Before we get into today’s post, I hope everyone who celebrated yesterday had a wonderful Christmas! This post was hard, and not for the reasons you might expect. Usually when it comes to beauty favourites, I have a struggle narrowing it down. This year, I’m struggling to come up with enough products to make this post happen at all. as always, my 2019 beauty favourites consists of products that are new to me this year. Not necessarily new launches, but no long-time favourites either.
Those of you who remember what happened with my eyelashes towards the end of last year will understand this next point. I didn’t really wear any eye makeup at all for the first half of 2019, and when I did start to wear it again, I wanted to stick with products I was familiar with rather than risking trying something new. When I wasn’t wearing eye makeup, I was wearing minimal face makeup – a heavy base looks weird when you’re not even wearing mascara. And I’ve been disappointed by a lot of the face products I’ve tried this year anyway.
I don’t want to do this post and make it the best of a bad bunch; I want to do it properly and include products I would genuinely repurchase time and time again. So, I apologise now if this post ends up only being three items long…
2019 Beauty Favourites
MUFE Water Blend Foundation
Take the fact that this is heavily fragranced away and my annoyance that the lightest shade is one darker than it is for the MUFE HD foundation and I’m struggling to fault this. It has my ideal level of coverage (very light) and makes my naturally dry skin look fresh and healthy. Despite being water based and light coverage, it doesn’t wear off too quickly. Easily one of my favourites this year.
Drunk Elephant Cleansing Balm
I haven’t used this as much as I’d like since I bought it, but that’s because I’ve been trying to use a few others up first. Earlier this month I finished the last of my Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and this is the one that I opted to go for next. The Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm is still my ride or die #1, but I do like this one a lot and it probably falls at #2 on the list now. And it contains over twice the amount of product for half the price so I think I can handle second place.
Review here.
Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere
I almost forgot that this one was a 2019 product because I bought it in January, but I’ve used this a lot this year, especially in the cooler months. Shade range aside (because that’s my issue with absolutely everything), I’m a huge fan of this. Coverage can be sheered out for lighter everyday wear and builds to a nice medium to full before looking heavy. Would definitely repurchase, hopefully with a few extra shades added to the line…
Review here.
Sarah Chapman Skin Tone Perfecting Booster
This actually happened by complete accident. Last Christmas, I picked up a pack of four mini Sarah Chapman products. I already knew that I loved the Hydrating Booster and Recovery Booster so the set was a relatively safe bet and I thought the minis would be great to keep in my travel bag. And I’ve taken all four of them with me whenever I’ve been anywhere this year, but I was most surprised by the Skin Tone Perfecting Booster. I thought, of the two products I hadn’t tried, this would be the one I was least bothered about. Wrong. This doesn’t perform miracles, but it does make my skin look brighter and more even. And considering I’ve been using these as a travel set, the brightening really comes in handy.
Derma Roller
Another one I nearly forgot to include because it’s a tool rather than a beauty product. I have to admit, I’ve been a bit lazy with this recently, but going into January I’d like to start dedicating some more time to using this again because my skin really does feel amazing and products sit nicer when I do use it.
Review here.
Do you have any stand out beauty favourites this year?
Until next time,
Sophie
Oh, I have seen the effects of using a derma roller. So it really works? Awesome, I need to buy myself one. Happy Holidays!
I definitely saw a difference with mine. The needle size you opt for will determine the potential benefits you get from them but I’d definitely recommend trying one if you’re interested!
The last tool is kinda first time learning about it and as I’m not a beauty expert, I think my sister would love to know about it. Thank you for sharing it.
I really want to try some Drunk Elephant skincare products as they sounds so good!! I’ve never used a Derma Roller but I do use a face roller to massage in my moisturiser in the evenings and I love it!
Ayse x
Hope you had a Merry Christmas, Sophie! I’ve heard great things about Make Up Forever – haven’t checked their shade range out myself, but usually I always have to see in person because I’m always like RIGHT in between shades. WAIT – foundation has fragrance? Is that a thing? Do majority of foundations have fragrance and I’ve just lucked out – this is new information.
That’s great to hear that it doesn’t wear off too quickly! Does it oxidize? Long wear + no oxidizing = a blessing.
Drunk Elephant!! I’ve heard about them all over Instagram and on Twitter! I’ve heard such great things about them *hold on mini break as I read your review* 110g!! That’s actually amazing amount of product, especially as the winter season is like season of extra dry skin, having a great cleanser is a necessity!
That is a LOT of ingredients it better be the blessing it’s promised to be with all of those ingredients haha – I always go for ones with minimal ingredients!
That’s one thing I always think of with balms!! Always using your hands but that does make sense that the scoop would take too much up!
I’ve heard such great things about Laura Mercier! HAHA we are in the same boat, shade range is always my issue with everything it’s like a makeup company says we are inclusive!! But then my shade doesn’t exist and it’s like I don’t think makeup companies know what inclusive means but keep using it like they do.
DERMA ROLLERS – hold on wait a second are those spikes on that derma roller *vanishes from same spot I’m sitting in*
So, this post may be shorter then you would have liked . . . but I LOVE that you did not try to squeeze in things you do not really like just to give it more content. That you have stayed honest, even to the extent of shortness, touches my heart!
I have heard amazing things about Drunk Elephant. 🙂
All of these products looks great. Thank you for review I need to check them. Happy Holidays.
New Post – http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2019/12/viktor-rolf-bonbon-eau-de-parfum_26.html
There are some great skincare products here. I’m going to make 2020 the year I finally start to care about my skin! It has been rather neglected over the last decade or so!!! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! xxx
I have heard about Laura Mercier, and really want to try the brand! Also those derma rollers seem amazing!! ✨ xx
I’d love to try drunk elephant products, particularly the babyfacial one! I’m also intrigued by derma rollers but I’m far too scared to use one!
-Kyra
Cool picks! I’m not a big make up wearer but that foundation sounds awesome. I like the idea of something really light weight!
I’m glad you mentioned Laura Mercier in this review as I’ve been debating buying their foundation as I’m looking for a new one to try! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
The derma roller looks pretty intimidating!! I think it’s great that you’ve only recommended products that you think are actually worth endorsing, and I’ve heard good things about Drunk Elephant elsewhere as well so I might have to check that one out this year!
I’ve actually never heard of any of these products before which is a shame but the derma roller sounds amazing and like a great investment! X
Interest mixed of products. I have heard so much Drunk Elephant products but I haven’t tried any products. As for DermaRoller, I am curious to know more about it now. Great post.
Love your beauty faves! I haven’t tried MUFE HD before but I love when there’s the right balance with coverage! Oooh, you can’t go wrong with cleansing balms. OK!!! I still need to try out the derma roller but need to see how a pro does it first on me. Glad it has been treating you well! Happy new year!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I loved reading this post! That Makeup Forever foundation sounds amazing and would likely be something I would like too since I have dry skin too! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Happy Holidays!
melissakacar.blogspot.com
A favourite of mine this year has been a gold speckled priming oil from. Makeup revolution! Absolutely gold for the skin!
Love Sian x
http://Www.sianliftsweights.com
I’ve been a bit lazy with my skincare over the last few weeks but I’m just getting back into it. I’d love to try a derma roller! x
Wow that is different. I want to a beauty favorites post or video. I don’t use traditional foundation anymore I use CC creams now. I find almost all foundations to too drying and you see it sitting on my skin. I use a cake liner by Laura Mercier that I LOVE. I use it tight line and it is great. Keep up posted on derma roller. I am curious on the results I am not sure if I buy in to this beauty process.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
I really want to try some products from Drunk Elephant this year, I’ve only ever heard good things about them xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Hope you had a very merry Christmas Soph!! I just recently tried two Drunk Elephant skincare products, and I’m dangerously obsessed. I’ve been wanting to try their stuff out since I heard Allana Davidson mention a moisturiser or sunscreen by them in a video a few months back. I’ll need to check this cleansing balm out in 2020! x
I need to try that MUFE foundation x
Laura Mercier is a fabulous brand! I have her eyeshadows and lipsticks and love them all.
Best of this year for me were YSL Glossy Stain Pop Water for lips, CLEAN Rollerball Layering Collection (V), Lancome Long Time No Shine Loose Setting Powder, Night Serum by Pure Natural Cosmetics (V) and Lumene NORDIC-C Valo Glow Boost Essence.
Happy New Year! -Jenni xx
These look great, will need to give some of them a try :)) x