Best of Beauty 2009

It was a great year for beauty . It's never easy to pick the best of they year. The list could be big, but there will always be standouts among an already solid lineup.

Here is my tops of 2009 in no certain order and with links to my original post/review if there was one ( please add your favorites in comments, I'd love to know)

Kiehls Imperial Balm - This one is making every best of list. Does an amazing job on your skin and smells so darn good and spicy warm. I bought the Kusmi tea made to go with this, and it's just as good. The warmth sticks with you long after you're done sipping.


Rouge Allure Laque by Chanel - Gets not simply the best lipstick of the year but perhaps best ever, tied in the year end version with Lancome La Laque Fever, next on the list. Everything I ever wanted in a lippie. Creamy, shiny, lasting, smoothing , elegant, luxurious. The feeling I get when I use this can't be discounted. If a lippie makes you feel that good, it's worth the price.

La Laque Fever by Lancome - One of the best easily. Full coverage , long lasting but never uncomfortably dry. Makes your lips look like you lined them and took more time than you did . Every makeup kit needs one.

Lierac Diopti - I have recommended these to many. All have raved . A full eye care line , one for each issue and they can be combined. These work, the most important thing of all.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Baby - A tinted balm from Guerlain. I swooned at the thought. Color, sparkle, moisture in that silver case. These are loaded with moisturizers and are not just a pretty case.

Heeley Ophelia Perfume- I smell a lot of perfumes. Any regular reader of this blog will know that. So for me to fall immediately for a perfume at first sniff and want to buy it on the spot means a lot. Such was the case with Heeley Ophelia. I didn't buy it ( at $ 175.00 it was simply too much a splurge at holiday time) but I am still smitten with the thought of it. I recall a big but light white floral . Not heavy, not cloying but beautiful. Fellow sniffers at Barneys seemed equally appreciative.

MAC Suntints- MAC Tendertones have made this list since the beginning. They are still one of the tops , but this year gave us Suntints. Tinted lip balm with SPF in a tube. Thank you MAC. Serious moisture with very light tint and a little shine , perfect for almost anytime .

Reviva Vitamin E Stick I blogged about this and then several months later it was in Lucky magazine. I am so way ahead folks ( well sometimes ). This little, $ 3.00 stick is power moisture for the eyes, lips or wherever you need it.


Dior Escale a Pondichery A fragrance for any and all times. I never need to think if I am in the mood to wear this , if it's too heavy or is just not going to sit right that day. It's always just right, and a little uplifting. I do wish it lasted longer but citrus types usually don't. More re-spritzing, that's all.


Bobbi Brown Chrome Eyeshadow- The Pewter shade is my standout . This color is so beautiful . It looks amazing on it's own or paired with any number of other shadows or liners. It flashes silver, grey, taupe , gold and looks like liquid metal. Hard to describe and very unique. One I reach for all the time. ( Gold shown in image)


As for last year's list, just in case you were wondering, I am still very enamored of those as well . Bobbi Brown Glitter Balms , and MAC Tendertones are among others could easily have made this list again.

Full list from 2008:

http://thebeautyalchemist.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-favorite-things.html