The Best of the Best --- Cupcake Mag's Must Have Beauty Essentials

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Start the holiday season out with a bang in the beauty department. For all of you cosmoholics we have been testing products for over three months now and can’t wait to share the results with you. From your pout lips to your trouble spots – we have got everything you need in Cupcake Mag’s must have beauty list from all of our favorite “can’t live without” beauty brands.

Clinique is known for classic beauty and the best-selling 3-Step Skin Care System ($50) and Almost Lipstick ($14). We also wanted to add the NEW Vitamin C Lip` Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour ($17.50) that we just die over and NEW Superbalanced Powered Makeup ($34.50) with SPF in a mineral rich formula and a great compact case. Let’s also not forget the Even Better Skin Tone Corrector($39.50) that is a must in our makeup bags.

We adore Urban Decays fashion-forward fun colors and packaging along the palest pink, known as Peroxide lipstick ($22) - plus a huge assortment of colors and Big Fatty Mascara ($20) because it’s doesn’t get much bigger!

Becca’s pressed bronzing powder ($38) gives you just enough of a glow. Pair it with Soft Touch Blush ($32) for a little more color and top it off with Beach Tint ($25).

Say goodbye to cellulite and hello to smooth skin with Bliss fatgirlslim ($29) and slimulator.($20). We saw a 90% firming effect within 30 days. We also love their best selling Fabulous Foaming Face Wash ($22). We suggest getting the super size!

And of course the list wouldn’t be complete without the one and only, Bobbi Brown. We can’t get enough of Velvet Plum Eye Palette ($40) that is just perfect from day-to-night. For the lips you must have the Glitter Lip Balm Palette ($40) and Rich Color Gloss ($20). Top Editor’s pick is the Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Brown Metal ($22) and Earth Metal Lip & Eye Palette ($60). It is all about life’s little luxuries.

Flirt! offers an array of products for all of our must have needs. We can’t get enough of PLUSHIOUS Liquid Velvet Lipcolor ($12) in Silk Slip and High Wattage Intense and Creamy Lipstick ($12). Give those cheeks some color with Peek-a-Blush Sheer Powder Cheek Color ($12) in a variety of shades. For the eyes, give Lash-a-Delic ($14) the fast defining mascara a try and stock up Dreamy Eyes eye shadow and I’m Whipped eyeshadow mousse ($12).

For the hair, you MUST try Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Fortifying Shampoo & Cream Condition. For under $4, you can’t beat the price and you won’t believe the results. It left our dry hair smooth and sleek. Top it off with Garnier Fructis great line of styling products.

Pamper your skin with OoooLaLa of Beverly Hills! After a long day in those stilettos drop in Beauty Bombs ($20) from the Rodeo Collection in the tub – sit back & relax. With fragrances like shop till you drop, high maintenance, and glamour girl – it is hard not to feel fabulous.

Jurlique’s balancing foaming cleanser ($40) leaves your skin hydrated and balanced. And we wouldn’t look as good without the Herbal Recovery Neck Serum ($88) that helps minimize signs of aging with daily use. This is one product we can be without or it shows!

Moving onto Maybelline we suggest giving the NEW Mineral Powder Bronzer for the perfect sun-kissed glow. For some great color on your eyes pick up Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quads for the perfect color combinations.

For the perfect palette that reminds us of old Hollywood glamour (which we love) not to mention the chic compact it comes in – the Noelle Palette ($42) from Julie Hewett Los Angeles gives you three exquisite shadows to create that perfect sultry eye paired with a cheekie for a stunning winter flush!

The winter months can be hard on our skin which is why we suggest Crème de la Mer (prices vary) to bring the softness back after the cold winter days. It makes your skin soft and silky smooth and you will never use anything else. Also try The Treatment Powder foundation ($95) with SPF 15 in a perfect little compact. It is a perfect lightweight, luxurious powder that brings out your naturally flawless complexion.

Need skin care products to get the job done on a budget? Good Skin offers a wide variety of dermatologist formulated products for a wide range of skin problems. Try Smooth-365 Intensive Clarity + Smoothing Peptide Serum ($42.50) to perfect the skins overall appearance right away and for the future. Need a wrinkle reducer? Tri-Aktiline Total Face Instant Line Reducing Moisturizer ($42.50) is the perfect wrinkle fighter but also gives high-performance hydration.

Kinerase also offers a great Ultimate Day & Night Moisturizer Cream that work perfect together. We also love the pure and gentle formula for a fresh cleanse when using the Gentle Daily Cleaner ($33). Have any old or new scars? In just four weeks we could see a HUGE difference when using the Scar Healing Therapy ($48) – you won’t believe your eyes when you see the difference just by applying it twice a day.

You will seriously become addicted to Cosmoholic Cosmetics. The line of “liquid lipstick” goes on just like lip gloss but has the real, deep, beautiful pigment of a lipstick. We just die over our Cosmoholic Lip Gloss ($20) and have every color! Makes a great gift for the holidays too!

If you’re looking for a great value head over to Stila Cosmetics and check out the Holiday collections and great values. The holiday lip glaze collection features four new shades and four bestsellers for the perfect high-shine color for only $25. For the eyes grab the holiday smudge pot collection ($32) for four vibrant twinkling shades in their famous gel-based liner and shadow-in-one!

Smashbox is giving you the gift of gorgeous skin with the limited edition Wish for a Flawless Complexion set ($39) featuring their best-selling complexion perfector.

Too Faced is for the glamour goddess and that is why we love the Queen For A Day super set filled with all over of our favorite Too Faced products.

And last but not least -Yu-be – all the way from Japan offers a great moisturizing skin care line. The Yu-Be body lotion ($29) in a handy pump both protects and moisturizes against dry skin during the cold months but soothes sunburns and replenishes moisture on those hot summer days.

Stay tuned….more details and news on these top beauty brands (and more) to come but in the meantime print this helpful list out and get shopping ladies!