Happy New Year my dear readers! Hope your new year is off to a great start!
As I always do at the beginning of each year, I like to reflect upon the best of the best beauty products I discovered over last year. From makeup and skincare to bath & body products, today I have a roundup of my top beauty favorites of 2017…from drugstore to high-end.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Treatment Concealer ($28)
This is a drying lotion + concealer in one that pulls double duty by concealing and healing breakouts at the same time. I love how it provides great coverage while treating acne…without being drying or irritating!
With proven acne fighters like tea tree, sulfur, witch hazel and a gentle AHA/BHA complex (salicylic acid and glycolic acid), it’s a must-have for acne prone skin! See the swatches of all shades here.
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara ($9)
The holy grail of drugstore mascaras! With a pretty pink tube and a full brush, you get flake-free voluminous coverage that lasts all day (but is easy to remove!)
At only $8 a pop, it’s a no-brainer drugstore pick-up. And in case you didn’t know, it’s also a drugstore dupe for Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara!
image credit: Popsugar
Maybelline Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation ($8.26)
This cushion foundation has a creamy texture that applies smoothly and is also lightly hydrating. With a nice medium coverage and a natural satin finish that’s neither glowy nor too matte, this foundation ticks all the right boxes for cushion foundation fans like me…without a hefty price tag!
image credit: Maybelline
Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($42)
Estée Lauder’s original Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Foundation was too matte for my liking but the new Water Fresh Makeup is right up my alley! It gives me great medium coverage with a satin matte finish that looks very natural and wears all day.
Not to mention, this new foundation is also infused with antioxidants and SPF 30 which is always a plus in my book!
Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour ($4.99)
This matte liquid lipstick is a winner for me on all fronts with its amazingly pigmented formula that stays put without being uncomfortably drying.This is definitely one of the best drugstore matte liquid lipsticks!
The quality here rivals many high-end liquid lipsticks, but it’s an all-out beauty bargain under $5! Here are the swatches.
Olay Daily Facials 4-in-1 Water Activated Cleansing Cloths ($11, 66 count)
I LOVE these new facial cleansing cloths from Olay! Activated with water, these textured cleansing cloths remove dirt, oil and makeup (even waterproof mascara) with a soap-free lather while exfoliating skin…quickly and gently!
It’s a multi-tasking must-have for anyone who wants a simple and hassle-free cleansing routine. Want to see them in action…here you go!
Estée Lauder Pure Color Love Lipsticks ($22)
From the luxe, pigment-packed formula to an array of stylish, gorgeous shades in fashion-forward finishes, I love everything about these new lipsticks! Here are the swatches.
IT Cosmetics Perfect Lighting Radiant Touch Magic Wand ($29)
This 2-in-1 liquid concealer + correcting brightener is a great dupe for YSL Touche Eclat! Even better, it’s cheaper at only $29 and way more pigmented…what’s not to love! It conceals my dark circles with a natural finish and wears well throughout the day without settling in those fine lines.
If you love the YSL cult-favorite but find it a bit too expensive, I highly recommend trying out this newcomer by IT Cosmetics!
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial ($80)
This chemical peel works as a facial in a tube! The formula contains pro-quality 25% AHAs (glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric acids) and 2% BHA (salicylic acid) blend to exfoliate and brighten skin. Just leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes (you’ll feel a light tingle!) and say hello to soft, supple, glowing complexion! Pricey but worth the splurge.
CliniqueFIT Workout 24-Hour Mascara ($20)
This volumizing mascara is a part of the new fitness-inspired CliniqueFIT Workout makeup and skincare collection. The mascara really goes the distance and wears really well, even after a sweaty workout session…whether it be my Zumba class or Yoga! It stays on without smudging, smearing or flaking. If you wear mascara at the gym, you NEED this now!
Revlon ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow ($7)
I love cream eyeshadows, and these ones from Revlon are my drugstore favorite! The eyeshadow formula is top notch and the quality rivals some high-end brands. Not only is it well-pigmented with a silky, weightless feel but also stays put crease-free all day long. I have swatches of 4 shades here.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint ($12.80)
My dry skin loves this lightly hydrating sheer foundation! It provides natural, lightweight coverage and evens out my skin tone perfectly, making my dull, tired skin look fresh. It’s perfect for those days when I want a quick and easy makeup look!
Cetaphil Redness Relieving Tinted Facial Moisturizer SPF 20 ($11)
This multi-tasking tinted moisturizer not only offers broad spectrum sun protection with gentle, 100% mineral SPF, but also provides light to medium coverage while neutralizing any redness on my face. This one is a keeper…especially great for sensitive skin!
Derma-e Vitamin C Concentrated Serum ($19)
This is one of my favorite Vitamin C serums! It packs the power of stable non-oxidizing Vitamin C along with probiotics and antioxidants to help brighten skin. Plus, soothing aloe, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E provide essential hydration.
I love its cosmetically elegant texture that glides on super smoothly, but my favorite part is its light, soothing scent. Derma E is also vegan + cruelty-free which is always a plus!
Dove Shower Foam ($6)
This shower foam is one of my everyday essentials! With its soft, fluffy lather straight out of the pump, I don’t even need a loofah for application. It leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and supple – no dryness or tight feeling!
In fact, I find it gentle and hydrating enough even for my face (which is a big plus, considering that I have naturally dry skin!) Once you give it a try, I bet you will be stocking up on it…like I did!
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Retinoid Acne Treatment ($11)
This is an acne-fighting retinoid gel (contains 0.1% adapalene) that was previously available only by prescription. I have acne-prone skin so this product has been a great addition to my skincare routine…and a little goes a long way! The best part is that now it’s easily available at drugstores!
Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($19.50)
Sunscreen that doesn’t feel like a sunscreen! I love how it has such a lightweight feel with a sheer tint that perks up my skin. And there’s no white cast to worry about! It’s fragrance-free with a gentle mix of mineral sunscreen actives (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) which is perfect for sensitive skin like mine.
So, these are my top beauty favorites of 2017!
Did you find any can’t-live-without beauty products last year? I would love to have you share your favorites in the comments below!
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