I got my hands on a sample of the new Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara last month and I’ve been so pleased with the results.

I’m rather finicky about mascaras; my skimpy Asian lashes don’t cooperate with just any ol’ mascara. However, this Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara gives me both length and curl.

I still use my Shu Uemura eyelash curler (the advertisements suggests you don’t need a lash curler, but they’ve clearly never seen MY lashes) before applying this mascara and my lashes hold their curl all day long. At the end of the day, it washes off with plain warm water. LOVE that.

I even bought a tube for my mom.

Clinique Hight Impact Curling Mascara is available online at Clinique.com.

I have more spring-y goodness to share, friends.

Clinique is launching their Spring 2009 Collection called First Blush.

Cheeks are the focus of this collection with the new Quick Blush—a blush packaged into a portable blush brush. This truly innovative packaging is convenient and easy with the blush built directly into the cap.

Quick Blush is available in the following colors:

• Hurry Honey
• Peach In-A-Pinch
• Minute Mocha
• Berry On Time

We’ll also see New Fresh Bloom Eye Shadow compacts in the following shades:

• Maple Blossom
• Tiger Lily
• Cherry Blossom
• Apple Blossom

And Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 (a Makeup Bag favorite!) in the following shades:

• Honey Shimmer- limited edition
• First Blush- limited edition
• Air Kiss
• Whisper

Clinique Spring 2009 Collection: First Blush will be available beginning February 2009 at Clinique locations nationwide and online at Clinique.com.

Click here to see other Spring Collections debuting this season.

Discover the charm of Clinique Happy in Bloom now with a pretty-to-wear bloom of Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick. This limited-edition lipstick compact features an exclusive Happy In Bloom shade.

Happy in Bloom is available now, for limited time only at Nordstrom ($52), but will launch nationwide at all Clinique counters and online at clinique.com in February 2009.

Happy New Year! It’s 2009 and I’m not looking back.

While 2008 was mostly wonderful for Makeup Bag (the WWD feature, the Elle mention, PARIS!), it was also a very difficult year for me personally. I lost my dad in January which has crippled me in ways that I can not explain. I’ve also spend most of the year away from my husband who is working on a business project in Hawaii that requires him to spend most of his time on the island of Kauai. For these reasons, most of 2008 was rather foggy and I haven’t really felt quite like myself.

This year, I’m taking my mom’s advice and moving forward. I have so many fun ideas for Makeup Bag but just haven’t had the mental energy to execute them.

This is the year I’m going to make it happen. Makeup Bag will be bigger and better than ever and I hope you’ll stick around for the beauty-adventure.

Here are some of my favorite products from 2008:

1. Bobbi Brown Mauve Palette Everything I need for makeup on-the-go is in this palette. Kudos to Bobbi Brown for creating yet another perfect palette.

2. CHANEL Haute Chocolat Nail Colour It was love at first sight with this deep brown, shimmery polish—and the honeymoon’s not over yet. I love this polish.

3. CLINIQUE Comfort on Call moisturizer This has been my go-to moisturizer for weeks. There is no scent to irritate my dry, sensitive skin.

4. CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara I like the waterproof formula—it does amazing things to my lashes.

5. CLINIQUE Blushwear Cream Stick in Shy Blush This color is so perfect for my skin and I love the convenience of the cream stick.

6. Jurlique Citrus Hand Cream The incredibly creamy texture and amazing scent of this hand cream make up for the price.

7. Zoya Nail Polish in Erika How could I NOT include my namesake polish on this list?

I’ve seen a few lists from other beauty bloggers around the web this week. Check them out:

• The Makeup Girl

• 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

• Rocketqueen

• Blogdorf Goodman

• Makeup Minute

• Jolie Nadine
  

What were your favorite products of 2008? Leave a comment with your answer and be entered to win a selection of products from the Makeup Bag Beauty Closet.

Winner will be selected at random on Monday, January 5. Feel free to enter as many times as you’d like. Good luck!