The best beauty trends of 2012

Dark, burgundy lips were pretty hot this year. I love the way Jennifer Lopez sported the look at the What to Expect When You’re Expecting movie premiere in Hollywood this May. The key to nailing this look is opting for a no-shine, wine colored matte lipstick that flatters your skin tone.

I was all over the high bun this fall. It’s just such an easy way to polish up dirty or messy hair. A donut shaped bun stuffer is normally used to achieve a full, glamorous bun like Adrienne Bailon’s.

I was captivated by the stunning peacock green eye shadow look that was all over the Jason Wu Fall 2012 Fashion Week runway show in February. To keep the look wearable, a brownish/greenish eyeshadow was layered over an emerald green shadow.

Gray manicures definitely took over this year with loads of brands releasing a variety of grayish polishes. I love the purplish-gray polish Zoe Saldana sported at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards in July. The modern neutral looked great against her colorful dress.

Braids and ponytails were all the rage throughout 2012, but the two styles also worked great as a combo. Just check out how amazing Jessica Alba looked with her braided side-swept ponytail at the 2012 Environmental Media Awards.

This retro eye look definitely made a strong comeback this season. Zoe Saldana’s cat eye gave her large round eyes an almond shape appearance. She kept the rest of her makeup clean and natural-looking.

Orangey-red pouts were all over the Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 Fashion week runway show in February. Celebrities like Salma Hayek quickly caught on to the trend. The color looks especially great on medium and dark skin tones.

2012 seemed to have caught the ombre fever. When it wasn’t one celebrity, it was the next dip-dying their ends. I especially loved La La Vazquez Anthony’s brown/caramel version of the trendy style.

Ponytails never looked so fierce! The trend picked up after models walked down the runway sporting sleeked-back, high ponytails at the Jason Wu Fall 2012 Fashion Week show back in February. Demi Lovato proved that it's one of the sexiest ways to wear your hair back!

This year was all about the nails! I’m talking super creative nail art, long pointy shapes and even three-dimenisonal designs. Check out this incredibly chic Chanel nail look Adrienne Bailon wore this November at the GQ Men of the Year Party.

Hair received the braided treatment this year with cool and unique styles like the French ponytail braid Dania Ramirez rocked at the premiere of Wreck it Ralph in October.

The pretty lavender eyeshadow looks that were popular at a number of Fall 2012 Fashion Week shows, including Jill Stuart, gave way to a purple eyeshadow love this year. Darker purple shades rather than lilac or lavendars work best for women with medium or dark skin tones like Christina Milian.

Fashionable accessories made it to our heads this year. Check out this angelic hair clip that was seen at the Rodarte Fall 2012 Fashion Week show this February.

I’ve said it time and time again that full, thick brows aren’t going anywhere. If you need proof, just look at the beautiful, bold brows Camilla Belle showed off at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival in April.

For those of us who were too intimidated by the trending burgundy pout, we had the gorgeous berry lip look to fall back on. Berry lips are not specific to one particular season. They work all year long!