The end of the world is not nigh, but the end of 2012 is! What a year it has been! 😀 I’m not going to do a “Best of 2012” in a true sense, because heck, its hard to choose, ok! So I’m just going to pick some random categories and tell you what I think the best of 2012 has been for me, and you can do the same 🙂
Best Nail Polish discovery
I don’t wear nail polish at the best of times. But I am ever thankful to the reader who pointed me in the direction of A-England nail polishes.
For someone who doesn’t wear nail polish, I’ve accumulated quite a few from the brand. Application is superb, colours are beautiful, and they ship worldwide for free, from the land of Arthurian legend, England. If you have not yet tried theirs, I urge you to. You won’t regret it, I promise! 🙂
Best Makeup Tip
The best tip I picked up this year was the one using black eyeliner or black eyeshadow as a base (Tip is here)
I’d been doing it for a while but rarely with much success because I realised that due to the shape of my eye, I have to take the black shadow much higher than normal. I colour in about half my lid to get a nice smokey effect and if I want something even more intense, I have to colour my whole lid and then blend it out. It also helped me get a fuchsia pink eyeshadow to work and turned it into one of my favourite unexpected looks ever!
Best Makeup Experiment
Grey powder. ‘Nuff said!
I don’t know how many of you picked up the Chanel Notorious Joues Contraste powder but if you did, I’d love to hear how you liked it. I do like it a lot, and I’m getting quite used to using it so these days I just use the lightest of dustings of this slate gray powder to create an illusion of high, sharp cheekbones. Its surprisingly effective! You don’t need this of course, since many people have been able to do the same thing with bronzer for aeons. I could never use a bronzer properly so this has been an experiment I gambled on and won! 😀
Best Skincare Rediscovery
I’m going back to something I used to love – Dior One Essential serum.
This year, ever since I rediscovered it back in April, I’ve been using this almost nightly and I’m very happy with the results. My skin seems to like it very much, it seems to help whatever other skincare I’m using work better and its been all round very good. I was also using the One Essential Mask and although I really like it too, that one’s a pricey treat for the skin!
Best New Thing To Appear in our Pharmacies
Ok I was a little torn on this one… but I eventually settled on these.
The Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. We had 2 rounds of colours and both times engineered a lot of hype. I’m sure every one of you reading this has at least one, right? Which colour did you pick? 😀
The other item I was going to pick was the L’Oreal Infallible Color Eyeshadows but realised not everyone maybe as crazy about them as I am but I know most people love the Lip Butters!
Best Foundations
Its a bit tricky me including this, because there are a couple of foundations that I tried this year that I liked and there are a couple more I haven’t told you about so I didn’t really want to include it. But hey, why not eh? 😛 Oh and yes, there’s an ‘s’ in Foundations. You can’t make me choose just one! 😛
My favourite foundations that I use most often this year is the Diorskin Nude Hydrating Foundation (new version), Diorskin Forever when I want something that will last and last on me all day (I mix in a drop of serum or moisturizer to combat the dryness) and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. I picked the Bourjois last year and I’m picking it again this year simply because its so good.
Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012
Take a blog break. It put in perspective what I felt was important to me and how I wanted to handle things. It taught me that its ok to say no, and its ok to let go, as much as its ok to hold onto something.
It taught me that when we fall into a rut, we have to learn to recognize we are in one and to learn to break out of it. Its no use wallowing in self pity, because no one else will ever be able to help us if we don’t help ourselves. So if you are feeling down, burnt out or just like you are stuck in a neverending cycle, pause. Your sanity will thank you for it.
Naturally, once I got back into the swing of things, I wanted more change so you now get a brand new logo and layout which is kept deliberately simple. I hope you too find it as pleasing as I do 🙂
Best Mascara
Truth to tell, the best mascara for me come from the high end Japanese brands – Shiseido, and RMK just to name 2 favourites of mine. I just picked up the very popular RMK Deep W mascara because apparently its really popular and I have to see why but I’m also using a sample size of a regular RMK curling mascara and its so good, I don’t want it to dry out!
But I’m going to pick instead the Maybelline The Falsies mascara for Best Mascara because I think it does a good enough job for something that is half the price of a high end wonder. I do have a back up of this one which I (naturally) buy during a sale or promotion. That’s the good thing about buying from the drugstore/pharmacy. Often, these things go on sale!
Best Makeup Collection
So many makeup collections come and go every year but the one I’m picking out for being all round outstanding to me is the Guerlain Liu Christmas collection.
It was not just the Liu Calligraphy palette that I found entrancing. The Perles du Dragon Meteorites Perles was also a winner as is the Lou Ling Rouge Automatique lipstick which I also picked up. The whole collection was very cohesive, eye catching and one of the strongest I’ve come across this year. At the very least, it made me want almost everything in it which is quite a feat 😉
Best Blush
I have to pick this one. The Dior Healthy Glow blush in Petal that came out with the Spring 2012 collection. It is seriously something! I love how deliciously soft it looks on skin and how gentle. I know, gentle is such a weird word to describe it, but it looks like just a gentle flush of colour. I have 2 of these now so I can afford to be liberal with it yay! 😀 I believe it was limited edition but if you ever come across it, do not hesitate. You need this in your collection!
Best Hand Cream
Anyone who reads this blog will have noticed by now I don’t talk about hand creams. I don’t use them. Well, not until this one came along 🙂
This Clarins hand cream has been the only one I use nightly to keep my hands from looking like that of an old crone. When I get dry hard bits around my nails or dry cuticles, slathering this one on helps soften my skin and keeps my nail beds looking healthier. It is seriously NOT sticky at all. I can apply this, give it a couple of minutes and pick up a book without staining the pages. I’m almost finished with this tube (it almost never happens so this is quite a feat!) and I’ve got my back up on stand by. That’s how sold I am!
Best Memories of 2012
Ah there are so many, where do I even begin?! 😀 I’ll pick just 3 :-
- My nephew who made me a first time aunt – he’s so adorable and growing so quickly!
- My brother getting married and gaining me another sister
- Disneyland ! 😀 (8 things you have to do there!)
Oh I do have one more memory to hold on to – the time I became a Her World Magazine Beauty Judge. It was an amazing and pretty surreal experience 😀
So that’s me and my Best Of… 2012. Would you like to share your best moments of 2012? Please feel free to nick the categories here or just make up your own and tell me what you enjoyed best in 2012. Its enlightening to travel back and look at the high points, even as we stumble over the low points 🙂 If you’d like to nick mine, here’s the categories I had
- Best Nail Polish discovery
- Best Makeup Tip
- Best Makeup Experiment
- Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012
- Best Face Serum
- Best Foundations
- Best Mascara
- Best Makeup Collection
- Best Blush
- Best New Thing to appear in our pharmacies
- Best Hand Cream
- Best Memories of 2012
See you in the comments! Can’t wait to see what your highlights of 2012 were! Please do share, I love reading what other people have liked and how their year has been 😀
Paris B
Excellent roundup! I’ll try to do a “giddy” version myself 🙂
Happy New Year, my dear!
Look forward to yours, GT! Happy New Year!
Paris, I enjoyed reading your eclectic best things of 2012; here’s a few of mine:
Best makeup tips/experiments – Tightlining for hooded eyes (thanks, Paris!) using the tiny Hakuhodo B522 brush. Suqqu eyeshadows to brighten, lighten — incredible stuff! Clinique lower lash mascara. I finally feel that my eye makeup is beautiful 🙂
Best hand creams – The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector and La Mer The Hand Treatment, better than any I’ve used and I’ve tried dozens.
Best memories – Anything with my husband; I cherish him more and more each year.
Thanks, Paris for letting me reflect on bests and what I am grateful for. They say that being grateful contributes to one’s happiness and I think that is so true. I have a small book my sister gave me to write down 5 things I am thankful for every day. I’ve done so intermittently over the years, but I do so love going back and reading the lists — they bring back such wonderful memories and feelings!
Yes! Eclectic is the word – like me! LOL 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed it nonetheless, and thank you too for sharing yours! A friend of mine likes the La Mer Hand Treatment too and let me try some once. Felt amazing! I don’t know if I’m willing to splurge on that yet but we’ll see 🙂 I love the idea of writing down the things you are thankful for. Its a wonderful way to lift up the spirits and to remind yourself that often, its not the big or material things that make us happy, but the small, sometimes almost unnoticeable ones. Thanks for sharing that – maybe I could start one myself 😉
Oooh I’m doing a Best Of on the blog soon too, but yours have more fun stuff so I’ll do yours first (omitting the stuff I will be talking about on ze blog. Ahem :P)
Best Makeup Tip: Use an eyeliner to smudge the lids for the smokey look. Easiest makep tip ever.
Best Makeup Experiment: Liquid eyeliner. I gotta pat myself on the back for finally getting this right.
Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012: Not giving a rat’s behind about what my mother thinks about what I do for a living. Even if it doesn’t pay much (sometimes it doesn’t pay at all). The look on her face when I gave her a very expensive moisturiser simply because of what I do (and how she brags to her mates that her daughter gave that to her) was absolutely priceless.
Best Makeup Collection: Even though I don’t have the palette, I’d have to agree with you on the Guerlian Liu collection. It’s the only one this year that I’ve gone all “OMGIMUSTHAVETHAT!!”. The rest were just meh.
Best Memories of 2012:
– Tim passing his final exams. Finally, no more studying, no more exams. Time to move forward 🙂
– Our holiday in Japan.
Haha look forward to reading yours, Tine and thanks for sharing here too. I like the best thing you did for yourself. I know our parents mean well but we have our own ways of getting by and these days, there are so many ways to earn our keep, we don’t have to go down the traditional route anymore 🙂 Plus I bet she is proud of you anyway!
I loved this post, Paris–so fun!! I am also researching the Dior Diorskin Forever foundation now. I’ve been hunting and hunting (and hunting and hunting…) for my new “HG” one since Bobbi Brown discontinued my favorite one. Do you think the Diorskin Forever would be good for very oily skin??
…and here is my list!!
Best Nail Polish discovery: Maybelline Color Show polishes. I didn’t expect to like them so much but they’re GREAT–really affordable, easy to apply, and come in a huge range of shades!
Best Makeup Tip:
Best Makeup Experiment: I decided to give individual false lashes just ONE more shot and FINALLY was able to apply them decently! With a bit more practice, I think I’ll be alright! YAY!
Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012: finally finding a hobby that I truly enjoy and that takes up a lot of my time–beauty blogging! I started the blog in December at the very end of 2011 so I’m counting that as being 2012 😛
Best Face Serum: Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
Best Foundations: used to be Bobbi Brown’s Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation but they discontinued it this year 🙁 still searching for a replacement
Best Mascara: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume
Best Makeup Collection: I always love a good summer collection, and Chanel’s Summer 2012 collection was just stellar!!
Best Blush: eeks–I can’t choose just ONE favorite!! Becca’s Sweet Pea blush is a new favorite–goes great with everything! Also, Jouer’s Peach Bouquet, Chanel Fleur de Lotus, and Guerlain’s Terracotta Light in Brunettes (that has enough apricot in it that I like to just use it in place of blush most of the time)
Best New Thing to appear in our pharmacies: hm…I’m not sure about that. :/
Best Hand Cream: Avon’s Moisture Therapy. Oldie but goldie 🙂
Best Memories of 2012–MY SISTER GETTING MARRIED! Most of my best memories from the year were during that time, from planning it to getting ready to the reception. It was so great so I will just leave my answer at that 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this, Becca! I thoroughly enjoyed it too! About the Diorskin Forever, my personal belief is that its geared more towards someone with oilier skin than mine because it does feel a wee bit drying and I have to mix in a serum to make it feel more comfortable. I don’t know about oil control though so I would suggest that you try to snag a sample and see if it works.
Its so great that you’ve gotten false lashes to work for you because that’s something I’m still struggling with! I don’t even want to try anymore even if the effects are so glamourous. Sigh… and again, congratulations to your sister. I remember the big hubbub surrounding the weddings in the family and although it can be stressful, its still loads of fun isn’t it? 😀
I thought the Shiseido Camellia pact would win the blush category haha.
Haha you’d think so right? 😀 The Shiseido one is pretty but I think the Dior one just pips it at the post! 😉
* Best Nail Polish discovery
* Best Makeup Tip
* Best Makeup Experiment
* Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012
For me 2012 seem to have whizz by lol but below are my thoughts:
Best Face Serum
-nothing phenomenal yet but I would say that Naruko is a brand I would keep going back to
Best Foundations
-LOVE the Dior Forever foundation too and I have combi-oily skin so that shows how good it is though depending on the moisturiser and sunblock I use it can be a little harder to blend but I can use the beauty blender for that and with this foundation one small pump is all it takes
-the Clarins Everlasting foundation comes to a close second
Best Mascara
-none yet though now that you mentioned the RMK one I MUST try it lol
Best Makeup Collection
-I dont buy everything from a collection so I cant really say but the Balm makes really good palettes and I like the Nude’tude a lot! 😉
Best Blush
– the blushes I have works for me and I have discovered a few good ones but nothing phenomenal too..thinking of getting the Dior Rosy Glow (the one with the universal one shade) and maybe get some Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes too hmm
Best New Thing to appear in our pharmacies
-totally agree with you on the lip butters and Loreal infallible eyeshadows which is way better that what I expect them to be and more wearable than the Maybelline Colour Tattoos. Love the wide range of lip butters but the only thing is as it gets near to being used up it tend to break or fall apart due to its buttery texture, 2 of mine broke when i was left with 1/4 of them..:(
Best Hand Cream
-I discovered this brand NUXE when I was shopping at John Little and I got its eyecream and the hand cream was a free gift and I use it for my legs too, pretty good stuff 🙂
Best Memories of 2012
-still in an xmassy mood lol!
Thank you for sharing your faves, Sharon! I love how we like the same foundations (I like both the Dior and Clarins too even if they are a bit drying. I just thin them out a little) and if you mean the Dior Rosy Glow, that’s the one I love! Yes, you should so get it. Apparently its making a reappearance next year so let’s see about that. psst! RMK Mascara is seriously awesome. Awesome! >.<
Alamak! *face palms* I realised I didnt write anything for the first 3 categories so here goes:
* Best Nail Polish discovery
-none cos I dont wear nail polish lol
* Best Makeup Tip
-mixing of foundations of 2 different consistencies to give a more natural finish eg I find it useful to mix my Estee Lauder Double Wear liquid foundation (which can apply cakey on its own) on the centre of my face and with the Clinique Superbalanced liquid foundation on the rest of my face to give a natural finish that wears longer too 😉
* Best Makeup Experiment
-didnt experiment much except trying out of brands such as The Balm, Sleek which I like very much…
* Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012
-to learn to let go of things I have no control over, not let my mind wonder or waste time letting my imagination run wild and to sit back, relax and enjoy the present.
PS I just bought the RMK Curl and Separate mascara this morning. I tried out the tester at the counter and it wears really well and didnt smudge when I was doing chores, a few more coats of this will definitely give volume. I tried the one with the base n mascara but gave me only average length but the curl and separate is good enough for me to part with $53 😛 And next would probably be the Dior Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush..you are such an empowerer! lol 🙂
LOL I thought you didn’t have anything to say for the first 3 😀 That tip about mixing 2 different foundations is very interesting. I know some people mix 2 to get their shade but didn’t think about mixing 2 different textures to create one your skin likes! Will try it out 😀 I hope you like the RMK mascara – its awesome stuff! I picked up the W one with the base and mascara so will see how that fares.
I second the Revlon Lip Butters – I have all 20 *blush*.
Beauty wise, I also loved:
– Kiehl’s shampoo and body wash
– Revlon chubby stick dupes
– L’Occitane tired leg cream
– Dior New Look mascara
Non-beauty:
– Getting a little bit more recognised for my blog (even my family thinks it a worthy investment now)
– My new little budgie (although it meant that my previous budgie passed away)
– Making a decent batch of macarons!
– Some great holidays to Singapore and Melbourne
Haha We have us a winner right here, Sam! 20! wow 😀 I’m happy you are getting recognised for you blog. Its such a lovely warm feeling isn’t it, when people you love support what you enjoy doing, even if its just for fun? Congratulations and wishing you even better success next year!
Wonderful post as we get ready to wrap up the year 🙂 Your nephew is so cute! Really love the Guerlain pallette. I have recently started to use the Dior One Essential Serum, hope it’ll do me good.
Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012 – Bought myself a complete set of skincare
Best Blush – Silkygirl. Haha, I am still looking out to buy my first luxury blush
Best Primer – Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer
Best Gadget – iPhone 4S
Best Encounter – Your blog and getting acquainted with a few more beauty bloggers
Best Thing that happened at work – I got promoted
Best Memories of 2012 – None
Here’s to a better 2013 🙂 Happy New Year Paris!
Yay for all your picks – some personal favourites there too! I’m sorry to hear you didn’t have good memories of 2012 but hey, its past now. 2013 will be much better I’m sure 😀
We hope to be on your 2013 list at Racinne.com 🙂 I love that color you picked for the nail polish. Gorgeous!
Congratulations on becoming an aunt!
ah so this was the blush you used last Thursday, because the colour was very pretty on you, and I just had to asked. Paiseh!
Did you have a hard time picking the best blush? I know I would!
I would agree with you on the A-England’s nail polish, those are really beautiful! I think Zoya may come close, I really like those too.
Eh, I don’t see a Best Brush category? Would love to know your pick. But if I have to guess, would it be Lunasol’s brushes? Because you seem to be using them really often and there’s no complain about it? 😛
don’t mean to be stalkerish when I was asking you about the blush. Sorry if I sounded like one!
No probs, Plue! I was actually surprised that you noticed because I’d forgotten just how long lasting this blush is, and how well it adheres to the skin for the perfect flush 😀 I didn’t have too hard a time picking it as best blush of 2012 to be honest. I haven’t been using very many despite trying out a few of them. There are just some I reach for most often and the Dior one happened to be it! I didn’t have a Best Brush… because I forgot! HAHA! but if I had to choose it would have been a tie between the Lunasol Cheek Brush N and the Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush. Both are in use almost daily!
I discovered that Giorgio Armani new foundation works wonders, Guerlain skincare doesnt irritate my skin, YSL lipstick/stains are amazing, Bobbi Brown blush in apricot makes me look so fresh and the best memory would be moving out for good with my beloved one 🙂
Ahhh I’ve been curious about that new Maestro foundation forever! I wasn’t so sure about it when I tried it but I guess I have to try to snag a sample to be sure how it works on my skin. You’ve made me curious about Bobbi Brown’s Apricot blush and what a happy memory you have of 2012! Congrats on making that big move! 😀
I love love this post! And here’s mine :
Best Makeup Tip : Don’t pile on too much powder/foundation. I always go for medium to full coverage foundation, and then I will pile 2656453 layers of powder just to make sure no one can see my flaws but by the end of the day, my face looks horrible – gross and cakey. Thanks to bf for pointing out and make me sulking angrily before I learned that less is more. The new problem with it is I tend to take long time in front of the mirror to make sure no one will notice that I have my foundation on. Hahaha, what’s wrong with me!
Best Makeup Experiment : Apply illuminating powder on high points. A great time saver!
Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012 : Stop wallowing in self pity and try thinking positively instead.
Best Face Serum : I am really in love with Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Moisture Boost Concentrate.
Best Foundations : Revlon Whipped Creme Foundation for cheek and nose, Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation for other parts (I like the finishing of Whipped Creme but I hate the white patch it gives when I’m sweating). Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation if I have to choose only one.
Best Mascara : For very natural looking lashes (cheap, no flakes under eyes, waterproof but easy to remove), I choose Avon Supershock Mascara. Otherwise, I think ZA Cutie Lash is the best mascara for me.
Best Makeup Collection : Don’t buy any makeup collection in 2012.
Best Blush : Nars Nico – very versatile!
Best New Thing to appear in our pharmacies : Rachel K CC Cream and mask. I think maybe you can give it a try. No greyish cast for sure!
Best (Not-so-new) Thing to appear in our pharmacies : Kose Nature & Co skincare – especially Pure Facial Foam & Pure White Milky Lotion Light. Also, Ginvera Real Spa Green Tea Shower Scrub. Why didn’t I give you a chance before this? #headbanging
Best Hand Cream : None.
Best Memories of 2012 : 1) Graduated, 2)Went to Jason Mraz concert, 3)When my mom decided to move back to our ‘real’ home a day before my 23rd birthday because she believes in me that I be able to take care of her and the whole family, 4)I’ve found out that I can cook and bake, 5) When I realised that everyday moments make the best memories ^_^
Oho! I love that you like the Yves Rocher serum too – its been pretty good for my skin and I’m thinking of picking up a replacement bottle! I quite like the Revlon Whipped Creme foundation too although I find it a little heavy for me and I love your best memories of 2012. Yay for cooking and baking! 😀 Here’s to an even better 2013
A fantastic best of list! Love your insights into each of your wonderful 2012 memories. 🙂 Disneyland’s always an awesome place to be!
Sharing a little from your categories….that I missed on mine…:)
Best Makeup Tip – highlighting/sculpting with a bronzer.
Best Thing I’ve done for myself in 2012 – staying true to myself in terms of the direction I want to take in my life without caring what others thought of my choices.
Best Makeup Collection – Every single Christmas collection! I just go crazy with them. They’re all simply breathtaking!! 🙂
Best Memories of 2012 – Amazing holidays in Hong Kong & Bangkok…
As much of a struggle 2012 has been for me, I’m all gamed to cheer on a much more positive and awesome 2013! Happy New Year and wishing you an awesome 2013! )
I swear Christmas collections are made to tempt us all into going broke before the year ends haha! 2012 did sound like it was a struggle for you but its behind us now and I hope 2013 is a much much better year 😀 All the best!
So many great finds! I especially love that blush! GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing!
Aww I just discovered your blog and I love it! Thanks for sharing your top 2012 favorites, these are always my favorite types of blogs/videos. Please check out my yearly favorites too at my makeup blog. 🙂 yay for beauty bloggers!