I’m starting a new tradition here and now: a beauty masterlist recapping my top 10 beauty products from the year before. You know how Oprah does her favorite things of the year? Well, this is mine.
I love doing the work and finding the BEST products for you, so you don’t have to go out and spend money and a lot of time trying and testing. I am pretty picky — my products need to be amazing, they need to work well, and they need to be cruelty free.
None of the items I’m sharing with you today are sponsored, just so you know. So, let’s get into my favorite beauty products of 2019:
Gua Sha: Nothing, and I really do mean nothing, relaxes me like my Gua Sha tool. This stone is rose quartz and man does it do wonders. It relieves tension and pressure (I can actually FEEL it when I do this, especially over my eyelids), and it drains inflammation from the face. Using this tool is a must every single morning, and especially for special events.
Acure Marula Oil: If I had to choose just one oil as my favorite for the year, it’d be Marula Oil. Acure’s Marula oil is rich in proteins and omega fatty acids and is amazing for treating dry skin, healing wounds & scars and reducing redness. “Marula oil packs a huge anti-oxidant power punch to help with anti-aging along with essential fatty acids and proteins to help with firming, anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling support.” Marula is naturally lightweight, meaning it will absorb readily into the skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and smooth. What’s also cool? Acure’s Marula oil is 100% pure and wildcrafted without pesticides by South African Women as part of an economic empowerment program. I buy mine at Whole Foods (BTW – the Whole Foods Beauty department is pretty amazing if you haven’t checked it out).
Obagi Hydrate Luxe: This moisturizer is my HOLY GRAIL night time moisturizer. So many medical grade products are unfortunately not cruelty free, but this one is and I am so grateful for that because it works wonders. I only use this product at night because it is RICH and luxe, like the name says. The moisturizer works with the circadian rhythm of your skin. Yep, there’s such a thing. The two below ingredients make this moisturizer extra special:
Biomimetic peptides. A technology that complements your skin’s nightly renewal and metabolic functions to support the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in mature skin.
Hydromanil. A key ingredient in the Hydrate Facial Moisturizer, this technologically advanced ingredient provides not only immediate moisturization, but gradual moisture delivery by retaining water in the layers of your skin and continuously releasing them for 8-hour moisture protection!
Elta MD Sunscreen: Am I telling you to wear sunscreen again? Yep! It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, cloudy, or sunny and hot, you MUST wear sunscreen everywhere, everyday. My absolute favorite is Elta MD’s line. I use the UV Facial Broad Spectrum Sunscreen on my face and the UV Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen on my body. I love Elta MD’s sunscreens because they are not chemical sunscreens – meaning shitty chemicals are not going to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Instead, Zinc Oxide sits on the skin to protect it from harmful rays.
Lawless Woke Up Like This Foundation: I’ll start with the description, because it perfectly describes the product:
“This SPF-free, non-comedogenic, skin-nourishing formula won’t clog pores, and wears comfortably throughout the day with a weightless feel that won’t fade or disappear. Lightweight, antioxidant-rich, skin-balancing oils, including abyssinica, camellia, kukui, grape seed, and jojoba oils, help plump and replenish the skin’s moisture barrier for a supple, youthful appearance. Soothing, anti-inflammatory shea butter helps soften and repair skin, while promoting collagen production and protecting against free radicals. With this formula, you can achieve medium to full coverage with a natural, skin-like finish that never looks cakey or dry on the skin.” – LAWLESS
There is so much that I love about this foundation, but most of all, I love the consistency as it is not matte yet it’s not shiny, it’s just a ‘your skin but better look’. I love it so much that I wore it on my wedding day.
Sara Happ Dream Lip Slip: The cool thing Lip Slip is that when you put it on before bed, and then when you wake up, it’s still on. And I mean it REALLY stays on. I also use this as a lip gloss during the day.
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brow Gel: No one wants super thin, tadpole or sperm brows. You know what I’m talking about. Natural, big brows are IN and I think they’re here to stay. Charlotte Tillbury’s brow gel is a game-changer because it makes your brows look super full and NATURAL& best of all, it doesn’t flake or get crusty. It actually looks best when you brush over and over about 5 times (always brush up).
Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Lipstick: BUT like are you ready for the best lipstick you will ever own? You need this one. Absolutely need it. I own more Chralotte Tilbury lipsticks than any other brand, and it’s because her lippies are just the best. Not sticky, they don’t make your lips look dry and crusty. Just the best consistency.
But this color, guys. It looks good on everyone. Yeah, different skin tones can rock this color.
Fenty Beauty Lavender Loose Powder: I first hear about this loose powder via Jaclyn Hill. She just has the best makeup tips. I was watching one of her favorites videos in late 2018/early 2019, and she mentioned that she’d been using this powder to set her under-eye concealer and that it didn’t cake up. Two seconds later, I was ordering it from Sephora. And she was right. This powder is so cool because it has a lavender tint, so it really brightens under the eyes. It’s so bright that I probably wouldn’t recommend using it anywhere else on your face. I have used this powder every single day that I’ve worn makeup in 2019.
Unite 7 Seconds Detangler: This isn’t only a 2019 fave, I have been using this detangler for over 5 years consecutively. I’ve never met a leave-in detangler SO MUCH. From the time I was a little girl, I always have a rat’s nest when I get out of the shower. No matter what. This stuff saves me from having to harshly comb out my hair after I wash it. It literally works in seconds, like the name says. Even for the most Jew-y fro’s (mine).
