Nobody is actually interested in an artfully crafted first paragraph about the trials and tribulations of 2021 and my inner journey of settling on the following best-of list, right?! Right. Let’s do this: my Best of Beauty in 2021.
Best of Skincare
It was totally in line of 2021 to give me a new favourite moisturizer/lotion-thingie and then immediately discontinuing it, wasn’t it? What’s left to say but please, Paula’s Choice, could you re-introduce the CBD Skin Transformative Milk because it’s great, lightweight, hydrating, and works under anything to give an awesome base?!
The OTHER skincare item I found that was better than anything else I tested was also from Paula’s Choice: The Shine Stopper transforms ANY sticky base into a matte, non-sticky one. Because I also tested innumerable bottles of (often awful and sticky) sunscreen, this changed my life. It sounds unbelievable, and still, works.
Worst of Skincare
So many sunscreens. So. Many. Generally, though, I found “lifestyle” sunscreen brands aren’t worth it, mainly because they usually use a mediocre formula and filters but with jacked-up prices. (Looking at you, Ultra Violette.) Stay tuned for the best of of all 25 sunscreens we tested in 2021!
Best of Makeup
One of the most commented posts here is my desperate cry for help (and replacement options) after MAC discontinued their Mineralize Loose Powder Foundation, and most of these comments are along the lines of “please tell me if you find a replacement”! So, here it is: my new powder foundation favouriteS. Yes, you read that correctly: I found two.
First one is Kiko’s Dolce Diva Powder Foundation (I guess they’ll rerelease that one next summer, because technically, it’s limited edition). The second one is Fenty’s Powder Foundation that both Astrid and I reviewed (Astrid told me recently that it didn’t work well in Indonesia’s hot and humid weather, so there’s that). I love both with a passion. Maybe Kiko is one step up on the ladder of my affection, though: it doesn’t pull as yellow on me as Fenty, and it comes with a bonus SPF50.
Worst of Makeup
Indie eyeshadows. Yup, I said it. I was extremely disappointed in Clionadh (although that might have something to do with the fact that they come incredibly hyped, and my expectations were huge). Both Glam Shop and Lethal Cosmetics disappointed me with their absolutely dismal Customer Service, and Oden’s Eye with their quality (hard pan after a couple of uses?! Not good). I truly love the creativity of indie makeup, but also love the reliability of more mainstream brands.
Honorable mention: The best beauty book I’ve ever read
All Made Up by Rae Nudson impressed me deeply, and changed the way I looked upon the world of beauty. It traces the socioeconomic impact of makeup, and if you now wonder what the hell I’m talking about, it’s this: The lynchpin of the book, around which every chapter revolves, is the contradiction of makeup. It’s a tool of self-expression and at the same time, a tool that society uses to press people into molds.
It’s about the impact makeup has on people, and made-up people have on society, and a totally different history of makeup. Go and read it!
Best Projects
In personal news, I feel I finally figured out my skin. It’s been a journey. If you’re struggling with the skin you’re living in: you’ll get there. It may take a while, but you will, my friend!
A maybe easier project was tackling my samples, which was fun and maybe more doable. I had chucked samples in my “sample drawer” for a long, long time, to “use when travelling” or at a non-specified special occasion (which never comes, trust me). Tackling that was daunting at first, but then really, really fun.
Great influencers (who didn’t really influence me)
I mainly want inspiration and entertainment from “my” influencers and on YouTube as well.
James Walsh (skincare), Theresa is Dead (new makeup releases), Angelica Nyqvist (colourful makeup), and Hannah Louise Poston (mindful shopping) did exactly that.
On Instagram Sillypans, Sciencebecomesher and Thedeweyglow are accounts I enjoyed a lot. Thanks, guys!
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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