Top 10 Beauty Products of 2009

So the year 2009 has indeed been a very good year for me, at least makeup-wise. Normally, I buy makeup to make myself feel better. And 2009 was a particularly stressful year for me, so you can imagine how much makeup I accumulated last year.
While a lot of the products I bought last year were only okay, I did find some truly wonderful products and they are:

1. Christian Dior Lip Glow

This came out with the summer 2009 collection and at first glance, it looks like another version of Smashbox's O-Gloss, but in balm-form. Personally I had never been a fan of the Smashbox O-series, but the packaging was just too pretty to pass up. This is a much more grown-up, subtle version of the colour activating gloss/balm. It leaves a wearable light berry-pink tint on my lips that is absolutely perfect for everyday. This is my go-to lipcolour for everyday and I can see myself repurchasing this again and again. Dare I say it, this is my holy grail lip product.

2. Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara (Volume)

Oh how I love CG LB. This is quite possibly the most perfect mascara, at least for my lashes. My lashes are naturally quite long, but lacks volume. And they tend to clump together. So I need a mascara that will separate, define and give volume and lift to my lashes, all without breaking the bank. And this fits the bill, completely. All I need is one coat and I have long, full and defined lashes. I also love how I can layer this mascara for more dramatic lashes (something that I can never seem to do with any Maybelline's or L'Oreal's mascara...) The cherry on top would be the fact that this stays on all day. No smudging, no racoon eyes. I cannot tell you how many times I come home from work only to realize my Maybelline mascara has migrated under my eyes. I have never had this problem with my CG Lash Blast.

3. Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream

This is a cheapie again. You can probably find this on eBay for around $15 - $18. This is one of the BB creams that offers better coverage. While I can't say I have seen a dramatic improvement in my skin after started using this, this is, nonetheless, an excellent foundation. It leaves my skin looking natural yet offers just enough coverage for everyday. It also does not dry out my skin, which is a hugh plus especially in the winter months. I found this to miles better than some high-end foundations I have tried in the past year and would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in trying out BB cream. Excellent product at excellent price.

4. YSL Rouge Volupte

I got my first tube of this around Christmas 2008, while I was on vacation. I was positively blown away by how beautiful this formula is: soft, pigmented, glossy, moisturizing. And the range of shades!! Nudes and pinks, peaches and corals, plums and reds. In other word: gorgeous. My collection of these beauties has since grown to a family of 11 - including my personal favourite, No. 12 - Forbidden Burgundy. It is quite possibly the most beautiful fall/winter lip colour. Perfect with light grey shadow on the eyes. Love~~

5. L'Oreal Liner Intense

At around $12 a pop, this is a little more pricey than most drugstore liquid liners. But it is totally worth it. This is basically Lancome's Artliner, but at a 1/3 of the price. The sponge tip holds just enough product and you can achieve subtle to dramatic lines depending on how much pressure you apply. Carbon black is great for that classic dramatic winged liner look, while Earthen Rock is perfect for everyday. The applicator is also easy to hold and control, making it easy to achieve the perfect line. The formula also lasts all day without fading, yet it is easy to take off at night (*cough* MAC Liquidlast *cough*).


6. Labello/Nivea Lipbalm - Cherry or Strawberry

I must have at least 6 or 7 tubes of this lipbalm around the house, at my desk at work, in my coat pocket, in my handbag, etc. The beauty of this product is that it is simple. It keeps my lips soft and kissable. The cherry-flavoured one leaves a reddish gloss on my lips while the strawberry-flavoured one leaves a pinkish gloss. The scent is heavenly - sweet, but not suffocating. And you know the best part about this lipbalm? The price! At around $3 each, I can keep one everywhere so that my lips stay looking good everywhere.

7. Guerlain Meteorites Powder Pearl - Mythic 1

I am currently obsessed with Korean makeup right now. And one of the things I have noticed about their style of makeup is the glowy, perfected skin. THIS is the powder I reach for when I want my skin to look perfectly gorgeous and glowing.


8. MAC Beauty Powder from A Rose Romance Collection

I tried not to include any limited edition product here, but this is just too good not to include in my Top 10. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but for me, this is quite an useful product. I can use it as a blush or bring some warmth to my face. Also, this is great for toning down blushes that are too shimmery. The finish is very soft, almost satin-y. And c'mon, how can you not love a powder that actually looks like a rose? I love this so much that I have backups of both shades stashed away, just in case. =)

9. Spring It

Mustache, be gone! This is surprisingly easy to use and super-effective. Since buying this, I have not had to wax once. I can now de-fuzz while I watch youtube videos at night. The process is so simple. There is no prep work. Clean up is minimal, unlike waxing. And above all, this is much safer than waxing.



10. Kirkland Daily Facial Cleansing Towelettes

I used to think makeup wipes cannot possibly take off a full face of makeup properly. But that was before I tried MAC Wipes. I loved everything about it but the price. Then I discovered Kirkland's version. At roughly 9 cents per wipe (vs. 30 cents per wipe for MAC), the price can't be beat. The wipes are soft, yet cleanse very thoroughly. This is definitely worth a try, if you haven't already.


Feel free to tell me in the comment if you have tried any of the products mentioned.