MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE MAKEUP PRODUCTS of 2012!

A toast to the most AMAZING makeup products of 2012 and a wish for many more in 2013!
These products are not in any specific order; they are ALL #1 in my book, and ones that I use on a daily basis. They are consistent in their quality and NEVER fail me. Regardless of their price, they are worth every penny....TRUST ME!!

ELF Blush/Bronzer-($3-Target) For this price, this product works wonders! Very pigmented and stays on ALL DAY! The contour color works great with my skin-tone, which is a miracle because most out there (even high-end ones) are too light and don't show up on me. The blush in this case is also very pigmented and has a soft sheen that gives a nice glow.

Too Faced Primed and Pore less Powder-($28-Sephora) I am SUPER oily in my T-zone (forehead and nose) and this translucent powder absorbes the oil in my skin and sets my makeup very well. After applying my foundation, blush, and contour, I press this into my skin. If you rub this between your fingers, it feels like silk and this is the texture that it creates on your face, leaving you with a soft airbrush look. A little goes a long way, so this puppy will last you probably ALL year even with every day use.

Real Techniques Brushes- (From $5.99-$17.99-Ulta) HANDS DOWN the most high quality brushes for a very reasonable price. I have purchased brushes from MAC, Bare Minerals, Urban Decay, Sephora, etc. and they do not compare to these (in price or quality). I love these so much, I purchased every single brush in their line x2 (one set for me and one for my bridal kit) and they are like magic. They do NOT shed, and work equally well with minerals/powder and liquid/cream. Fun Fact: The creator of these brushes is Samantha Chapman who is known for her makeup youtube channel PIXIWOO.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free-($43-Sephora) This is what I use for "Every Day/Work" foundation. It gives just the right amount of coverage you need to even you out and provides this unexplainable finish that makes your skin look healthy and fresh. An added bonus is that the ingredients in this moisturizer are very good for your skin. A little goes a long way so this will last you up to 6-7 months with daily use. Don't forget to ask Sephora for a sample, even the sample will last you up to a week which is enough time to decide if you love it (and you will...hehe!).

Maybelline New York Define-A-Brow-($5.99-Target/Any Drugstore) Simply put, this gives a natural, yet precise formation to the eye brow. The color is a perfect match to my Eyebrow hair (which is normally a shade lighter than your natural color hair....just FYI). Fills in and shapes my eyebrows like a dream.....oh and it lasts ALL DAY LONG!

Benefit High Beam-($26-Ulta) Shout out to my girlfriend Elena who got me hooked on this! Basically, this will give you that stunning "Kim Kardashian" glow to your skin. I apply a few dots under the outer parts of my eyes (on top of my cheek bones) and blend it out with a small brush. It is the most natural-looking sheen to your skin that leaves it looking dewy and healthy. I apply this after the Too Faced Powder (mentioned above). Same deal; a little goes a long way so you get your money's worth!

Revlon Color Stay-($4.99-Target/Any Drugstore) To be honest, I have been using this for YEARS! We all know that most people stay away from liquid liner because its difficult to create a sharp line. This will end that fear because the felt applicator allows for a thin or thick precise line. I have tried other brands and I have yet to find one that compares to the quality and the ease of application.

NYX Eyeshadow Base White-(6.99-Ulta) I literally use this with EVERY EYESHADOW APPLICATION! When you are painting a room a different color, you first prime the wall with a white coat so that the new color appears true to what is on the label or in the can. The same idea applies with eyeshadow! A white base will allow any color to show up more vibrant and exact to what you see in the palette or case.

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Collection-($4.99-Walgreens) HANDS DOWN the most pigmented eyeshadows that you will ever find for this price! I had heard of these from many "youtube makeup guru's" and was hesitant because it sounded too good to be true! I was wrong! It still amazes me every time I wear them, how pigmented they are, how easy they are to blend, and how long they last!For this price, its worth the try!

Kat Von D Lock-it tattoo concealer- ($25-Sephora) I have to admit,the first week of trying this, I liked the coverage but I was so hung up on the fact that it goes on a bit "liquidy", I almost returned it. Eventually I got over that when I noticed the finish that it gave my skin and the coverage power that it had to conceal my blemishes and bags under my eyes!  Again, a little goes a long way, so this will last you a long time with daily use!


I hope you found this helpful and if you actually try these products, I know you will love them as much as I do!! Please don't hesitate to ask me any beauty questions in regards to these products or in general! Thanks for taking the time to view my blog and for the continued support.


HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAVE A WONDERFUL 2013!!!
-Love "G"