Hello, and a happy 2019 to all! I wanted to start off this year with a quick recap of a few of my all-time favorites from 2018, so that anyone looking to begin 2019 by investing in their beauty routine can keep these babies in mind. I've included skincare, makeup, and a little haircare, too, and I've really come to love and rely on every single product and brand on this list. 2018 left me a little uninspired when it came to blogging, as I ended the year more focused on writing content elsewhere and saving photos for Instagram, but I want to make sure I'm still keeping you guys updated on here, so I hope you find this roundup helpful! Along with personal New Year's resolutions, I always have a few beauty resolutions, so if you're like me, you might find something below that really helps.
Best Skincare Brand
If I had to pick my favorite brand launch of 2018, Summer Fridays wins by a long shot. To be honest, at first I didn’t expect much from their chic, Instagrammable aluminum tubes, but both the Jet Lag Mask and the Overtime Mask became skincare saviors for me throughout the year. I use Jet Lag daily to really hydrate, soothe, and plump my skin, and Overtime to exfoliate and brighten up my complexion when I want to look my best. For me, both are essential.
Perfecting Primer
As someone who gets free makeup on an almost daily basis (I love my job!), I rarely purchase much of it myself anymore. In prior years, I always received a ton of makeup for Christmas, but this year, I asked for only one item, and the Farsáli Skintune Blur did not disappoint. This primer really blurs my imperfections and smoothes out the look of my pores, and I’ve come to rely on it quite a bit in the few weeks I’ve gotten to play with it — enough to want to include it here, with other favorites I got to test out for months. If your skin isn’t sensitive to fragrance, and you’re looking for a new blurring base, pick this little bottle up ASAP.
Haircare Help
2018 was the year I realized my hair needed some help, and 2019 will be the year I really master a haircare routine. I love my balayage, but the bleach takes a toll on my hair health, and I want to be smart about it! Since trying this out for the first time in early June, the Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Mask by Coco & Eve has become a staple in my shower routine. It’s got a soft, yogurt-like texture and leaves my hair so silky, smooth, and tangle-free. I use it two times a week in place of my conditioner, and always see a difference.
Go-To Sticks
2018 was the year I really delved into cream products, and when I’m having a “good skin week,” I can make the most of them for a natural-looking makeup routine. The Fenty Match Stix are key players in this process, and I use shimmery blush shades like "Trippin" for an easy, sun-kissed glow. When I opt for full-glam instead of a natural look, I use the deeper, more matte shades like "Mocha" to create a contour that I can easily blend out. These are definitely makeup bag staples for me!
Chemical Exfoliation
I got to play with so many skincare products in 2018, and it really helped me figure out what ingredients work best with my skin. It turns out, physical exfoliation isn’t enough for me, and I’ve turned to products that contain AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, for chemical exfoliation. Products like the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Transformation Gel, or the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum are undoubtedly intense, but when used appropriately, they really improved my skin’s texture and tone, and I’m grateful for the ways in which they’ve helped my complexion over time.
Best Makeup Brand
In years past, I appreciated Charlotte Tilbury’s luxe packaging without really delving into the products themselves. This year, I tried out an abundance of their must-haves, and I’m now a die-hard fan. The now sold-out Pillow Talk Palette was my number one eyeshadow look from the moment it launched, and when it came to base products, I went through multiples of their Magic Away Liquid Concealer, Light Wonder, and Hollywood Flawless Filter. Their stuff is pricy, but if you’re looking to really invest in some special products this year, I recommend giving them a go.
Under Eye Love
2018 was the year I stopped being afraid of oil, and I tried out a ton for this explainer piece on skincare oils I wrote for Elite Daily. My favorite find during my trial and error? The Salt By Hendrix Eye Babe Eye Treatment Oil, which is an absolute must if you’re someone like me who stays up late and wakes up early. No under eye cream has kept this sensitive area feeling and looking so replenished, and the results have been eye-opening, pun absolutely intended.
Let me know if you had any 2018 beauty faves I need to pick up and test out for 2019!
