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Browsing the Blogs: Best of 2008 Lists

Thanks to Bionic Beauty for putting together this roundup of blogger’s best of 2008 lists!

Bionic Beauty’s Best of 2008

MakeupBag’s Best of 2008

Beauty and Fashion Tech’s Best of 2008

Makeup Makes Me Happy’s 2008 Best in Beauty Awards

Girl Gloss’ Best lip products of 2008

Temptalia’s 10 Amazing Products Reviewed in 2008

Daily Cookies Favorite Morsels of 2008

Beautiful Makeup Search votes the Clarisonic as best of 08

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January 07, 2009 | Carleenp | Comments 0

Beauty and Fashion Tech Best of 2008

Below are my top 20 (plus one extra) products of 2008. These come from reviews I did during the year, so while many were also released in 2008, some are older products that I simply tried for the first time during the year. These are in no particular order, I like them all pretty much equally. Well…. actually the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Line probably really is number one! You might also be interested in the Best of 2007 list. All links here are to my original reviews.

1. The Entire Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Line. Read Part One here, and Part Two here. Sally Hansen put together an affordable line full of wonderful items, including an incredible foundation. I think it is the best overall drugstore line out there.

2. Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Salon Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer is my favorite of all brands and the Tracy Reese Fall 2008 Collection is full of gorgeous shades. It can be hard to find, but well worth seeking out!

3. Beauty Fix: This subscription service provides a great way to sample exceptional products and an equally exceptional value.

4. DHC Q10 Powder: A silky smooth finishing powder with anti-aging properties. DHC is already one of my favorites for skincare. Now I am a fan of DHC makeup too.

5. Dior Five Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Earth Tones: Rich tones with full pigment, in good fall and winter shades, make this my absolute favorite palette of the year.

6. Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask: A unique foaming mask that brightens up dull skin within minutes. The effects don’t last super long, but it is quite refreshing and makes for a nice start to the day.

7. Stila Talking Smoky Eye Palette: I find the talking part to be unnecessary, but otherwise this palette can’t be beat for creating the perfect smoky eye.

8. The Miche Handbag: Perfect for those who want numerous looks on a budget. This handbag comes with changeable shells and looks much more expensive than it really it.

9. Jane be Pure Liquid Mineral Foundation: A wonderful foundation that is essentially a tinted moisturizer with a bit more coverage. It is very affordable as well!

10. The Braun Silk Epil Expressive Epilator: This epilator is not like those of the past. Yes, it still stings and such, but it is not nearly as painful as those of the old epilady days, and it works wonderfully. I think it beats waxing. Just don’t expect a pain free experience–it is still an epilator after all.

11. Anastasia’s Five Piece Brow Kit: This handy little kit from Anastasia includes a great set of tweezers and the basics for creating a perfect brow.

12. The New Science of Perfect Skin by Daniel Yarosh: A wonderful book that covers all aspects of skin care and that separates myth and hype from reality.

13. The Ped Egg: Absolutely the best way to remove calluses from your feet. It is easy, painless, clean, and cheap! For those who commented about wishing that it had a handle, it now is available with one. I saw that in the store just last week!

14. DIY Mineral Makeup Kits from Bramble and Berry: Making my own mineral eye shadow was a bit messy, but also a heck of a lot of fun!

15. MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator: I love this rich exfoliator. It is messy though, so use it only in the shower! I believe it was also limited edition, so it might be getting hard to find.

16. Nars The Multiple Multi-Purpose Stick: Use it as blush, highlighter, or on the lips. Available in several great shades, including the ever popular orgasm.

17. Milani’s new mascaras: Milani came out with a full set of new mascaras this year and each provided great value at an affordable price.

18. DDF Fade Gel 4: This product contains actives that can treat melasma and acne at the same time. I love it! It is also available in a non-hydroquinone version.

19. It is gone now (Except maybe you can find some items on ebay) but the Fafi and MAC Collection was fabulous!

20. Ten Years Thinner by Christine Lydon M.D.: I tried this diet and exercise program and was pretty happy with it. The book is affordable, and the exercises need no special equipment. The meal plan isn’t too bad either.

Plus one that should have been on the 2007 list!

PCA Skin PHaze 13 Melasma Treatment: This one almost fell between the cracks. It was reviewed on 12/31/2007, after I had written the best of 2007 list. It is the best over the counter melasma and hyperpigmentation treatment that I have used to date (the DDF product on this list is the second best). I love the hydroquinone version, but there is one without that ingredient available as well.

Interested in lip products? Take a look at the best of 2008 list on Girl Gloss!

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December 29, 2008 | Carleenp | Comments 12

Awhile back, Teri over at Aging Fabulous tagged me, seeking my beauty favorites/secrets. After a bit of pondering, here they are!My Foundation: My skin is insane! It is dry in winter, oily in summer, and I have a bit of melasma to cover. So here are my favorites for each: When dry: Elizabeth Arden Intervene, Estee Lauder. When oily: Laura Mercier oil free and Neutrogena Mineral. I’m also loving the new Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Foundation, and a new one from RedPoint Cosmetics (review to come). Tip: Cover melasma with a bit of liquid foundation that is set with mineral makeup in that area instead translucent powder.

My Mascara: Lancome Hypnose. My favorite drugstore mascaras are CG Volume exact and Milani’s mascaras.

My Blush: My big Favorite of the moment is the new Sally Hansen Natural Beauty cream blush. I also love Krylon bronzer worn on my cheek bones.

My Eye Shadow: Anything Mac or Stila. Flirt Cosmetics also makes great quality eyeshadow at a good price.

My Day Cream: This constantly changes, but the one thing constant is a good sunscreen. I usually wear either DHC or Philosophy because each has melasma treatment built in. DHC also adds a physical blocker.

My Lipstick: I love them all! Need proof? Visit Girl Gloss! I guess if I have to narrow it down, My current favorites are Strawbaby from the MAC Fafi Collection, a wonderful pink from the New Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Line, and Stila Cherry Crush.

My Beauty Product Brand: For overall consistency and quality, I have to say MAC. Stila and Bobbie Brown are right up there as well. In the drugstore arena, L’Oreal and Revlon are consistently good, and I also can’t stop raving about the new Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Line.

My Essential Beauty Product: Sunscreen. I could live without just about everything else, but sunscreen is essential for good looking skin and future skin health!

My Favorite Makeup Product: Lip balm and gloss. I can’t live without it!

My Perfume: Right now, it is Marc Jacobs Grapefruit.

My Nails: Normally I wear a few favorite shades of Essie, which is consistently a great polish that is relatively affordable. Right now though, I have been repeatedly wearing the shade from the MAC Fafi collection. I probably should try to get some more before the collection becomes non-existent! I also love a new Maybelline shade. Watch for a post on that in the next few weeks!

My Feet: Pro foot heel cream is a must for me!

My Hands: Sunscreen and Soap and Glory Great Shakes hand cream. Love that stuff!

Three Products to bring on a deserted island: I’m just going to Parrot Teri on this one! Sunscreen, Lip Balm, and Moisturizer

Women I admire for their beauty: I admire those who whether or not they are physically beautiful are beautiful in more profound ways, such as through being particularly caring, generous, intellectual etc.

Woman with the Best Sense of Style: I’m going to go back in time for this on and say Audrey Hepburn.

How Do I Define Womanhood: Hmmm, hard question. I don’t define it, although it definitely defines me in ways that I find hard to describe.

My Favorite Fashion Publication: I adore Lucky Magazine. People Style Watch is also fun. For Makeup, Allure is the best, while Elle is always nice for the high end fashion ads.

So, now I tag Lilan, Kristen, Jennifer and Christine, and Kia

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June 18, 2008 | Carleenp | Comments 5

What is in my Bag? Check Product Girl and See!

Carla over at Product Girl has been running a series focusing on the contents of beauty blogger’s handbags. Today she features mine!

So if you want to see what is in my bag, you can view it here.

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June 11, 2008 | Carleenp | Comments 0

Eight Beauty New Year’s Resolutions

The new year often brings the standard lose weight, save money, quit smoking, and other similar resolutions that are good for the health or pocketbook.

How about some resolutions that will keep you looking beautiful as well? Here are a few ideas:

(1) Wear sunscreen daily. Sunscreen is not just important to avoid skin cancer, it keeps you from wrinkling! If you start just one beauty habit this year, make it this one! Need to find some sunscreen? Take a look at the ones I have previously reviewed!

(2) Clean your makeup brushes. Dirty brushes are not just nasty looking, they harbor bacteria as well. Give them a good regular cleaning. Don’t have a brush cleaner? In a pinch, or to save money, use plain old baby shampoo!

(3) Keep brows neat. Want to give yourself a new year’s gift? Go get your brow professionally shaped. Also try out regular grooming. For a nice brow kit, look at Estee Lauder’s brow kit.

(4) Do regular manicures. Having nicely done nails can make you look and feel polished as a whole. If you lack time for full blown manicures, check out Sally Hansen’s Natural Shine, Instant Nail Finish. For a whole lot of nail polish ideas, check out the blog All Lacquered Up.

(5) Start softening your feet now for the summer. Getting rid of calluses can take awhile. Start now, and your feet will be gorgeous when spring sandal season arrives. Check out my previous post on getting your feel ready for summer.

(6) Experiment with new colors. I recently did this and was pleasantly surprised to find that I like some of the bolder colors. If you always wear neutrals, try out some brighter eyeshadow colors or deeper color lips. If you usually wear a lot of color, try out the natural look for a change of pace.

(7) Develop a skin care routine. If you do nothing other than a soap and water rinse, consider developing a skin care routine. Explore some of the great skin care products out there, then start a morning and evening routine that works for your skin type and stick with it. Your skin will love you for it. Need ideas? Check out the skin care posts here on Beauty and Fashion Tech. Also check out Savvy Skin, which is a great site devoted to all things in skin care.

(8) Be kind to your hair. Quit all that daily drying and straightening or curling. The heat is horrible for your hair! Let your hair dry naturally whenever possible, use good products, do some deep conditioning, and use heat protecting sprays. My favorite spray is Schwarzkopf Bonacure Moisture Kick. It is hard to go wrong with that one!

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January 03, 2008 | Carleenp | Comments 11

Splendicity’s Best of 2007

As the year comes to end, the Splendicity community has gathered up it’s best posts from the year. Take a look at what you might have missed over the year. Be sure to check out all of the members posts to get to know some of the best beauty, fashion, style, and shopping blogs on the web.

BEAUTY
Viva Woman finds out how to read the secret batch codes of beauty products and determine their expiry date.
A Touch of Blusher brings you highlights from 2007.
Makeup and Beauty Blog brings you 5 Makeup and Beauty Tips from Paris Hilton.
Savvy Skin tells you the Top 10 Signs You’re A Beauty Junkie.
Just in time for you to ring in the New Year, makeup loves me teaches you the fine art of properly applying false eyelashes.
Ellen from Spa Beautifully shares the Top 10 Beauty Trends to Look for in 2008.
Beauty and Fashion Tech has found that The ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device is One of the Year’s Most Interesting and Useful Devices.
The results are in for Temptalia’s Best of Beauty Awards 2007, check out who won!
Sugar Shock says, “My Lips are Sealed“.
Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic spends time with Celebrity Makeup Artist Jake Bailey and Max Factor.
Beauty Secrets Revealed Shares a Blueberry Age-Defying Face Pack Recipe.
At Teen Style Lounge, Liberty shares 6 Quick Tips to Super Kissable Lips.
eBeautyDaily lists the top 10 beautiful things she couldn’t do without in 2007.
The Scented Life says that Bond no 9 is bringing Andy Warhol back to life – in a little silver bottle!
Beauty Banter muses on the 5 Minute Make-Up application! Including the EXACT products you’ll need to achieve the no-fuss look!
NY Spender asks “Is your hair color right for you?”
A Girl’s Gotta Spa! thinks the Baby Quasar LED Light Therapy is a splendid secret weapon against acne & wrinkles.
Makeup Minute thinks Billy B’s Paintbrushes are splendid beauty tools that are worth every penny.
Cinnamon Kitten’s 2007 in Review: 5 Favorite New Products.
Beautyholics Anonymous has Effective Ways To Losing Weight.
Beautiful Makeup Search says that this is one must-have beauty product that works for everyone.

FASHION
Eagle eyed ShopDiary was the first blogger to point out the startling similarities between dresses by Diane Von Furstenberg and Forever 21. A week later, DVF sued Forever 21.
Style…a work in progress says “…Sea Bass, Sea Bass…that’s four Sea Bass“.
STYLEnosh asks the the difficult question, “Have You Let Yourself Go?”
She Knows Best has a Men’s Fashion Don’t List.
Spork Fashion Exclusive! Actress Shannyn Sossamon Shares her Style.
The Snarkstress needs your help in finding out just what exactly is on David Beckham’s head.
Indie Style File has A Take five interview with Kelly of Killer Cotton fame.
The Fashionable Kiffen says that fashion is an art form.
CelebLOOK tells you where to get Emmy Award Dress Look-a-Likes.

SHOPPING
Laya’s EYE shows us a new class of wine glass charms.
Her Accessories has a list of 10 reasons (or excuses) to treat yourself to a really good pair of shoes.
Style It Less ‘07 Review | List Of Under $100 Stylish Looks.
Style Tots has some Spring 2008 Pediped News.
Shopalicious is convinced that these knickers will put you in a festive mood to ring in the new year!
Kim at All That and a got in lots of pics of Simply Vera, the Vera Wang line at Kohl’s.
The Latest Luxe says to Set Your Gold Standard with Stiletto Patent Sandals by Bruno Frisoni.
Aging Fabulous says that these are Must-Have Wicking Pajamas.