Beautiful Reads

2011 was a year of new favorites for this beauty blogger!

MAC Sheen Supreme was one of my top picks for lipcolor in 2011.

Urban Decay Afterglow made the apples of our collective cheeks “pop!”

Affordable fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner hit the scene with Finesse Clean + Simple.

tarte introduced some incredible water-proof wonders!  Their Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye Liner colors are simply to die for, and budge proof!

Skin was IN in 2011, and effective at-home skin treatments were on the rise as a result.  One of my top picks continues to be the Brazilian Peel at home Glycolic treatment.  I love it for being both effective, and FAST!

The largest growing category in 2011 beauty was NAILS!  Here are some of 2011’s best.

Loud and proud primary colors like those in MAC Wonder Woman nail lacquer collection ruled.  Women who wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing blue nail polish a year ago, were suddenly wearing it on their toes!

Rose Gold was big on the scene, in both jewelry and makeup.  Estee Lauder’s Shimmering Bronze nail lacquer was one of the new neutrals.  A soft bronze metallic nail polish that goes with everything.

Orange makeup was the cutting-edge trend of 2011, and will become more mainstream in 2012.  I loved Finger Sweets Citrus Splash nail lacquer on the toes!

Is it purple, is it violet?  MAC Rain of Flowers was an interesting take on the Eggplant nail shade, adding some shimmer for a multi-dimensional appearance.

Duri’s Fall 2011 “Wine Tasting Party” included classic reds and greige-purple trendy shades for a mere $5 each.

2011 has been an amazing year.  We live in crazy times, and I’m not trying to underscore that.  Even in the world of beauty, things have been tumultuous.

Some favorites:

Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Wild Violet collection came on the scene and purple quickly re-entered the mainstream.  Women I know who would generally only wear brown or black eye pencil were especially pleased to see Untamed Violet.

Metallic finishes were huge on the scene in 2011, and MAC’s Mega Metal shadow collection is one way to wear the trend.

Color will continue to be a big trend in makeup, and brands like MAC Zoom Lash and Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash both introduced a variety of new shades.

My makeup prediction for 2012 is that metallic finishes will continue to be huge.  More and more color will be used, especially on the eyes.  Reader still wearing only neutrals, be warned.  By the end of 2012, I’m betting you’ll make the switch to more color!

Time to catch up with the ladies from Shopping and Goodies!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away THREE copies of Coco Chanel’s latest biography!

Bags, Bling & Beauty shows you how to beat the winter blues with a wee bit of retail therapy!

GirlsTalkinSmack is revealing celebs who show too much cleavage.

Raging Rouge announces the first installment of the Best Selling Makeup and Beauty Products 2011 series!

Shopping and Info must-have Fendi’s fur-lined motorcycle boots for winter!

The Beauty Bohemian shows you how to go day to night in Isabella Marant’s Feather and Bead Drop Earrings

The Budget Fashionista shares some very important info! How to get rid of Cellulite on a budget!

The Find wants you to get Tomboy-Chic in a Pair of Tassle Booties from Rupert Sanderson and Marc Jacobs

EyeshadowCult.com tried out 2011’s Schick Intuition Limited Edition razor. Do we love it? Find out!

Phyrra shows you a fun green, teal and purple makeup look tutorial.

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best summer 2011 makeup collections.

Thu from Painted Ladies shares her top five inexpensive makeup brush finds!

The Pink Sith comes up for air…well, Oxygen, in her review of the Peter Thomas Roth Radiance Oxygenating Masque.

Raging Rouge is WILD about L’eau Par Kenzo Wild Edition for men!

It’s Summer Time and Grey is celebrating with a Evil Shade’s Soft Summer Face Kit give away!

Cinnamon Kitten feels like doing some shopping – help her spend $50!

Beautiful Makeup Search has all of the details on the MAC Cosmetics and blogger collaboration MAC Bloggers’ Obsessions.