Best of Beauty 2024: Skincare and Makeup

Affiliate links Hello friends! Hope your 2025 is off to a great start! I’m kicking off the new year by revisiting my favorite beauty products of 2024, based on efficacy, price and versatility.

From skincare that actually made me look forward to my morning routine to makeup that gave my skin a natural, healthy glow, these are the products that really delivered on their promises and made a lasting impression. All of these new found favorites were released last year.

So, keep reading to find out my most-used beauty products of 2024.

Best Beauty Products 2024

Let’s start with skincare….

Prequel Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum 15% ($23)

This radiance boosting serum is formulated with a potent blend of vitamin C, ferulic acid, ergothioneine, niacinamide and inulin that helps brighten and firm skin while providing ample antioxidant benefits for a glowing complexion. The formula contains 15% L-ascorbic acid, the most biologically available and well studied form of vitamin C.

I love the lightweight texture of this serum that absorbs easily and doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all. I use it every morning and it layers beautifully under my sunscreen. Also, I like that the formula is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Not to mention, it comes with an affordable price tag ($23) and is easily available at Target!

Geek & Gorgeous Power Peptides Serum ($17.80)

Made with a powerful blend of 6 collagen-boosting peptides, this serum not only firms the skin and gives its bounce back, but also hydrates your skin. The formula includes 3% Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7), one of the most proven & well-known peptide duos to reduce wrinkles for younger-looking skin.

This fragrance-free serum has a silky, hydrating, milky texture that absorbs quickly and easily. It can be used around the eyes and in the same routine with any other active ingredient (including acids & retinoids), either in the AM and/or PM. If you are looking for an effective (and affordable!) peptide serum to add to your anti-aging routine, this is a fantastic option!

Naked Sundays Cabana Glow Mineral Serum Drops SPF 50 – Sheer Tint ($35)

This mineral sunscreen has a very lightweight texture with a sheer tint that blends in seamlessly on my light-medium skin tone. It’s not heavy or sticky at all, and leaves no white cast. It has a semi-matte finish that looks very natural on the skin. Not to mention, the fragrance-free formula is also infused with skin-loving ingredients including pink algae, hyaluronic acid & wild rosella.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream ($21.50)

Formulated with 5% pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hyaluronic acid, caffeine and three essential ceramides, this eye cream helps reduce the appearance of dark circles, under-eye puffiness and fine lines. It has a lightweight, fragrance-free formula that feels hydrating but isn’t greasy or sticky and absorbs easily. It’s a gentle yet effective option for anyone dealing with uneven skin tone, dullness and dark circles under the eyes. You can read my full review here.

The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer ($20)

Enriched with ceramides, this anti-aging moisturizer helps smooth & firm skin, strengthen the skin barrier while providing long-lasting hydration. It also contains shea butter to nourish skin deeply. It has a velvety- rich texture that absorbs quickly and provides a heathy dose of hydration without feeling greasy or occlusive. The formula is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). My full review here.

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Sun Balm Mineral SPF 30 Lip Balm ($24)

This is a hydrating mineral SPF 30 lip balm with a sheer wash of glossy color. The formula is infused with squalane, jojoba oil and shea butter to soothe & nourish dry lips while providing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with 13.5% zinc oxide. I have the shade Rosy brown (sheer pink mauve) The color is so pretty and my lips feel moisturized (without any stickiness) while being protected from the sun!

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++ Tinted Sunscreen ($36)

Formulated with 20% zinc oxide, this mineral sunscreen has a lightweight, creamy formula with a sheer tan tint. It’s a bit darker for my light-medium skin tone but I really like the formula overall as it’s not only hydrating (great for my dry skin) but also contains potent antioxidants, such as astaxanthin, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ubiquinone to enhance skin’s free radical defense.

Peach & Lily Collagen Cushion Peptide Lip Balm ($22)

This lip balm packs a hydrating punch with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter and polyglutamic acid to instantly nourish and moisturize dry lips. Plus, it also contains several peptides, ceramides and collagen to smooth and diffuse the appearance of fine lines. It’s like a supercharged anti-aging treatment for lips! I love the non-sticky formula that glides on smoothly.

MAKEUP

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation ($47)

Infused with hyaluronic acid, this foundation has a creamy smooth texture that’s lightweight and blends easily providing medium coverage with a satin finish. Going by the name, I thought it would be a dewy finish foundation but it doesn’t add any dewiness and the natural radiant finish just gives my skin a subtle, healthy glow. This is a great option for those with normal to dry and/or mature skin like mine.

MERIT Signature Lip Lightweight Matte Lipstick in Maison ($26)

This is such a gorgeous mauve lipstick! Besides the color, the formula is beautiful too and feels lightweight, smooth and hydrating with a soft-matte finish. The color is buildable and lasts quite long as well. It has become my go-to everyday lipstick ever since I got it from Sephora!

Merit lipstick Maison

CoverGirl Clean Eye Color Eyeshadow Stick ($9)

I’m a sucker for eyeshadow sticks and this one from Covergirl is fantastic! It has a creamy-smooth formula that applies effortlessly, and also blends out easily with fingers. The pigmentation is beautiful with a vibrant color payoff. What I love the most is that the formula is crease-proof and stays put, so I don’t have to worry about creasing or smudging. My favorite shade is 330 Golden Toffee (shimmery brown with golden undertones)

Milani Color Fetish Hydrating Lip Stain ($9.97)

Infused with hyaluronic acid and squalane, this lightweight lip stain has a hydrating formula with a high-pigment glossy finish that stays put. It applies with a glossy shine that transforms into a semi-matte tint as it dries down. I like that it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky and there’s no noticeable scent. Also, it isn’t drying and feels comfortable on lips through the day. Here’s my full review and swatches.