DivaDebbi's Best of Beauty 2011- Face

I recognize the irony that my fervent hope, with every new product I try, is that it will look natural.  I try dozens of products each year.  The standouts usually have a few of the same features in common; they are lightweight, water infused, gel like, produce a glow, contain some SPF and on occasion, taste good.

Of all the products I tried this year, these stood out for me:

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter- For $9, this lipstick blows me away. Infused with mango, Shea and coconut butters, it feels more like a balm than a lipstick and the quality of the texture and pigment rivals that of lipsticks from the most exclusive brands.  In a word impressive and even more so, now that it is available in 20 shades.

Laura Mercier Lip Glace- $22.  Pink Tulle is the color of my dreams...a rich nude pink, like your natural lips but better.  High shine, rich color and a delicious vaguely vanilla taste.  36 shades.  One or two of them are definitely yours.

Nuance by Salma Hayek Lip Gloss -This year, Salma Hayek partnered with CVS/Pharmacy to create a full line of makeup, hair and body products.  Many were inspired by the cosmetics her Grandmother used to create herself.  This lip gloss is made with mimosa extract and mango seed oil.  Throw in a little vodka and it would be a party.  It tastes amazing.  The rich, glossy color lasts and lasts.  Berry is a good choice for me when I want a stronger lip look.  I'm looking forward to a greater range of shades.  See if one suits you.  For $7.50 it doesn't get better than this.

Benefit's Posie Tint- $29.  I was first introduced to Posie Tint in a mini tincture when I had my brows waxed at their Brow Bar.  I never thought that Posie Pink would have enough pigment to show up on my skin, since it's on the light side.  Still the concept of a sheer, liquid gel, filled me with hope...cream blushes seem to disappear on me and powder blushes look matte and flat, particularly in cooler temperatures.
Intended for cheeks, lips and eyes, it will instantly brighten your complexion.  If you want more depth, it layers easily. I love this blush.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm- $32. This is a power house multi-tasker...it is a combination moisturizer, primer, sunscreen and serum.  It has a nude tint, that to me is a bit ashy.  If it was a warm bronze, I'd probably never use foundation or tinted moisturizer again.
Alas, it's not, so everyday in my palm I mix a dot of Water Fuse Beauty Balm with:

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer- $42.  Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer has long enjoyed a cult following, partly because it does have a bit more coverage than average.  This year she introduced an "illuminating" version, which adds a pearly glow to the formula.  I have stopped using bronzing powder. Perhaps my skin has gotten dryer, but if I am attempting to add a bronzey glow, I don't want it settling into fine lines or appearing mask like.  Straight up, this would be too pearly for my taste but one dot of Golden Radiance mixed with Dr. Jarts Beauty Balm and:

Dior Nude Fluid Foundation $ 46. I purchased the "summer" version of this foundation called "Healthy Glow", in June.  I'm still using it, two seasons later.  It doesn't get lighter than this, probably because the formulation is 40% active mineralized water. This is my trifecta.  Do I wish it was less complicated???

Yes.

Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Concealer  $22.  The only other person I know who is as obsessed with cosmetics as I am, is my cousin Karyn.  Usually, at Holiday dinners, we sit down on the floor and dump out our cosmetics bags to compare notes.  Thanksgiving was more hectic than usual.  As we said our goodbyes, I realized we missed our ritual.

"Anything you can't live without"???, I called out as she headed to the car.

"Yes"!!!  "Korres concealer.  It's concealer and treatment.  You must try it". 

It slipped my mind until the next time I was at my local Sephora in Greenwich Ct..  I'm not sure if it's because I'm a V.I.B. client or not, (you to can be one, simply spend a small fortune each year), but I was so pleased when the person who assisted me at check out asked, "is there anything you would like to take home as a sample today"?  How lovely is that???

In addition, it jogged my memory. I wanted to try the Korres concealer.  She brought me straight over to Elyse a well versed  and gracious Beauty Advisor, who patiently tried both the light and medium shades on me and then sent me packing with sample of both.

Here's why it's different: Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Concealer instantly camouflages dark circles and imperfections. This concealer hides dark circles and imperfections while providing a smooth, long-lasting, crease-free effect. Quercetin & Oak, help reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin texture. Hyaluronic acid and barley extract provide instant and long-lasting wrinkle-filling and pore-refining benefits. Olive oil helps replenish the nutrients in the skin and therefore strengthens elasticity.

It's a winner!  I'm still working my way through Elyse's generous samples, but when they are finished, I will definitely be back to purchase them it.  Hopefully by then I will have decided which one.

So my lovelies, there you have it.  My best discoveries of 2011 for the lips, cheeks and face. If you buy and try them, I hope you will enjoy them as much as I am.

Tune in for the last of this series: DivaDebbi's Best of 2011- Skincare.

xox,
DD