Wow – is it already almost 2013? Funny, I don’t feel a year older….It’s a good time to look back on my most favourite and beloved beauty finds of 2012. Note that I am not numbering my choices, as they are all equally loved and important. So, in no official order, here they are:

Emergen-C Vitamin Powder: this may not seem on the surface to be a beauty item, but beauty isn’t just skin deep! Emergen-C provides hydration from the inside out. So, if you’ve had too many coffees, not enough water, brutal central heating or desert climate, you need this. Bonus: kills colds & hangovers. Get it. I always have a little packet in my purse for hydration emergencies. Neat fact: this company  also has a touching connection to the troops.

Skinceuticals Skincare: Most notably  the Skinceuticals serums – they are exceptional. I am so grateful for having discovered this line of skincare. The serums are gorgeous and sink into the skin- you can feel them working. My faves are Skinceuticals Blemish & Age (no pimples are safe with this!) and the Retexturizing Activator  (review to come). Do yourself a favour & search out this line. Aging and/or oily skin is conquered. Honorable Mention: Skinceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50 – the only facial sunscreen you will ever need, protects your skin while making it look all glowy & gorgeous.

Vichy ProEven Dark Spot Corrector: Unless you have the perfect skin of a child, you also need this miraculous lotion. It evens out skin tone like it’s nobody’s business. I’ve recommended it to many people who have told me they use less concealer than they used to. Vichy ProEven can also help correct sun damage and uneven pigmentation caused by hormones. Get it.

Charlotte Ronson Closer Finishing Powder: Instant matte skin in a brush, this container/brush mattefying powder is a must-have for every make up bag. It’s a sheer powder that is dispensed through the brush. Got shine? It’s unscented and so far has proven non irritating and non-comedogenic. Can’t be without it.

Aroma M Camellia Hair Oil: Basically the perfect conditioning and softening hair oil. Forget silicones and silicone concoctions masquerading as hair oil *cough* Moroccan Oil *cough*. Silicone may improve the appearance of your hair…for awhile. But the reality is it just coats your hair. Camellia Oil smooths and softens your hair- it never feels heavy or greasy (unless you use too much) and a tiny amount goes a long way. My hair has never been in better condition. If you’ve tried everything but nothing is working, clarify the junk out of your hair and get Aroma M Camellia Hair Oil.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks: Plain and simple love. These softening balm- lipstick hybrids are basically perfect. Chose your shade- I love several, from the soft Royalieu, to the perfect “your lips but better” Boy, to the sassy hot pink Bonheur. They can all be applied without a mirror, they never look thick cakey or “lipsticky” and they leave your lips soft and kissable.

Hourglass Aura Sheer Lip Stain: The review for this miraculous product will be posted shortly. Honestly- the best lip stain I’ve ever  used. I have the bright pink shade, Flush, and although it is bright, it isn’t exactly  light either. It provides a gorgeous healthy bitten-just-kissed-for-an-hour lip tone. Used with a matte balm, like La Mer or Chanel, it looks softly gorgeous. With a gloss like Lip Fusion Clear or a sheer pink like Bobbi Brown Popsicle, this stain always works. It feels soft and invisible on the lip, doesn’t bleed and is not drying.

Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer: Another Hourglass bit of genius. Again, the review for this is upcoming. I will say this much: this concealer is very close to the famous/famously expensive Cle de Peau Concealer. A replacement? Not sure yet, but it’s pretty darn amazing. Stay tuned.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Malice: Honestly, just one of the most beautiful vampy shimmer colours that exists in nail polish. The most subtle shimmer, that only Chanel can do, and the perfect tone of crimson/burgundy. It wears very well too, with chip wear only after several days. I will always love this.

ICON India 24k Richly Exotic Mask: If you have dry, coarse, processed, fried or damaged hair, you need this stuff. It is miraculous and transforms your hair from dead to devastatingly gorgeous. It is my number one deep conditioner, tied for first place with L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Conditioner. Cheating a little as I haven’t reviewed that one either yet. So much good reading to look forward to, people! Both of these conditioners smell incredible. The ICON smells like spicy woods, and the L’Occitane like almond candy. Divine.

What are some of your Top Products you discovered in 2012?