The 20 Best Beauty Products I Tried in 2019
And here we are with another favorites post! Today’s post features all 20 of my favorite product discoveries for 2019 from skincare to makeup to hair & body to fragrance. I don’t think I tried as many products as I did in previous years, partly because I admittedly skipped doing my routine quite frequently. Which means it took me longer to finish up products which means it took me longer to open up new things. I am definitely aiming to be more consistent in 2020 which is turn means taking better care of my mental health in 2020.
Products denoted with a * are ones I received in PR. Products denoted with a ** are ones I received in PR and have also purchased myself.
Skincare
Laneige Cream Skin**
$33.00 via Sephora or you can purchase the mist bottle via Korean sellers on eBay
This is the most hydrating toner I have ever tried. Usually when a product promises to be a two in one, I assume it half *sses both jobs. But this actually can work as a toner and moisturizer. The ingredients list is pretty simple but it delivers. It’s lightweight but is incredibly moisturizing (without feeling oily or sticky.) With one layer, it feels like a toner. With 3-4 layers it feels like a lightweight moisturizer. It’s free of essential oils, alcohol, and fragrance making it a good option for those with sensitive skin. It’s also free of any actives or exfoliants so I can use it 2x a day without worrying about over-exfoliating.
Obagi Clinical Vitamin C+ Arbutin Brightening Serum*
I’ve tried quite a few vitamin C serums over the years and steadfastly stuck to Drunk Elephant’s C-firma as my all-time favorite. Well, that changed this year. I still love C-firma and believe in its effects, but this Obagi Clinical serum is my new #1 vitamin C serum. It provides the same brightening and firming results as C-firma, but is more elegant in its execution.
First, it has a simple ingredients list. A lot of vitamin C derivatives don’t work for my skin so I prefer a serum that’s straight up LAA. Second, it has a really lightweight texture. It’s thin, watery, and absorbs easily. It only gets sticky if I over-apply. Third, it doesn’t prematurely oxidize unlike most other LAA serums. I was able to use this up in 3 months without it turning orange— I can’t say the same for the Paula’s Choice or Drunk Elephant LAA serums. Like the other two serums mentioned, it has the hot dog water scent of vitamin C but that can’t be avoided as it’s free of essential oils and fragrance.
Deviant Cleansing Concentrate**
This cleansing balm is my faaavorite luxury cleansing balm, and it’s more affordable than other luxury options (like Diptyque, Sunday Riley, Omorovicza, DeMamiel, etc.) The texture is creamy and decadent, but also easy to use. It easily melts into an oil when applied to the skin, emulsifies, and rinses away easily. It does a good job at washing away makeup. I have pretty sensitive eyes, and this doesn’t irritate them.
It’s yet another option that works well for sensitive skin types as its free of essential oils and fragrance. It’s also free of polyethylene aka microplastic, which is commonly found in cleansing balms.
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask*
I love both of Youth to the People’s moisturizers, so it was really no surprise that I loved their new sleeping mask too. This mask checks all the boxes for me. It keeps my skin hydrated all night long, plays well with oils and balms and moisturizers, and makes me wake up with happy, moisturized skin. Sometimes I would use it as my daytime moisturizer because my skin was extra dehydrated, and this was the perfect remedy.
It has a light fruity scent — the ingredients list includes “natural fragrance” but I remember reading somewhere it’s not essential oils, but rather fruit extracts. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the source. Either way, it doesn’t linger or irritate my skin so I’m fine with it!
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
$71.00 oz via Toska Spa & Aida Bicaj
Good luck finding this stinky mask in stock.
Kidding, kind of. You will struggle to find it in stock anywhere, but it does not smell that awful as everyone says, in my opinion. It has a strong yeasty smell but I don’t find really offensive. The more I used it, the more I got used to it.
The texture is tacky and a pain to remove, but the results are worth it! When I apply this after P50— it’s like an acne killing powerhouse. My zits are smaller and calmer the next morning. Even though it has a clay base, it doesn’t dry down all the way so it doesn’t dry out my skin. I’ve worn this mask for an hour (instructions say 10-20 minutes but whatever) and after rinsing it off, I don’t have the tightness that is all too common with clay masks.
Biologique Recherche Creme Dermopurifiante
$96.00 via Toska Spa & Aida Bicaj
I reviewed this in last week’s Fall Beauty Favorites 2019 post so you can find my review there.
But basically, this works really well for me when I’m breaking out. It’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory so it helps calm down zits and nodular acne and speeds up the healing process.
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Cream (Reformulated)*
$60.00 via Sephora & Cult Beauty
I also reviewed this in last week’s Fall Beauty Favorites 2019 post so once again, you can find my review there!
This has become one of my favorite winter moisturizers. It really plumps up the skin and helps keep it healthy and hydrated all day/ night long. The new formulation has cholesterol and ceramides, both help bolster up the skin’s moisture barrier. It also doesn’t feel too heavy or greasy.
Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++
I’m ashamed to admit it took me a really long time to try Purito because I find their branding so ugly. But everyone on Instagram was recommending this sunscreen plus it’s easily accessible via Amazon, so I had to try it. And I’m glad I did! It is really lightweight, blends in easily with 0 white cast, isn’t fragranced but also doesn’t smell like sunscreen, and provides 50+ PA++++ protection (which I believe is the highest level of protection you can get from Korean sunscreens.)
Its active ingredients (aka sunscreen ingredients) are Uvinul A Plus and Uvinul T 150, two modern day “chemical” sunscreens which feel lighter & are more stable (aka less prone to breaking down when faced with sun) than the sunscreen ingredients available in the US. I also like that it’s silicone free so it’s less prone to pilling under makeup and over oil.
Compared to my other favorite sunscreen (the Verdio UV moisture essence), this is a little thicker and not as hydrating. The Verdio sunscreen is runnier but also packs in a lot of hydration. I prefer the Verdio a little bit over this, but I like that the Purito is a lot more accessible (the Verdio has to be ordered from Japanese retailers and takes 2+ weeks to arrive.)
Makeup Eraser**
$20.00 via Sephora, Ulta, & Macy’s
Before I was sent the Makeup Eraser in a PR mailer, I thought it was just another washcloth. But after I used it, I was basically instantly a convert. After soaking it in lukewarm water and gently moving it across my face, it removed the vast majority of my makeup. It basically replaces the makeup removal step of my skincare routine. It’s far more effective at removing makeup and much gentler than a regular wet face cloth. Even when my skin is extra dry or irritated, this doesn’t exacerbate the situation.
I don’t use these daily because I have to wash it afterwards (and I’m lazy.) I save these for nights when I’m too sleepy to wash my face (instead of using a makeup wipe) and on nights where I have been wearing full cake-face. $20 is a steep price for one, but you can often find them at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s in the $10-$12 price range. There’s also a 7 day mini set for $25 but I’m not sure how big each of those are.
Makeup
Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel in Dark Brunette
$28.00 via Sephora, Cult Beauty, & Bloomingdale’s
The reign of Glossier Boy Brow is over— long hail Hourglass Fiber Gel! This brow gel darkens my brows, thickens them, and holds them in place. I also like that the brush is short and has two lengths of bristles— the long bristles can be used to brush the brows in the direction I want them to sit. And then I use the shorter bristles to back brush my brows and get extra volume. It also wears well without the day without melting or flaking.
Another major reason this is my favorite is because the brush doesn’t get clumpy. I don’t have the wipe off excess product on the side of the tube prior to every application (can’t say the same for Boy Brow or the Charlotte Tilbury brow gel.)
Pat Mcgrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
$68.00 via Sephora & Bergdorfs
I have a whole blog post devoting my love to this foundation so I won’t repeat myself here. The only thing I don’t like about this foundation is its $$$ price.
Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Lovely (from Follain*)
I’ve become a cream blush convert over the past 2 years. My first favorite for 2019 is from Kjaer Weis— pricy but worth it, in my opinion. It’s very creamy so I don’t need to warm it up with my fingers. It blends out seamlessly with my fingers, not really drying down fully. It also lasts reaaally well for a cream blush. Even in the most humid days of summer, I would come home with my blush still visible. The outer packaging is heavy and lux, with a magnetic closure. The best part is that it’s refillable, like all Kjaer Weis products.
Kosas Color & Light Creme in Tropic Equinox (from Free People*)
This shade barely shows up on my skin tone, but that’s why I like it! It’s just enough to add a hint of warmth to my skin and brings me to life. The formula is so incredibly creamy that I don’t even have to warm it up. I just dip my fingers in and apply directly to my face. It dries down to a powdery finish and lasts 6+ hours before it starts fading. The packaging is also nice— it’s a little bit on the larger side but the plus side is that the mirror is big enough to use it when I’m applying it. It also clicks shut so I feel comfortable throwing it in my makeup bag. If you have a deeper skin tone, I recommend checking out their high intensity line.
Tower28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm/ Blush** (2 PR/ 1 Purchased)
$20.00 via Sephora, Credo Beauty, & Revolve
If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably heard me raving about this 50x already. I also just reviewed these in last week’s Fall Beauty Favorites 2019 so you can read my thoughts there!
Chikuhodo Z4 Brush
Yes, $73 is an absurd amount of money to spend on a makeup brush but I have 0 REGRETS. It’s hand made with uncut squirrel hair by artisans in Kumano, Japan and is the most luxuriously soft makeup brush in my collection. I don’t blend out my blush with this brush, the brush blends out my blush for me! Patchiness is never a concern (unless the blush/ bronzer/ powder I’m applying sucks) with this beauty. Because it doesn’t cling to product, I only have to wash it every other month or so. I bought this in November 2018 and so far have not had any issues with hairs falling out or paint chipping or anything like that, despite using it several times a week. 9/10 purchase (taking 1 point off because the price is really up there.)
Chantecaille Celestial Nail Sheers** (1 PR/ 2 Purchased)
$28.00 via Bloomingdale’s, Space NK, & Neiman Marcus
Another ridiculously priced product that ended up being very much worth it for me. I like easy makeup and these sheer, glitter polishes are peak easy makeup. They dry down super quickly and last at least a week before chipping. They look good with 1, 2, 3, 4, or even 5 layers. When I have to go out but my nails are in bad shape, I will quickly apply a thin layer of this polish and my gross nails are instantly transformed. Because it’s sheer and dries quickly, I don’t have to worry about it smudging and go on about my day. Other times, I’ll layer on a few layers to built up the opacity. It doesn’t get chunky or goopy like most other polishes, even with 4 or 5 layers. This also means they’re really easy to retouch. For example, if I’m wearing it for a week and a half and notice some chips, I will slap on another layer of polish and they’re good as new! Because it’s so thin, there’s no ridge between the old, chipped layer and the new layer.
They also have the most beautiful shifts to them and literally sparkle in the sun and under artificial lighting. I am a sucker for glitter polish and generally stick to more affordable brands but have not found a dupe for these anywhere.
Hair & Body
Detox Mode Happening Scrub*
There are plenty of affordable body scrub options but if I’m going for the splurge, this is it. One, the tube packaging is a breeze to use, and I don’t have to worry about getting water in the product in the shower. Two, it’s effective at rubbing away dead skin gently and leaving my skin moisturized, without leaving a layer of grease behind. Three, it smells yummy!
Sachajuan Scalp Conditioner**
$31.00 via Beautylish, Dermstore, & Cult Beauty
I’ve suffered from dandruff ever since my pre-teen years and have seen multiple dermatologists and have even tried a few prescription shampoos. The ones that work in the long term end up stripping my hair and leading to premature split ends. Finally I’ve found a solution that does effectively treat my dandruff AND is gentle on my hair!
This scalp shampoo contains two active ingredients which are the key, unfortunately they’re not found in a lot of OTC products in the US. They are climbazole and piroctone olamine. Both are effective fungal treatments and can be used to treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. There's also rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, ginger extract, and oat oil which are more commonly found in OTC dandruff products.
I use this only on my scalp, after shampooing. I leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing it off. With 1-2x a week usage, my dandruff is kept in check, and I’m not itching to scratch my hair out!
Olaplex No 4 Shampoo
$28.00 via Sephora & Cult Beauty
When I purchased this, I thought it would be a waste of money. But to my surprise, it helped so much! Olaplex no 3, aka the at home leave in treatment, was one of my favorites of 2018. It works really well at reviving my hair and giving me nice curl definition, but it’s also a pain to use because I have to rinse my hair, apply it, and then wait 30 minutes. The Olaplex shampoo contains the same active ingredient but is easier to use cause I use it like any other shampoo.
Lab Muffin has a blog post on the science of Olaplex and its active ingredients. Essentially, Olaplex no 3 contains more of the active ingredient than the no 4 (this shampoo) which contains more of the active ingredient than no 5 (the conditioner.) I don’t dye my hair and use heated tools 1-2x a month— therefore my hair isn’t super damaged. While the no 3 treatment offers more dramatic results after 1 use, consistent use of the shampoo delivers the same results in the long term. My hair is softer, healthier, with a better curl pattern. It’s also really gentle and does not strip my hair or irritate my dandruff.
I also purchased the conditioner which was nice, but not as good as the shampoo. While I will repurchase the shampoo, I’ll skip the conditioner cause I don’t feel I need them both.
Fragrance
Diptyqué Narguile Candle
$68.00 via Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, & Space NK (looks like Diptyque has increased prices for 2020, but it’s still listed as $65.00 at Space NK as of this post)
I burned a lot of candles in 2019 but Diptyque Narguilé rises above them all as a favorite ever since I bought it back in spring. One of Diptyque’s newest permanent scents, Narguilé is inspired by hookah and has notes of honey, tobacco leaves, and spices. The tobacco leaves threw me off cause I don’t like smoky/ green scents, and I kind of assumed this would be like walking into a cloud of second hand smoke. THANKFULLY IT IS ANYTHING BUT. It’s the most perfect blend of sweet and spicy and a little bit fruity. I previously described it as the more sophisticated, elder sister to Baies, and I stand by that description. It burns evenly and has realllly nice throw, without hitting you over the head. The scent lingers around for a few hours too.
