2020 Beauty Favourites
AD: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. ALL AFFILIATE LINKS ARE MARKED WITH ‘*’.
The products that I still reached for all year, even when it was all about the loungewear and zoom calls
If there was ever a year that drastically changed the way we consumed beauty then it had to be 2020. From the increased focus on sustainability and holding brands to account for the lack of diversity, to the simple fact we were all going out less and therefore using fewer products, the last 12 months have shaken up the beauty scene. Like so many people, I’m now demanding more from my beauty products than ever before. I want them to work well and deliver on their promises but I also want them to have a social conscience. At the very minimum packaging needs to be recyclable (although ideally reusable), while cruelty free and vegan credentials have continued to become an increasing priority. If a make up product doesn’t come in a truly diverse range of shades then it’s out because as a conscious consumer we have a role to play in shaking up the industry, no matter how small it may seem.
And then of course there’s the small fact that so many of us, myself included, went from desperately seeking long lasting products to give us that fresh-faced look from 7am -7pm to just needing enough to make us look presentable on a video call. I stopped wanting to make my skin look radiant and smooth and actually wanted it to be those things, with more time to spend on taking care of my skin and looking at what it really needed. And I’m not alone. Many of us started to ditch the makeup bags that were bursting at the seams and extensive hair routines for a dab of concealer and a healthy slathering of Olaplex.
With the shifting priorities has come a whole new host of beauty products that I’ve come to rely on. They all truly lean into the minimal makeup look, the skincare is effective and everything adds a little sense of occasion to each routine. Because if we can’t indulge in that right now when can we?
Glossier Stretch Concealer*
This lasted me all year, literally 12 months. It went from being a quick dab under my eyes that made me look slightly more awake to the perfect way to erase any marks or uneven tone. By April this had become my sole base product and I can count on one hand the times I reached for a real foundation after that. Available in 12 shades - I wear G11
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara*
Finally, a vegan and cruelty free formula that actually delivers thick, fluffy, blacker-than-black lashes. The kind of mascara that you put on and instantly ‘wow’, you’re awake and ready to face the world. It’s expensive but I’ve tried others and frankly none compare.
Fenty Cheeks Out Bronzer in Butta Biscuit*
I discovered my old bronzer came in approximately 2 shades and like a lot of people I knew I had to make a switch. The cream formula blends in for a natural flush of colour, there’s no glitter in sight so it looks far more realistic and the undertones have been considered so you don’t have a flash of orange on each cheekbone. It gives that gorgeous sunkissed look in the summer and instantly livens up sallow skin come winter. Available in 7 shades
Glossier Balm Dotcom*
Lipstick who? Last year saw the reign of the lip balm and Glossier’s offering delivered hydration and comfort while stepping in as a vegan and cruelty free alternative to another well-known hydrating balm. Mint is the perfect refreshing hit of hydration whereas Wild Fig gives you a very subtle hint of colour if your lips are as naturally pale as mine. If not, it’s the same well-loved formula in a slightly sweeter and fruitier scent.
Beauty Pie Japanfusion Cleanser*
It removes makeup and SPF gently with a balm-to-oil formula that wipes away easily with a warm damp flannel. It hydrates the skin and leaves a freshness that isn’t ‘squeaky clean’. Perfect for removing make up or freshening up first thing. I’ve lost count of the tubes I’ve used.
Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector*
THE hair treatment for anyone with coloured hair, the bond-building formula really does deserve all the accolades that it gets. It smooths out texture, leaves dry and damaged hair feeling soft again and gets to work on strengthening it too. Ignore the 10 minutes as suggested, lather it on and leave while you get on with whatever you need to do. Just maybe avoid going on video when Zoom comes calling!
shop the post
