I'm late putting up today's Friday Forum because I went over to the hospital for two MRIs this morning. I had one of my lumbar spine and one of my right hip. If anyone had told me that MRIs were open on both ends, I wouldn't have bothered with open MRIs all these years. It was a piece of cake. Good thing - I'm sure these two won't be my last.
Since we are closing in on many "Best of 2012" features (from television to blogs), I thought I'd ask you to post your favorite beauty products of 2012. I plan to post mine for the holiday, but I don't want you to be influenced by my selections. What knocked your socks off this year? It didn't have to be introduced this year, but had to be discovered (by you) this year. This should be fun.
It's that weekly time anyhow, when we chat the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.
Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway contest. The Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Foiled Waterproof Eyeliner Set is beyond cool. The deadline is tomorrow, Saturday, December 29, at midnight.
iPhone photo by Best Things in Beauty
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Well, My obsession with Bobbi Brown continued.
I got the Bellini palette for xmas and Shimmerwashes in Heather and Rose Gold which are both beautiful. BB lippies are still my favorite - namely Ruby Shimmer, my red, Putty a discontinued shade that is my lip but better shade.
The pot of Kohl liner Bobbi did should become a staple. Its beautiful both wet and dry.
My best find of the year is the Dermalogica skin care line.
I found the best esthiscian evah in Katy. Plus I had a full face lift!!! so beauty is a more pleasurable thing for me. Getting rid of my turkey neck, eye bags, forehead furrows, saggy jowls.
Sorry about the MRIs. I have MS so I have to have them on a regular basis. The worst part is the headache I get from the hammering.
Happy New Year!!
Charelstongirl, I hope all goes well with the MRI results. Doctoring is never fun. I also know from expierence how persistant we have to be as "pet parents" sometimes. I know they love us in the end even if they don't always understand when we "mess" with them.
I'm still on Christmas vacaction so I am happy to weigh in on today's topic. Since 2012 was really the first year that I started purchasing non-drugstore makeup I found several things I liked and several more that are as they say "holy grail" for me. First off I discovered Bobbi Brown Corrector for under eye circles. It really helps with the blue under eye circles. I also love my Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice. I don't care if it's winter. It's *the bomb* on me! Perfect color, subtle sheen and applies beautifuly. I'm also digging MAC eyeshadow in Sumptuous Olive. Where has this been all of my life? And I can't forget to mention Lancome's Blush Highlighter in Moonlight Rose. So pretty that I will have to be on the hunt to replace it with something similarsomeday.
I'd also like to mention a couple drugstore discoveries that I cannot be without: Wet n Wild Coloricon eyeliner in Olive. Easy to apply, great color and long lasting. And lastly.....Maybelline MasterShape eyeliner with spoolie in Soft Brown. I never realized that filling in your eyebrows could shave years off of your appearance.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what your other followers have to say about their favorite beauty products!
Oh, my goodness! There were so many beautiful collections in 2012. And, even though I've made purchases from the Spring 2013 collections, I'm going to confine my list to only ten things from the 2012 collections They are:
1. Guerlain Cruel Gardenia,
2. Guerlain eye quad in Capri,
3. Guerlain Pucci Météorites,
4. Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in 002. Whew! Do you think the name could have been any longer? LOL
5. Chanel blusher in Rose Initiale,
6. Chanel blusher in Star Dust,
7. Guerlain eye quad in Turandot,
8. Guerlain Météorites in Perles du Dragon,
9. Chantecaille's illuminator in Les Pétales de Rose.
10. Tom Ford Bronzer Brushes (I bought two!)
Actually this list could gone on and on because there were just so many stellar products this past year.
Christine, I am putting up a new Bobbi Collection tonight. Get ready!
As for the surgery, you go girl! Funny thing, that noise never bothered me. Did they give you hearing protectors?
Happy New Year!
Bi grlnxdor!
I don't think I'll know them for a week, given the holidays Monday and Tuesday. I guess we will find out definitively whether my hip pain is hip or referred from my spine.
You may have just jumped into luxury makeup, but you did it with style!
Darn it, Eileen. I have tried so hard not to buy those brushes. Now I'm putty.
You and I have a BIG crossover. :)
I had an MRI as well this am! 7:30 am, I slept in my clothes last night! Mine was due to fainting, never before! Of course when I fell I fell on my knee that had two surgeries this year! Crazy!!!
I am tending back to Bobbi Brown lately! The new powders you posted look amazing, I ordered two! I have been more into fragrance this year than makeup, as I was limited in mobility and didn't get out as much! Looking forward to Spring beauties as I am starting physical therapy (again) and looking forward to joining the world!
Yuk, Judith. I have a metal knee and highly recommend them. :) Sorry about PT. It's a time sink.
I spent more on perfume this year than any other category. I really had fun exploring.
This year, I discovered YOU!!
Try Pill Pockets - you can get at pet supermarket - put the pill in a treat like pocket and shove down - works pretty well - Hope you are feeling better soon
Hi CG,
As this is open Friday Forum,I just wanted to ask if anyone else had issues w/their Black Friday/ Cyber Monday "extras?" I asked for my Xmas gifts to be purchased then for the bonuses. My eagerly awaited Bobbi Brown items, although beautifully boxed, arrived with just 1 lip gloss sample.
It was a generous size, but it was not what was offered. I warned my sister about my samples, as not to mistakenly toss them, and she gave me the unopened shipping box on Xmas. My 10.00 promo gift card from
L'Ocitainne did not work (code invalid.)My niece was shorted 1 deluxe body creme sample from Jo Malone.My sister ordered me 2 Body Shop foaming cleansers & 1 arrived w/o a cap.I don't know if anyone else had similar experiences, or was it just my family? Purchases were all from the companies' websites.These are some of my
favorite companies and I am a regular customer, but I thought it odd that all our bonus buys backfired! Think I will sit out during the special offer frenzy next year. I intend to contact L'Occ re the problem, but with the others I will not bother.
Hi Unknown,
Charlie will eat Pill Pockets only if they are empty of meds. Put a little pill in one, seal it up, and it's total rejection. He is one smart kitty.
Thank you, Unknown! That's so sweet!
My favorite finds of 2012:
*BTiB blog. I read it daily and I wish I could meet you ladies for a glass of wine and some make up shopping.
*Bobbi Brown long wearing cream eye shadow in nude and candlelight. Love.
*It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Circles. Life changing for me.
*Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion AM Moisturizer SPF30 (and night serum)
*Chantecaille brilliant gloss, lip chic nocturne and les fetes trio
*Chanel Spring 13 illuminizer. Love.
Thanks, CG! Happy New Year!
Hi Anonymous,
You need to complain to all of them. I suspect they will make good - maybe with a substitute. They all hire temporary labor during the holiday season, and they are poorly trained. Complain - otherwise the companies will think they did a great job. They are patting themselves on the back now.
I have to say, CG, that the best makeup discovery this year was this blog. I had come across it repeatedly when doing searches for reviews. I decided to finally subscribe so as not to miss any reviews. I appreciate the descriptions, swatches, regular updates and the fact that you reply to just about everyone.
The beginning of the year was a low-point in makeup for me. My long-time favourite Chanel SA quit. I was in such disbelief. And I wondered why she didn't call (like she really had to let me know!). Then, to add insult to injury, the other local Chanel counter stopped selling anything other than fragrances. Feeling no affinity these two Chanel counters any more, I began to order from Holt Renfrew in Toronto. I place a call and items come right to my door. Best of all has been the generous Exclusifs samples that they have included. I have now fallen in love with Bois des îles (have the perfume, but have never been able to bring myself to open it) and Eau de Cologne.
As far as makeup itself goes, I have made some wonderful discoveries, even though I was pregnant for the first half of the year and feeling pretty unpretty. I am a compulsive label reader (having had cancer as a young adult will do that to you). This year, I decided that, instead of only using natural products that do not always perform and making myself crazy trying to find them, I would avoid certain ingredients – and consult EWG. Jane Iredale's Pure Pressed Foundation was a revelation. It was the first time I was matched correctly, and not to the hyper-pigmentation around my mouth. Combined with a cream suncreen, I was able to wander around London and Paris and get not one drop of colour. Her eye shadow trio in Silver Lining (plum, charcoal and silver) and lip liner in Berry are gorgeous, last well and have excellent pigmentation. I combine the lip liner with Ilia Beauty's lipstick in Neon Angel, my 2012 green find to replace YSL's iconic n°19, le Fuchsia.
Less green discoveries were YSL's Shocking mascara. Wow, does it make my sparse lashes (chemotherapy will do that!) look full! Another thing that I found and adore: Hourglass's Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon. What a gorgeous red! It lasts like crazy, too. Lastly, Santa just brought me Guerlain's Precious Light Illuminator. I have those genetic raccoon eyes (and age has also caused veins to surface – lovely!) and this hides them perfectly! I also got the eyeshadow primer, but have yet to try it.
All my best to you, CG, for a happy and healthy 2013. I hope that your fur baby will have a good one, too. I can remember the lengths I had to go to give my golden his pills. I used to have to hide them in peanut butter and bread. Even then, he would manage to pick them out! And hope MRI results goo well. I get them, too. This year was the first time I had trouble and had to use the call bell. Man, do they come running!
Hi CG! I have so much new makeup I don't know where to start. After purchasing the Estee Lauder makeup extravaganza PWP, I told my hub that this was what he was giving me for Christmas. I also purchased the M. Kors PWP bag AND the Lancome GWP came with some cleanser and mascara. Then my darling hub forgot what I told him and bought me the Bobbi Brown Bellini palette. He also gifted me Gold Rush and Amber Queen fragrance from A Dozen Roses. I am in makeup and perfume heaven! I love all your reviews and read you daily. I am wishing you and your family a healthy and wonderful 2013!
Oh, I forgot to add my makeup discovery this year was (1) oil cleansers (Dermalogica Pre Cleanse) and (2) Tarte foundations. I also discovered that I look a little better in almost nude lipglosses as opposed to brighter matte colors. I also dont have to worry about the color bleeding into lip lines. My fragrance discovery this year was Hermes Un Jardin Soir le Toit. Light, fresh and my daughters approve!
Best discovery to me this year was Dior Addict Ultra Gloss. After all this time of everyone raving about Chanel Glossimers, I've found that I much prefer the Dior Addict Ultra Glosses. Why aren't people shouting more loudly about these? I'm not sure why I hadn't tried them before as Dior is my favourite brand, but I'm glad I finally got around to it, thanks to the Summer Mix collection. Also, Dior spring 2012 was gorgeous. Dior Graphic Grey 1 Couleur eyeshadow. Hmm, a lot of Dior!
Shiseido Prefect Foundation brush. It's actually the shape I've always wanted for a foundation brish and been looking for for a few years, so when I saw it, my prayers had been answered. I was very quick in getting myself two more after I had tried the first one. Liquid foundations, powder foundation even mineral look perfect with this brush.
Chanel Harmonie du Soir palette. A rare palette with a burgundy in it. That and it's the twin for Topkapi.
(I have a theory that with Chanel moving to make worldwide items consistent within the next few years, they may be moving to this formula and using round pans. Maybe they're testing the waters with these limited releases? Purely conjecture on my part!)
Oh! Le Vernis in Malice, how could I forget?
Adding some Burberry to my stash. I have already built up a nice little collection, just a few eyeshadows, a couple of lipsticks and glosses. I love them all.
Adding to my Guerlain Meteorites which prebiously stood at one (Dragon and Pucci editions).
For skin care, La Roche Posay. The whole line. Can't wait to see what next year has in store beuty-wise. I'm planning to focus on brushes. It's been fun reading everyone's answers!
Here's wishing for a wonderful New Year 2013 for everyone!
Leila
Hi CG,
I hope your hip pain turns out to be easy to fix. I know tha tis not an easy feat.
This top ten list is fun, my tope ten beauty finds for 2012 in no particular order:
1. Marie Veronique Organics Pacific Night Serum with Retinol
2. Chantecaille brillant gloss in Lucky
3. LMdB Aurora lip kaledioscope
4. Claudio Riaz Instant Face in Shade #1
5. Guerlain Cruel Gardenia
6. Tom Ford Eyebrow pencil in Blonde
7. LMdB eye kaledioscope in Pallid Incandiscents
8. LMdB eye kaledioscope in Nouvelle Vague
9. Burberry Sheer Summer Glow
10. Chantecaille lip chic in Isis
Oh, this is too much fun, I'm not going to stop!
11. Tom Ford bronzer brush (ditto Eileen) and bronzer in Terra
12. Louise Young Fan Blush (excellent for applying the Claudio Riaz Instant Face)
13. Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Mask
14. Kerastase Chroma Thermique mixed with Davines OI Oil Absoulte Beautifying Potion on damp hair before blow drying
15. Serge Normant Meta Lush Volumizer
16. La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream
17. Omorovicza lip balm
OK, I'll stop now!
If I don't pop in again until after the New Year CG I hope you have a Happy & Healthy New Year Ahead (with no more hip pain) I just want you to know how much I appreciate your blog and you.
Happy New Year to all you readers too! I love reading your comments and have learned a lot from them. Thanks!
My best discovery was a skincare line called "Tatcha". I have dry sensitive skin that has red broken veins and have used Creme de la Mer for decades. My skin is softer, brighter, moister and less red. I feel so very clean and pure too, unlike any other products I've ever used and I have been a makeup and skincare junkie for decades. I just can't say enough about this line.
Perles du Paradis by Guerlain, favorite one!
Chanel's new illuminator powder, gorgeous, like candlelight, very high quality.
Funori Seaweed Shampoo powder! I have bone dry, frizzy, whisk-broom hair and this makes it glossy, soft and shiny like a child's. It soothes the scalp and makes the hair stand up at the root, not flat to your head. I need no conditioner and it doesn't smell, like you might think.
Lastly, YSL's Blush powder #8. It came out for Holiday and is LE and my perfect pink. Love it.
Hope Charlie is feeling better and all goes well with your MRI results.
A few of my favorites.
1. The holiday eye quad from Chanel
2. Guerlain Lu Ling Lippie
3. Dolce and Gabanna Liguid new liquid eyeliners. They have a slight sparkle.
4. Chantecaille Brillant lip gloss in Glamour.
Laura Mercier is having 20% off til January 2. If anyone is interested. Love her Creme Brulee and Almond Coconut body cream and scrub. Happy New Year to All!
My vet told me to pop the pill in my cat's mouth, lose it, and blow on his nose. Quick, short puffs. He's sort of forced to move his head back and swallow, with the air coming towards him. Worked every time.
i meant "close" it, as in close his mouth. not "lose" it. LOL.
Oh, poor Charlie!
My best of 2012...I would have to say the Clarisonic Mia 2 was a big deal for me. And Living Proof hair products. And Chanel Rouge Allure Lacquers- loved the those. And finally that Guerlain Coup de Foudre quad!
Thanks, Lizzy!
I really need to try that IT product.
Hi Melanie,
I hate it when I lose a favorite sales associate. Years ago, when Marilyn left Neiman Marcus Tysons, I so missed her. The good news is that she's back! She is world class.
I never thought about the fact that you would lose your hair AND eyelashes from chemo. I think the eyelashes would bother me much more than the hair. Did they grow back?
Our pets are so smart. Charlie has been picky about his food because I'm putting in a probiotic powder. Not a full does, but trying a get his GI system back in synch. I don't really understand why that pill is so repugnant to him. It's over in a heartbeat if he wouldn't fight me. The other day, he accidentally bit me - right in the thumb nail bed. It still hurts. Little whacko.
Definitely try Bobbi Brown's new Eye Brightener. I'll write it up as soon as I can. It has much more pigment than the product it replaced, and it is very good for hiding genetic darkness around the eyes.
Your Santa was VERY good at gifts!
Thanks for your comment on natural makeup. Best of health to you in 2013! I hope it's a great year!
Thanks, Anne. That's great that your husband is forgetful. :) Nice gifts. Everyone loves Gold Rush. It is so sensual.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday!
Hi Leila,
I ADORE Dior Addict Ultra Gloss - one of my long-time bests. I just bought a few pieces of the Dior Spring 2013 Collection. The centerpiece is a bit of a gimmick, but there are some pretty colors. A LOT of pink.
Very nice list you put together. I think it's so cool that you were all so specific. I'm sure the lists will inspire other readers.
I like La Roche Posay too and think it doesn't get its fair share of attention. I couldn't live without the sun block.
Happy '13!
Jo, when I read your list, I started to chuckle. Another me! You and I have overlaps in our lists, and yes, I will have trouble deciding how to make mine short enough for a feature.
You have great taste in makeup!
Mary Ann,
I am so broke, and now I have to go browse the LM site. I'll bet that palette I purchased before Christmas is on sale. Bah humbug. I must remember to feature it. I have already taken the photos. Maybe I can inspire someone to pick one up at a discount.
Charlie is better, thanks. I know what's wrong with my spine, but I'm very interested in knowing if my hip pain is all referred, or if there really is something wrong with it. I'm betting on the latter.
Hi Anonymous, TATCHA was definitely one of my discoveries this year. What amazing skin care!
You have some gorgeous choices on your list. I'll bet you are lookin' good!
Anonymous, I have never heard that tip, but you can bet I'll try it tomorrow. Thanks!
Hi Biz Morris!
You are so lucky that you can actually name a short list. I have no discipline, and I swear beauty products get more exciting every year.
Charlie is better. Thanks. He is acting normally, except when I approach him with a pill. :)
Did I forget anyone? Keep your lists coming. We ALL love them! What better way to find out about great beauty products than from other addicts. :)
I hope you have good news from your MRIs. Glad to hear that Charlie is better. Such a sweet photo of him!
My faves for 2012:
1. Claudio Riaz Instant Brow Brush, concealer, and face highlighter;
2. Black Radiance "Screen Gems" lip gloss (hot pink);
3. Tom Ford Eyebrow Sculptor;
4. Zelen Resurfacing Pads;
5. Chanel "Notorious" Sculpting Veil;
6. Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadows;
7. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick "La Sensuelle."
May I choose a "discovery" in my own stash? It would be Jane Iredale PurePressed Base, SPF18. I thought it was just pressed powder, not a foundation. I like it better than my D&G.
Wow, blowing on Charlie's face/nose worked the first time!
Hi again!
I forgot to mention in my oh-so-long post (sorry about that!) that my former Chanel SA recently turned up at the Dior counter that sits directly across from Chanel! She seemed tired. I don't think she had wanted to come back. So now I have to think of what to get at Dior as I have been a Chanel devotee for years now!
Chemotherapy will attack any and all hair follicles, from the head, to the eyelashes and eyebrows, to ... well, you name it, and it risks being lost! On the upshot, all the little peach fuzz was gone and my complexion was so smooth! The hair on my head is just as it was, but the eyelashes and eyebrows are thinner. Thank goodness for makeup! On that note, Suti's Rejuvenate Face Oil, which I also discovered this year, is helping the brows to come back! I can't believe it after all of these years! I think that it's the rosehip seed oil in it.
I can remember my fur baby not liking the smell of antibiotics. Maybe it's the same for probiotics? If they could only know that we are trying to help them!
All my best,
Melanie
Hi Charleston Girl,
I hope the MRIs bring good news and that Charlie is well soon.
I have loved reading all the lists here. Now my wish list has grown even more. My loves of 2012 were:
Chantecaille Lip Chics (thank you for introducing me to this brand!)
Laura Mercier Artist Eye Palette (just received this for Christmas and it is wonderful)
Tarte Maracuja oil
Zoya products (their top/base coats are the best I've ever used and their remover is amazing. That's not even getting into their polishes!)
Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer (a miracle-worker for my hands this time of year)
I can't believe all the wonderful things I found this year. I hope to be able to get more Chantecaille next year and try Tatcha. My first big decision is if I should get the Chanel powder or the Chantecaille Les Roses one. Happy new year everyone!
Pill pockets are great for giving pets meds. Pet Smart, Petco sell them.
Good morning Charleston Girl! I roared when I read about the 'combat wheelchair' idea. I can just see the perfect song blasting from it - Aretha Franklin's 'Respect'. Over the years I have continued to reduce the 'retail runs' as I have just about had it with the crowds. Sometimes I literally want to scream in the crowds. Shopping has certainly changed over the years and while there are a few fun episodes to be had, it is no longer the same. Thank you for the morning chuckle. :)
Just a suggestion, maybe it helps. When giving pills to a cat, maybe it works for you. It worked beautifully with my four.
I use cat sticks (the ones you get at treats at the pet store, supermarket ... wherever you can buy cat food) and I cut off a small piece (bitesize), use a skewer to poke a whole in it, in which I insert the pill (depending on size I sometimes cut the pills in half or quarters). Then I just give it to them as treats and it's already a ritual. The know their times and come to demand their treats. Works like a charm!
On rare occasion, however, when this doesn't work I trick them with malt paste that I put on a finger then press the pill in it and top it off with some more malt paste that I let them lick off my finger or put it in their mouth (sideways in the back of the cheek). Th paste is sticky and they usually swallow it without problems.
Liverwurst (liver sausage) also works well. Covering the pill with liverwurst and forming it into a little ball, with some cats you can do the same using butter or even spreadable cheeses like creamcheese. When they lick if off voluntarily it's a lot les stress. The sticks actually work best, as far as stress-free (for both the cat and me) goes.
I have to give injections to two of my cats and even that goes well, when I put down some treats, like pieces of the sticks, thus they are distracted and I get to inject them quickly.
Dear CG,
Found out about your blog yesterday and I can't stop reading it. Today I received my Guerlain meteorites du Perles teint rose. My skin looks beautiful and healthy. I wear a BB cream under it instead of a foundation (sort of experiment because I haven't found the perfect foundation yet). Maybe I've used too much powder because I can feel it on some part of my skin. So I still have to "practise" (normally I never use powder).
I have had cats all my life. Always a trouble giving pills until my old and sweet (but very nervous) cat got an illness and I had to give him a pill twice a day for months or even longer. My trick is: grab him in his neck-skin. Leave his feet on the ground but lift up his forefeet. It doesn't hurt him this way. The grab in the neck-skin paralyses him a bit so he can't move (the mother cat does the same when she moves her kittens from one place to another). Them you open his mouth with your other hand by putting your fingers in the corners of his mouth. you also have the pill in that hand (okay that maybe a bit difficult at first) then you put the pill on the back of his tonque. Close the mouth and stroke lightly on his throat downwards. It works all the time. I even did it a couple of days when I had to babysit my neighbours cat and had to give him pills. (And even the vet is a bit scared of that cat :-)). It gives them no stress at all. They swallow and go on with what they were doing. Important is to be really calm yourself. As soon as I get nervous, they become also nervous.
Hope your cat is better now so you won't need this trick...
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