Looking at the news stories every night, even to me my occupation with makeup and skincare seems superfluous. It’s not IMPORTANT, isn’t it?
Beauty industry trends 2020
And still, the whole beauty industry felt the upheavals the world suffered this year and brought them into a focus of broken shards, like a kaleidoscope, and the pandemic tinted everything. There was the good: French perfume houses producing hand sanitizer when the world ran out in spring, and Chanel seamstresses sewing face coverings.
And then there was the bad: Stories, so many stories shared by watchdog account Estée Laundry of companies making people work in unsafe conditions, forbidding work from home or keeping beauty counters open. People were laid off unceremoniously via zoom, factories shut down and suppliers went broke.
The year in beauty 2020: Everything changed
I started to write stories about soap, hand creams, how to prevent maskne and transfer-proof makeup, while lipstick sales plummeted and at home treatments and hair dyes soared. My aesthetician closed, while I wrote about how to turn your bathroom into a spa and hadn’t been to the hairdresser in six months (not a hardship, really). (I had to laugh when I read back a post from January 2020 when I described how I wanted to colour my hair platinum or peach, which would need multiple sessions at the salon. And obviously, didn’t happen.)
Everything shifted. In January, I wrote about using only cream makeup products, which must’ve been the least read post on this site this year. On some days, brushing my hair felt like a chore I couldn’t face, and on others, I baked bread, did an hour of yoga, wrote, and my bathroom was sparkling clean.
Take joy wherever you find it?!
What I’m saying is: on some days, playing with and writing about a new product brought me immense joy, and on others, it felt like the most shallow, stupid thing ever. But these days, I think, nobody takes joy for granted, but welcomes it wherever it can be found.
And so, here’re the beauty products of 2020 that brought me a lot of joy. You can also say that I found them outstanding, or the best. Maybe they’ll bring you some joy as well?
The best beauty products of 2020
cosrx full fit propolis synergy toner
The toner saga began when cosrx rudely discontinued my HG Galactomyces toner in Spring. I trialled A LOT of potential replacements, and finally, found the propolis toner that my skin seems to love. It’s very hydrating, has a nice texture (non-sticky, but still not as runny as water), and the huge amount of propolis makes my skin glow (original review).
Eucerin Anti-Pigment Spot Corrector
The little pen is for spot treatment only, and targets hyperpigmentation with a combination of newly discovered and researched ingredients. The pen has its faults (it’s scratchy, and the amount of alcohol denat. in it makes my eyes water), but wow, this does work. I’ve had spots of hyperpigmentation on the tops of my cheekbones that the pen has managed to nearly completely fade (original review).
Natasha Denona’s Chromium Eyeshadows
There’s nothing I don’t love about ND’s Chromium eyeshadows. The formula is aces, and they managed to release the cream multichrome eyeshadows when a bit of twinkling above our cloth face coverings was sorely needed. Also, they’re fool proof. I love ‘special’ eyeshadows that bring something new to the table, and these really did (original review).
On top of that, a heads up for ND’s Glam Palette that was in every way the opposite of the Chromium shadows. A neutral nude-ish eyeshadow palette that’s incredibly easy to use and combine. I promise you, you can do a look with it half-asleep and in the dark. It’s the easiest palette I’ve ever owned and has quickly become a staple (original review).
Top beauty tips of 2020
A triumvirate from the back of my drawers that made it to the front of my makeup routine: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage foundation that’s an exact dupe of Fenty’s Pro Filt’r foundation (review), Innisfree no sebum mineral loose powder and Urban Decay’s Setting Spray. I’ve to admit that before spring, all of these have been languishing in my stash. I just didn’t need them, or, better put, I didn’t feel the need to use their combined powers to set my foundation in place. And then came spring, and summer, and suddenly I needed a non-sticky base that didn’t transfer onto a face mask, and all products were in heavy rotation. They’re the best.
And finally, how could I not mention Astrid giving a TED talk at the beginning of the year, which was definitely a highlight of 2020, talking about beauty and sustainability?!??!
Please note that this post 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.
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