I’ve had this article in mind for awhile, so before January 2019 draws to a close, I figured I better get to sharing my favorite beauty products from 2018. Some of these I came across on my own, but most of them I have reviewed at some point in the last year and then quickly began to incorporate these into my daily or weekly routine.
Skincare:
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: This gentle but powerful microfoliant does an amazing job at leaving my skin feeling soft and clean, while still being gentle enough on my skin to use it on a daily basis. I usually use it after washing my face in the morning.
Dermalogica Precleanse: This is also an amazing skincare product and it smells AMAZING! Because I have naturally oily skin, I don’t use it on a daily basis, but I do use this to remove my makeup if I’m wearing more than the basics. After using it to remove the makeup (it also does a great job of removing ‘permanent’ lipsticks and waterproof mascara) I wash my face with a normal cleanser.
Heimish All Clean Balm: This does the same as the precleanse mentioned above. I like them both equally and tend to switch back and forth. The all clean balm I will also, on the rare moment my skin feels dry, use it as a nigh-time moisturizer.
Pixi Glow Tonic: This toner is my favorite - ever. Some toners leave my skin feeling strange and lead to breakouts. But this one leaves my face feeling fresh and seems to help give it a final cleanse. In case you were unsure, toner should be applied after washing your skin and before applying your moisturizer in order to prep your skin to really take advantage of moisture you’re applying.
Olay Regenerist Whip: This is the only moisturizer I have found that I can wear on a daily basis without breaking out. It is a light, easy to apply, oil free option - which is great for all skin types bet especially those with oily or combination skin. I use it every night before going to bed, and it leave my face looking and feeling refreshed in the morning. It also fights fine lines and wrinkles. And honestly, it has quickly become a favorite to everyone I have convinced to try it. It’s just that good.
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Booster: This is a magical little bottle that gets rid of pimples as they are forming. Dab a little on a forming spot of acne before bed and let it work its magic over night.
Botanica All Bright Eye Roll-On: My under eyes are always the first spot to show off a night of little sleep or a migraine I’m fighting. Rolling on this eye brightener under my lower lid in the morning helps them de-puff and look less tired. Plus the roller ball is just a little cool making it feel amazing on the skin as it rolls over it.
Olay Energizing Mist: This stuff is just amazing. I use the energizing mist in the morning and the calming one at night. Both just help my skin feel better and add a little oil-free moisture to my skin. And they smell amazing. (Can you tell I’m all about the way things smell?) You can apply this before or after your moisturizer or even before or after your makeup application.
Hair care:
To be honest, my list of hair care products is longer than my list of skin care products. But to simplify matters I’m only featuring the things that I tried for the first time this year and have loved.
Batiste Dry Shampoo: I am a huge fan of dry shampoo - especially when I am trying to stretch my wash days to every 4 days. While I have tried, and love, a handful of dry shampoos, this one is my favorite of the inexpensive brands. I can always find one of these large cans at TJMaxx for $7 or less!
Not Your Mother’s Naturals Butter Masque: This Matcha Green Tea and Wild Apple Blossom masque does wonder for my hair. I use it in one of two ways. I will apply it to my wet, newly washed hair and leave it in for about 10 minutes to give my hair a little moisture boost. And I will apply it generously to damp hair before bed, leaving it in all night to give my hair even more help. I use the overnight routine after coloring my hair or anytime I notice it is looking particularly dry.
Ouidad VitalCurl Gel: I have used Ouidad products for several years, and love pretty much everything they create. This new line - vital curl - is all about keeping curls healthy and it works like a charm. I use a little bit of the gel in my soaking wet hair before diffusing it. A little goes a long way and it keeps my hair from looking frizzy. It also doesn’t leave my hair in crispy curls but beautiful soft waves.
Ouidad VitalCurl Styling Gel-Creme: This is the often the second part of my styling routine. I will use a little bit of these creme in my hair when it is about 50% dry during the diffusing process. I apply it with prayer hands and then continue to diffuse. The addition of the creme helps my curls stay together and avoids the frizz that often happens toward the end of the diffusing time.
Makeup:
Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette: This year I had the chance to try out several different palettes from Urban Decay and I have to saw it confirmed all the hype I’ve heard about the brand and its eyeshadows. Two of those palettes made this list, although to be honest all of them could have made it. This Cherry Naked palette is full of so many pretty pinks and it is a lot of fun to play with.
Pop Beauty Permanent Pout Z: This has become my go-to daily lipstick! It came in a collection of 12 new colors by POP Beauty, but this one quickly became my favorite. It is a simple pinky-nude, which goes well with everything and gives just a little tint to my lips to bring color to my face. I love it.
Clove + Hallow Napa: On the other hand, if I am going for dramatic this gorgeous vibrant deep pink shade is my go-to. It is just so pretty, plus it is long lasting. This lippie lasted the entire day of my family wedding this fall, and all day on Halloween as the Queen of Hearts - through meals and everything.
Mac Painterly: Okay, in all honesty this is not new to be this year. But I fell away from using it when I got a few other eye primers to try. But time after time the primers didn’t do what I wanted them to do. By the end of the day my eyeshadow would be creased or mostly gone. That is not the case with the painterly post, so I went and bought a new one a couple months ago and have recommitted to using it.
Urban Decay Born to Run Palette: This palette is full of so many fun and vibrant colors. There are SO many different ways it can be mixed and matched. I havcen’t even begun to tap into all of its potential.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: I am not a fan of foundation and use it sparingly - usually only for really special occasions. But, at the same time, there are days in which my skin is looking sad or tired or more acne prone than normal and needs a little boost. This tinted moisturizer is perfect for that. It goes on my skin lightly and smoothly, giving a little layer of color without leaving me feeling as if I am walking around with a caked-on face of makeup.
Lancome Monsieur BIG mascara: I have this in both regular and waterproof and pretty much have used this mascara exclusively for the last 6 months. It is easy to wear, easy to apply. And it does not clump. Lancome also sells a lash primer which I’ll apply on the days I want my lashes to look fuller - it really does the trick when combined with this mascara.
PixiGlow GildedBare: My new favorite blush/glow. A couple swipes of this over my cheeks and I look much more alive. It gives my skin a fresh, gorgeous glow without looking like I’m wearing a lot of powder.
Kat Von D Lovecraft: When it comes to a classic tube of lipstick, this one is my favorite. The color, again, is great for every day and the pink color compliments my skintone perfectly. Plus it glides on super easily.
Benefit Foolproof Brow Powder: True confessions, I never cared about my eyebrows and never really did anything to them as part of my makeup routine. But then I went to Benefits for a makeover and was introduced to this brow kit. It’s amazing to me how something so simple can make a huge difference for the overall look of your face. Now, I swipe this on nearly every day and boy does it make a difference in framing my eyes.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: I have a dozen of these eye pencils and pretty much use them exclusively. They are so easy to glide on. They can also be sharpened with a classic pencil sharpener, making them easy to use frequently. Urban Decay makes them in a huge variety of colors. I’ve got browns, greens, blacks, and maroons - colors with shimmer and without.
That’s it for my list of favorite beauty products from 2018. Did you discover something new this past year that you are loving? Let me know in the comments or over on Instagram.
