10 Terrific Makeup and Beauty Products I Lurved in 2013

Oh, 2013! You were such a lovely year…

Rose gold reigned supreme, blossoming on beauty counters as far as the eye could see, and then, as if by magic, you bloomed into an almost perfect eye palette at Urban Decay. Meanwhile, Chanel painted tips and toes with an out-of-this-world purple polish, and a golden highlighting lotion at MAC made long-time Strobe Lotion fans (like me) swoon.

Because it’s the time of year for looking back with lists, here are 10 of the most terrific makeup and beauty products I wholeheartedly lurved in 2013.

10 of the products I lurved the most in 2013

1. Clarins Be Long Mascara

One coat of Clarins Be Long Mascara

Raise your paw if you want long, separated, luscious lashes with sky-high curl! My naturally unimpressive lashes need major help, like the kind Clarins Be Long Mascara provides.

Available now at Clarins counters and also online.

2. Chanel Le Volume Mascara in Noir

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir

Through the first half of the year (up until I found Clarins Be Long), I wore Chanel Le Volume Mascara almost daily.

SO GREAT if you’re unafraid of drama and big, bold lashes.

Available now at Chanel counters and also online.

3. Chanel Taboo Le Vernish Nail Polish

Chanel releases a new nail polish called Taboo Le Vernis ($27), and the universe collectively swoons…

Chanel’s shimmery purple Taboo stuns with dynamic flecks of galactic glitter, and it totally rocked my world.

Seriously, I could wear Taboo on my fingertips every. damned. day, and I’d never, ever tire of it.

Available now at Chanel counters and also online.

4. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone

Moonstone is one of three Shimmering Skin Perfectors available now exclusively at Sephora for $38 each

Ah… Perfection in a pan.

BECCA’s golden Moonstone highlighter whispers “soft glow here,” and pores needn’t worry about being made the center of attention.

I think it looks fan-frickin’-tastic on all skin types, but it rocks the house on gals 30 and up.

Available now at BECCA counters and also online.

5. NARS Satin Lip Pencil

NARS Satin Lip Pencils from the left: Floralies, Isola Bella, Biscayne Park, Lodhi, Het Loo, Rikugien, Golshan, Palais Royal, Majella, Hyde Park, Luxembourg, Jardin Des Plantes and Yu

Love the satin finish (goes with everything), lengthy wear time and easy, effortless application of these NARS Satin Lip Pencils. My go-to shades are coral Lodhi, watermelon red Luxembourg, fuchsia Jardin Des Plantes and hot pink Yu.

Like with Chanel Taboo, I could wear these every day and be a happy, happy girl.

Available now at NARS counters and also online.

6. Sonia Kashuk Roll Up Valet

Sonia Kashuk’s Roll Up Valet bag changed my life.

BOOM! There, I said it.

My mobile makeup life experience a big organizational upgrade because of this bag, and now I never travel without it.

Available now at Target stores and also online.

7. MAC Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid Lotion

I’ve been wearing and loving MAC Strobe Cream for years! — but I always yearned for a warmer, golden version of this subtle highlighting lotion.

Well, enter MAC Golden Elixir, the stuff that highlighting dreams are made of…

Sorry, guys, but this one was a limited edition summer product. You may still be able to track it down at a MAC counter somewhere out there… After all, you never know what wonders are lurking under a cosmetics counter until you ask.

8. Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in Deeper

Tom Ford’s Eye Definer Pen in Deeper is flat-out expensive, but day-um, Gina! It’s the best black liquid liner out there right now, as far as I’m concerned.

I love the smooth, long-lasting formula, and application’s a snap. I’m always looking for a more affordable dupe, but I have yet to find one on par with Deeper.

Available now at Tom Ford counters and also online.

9. Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

From the left: Petal Shimmer, Candy Shimmer and Rosewood Shimmer

Hello, hidden gem from Clarins. Nice to meet you.

I recommend Instant Light to everyone I know. It’s just so moisturizing and comfortable, and it makes lips look naturally flushed and oh, so pretty.

Available now at Clarins counters and also online.

10. Urban Decay Naked3 Palette

Naked3, the third installment in the much-vaunted Urban Decay Naked Palette series, sits atop Mt. Rosea Goldus, at the pinnacle of the rose gold trend. It’s a fresh take on neutrals, and the colors are super wearable.

Available now at Urban Decay counters and also online.

What a year it was.

Before you go, how about you? What were some of your favorite products of 2013?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen