When I started to think about my favorite beauty products from this year, I had a hard time coming up with anything.  I realized it’s because the things I’ve been using are so embedded into my routine that I don’t even think about them anymore.  Could I really have just started using them this year?

1. Jane Iredale - I had some Jane Iredale products sent to me awhile ago, and I’m so hooked.  I couldn’t pick just one, so here’s three:

• Daytime Eyeshadow Kit - This set has changed the way I wear makeup.  I bought a slanted brush and use it to apply the black eyeshadow to my upper lash line instead of wearing eyeliner.  I love it!  It’s so easy to apply, and makes a big impact without looking too “done.”
• Multi-Colour for Lips – I’m an eye-makeup person, not a lipstick one.  I usually just wear lip balm, but for special occasions, this is my go to.  I love the range of colors.  I also love wearing these lip colors doesn’t feel like wearing lipstick.  They’re light, easy to wear, and do a great job adding moisture.
• Disappear with Green Tea Extract - When my face was really pissed at me, this is what made it possible for me to leave the house feeling confident.  Not only does it do a great job of covering up blemishes when layered with a mineral foundation, but it instead of clogging pores and making things worse like many cover-ups are known to do, it actually helps fight blemishes.  It’s so nice to put a concealer on and have improve the appearance of your skin.

2. Lisha Lynn Foundation, Blush & Finishing Powder - Alicia Redden was so kind to answer our questions and sponsor a gift certificate giveaway this year, but that’s not why I love her products.  I love them because they work.  I am so hooked.  I’d tried drugstore mineral foundations, but they really didn’t cut it.  I love the flawless, but natural finish Alicia’s foundations provide, and I love her commitment to product safety.

3. Yes to Carrots Lip Balm – I use my melon Yes to Carrots Lip Balm every morning and every night before I go to bed.  Normally, this time of year, I’d be complaining to you about dry, cracked lips, but that’s just not an issue for me anymore.  Also, this lip balm gets bonus points for lasting such a long time.  I know the tube will run out eventually, but it seems endless!

4. Honeybee Gardens Nail Polish - I’m not really a nail polish person, except that I can’t stand wearing real shoes in the summer, and I can’t stand looking at my toenails.  It’s water-based, odor-free, and doesn’t have formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalates, or FD&C colors, and comes off using rubbing alcohol, vodka, or Honeybee’s No Odor remover.

5. Skin Food – Oh, Weleda, I love you so!  Skin Food rocks.  I’m actually out and need to pick up a new tube the next time I’m at the store.  I have this fun thing where my knuckles get so dry and cracked in the winter that it kind of starts to look like I punched someone.  It’s awful, painful, and embarrassing, and Skin Food is the best solution I’ve found so far.

6. Organic Color Systems - There’s a part of me that hates to admit this, but I love being blonde.  It was kind of a reckless decision, and I actually expected to hate it.  But I just went back to my favorite hairdresser in the whole wide world earlier this week to get my roots (or as the salon calls it “regrowth”) touched up.  I probably won’t keep it forever.  The tightwad in me can’t justify it as a long term expense, and it’s kind of hard to go from getting my hair cut once or twice (yeah, I know that’s not good either) a year to heading to the salon every two months, but for now, I’m enjoying it.  And I’m totally amazed that this hair dye doesn’t smell, sting, or fade.