Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Top 10 Beauty Favorites of 2012

It's been a while since I did a beauty review, and after reading so many "favorites of 2012" I thought I would hop on the bandwagon with my top 10 favorite beauty products of the year. It was surprisingly hard to narrow the list down to 10, but I did it! Woohoo! I tried to include a mix of high end and drugstore products, but I may try and find some dupes for the high end products-- if that's something y'all think you'd want to read! So with out further adieu, Blue Dog Belle's top 10 beauty finds of 2012.

2012 Beauty Favorites


Urban Decay Naked Palette was definitely my #1 favorite of 2012. I can honestly say I used it every single day I put shadow on my lids last year. AND even better than that- I have yet to hit the pan on any of the colors! I got Naked 2 for Christmas this year- and so far I'm loving it... it's definitely on it's way to being a favorite of 2013. 

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation  I picked this up in the "How to look the best at everything"  kit and I can tell you it's the best foundation I've ever used. While it's on the expensive side I am amazed at the coverage. I have don't have great skin. It's splotchy, oily, a few noticeable acne scars, etc so I need a medium coverage foundation at minimum. Then I struggle with cakiness so it's an on going battle. This foundation has such a light feel, but the coverage is insane! 

Stila One Step Bronze was introduced to me this summer in a Birchbox and it quickly became the favorite of the summer. It's a great primer and ads a subtle depth of color and a little shimmer. On good days I would just wear this with a little powder, but I've been pulling it out lately to bring a little glow to my super pale winter face. 

NYX Retractable Lip Liner- I just discovered the awesomeness that is lip liner this summer, and this one is a great one. I have a few colors and the stay power is great. Super creamy and great pigmentation. I'd highly recommend these. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain -- This is probably my biggest find of 2012. I think I own seven. It's getting a tad excessive, but I have yet to find a shade I don't love. These are all matte, buildable, super pigmented, hydrating and long wearing. I love that it offers a lot of color impact with out having to worry about color bleeding or constantly re-applying.

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara- I absolutely love this mascara. It makes my nonexistent blonde lashes transform into these dark soft and thick beauties that I only dream about.

Stila Custom Color Blush I cashed in some Birchbox points to pick this baby up and I'm SO glad I did! While it's hot pink in the pan it goes on very sheer, but is super buildable so you can have a bright pink glow or just a subtle hint of warmth. Plus it's matte, which I love. Shimmer is great, don't get me wrong, but when you do a shimmer highlight, shimmer in your powder, shimmer on the eyes, the lips, bronzer, etc. it's nice to balance it out with a little matte here and there. 

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Berry Smoothie-- I was introduced to the lip butters in 2011, but didn't pick up berry smoothie until this fall, and I am in love. It's the perfect berry color, and I love the pigmentation of this shade. There's no glitter but it doesn't seem to be totally matte either.  

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner another Birchbox find. I love eye liners in marker form and this one is great. Doesn't dry up, really easy to control, great staying power and awesome pigmentation. 

15 comments:

Nat said...

Love these reviews- I'm always on the hunt for new products to try

Niki {Glossy Blonde} said...

The Stila one step is great! I love the Clinique Chubby Stick too!

Emily said...

I love my Naked Palette and my Urban Decay Primer :) Thanks for sharing about the Benefit Foundation... Normally I wear my BB Cream to work, etc. But it would be nice to have more of a full coverage look when I go out! I also love the review on the Stila Bronzer, especially after I had a conversation with one of my girlfriends this morning about which one of us looked more like casper. Sigh. Happy Tuesday. oxo

Leslie said...

I love the Naked Palette! I need to try some of these other products though!

Unknown said...

love naked palette!! i need to try that urban decay primer next!!

xo,Taylor
iLikeMyClothesTaylored.blogspot.com

Pamela said...

such great picks! I LOOOVE that eyeko eyeliner - I just discovered that in december & it is amazing! I also love the benefit foundation - it is awesome! I also love the stila convertible blushes - they rock!

Amy Powell said...

the liquid eyeliner looks perfect. I'm on the eyeliner gel right now, but may have to get back into the pen. we'll see :)

My-cliffnotes said...

Ooh thank you I love trying new stuff

Sarah Elizabeth said...

I also love that shade of Revlon lip butter (I'm on my second one and have bought it for numerous people as a gift). I adore the Revlon lip stains; I only have two, but know I'll be getting more. I use my Naked palette every day and I'm nowhere close to hitting pan. I use Urban Decay primer every day. I'm interested in trying that mascara and possibly that foundation, although I love my Tarte and Dr. Jart ones. I love seeing what makeup other people wear. Thanks for sharing, Emily!

tara said...

i've been wanting to try that stila blush! looks so pretty!

Chris said...

I've been meaning to try that mascara and I love the lip butters! They're amazing!

Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife said...

You know I'm right there with you on using that Naked palette every single day!!! Love that thing.

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings said...

Loving your favorites! I was so impressed with the Eyeko liner that we got from Birchbox. Glad you love the Naked 2 so far!

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

Kristin Ackerman @ the Ackerman three said...

I've never seen that brand of eyeliner before! I use stila's liquid pen and it looks similar. I love your blog and thanks for the encouraging comment ;) I used to live in northern va actually, and dc is definitely a favorite city of mine!

Theackermanthree.blogspot.com

Elle Sees said...

such great picks!!

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