2009 Best Beauty Buys

Hello lovelies! Excuses for being a bit late with it, but I hope you all had amazing time on your New Year's Eve parties (we hosted a tiny house party, which is apparently what most Canadians are up to on Dec 31), and let me wish you a very Happy New Year!

Now that I managed to gather my thoughts a bit after the holidays, I thought of posting sort of a make-up and skincare summary of 2009, just because I love reading other bloggers' lists of favorites. Last year was when I really got into make-up and got to try different products, so I'd like to share with you the things that have been rocking my world ever since I discovered them.

1. MAC Studio Finish Concealer with SPF 35


Great concealer for covering any skin blemishes. I use it on the under eye area as well and it requires quite a good deal of blending in with warm fingers for it to look natural. I got color-matched at MAC for NW20, and while under my eyes it is a perfect, peachy shade, I think for concealing redness I should try one shade down.

2. Lush Massage Bars

These amazingly scented bars of organic goodness keep my skin soft and moisturized. I use my current one, Mange Tout, which smells of honey and white chocolate, every couple of days after bath, and the smell helps me to unwind and lingers on the skin until the next morning. However, if you like moisturizers that sink into the skin right away, these might not be the best product for you, as they leave a bit of an oily residue - which also gives your limb a lovely glow, but it's just a matter of personal preference.

3. Covergirl Lash Blast mascara

Well, not much to say here, it's a classic. Also, one tube should last you a pretty decent amount of time, this mascara doesn't clump even after 3 months of everyday use.

4. Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in Skinny Jeans


I think this is a single eyeshadow shade that my mom noticed and complimented, which, believe me, definitely says something about the product. It's a beautiful shimmery greyish taupe color that can be used both for daytime and more dramatic looks. On my extremely oily eyelids, without any additional base, it does crease a bit in the socket, but I think on most people it must be a very long lasting eyeshadow.

5. Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliners

(Depicted shades: Navy Blue and Powerful Purple)

I know, I know, I'm not being very innovative here, but what can I say? These are great, unexpensive liners with a wide color range to suit anyone's needs. Well, would it be too much to ask for those in a non-shimmery version as well?

6. Sleek Storm Palette

Since I got mine in a swap a couple of months back, I must have used it every other day for neutral, glowy eye looks. A staple.

7. Barry M Nail Paints

(Depicted shades: Vivid Purple and Raspberry, both sent to me in a swap by the lovely Loveaudrey!)

Again, amazing, cheap polishes in many different colors and finishes. If only Barry M was available outside UK...

8. Mac Blot Powder

If your face starts looking like a mirror in no time, it's a great product to throw in your purse and use throughout the day. It adds no color to your face, just keeps shine at bay without looking unnatural or cakey. It comes with a powder sponge, but I just use a small face brush to sweep it on my T area, and a little goes a long way! I just bought one for my cousin the other day and I'm sure she'll like it.

9. Softlips lip balm

Great lip balm with SPF 20 to use as a base under your lipstick - not too dry and not too slippery. It comes in a sleek, long tube and many different flavours, like Vanilla, Raspberry or Melon, and gives a bit of a tingly sensation when applied, which I quite like actually.

10. NYX Round Lipsticks

(Depicted shade: Tea Rose)

Cheap as borsch, as would a Pole say, these lipsticks have beautiful colors and different finishes. Of course, they don't last as long on your lips as a MAC lipstick would nor do they have a similarly nice smell, but if you'd like to experiment a bit with some more unique shades, they're a perfect choice. Just remember to do some swatch research before you buy online, as the swatches available on the websites of the most popular retailers can be very misleading.

I hope you enjoyed my little list and have a great evening everyone! Let me know in the comments which products made it to the top of your beauty lists in 2009. xxx