Hi friends,
To all those who celebrated Christmas this week, I sincerely hope you and your families had a great one with lots of good food and good company!
This is my last blog post of 2019, and it’s only fitting to take a look back now at my absolute favorite beauty finds from this year. These are my ‘best of the best’ across three categories: skincare, primer / SPF, and of course makeup. I first thought I’d be able to narrow it down to only five items but then I thought to myself, who am I kidding?? That would have been wayyy too difficult. So ten items it is, and I’m so incredibly happy with this list! Every product that I’m going to mention here has made such a difference in my beauty game this year either in terms of color, texture, longevity, finish, and/or long-term skin benefits.
If you’d like to look back at what I included in my 2018 list, you can check out that post here.
Without further delay, let’s look at my Top Ten Beauty Products of 2019!
DISCLAIMER: this list contains some gifted items, but all opinions are honest and 100% my own.
SKINCARE
THE ORDINARY 100% VIRGIN CHIA SEED OIL
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
This product has taught me to love face oils, and to see them as an essential part of my skincare routine moving forward into 2020. My skin is quite dry all year long no matter the season, and adding just a few drops of this oil to my moisturizer every night has been such a treat for my skin. It absorbs quite quickly due to its lightweight consistency, but it still leaves a lovely nourished and hydrated feeling behind.
To read more in-depth on this product, check out my full review here.
ONE OCEAN BEAUTY REPLENISHING DEEP SEA MOISTURIZER (GIFTED BY BRAND)
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
It’s simple: it’s a damn good moisturizer. Lightweight but still intensely hydrating, it’s packed with peptides and active marine ingredients that work to plump, brighten and reduce both inflammation and wrinkles. No added fragrance or nasties. One warning – it’s quite pricey at $82.00 a tub.
To read more in-depth on this product, check out my full review here.
To read my interview with the founder of One Ocean Beauty, click here.
WELEDA SKIN FOOD LIGHT NOURISHING CREAM
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
This was the year I discovered and fell in love with Weleda Skin Food, both the Original and the Light Nourishing Cream. However, I found myself reaching for the Light version much more so that’s why I ultimately chose it over the Original for this list. I love using this as a shot of moisture before makeup or mixing it in with an illuminating primer, like the L’Oreal Lumi Glotion. It’s beautifully hydrating and a savior in these colder winter months.
To read more in-depth on this product and how it compares to the Original version, check out this post.
PRIMER / SPF
SUPERGOOP UNSEEN SUNSCREEN
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
This is the year that I started taking sunscreen more seriously. I mean, I’ve always taken it seriously when I’m at the beach in direct (or indirect) sunlight. But not so much in my everyday-under-makeup life. Well, the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen changed that for me! I’m still blown away by the texture of this SPF – thin, lightweight, not greasy in the slightest, and easily absorbed. It’s as soft as silk, frankly. Makeup sits beautifully over top with no weird bunching or pilling. A triumph if you ask me!
To read more in-depth on this product, check out this post.
MAKEUP
IRIS & ROMEO BEST SKIN DAYS (GIFTED BY BRAND)
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
It’s exactly the kind of base I go for on an everyday basis. I want no more than a sheer-to-light coverage product that gives my skin loads of hydration and amps the natural sheen. (Where I need more coverage, I prefer to use a concealer.) This is a great multi-tasking product that has the benefits of a serum and moisturizer, but also has SPF and blue light protection. Totally gorgeous on the skin, and super easy to apply even with fingers. Another warning – it’s also quite pricey at $64.00 a tub.
To read more in-depth on this product, check out my full review here.
GLOSSIER STRETCH CONCEALER
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
It’s shiny, glossy, dewy goodness in a little pot! This is definitely not the concealer to use if: a) you want flawless full coverage, or b) you have combo or oily skin as it can be a bit slippy on the skin. But I absolutely love it since it’s very moisturizing on my dry skin. I tend to use this now primarily as a solid tinted moisturizer – meaning I dot it all over my face and use a soft brush to blend it out. The finish is stunning, in my opinion. The coverage level is definitely more on par with what a tinted moisturizer would give you as well (i.e. sheer-to-light).
To read more in-depth on this product, check out my full review here.
THE ORGANIC SKIN CO. HIDE AND SEEK CONCEALER (GIFTED BY BRAND)
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
This clearly was the year of pot concealers for me! I was super impressed with this little gem from The Organic Skin Co. Interestingly, I like it for the opposite reasons that I like the Glossier Stretch. The Hide and Seek Concealer has amazing coverage (I’d say buildable medium-to-full), and a certain stiffness that allows it to cling very pleasingly to the skin. But don’t misunderstand – it’s not drying in the slightest. I’ve never noticed any dryness or cakiness under my eyes when using this product. It kinda blows my mind, to be honest!
To read more in-depth on this product and a few others from the brand, check out my full review here.
KOSAS 10 SECOND EYESHADOW
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
Oh my gosh, these are so cool! A truly innovative liquid formula – you have to shake these tubes really well before applying – plus absolutely amazing color payoff are the reasons why the Kosas 10 Second Eyeshadows made it to my Top Ten Beauty Products of 2019 list. While you do have to work quite quickly with the application, the finished result is stunning and the intensity lasts all day long. There are satin, shimmer and glitter finishes available in the line – perfect for party season or for whenever you want a dramatic eye look.
To read more in-depth on this product, check out my full review here.
RMS BEAUTY LIP2CHEEK
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
This is my favorite blush find of the year hands down. I ranked this number one in my whole blush collection in fact. A moisturizing cream texture that takes almost no effort to blend with a beautiful dewy finish – ah, perfection if you ask me! And it doesn’t skimp on the color either. If you love your cream blushes, or are looking to get into them, I doubt you’d be disappointed with the lip2cheek formula.
To read more in-depth on this product, check out this post.
LISA ELDRIDGE TRUE VELVET LIPSTICK COLOUR
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST
How could it not be, I ask? I love everything about pro-MUA Lisa Eldridge. She’s the epitome of class & sophistication and her makeup knowledge is just astounding. Her True Velvet Lipstick Colour range is everything you’d expect it to be – beautifully designed and packaged, well conceptualized, and quality-assured. I was able to snag the now-sold-out Velvet Muse shade from the newest launch in November, but there are plenty of other red, pink and nude shades still available on her site.
To read more in-depth on this product, check out my full review here.
What made it on your Top Ten Beauty Products list this year? I’d love to know! Big thanks to all my readers and commenters for a wonderful 2019 on here. I’m very grateful to all of you for stopping by my little corner of the internet! See you in 2020 ❤️.
xo, Erica
PIN IT!
Ok I’m getting so curious in that Chia seed oil, I’ve heard you mention it a few times now. My skin is starting to get extra dry now so could really use that.
I also need to try those kosas eye shadows one of these days, they’re such a unique product! x
I know, I’ve kinda been a broken record about it ha! It’s lovely, gentle and so hydrating. The Kosas eyeshadows are a big fave – you just have to get used to applying and blending kinda quick. I use a round dense (synthetic) brush to blend them out and it works a treat.
That just means it’s good!
I’d need to work on blending faster, they sound good for when you don’t have a lot of time to get ready!
The first few times I used them my blending was horrible cause they set so fast! But now that I’ve gotten used to working with the formula, the process goes much quicker and the result is so much better!
Great choices! Thank you for all your honest reviews so we don’t waste our money! Happy New Year!
Thank you for reading Diane! Have a lovely New Year as well!
I remember you talking about most of these throughout the year 😊 sooo many products I wanna try!
Happy New Year, Erica! 🥳
I’m a broken record about a lot of them, but they’re all so good I can’t help it! Have a really Happy New Year as well, and thank you for all the support this year! ❤️🥂
The more you talk about something, the better it is. 😉 Thank you, too!!! <3 <3
The chia seed oil sounds so interesting! This is a great list. I’m pinning it so I can refer back to it when I go to Ulta. 😊
It’s a winner in my book! Aw, thanks so much! Hope you had an amazing New Year ❤️.
I’ve been looking for more facial oils so I’ll have to try that chia seed oil one from The Ordinary. My skin may not be dry but I can sure get some use out of it from time to time.
Will have to look into that sunscreen as well. I currently have two but I want to see what other ones will be good with makeup over them.
I had a feeling I would see the Lisa Eldridge lippie here 😉
Great list of faves!!
Happy New Year, Erica!!
Thanks girl! Happy New Year to you too! The Supergoop sunscreen is wonderful – I truly recommend it! I think it could work on so many different skin types since the texture absorbs so quickly. Ah, you know me so well! 😉😄
Awesome, I took a screenshot of the sunscreen and will look into it.