29 Secrets

If I had a dime for every time I heard a beauty editor say: "It will change your life!", I would be a filthy rich woman. So what really separates the so-so products from the superstars? Here, my top standouts from this year that you should get your hands on ASAP.

8. T3 SinglePass Whirl Wand (Available at Murale, Sephora, theshoppingchannel.com)

Technically, this arrived on beauty counters in 2010, but since I just tried the T3 Single Pass Whirl Wand this year when I featured it on the Marilyn Denis Show on CTV, I'm including it my round-up. The things I love most about it are that it flash-heats to 450ºF so almost as soon as you plug it in, it's hot enough for use (remember the old days of waiting for your curling iron to warm up? No thanks).  I also love the shape of the curl that it gives you: the tapered barrel means fat curls that taper down at the ends for a much more modern effect. Finally, I love how long the curl holds. If I'm going to spend the time to curl my hair, it better hold up and this one does. This shot above is my 3-day-old hair! Not bad. The one thing I would say is that it's not that suitable for shorter hair styles/types since the barrell is quite big, it can be tricky.

7. EOS Lip Balm (available at drugstores and mass-market retailers)
 
One of my friends likes to call this the "lazy lady's lip balm," and you know what? She's right. This little chubby chapstick slides across both your top and bottom lip in one swipe and really hydrates. It also lasts forever, which is even more fitting if you're lazy – fewer trips to the drugstore.    

6. Burberry Body Eau de Parfum (available at The Bay and Holt Renfrew)

I'm not usually a fan of powdery or ultra feminine scents, but this one has stepped up and impressed. The floral notes are grounded with amber and musk so it's not too sweet. A new favourite. 

5. Algenist Skin Care Concentrated Restructuring Serum (Available at Sephora)

Concentrated Restructuring? On my face? Um, ok!! Algenist was one of the biggest launches of the year thanks to it proprietary hydrating/anti-aging ingredient, alguronic acid. According to Algenist, it's a "powerful regenerative compound produced by a specific and unique strain of microalgae that functions to protect and regenerate the single-celled organism in the harshest environments and conditions on the planet." It was an instant best-seller, most likely in part to being featured in The New York Times, Oprah and others. So did it work? I have to say I loved the product, and did see an improvement in elasticity and tone in my skin. My only concern was that the dropper didn't let you get all the product out because of its thicker texture (and at $112 a pop, you want every last bit). Apparently I wasn't the only one. Now the product comes with both a pump or a dropper, so you can get every last bit out. 

4. Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow (Available at Murale, the Bay, Holt Renfrew)

If I have a beauty crutch, it's eyeshadow. This year, I can't get enough of these little spongy wonders from Chanel. They have a cushion-like texture and the colours are flattering and blend seamlessly. I got hooked on them after I interviewed makeup artist Rachel Goodwin who raved about using them on her clients like Emma Stone and Lea Michelle. 

3. Crest 3D 2 Hour Express Whitestrips (Available at drugstores)


I used to do the Whitestrip ritual a couple of times per year, and always loved the results. But I have to admit I wasn't that dedicated about doing it seven days (or 14 days) in a row. The 2 Hour Express results aren't quite as gleaming in comparison to doing it daily for several days or weeks, but my smile was certainly whiter and brighter. Bonus: I learned something from the founder of Whitestrips when I met him back in the spring. The hydrogen peroxide in the Whitestrip is actually good for your gum health too (reducing inflammation and potential gum disease) so when you leave the Strip on for two hours, your gums are getting the gold star treatment too. 

2. Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Sticks (available at drugstores)

These arrived on my desk with little fanfare. But then I discovered how genius they really are. Each cotton swab is filled with makeup remover that you can break in to at a moment's notice. They came in very handy all summer long for removing wayward waterproof makeup. 

1. Nails Inc Magnetic Nail Polish (available at Sephora).
 
As a general rule, I'm opposed to Nail Art. I like it on other people, but it's not for me. However, I'm totally in love with the Magnetic Polish from Nails Inc. that launched this year. (Don't mind my shoddy paint job above). How it works: you paint a coat on each finger, and then on the second coat you hover the magnetic bottle cap over the nail which "pulls" the magnetic pigments  in the polish to create a sophisticated effect. Love it.  Good news: Sally Hansen will be launching a mass version of this polish technology in June 2012. Stay tuned!