I’ve enjoyed a lot of the beauty products I’ve tried this year…but what makes a product reach favourite status for me?
My criteria for this post was to include products that I’m constantly reaching for and/or products that have helped me with a skin dilemma or boosted my makeup routine in some way. And as this is my first ever favourites post, I’ve also included products that I’ve purchased and used prior to 2019 that I still enjoy.
On that note, here are a ton of beauty products that have reached platinum status in my beauty collection in 2019.
*disclaimer – this post includes affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission from purchases made through these links*
2019 Skin Care Favourites
The Ordinary AHA 30%+BHA 2% Peeling Solution: My skin has made huge improvements this year and it’s in part due to the inclusion of this facial peel into my skin care routine.
Discussed in detail here, this peel provides me with instant results in terms of softer, smoother skin and smaller pores and has seriously improved the texture I had on my cheeks and forehead in a matter of weeks.
If you can withstand strong acids, you simply must try it! (If you live in Canada, you will have to buy this from an online vendor, as Sephora.ca and theordinary.com cannot sell this product here due to the high acid content. I got mine from SkinStore.com).
BUY IT: ULTA | SEPHORA
The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic (vitamin C) Powder: Can you tell I love The Ordinary? This 100% L-Ascorbic Powder is how my skin gets its daily dose of vitamin C. The super fine powder can be mixed into any skin care product, making it easy to customize your dose and reduce the potential for irritation.
I noticed my skin looked way more plump, even, smooth and full after adding this powder into my routine and I’ve already purchased a back-up jar.
You can read more about all the benefits of this glorious powder and how I use it in my skin care routine here.
BUY IT: THE ORDINARY
Cosrx Two-In-One Poreless Toner: I love Cosrx toners and this poreless version has made me so happy ever since it joined my skin care collection.
Featured in my winter skin care updates post, this unscented toner gently exfoliates and deep cleans pores using betaine salicylate (salicylic acid) and hydrates my skin at the same time. Great for anyone with acne, enlarged pores and/or excess oil, this toner seriously smooths out my complexion.
BUY IT: AMAZON | ULTA | DERMSTORE
e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Essence Water: Another product that found its way into my winter skin care routine, this lovely essence instantly soothes and hydrates my skin and is loaded with glycerin, niacinamide, coffee extract, algae and sodium hyaluronate to plump, nourish and moisturize.
I use it morning and night after cleansing and exfoliating and the silky texture makes it perfect for applying with my hands instead of a cotton pad.
BUY IT: TARGET | ULTA
Kosmea Organic Rosehip Oil, Sunday Riley U.F.O and Avon Mango Seed Advanced Radiant Moisturizing Oil*: I incorporated facial oil as the final step of my skin care routine a few months ago and alternate between these 3 oils each night.
The Kosmea Organic Rosehip Oil (gifted and reviewed here) is all natural and soaks into the skin instantly to heal and regenerate skin.
Sunday Riley’s U.F.O. (reviewed here) includes salicylic acid, which is great for keeping pores clean and fighting acne and blemishes.
And finally, Avon’s Mango Seed Advanced Radiant facial oil (gifted and reviewed here) is a heavier oil that nourishes and moisturizes my skin all night long.
Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist: I grabbed this Japanese lotion from Amazon this year and immediately loved it.
It has a lovely gel texture that is unfragranced, applies and absorbs well and leaves my skin hydrated and super plumped.
I use this daily mixed with a spoon full of The Ordinary’s L-Ascorbic Acid Powder (from above) and the result is unbeatable! I already have the Premium version of this lotion, which is supposed to be even better!
BUY IT: AMAZON
Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF50 PA++++: This was a gifted sunscreen from Wishtrend and it was probably the best skin care gift I could have received.
Klairs Soft Airy is currently my most favourite sunscreen – it’s odourless, non-greasy, fast absorbing, non-eye burning, broad-spectrum, easy to blend and works amazingly under makeup.
What more do I need to say? Ok fine – it’s vegan and cruelty free too! Reviewed in detail here.
BUY IT: WISHTREND
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer: I received a sample of this cream from Sephora as my birthday gift and the tiny tub made a huge impression on me.
Reviewed here, this moisturizer has the most yummy whipped texture and provides serious hydration with zero grease.
It’s also cruelty free, vegan and includes skin-strengthening ingredients like copper peptides that provide long-term benefits to skin. Planning on getting the full size when I get through some of my moisturizer inventory.
BUY IT: SEPHORA
The Body Shop Drops of Youth Peel: I’ve loved this product over the last couple years and will definitely repurchase once I’ve finished this bottle.
Reviewed in detail here, this gentle exfoliant (which is actually a scrub, not a peel) is amazing for removing dead, flaky bits of skin that regular cleansing and exfoliating miss.
I always reach for this exfoliant when I’m prepping my skin for special occasion makeup because it just gives me the smoothest canvas without any irritation.
BUY IT: ULTA
Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads: Another long-time fave, these eye makeup remover pads blast through eye shadow and mascara in a breeze.
I prefer oils to remove my eye makeup, and these pre-soaked pads are super gentle yet effective on the eyes and perfect for travelling with too.
BUY IT: AMAZON
2019 Makeup Favourites
Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage 24 Hour Foundation: This foundation and I got off to a rocky start, but after playing around with my underlying skin care, we finally came together.
Reviewed here, this foundation provides great coverage and lasts all day without budging or caking up on me.
It’s quite lightweight on the skin despite the coverage and a small drop of it is enough to give my entire face a flawless complexion. Great for normal to oily skin types.
BUY IT: SEPHORA
L’Oreal Pro-Glow Foundation: A great medium-coverage, lightweight foundation that provides a nice sheen, L’Oreal’s Pro-Glow has been with me for quite a while and we’re still going strong (reviewed here).
Great for a 5-minute makeup look, I love applying Pro-Glow with my fingers and letting it melt into my skin for a cake-free look. Great for normal to dry skin types.
BUY IT: ULTA | TARGET
L’Oreal Color Riche Shine Lipsticks: I have two of these amazingly smooth lipsticks, but I want them all!
These lippies go on smooth and feel like lip balm more than a lipstick. So comfy to wear and gorgeous to look at, you can’t call yourself a makeup lover until you’ve tried them!
You can read more about them and my other favourite drugstore lip products here.
BUY IT: ULTA | TARGET
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick “Rose & Shine”: I’ve always enjoyed the Super Lustrous lipsticks from Revlon, but the Rose & Shine shade is a fave because it mimics the natural colour of my lips and can be paired with any makeup look for a soft, neutral lip with a soft, satin finish.
The lipstick formula is also super comfy on the lips and has good longevity too.
BUY IT: AMAZON | TARGET
Essence Volume Stylist Mascara: I’ve always heard amazing things about Essence mascaras, so not surprisingly, this Volume Stylist formula gave my lashes incredible length and definition with a touch of volume – just what I look for.
This mascara works so well for me that I didn’t even feel the need to wear falsies to my brother’s wedding. It didn’t flake or irritate my eyes either, even after 12+ hours of wear!
I’m totally loving most of the makeup I’ve tried from Essence Cosmetics and I’m definitely looking to try more mascaras from the brand. And stay tuned for an Essence-focused blog post this year!
BUY IT: ULTA
NYX Pore Filler Primer: I rediscovered this primer this year and have been using it quite steadily ever since. The formula is lightweight and not overly thick, but somehow when pushed into my pores, it fills and smooths everything so well!
It tends to kind of shoot out of the tube when dispensed – my only complaint – but otherwise it’s a drugstore primer gem!
BUY IT: ULTA | TARGET
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade: I’ve tried several different brow products this year, but the ABH pomade remains my favourite from the crowd. Applies easily and will probably last me for years!
BUY IT: URBAN OUTFITTERS
Revolution Beauty Cream Blush Palette: I know I’ve mentioned this palette several times on the blog, but it’s because I truly use it and love it! The blushes are matte, last all day and do not get gunky or greasy in any way.
They’re well pigmented and easy to apply with your fingers or a stipple brush (I personally love using the e.l.f. Cosmetics small stipple brush to apply them!). You can read my full review and see it swatched here.
BUY IT: ULTA
RCMA No-Color Powder: I’ve used this budget-friendly setting powder for the past several years and still haven’t tired of it.
I always set my foundation with this powder; it’s super fine and leaves my skin looking air-brushed when applied on top of my foundation.
I’m almost finished my second bottle of it and I’m not sure I even want to try another powder when it’s done.
BUY IT: AMAZON
Essence Cosmetics Metal Shock Shadows: I’ve been loving Essence Cosmetics lately and these Metal Shock cream shadows are were the first products I tried from the brand. These budge-proof cream shadows are perfect for doing a 5-minute face that needs a bit of shimmer.
I loved the purple and teal shades so much I added the light pink shade to my collection as well!
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Looking for more of my favourites? You can read:
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11 Things To Buy On Amazon (my 2019 favourites!)
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A Few Beauty Favourites
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Skin Care Favourites: Cream Cleansers Edition
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What were your 2019 makeup and skin care favourites?
