Bekk's Best Of: 2011

I decided to start a new series, in lieu of the passing year. It will be called "Bekk's Best Of..." and can cover any particular beauty category in general. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, I'd love to hear them!

So, to start off this series, I'll be sharing with you my top products from 2011. I've decided that I'm not going to limit it to the best products released in 2011, but rather, the best products of my collection or the most used products of my collection in 2011. Let's get started!!

Maybelline Volum'Express One by One Mascara
This is a great mascara all around - in both the regular and waterproof versions. The silicone brush volumizes, lengthens and defines lashes for a fantastic fanned-out and finished look. The packaging is eye-catching and isn't an eye sore, should you chose to leave it sitting out when you have company. I absolutely adore this mascara - it's a wonderful product for the drugstore price tag.
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2011/12/maybelline-volumexpress-one-by-one.html

Prestige Brow Perfection Shaping Studio in BBK-03 Light to Medium
I originally bought this product to fill in my one eyebrow that I accidentally shaved half-off when I was grooming them early in 2011. When my eyebrow grew back in, I didn't have a need to fill in my eyebrows, as they're very thick and I don't tend to over-manicure them. The powders, however, turned out to be my most favorite and most used shadows of 2011, and I still haven't managed to put a significant dent in them - and that's using them every single day. I use the darker matte red-brown shade most frequently as my crease color, as it's just the right amount of darkness, and it's easy to make it darker or lighter. The lighter matte tan color I use as a 'background' or transition color, which I place above my crease, to help blend out any other shadows I apply afterwards. They are very pigmented matte shades that are stupid easy to blend. , plus they came with a pair of mini tweezers, a small angled brush and a plastic guide for shaping your eyebrows. Excellent shadows!!!

Annabelle Smoothliner in Urban Jungle
I picked this up this summer after seeing it in one of the displays in Shopper's Drug Mart. These liners are absolutely amazing - incredibly pigmented, smooth and long-wearing. I love wearing this one as my upper lash liner with a bronze smokey eye - so summer chic and it really makes my eyes pop! I'm pretty sure it was limited edition, but if so, Annabelle has a ton of other colors in the Smoothliner collection for you to try.

MAC Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze
I picked this up in anticipation for my summer wedding, knowing that I needed something to warm up my cheeks and contour with - I'd been looking for the best matte bronzer for so long, and I finally found it. I've had this since January 2011, and I've already hit pan. I use this practically every time I put on makeup - regardless of whether or not I decide to use foundation. I am so in love with this stuff. I will definitely be repurchasing it in the coming year!
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2011/12/mac-matte-bronze-bronzing-powder.html

Clinique Color Surge Eyeshadow Duo in Beach Plum
I got this second hand from one of my aunts, and she'd already used up the entire plum color which was a total bummer. From the swatches I've seen online, this would've been a killer eyeshadow duo to have in my possession. However, the white gold color was completely intact, and I have fallen head over heels for it. It is a perfect under the brow highlight shade and inner corner highlighter, as well as THE perfect lid color. The white gold color brightens the eye and makes my green eyes pop. I wear this almost every day now.

I've had several nail polish favorites this year, but my most favorite or most worn were:
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in The Real Teal and Pacific Blue
Essie in Aruba Blue
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2012/01/overview-essie-nail-polishes.html
Orly in Sweet Peacock
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2011/12/orly-sweet-peacock.html
Quo by Orly in First Class
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2011/12/quo-by-orly-nail-polish-in-first-class.html


Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
This is, by far, the best nail top coat I've ever tried. I love it. It works so well. High gloss shine, rapid dry time, and it really prevents chipping and peeling of your nail polish designs and colors. A great investment for me. I cannot be without this.
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2012/01/seche-vite-dry-fast-top-coat.html

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
This has been an absolute LIFE SAVER with my hair. My drying time is cut substantially with this product, as well as the fact that it makes my hair super soft and beautifully shiny. I absolutely adore this product and I highly recommend it to everyone, despite the high price tag, one bottle will last you forever.
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2011/12/paul-mitchell-super-skinny-serum.html

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Conditioner
I've gone through so many bottles of this since the beginning of 2011, it's not even funny. I wish they sold this in a bulk bottle because I love it so freaking much. It is a little pricey for the amount of product you're getting, but I seriously don't know if there's any conditioner I've ever liked better. While the argan oil in this product may be minimal, it hydrates and conditions my hair, leaving it smooth, healthy and shiny. I can rub this conditioner right into my roots without it making my hair greasy or oily. It smells DIVINE - I would eat it if I could. Definitely something you guys should try out this year if you have a chance. LOVE it.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinishing Powder
This was an absolute God-send for me this year. It made my foundation look so flawless, and it really prolonged the wear time of my face makeup. LOVE this, and definitely want to purchase the full size container at some point this year!
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-up-for-ever-hd-microfinishing.html

Wet N' Wild Mega Last Lip Color in 909D - Coral-ine
This was the first red lipstick I ever purchased, and I LOVE it. It's a beautiful orange-red matte lip stick. The wear on these is amazing and they're affordable. Incredible pigmentation too. You should definitely try out this shade!

Annabelle Playa Bronzer in Copacabana Glow
I love this blush/bronzer, mostly for the bottom two colors: a matte coral color and a shimmery orange color. I love blending them together to get a really gorgeous coral glow on my cheeks, or using them separately for super pigmented and long-lasting blush. SO beautiful all year round.

Quo Crease Shadow Brush
This was, by far, my most used brush of the year. I use this brush every day to do my eye makeup looks - even if I'm going for the 'no-makeup' makeup look, I use this brush to put subtle contour through my crease for definition. LOVE it. Have yet to find a more affordable alternative that works better.
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2012/01/overview-quo-brushes.html

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hibiscus Facial Toner
This stuff has honestly changed my life. My skin is so smooth, refined and toned. I love the way this makes my skin feel hydrated and squeaky clean. It really improves the texture of my skin, as well as reducing the frequency and severity of my breakouts. I really recommend you try this out if you have a chance! One of my holy grail items - I am not found without it. Love!
My blog post on this: http://beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com/2012/01/alba-botanica-hawaiian-hibiscus-facial.html

These have been my most used and most loved products of 2011. There are so many products that I enjoyed, bought, or used frequently throughout the year, but these are my 'BEST OF.' My most treasured and valued items from the year all rolled into one blog post.

Tell me, what were your favorites of 2011!?!
xoxo