From skincare and cosmetics to body care and nails, these products are my top picks for 2012.
Top picks for smooth and oil-free makeup!
NYX Shine Killer ($13) | NYX Pore Filler ($13) | Urban Decay De-Slick ($14-$29)
These products give a beautiful and lasting finish: Rachel K CC Cream ($39) | L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation ($12.99) | Rimmel Stay Matte Powder ($4) | Laura Mercier Mineral Powder ($36)
These products deliver when it comes to concealing and brightening: MAC Studio Finish Concealer ($18) | MAC Select Coverup ($18) | Coastal Scents Bright Eyed ($10) | Maybelline Dream Lumi ($7.99)
These two bronzers are not only easy on the wallet, they are amazing quality! e.l.f. Blush/Bronzer Duo in Turks & Caicos ($3) | NYC Bronzer in Sunny ($3)
Baked blushes are easy to blend and leave a beautiful sheen on the cheek. Lorac Baked Matte Satin Blush ($24)| Milani Baked Blushes ($7)
Creamy formulas that glide on on easily and have lots of shine really stole the spotlight in 2012! Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks ($21) | L’Oreal Colour Caresse ($8)
From smooth and hydrating to plumping with lots of shine, these lip glosses outshine all of the rest! Paula’s Choice Perfect Shine Lipgloss ($9.95) | Buxom Big&Healthy Lip Polish ($19)
Smooth, creamy and easy to work with, these pencils are amazing! NYX Slim Lip Pencil ($3.50)
These eye products were definite stand-outs in 2012! Benefit They’re Real Mascara ($23) | Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum ($10.99) | MAC Eye Kohl ($16)
Everyone is getting naked these days, and these palettes will definitely get you there! Urban Decay Naked ($50)| Naked 2 ($50) | Naked Basics ($27)
Single eyeshdadows, especially budget-friendly ones have really stepped up to high-end contenders, making these the best of the best! Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow ($6) | L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows ($7)
Some of the longest lasting polishes with amazing quality, these are a fabulous way to show off your digits!
Butter London 3-Free Nail Lacquer ($14) | essie Nail ($8) | Zoya Nail Lacquer ($8)
Soft and well-constructed, these brushes are excellent value and give a flawless finish. Real Techniques Brushes ($5.99-$17.99) | Sigma Beauty ($16-$18)
Paula’s Choice skincare is not only amazing quality, it gives amazing results and is a great value as well! Paula’s Choice BHA ($19.95) | RESIST AHA ($28.95) | RESIST BHA9 ($36.95)
Daily pampering is a must! These products are amazing at hydrating and smoothing skin. Hempz Age Defying Lotion $23) | Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub ($36)
2012 was a great year for beauty product discovery. I discovered many new brands that have now become my favorites, so these are my top picks that I keep coming back to even now in 2013. I’d love to hear if you have tried any of these products and what you think! Links to any review or post is listed below.
Face Perfecting Products
(All products featured in a VanityPicks Flawless Face post)
Powder & Base
- Rachel K CC Cream ($39) (Rachel K CC Cream Swatches and Review)
- L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation ($12.99) (L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation Review, Swatches)
- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder ($4)
- Laura Mercier Mineral Powder ($36)
Concealers
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer ($18)
- MAC Select Coverup ($18)
- Coastal Scents Bright Eyed ($9.95)
- Maybelline Dream Lumi ($7.99)
Bronzers
- e.l.f. Blush/Bronzer Duo in Turks & Caicos ($3)
- NYC Bronzer in Sunny ($3)
Blushes
Lipsticks
- Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks ($21) Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches
- L’Oreal Colour Caress by Colour Riche ($8) L’Oreal Colour Caresse by Colour Riche Photos, Makeup Looks
Lip Gloss
- Paula’s Choice Perfect Shine Lipgloss ($9.95) Perfect Shine Lipgloss Review, Photos, Swatches
- Buxom Big&Healthy Lip Polish ($19) Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Collection
Lip Liner
- NYX Slim Lip Pencil ($3.50) NYX Slim Lip Pencil Photos & Swatches
Eyes
- Benefit They’re Real Mascara ($23)
- Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum ($10.99)
- MAC Eye Kohl ($16)
Eye Palettes
- Urban Decay Naked ($50) Naked 2 ($50) Naked Basics ($27) Naked Basics Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Single Eyeshadows
- Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow ($6) Maybelline Color Tattoos, Metals
- L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows ($7) Limited Edition L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows
Nail Lacquer
- Butter London 3-Free Nail Lacquer ($14) Butter London Nail Lacquer Swatches
- essie Nail ($8) essie Winter 2012 Collection
- Zoya Nail Lacquer ($8) Zoya Polish in Shay
Brushes
- Real Techniques Brushes ($5.99-$17.99) Real Techniques Powder Brush , Real Techniques Core Collection Review
- Sigma Beauty Brushes ($16-$18) Flat angled kabuki brush, F88 and Angled Precision Brush, P88
Skincare
- Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Gel ($19.95) Paula’s Choice Skincare Review
- RESIST AHA ($28.95) Paula’s Choice Skincare Review
- RESIST BHA9 ($36.95) Paula’s Choice Skincare RESIST BHA9 Review & Results
Body Lotion
- Hempz Age Defying Lotion ($23)
- Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Sugar Scrub ($36) Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Sugar Scrub
I hope you enjoyed viewing my top picks from 2012! I am already experiencing some noteworthy products this year, so I think it is definitely going to be an exciting one in 2013!
Disclosure: VR purchased many of these products, and some were sent to VR for editorial consideration. For more details on VR’s product review policy and affiliate link information, please see our Terms&Conditions page. Curious about how we rate products? Visit our Product Integrity/RougeRating page.
Angie I LOVE this post!! And totally agree with you on so many of your faves:) I have yet to try Buxom glosses, how would you compare them to MAC lipglass? ove all your photos, you take the best pics! love ya! xxoo
Thank you Janna! So happy you enjoyed the post.
For a Buxom and Mac comparison, I would say the feeling on the lips is very similar between the two – a little heavy, not too sticky, but the Buxom glosses have that very cooling minty feel on the lips to help them plump up a bit. I find it quite refreshing! 
Sometimes I like to just put one on when I am doing my makeup so my lips start plumping, and then wipe it off if I am going to be wearing another lip product that day. I would say the feeling of glosses is what makes them stand out, and the plumping effect is not extreme, just slight. 
I love it! 
Thank you for the sweet compliments too – love ya back girl!! <3
Crap. My wishlist just grew by a mile. LOL At the top are the Rachel K CC Cream and Laura Mercier Mineral powder. Oh…and the Too Faced La Creme lipstick for sure. Ugh. Whose idea was it for me to go on a “no buy”?! LOL Excellent post as always! I finally figured out how to post comments using Bloglovin’. Woohooo! <3 Shawna
Haha! Happy to help you out in the wishlist department!
Yes I definitely recommend all of those products for sure! I love the Rachel K/Laura Mercier combo and the Too Faced Lipsticks are super shiny yet creamy – simply divine! 
<3 ya girly!
I am so happy you figured out how to post comments – Wooohooo!
Every time I go to the store I look for that NYC bronzer and every time it’s not there!
I love the buxom lipgloss tingle and Hempz lotion has been a favorite of mine for years! Oh and the CC cream I might have to get.
Oh bummer! I know my CVS always has it in stock but it is so hard to find at Target and Walmart. I definitely recommend the CC Cream. I love the coverage, but I definitely wear a mineral powder on top because it can look a little ashy (as many Asian BB Creams do to my face). It is nearly waterproof as well and doesn’t budge!