Well, I’m assuming that by now you’ve figured out that my “Monobrow” trend look from earlier was an April Fools joke! Don’t forget to surf around to check out the gag trendsetting looks pulled together by the Makeup Wars crew!

Ok, so “million dollar” is a bit of hyperbole.  This round of “Makeup Wars” was an amazingly fun challenge.  Each of us decided to create a look using the most expensive items in our beauty cache!

To kick off the process, I scraped the bottom of my tub of Revision Skincare Multi Protection SPF 50 ($48), and patted on some Murad Essential-C Eye Cream ($57).  Both are great to moisturize and protect from the sun’s rays.

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Drop of Pink announced their top 101 beauty blogs for 2012. Of 763 contenders, Raging Rouge landed #20!

Thanks to the readers and twitter followers of Drop of Pink for the vote of confidence! Click The badge above to see the other winners, and to surf their pretty prose!

TheFind has fallen in love with the Boy Meets Girl® Sanctuary Top in Black AND White, as worn by the Veronica’s in “Behind the Seams with Stacy Igel”!

Girls Talkin Smack give us the details on all of the happenings at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, including the best dressed celebs.

A Few Goody Gumdrops picks the brain of People Magazine’s StyleWatch editor about the Blazer , the latest “must have”!

Shopping and Info thinks Demi Moore is looking fab in her Gucci bathing suit as seen in Harpers Bazaar!

RedPoppy is loving Giambattista Valli’s Spring 2012 Haute Couture collection shown at Paris Fashion Week.

The Budget Fashionista loves Rachel Bilson’s style !

Raging Rouge tells us about the chocolate strawberry facial mask for Valentine’s Day that is too good to eat!

With this post, we bid a fond adieu to 2011.  Good riddance, right?  Let’s face it, 2011 was a smashing year for makeup… but not so good in the world of economics, politics or international relations.  Let’s hope 2012 is smashing in more ways than one!

Here are some other favorites from 2011.

I loved Bath & Body Works Paris Amour fragrance, as it actually captured the effervescent sweet scent of Champagne!

Jewel-tones were back with a vengeance this Fall, and the Green Eye was top of the pops!  Estee Lauder’s Emerald Oasis quad nailed the trend, blending earth tones with greens and an icy white.

Fendi launched it’s first fragrance in like… forever.  Fan di Fendi is a sensual and sophisticated scent.  Not at all like what you’d expect from watching their ads!  

The 80s were large and in-charge, and MAC’s Street Art Palette contained shades to capture an 80s colorful eye, with a nod to graffiti artists everywhere.

This year I tried something a bit different.  My holiday gift guide contained only the best of the gifts that crossed my desk. Sure, the holidays are over. Some of these winning gifts might be on sale! If you’re bored, cruise on over to snag a few for yourself!

See you in 2012!  Happy New Year!

2011 was a year of new favorites for this beauty blogger!

MAC Sheen Supreme was one of my top picks for lipcolor in 2011.

Urban Decay Afterglow made the apples of our collective cheeks “pop!”

Affordable fragrance-free shampoo and conditioner hit the scene with Finesse Clean + Simple.

tarte introduced some incredible water-proof wonders!  Their Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye Liner colors are simply to die for, and budge proof!

Skin was IN in 2011, and effective at-home skin treatments were on the rise as a result.  One of my top picks continues to be the Brazilian Peel at home Glycolic treatment.  I love it for being both effective, and FAST!

The largest growing category in 2011 beauty was NAILS!  Here are some of 2011′s best.

Loud and proud primary colors like those in MAC Wonder Woman nail lacquer collection ruled.  Women who wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing blue nail polish a year ago, were suddenly wearing it on their toes!

Rose Gold was big on the scene, in both jewelry and makeup.  Estee Lauder’s Shimmering Bronze nail lacquer was one of the new neutrals.  A soft bronze metallic nail polish that goes with everything.

Orange makeup was the cutting-edge trend of 2011, and will become more mainstream in 2012.  I loved Finger Sweets Citrus Splash nail lacquer on the toes!

Is it purple, is it violet?  MAC Rain of Flowers was an interesting take on the Eggplant nail shade, adding some shimmer for a multi-dimensional appearance.

Duri’s Fall 2011 “Wine Tasting Party” included classic reds and greige-purple trendy shades for a mere $5 each.

2011 has been an amazing year.  We live in crazy times, and I’m not trying to underscore that.  Even in the world of beauty, things have been tumultuous.

Some favorites:

Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Wild Violet collection came on the scene and purple quickly re-entered the mainstream.  Women I know who would generally only wear brown or black eye pencil were especially pleased to see Untamed Violet.

Metallic finishes were huge on the scene in 2011, and MAC’s Mega Metal shadow collection is one way to wear the trend.

Color will continue to be a big trend in makeup, and brands like MAC Zoom Lash and Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash both introduced a variety of new shades.

My makeup prediction for 2012 is that metallic finishes will continue to be huge.  More and more color will be used, especially on the eyes.  Reader still wearing only neutrals, be warned.  By the end of 2012, I’m betting you’ll make the switch to more color!

Time to catch up with the ladies from Shopping and Goodies!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away THREE copies of Coco Chanel’s latest biography!

Bags, Bling & Beauty shows you how to beat the winter blues with a wee bit of retail therapy!

GirlsTalkinSmack is revealing celebs who show too much cleavage.

Raging Rouge announces the first installment of the Best Selling Makeup and Beauty Products 2011 series!

Shopping and Info must-have Fendi’s fur-lined motorcycle boots for winter!

The Beauty Bohemian shows you how to go day to night in Isabella Marant’s Feather and Bead Drop Earrings

The Budget Fashionista shares some very important info! How to get rid of Cellulite on a budget!

The Find wants you to get Tomboy-Chic in a Pair of Tassle Booties from Rupert Sanderson and Marc Jacobs

EyeshadowCult.com tried out 2011′s Schick Intuition Limited Edition razor. Do we love it? Find out!

Phyrra shows you a fun green, teal and purple makeup look tutorial.

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best summer 2011 makeup collections.

Thu from Painted Ladies shares her top five inexpensive makeup brush finds!

The Pink Sith comes up for air…well, Oxygen, in her review of the Peter Thomas Roth Radiance Oxygenating Masque.

Raging Rouge is WILD about L’eau Par Kenzo Wild Edition for men!

It’s Summer Time and Grey is celebrating with a Evil Shade’s Soft Summer Face Kit give away!

Cinnamon Kitten feels like doing some shopping – help her spend $50!

Beautiful Makeup Search has all of the details on the MAC Cosmetics and blogger collaboration MAC Bloggers’ Obsessions.