Tuesday, December 22, 2009

10 for 2009

Ten cat_candies I've come to love this year:

1) Philosophy Hope in a Jar w/SPF 20. The regular Hope was great, but when I hit my 30s (or did they hit me? I'm still not sure), I knew I needed a regular moisturizer w/built-in sunscreen. The only minor issue I have w/this is that it's a little on the heavy side and leaves me a little shiny. Verdict: a moderately-priced necessity.

2) But never fear, this year I also discovered Smashbox! The photo-finish primer perfectly offsets any sheen left by Phil Hope. Waterproof creme eyeliner + my new best friend, the smudger brush = undying love. Verdict: expensive toys for your face.

3) Bath and Body Works Sleep line - I use the LV sugar scrub in the shower; it has replaced Origins' Incredible Spreadable Scrub, which is made of salt, which really hurts when you rub it in a nick or cut you didn't know you had. The scent is intoxicating to me ... it reminds me of clean linens and idyllic childhood summer vacations. Verdict: a moderately-priced tub of deep comfort.

4) Woolly footwear. This year, on a San Francisco jaunt w/Ms. Vickie, I acquired a single pair of Uggs ("short w/stacked heel and cowboy-esque design w/o fringe" is the best I can do in the way of a description.) Hopefully the one pair will last me a good part of my lifetime. Verdict: a guilty extravagance.

5) Tarte Green Siren Cheek Stain. Verdict: best gel cheek color ever, but really expensive.

6) High-foaming version of Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. Start and end my day with it. Verdict: reasonable, and a necessity.

7) Fresh Sugar Lip treatment. I'm sure I discovered it awhile ago, but it's something I've used religiously this year. Tastes like white jellybeans. Verdict: another nostalgia-induced extravagance.

8) I haven't yet found my signature fragrance. I have been using some Kat Von D "Sinner" samples I got in an online Sephora order, and I enjoyed the CK One Summer that Cub got me for our first Christmas, but other than that, I am a soap-and-water plus lotion-when-I-remember-it kind of gal when it comes to fragrance. I love the scent of Vera Wang's Princess, but anything stronger than the lotion gives me a headache. On her October trip to the islands, Peahen insisted I'd love Escada's Ocean Lounge, and after I ridiculed the tacky name and bottle for about five minutes, she sprayed me with it to shut me up, and I fell in like. Not love, but I do like it. I prefer sweet fragrances to ultra-floral ones. It's an EDT, so it's but a faint memory by lunchtime (she also insisted I buy a purse-sized atomizer, which I refused - I don't reapply anything throughout the day except maybe lip balm). Verdict: Cheap fun.

9) Munro American. I'm 30 plus one - I need comfortable shoes. Verdict: my feet thank me every day for spending that money.

10) Fresh Nectarine Milk Bath and Shower Cream. Happy showers. Verdict: A major splurge, at $28 for a 10-oz. bottle.