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!
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
43 Member Comments
Loving the comments re Balmain! ; )
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
OOoh Chloe perfume is divine! It's been my fave perfume for the past 2-3 years. And one's gotta love Ulta3's cheap $2 polishes which has a great formula. I have a small collection.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Well, Mark Jacobs is still very popular.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Marc Jacobs is amazing. Balmain is a fabulous fashion hause. YSL was a genius and Agyness Dean is a legend. This article sums it all up!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
What a great rundown of the year that was. Go Aussies!!, and go organic beauty. I wonder what 2009 will be remembered for for all things beauty??
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
what a flash back! but, Daisy is really,really nice!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
abbey lee and flora gucci !
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
What a great way to revisit beauty in 2008 sad as it is with the passing of Yves Saint Laurent he will live on in the fashion world for eons!!
So many good products so little budget but I soo looove hearing more and more companies are on the organic band wagon hip hip hooray!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
mmmmmh Endota Spa Organic Olive & Macadamia Nut Massage Oil - yummy and my husband gives the best massages
oh I didnt know that YSL died either
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yves Saint Laurent died, gosh I must have had my head under a rock when that happened. The curse of the shift worker I suppose.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
im out to hunt down that nail polish =D
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Love organic products!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Aussie all the way :P
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
It's great that Australiah models are doing well like Miranda Kerr and many others. i read that catherine McNiel hasd done ltos of work with big name companies!! Go her!!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I did a little research on Yves Saint Laurent for my French assignment. Which just happened to be related to fashion. It's really sad to see such a massive icon in the industry leave us. And yes, Mr. Jacobs is awesome.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
What a great artical, thanks BH, this was a good read. Go the Aussie Girls !!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Hadn't been to Balmain for years until I headed there for the Leona sale last year. Have to agree, can't quite believe how hip it's become! It's such an awesome weekend hangout.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I lovvvvvvvvvve Marc Jacobs and no matter what he's doing, he's always doing something great! Organic is the way to go in my opinion, better for us - better for the planet, who could argue that.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Agyness Deyn will rule the it girl race for not much longer unless she updates her style beyond hardcore 80's retro. She could get stuck in a one trick pony rutt if she doesn't change it up in the near future.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
After reading this, I decided that this is my new favourite article (thanks Beauty Heaven)!!!! To see the beauty and fashion industry capped in one article is so thrilling and exciting to me! Agyness Deane - definitely new IT girl, Balmain is a HOT fashion brand, the recession DID influence many a beauty buy (yet made me spend like crazy), my introduction to Beauty Heaven has influenced SO many purchases that I have bags full of untouched, new products. LOVE IT ALL!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
not sold on organic
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Thanks for the write-up! A really good summary of the 2008 fashion and beauty going-ons!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Go organic. The closer to nature the better ;-)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
A very nice article. A wonderful year 2008 has gone by and we can now look forward to a great year 2009 ahead. I love how this article covered many aspects of the year's beauty concisely, yet still managed to cover most if not all the main highlights.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0