We’re about halfway through 2019 (I can’t say if that’s good or bad, you decide), but I’ve discovered some skincare and makeup products in those six months I want to share with you. Here’re the best beauty products of 2019 that I tested for a looooong time – and found them excellent!
The best beauty products of 2019
You might have noticed that we don’t do regular favourites posts any more. I found it increasingly difficult for a number of reasons, one of them being the amount of time I could spend on testing a product. I usually tested for about a month, but even that I found too little in the end. Especially with skincare, I’d like to observe longer term benefits (if there are any), but even with makeup products, with a lot of use comes a familiarity with the product that’s hard to beat.
Skincare
Paula’s Choice Resist Brightening Essence
I’ve started to look into brightening ingredients lately. I’ve always used Vitamin C and niacinamide, as well as retinoids and acids, but recently I’ve seen that hyperpigmentation from old spots takes ages to fade (with ages I mean close to one year). Consequently, I looked into arbutin and azalaic acid. PC’s Brightening Essence targets uneven skintone with arbutin and vitamin C (plus a bevy of hydrators, antioxidants, niacinamide and peptides in typical Paula fashion).
The watery serum hydrates well after application, and I’m hoping to see some long-term benefits. New marks seem to fade more quickly, while old ones are still rather unimpressed by it. Fighting hyperpigmentation is a long-term game, so we’ll see. The dropper bottle though is one of the worst and impractical packaging examples I’ve seen for a long time. ($42 for 30ml at Paula’s Choice.)
Muti Anti-Age Serum
I tested a few new products for my G-Beauty post a while back, and this was the only one that really stood out. But I was prepared not to like it: this is a rather basic hyaluronic acid serum for the incredibly steep price of 76€. Hyaluronic acid is a great hydrator, and I usually use a toner (Hada Labo) that includes it to give my skin a boost right after cleansing. A lot of skincare bloggers tend to go on and on and on about the line diminishing, plumping effects of hyaluronic acid products that I’ve never encountered – until now.
After using Muti’s Anti-Age Serum though, I saw it. My skin looked SMOOTH with capital letters. They use fragmented hyaluronic acid (meaning hyaluronic acid with different molecule sizes which allow them to penetrate different skin layers) which is nothing new – a lot of brands do that. I’ve no idea – magic?! Now the only thing I’m debating about is springing for a whole bottle (I had a sample before), because ouch. (76€ for 30ml at Muti).
Makeup
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense
Still the best liquid foundation for my now middle-aged skin. A few postscripts to my glowy (hah!) review: use very, very little. More and it tends to act weird and cakey. But even a very thin layer will hide small imperfections and fine lines. I love it, although I still switch to a mineral foundation during the hottest days of summer. (I’m also really astonished how long it lasts – my usual L’Oreal cushion bites the dust after 4-6 weeks of continuous usage, while this one is still going strong. Magic again?!)
Maybelline Chrome Highlight in Knockout
There’s absolutely no makeup product that I’ve loved (and used) as much as Maybelline’s highlighter in Knockout this year. (You’ll notice a pronounced lack of Pat McGrath on this page.)
I’ll call it a rose-gold (although it isn’t), but the combination of cool pink and the warm gold shimmer is truly what makes it so unique (like I mentioned in my best-of-highlighters post where it got a mention). It has a creamy, dense texture, and I love that you can either apply it full-force, or use a fan brush for a whisper-thin, unobtrusive effect. I also love it on my lids where the duochrome effect can come out in full-force.
Lifestyle/ Trends
A nude/blotted red lip
Basically, nowadays I either sport a red or nude lip. Happy days when I actually found a trend that marries my two favourite looks! Instead of doing a crisp, defined either matte or satin red lip, I’m now firmly on the blotted/nude red bandwagon.
You still wear a colour you love (red for life!!!) but the effect is rather toned-down – like a nude. I apply one swipe of my fave red (it changes daily), press my lips together and use my fingertip to blend. A blurry, rather undefined outline is great for this look, and I like the chic, casual and cool effect.
Being an eco conscious beauty junkie
I’m buying less and less beauty products, and think long and hard if I do. And I love it! I don’t feel overwhelmed by my stash, know that I don’t have to buy from new releases just because it’s exciting, and I use my stash much more. I haven’t had that much fun with the beauty products I own for a long, long time. (See above: would I’ve played around with lipsticks I’ve owned before? Rather not. That way, I found a cool new way to wear them. I love that.)
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
1 Comment