Top Beauty Buys of 2019

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Of all the beauty products that I tried last year there are handful that really stood out to me. These are the ones that have become staples in my routine, I recommend to anyone that will listen and that also happen to fit into my new approach to beauty. I love using them, they’ve really filled a gap within my routine, and I don’t see them getting replaced by anything else anytime soon.

The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser^*: It’s not the first time that I’ve mentioned this cleanser and I doubt it will be the last. The balm-to-oil formula effectively lifts away all of your makeup as you massage it into the skin and emulsifies into a milky texture when water is added, although I find it most effective if you remove it with a warm damp flannel. The addition of the squalene means it’s gentle and hydrating on the skin so if, like me, you tend to have quite dry and dehyradted skin it wont be left feeling tight or uncomfortable after cleansing. A pea-sized amount is plenty for your whole face and if you aren’t a makeup wearer then it also works beautifully to remove the dirt from the day or wake up your skin first thing.

Liz Earle Instant Tonic*: It’s rare that I find a toner exciting but this one has made such a difference to my skin. The lightweight liquid has done wonders in calming and soothing my often sensitive skin, giving it a little hit of hydration and leaving it feeling more comfortable and radiant after cleansing. You can apply either with a reusable cotton pad* or just straight onto your skin with your fingers and it instantly perks up your skin. Ingredients including vitamin E, cucumber, aloe and calendula all work to leave your skin feeling refreshed but that little bit brighter too.

Liz Earle Balancing Mask*: This little mask has blown me away and has quickly become my go-to whenever I fancy doing a facemask. Whether my skin’s a bit red and aggrevated, maybe it’s a bit dry or even if I have a couple of spots, a thin layer of this instantly helps to calm the situation down. The gel texture means it’s cooling and refreshing on the skin whilst it also helps to add that extra layer of hydration. The best bit is that you can notice a difference whether you apply it for 10 minutes before you head out or apply a thicker layer and leave it on for a bit longer. Remove with a warm damp flannel when your done and carry on with the rest of your skincare.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter*^: I didn’t realise I needed this and now I can’t be without it. It gives the most beautiful and natural boost to the skin whether it’s under makeup or just worn alone but doesn’t leave you looking at all glittery. A little across my cheekbones, forehead and brownbones instantly lifts my face and just leaves me looking that bit more awake and radiant, even if my skin isn’t looking so great. It sits perfectly under makeup and works itself seamlessly into the skin. I apply a little with my fingers before foundation or concealer and can always notice a difference if I skip the step. The bottles are huge and personally I don’t trust the full sized packaging after one leaked a few years ago so the travel sized version is the perfect way to make sure you can easily take it with you wherever you go. This one has lasted me since May (yep, honestly) and is also a great way to try something if you aren’t quite ready to commit to the full-size.

Glossier Stretch Concealer^: I don’t think a concealer has every received as much hype as this one has. I was skeptical as to whether it would actually cover my dark circles and whether it could be anywhere near as good as everyone says it is, but it is. I’ve used it for a month so yes, it might seem a bit quick to be throwing it in as one of the best buys of the year, but that’s how much I love it. The glossy light-reflecting formula balances the darkness under my eyes and leaves my skin looking that bit more awake and radiant. If my skin is looking particuarly good then I’ve been just buffing in a little around any areas that need a bit more brightness or a little coverage. I find it’s best applied with a fluffy brush, something like the Real Techniques Setting Brush^, and built up from there. Yes, colour matching online can be a total pain but if you can’t get to a store (which is basically anyone who isn’t in New York or London) for reference I’m shade G11.

Alongside these five items there are also a few products that deserve an honorable mention as they’ve also been key in my beauty routines this year. Both the Superdrug B. Confident Serum^ and the Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid^* were serums that really had a major impact on my skin this year and are still in my routine now. They’re two of the best vegan and cruelty free serums that I’ve tried. The Superdrug serum really helped with the marks left behind after a few spots in the summer and also hydrated my skin enough in the warmer months to let me skip moisturiser and any other serums altogether. The Polyglutamic Acid was a saviour for my dry skin come the autumn and quickly helped to reduce the appearance of fine lines across my forehead. The price point of both of these cemented them as a firm favourite very quickly.

Bridging the gap between skincare, makeup and body were the Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops^*. These have been my no1 way to tan my face since I picked them up in May. Just put a couple of drops into your usual moisturiser or serum (I go 1-2 in the winter for a subtle glow and 3-4 in the summer when I want a real tan) and you’re ready to go - just wash your hands properly afterwards and follow the application instructions exactly.

Finally, there was even a hair favourite this year. Hair products generally don’t excite me. I’m loyal to my Elnett (although I’m now in the market something new…) but other than that I don’t really LOVE any products. That was until I found the SGX NYC 3-in-1 Dry Shampoo^*. It gives that perfect just-got-out-of-bed-cool-girl vibe to the hair without leaving it feeling sticky, dirty or too ‘done’. It smells great, helps to add a bit of hold to the hair and actually lasts all day.

Are there any products that you’ve tried recently that you just can’t get enough of?