Best of Beauty 2023: Skincare and Makeup

Affiliate links Hello friends! Hope your New Year is off to a great start! Today I’ve a roundup of my favorite beauty products of 2023. The ones I loved (and used) the most and give my wholehearted seal of approval!

All of these new found favorites were released in 2023, except for the Geek & Gorgeous serum that has been a best-seller in Europe for a while but the brand launched its products in US last year. So, keep reading to find out my most-used beauty products of 2023. Maybe you’ll find your new holy grail sunscreen or serum here too!

Best Beauty Products 2023

Let’s start with skincare…

First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36)

This is such an amazing tinted mineral sunscreen, formulated with 22% zinc oxide. It’s so sheer and luxuriously lightweight with a silky, fluid texture that blends seamlessly with a barely-there feel and a beautiful satin finish. It delivers a soft blur effect for the perfect “no-makeup makeup” look and provides reliable SPF protection — without any white cast! It also wears well under makeup without pilling.

Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow serum ($14)

This is a super-light serum with 15% pure Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) plus extra antioxidants (Ferulic Acid + Vitamin E) to boost collagen and improve uneven skin tone & texture. It’s fragrance-free.

I love its water-like, weightless liquid texture that absorbs very quickly without a sticky or tacky feel. It does have that typical vitamin C serum scent but it fades right away. This is such an effective and affordable vitamin C serum!

Peach and Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum ($49)

This weightless, scentless, silky serum contains a potent dose of 0.2% Copper Peptide, 12 additional peptides, and 4 amino acids to visibly smooth fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles. Plus, the formula has Hyaluronic acid, squalane, a rich blend of antioxidants and Korean herbs that combine to support the Extracellular Matrix and maximize peptide power, for skin that looks and feels bouncy and firm.

Suitable for all skin types, it’s perfect for anyone looking for a potent yet gentle anti-aging + hydrating serum. It’s truly a fabulous find under $50!

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superbeam Sunscreen SPF 30 ($20)

Formulated with 17.53% zinc oxide, this tinted mineral sunscreen has a silky-smooth lightweight texture that absorbs quickly with a glowy finish. It has a sheer peachy tint (with warm undertones) that blends in seamlessly on my light-medium skin tone without a trace.

Best for normal to dry skin, the silicone-free formula is hydrating but not heavy or greasy. It also contains Niacinamide, sea buckthorn oil, kakadu plum extract and vitamin E. Not to mention, it’s super affordable at just $20! I just wish that it had a higher SPF though.

Biossance Squalane Retinol Night Serum ($72)

This serum is formulated with a powerful combination of time-release encapsulated retinol and retinal, a retinoid more closely related to prescription strength retinoic acid that stimulates cellular turnover for maximum efficacy with minimal irritation.

Plus, it contains a blend of moisturizing ingredients, including squalane, glycerin, allantoin, evening primrose oil, rice bran extract and vitamin E to keep skin hydrated.

Facetory Vita Serum with Fermented Mung Bean + 10% Niacinamide ($39)

This serum contains 10% Niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve uneven skin tone, and smooth skin texture. It also contains fermented Mung Bean to protect skin from free radicals and UV damage, plus 5% panthenol and aloe vera to hydrate. It has a water-like texture that absorbs instantly with a weightless feel and layers easily under any moisturizer.

Cocokind tinted lip shield SPF 24 ($16)

This hydrating lip oil with SPF protects against both UVA and UVB rays while moisturizing dry lips. It has a peachy tint that adds subtle color and shine. It also contains antioxidant-rich star fruit extract that adds an extra layer of protection against environmental stressors.

MAKEUP

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil ($20)

The gel-to-oil formula is hydrating, non-sticky and pretty pigmented. It applies glossy and leaves a soft stain when the shine fades away. I have the shade Delight, a beautiful rose brown shade that’s perfect for everyday.

Urban Decay 24/7 Inks Liquid Eyeliner ($26)

Ergonomically designed with an ultra-sharp tip, this liquid eyeliner has a water- and smudge-resistant formula. I love how it’s so easy to apply! The ultra-fine tip glides on smoothly to draw thin or thick lines without skipping or dragging. The formula is also highly pigmented with a great color payoff. The shade I have is called Hi-Energy (blue shimmer) It’s so beautiful and vibrant, and always gets me compliments whenever I wear it!

Elf Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide ($10)

This is a sticky gel-based primer enriched with 4% Niacinamide to help even out skin tone while prepping skin for makeup. True to its name, it really does grip makeup well and helps it last long, while giving you a dewy finish.

This is a great primer especially for those with normal to dry and combination skin. It also contains Sodium Hyaluronate, glycerin and vitamin E which are all great hydrating ingredients.

Valentino 24 Hour Wear Hydrating Concealer ($35)

This concealer has a creamy-smooth texture with a weightless second-skin finish that remains comfortable throughout the day, without any dryness or cakey feel. It provides buildable medium coverage, the formula is long-lasting too and stays put without creasing. Infused with caffeine, vitamin E and light-reflecting pearls, it provides an instant brightening and revitalizing effect for a wide-awake look.