Most loved during 2012

Happy new year! As always here are my most loved products this year. Some of them have been also in 2011's most loved list. (I'm providing both greek and international links).

 Skincare

1. Bioderma Sensibio H2O

Absolute favourite for the last 3 years. Gentle, ideal for sensitive skin. Removes even the most waterproof eye and face makeup. Just amazing. GR / US 

2. Clinique 3Step System ( #2-3 toner and soap bar for oily skin)

The skincare routine I always return to. Probably the most effective routine for most skin types. I am using the #3 toner during summertime and #2 for winter. As for the soap bar, i've had it for 2 years now (I'm using it day and night) and it's still untouched (better value comparing to the liquid form). 

Soap bar : GR / US

Toner #2 : GR / US

Toner #3: GR / US

3. Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser Light Combination/Oily skin

My favourite moisturiser during 2012. Light, non oily-greasy feeling, skin feels supple. You need the tiniest amount, literally. Official 

4. Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask

Best mask for glowy and fresh looking skin ever. I recommend this to everyone. Has a tingly sensation. Not many masks have instant results. That's why I'm soo impressed with this one. Official

5. Liz Earle SuperSkin Concentrate

Another favourite. You can check my review on this here with other products from the same brand.

Official

6. Clarins Baume Contour des Yeux eye cream 

I bought this eye cream in May due to excessive studying. I wanted something to moisturise my under eye area but lightweight at the same time. Lasts for ages. I'm not even halfway through. GR / US

Makeup 

    Foundation, Concealer and Powder (couldn't find direct links - at drugstores or hondos centre )

The Healthy Mix Foundation

This year I've been really into Bourjois cosmetics, especially with their foundations and concealers.

The winner this year (and probably next year as well) is the Healthy Mix line. I've been using the shade #52 for summer and the #51 during wintertime. Many say this is a foundation with a dewy finish. I don't quite agree with them. It's definitely not a matte foundation, it's more of a natural finish. It is said that this one is a no for people with combination/oily skin. My experience? As a super oily girl in summer and as a combination/oily girl in winter, it lasts as any other foundation claiming to be suitable for combination/oily skin types. So, with a primer (for summer) and some powder it lasts pretty well. It's a sheer buildable foundation, almost invisible to the naked eye with a pleasant discreet smell. 

The Flower Perfection Foundation

This one is not as promoted as the healthy mix foundation. It's relatively new to the market. It has a demi-matte finish and it's full coverage. This is a heavy duty foundation, very pigmented but really non drying. I'm applying it with my fingers (a brush makes it too heavy and probably a bit cakey looking).

The Healthy Mix Concealer

A medium to full coverage concealer, yellow toned, great for under the eyes and for blemishes/spots.

(Shade 52)

Swatches

The best powder ever!!! Drumms.....

Rimmel Stay Matte Face Powder

Silky, invisible, controls shine. I am really pleased with this powder. As you can see i loved it a lot this year.  Amazon

Blushers

Bourjois Rose de Jaspe Blusher

I think this blusher was in my first ever favorites post. When I'm not sure which blusher to choose, I just go for this one. Peach-pink-rose shade, subtle shimmer. Just makes you look fresh (even though you are not). 

Famous X First Date Blusher in Penelope


This brand is not so famous, but it deserves more attention. This muted, pink but earthy matte blush is ideal for a smokey eye or heavy eye makeup. Super blendable and silky even though it's totally matte. Official Website

Eyeshadows

To be honest, this year I was a bit lazy when it came to eyeshadows. Maybe exams, maybe just boredom. My favourite palette is the Earthy Tones Palette by Blush Professional. 
Official

Elf Single Eyeshadow in Pebble.

Probably the best shade and finish i've ever found on any eyeshadow. It looks matte but it's beautifully satiny. The colour is just amazing, especially for hazel eyes. The ideal grey-brown-taupe shade. Can be used as a sheer wash all over the lid for a natural look, as eyeliner or as that amazing single eyeshadow you can even do smokey eyes with. Totally worth it for that price.

Elf 

Lip Products

Sleek Pout Polish in Caribbean (spring/summer favourite)
Super moisturising lip product. These polishes in general are all-in-one products. You can use them as a  lip balm with a tint or as lip glosses. They are really glossy but NO WAY sticky. This particular colour is no longer available since it was from a limited edition collection, but all there are other amazing shades like Frosting (a bright pink), Peach Perfection (a nude-peach) and Scandal (a femme fatale-like scarlet red). Sleek

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple (all year favourite)
I'm in love with these lip butters. For more check my full review with all the colours. I love this shade because it can be versatile (applied with a light hand or heavy with various results)


Applicators

Eyes

Real Techniques Eyes Set

This year's new discovery is this range of makeup brushes. This set has the essentials for a full eye makeup (dome shader brush, deluxe crease brush, detail brush and an angled brush). They are made of synthetic material, totally vegan but extremely high quality. Amazon

Face

Elf Bamboo, Professional and Studio Makeup Brushes



Many claim that Elf brushes are cheap because they have poor quality. This is partially true, since the Professional range is quite low when it comes to quality. Although, these 6 are some of the best low priced brushes I've ever found.

1. Elf Studio Blush Brush : Soft, bristles made of taklon, antibacterial. Ideal for cream blushes too.
2. Elf Studio Powder Brush : The famous flat top kabuki by Elf. Similar to Sigma's flat top kabuki. Soft bristles, synthetic, antibacterial and well made.
3. Elf Bamboo Powder Brush : Vegan, synthetic, super soft, wooden handle. Great for bronzer.
4. Elf Bamboo Angled Blush Brush : same as above, slightly denser and angled. Good for contouring.
5. Elf Studio Angled Eyeliner Brush : my favourite for applying cream eyeliner
6. Elf Professional Eyebrow Brush : Handy and really cheap for brushing the brows. No need to spend a fortune on that.

(The greek websites offer worldwide shipping at moderately low cost - if you can't get it from amazon- not affiliated with any of the greek eshops)

Which were your favourites during 2012 ?