Its that time of year when you start making resolutions and reflecting on all that has passed. 2006 was a very good year for me.
It was a mixture of some terrific highs and some depressing lows. I made some great new friends and lost some old ones. The blog grew and my spare time went out the window.
I fell in love with La Mer foundation, got blown away by Bond's Westside fragrance, struggled with my shampoo choices and discovered that in the end there is nothing like my trusted Nars Foul Play gloss to get me through a jam.
There were some stunning releases from fragrance houses, nail polishes that literally flew off shelves and primers became a part of most makeup lines.
It was a great year to be a beauty blogger.
Here is my list for my favorite beauty products that I fell in love with in 2006.
They range from the infamous Chanel Black Satin to the classic Jolie Madame fragrance.
1. Estee Lauder's Tom Ford Azuree oil is my top pick for best beauty product of 2006.
It was a limited edition gem that quickly captured the hearts of fragrance lovers. It was a modern interpretation of the 1969 fragrance Azuree. This version was "built around a tiare milk accord that comprises Tahitian gardenia petals mixed with coconut and orange blossoms and warmed with vetiver, sandalwood and myrrh". It was creamy tropical goodness with a linen crisp vetiver note. I wore it constantly during the summer months. I loved it so much that I started mixing it with other products. It was incredible with Bond's Fire Island and Chinatown. Soon my bottle got depleted to the half way mark. I am not one of those well centered people that say "the jar is half full".
I am from the school of panic, hoarding and cussing. I treat the remaining juice in this bottle like it is liquid gold or a Jar Fragrance.
Runner up for #1 spot:
Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower: Another incredible tropical fragrance of 2006. It is heavy on the tuberose absolute but somehow it does not kill you like Fracas does. I think it is the quality of the note along with the side notes of Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Orange Blossom absolute and Coconut. It really is stunning and one of my favorites from the year.
Now this one is available for purchase at Barneys in NYC.
2. La Mer foundation:
Taken from my review on May 24 2006:
The thing that slayed me about this product is the staying power. No foundation lasts longer than this bottle. I have played the field. I have dabbled in high end foundation and crossed the tracks and flirted with drugstore. After a full hellish day at work my makeup looks fresh and perfect. No touchups. No fiddling. It is a foundation miracle.
Proclaiming a foundation as "Holy Grail" status is a very serious thing. I still stand by this review even though I have seen incredible skin transformations with the new Armani and Awake foundations. They are worthy of testing but I stay loyal to my La Mer. This product delivers amazing coverage that lasts 24 hours.
I can not ask for anything more.
3. Jolie Madame:
Taken from my November 14th review: It is a big fat chypre with the most lush oakmoss. It is earthy but crisp. It dries down to a smoky leather that is sweetened with a non-candied violet.
It is ladylike but with a twist.
Think Eva Marie Saint...but with a whip.
I thought I knew what a great chypre was with my Mitsouko EDT.
Lets call the bottle "The Aniston".
Well.... this Madame Jolie bottle came and turned my head.
This fragrance makes you leave your "Mitsouko" and go off to adopt babies.
Team Mitsouko might think Madame Jolie is a man eater.
They are right.
4. Bond's Westside: I smelled this fragrance on Laurice herself months before the launch date. It knocked me to my knees like Chinatown did. I love rose and amber combinations. This one was even more complicated and interesting than my beloved 2000 et une Rose. I never waited so impatiently for a release date. The moment it arrived at my local Saks I was standing at the counter waiting.
http://www.bondno9.com/catalog/
5. Chanel Winter Nights Quad: The best damn quad they have ever made.
I will actually hit pan soon.
Who hits pan with quads?
Not I....
http://www.gloss.com/home/index.jsp
6. Chanel's Inimitable Mascara: I have very short straight lashes. They have been the bane of my existence. This mascara turns them into lush fans with a springy curl. It is like hot curlers for your lashes. It's best feature is a brush that can separate lashes like no one's business.
http://www.gloss.com/home/index.jsp
7. Estee Lauder's Bronzer in Bronzed Amber: I never look at bronzers on principle. I always thought pale ghostly girls should avoid bronzers like the plague.
This is the bronzer that changed my mind. It gives a sun kissed glow instead of that awful tantastic orange that most bronzers inflict.
It was a limited edition product.
8. Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue eyeshadow quads: These were limited edition shadow quads that came in stunning cases featuring figures from a panel commissioned by Elizabeth Arden. Arden shadows were a surprise to me. I was delighted with their quality. They were a creamy texture with just the right amount of pigment. These quads colors were well coordinated and wearable.
I pray that they consider bringing these back and adding to the line.
9. DuWop's Revolotion Face: The best tinted moisturizer on the market.
Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer might be world famous but it has nothing on DuWop. It has better coverage with a sheer formula. It brightens the face with its light reflecting pigments.
It takes less product to get the face you need.
http://www.duwop.com/
10. Chanel's Wonderland Gloss: It looks lovely alone or when combined with other lippies it gives an added shimmer punch.
http://www.gloss.com/home/index.jsp
11. Lancome's Behnaz lipstick: I debated about bringing this up.
But I can not ignore the best damn red lipstick ever produced.
That is all I will say because I know it brings pain to many readers.
12. Lancome's Mille & Une Roses: This is not a new love.
Lancome brought back my beloved 2000 et une Rose in 2006 and renamed it. One of the greatest rose scents of all time.
13. Nars Brightening serum: This serum managed to wake up my face and give it life. I was transformed from a tired stressed out girl to someone that looks like they get 8 hours of sleep. It has become part of my daily routine.
http://www.narscosmetics.com/acb/stores/1/index.aspx
14. Chanel's Black Satin: What is a Best of 2006 list without the biggest makeup story of the year? Chanel's nail polish is known for its inferior quality but somehow they managed to sell out of a black nail polish twice. I was on the 2nd waiting list. I was #50....in the one horse town of Youngstown Ohio.
If there are 49 people in front of you for a black nail polish then you know that something crazy has happened. I was never called and luckily was gifted a bottle from a dear reader named Dana. I knew that I had to be faster when Noir Ceramic launched.
My local Chanel counter sold out of their entire stock within 24 hours. I was not fast enough...again.
Another reader, Gretchen has taken pity on me.
So from now on I am just getting on these lists the moment I read about a new product on a blog or in a magazine.
As god as my witness....I will never be #50 again!!!
15. La Mer Powder:
Taken from my June 25 review: I am a loose powder junkie so I am generally hard to please when it comes to this type of product. This one made my heart sing and my feet dance. It is as light as whipped cream with a buttery texture.
It is very finely milled powder that manages to set your makeup all day. There is little to no touch up necessary. I also love that it is in a sturdy glass jar.
http://www.gloss.com/home/index.jsp
16. Awake Aqua Trans Powder in Stardom: I needed another pink shimmer powder like I needed a hole in my head....but this one is so damn good. It has the same sensation that prescriptives magic powder has. Goes on wet and slightly creepy. However this powder can withstand rain or shine conditions. Gorgeous lasting power.
The shimmer stays put throughout the day.
http://www.drugstore.com/templates/notcoldept/default.asp?catid=9730
17. Laura Mercier's Mineral Eye Powder: Now this is a Laura Mercier product that I can stand behind. Great shimmer shadows that have high quality pigment and sparkle. Asteroid is my personal favorite shade. Perfect for a smoky eye.
Available at your local Saks or Nordstorm.
18. Bond's Fire Island: Another winner from Bond.
The website describes it as "the beach equivalent of ProustÂs madeleine dunked in tea."
It smells like sun warmed expensive tanning lotion with some creamy tropical flower thrown in for good measure. I grew quite addicted to mixing it with Lauder's Azuree oil.
http://www.bondno9.com/catalog/
19. Paul and Joe's fragrances in Bleu and Blanc:
Bleu is the best amber scent ever created.
Blanc is an incredible heliotrope and hawthorn scent that is so soft and comforting.
These are available at anthropologie stores. I just picked up my 2nd round of bottles at my local store with an extra 30 % off.
That is a steal!
20. MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade: A skin brightener that has veins of baby yellow, pink, orange and blue. One of the best MAC products in years.
Available at Saks, Nordstorm, Macys, Bloomingdales.
My local Saks had three to four left.
21. Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Habanera: I could not get out my credit card fast enough. This is their best duo. A stunning brown based plum with lots of shimmer.
Its partner is a mint silverish green shade.
Just Gorgeous.
Available at my local Nars counter (216)-292-5500 ext: 256
Ask for Alesha.
If you spend $100 you can get the 9929 palette.
If you spend over $150 then you get the 9929 palette and the 150 Itabrush(which is another great 2006 find!).
Say that Blogdorf Goodman sent you.
22. Essie's Bungle Jungle Nail Polish: One of the best reds produced this year. I orginally fell for their Jag-u-are shade but this one slowly took over my heart.
This is a red that looks flattering on everyone.
Available at 8ty8beauty.com and head2toebeauty.com
This is my list for 2006.
Please visit the sites of these following bloggers that are also participating in the Favorite Things of 2006.
You will find each and every one of these bloggers a delight to read.
They are some of my favorite morning reads.
The Great She Elephant will post her list on January 3rd. Other's will post throughtout the day on December 29th.
graphic by Dramaqueenie2/Blogdorf Goodman
posted by Annieytown @ 8:07 PM
42 Inspired Comments
42 Inspired Comments:
T has the Azuree on her list too, and as I commented there, I just don't "get" the Azuree, and wish I understood what I was missing! Everyone seems to adore it. But -- ack! -- I've got to get to Anthropologie to see if they've got P&J Blanc on sale!
I've always eluded the Bonds ... but now you've gone and said the magic words: rose and amber. You're an inspiration in a lot of ways, A. Thanks for spearheading best of 2006 ... and Happy New Year! xoxo
Thanks for a great list, and inspiring us all to recap the year. I am also a lover of Revolotion Face and definitely lemming Chanel's Wonderland! Happy New Year and here's to a beautiful 2007.
Thanks so much for getting us all together as you are so talented at doing. I hope you have a wonderful and safe New Years celebration, Annie!
Annie, Thank you for reminding me of some of my favorite beauty moments of 2006! Bond No. 9's West Side, in particular, stands out for me. My first experience of this fragrance was the source of some very happy memories. :)
Annie, thanks for being such a great inspiration. I love Blogdorf Goodman!
And thanks for including Makeup Bag :)
Happy New Year,
Erika
Hey Annie! Great list - as I knew it would be!
Could you correct my blog address, please? The Life of a Ladybug is located at http://lifeofaladybug.typepad.com. Thanks!
Thank you for all your work setting up this end-of-year blog event, Queen Annie-dala! I was cheered to see we both were shouting out to Jolie Madame, Carnal Flower, and the Tom Ford oil. Have you tried Tocade? I'm still going back and forth on whether I prefer it to West Side.
Love Azuree, West Side, P&J Blue and Blogdorf Goodman! :-) Happy New Year!
Annie -
Can the La Mer Powder be used as a pressed powder? I have extremely oily skin so I can't wear foundation.
Also, is the Federic Malle's Carnal Flower the body lotion or is it just a parfume?
Sanx & have a healthy happy new year!
MG
Thanks Annie, for the Le Mer makeup reccomend, I've been loving it for 2 months now. Oh and I got the powder too! Great List, Happy New Year! - Victoria
Thanks for organizing this blogging event. It's a lot of fun to visit everyone and have new discoveries. I'm always taking notes when reading you, and this list is no exception.
Happy New Year!
Annie, can't believe I didn't think of Carnal Flower to put on my list. It has no rivals! Thanks for organizing this fun project!
Ok - I had LaMer foundation on my Wish List, and I now know I must try it. I hope they can whip me up a sample to try - just in case.
Thanks for getting us all to put these lists together - it was a really great idea.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for organizing this event -- lots of fun and I've found so many wonderful blogs to visit! BTW that Jolie Vs Aniston comparison must be one of the best I've read this year. Brilliant! And terrific list, too!
Do you think the Awake pink powder is good for pale skin?
Wow! What an amazing list! I will definitely have to check out the NARS brightening serum among many others. ;) Happy New Year!! xoxo
Wow, thanks for organizing this. Now I have about fifteen more blogs in my bookmarked list of favorites!
Oh yay! I am so glad someone else loves the Elizabeth Arden eyeshadows, too! EA has a reputation as an outdated, old-fashioned line, but some things just don't need improving upon. You have to try some of the EA nail polishes sometime :)
Thanks for organizing and putting this all together, A. Well done!
Annie, I felt so honored to be included. Your list is amazing! I tend to stick to drugstore brands, but I'm gonna have to try that Azuree! It seems that whatever Tom Ford touches turns to gold. Or something....
Happy, happy new year to you and yours!
NST: I am not sure how long the sale will last on the fragrances at anthropologie. Cavewoman and I pretty much cleared out the stock at our local store in Cleveland.
I loved Azuree. It was heaven mixed with Fire Island.
Mireille: I think you will love this one. I will email you.
BC: Wonderland was a surprise. It does not look like anything in the tube...but on the lips...it is magic.
Thanks Christina!!! Have a wonderful New Year!
Stanzi: She really treated us to a magical day!!
)))J(((
Thanks Erika! I am glad so many people participated. It made it fun.
Toya: I need to fix my links this weekend. I promise to update you.
Your list was great too!!
Tbone: Nope. I need to visit...so I can peek at your collection.
Colombina: If there is any anthropologie stores near you...run there ASAP. Paul & Joe fragrances are 30% off.
I have no idea how long the sale will run.
Have a lovely New Year!
MG: My review was for the carnal flower fragrance. The raves for the body cream have been very positive. They say it is heaven.
As for the La Mer...I only have the loose powder. I have oil issues and this has been wonedrful for me. I touch it up with a Hard Candy powder that I found in TJ Maxx. Another great loose powder is from Caron. That is magnificent.
Victoria: I can not wait for the concealer. I am loving La Mer. It works so well for me.
Non Blonde: This is the best and most expensive part...the new lemmings. I have a very long list thanks to everyone!!!
Victoria: When I first started writing about nail polish Tbone yawned. She said that she could not get into it.
Now...she paints her nails and searches for silver polish all over NYC. Nail Polish can be addictive.
If you do cave into getting a Black Satin manicure...let me know.
)))V(((
Have a great holiday!
OMG Ina! I forgot so much. I loved Songes and I can not believe that I did not even mention it.
I am organizing my makeup drawers and discovering things I had forgotten. It is criminal.
Teri: Our local Saks was very generous with us when it came to samples. You have to dip your finger into the powder if you have a chance. It is so finely milled that you can barely feel in the jar. It is a crazy sensation.
Gigi: Thank you. I was hoping that I would make someone chuckle with that one.
Have a great New Year!
Mary: YES!!!!
The lavender shade is also lovely.
Griffie: I wrote to M and told her to go ASAP.
That duo is damn good.
PS: There are rumors about that. We shall see.
Coquette: You will love that serum. Also check out the spring collection. It is fab and Habenera is soooooooooooooo magnificent.
gailS: Everyone that participated have amazing blogs. This is our 2nd year dong it. The response has been great.
Katie: I love EA and EL even though they have this reputation of being for the mature ladies. Arden shadows are some of the best in the biz and Lauder had an INCREDIBLE year in product. Whenever someone dismisses this on MUA...I am so tempted to jump in there and challenge them to actually visit a counter. They would be surprised by the innovation and the quality.
)))K((( Have a great New Year!!!!
Afrobella: I am excited and honored that you could be a part of it!! Your list and blog are fabulous!
Bad news on the Azuree. It sold out last year. There are romors that it will return in fragrance form. We shall see if its as good as the oil.
Patty: That quad changed my life. My smoky eyes have never looked so good.
I want to thank everyone for participating. It has been a lot of hard work but in the end it has been a blast looking at all the lists.
Have a great New Year!!!
Annie
Readers: Feel free to post your top product picks for 2006!!! I would love to read more recs!!!!!
You have so many amazing recommendations. You really have a talent for finding great products and then making it so fun to throng to get them! I just came home from work and gave Westside another chance and WHAMMO I am in love. It's wonderful. Full bottle worthy. I took notes from your list. My cosmetics SAs will start thinking I live in the dressing rooms. Thanks for organizing this and Happy New Year!
I wish I could try all the products you're recommending, A: they all sound so great!
Thank you so much for organizing this, and Happy New Year!
this is a fabulous list...i want to try those fragrances too
I cannot wait to try the Nars Brightening serum and the La Mer products.... I love the Best of 2006 lists it is like having a dictionary of the best products to get that actually work.
Ooh, Annie you've got a great list here and definitely peeked my curiousity on quite a few items!
Hmm, wonder how I can snap up a sample of that Chanel mascara...and DuWop better than my beloved oil-free Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer? THAT I've got to try for myself in 2007!
Also, ave you find a Nars counter that sells the brightening serum? I dropped by my local Sephora today and they didn't carry it and I was actually quite curious after seeing it on your list...god knows I need it!
Annie!!!!!!!
Thank you again for putting together this fabulous event! Have been having fun making up my list and reading everyone else's!
Loved your list! You have me dying to see Habanera. I don't know when I am getting to the counter... but I must!
I have heard so much about Carnal Flower, but haven't tried it yet! I think griffie said she loves this as well. This is defn. on my list of Must-smells for 2007.
I am loving the Nars Brightening serum as well! The whole skincare line is working out well, but this is defn. a standout!
My list this year was heavily influenced by you and the gang, LOL! I'll always think of you when I see Mille et une Roses and the Chanel Winter Nights Quad!
Huge hug to you, dear friend!
i love your story about Chanel Black Satin! when i saw the rush i wanted to shout "Goth Power!" and thanks again for the awesome coordination!
What a list!
You generate many lemmings for me, Annie. I forgot to include the Azuree Oil...I hope it becames a permanent addition to the line!
Thanks for organizing this for us!
Hi! I just love this blog, its one of my favorite Beauty Blogs. I'm linking you on my own beauty blog if you don't mind :)
-Brittney of The Special Gloss
Mine's finally up! Sorry about the delay. I suck.
I love your list. Your posts convinced me to try La Mer foundation and I love it. I keep telling myself I'll get it one day.
Happy new year!
As I am reading this list of yours, Annie, it brings back tons of happy memories of the year, squeals of delight at finding beautiful fragrances and lovely makeup things, meeting our great friends in Cleveland, hanging out with Shawn, and of course, NY and Laurice and the Bond Store Day.
Here's to many more fun excursions and shopping trips in 2007 with our friends, Ohio and NYC!
Annie, thanks for once again whipping us all into shape (did you wear Jolie Madame for the occasion?)! Love your review of Carnal Flower - "somehow it does not kill you like Fracas does" - this is why it almost snuck onto my list. If only it weren't so two-faced on me. Anyway, great list - I always look out for your face picks!
I've just started blogging and your site is an amazingly well resourced and informative place to visit. Thanks as well for the list of sites to read! Happy New Year.
Annie!! Thanks so much for organizing this! Love your list (everyone else's too!) I had a blast creating mine. Onward to 2007!!!
Cool! DuWop Revolotion Face also ended up on my year-end list (as well as Beauty Addict's). Isn't it amazing?
Thanks for organizing this, and here's to more good times in 2007!!
Great list! I have tried some of these but now I must have some La Mer ANYTHING....
Oh, and I was at T J MAxx today because of you (and others who have recently reviewed it) - looking for Jolie Madame. I found it too - an unassuming little grey box among the flashy ones in the ladies fragrance section. I forked over the $9.99 willingly. When I got home I ripped it open and put just a little on my hand, and: Oh, my word. Now THAT is a dirty chypre! Eet Ees FEELTHY. And I LOFF IT. Even though it's only the EDT it's too much for a spray application - it needs to be carefully funneled into a splash bottle with a very small opening so it can be carefully applied to the areas where it will do the most damage - er, I mean, be the most effective - without causing its wearer to be arrested for something indecent. I am really glad I am old enough to wear this, and I can only hope no one grabs a bottle of this as a last-minute gift for a teenager or ingenue. She will grow up very quickly. ;-)
This a nice list, but what about all the average female shoppers that cannot afford these brands? :( I do think that NARS makes great blush and MAC makes great eyeshadows. These made the winter 2006 best list on my site http://www.beautyqa.com/. But I believe Revlon and L'Oreal still can compete in 2006 favorites! A great blog thread btw, I'm very curious about La Mer now.
BG, thank you for gathering all of us beauty junkies together. It was so much fun and thank you, thank you, thank you, it was so much fun and I can't wait to see what we will list for 2007.
I noticed that head2toebeauty.com was listed as a seller. They ship you someone else's order and charge you double for it. I'm still dealing with VISA. Don't shop there. You'll be paying double and getting someone else's crappy order.
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