Best of 2010: Makeup and Skincare Products

Hi everybody,

2010 is coming to its end and I guess it's a good idea to start writing the "Best of" list. This year, My Makeup Blog has come to full bloom when it comes to reviewing makeup and skincare products. Unlike last year when I had a list of all things and everything, I decided to break down into different categories for the "Best of" list. In today's list, I am going to show case the top makeup and skincare products that I truly enjoy in 2010.

My Makeup Blog's Best of Makeup

1. ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base

"For those who wonder why I like this product so much, here is an answer: it does everything MAC paint pots and UDPP are supposed to do while making the colors pop more. I did an experiment with MAC Painterly paint pot and Art Deco eyeshadow base since Painterly has very similar texture to Art Deco: after applying each base to each eye, I use the same amount of eyeshadow and same application technique on my eyes. The result: the side that had AD as a base looked a lot more vibrant."
Click to read more!

2. NYX Champagne and Caviar Palette:

" For those who are seeking for a neutral palette that can do many things, Champagne and Caviar is perfect for you. The size of this palette is probably about the size of your check book and you can stash it in your bag with ease. I think Champagne and Caviar palette is fool-proof since whatever way you do your eye makeup, you can't do wrong with neutrals."
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3. NYC Blushable Creme Sticks:

"I'm fascinated with these guys: they are so pigmented, blendable, and super compact. They reminded me of the old Max Factor foundation sticks but with better design and without the weird smell. Also, I just love the fact that the colors of the tubes are the actual colors of the blushes. No guess work requires."

Click here to read more!

4. E.L.F Professional Brush:
"I am not exaggerating when I said this is a one-dollar wonder. For those who've followed my blog, you know I love cheap products that work. Why? Because if they don't, they are just junk. And who wants junks, right? Well, as far as a basic eyeshadow brush can go, this one is pretty good. After acquiring my first ELF eyeshadow brush (the white one) from Dollar General, I put my coveted MAC 239 to a "rainy day" brush roll. The ELF eyeshadow brush has been my stand-in basic brush ever since."
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5. Urban Decay Book of Shadows 3:

"I'm on team Urban Decay now. The eye shadows are incredibly pigmented. I only used a tiny bit on my eyes and they blend really well. The only downside of this palette is the lack of highlighting colors. I thought I could use Midnight Cowboy Rise Again but it is very glittery. Also, Uzi and Maui Wowie have the same texture. This palette has a nice balance of neutrals and fun colors. Rockstar, Bodello, and Psychedelic Sister are surprisingly wearable, considering that I don't wear purples that well."

Click here to read more!

Want to read my top picks in skincare? Jump!

My Makeup Blog's Best of Skincare

1. Z Mei Skincare System

"After a month of constant using, I have to say it was worth for me to take a risk on Z Mei. The first week, I had some break outs in weird places: I got 2 big pimples, one on the left, the other on the right cheek. They looked like mirror images of each other. I almost gave up using it but I already promised a 3-week commitment so I pushed forward. Week 2, my skin started clearing up, which means the funky zits of week one were the signs of my skin's purging. Week 3 and beyond: my skin is clear. Now, I don't even have a zit. Even if I do, it is small and painless."

Click here to read part 1 of the review, and here for part 2!

2. Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC Moisturizing Toner:

"Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC is not the little girl's version of a toner. It is for grown-ups with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid (in the form of sodium acetylated hyaluronate.) It also contains squalane, which is also a moisturizer. On top of that, it contains alpha arbutin and vitamin C to brighten your skin. The cherry on the cake is the lack of parabens as preservatives.

This toner does not feel like a toner at all. It feels more like a serum in those My Beauty Diary masks that I love so much. The fluid does not smell like anything but a faint smell of chemical that reminds me of water in a plastic bottle put inside a hot car. It has almost a gel-like texture that's between a serum and a gel. It dries fast and does not feel greasy. However, as glycerin is one of the top-5 ingredients, this serum has the ability to pull water from the air to keep your face moist."
Click here to read more!


3. I Provenzali Shea Butter Lip Balm

"I love it! I can't sleep without it as this is a proven product to keep my lips moist all night. It does not rub off or melt away when I sleep but clings on to dear life until the next morning. Since the skin on my body has been drier this year, I Provenzali shea butter stick lip balm is a must. I misplaced it for a couple of weeks and I almost cried in HD. That is how important this lip balm is to me."

Click here to read more!

4. NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash:

"The chemical exfoliants in this products are glycolic acid and lactobionic acid. Glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha-hydroxyacid) and lactobionic acid is a PHA (poly hydroxyacid.) Since the PHA has smaller molecular sizes, the exfoliation action gets deeper into the sub-layers of the stratum corneum, the top layer of your skin.With 18% glycolic acid, this product is not for novice users of the alpha-hydroxyacid cleansers. I hesitated at first since my skin tend to be sensitive when it gets colder. However, I did not experience any break outs since I started using it. About a week after I started using it, my skin had this nice rosy glow. Sadly, I was in the middle of battling to 50,000 words and my skincare routine was less than perfect. As a result, my skin reverted to its earlier state but with less pimples. Once NaNoWriMo was over, I used the Foaming Glycolic Wash again and my skin has never looked better."
Click to read more!

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo:

"Not only the original Batiste does not smell bad, it works like a charm. After shaking the can, I spray it all over my head. A fine mist of corn starch and alcohol is propelled from the can by butane and isobutane. Then, I rub the corn starch to my hair, leave it for a couple of minutes, and brush it off using a natural boar bristle brush. The hair looks somewhat dull but it feels and smells clean. I notice a tiny bit of volume on my hair."

Click to read more!





Bonus round: China Glaze "For Audrey" nail polish

This nail polish is too good to pass. Although it pains me not to do a "Best of" for nail polishes, I have to include For Audrey somewhere and here it is.

"The light turquoise of For Audrey is the closest resemblance of Tiffany's signature blue color on their jewelry boxes. Of course, it cannot be the same color as Tiffany's holds the rights to their blue."

Click here to read more!


There you have it, My Makeup Blog's Best of Makeup and Skincare list. I feel like one of those Zagat people rating restaurants. These are just a few products I enjoy during 2010. If I could, this list would probably be a lot longer. However, I am quite exhausted so let's stop here. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post where I am going to show you my favorite FOTDs I've done this year.

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