2008: the year that was

Yes, if 2008 has taught us anything it’s that the old adage is true: what goes up must come down. We started out the year all smarty pants thinking with our strong Aussie dollar and low(er) mortgage rates that we could afford to splash out on a Chloé Eau de Parfum or two. And splash we did in this vibrant, feminine fragrance with notes of peony, freesia and magnolia.

But then the terms “economic meltdown”, “financial freefall” and “cash crisis” seemed to be bandied around with alarming frequency and we praised the lord for our Ulta3 Nail Polish addiction – $2 a pop is one indulgence we can justify. But we will NOT let 2008 be dominated by the credit crunch. For 2008 also saw…

The rise and reign of Aussie gals

With Abbey Lee Kershaw being booked exclusively for Gucci, Stephanie Carta exclusively for Balenciaga and Myf Shepherd walking for Prada, 2008 will be remembered for everyone finally realising that Aussie girls are cool customers. From Elyse Taylor to Catherine McNeil, Alice Burdeu to Cheyenne Tozzi, the world could simply not get enough of Aussie’s finest this year. After three ladies, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

Mr Jacobs getting criminally popular

He was everywhere in 2007 so you'd think the world would tire of him in ‘08? Never. From his famed NY collection – Hall of Mirrors Spring '09 – to the Madge Louis Vuitton ads it just kept getting better and better. Of course we were just pleased with his Splash 2008 Collection (not to mention the launch of Daisy Eau de Parfum). And a sneak peek into 2009 just makes us love him even more. Will you stop it already Marcus?

A little more diversity

Vogue Italia's “A Black Issue” caused quite the debate – some heckled tokenism, others said long time coming – but there’s no denying its poplularity: the issue quickly flew off shelves, selling out (and needing a 10,000 magazine reprint) – crikey! We were just pleased to hear the gorgeous Arlenis Sosa (who featured as a relative unknown in the issue) named the new face of Lancôme in September. Go Arlenis!

The beauty of Balmain

We’ve always known Balmain was hip, it’s where beautyheaven’s based! We jest, we jest. We know the Balmain on everyone’s lips/backs this season was the fashion label not our Balmain but it’s nice to know we have something in common with the uber-cool. Next up: beautyheaven statues we think, no?

Some new It girls

While Aussies were ruling the catwalks, Brits were out in full force in the It girl stakes. Alice Dellal, Alexa Chung, the Geldofs (both the Peaches and Pixie varity), Jaime Winston and who can forget Aggy all put Cool Britannia back on the map in ‘08. While they do seem to be on one perpetual party, we can’t complain, plenty have been inspired by their looks – us included.

The farewell of fashion’s finest

A crowd of nearly 800 people (including Nicolas Sarkozy and Catherine Deneuve) bid adieu to fashion’s finest on June 5 after Yves Saint Laurent sadly passed away at the age of 71. But even before the outpouring of grief, the tributes to YSL's talent and immeasurable influence on today's fashion flooded in and it was apparent just what a legend the man was.

The new buzz-word: eco-luxe

Organic everything rocked our worlds in ’08. These beauty essentials skipped the synthetics, without losing any of the luxury (or costing the earth) why wouldn’t we indulge...

Sanctum Certified Organic Skincare Body Detox

Inika Mineral Cosmetics Pure Primer

Endota Spa Organic Olive & Macadamia Nut Massage Oil

Juice Beauty Cleansing Gel

Stem Organics Intensive Eye Serum

Ilcsi Organic Skincare Black Soap (Mineral Cleansing Concentrate)

Back to black

It was all over the catwalk in ’08 proving that it never really went away. Yep, dark lips were out on show at YSL while stormy, sexy eyes to up the mantle at Givenchy, Lanvin and Balenciaga. We indulged in Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil, Revlon Bedroom Eyes™ Powder Liner and Cargo Cosmetics SmokyEye Eyeliner Duo. What? If the fashion gods say it’s back, we want to be prepared!