BEAUTY ROUND-UP: Favourite Products of 2012

2012 has been an extraordinary year. With Elaine providing me with the opportunity to blog for her, I’ve been introduced to so many different products that I might not have tried, if left to my own devices. Some of these products have become ‘staples’ in my makeup and beauty routine. 

Thus, I decided to do a round-up of my favourite product finds of 2012. See anything you like? 

Ashley 2012 Favourites

1) Vichy Aqualia Therma Daily Care Moisturizer
          Original Post: November 2012
I’m obsessed with moisturization. I’m obsessed with slathering my skin with lotions and creams at all times. This product, though, limits the need to slater moisturizer on my face because it’s that darn good. It’s rich, but not sticky. It’s thick, but not heavy on the skin. It’s dense, but gentle enough for sensitive skin. It’s perfect for the winter months too – the winter weather can cause havoc, but Vichy counteracts all this with this rich cream. 

2) Marcelle BB Cream 8 in 1 Beauty Balm
          Original Post: July 2012
BB creams were the ‘big thing’ of this year. I even did a ‘Battle of the BB Creams’ this past summer – I tried out 4 different creams from major brands and picked a winner. Marcelle won the challenge by a landslide. It does absolutely everything it claims. It’s thicker than the normal BB creams, and I think that’s what sets it apart from the others. I used it all summer long and it provided a healthy glow with a non-sticky finish. Perfect!

3) L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray
          Original Post: December 2012
I never had a need for hairspray, until this past winter when I cut my long hair into a shorter bob with bangs. Now that my bangs are growing out, I’ve been pinning them back from my face with the aide of hairspray – specifically, this hairspray. No residue, no odour, intense flexibility and intense hold all come with this spray. I’ve got two mini cans and a large one currently on the go. 

4) Essence Mini Nail Polishes
          Original Post: September 2012
I’ve never really had a ‘thing’ for nails – I always chipped the polish instantly, and it didn’t seem worth spending ten dollars a bottle for colour that I could never keep on. That all changed with the introduction of mini nail polishes from Essence. Tiny nail colours at the bargain price of a toonie! Who could say no? 

5) Sephora ‘Primal Instincts’ Eyeshadow Palette 
          Original Post: September 2012
On one of my many trips to Sephora this year, I picked up this palette. It’s a perfect blend of neutrals and it’s great for playing up the office and nighttime. I’ve used it ever since. It’s small enough to fit in any travel bag too! 

6) Essence Waterproof Liquid Liner
          Original Post: July 2012
Another Essence miracle product. I’m currently wearing this eyeliner as I write! It’s long-lasting – this stuff doesn’t budge all day and it definitely doesn’t require re-application. Liquid liner is kinda my forte – it’s the one product that I love, and I’m willing to try out any brand. While I’ve tried out different brands in the past year, this is the one liner that still stands out. And even better – it’s under four dollars. 

7) Dot and Lil Rice Flower Soap
          Original Posts: November 2012 & December 2012
I was lucky enough to be introduced to Dot & Lil at one of Blush Pretty’s B.F.F. events in Toronto. I instantly fell in love with this soap – it’s smells positively divine! I love the fact that it’s a Canadian company, and all the products are made and handled with such care and dedication. Knowing the person behind the brand (the lovely Anne, by the way), makes it so much easier to fall in love with the product. 

8) Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses Fragrance 
          Original Post: October 2012
Sometimes product finds come from brands you wouldn’t normally try. In this case, I wouldn’t have picked up this fragrance if I saw it in the store. But it smells so divine – grapefruit, strawberries, and florals are all intersected in this fragrance. It’s so feminine, and that’s a stretch considering it comes in a skull bottle! Different, right? 
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So there you have it! See anything you like? Leave a comment or email me at ashley@torontobeautyreviews.com!