Best of Beauty for 2005

Annie's Best of Beauty Winners:
(inspired by the October edition of Allure)

Best Foundation:
Chantecaille's Future Skin: It was not love at first use but it slowly grew on me and became my holy grail. It makes your skin look better and has the best lasting power out of all the foundations I have ever used. It is an oil free gel containing 60% charged water and seaweed. Other ingredients: Aloe, Chamomile, Amica, Rosemary, Green Tea, and Rice Bran.

Best Tinted Moisturizer:
Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20: Great coverage for a tinted product. Makes skin look better than it is. (also Allure's Best Tinted Moisturizer 2005)

Best Highlighter:
Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder: A product that delivers its promise. Brightens the face in an impressive way. (also Allure's Best Highlighter 2005)

Best Powder:
Shu Uemura: It has the most lovely shimmer that makes your skin look almost dewey.
Runner-up: Tony+Tina's Enviornment Rescue Rice Powder(a surprise-its a great product)
Future winner: Any Caron powder. Have not tried any yet but the raves are impressive.

Best Blush:
Shu Uemura's P Orange 55: Gives the cheek a flush without any shimmer. Great alternative to Nars Orgasm.

Best Mascara:
Shu Uemura's Fiber X tension lengthening mascara: A freakin miracle. The holy grail mascara.

Best Eye shadows:
Best Overall Shadow: MAC Parrot
I coveted this for a long time and it was worth the wait. A stunning peacock blue with shimmer.

Best Parrot look-a-like:
Shu Uemura's ME Blue 638
The best so far. I bring my parrot shadow shopping with me. If I see something close...I whip it out to do a comparison. I am a nut.
Runner-up: Tony+Tina's Dolphin Star Universal Color Dust

Best Purple Shadow:
Nars Strada

Best Pink shadows:
Benefit's Powder Puff Shimmer Powder: A shimmery pinkish gold that is highly pigmented
Runner-up's: Tony+Tina Carina Universal Color Dust, MAC Pink Papillon and the amazing Becca's Gypsy.

Best Copper Shadow:
Shu Uemura ME Gold 390: It is just the most perfect copper in the land. Nothing compares.

Best Green Shadows:
MAC Greensmoke(fall): A great smokey pine green with a golden shimmer
MAC Metamorph(spring): A bright springlike apple green. Not toxic apple green but a subtle version. Part of the genius Madame B collection.

Best Glitter Product:
Tony+Tina Cosmic Lights Alpha State
Just beautiful. If you find one at Marshalls it is worth grabbing.

Best Eyeshadow Duo for Fall:
Nars Surabaya

Best Lip Gloss:
Nars: Magnificent rich colors with a non-sticky texture. My personal favorites are Boogie Nights, Foul Play, and Dirty Shame.

Best Lipgloss that gives "Your Lips But Better" look:
Fresh's Lip Shine in Satine

Best Overall Lipstick:
Nars Christina

Best Pink Lipstick:
MAC Madame B: The best blue based pink lipstick I have ever found.

Best Hair Defrizzer:
Proc!aim's Glossing polish: Gives long lasting shine with natural oils. Very concentrated. I have tried $$$ products but nothing matches this product. It was highly recommended to me by my friend Gela.

Best Fragrance from 2005:
Bond's Chinatown: Love at first sniff.



Disclaimer: All products featured in this post are purchases.