Monday, January 3, 2011

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

18 comments:

  1. Would you choose rosebud slave or jack black intense therapy lip balm?

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  2. I love the palettes you've selected. I totally agree with the top.

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  3. Love all of those products! Coralista is one of my fav blush ever!

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  4. The Stila Jewel Palette looks gorgeous!

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  5. @ Anonymous.. I don't like Rosebud Salve and prefer Jack Black 100x more. Rosebud Salve worked for me at first for a few weeks-a month but after that, it started DRYING out my lips like crazy. The only thing that could repair my lips from that was my beloved Jack Black!

    @ Tormentilla28.. Thank you -glad you liked them! =)

    @ luckiebeauty.. I'm LOVING Coralista right now. =)

    @ superslickgloss.. It's one of my favorite palettes -ever! It just "adds" to every look.

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  6. I love Coralista! I want to buy it soon, but Im worried it wont look good on me :( Anyways, I just followed you! Please follow me back! Im really loving your blog :)

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  7. Great post and review! Lovely photos!

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  8. recently got coralista too and it's making my best of list.. great blush!

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  9. hey! great list!!
    the Coralista blush looks really pretty :) thanks for sharing!!

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  10. You have selected some really nice palettes although I don't have these yet but I really like the swatches of Naked and UD alice in wonderland palette.

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  11. aw, just too bad UD naked palette is too expensive for me.. but great post, nonetheless! :)

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  12. @ MakeupSparkle.. Following you back hun. =) And I'm pretty sure Coralista can look great on anyone! It's such a universally flattering shade.

    @ Widdlesh.. Thank you! =)

    @ Justine.. Great minds think alike huh.. =P LOL.. I love Coralista as well. <33

    @ MEOW.. Thank you. =) And you're welcome.

    @ alvira.. If you get the chance, I think NAKED would be the best "all around" palette since it will work for anyone. It's an amazing value..

    @ snow0016.. I hope you get to have it soon! =) Add it to your wishlist -maybe someone will get it for you. ;) LOL that's what I do when I can't afford something.. I wish and hope that it'll come true. <33

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  13. i need to get my hands on that darn Naked Palette!

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  14. oh if i could just get my hands onto that naked palette. or even the shady lady one! darn it, they look gorgeaus. still didn't get sleek storm but looking into it.

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  15. I've been wanting to try Sleek palettes too.. but I seriously think I need to go on a no-buy (at least when it comes to palettes!) And if you were to get either one of those palettes, I'd recommend the NAKED palette if you love neutrals as it's such amazing quality and a really great value and the Shady Lady palette if you love color (also a great value and great quality.) <33

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  16. lovely products you got! I always love the packaging of too faced. and man yeah I really need to get myself that naked palette!

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  17. You neeeeed it!! I know you like neutrals so I know you'll love it. <33

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