Hits and Misses 2009

Year 2009 has gone by so fast! In the "realm of makeup", i've definitely picked up so much tips tricks and skills, not forgetting the fact that my makeup collection has grown immensely, comprising tons of impulsive buys and maybe, holy grail products. Given that, don't you think it's a good time to do my HITS and MISSES of 2009?

With that said, lets get right to it!

HITS 2009

Blankety Lipstick by MAC

This is probably my holy grail nude lipstick. It's one that goes perfect with dark smokey eyes, and at the same time amazing for an everyday neutral lip color. Probably due to the fact that it's a beige nude with slight pinky undertones, so it doesn't wash me out completely but gives a decent amount of color that will not overpower any dark eye makeup. Texture is amazing, very creamy and great color payoff, given it being an amplified lipstick(one of my favourite finishes) I love this lipstick paired with MAC's dazzleglass in rags to riches.

Chanel Matt Lumiere Foundation

This Chanel foundation is the perfect foundation for oily skin IMO. It gives medium coverage, buildable to full, but feels relatively lightweight on the skin and is extremely blendable. Though it's called a matt foundation, it still leaves a pretty dewy finish, (on an oily person like me at least!) Not recommended for anyone w dry skin though. Bottle comes with a pump, making usage sooo easy. I usually spritz some MAC fix+ on my face before applying the foundation, for an even more lightweight and natural application. I would say it deserves as much credit as the prolumiere, only more for oily skin!

Rimmel Sexy curves mascara

My all time favourite mascara!! not even your 50dollar mascara can beat this 17/18 dollar drugstore mascara. i've gone through 3 tubes of this, and it's amazing. I usually have trouble getting my lashes to curl nicely so that my mascara doesn't smudge under my lower lashline. I've tried Estee Lauder, Dior show, and Guerlain Le 2 de mascaras, and none curl my lashes as well as the sexy curves. It does get a little clumpy after the tube has been opened for say a month, but i'd live with that. It just curls and volumizes my lashes perfectly. If i want an even more dramatic lash, all i do is apply one more coat of Dior show black out mascara over the top of Sexy curves, and bam. Another great thing about this mascara is that it is soooo easy to remove, and doesnt leave any residue behind at all.

Benefit High Beam

One very expensive highlighter kind of product, but worth every penny i must say. High beam is a highlighter in a bottle with a brush applicator, and has a pinky tone to it. for $56/$58 at Sephora/ Tangs beauty hall, you get quite a decent amount of product, that can last ages. I usually apply this to the top of my cheekbones and right down the bridge of my nose, just to highlight my very asian features:D This product photographs well, and doesn't make you look greasy at all like how some highlighters can. This product is also very blendable, and reflects just enough light to make you look as if you have beautifully outstanding cheekbones and a nice sharp nose! You could even mix abit of this into your foundation t give you an overall glow. How versatile!

YSL touche eclat

Yet another brightener/highlighter sorta thing. Except, this is sooo convenient. Comes in a pen form. It appears to look like a concealer(yes some do use it as a concealer) but is actually a brightener. I use this under my eyes on top of my concealer, and sometimes a little on my eye lids when i look tired. I also do use this on the bridge of my nose. But the main thing i use this for is to actually line the area around my lips, since i'm not blessed with very plumped lips. This gives the appearance of fuller lips, and for some reason, i always get complements about my lips when i use this product! So i'm thinking it must be magical somehow.

MAC select sheer powder

A powder that i've already hit pan on, which proves how good it is since i have 12829834 powders, and this is the one i stick to majority of the time. Like its name, it gives sheer coverage, which makes it perfect for setting my liquid foundation. It is also great as a powder foundation on top of just concealer. gives enough coverage to even out my skin tone! And the best part about it? It photographs beautifully. Unlike MAC's mineralized skin finisn, which though looks great in person, looks awful in photos, this select sheer powder looks great both in person and in photos! This powder sets nicely on the skin without looking chalky or powdery.Priced at i think 44 or 46 sgd dollars, i would say it's a worth buy. Lasts a pretty long time!

MAC dazzleglass in rags to riches

This dazzleglass is a mid-tone pink, and doesn't appear to be extremely outstanding in the tube, but on the lips, looks simply amazing. i don't really know how to describe it, but paired with blankety lipstick, i think it gives the perfect "work" lip. not too over the top, but makes people wonder what you have on your lips. Dazzleglasses in general have a very beautiful subtle sparkly finish which i love. So for those of you who love shiny lips, give this a try.

Coastal Scents 88 palette / Coastal Scents 28 palette

These coastal scents palettes are just everything any girl would need when it comes t eyeshadows. the 28 neutral palette has every neutral brown color you'd need for work, presentations, or a "don't feel like wearing color day", and the colors never disappoint you. Also, it's a palette that works for all skintones IMO. The 88 palette allows you to create any kind of bold crazy look without having to go out and buy single eyeshadows just for some look you want to try out. It's perfect for experimenting! It also contains some neutral colors, but i don't think they are the best neutral colors, so for those of you who don't wear bold colors and prefer earthy tones, don't waste money on this palette. Try the 28 neutral.

MAC 217 brush

The all multi-purpose brush, seriously. You can use it to apply color to the lid, to the crease, use it for blending out colors, for applying any cream eyeshadow or base, and even applying ur highlight color. Every girl who does her own makeup should definitely get this brush!! at 33SGD, it is worth every single cent, cus it just makes applying eyeshadow 10times easier and more beautifully!!

Foundation brush from Sasa

Down to the last, this foundation brush from Sasa is brilliant for its price. I never thought much of cheaper brushes like those from Sasa until i used this for concealer and my benefit that girl primer. It just applies my MAC studio finish & my chanel concealer so smoothly and evenly, and feels great on the skin. for 10 or 11dollars, i don't think anyone can beat that! Comes with a very cute pink handle that is the perfect size for comfortable use!

MISSES 2009

MAC freckletone lipstick

This lipstick turned out a bit too blah for me, and i've only gone through less than 1/8 of it. Color payoff is not too good, i'm guessing cus it's a lustre, and it's a little too beige/orangey toned, doesn't go that great with most of the eye makeup i like to do. i even prefer my natural lip color to this particular shade so... hmm. I'm the kind of person whereby if the MUA is extremely helpful and friendly, i feel pressured to buy smth, you know? So since the MUA kept saying this is a nice lipstick, i just got it. too late for regrets now!:/

MAC prep and prime face primer

This product did absolutely nothing good for my skin. it made my hand feel smoother when the MUA tried it out on me at the store, but when i tried it on my face i hated how my skin looked with my liquid foundation on top of it. i looked a little dry and flaky. ewwe. Just didn't work for me. But i believe it does work on some other people. I've tried it on friends and clients, and it does make foundation application easier. So i guess it's just a miss for me in particular.


Okay so i think that's it for my 2009 Hits and Misses! i've actually been liking alot more items towards the end of the year when i started trying out more products since i christmas shopped alot. But the items mentioned are those i've used the whole year round and have been absolutely loving, or.. chucking aside!! I'm glad i only had 2 misses though.

So what were your hits and misses for 2009? I would love to hear from you, so drop it in the comments!

Till my next post, have a brilliant new years eve celebration and i'll see you in 2010!! Stay safe everyone!

-Alicia