinued, of course. Sucks. I was so disappointed by the Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stains that I really didn’t care to try anything else. I’ve heard that the Sephora brand stains are good, as well as the Smashbox O-Glow stain, it looks damned good on my friends, that is for sure!
Top Lip Stain Sellers: Luna Twilight DuWop Lip Venom, Tarte Rise & Shine, Benefit Benetint, and Pixi Lip Blush at Target.

Top Highlighter:

I shape and contour my facial features with both a bronzer and highlighter. I feel like the MAC Iridescent Powder/Pressed in Belightful (a peachy bronze shimmer) has always done a good job giving me my glow to go.
Top Selling Highligters: bareMinerals All-Over Face Color, Too Faced Absolutely Invisible, Candlelight, Les Tissages Lames de CHANEL Shimmering Tweed Highlighter, Benefit Cosmetics 10, drug store top pick, Physicians Formula Virtual Face Powder, Translucent Pearl, and Allure winner, Jemma Kidd Makeup School Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème.

Top Pressed / Loose Face Powders:

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder. Love it. Cool packaging, awesome product.. but I’m always running out. When I go out to a concert, club or whatever, I like to occasionally use MAC Studio Fix powder, although I breakout like a mo-fo the next day, but the finish looks damned good.
Top Selling Powders:Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil, MAC Blot Powder/Pressed, Avene Tinted Compact SPF 50, MAKE UP FOR EVER Duo Mat Powder Foundation, drug store fave, Coty Airspun Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage, and Allure winner, L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder.

Top Makeup Brushes:

I have a lot of brushes, but I always carry the following: Bare Escentuals Handy Buki (for powder, blush, bronzer, everything), Beauty Strokes Hi-Lite / Blender brush (basic application of eye shadow color), Beauty Strokes Crease Blender brush, MAC 224 crease blender brush, Brandon slanted eyebrow brush, MAC 180 flat top foundation brush (discontinued), MAC Pencil brush (for applying dark colors to crease or creating a smokey look on lower lash line), Mark. Cosmetics small concealer brush (for dabbing concealer, applying wet products), and Benefit Get Bent eyeliner brush (applying liquid liner, cream liner, cake liners).
Top Selling Makeup Brushes: Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush, Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Refillable Buffing Brush, bareMinerals Buffing Brushes, Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, Eco Tools 5 Piece Bamboo Brush Set, and Allure winner, the Giorgio Armani Beauty Foundation Brush.

Top Face Wash (normal skin):

I try a new face wash every year and see if anything miraculous happens. I’ve tried really expensive “anti-aging” face washes that felt and smelled real nice, but I didn’t see my skin improving much. I have thrown my hands up to Mother Nature and decided that there is no such thing as a face wash that is going to make me look that much younger. I just want something simple and cheap, but most importantly, leaves no trace of makeup behind. Basis brand Cleaner Clean Face Wash is my number one face wash. I’ve already repurchased twice, which means I like it! The price is as equally amazing.. less than $6 for a 6 ounce tube! You gotta give it a chance! When I break out, I do use the ProActiv Face Wash, which is not used to remove makeup, but it really helps clear up my occasional acne.
Top Selling Face Washes: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Avene Cleanance Soap-free Facial Gel Cleanser, Philosophy Purity Made Simple, drug store favorite, Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash and Allure Beauty Winner, Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Cleanser.

Top Skin Care Brand:

I am a skin care flip-flopper. I have been recently using a no name brand that an aesthetician developed for her spa, and I really like it. I have really oily skin and I like my skin care regime to be really light. So since I really can’t hail any brands that I’ve loved recently besides the above mentioned creation, I’ll let the best-sellers do all the talking.
Top Selling Skin Care Products: Nivea Visage Q10 Advanced Wrinkle Reducer Night Creme, Estée Lauder ‘Nutritious’ Vita-Mineral Moisture Gel Creme, Fresh Rose Face Mask, Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminée Eye and Lip Cream, and Allure Winner, Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System.

Top Lashes:

MAC’s Hello Kitty Lashes may have been a limited edition item, but the “20 Half Lashes” from MAC seems a little similar. I love half lashes for the outer corners of my eyes, it gives me that cat-eye look with little effort. I find full lash strips to be uncomfortable, I don’t like being able to feel them resting on my eyes. Another awesome half lash product is the Vincent Longo La Dolce Vita Lashes that includes an awesome glue!
Top Selling Lashes: Ardell Fashion Lashes Strip Lash, 120 Black, shu uemura Soft Cross False Eyelashes, Makeup Forever Strip Eyelashes, and Laura Mercier Corner Faux Eyelashes.

Top Shampoo:

I’ve just recently bleached all the black out of my hair, so my hair needs some TLC! I recently purchased a shampoo that I really for my chemically treated and damaged hair, it’s Dumb Blonde by TIGI Bed Head. Great name! Great smell, almost like gummi bears. It’s really moisturizing, and it’s really similar to the Sally Beauty Supply APHogee Deep Moisture Shampoo, but without the fancy smell. Everyone always tell me to “Get Pantene!”.. but that product contains silicone that weighs the hair down and eventually causes a ton of buildup in the hair. NO thanks! I also love the Frederic Fekkai Moisturizing Shampoo with Shea Butter, it smells SUPER good and leaves my hair very nice, but the price of the product was getting a little heavy.
Top Selling Shampoos: Klorane Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk, Frederic Fekkai Technician Shampoo For Dry, Damaged, Color-Treated Hair (I tried this and didn’t see much happening to my hair), Kiehl’s ‘Sunflower’ Color Preserving Shampoo, drug store fave, Neutrogena Clean Shampoo, Replenishing, and Allure Beauty Winner, Kérastase Resistance Bain Volumactive Volumising Shampoo for Fine and Vulnerable Hair. I’d also like to mention that the Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo is a popular product that I plan on buying soon. I hear it’s great to use when you don’t have time to wash your hair!

Top Conditioner:

Again, I gotta give props to the Tigi Dumb Blonde line of products! The Dumb Blonde Reconstructing Conditioner is pretty damned good so far. Again, smells like lovely candy that I want to chomp. I leave this in my hair for as long as I can, it seems to really nourish my poor bleached locks. I just started dabbling with Aussie 3-minute Miracle, as suggested by numerous websites that talk about bleach blonde hair.. I haven’t come to the conclusion that it’s good just yet. The Frederic Fekkai Moisturizing Conditioner with Shea Butter is a fave, but like I mentioned before, the Fekkai line of hair products if quite pricey.
Top Selling Conditioners: Terax Hair Care Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner (I used to buy tubs of these on ebay quite frequently, it’s expensive!), Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment (I have this at home and it’s really funky to use, but I think it works alright), Kiehl’s ‘Sunflower’ Color Preserving Conditioner, drug store favorite, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner, and Allure Beauty Winner, L’oréal Professionnel Série Expert Volume Expand Volumising Cream Conditioner for Fine Hair.

Top Overall Hair Care product:

I use a lot of heat on my hair.. the dryer, the flat iron, sometimes curling iron, several days per week. The Regis Cashmere Kera-Forte Fortifying Sealant Spray is great for using before and after I use any heat products on my hair. LOVE THIS STUFF. I got my friends hooked! You can only purchase it at Regis salons. It makes my hair look and smell like I’ve just stepped out of a salon!
Top Selling Hair Care & Treatment Products: PHYTO Phytophanere Dietary Supplement (Top seller in more than two stores online!), Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Treatment Mask, and Allure Beauty Winner, For Fine/Normal Hair – Matrix Biolage Fortethérapie Intensive Strengthening Masque.

Top Brands of 2009:

I do have to say that MAC Brand has really impressed me this year. With the darling packaging of the Baroque Boudoir collection, the amazing variety of holiday gift sets, and the release of the Chromaline gel eyeliners, you can’t go wrong with MAC. I’ve been a fan for a really long time, but this year I think I was the most excited about the launches. I am looking forward to seeing what MAC has to offer in 2010.
More Top Selling Brands: Bare Escentuals, NARS, Urban Decay, Sephora brand, Bobbi Brown, L’Oreal, Maybelline, CoverGirl, Boots, Revlon.

If you have any products to boast about or brands that you want noticed, please post a comment below!

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