I was recently tagged with the Top Ten award by the incredibly witty Amy of Gotham Polish, and while I struggled to narrow my list down to just 10 items (it’s like asking a mother to choose between children!), I finally managed to cobble something together….but I did stretch the boundaries a bit, I’m afraid! So without further ado, I bring you the beauty products that make my life that much easier….and beautiful!

When Urban Decay introduced their ‘Naked’ palette last year, it became an instant hit and has now achieved icon/cult status…with good reason.  The twelve shades run the gamut between neutral, light, shimmery and dark….enough for as many looks as I can come up with, and all I need when travelling.

There is only one foundation/base I have hit pan with…twice, as a matter of fact, and that is the MAC Studio Fix powder in C4. Convenient, portable, blends seamlessly with my skin tone, long-lasting, not to mention available in tons of shades…it’s my anchor!

Limited edition for Summer 2011, Dior Diorskin Nude Glow Healthy Glow Summer Powder in ‘Sunset’ (what a mouthful!) is magical; finely milled powder in a multi-shade latticework pattern with the most subtle and almost microscopic shimmer gives my skin a soft & natural sun-kissed appearance and only seems to develop even better with wear. LOVE this. (Note to self: buy a back-up).

Of course, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t include THE perfect brush for applying the above mentioned bronzing powder, and that would be the Sephora I.T. Round Powder Brush from their professional high-end line, made with the softest goat hair. Wonderful density yet with a wide enough surface and a long tapered handle for precision control, it helps my bronzer apply with the most realistic “faux glow”.  The beach already misses me …

The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is the gold standard; a perfectly shaped curve forms easily around my eye using a protective rubber pad (which includes a refill) as it gently curls my lashes…this tool is not only an instant eye opener but sets the stage for long-lasting, curled lashes. How did I manage before this?

Once I’ve curled my lashes (see above!), the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense mascara in black is what I’ll be wanting to put on them; this gives my lashes length, volume and curl, no smudging or flakiness, a deep, deep black shade with an almost waterproof finish (it passed the “my daughter’s prom/mom crying hysterically” test with flying colours!), and has now replaced my former mascara, Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara, as my new fave.

I have come to depend on primers for flawless eyeshadow application, and since I discovered this last year, the NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base is my secret weapon. An initial milky appearance on a soft & spongy doe-foot wand, a little goes a long way as it applies clear and dries fairly quickly.  With my makeup applied over this, my look stays on with an iron will until I remove it many hours later. Another product I’ve already bought twice…what does that say?!

CHANEL Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Ébène has got to be hands down my favourite black eyeliner…EVER. It holds so well when used on the waterline that even 4 hours later, I don’t need to check and see if it’s still there.  It won’t smudge or pill in the corner of my eyes (hate that) and the best part? It’s retractible so I need never worry about the cap falling off and the eyeliner tip doodling all over my purse/makeup bag, etc.

I’m always on the lookout for that perfect lip balm; one that won’t cause peeling, or has a waxy feel, that tastes good and is emollient with lasting results.  Enter Khiel’s Lip Balm #1 in Vanilla with it’s light almost slippery formula, very subtle vanilla scent (it also comes in many other yummy scents – my daughter has it in coconut!) which gives my lips some much needed moisture with a light shine, and no nasty after-effects.

I love lip glosses for their ease of use (no mirror required to apply!) but hate how quickly they fade.  CHANEL Glossimer #151 Aragonite from the Spring 2011 collection, manages to be many sided: neutral enough to go with everything but the multi coloured shimmer reflects subtle colour, lasts for hours and when it does finally begin to fade, it still leaves a slight glow behind.  Awesome, awesome product…I now need to get another one, as you can clearly see!

Of course, as a good chunk of my beauty life revolves around nail polish, I have been hunting down the perfect building blocks: a-england’s The Knight base coat and The Shield  top coat (also reviewed here) not only deliver, but have proven to be far superior to anything else available. While The Shield is slightly slower drying than Sèche Vite, it causes no polish shrinkage, stays super glossy even with moisturizer constantly slapped over my hands & nails and holds like iron….even 7 days later. Perfection.

Honourable Mention: I can’t end my list without giving props to a few other items that I have come to rely on, namely several Moroccanoil products beginning with the Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner,  Neutrogena’s Oil Free Eye makeup Remover which effortlessly and gently removes even my tenacious waterproof mascara, and finally my collection of makeup brushes that I lovingly take care of thanks to Laura Mercier’s gentle & thorough Brush Cleanser.

I know I was supposed to stick to just 10 items, but even paring it down to this, I feel like I achieved the impossible!  Apart from playing around with numerous beauty products and getting the chance to put my opinions down for all to see, another reason I love blogging is because it has given me the opportunity to exchange thoughts and meet so many other interesting and fabulous bloggers all around the world.  So I now pass the baton along to 10 other bloggers, but I’m switching it up a bit (I know…taking liberties again!) by tagging not just beauty afficionados, but bloggers who I find really interesting and hope you do too!  After all, beauty is for everyone, right?

Latoya of Beauty Obsessed

Pam of Polish Police

Olivia of Hungry4Fashion

Danielle of A Happy Peach

Rie of Nails and Noms

Carrie of Eyeliner On A Cat

Shona of Mental For Polish

Miss Dalum of Miss Dalum’s Makeup & Such

Laura of The Beauty Box

Maribeth of Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite!