Vibrant magenta lipstick, lustrous sea-foam shadow, and captivating violet liner: This fall’s prettiest makeup shades are intense. But don’t be intimidated—we’ve got the tricks for pulling them off, no matter what your complexion.

VIOLET EYELINER
Add a twinkle to your eyes with a stroke of this vivid shade. “Violet makes brown eyes richer, greens greener, and blues more intense,” says makeup artist Tom Pecheux. Line the upper and lower rims to create a burst of color around eyes; for a smoky effect, smudge with a cotton swab.
Try NYX Slide On Pencil in Purple Blaze or Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Bourbon Street

NAVY AND GOLD EYE SHADOWS
Navy blue isn’t just for sailor stripes and prep-school uniforms. Deeply pigmented yet classic enough not to be jarring, it looks especially gorgeous on brown eyes. Brush it across lids, into the crease, and past the outer corners. Finish by spreading gold beneath the lower lashes. “Gold shadow catches the light and adds a beautiful accent,” Pecheux says.
Try Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow in Indigo and/or Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #11

MAGENTA LIPSTICK
When you want to make a statement (or an entrance), this vivacious pink-and-purple blend is the way to go. “This unique color surprisingly works on all skin tones,” says Pecheux. Use a lip brush when applying to keep the edges defined, and keep the rest of your makeup simple: Just go over lashes with mascara and darken brows a touch.
Try Avon Ultra Color Rich Moisture Seduction in Plum Gorgeous or L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in Sea Fleur

BLACKENED GREEN EYE SHADOW
Metallic green with a touch of black puts a sexy new spin on smoky eyes. It’s striking for evening with pale or burgundy lips.
Try T. LeClerc Mono Eyeshadow in Fouret Noire or Lancôme Color Design Palette in Jade Fever

RUSSET RED BLUSH
We love the way our cheeks look when we’re exercising outside in the crisp, autumn air. Get the flush—minus the exertion—using this daring red hue. The shade does enhance skin redness, so begin by concealing any blemishes or spots. Then, dust the blush onto the apples of cheeks with a circular motion and sweep up along cheekbones. Just be sure to use a light hand in applying, as reds are easy to overdo.
Try M.A.C. Mineralize Blush in Love Thing or Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi-Use Blush in Impulse

SEA-FOAM GREEN EYE SHADOW
The ’80s gave pastel eye shadows a bad rap, but this shimmering blue-green shade is more glamorous than garish. “Either draw a very thin line along your upper lashes or spread the color all over the lids,” Pecheux says. As with many light shades, the darker your skin, the deeper the color should be.
Try Inglot AMC Eyeshadow Shine in 24 or Yves Saint Laurent 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes in 11

BABY PINK GLOSS
Baby pink gloss gives lips an ultrafeminine tint—to toughen up the color, pair it with dark smoldering eyes. Pecheux recommends layering on a few coats if you have fair or medium skin. But because this shade can look frosty on dark skin, he suggests applying just a few dots and rubbing lips together for a sheer finish.
Try Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bare Pink or NYX Sheer Gloss in Dandy

Source: Allure

You can’t deny how awesome giveaways are!  And Thanks to Verve 360 nail salons in Pittsburgh for providing the prize, I can offer you just that!

This is your chance to win two Zoya polishes in Marina and Anja from the Smoke & Mirrors Collections.  Just in case you’re not too sure what these lovelies look like, here are some swatches from Scrangie:

To Enter You Must:

• Post a comment on my blog on why you love Zoya polishes.  If you’ve never tried a Zoya polish, tell me why you want to try it. Or, you can even post what your perfect Zoya color would look like and be named.
• Be a subscriber to From Mascara To Meatloaf

Additional Entries:

• “Like” From Mascara To Meatloaf on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter (@AquilahR)
• Tweet about this contest: RT @AquilahR Giveaway: Zoya Polishes in Marina & Anja (Courtesy of Verve 360 Salon) http://tinyurl.com/zoyagiveaway

Rules:
Giveaway is open to those living within the 48 contiguous United States.  This contest begins Saturday, November 19 and will end Saturday, December 3. The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 4 by using random.org.

Turns out your beauty routine can be helped by thinking way outside the box. We chatted with the experts to find out what strange beauty myths are actually true!

Milk & Honey Bath
Lactic acid, found in milk, is a natural skin-softener, said Darrell McCurtain, a therapist at the Golden Door Spa. If filling an entire tub feels too indulgent, try using a small basin to soak feet or hands, or add a few cups to your bath water. Throw in a few teaspoons of honey to capture its anti-bacterial effect.

Red Wine
We cheered the news that red wine is good for our health, and McCurtain told us it’s fab for your skin, too! “The antioxidants and polyphenols found in wine are good for softening skin, and they’re easily absorbed through it as well.” Similar to the milk bath, fill your whole tub if you’re feeling luxe (or lush), or try in smaller doses like a foot or hand soak.

Boxers
Curly-haired ladies should borrow a (clean!) pair of their man’s boxers to dry their locks, since a towel’s fibers can actually increase frizziness. Simple cotton is far less agitating. “My best friend will literally jump out of the shower and wear her boyfriend’s boxers on her head to help dry her hair and keep it up and out of her face so she can put makeup on,” said Dallin James, hair stylist at the Marie Robinson Salon.

Lettuce & Spinach
Fight wrinkles and keep hair and nails healthy by fortifying your diet with lots of silicone-rich foods, suggests beauty nutritionist Paula Simpson. Smart buys include Romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, and tomatoes (including the skin).

Celery Seed
Start digging through your spice rack – Simpson identified celery seed as a natural diuretic to combat bloating. She suggested a simple tea recipe to reap the benefits: Pour one cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of crushed seeds, steep for 10 to 20 minutes, and sip.

Parsley
“Ever wonder why there’s a fresh sprig of parsley on your dinner plate when you’re at a restaurant?” said Simpson. It might be that your host wants to help you avoid awkward conversations later. “It’s thought that parsley contains antibacterial properties helpful for fighting bad breath.” To make it work for you, chew on a fresh sprig – dried versions won’t work.

Honey
As an esthetician at Utah’s Golden Door Spa, Jodi Ranson has learned a thing or two about caring for dry, cracked lips. “Honey! It helps to heal and hydrate, plus the anti-viral properties make it good for healing cold sores, too.”

Green Tea Bags
Chilled, already-steeped green tea bags are an easy way to fight puffy circles in the morning. Ranson recommends steeping two and letting them sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. The coolness will feel amazing, and the brew’s caffeine will help increase micro-circulation.

Caffeine
Espresso shot before your next run, anyone? An American College of Sports Medicine study found that consuming caffeine such as coffee, iced tea, or soda (diet!) can help increase physical performance during your workout. “Drink a caffeinated beverage before your workout!” suggested Dr. Elizabeth Applegate, a professor at UC Davis.

Lemons
Lemon juice combined with tea is an easy fix for oily hair. “The lemon works as a great astringent but doesn’t ruin the pH balance of the hair and scalp,” explains TRESemmé celebrity stylist Jeanie Syfu. Do half lemon juice, half black tea and rinse through clean hair.

Olive Oil
“If you have untamable curly locks, try mixing a dime-sized amount of olive oil in with your regular styling cream. You’ll get smooth texture and unbeatable shine,” said DuWop’s National Training Manager, Jason Garner.

…And Again
Garner’s quick and easy tip to “make your body feel like silk”? Yup – more olive oil! “After a shower while your skin’s still damp, apply olive oil all over your body and pat dry with a damp towel.” It’s moisturizing and dead sexy.

More Olive Oil
In a pinch, olive oil can remove eye makeup! “A small amount of olive oil on a cotton pad can gently remove the toughest makeup,” says Joette Balsamo, makeup artist at the Marie Robinson Salon. “Just be sure to remove any oil residue with a clean pad dipped in water.” Is that a walk-of-shame tip, or what?

Moisturizing Lotion
Celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger said to try using your regular moisturizing lotion as conditioner for your hair. “It’s great hydration for your scalp!”

Avocados
This guac-like concoction works wonders on your hair, too. Hershberger’s recipe calls for mashing up one to two avocados (depending on how much hair you’ve got), working through your hair, and letting sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Cranberry Juice
Take a bottle of cranberry juice into the shower with you next time, says Hershberger. A quick rinse will boost hair’s shine – especially if you’re a redhead!

Salt
Save money on sea-salt spritzes by bottling your own. Combine water, a few teaspoons of sea salt and a dash of olive oil in a spray bottle, shake, and spray, said Hershberger.

Club Soda
Hershberger suggests fighting frizz with seltzer. Rinse clean hair with unflavored club soda to smooth strands.

Toilet Seat Covers
“When in dire need, a toilet seat cover can be used as blotting paper,” said LORAC creator and celeb makeup artist Carol Shaw. Sometimes shine-fighting is just that important.

Apple Cider Vinegar
After spending time as a celebrity makeup artist, Shaw’s learned a thing or two about relaxing. Her easiest recommendation? Taking a bath with a few cups of apple cider vinegar to detox and de-stress.

Black Tea
Beat stinky feet by soaking tootsies in a black tea bath. C.O. Bigelow Proprietor, Ian Ginsberg, said the tea’s tannins are good at neutralizing odor.

Baking Soda
Polish-free nails look prettiest when clean – Ginsberg’s trick is sprinkling baking soda on a lemon wedge and rubbing it on nails for a fresh white look.

Brushing Your Hair
We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale that you should luxuriously brush your hair every night… Well, it’s actually true! “One hundred strokes a night for lustrous looking hair,” says Ginsberg. “The oils disperse through the hair and keep strands and scalp healthy.”

Another Lemon Trick
Forget pricey creams and serums. Ginsberg’s pick for a brighter complexion is probably already in your kitchen (or at least at the neighborhood grocery store). “Rub a lemon on your face!”

Silk Pillowcase
Protect your lovingly cared-for strands even while you sleep. Edward Tricomi, lead stylist and co-owner of Warren-Tricomi salons, suggested investing in a silk pillowcase. It will help avoid tangled tresses, keep your style longer, and, most noticeably, make hair silkier.

Beer
Beer here! Lager lather is good for your hair, according to Jovani Van Orden, hairstylist at the Golden Door Spa at Waldorf-Astoria Park City. “The proteins from the malt and hops coat the hair and build it up, repairing damage. Plus, it leaves your hair with wonderful body!” Boil 3/4 cup of beer until it reduces to 1/4 cup, let cool, and add to 1 cup of regular shampoo.

Flax Seed Oil
Stimulate lash growth the natural way by dabbing flax seed oil on your lash line with a Q-tip, says IT Cosmetics Head of Creative Operations, Jacqueline Finnan. It contains omega-3, -6, and -9, along with B vitamins and lecithin to repair lash damage and get them growing.

An Herbal Poulitice
Fight acne with a time-tested poultice (an herb paste wrapped in cotton cloth). Josie Feria, Director of Spa Operations at Lapis spa, suggests grinding a mixture of herbs, such as dandelion and yellow dock, and slowly adding warm water to achieve a paste consistency. Once blended, put the paste into a clean piece of cotton fabric, secure, and let sit on affected area until the paste has dried. Helpful for fighting acne-inflamed skin, the trick is also good for sunburned skin.

Chamomile Tea
Steeped chamomile tea bags can do wonders for your complexion. Edyta Perkowska of New York’s Haven Spa recommended using them warmed for irritated spots on the face, and chilled to combat puffy eyes.

Egg Whites
Oily skin? Paint a thin layer of egg whites over a freshly washed face to help fight shine, suggested Perkowska.

Oatmeal
Plan a spa day at home next weekend with this easy oatmeal mask. Perkowska’s recipe calls for cooking a serving of oatmeal with milk and reducing the amount called for to ensure the mixture stays super thick. Leave on for 10 minutes for exfoliating super-power.

Mint
Tired of trying to fight oily strands? Prevent them with this easy mint-infused shampoo, courtesy of InStyler celebrity hairstylist Dean Banowetz. Add a few bunches of mint to water, boil, strain, and add the minty water to your regular shampoo (use a 2-to-1 ratio, with more shampoo than water). Cleanse and condition hair as usual, using the mint concoction weekly.

Mayonnaise
Frizzy locks will benefit from a staple cookout condiment – mayo! Banowetz said to combine two teaspoons of natural eucalyptus tree oil with 1/4 cup of mayo and use in the shower post-shampoo, letting it saturate your locks for ten minutes.

Source: Real Beauty

OPI Launches Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012

OPI celebrates color with the Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Inspired by the country’s range of stunning shades – as seen in vivid tulips, windmill-dotted hillsides and bustling canals – the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of sophisticated neutrals and highly-pigmented brights.

“Holland has a very unique, vibrant beauty to match its open-minded nature,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Spring is the season of color, and the Holland Collection provides an array of pink, coral and orange hues that capture this energy. The bright lacquers are married with neutrals in new variations like red clay and sea green.”

A sequence of electric brights, including a sun-lit orange (A Roll in The Hague), a hot coral-red (Red Lights Ahead…Where?) and two perfectly pretty pinks (Kiss Me on My Tulips and a light-catching Pedal Faster Suzi!) complement their cooler counterparts in hues of glistening purple (Dutch ’Ya Just Love OPI? and Vampsterdam), while elegant neutrals (Gouda Gouda Two Shoes, Did You ’ear About Van Gogh? and Wooden Shoe Like to Know?) meet two shimmer-laced blues (I Have a Herring Problem and I Don’t Give a Rotterdam!) and a creamy sea green (Thanks a WindMillion).

“Wearing these colors on fingers and toes will accessorize the season’s hottest trends,” remarks Suzi. “The varied palette of colors accentuates the looks that walked the runway, from colored pants and ladylike frocks to long, blousy-sleeved tops and dramatic patterns.”

Holland by OPI includes the following shades:

Holland Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Holland Collection by OPI will be available February 8, 2012, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($9.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.
For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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3-D GLITTERS ARE A GIRL’S NEW BEST FRIEND

China Glaze Introduces Six New Innovative Glitter Polishes for Winter 2011

Forget diamonds! This winter China Glaze introduces a nail industry first: utilizing 3-D glitters in its new “Eye Candy” collection. Inspired by Marilyn Monroe and her timeless allure, this innovative new glitter technology provides a knock-your-eyes-out, super sparkly effect to your manicure. Multi-sized and differently shaped glitter particles are cleverly combined to create a sexy, super decadent, 3-D finish in six bright, eye-popping shades. Whether you prefer gleaming gold or glamorous smoky grey, China Glaze’s “Eye Candy” collection adds a dazzling finish to your holiday look with a glimmer that is sure to catch everyone’s eye! Colors in this collection include:

Celebs like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Ivanka Trump, Rosario Dawson and Emmy Rossum regularly rock China Glaze and now you can get your bling on with “Eye Candy.”

The China Glaze “Eye Candy” collection will be available in an amazing 3-D 12-piece counter display and as open stock colors.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

China Glaze is a division of American International Industries.

About American International Industries
For nearly 40 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Ardell, Andrea, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, Jeris-Lustray, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, ‘N Rage, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.

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I first saw a recipe for Nutella Cupcakes on My Baking Addiction, and I’ve been determined ever since to make them!  All I needed was a good reason, and I finally got one this weekend – My husband’s birthday!

Now, I ended up using a different recipe than Jamie’s.  I actually took the Nutella Cupcake recipe from Stephanie of Eat.Drink.Love and the Nutella Buttercream recipe from Stephanie of 52 Kitchen Adventures (two different Stephanies!).  So, while I can’t compare these to Jamie’s, they’re pretty damned tasty all the same!  A bit rich too, so don’t go all crazy thinking you can eat more than one (although my husband has eaten 4 and I’m surprised his stomach isn’t in agony)!

Nutella Cupcakes (makes 24 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
1 box Devil’s Food cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil (I used canola)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 TSP vanilla extract
1/2 cup Nutella

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, and Nutella. Add in cake mix and mix until well-combined.
- Place cupcake liners into muffin pan and pour batter into cups filling each cup approximately 3/4 of the way.
- Bake for 19-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Nutella Buttercream Frosting (frosts 15-16 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup Nutella
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1-2 TBSP milk

Directions:
- Beat butter until smooth.  Add Nutella and beat together until thoroughly combined.
- Slowly add powdered sugar, mixing until combined.  Add 1 tablespoon of milk.  Add additional milk or powdered sugar as needed to reach desired consistency.

***SIDE NOTES***
I ended up having enough cupcake batter to make 36 cupcakes.  As posted, the buttercream frosting recipe is for 15-16 cupcakes.  Considering I had twice as many, I doubled the frosting recipe… And I still have enough frosting left over I might have to make a cake too!

Skincare For Cold Weather

As we start heading towards the winter months it’s important that we take better care of our skin. We tend to be so wrapped up in our work, families and our efforts to stay warm that many of us forget to take the time to care for our skin properly. What we end up with is unsightly dry, cracked skin. Here are some tips on how to get beautiful baby soft skin while it’s cold outside.

With the holidays around the corner, and especially with Autumn being here, I’m definitely in full-on baking mode!  I’ve made these cupcakes twice, and I have to thank Blair (otherjuicystar07 of YouTube) for posting her video of her making these yummy cupcakes (the recipe is from Joy of Baking)!  Definitely a new favorite recipe of mine ~ Everyone at work and at home loved these!!!

INGREDIENTS:
Pumpkin Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
1 TSP baking powder
1/4 TSP baking soda
1 TSP ground cinnamon
1/4 TSP ground ginger
1/4 TSP ground cloves
1/2 TSP salt
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
1 TSP pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (75 grams) solid packed, canned pumpkin puree

Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
2 TBSP (30 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 TSP pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (175 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

DIRECTIONS:
Pumpkin Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place rack in the middle of the oven. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or spray each cup with a non stick vegetable spray.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground spices, and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and pumpkin puree, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Fill the muffin cups evenly with the batter using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Place in the oven and bake for about 18 – 20 minutes, or until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the cupcakes comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the butter and beat until incorporated and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and confectioners sugar and beat until fluffy (2-3 minutes). Pipe or spread the frosting on the cupcakes. Sprinkle with toasted and chopped nuts or English Toffee Bits.

To toast nuts:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 – 10 minutes or until brown and fragrant. Cool completely and then chop coarsely.

Makes about 12 regular-sized cupcakes.

***SIDE NOTE***
I’ve found that it’s best to use an ice cream scoop with these, and you’ll want it to be the type that you click the lever to “release” the batter.  Otherwise, you can make quite a mess!  Also, you can make a little more than 12 cupcakes; I made almost 18 the last time, and they weren’t at all small!

I’m tempted to see if this can easily be transformed into a cake.  I’ll have to report back with that ASAP!

I know I seem to come and go, and I don’t mean to.  Sometimes life just gets me all wrapped up, and I either don’t have enough time to blog or I just don’t feel like it at the end of a long day/week.  However, as I get back to things in life that bring me joy, I do plan on blogging more again.

What I’m trying to figure out is what direction I want the blog to go in (which has happened before!).  Lately I’ve been into cooking and baking more than anything, but I do still have beauty products I lust for.  I’m not 100% current on the trends or collections, but it’s nothing that one can’t be caught up on either.

What I might begin doing is having “feature” days so I can be consistent (to some extent) on what can be expected of me.  Something like “Tasty Tuesday” which would be for a new recipe, and “Fashion Friday” where I post an outfit I’d love to own… I’ll come up with something.  I’d do a “Makeup Monday,” but I do believe Scrangie already has that and I don’t wanna copy the name.  Maybe something else I should learn is how to schedule posts for days I don’t have time or energy.  Either way, I’ll come up with something.  And I definitely need to start utilizing the awesome camera I bought earlier this year!

Do you have any ideas, or anything in particular you’d love to see on the site?  If so, don’t hesitate to let me know!

It’s almost the end of yet another year!  I can’t believe how fast 2011 has gone by us!  Insane, isn’t it?  Anywho!  I thought it was time to go ahead and share my annual must-have products with you all ~ I ask now for forgiveness of the length of this post

M.A.C. Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation – $29.50 (30 ml / 1.0 US fl oz) – My best foundation matches have been M.A.C., but I never wore them until I purchase Pro Longwear. So far this is the best foundation I’ve ever used! It doesn’t transfer, and it doesn’t “slide off” my face, as well as it doesn’t even feel like I have anything on.

M.A.C. Prep+Prime Translucent Finishing Powder (Loose) – $23.00 (8 g / 0.28 US oz) – Helps keep my face shine-free and flawless looking! It’s a perfect complement to my PLW Foundation. I just realized this also now comes in a pressed version, which would be great for touch-ups (should I ever need one!); It’s also $23, but only 6g / 0.22 US oz.

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Natural – $11.95 (7 g / 0.24 US oz) – While I can’t say it boosts my mood, I can say it does give me a nice, “lit from within” glow. Very gorgeous without being overly pink or shimmery.

M.A.C. Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again – $14.50 (3.6 g / 0.12 US oz) – Normally M.A.C. lipsticks are too drying for my lips, but I don’t have that problem at all with their Sheen Supremes. Not to mention, Bare Again is a perfect “my lips but better” (MLBB) shade for me! I also own Ultra Darling and Impressive.

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine – $12.00 (0.24 US oz) – I first heard about this product in a YouTube video from Tiffany D. I didn’t realize how much I loved it at first, but it’s absolutely a product I consider a definite must-have! I only wish it was easier to get my hands on without having to drive to Sephora or order online.

Tarte 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Maracuja Oil – $46.00 (1.7 fl. oz) – I read on the Skin Care Board of Makeup Alley about using oils, but never tried it. I received the Tarte Maracuja Oil as part of the Glow Your Way to Gorgeous kit from QVC, and I’ve been extremely impressed! Not only is my skin soft as silk, but I think it helped lighten some of my dark spots. I’m almost positive it helped my skin stop producing excess oil. Definitely a new staple in my skin care routine (along with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45)!

Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Shea Butter Lotion – $8.79 (14 US oz) – I fell in love with this when I used a good friend’s smaller tube at work. I noticed the scent more than anything at first, but then I realized how moisturizing it was. It’s now a staple in my routine after showering!

Chanel N°5 Eau Premiere EdP – $64.00 (1.35 fl. oz) – Now, I hate the original N°5! I can’t find a single pleasurable note from it, so I steer clear. However! Eau Premiere is absolutely divine and smells nothing like the original to me! The best way I can think of to describe it is as champagne and soap. The notes are: aldehydes, rose absolute, jasmine, neroli, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver and ylang-ylang. Given the cost of this juice, I generally try to only use it as a pick-me-up after a bad day and a long hot shower.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EdP – $75.00 (1 fl. oz) – Yet another scent I originally hated! I’ve found in 2011 I discovered I liked or even loved scents I had found vile the year before. I can’t believe I didn’t adore Flowerbomb the first few times I smelled it! It’s a definite HG scent for me, and if you use a light hand, you can even wear it in the summer. Definitely more of a fall/winter scent, but fantastic either way! (I’m still working on samples and will one day own a full-size bottle!)

Essie Demure Vixen Nail Polish – $8.00 (0.5 fl. oz) – $8.00 (0.5 fl. oz) – Absolutely perfect shade to wear any day and for any occasion. It has hidden shimmer to it too! Sadly it takes about three coats to make it opaque enough, but it still shows visible nail line (VNL). Either way, it’s fab! I also adore Essie Lady Like, which is a cream version with even more of a hidden shimmer.

Recurring faves from 2010: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black, Barielle Growth Activator for Natural Nails, Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine Quick Dry Top Coat and Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown.

What products have you discovered in 2011 and what are your must-haves?