M·A·C Après Chic Collection and Photographs.

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Rounding out the year, or better yet beginning a new one, means it is time for a gorgeous new look. These new beauties from the M·A·C Après Chic Collection will have you glowing as the new year rings in and beyond.

This gorgeous look starts with luminous M·A·C Mineralize Skinfinish and Mineralize Blush applied with the 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush. Use the 287 Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush to build layers of dimensional colour with Mineralize Eye Shadow. Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm packs lips with moisture, while adding the right pop of colour and shine. And, because eventually the mittens will come off, Nail Lacquer in Dangerously Fun heats things up in blazing berry red.

MAC Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm Slightly Nude, Stay Warm!MAC Nail Lacquer Dangerously Fun, Hangin Loose

MAC Matte Lipstick Cozy Up

MAC Mineralize Blush Amber Glow

MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Fireside, Frost at Midnight

MAC Pro Longwear Eye Liner Night Trail, Rich Experience

The M·A·C Après Chic collection:

LIPSTICK - $15.00
Warm Companion - Beige with gold pearl (frost)
Cozy Up - Deep caramel (matte)
Haute Altitude - Mid-tone blue pink (amplified)
Apres Chic - Pinky brick red (cremesheen)
Hot Chocolate - Dirty plum (satin)

MINERALIZE TINTED LIP BALM - $19.50
Stay Warm! - Creamy light pink
Slightly Nude - Nude coral and subtle pink pearl
Pure & Tender - Plumy creamy nude
Nice & Simple - Bronzy gold with multi dimensional pearl
Rosy Romance - Bluish plum with subtle pink pearl

NAIL LACQUER - $16.00
Hangin’ Loose - Dirty pink nude
Dangerously Fun - Berry-tone blue red

PRO LONGWEAR EYE LINER - $19.50
Black Ice - Rich black
Rich Experience - True brown
Mountain Air - Vibrant teal
Night Trail - Deep navy blue
Snow Shadow - Purple violet

MASCARA - $15.00
Zoom Waterfast Lash - Black

BRUSHES
287 Duo Fibre Eye Shadow - $31.00

187 Duo Fibre Face - $42.00
SRP $42.00 US/$50.50 CDN

MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW - $21.00
Ice - Light peach base with white veining
Winter Pursuit - Copper base with grey veining
Silver Birch - Grey base with peach veining
Frost at Midnight - Deep blue/grey base with purple veining
Fireside - Deep plum with grey veining

MINERALIZE BLUSH - $23.50
Amber Glow - Warm peach
Alpine Bronze - Mid-tone caramel
Gentle - Raspberry with gold pearl

MINERALIZE SKINFINISH - $29.00
Porcelain Pink - Soft pinky coral with gold veining
Stereo Rose - Coral with golden bronze shimmering nuances

M·A·C Après Chic is available now at all M·A·C locations and online at maccosmetics.com.

My Favorite Things 2012.

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Where has the year gone? I cannot believe that 2012 is coming to a close already. It has been a beautiful year, and I am blessed to be a part of your lives everyday.

While it is a privilege for me to get to try so many wonderful products every day, I do keep going back to some really great products and even stock up on some of these beauties. Here are the products that take up space on my vanity as I use them more than any. These are my favorite things of 2012.

MAKEUP 

  • MAC Lipglass - I am a lipgloss queen, and I never go wrong with the many MAC formulas that I have, but the original Tinted Lipglass is my all time favorite. I have loads of this on hand, but I am constantly re-purchasing Oh-Baby, C-Thru, Underage and Oyster Girl.
  • Urban Decay NAKED Basics - This is a very new palette that made its debut only early this month. I think I have used it every day since I received it and already want to re-purchase because it is made with a wonderful, long-lasting crease proof formula, with colors that are basics that I will use everyday.
  • Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder - I use bronzer everyday t warm up my color, and this one is perfect. It is silky soft, applies without ever streaking, lasts all day and give my skin that touch of radiance and warmth I want when using bronzer.
  • Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation - Even though I do use different foundations throughout different times of the year, I always have Luminous Silk Foundation on hand for special events or occasions when I know I need to look my best. Other foundations have come close but have yet to replace this newer favorite of mine.
  • COVERGIRL Clump Crusher by LashBlast Mascara - Another new entry into the beauty world, I love this mascara as I use it more and more. It has now become an every day staple. It goes on easily as it builds up lashes in length and volume. Multiple coats to add even more definition are never compromised as it does as the name suggest - never clumps.
  • it Cosmetics Brow Power - This waxy pencil fills in and defines my brows everyday - in the most perfect universal shade of color. The pencil glides on and doesn't budge when once applied.

SKIN CARE

  • Clarisonic Skin Cleansing Brush - I swear that my skin looks so much better when use this every morning in the shower. It has made a such a difference in the cleanliness of my skin as it is simply more radiant. I use it with Purity (below) faithfully each day, and change the brush head every month.
  • Philosophy Purity Made Simple - This cleanser makes my list every year as it is the facial cleanser that I swear by. It removes every trace of dirt, oil, makeup with just a very small amount. I have yet to find another cleanser that works as quickly and effectively on my face, while keeping it soft and smooth.
  • Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes - I use makeup removing wipes every night before bed. I usually have to use two wipes or one wipe and then still cleanse. One single Bear Naked Wipe removes every trace of makeup from my face and my skin is ready for my night time skin care. These are super effective, and smell so good.
  • Talika Lash Conditioning Cleanser To remove eye makeup in the evening, I use this on a cotton square. It is extremely gentle to my eyes, makes my lashes feel great, and leaves behind no residue or oil - just fresh, clean skin.
  • Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm - This eye cream does it all. It hydrates, decreases puffiness and plumps up lines until they are barely visible.  This is my daytime eye cream and I am on my second jar this year.
  • SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel - This gel-like serum is the ultimate in skin protection, as it works hard with it's anti-oxidant properties to both protect and repair. My skin doesn't feel or look as good during the day when I do not use it, making this expensive step definitely worth it.
  • Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel - I am on my second bottle of this gel and it has faded my freckles and age spots while helping to correct my hyper pigmentation. I know I will not rid of my discolorations without a prescription, but nothing has worked at fading more than this gel has. I use just a dab of it on my spots on both my face and hands every night.
  • Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment - This is the last thing to touch my skin before I go to bed every night. I apply a small dab of this yummy lip balm to the bottom center of my lip and use my finger to spread it over the rest of my lips. My lips are kept soft and smooth all night and keeps them perfectly kiss-able and ready for my lipsticks and gloss.

BODY CARE

  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - I received a sample packet of this ultra rich cream with a Sephora order, and quickly picked up a "to go" sized tube to keep in my purse for my hands. Since then, I purchased two huge jars - one that sits on my night stand and one kept by my tub in the bathroom. This thick cream, that absorbs instantly, hydrates the extra dry parts of my skin. I use it on my hands and feet, and quickly apply it to my legs just as I get out of the shower.
  • Kiehl's Creme de Corps Light Weight Body Lotion - This body lotion simple hydrates my dry winter skin. The light weight version is perfect for me as it absorbs quickly and never leaves behind any greasy residue.
  • Philosophy Amazing Grace Shower Gel - Not only am I am in love with the soft, feminine, sweet with a hint of musk scent, this shower gel makes my skin feel softer and clean after using.
  • Bliss Hot Salt Scrub - This self heating heavy duty body scrub works hard to slough off my dead and dry skin. I use it in the shower just once or twice a week to keep my skin primed, super soft, and ready for moisturizer.

HAIR CARE

  • WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner - I have been on the cleansing conditioner routine for a few years now and will not go back to using normal shampoo/conditioner (on a regular basis) ever again. I have had good hair days pretty much every day since I started using it. My hair colors stays true to color with less damage too.
  • Oribe Maximista - After washing and towel drying my hair, I spray Maximista Thickening Spray at my roots and comb it through.  This great smelling spray delivers both on the thickness and volume.  As I blow-dry, I concentrate on lifting hair at the roots where I sprayed the product, and I watch as hair looks much more lifted and marvel at how it stays that way.
  • L'Oréal Paris Elnett Hairspray (Unscented) - This is the best hairspray I have used. Ever. It holds my hair with a super soft touch and brushes out immediately if I so desire to change my style.

What were your favorite products of 2012? Did you discover a new beauty that is now part of your everyday beauty routine?