The start of the new year left me reflecting on my favorite products of 2012 and those that I didn’t love so much.  That’s just part of experimenting with new products..there are definitely going to be those that don’t work for you or just aren’t that great.  Hopefully you can learn from my experience and think before you purchase any of the products on my “Don’t” list.  On the flip side, run right out and buy my “Do’s”!!!  You won’t regret it!

 Beauty Product Don’ts of 2012

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser:  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hating on Aveeno cleansers.  Their Ultra Calming Cleanser and Lotion are staples in my skin care routine.  I purchased this thinking that it would still be okay for my ultra dry, sensitive skin since that particular store was out of the Ultra Calming.  I really liked it for about a month, but then started getting the stinging sensation that I mentioned.  Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not a fan of products that make my face feel like it’s on fire.  If you have normal skin that isn’t acne prone, this might be a good cleanser for you.

2. Face It Aqua Tinted BB Cream: I really liked how moisturizing this product was when I first bought it, and that it had more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.  It made my skin look and feel great!  Fast forward about a month, I’m applying this before recording a tutorial and as soon as I sit down to film, I can see my face is one big shine ball.  I apply a little finishing powder, go about my filming, and decide it’s because the humid, Houston summer has finally set in.  I set the BB cream aside for a while and picked it up again this fall once we’d moved back to Austin.  It’s still just insta-shine, and no amount of shaking or tapping fixed the issue.  What I thought was just separation was unfixable and turned out to be a BB cream that just didn’t age well.  However, my mom bought their Oil Cut BB Cream for oily skin and LOVES it, so I think it was just the particular type that I got.

3. Lovely Me:Ex Eye Primer: I can’t find a link to this anywhere on their website, but again I want to stress that it really wasn’t the primer itself.  That worked similarly to the Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion at about half the price.  The packaging just made it impossible to get any primer on the wand once you’d used it a few times.  Just goes to show, cute packaging does not always equal better.

4. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush: I was so excited to have a bouncy blush…until I used it.  The Play-Doh like consistency isn’t very pigmented and requires a LOT of building to get the kind of color you expect from a blush.  The squishy texture is tough to work with and difficult to apply evenly.  Pretty much an overall fail in my book.

Beauty Product Do’s of 2012

1. Dermaloque BB Cream: I don’t need to go on and on about how much I love this.  You can just read that in my full review.  I have gotten some questions about the “glitter” in it, and although it does have a slight gold shimmer, it does not read glittery or shimmery on your face.  The only time I ever notice it is on the back of my hand that I use as a palette when I apply it.  My mom, who has an oily complexion, has worn it and it wore just as wonderfully on her skin as it does on mine.  Personally, I think that the hint of shimmer gives the skin a really natural dewy finish and keeps it from looking cakey or heavy.

2. Urban Decay Naked2 Palette:  I’ve used this palette almost daily since I bought it.  It’s just the perfect array of cool neutral shadows that can be used to create the most simple, nude look or dramatic smoky eye.  Need I say more?  No, not really.  I’ll leave you with some links to a few tutorials I’ve done with this palette though. Here’s a Day-to-Night look, a Fall/Holiday look, and a Minimal Makeup look.

3. Benefit Dallas:  This has become a staple in my makeup routine.  When we moved last spring, I only packed my makeup basics, and this was the only blush/bronzer that I brought.  I think I love it so much because the rich, plummy color is a cross between a blush and a bronzer, and works well as both.  I wouldn’t contour my whole face with it, but it’s great for the hollows of your cheeks.  The color looked amazing with a tan during the summer, and really warms up my face now that I’m my pale winter self.

4. Aveeno baby Eczema Therapy Lotion:  I don’t think that there’s any difference between the baby and non-baby version, so I buy whatever they have.  Honestly, out of all of my beauty “Do’s” on this list, this is the product that I couldn’t live without.  I think that I could find similar products to replace the others that might not be as good, but would still get the job done.  I’ve tried SO many other lotions, ointments, treatments, prescription lotions, and literally nothing works like this stuff.  It’s gentle enough for frequent use, doesn’t leave you with greasy paws, and truly combats and heals eczema and chapped hands.  I will occasionally get eczema on my face as a result of a food allergy and I’ve even used this on those occasions with the same results.  It didn’t break me out, or cause my makeup to gloop up, but simply got rid of my eczema!  What a miracle this product has been for me.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed and will benefit from this list of my beauty product do’s & don’ts!!  I can’t wait to see what products I’ll fall in love with this year.  Tweet me or comment below with your favorites that I need to try.

Tomorrow I’ll be filming a tutorial for the makeup I’m wearing in this video, so keep any eye out!

Thanks for a wonderful 2012 and all of the support you’ve shown me!  Love you guys!

Best & Blessings,