The Hit List 2011

Happy New Year, super awesome peeps! Are you bidding farewell to 2011 and welcoming the year of the water dragon 2012 with a bang? Well, I hope not with "bangs" that are risky and dangerous. Anyway, I thought of reviving 2009's Best and Worst post but decided against it as I wanted to just remember the good stuff that can be carried on to the next year, thus, making this The Hit List 2011 instead. As the title suggests, I will be featuring products that tremendously wow'ed me enough to be included on the list. Here goes...

Well, what better way than to start with makeup? Agree? :P

Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate - when I found out that my fave MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Gentle Coral was discontinued (darn it, MAC!), I went on a search for a substitute good when it comes to tinted lip balms and lo and behold - I found it! I love the light coral-pink hue it gives my lips as it keeps 'em supple and moisturized. One pot lasted for about half a year with daily usage so this product is definitely a keeper.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Comedia - this lipstick started my relationship with high end lipsticks. Well, I've never really bought much but since then, I became somewhat snobbish when it comes to lipstick brands that I would rather buy one piece of a high end lipstick than have various pieces with substandard qualities. Well, Japanese brands would be exempted from that snobbish attitude. Bad, eh?

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Stick Gloss in Corail des Mers - have I mentioned before that I dig coral-pinks? I guess I have. This works like a very very tinted lip balm for me. It is non-drying, applies smoothly, and has a very nice shine to it. I wish it was fragrance-free, though. But then Guerlain isn't Guerlain without such a scent, right?

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation - I can definitely say that this is one of my two HG foundations. Oh brother. This foundation has been replaced by the Smooth Fit one. What am I gonna do without you? *sob*

YSL Matt Touch Oil Free Foundation - my other HG foundation. Have I told you how luxurious applying this on the face feels? It's such a pleasure every time I use this as it feels wonderful on the skin plus it also keeps my face oil free for a few hours. It also doesn't hurt that it has SPF10.

Kanebo Freshel White C Mineral BB Cream UV - I have a love-hate relationship with BB creams that's why I have let go of all those that I purchased. But not this one. This works like foundation but with SPF and whatever benefits it claims to have. Well, as long as it brightens my face and doesn't make me look like a greasy Oompa Loompa, I'm officially cool with it.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - have I declared my love for this pressed powder? If I haven't, let me tell you that I absobloodylutely love this product that I am almost done with my third pan. This is THE touch up powder for me, unless of course I find something better that doesn't hurt the wallet.

Kanebo Coffret D'Or Beauty Lasting Pact UV - before I had an affinity with liquid foundations, I was a loyal and devout user of powder foundations. I have tried several brands but I am mighty glad to say that I have found my HG. Nothing compares to how soft, smooth, silky, and velvety my skin feels whenever I use this powder. Sadly though, rumor has it that this has been discontinued. I can't believe that both my HG powder and liquid foundations have been discontinued. Talk about a streak of bad luck?

Shu Uemura Glow Ons in P Pink 30 and M Pink 30 - If I were forced to own just two blushes in my whole life and nothing else, I'd outright choose these two Glow Ons. Even though their names have changed (and their formulation too), I'd still choose them in a heart beat as no other blush has given me the kind of glow these can give.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in 10 - I seriously have no clue as to how I am going to explain how and why I was wow'ed by this blush but I really was. What it is about this blush, I can't tell. Because you just have to try it and see for yourself. *wink*

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Pink Coral - if I need a perk me up blush that'd give me a healthy flush, I'd go for this blush. The shimmers look atrocious in the pan but are almost unnoticeable once on the cheeks. It's gorgeous.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer - I rely on this when my under eyes are not THAT bad and doesn't need a lot of concealing. It does not dry out the skin on that area while it effectively conceals any discoloration there is.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer - whoever thought that such an inexpensive drugstore concealer can hide my dark circles when they are that bad? Well, I never did but it does work like a charm concealing while brightening my under eye area.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame and Curl Mascara - I have never ever raved about a single mascara in my whole life before I found this tube. Lengthens and adds volume while holding the curls are what this mascara can do. No smudging as well unless I rub my eyes really really hard. Well, it's a pain to remove if you don't have an eye makeup remover but that's the price you pay for something that won't make you look like a raccoon. Oh, I always get asked if I am wearing false eyelashes every time I use this mascara. ;)

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara - before there was Kiss Me, this is the mascara I always rely on if I want fuller lashes. Well, it's also a pain to remove but not as much as the other mascara that has captured my heart.

Sigma F80 flat top brush - a liquid and cream foundation's best friend as well as a BB cream's. Applies foundation like a breeze that feels natural and light.

Marionnaud Premium N3 Slanted Blusher Brush - not the softest brush there is but it works. It definitely does. I love using this on powder blushes, pigmented or sheer they may be as it deposits just the right amount of color on the cheeks. Inexpensive yet sleek-looking too.

Done with makeup. Time for skin care products.

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover - removes stubborn waterproof mascaras easily without stinging the eye. Oil-free? I don't think so but it works and I'm not complaining.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - my skin has never been better since I started using this. My HG cleanser, if that helps.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel - perfect for my combination-oily skin which keeps it hydrated. A tad pricey but works very well in tandem with Cetaphil.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - now this really WOW'ed me being the first ever Clinique skin care product that did not cause me to break out. And I love how it keeps my skin hydrated and less oily.

Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion Face Scrub - I like how the beads are gentle enough for sensitive skin and how non-abrasive it is. It effectively exfoliates my skin without causing any allergic reaction or breaking me out. Skin feels smooth, supple, and soft after using this.

Well, that sums up The Hit List for 2011. There were a lot of products that got the thumbs up the entire year but these are the ones that really stood out. Now have you made your list of products that wow'ed you? I'd love to know yours.

Happy 2012, everyone! May you all have a better year ahead of you. 2011 wasn't exactly the best year for me but things are falling into place so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that 2012 will be a better one for me. Uh, though I am welcoming it with cold, cough, and flu. Oh yeah!

Cheers,