All Topics, Beauty
2019 New Year Beauty Staples (Last Years Best Buys)
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Last year I had the pleasure of discovering a whole host of new (to me) beauty products. With so many oh-so-average products on the market, it can be difficult to narrow down the ones really worth spending your money on, so I’m here to lend a helping hand. The following list hosts the best of the best of my discoveries, and those which have become infallible staples.
Makeup
Urban Decay | All Nighter Setting Spray
I can confidently say that this is the best setting spray I’ve ever used. I bought a travel sized bottle at the airport on the way to Greece and was immediately blown away by its stubbornness. It kept my makeup looking fresh on many occasions throughout 2018; from sweaty beach days to manic London tubes, it hasn’t once failed me. I’ve previously raved about this and mentioned its not-so-pleasant smell, but this goes away once dry and clearly isn’t enough to deter me from using (and loving) it.
Estee Lauder | Double Wear Maximum Cover
Warning: this product is not playing around when it comes to full coverage. Its a little too much for my every day, but has become invaluable to me as a safe bet when I want to look good. I’ve been wearing this during almost every compliment about my skin this year. I’ve even had questions about which foundation I’ve been wearing in certain photos: you guessed it, it was this one.
NYX | Pore Filler Primer
After a long-time love affair with Benefit’s POREfessional, I decided to try a few other primers designed to reduce the appearance of pores. I don’t tend to be fussy about the primers I use all over my face (with regards to specifications), but do consciously choose pore refining products for either side of my nose. The NYX is the best of those I discovered last year and is also half the price of Porefessional. For want of a better description: it’s like putty in that you can literally see your pores being filled. At first, I was a little worried that this would result in clogged pores and spot-central, but I’ve seen no detrimental effects at all. It’s buildable, and leaves a perfect silky finish to the skin in preparation for foundation.
Charlotte Tilbury | Filmstar Bronze & Glow Fair/ Medium
This was a gift from Christmas 2017 and I’ve cherished it throughout 2018. I’m going to be honest here: it’s a lot of money. For that reason, I tend to favour cheaper products for day-to-day wear. If I want to bring my A game then this is my safe bet and is irrefutably better than any other contour palette I’ve ever used. It allows the most natural looking yet effective contour I’ve EVER been able to achieve, and really is quite effortless. When reviewing my products I’ve realised how little of this I’ve gotten through (despite using it semi-regularly), so this year I’ll be less hesitant.
Charlotte Tilbury | Pillow Talk Lipstick
I’ve sworn by Pillow Talk lipliner for a long time and last year I finally got the matching lipstick. It was my first Charlotte Tilbury lipstick and I love everything about it; from the formula to the packaging. The price point and my already extensive collection of lipsticks generally have so far put me off purchasing more shades, but they’ll always make my wish-lists and I’ll repurchase this one.
Skincare
Pixi | Glow Tonic
I was deterred from buying this for a long time because I was sceptical about its ability to live up to its hype. I needn’t have worried: as soon as I made the purchase I was glad of it. This has overtaken every toner I’ve used so far and is now my favourite (and it’s no more expensive than its predecessor). I’ve been continually using it (in the evenings) for a few months and haven’t once been drawn to another.
Mario Badescu | Drying Lotion
I’ll admit to buying this because of a Kylie Jenner recommendation, but it hasn’t let me down. Luckily I only need this rarely, but immediately after feeling a spot, its the first thing I reach for. I think it may be magical.
Haircare
Living Proof | Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment
This product was late to the game so I only spoke about it recently in my M&S Beauty Calendar 2018 | The Products Worth Purchasing post. It’s so good though, that it immediately became a staple and therefore qualified for this post too. I received another tube for Christmas and can’t wait to use it throughout the year.
Kent | Natural Shine Pure Bristle Brush Large
I came across this whilst searching for a brush without plastic. Its round so is perfect for at home blowdries, and its bristles really do leave the hair shinier and with less frizz.
