Best In Beauty 2012

2012 was a great year for me personally, but it was also a great year for beauty and fashion! I discovered some incredible products that have become staples in my everyday routine. I'm always asking my friends what products they love, so I thought I'd comprise a list of my top beauty products from 2012 for you!

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub: I'm pretty sure I have been using this gentle exfoliating scrub off-and-on since high school, but I always find myself going back to it. It's definitely more of a daily cleanser than a scrub, but it always leaves my skin clean and refreshed.  My husband loves it too!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser: I was introduced to this cleanser a little over a year and a half ago, and it's been a lifesaver. I use this cleanser before I get in the shower to help remove my makeup and start the cleansing process. You apply the creamy cleanser onto dry skin and after massaging it into the skin, you remove it with the included cloth soaked in hot water. This cleanser is great at removing makeup, and I highly recommend it as an overall cleanser for those with irritated, sensitive, or dry skin.

Exuviance Moisture Balance Toner : For years, I used the type of toner that smells and feels like you're putting pure acetone on your skin. I am so happy I switched to this glycolic acid-based toner from Exuviance. It smells like fruit and leaves your skin balanced and refreshed. I have seen a big decrease in redness since using this product.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir: The mini version of Caudlie's Beauty Elixir can always be found in my purse. It's a bit of a luxurious pick-me-up product, but I love it. It smells like you're at a fancy spa, and it just helps to refresh your skin halfway throughout the day. It can also be used as a gentle spray toner underneath makeup. It's expensive, but I just love it.

Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads: It's hard to find an eye makeup remover that actually removes makeup without being extremely greasy. I love that the Almay formula is oil-free and already come with pre-soaked towelettes to remove your makeup. I keep a package in my car as well as in my bathroom, so that I'll always have access to them! They do a great job at removing all types of makeup- not just eye makeup, but they aren't going to remove waterproof mascara. I don't wear waterproof mascara, so it's not a problem for me!

Sigma F80 Synthetic Flat Top Kabuki Brush: I was introduced to this brush when I first started blogging, and it has been true love ever since. It makes apply any liquid or cream foundation so easy and always creates a flawless airbrushed finish. This brush instantly improves any foundation.

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer : I'm sure you guys are tired of me bragging on this product, but it's just that good. It makes everything you put on top of it last twice as long in addition to providing smooth application and water resistance. Everything I've tried from Hourglass has been absolutely superior. This primer may be pricey, but it's incredible and lasts forever. Buy it- now.

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20: I discovered this Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer as a sample. It sat in my drawer for months, and I randomly packed it in my suitcase for my honeymoon. I ended up using it every day of my honeymoon, and it's been a staple in my makeup bag every since. This tinted moisturizer provided light to medium coverage and just the right amount of illuminating properties. I don't find this product to be shimmery, but it does catch the light and make you look radiant! If you're planning a tropical vacation or you are just excited for spring/summer, do yourself and pick this product up!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation: Well, here's another beauty product that I've talked about a million times. As much as I love my Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, I always reach for my Revlon Colorstay foundation first. It provides medium-full coverage, and this stuff does not move once it's applied. I wore this on my wedding day, and it lasted throughout the Florida summer humidity, beach air, and crazy dancing. It photographs remarkably well despite the slight amount of sunscreen in the product, and it covers nearly all of your imperfections. I've even used this foundation as my concealer before!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Concealer I love that this concealer is pigmented enough to cover my dark circles, but the formula is fluid and sheer enough to avoid looking cakey or making the delicate eye area feel tight and dried out. This product has become my concealer of choice, and I've already gone through at least three bottles in the past year! I'm also a big fan of the Brightener version, which is a pink-toned highlighter that illuminates the undereye and provides a subtle highlight for the rest of your face!

CoverGirl Smoothers Pressed Powder in Translucent Medium For some reason, it's hard for me to justify spending lots of money on setting powder when I love this CoverGirl product so much. It adds just the right amount of additional coverage over my foundation, and I don't find that it makes my foundation look dry or cakey! I also like using the Translucent Honey shade as a matte bronzer sometimes!

Skindinavia Bridal Finishing Spray If you are someone who has combination/oily skin, lives in a hot or humid climate, and/or just lives an active lifestyle, you need this spray. It might change your life. Two sprays before you apply makeup plus two to three sprays after you apply your makeup, and your makeup will last longer and look more natural and less powdery. As a California and sometimes Florida resident, I cannot live without this product. I gave a bottle to my mom, and now she and all of her work friends are addicted to it! If you have any of the Urban Decay finishing sprays, then you don't need this product because Urban Decay sprays are made by Skindinavia; however, if you don't have one yet, I recommend purchasing it directly from Skindinavia because they offer more varieties for different skin types, and they have great gift with purchase/free shipping offers on their website!

Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo in Barely Branded The Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow bases are exact dupes of MAC's Paint Pots for about 1/4 of the price. I love using the shade Barely Branded, a slightly shimmery champagne, as an all-over sweep of color on the lid, and it also creates an amazing base for powder eyeshadows. The cream base allows the powder eyeshadows to show up true to color and lets them last longer throughout the day without creasing! I love all of the shades in this line, but Barely Branded is the most versatile for my skin type! 

Tarte Mineral Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess: I discovered this bronzer about 5 years ago, and I haven't found something to replace it since. When I ran out of my third Park Ave Princess late last year, I tried at least five other bronzers...and nothing compared...not even a close second. It's the perfect midtone bronzer that works for nearly all skin colors in the fair to medium range. It's a dream to apply and blend, and it instantly gives your skin a boost in color and glow. If you dream about looking like a Victoria's Secret Angel, start with this bronzer.

Makeup Forever Professional HD Microfinish Powder: Oily T-Zone? Getting photography done? Buy this powder or at least the sample size. As an actress, nearly every single makeup artist I've worked with on set over the past three years has used this powder on me. It's a completely translucent setting powder that offers no coverage, but it helps to set your makeup and eliminate shine. I've had the small size for a year, and it's still going strong!

NARS Orgasm Blush: A cult favorite that I've owned since high school- and I STILL haven't hit the pan yet. You only need the tiniest dab of this gold-flecked pinky-coral blush to provide the most beautiful, natural flush to your face. Whether I'm pale or tan, this shade is the ultimate for me. It's definitely a pricey blush, but NARS blushes last FOREVER. I've had mine for years, and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon!

CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow in Champagne: Do I recommend this eyeshadow as an eyeshadow? Probably not...but I do think it makes a pretty darn good highlighter for less than $4. I sweep this slightly shimmery white powder on my cheekbones, the cupid's bow of my lips, and anywhere else I'd like to highlight all the time. It's cheap, effective, and creates a gorgeous highlighting effect.

Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 Palettes: You must buy these palettes- or at least one of them. I literally wear these eyeshadows 90-95% of the time, and I am rarely tempted to stray. The beautiful selection of neutral shades, the buttery, ultra-pigmented formula, and the compact design come together to create my dream palettes. I would buy one for every girl I know if I had the money. Invest in one of these palettes, and they will last you years!

L'Oreal HIP Chrome Eyeliner in Black Shock: If you're a fan of super dark, smudgy eyeliners, you'll love this eyeliner! It glides on super smoothly, and it is extremely dark with a touch of shimmer. This eyeliner is not the longest lasting, but I find myself reaching for this eyeliner over others because it creates a look that I love!

Hourglass Script Precise Liquid Eyeliner: This liquid eyeliner is incredible. It has a super thin applicator, which allows you to create an extremely precise line. The formula is extremely pigmented and glides on smoothly without tugging. Hourglass is one of my favorite brands of all time. They're expensive, but their products are such high quality and the investment definitely pays off. This eyeliner lasts all day long, and it doesn't dry out quickly. I couldn't ask for more!

Maybelline Great Lash BIG in Blackest Black: This mascara has been a favorite for years. Make sure you get the BIG formulation- not the original. The mascara wand is extremely lengthening and separating, and the formula is more on the wet side. I love that my lashes don't look clumpy after applying this mascara!

Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara: I originally tried this mascara as a sample in one of my Birchboxes, and I fell in love instantly. I used to be a Diorshow fanatic, but I'd given up on the high-end mascara when I discovered Maybelline Great Lash BIG. The Extase version is definitely different from the original DiorShow. The mascara features a wand comprised of three balls linked together. It looks strange, but it helps give your lashes amazing length and volume without getting extremely clumpy. It's definitely an amped up version of the effects of Maybelline Great Lash BIG, so I use my Maybelline during the day and the Diorshow Extase for special occasions and nighttime events!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Frosting: For months I thought that the Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake was going to make my yearly favorites, and while I still adore that shade, Sugar Frosting made a last minute win thanks to a recommendation from Michelle. I'm a huge fan of the entire Lip Butter range, but the very slightly blue-toned light pink of Sugar Frosting creates the easiest pinky nude lip of all time. Whenever I'm in doubt about what to wear on my lips, this shade is what I wear. 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Whisper: The Super Lustrous by Revlon makes some of my all-time favorite lipglosses. They're not sticky at all, and they provide a glossy coat that lasts for hours. This year, I've been reaching for the shade Pink Whisper nearly every day. It's a baby pink with the tiniest bit of shimmer, and it enhances nearly every lip color from nude to bright shades.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake: Strawberry Shortcake is a perfect baby pink. It has a light pop of color without being annoyingly pink. I think this color would be great for a variety of skin types, and again- you can't beat the lip butter formulation!

Essie Borrowed and Blue: It took me quite a while to find this polish in stock at my local Ulta, but it's been love ever since. Borrowed and Blue is the perfect pastel blue, and the white base really makes this baby blue pop on the nails. It's classy and work appropriate without being too boring, and it's appropriate throughout the year!

Essie Mint Candy Apple: Mint Candy Apple is a cult favorite that I cannot live without. Again, Essie is a genius for using a white base in their pastel polishes because Mint Candy Apple is so much brighter than other mint polishes. The slightly blue-toned mint green looks great against all skin tones.

Essie Shine of the Times: Shine of the Times is one of my favorite top coats. The chunky duochrome glitter in the polish completely transforms any nail polish into something special. This polish looks great over black, pastels, brights, nudes, you name it!

Orly Fancy Fuschia: Fancy Fuschia is the ultimate Barbie pink. It's a bright blue-toned pink that's just shy of being full-on neon hot pink. It's probably on my toes at least 75% of the year. In addition to the amazing color, I love Orly's formulation. You can get by with one coat, but two coats is perfect!

Orly Glow Stick: Orly's Glow Stick nail polish was introduced to me by Ingrid aka MissGlamorazzi, and I am so happy that I found it. It's a true neon yellowy green, which doesn't sound good at all- but believe me, it's amazing! I cannot wait until summer to wear this polish every day!

The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter: My mom has used the body butters from The Body Shop for years, and she definitely got me addicted! They are without a doubt the most moisturizing lotions I've ever found, and they have the most amazing fragrances. I'm particularly fond of the Satsuma fragrance, a delicious orange scent. If you're ever walked into The Body Shop, you'll know what Satsuma smells like because it's the shop's signature fragrance! Be sure to wait until they run a sale on the body butters because they're constantly on sale for at least 50% off!

Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion in Deep Dark Color: I was introduced to this self-tanner by my super tan cousin Michelle. She always has a tan glow that looks natural and not orange at all. I haven't found any other drugstore self-tanner that creates such a great finish! Be sure to get the Deep Dark color, even if you're fair. It produces a more natural, brown-toned tan. 

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Medium Glow: This stuff is incredible. It's like foundation and bronzer for your legs, and it automatically makes your legs look 100% better. In addition to evening out your skin tone, Airbrush legs gives you a bronzy glow that's amazing. The best part is that it does not move after drying. Seriously you have to scrub it off. Go buy some- you won't regret it!

Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mist in Love Spell: Ok, so I'll admit that I've used the same fragrance mist since 7th grade. I can't help it. I am in love with Love Spell. Over the years I've tried to use grown up perfumes. I've bought Chanel, Lacoste, Dior, you name it. I like how they smell, but at the end of the day I really prefer fragrance mists. Love Spell is my absolute favorite with its gorgeous blend of peach and cherry blossom!

Tangle Teezer: I've told you guys about my love for the Tangle Teezer before, but it is a must for anyone with long or easily tangled hair. The plastic design is great for distributing deep conditioners in the shower, and it also allows for easy cleaning. The compact size is also great for throwing into your purse!

Davines Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Deep Conditioner: I was introduced to this deep conditioning treatment by a hair stylist after a horrible salon experience. I had just switched from another salon that had destroyed my hair- seriously, my hair was breaking off and falling out. I was desperate to try anything that would help to restore my hair, and nothing helped as much as this deep conditioner. It's extremely moisturizing, and I highly recommend it to anyone with dry or damaged hair as a once or twice a week treatment.

ABBA Smoothing Blow Dry Lotion: This blow dry lotion is part of my perfect blow out cocktail. I use 2 pumps of this blow dry lotion with one pump of Moroccan Oil and a few sprays of my Rene Furterer Leave-In Conditioning Spray. I love this product because it's moisturizing and helps to smooth frizz and flyaways, but it doesn't weigh down your hair. It's light and super effective!

Rene Furterer Leave-In Conditioner Spray: I'm a big believer in this leave-in conditioner. It's not greasy at all, and it doesn't weigh down your hair. This conditioning spray is light and provides moisture to your hair while adding shine and smoothing stray hairs. I love using this spray on damp hair before blow drying in addition to throughout the day whenever my hair is looking frizzy or dry.

Moroccan Oil: Moroccan Oil is a lifesaver, and it also lasts forever. I've had my bottle for years, and it still probably has years to go. I use one pump on wet hair to add moisture to my hair and smooth frizz. This product will give you the softest, smoothest hair possible. It literally transforms my hair!

Let me know your favorite products from last year in the comments below! Even though I have some amazing products, I'm always on the hunt for new products to try!