Just like I’ll reflect on my most worn, or wardrobe favourites of the year, I like to do the same with beauty. What was a good addition to my regular rotation? What wowed me? Were there any misses?
Generally, it takes time to develop a firm stance on a product. So I make a point of trying to test each “new” addition for 3-4 weeks before concluding either way. The ones which make their way into my empties stash are either the best of the best, or products which passed the muster (but that I maybe wouldn’t repurchase).
Today though, we’re going to focus on the former. The products that for me, were the best of the best. The creme de la creme of my beauty routine. And actually, I was thrilled to see there was a bit of crossover with my 2020 favourites; which are, also worth having a browse through as there’s some excellent goodies mentioned there (which I still love and use to this day!).
Chatting across skincare, makeup, body care, haircare and fragrance. I tend to take a rotation approach to a lot of categories, so you’ll find in some instances, I’ve not limited my favourites to just one. It’s going to be a long post, so let’s dive right in.
SKINCARE
Sunday Riley Blue Moon Cleansing Balm (also available in AU here) | Kicking off with a 2021 discovery; the blue moon cleansing balm from Sunday Riley. I love a balmy cleanser. More often than not it’s one of the most effective ways for me to remove my eye makeup, due to its emollient properties. This particular balm is incredibly effective at breaking down makeup, which I think is aided by its slightly grainy texture. One I use exclusively at night.
Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser | Another one that I save for the evenings, is this gentle cleanser from Biossance. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting to adore this as much as I do. But it’s really blown me away. It’s just as effective as a balm cleanser. Foaming up ever so slightly, but never feeling stripping or drying on the skin. Not to mention it’s actually a fantastic option for removing makeup. My usual eye makeup doesn’t stand a chance against this. Thrilled to see a gentle cleanser which feels soft and soothing against my sensitive skin, but it also highly effective too.
Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser (also available in AU here) | A good all rounder. One of those cleansers I think I’ll always have on standby because for me, it just does the trick. I mentioned this in my favourites last year, and it’s really endured for me. The jelly-like consistency foams up well on the face, but it isn’t stripping. But I’d say it’s not quite as gentle as the Biossance cleanser, if we were to compare. I love this as a cleanser for both AM or PM. It does a fabulous job of breaking down makeup, but equally feels light enough to use first thing in the morning.
Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment (also available in AU here) | I’ve really delved into Sunday Riley products this year, and my main takeaway is just how effective their products are. The ingredients are extremely potent, but I’ve never had any issues with them irritating my skin. I use this daily in the evening, prior to applying Vitamin C. I find that having it on rotation keeps my skin looking radiant and feeling soft and smooth. The slight aniseed fragrance is incredibly soothing, and as an ingredient, liquorice is naturally brightens age spots and discolouration; two of my skincare concerns now that I’m beginning to enter my mid-thirties… While oils don’t really feature much in my skincare routine, I do also love their Luna Sleeping Oil. It’s one of the few that won’t break me out.
Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (also available in AU here) | Another resurfacing product, and I think clearly a strong hint at the types of exfoliants I favour. This blends glycolic, lactic, citric and salicylic acids for a potent concoction of AHAs and BHAs. This is again, super effective, however I do have a small caveat. I tend to concentrate the application solely on my forehead, nose, cheeks and chin; avoiding the skin around my mouth; the area where my dermatitis/eczema is focused. It is a little intense, so I’d reach for this 2-4 times a week, depending.
Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum | You’ve probably heard me refer to this serum as liquid gold. And that’s because it really is. I’ve used a number of vitamin C serums over the course of the year, and this one just kept popping up as my personal favourite. The serum glistens and gleams as you dropper it onto your fingertips. Small gold-toned reflects which also illuminate the face (making this a preferred evening product for me). Not only do I notice my complexion is brighter with use, but hydrated and moisturised too. It’s loaded with Kakadu Plum, Kiwi and Vinanza Grape – all known for their hydrating properties and high concentration of Vitamin C.
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel (also available in AU here) | The final skincare favourite I wanted to mention is the Papaya Enzyme Peel from Elemis. This was a repurchase that I felt enticed to make after seeing an ad (always the way, right?). And zero regrets. It was a favourite then, and it’s a favourite still. Not only does it smell good enough to eat, it’s highly effective. I use this as a mask one every other week, and it does wonders to my complexion. Papaya is a great natural exfoliant, and I find it brightens my face up, but also softens the skin. One I’ll use when I feel like I want a bit of extra TLC.
MAKEUP
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free (also available in AU here) | My love of a more natural looking complexion has really come to the fore in 2021. I’m really only interested in covering up the slight darkness under my eyes, and the reoccurring redness around my mouth. But I don’t want it to really look like I have anything on my face at all. I want my skin to look like skin. This Tinted Moisturiser from Laura Mercier achieves that, while adding the most beautiful glow to my complexion. My skin looks like it is emanating radiance. It has a dewy, skin-like finish. More of a light coverage, but can be built up slightly.
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream | When I want something slightly more heavy duty, but that still has more of a “skin-like” quality, I’ve been continuing to reach for this CC Cream. The coverage this gives is next level. A little really goes a long way. I would say that perhaps my only complaint is that it can separate ever so slightly towards the end of the day. Usually remedied by blending with warm fingers to mesh it back with the skin. The only thing I wish they had was a more extensive shade range!
Clarins SOS Primer in 06 Bronze | It’s interesting to me, how over time, the way you might choose to use a product changes. That’s exactly what happened for me with this bronzing primer. Previously, I would use this all over the face for a sun kissed glow. These days, I like to use it more to warm up the high points of my face, after I’ve applied my base. It’s super creamy, and blends out beautifully; of course, reflecting that very skin-like finish which I crave from my base products. Which… you’ll start to see a theme for…
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in ‘Biscuit’ (also available in AU here) | Admittedly, I was a little hesitant to include this contour stick. Which I tend to use more as a bronzer. While I think there’s absolutely no need to splurge on this particular product (it comes with a high price tag), there’s no denying that it’s beautiful. If you’re someone who is either new to cream base products, or wants to spend on something really special, then this could be an option. I apply this direct to my cheeks, and find the pigment blends out really evenly and easily. It’s difficult to overdo, making it as I mentioned, ideal for beginners. It’s billed as a contour but I love that slightly ashier/cool-toned brown as a bronzer on my complexion. I find it looks really natural, and appreciate that sparkles were omitted.
Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer in ‘Baked’ | A newer addition to my beauty stash, but one that lives up to the hype. Cream products can be challenging enough to make their way through, especially when you consider that they have a shorter shelf life than powder products. I appreciate that this comes in a small package; it’s perfect for travel, but also feels like it’s reasonably sized enough for me to actually make my way through. Unlike the WA Contour Stick, this is a true warm, caramel-biscuit-toned hue. Again, easy to work onto the cheeks, either with a dense brush or with your fingers. Another alternative is this bronzer from Fenty Beauty, which I have in the shade ‘Butta Biscuit’.
Glossier Cloud Paint in ‘Dusk’ | Wow. If I had to highlight one product I was super excited by in my makeup stash, this is it. These are the most hyper-pigmented cream blushes I’ve ever come across. I’m not joking when I say a little goes a long way. For application, I actually recommend dabbing a small drop on the back of your hand, so you can build up the product as desired. I find it works well blended out either with a blush brush, or your fingers. And it stays put all day. The shade ‘dusk’ is the perfect brown-toned nude pink, which looks incredibly natural on the cheeks. If you’re thinking about buying one of these, I recommend taking a peek at their duos – you save a little bit plus gives you the opportunity to try a second colour.
Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in ‘Amp’d up Apple’ | Another OG favourite, but one I wanted to mention. I love the whole Chubby Stick range from Clinique; they’re incredibly easy to work with, and last an age. This is usually my go to for a petal pink blush. It has a balmy texture, which blends out beautifully using the natural heat from your fingers, or with a brush.
Clarins Twist to Glow Blush in ’03 Mandarin Gleam’ | I’m not 100% sure if this was a limited edition product, but this Clarins blush ranks up there as one of my favourite powder blush options. Conceptually, I think it’s great. I love that you twist the tube, to grind off a small amount of powder which is captured in a mesh at the top of the tube. I’ll dip my brush in, and have the perfect amount of blush for my cheeks. The mandarin colour is idyllic this time of year, when all I want to do is drape my cheeks in a cascade of orange-peach toned hues. What I love most is that it doesn’t look powdery on the face, and it works back nicely with all my other cream products.
Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in ‘True Neutrals’ | My stance on eyeshadow hasn’t changed much in the past year. I have a stash of beautiful palettes, and honestly, they’re all brilliant. But when I think back to the palette I actually used the most in 2021? It’s this little six-pan palette from Fenty. As you’d expect, I have it in the neutral shades, but it’s really the formula that gets me. The mattes aren’t chalky. They’re easy to build up on the lid, and blend out beautifully. And the shimmers are creamy; I’ll often apply these directly onto my eyes using my fingers, and love that I don’t need a brush to blend those out. As you can see, I’ve hit pan already, too. Love the concept of these shadows; you can create mini custom palettes by “snapping” a couple of them together.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour (also available in AU here) | It probably goes without saying that I love a cream product for eyes too (though always with this base underneath). And my favourite – by a mile – are the caviar sticks from Laura Mercier. Incredibly creamy, buildable and blendable both with fingers or a blush. I’ll either do a one wash wonder all over the lids, or build up dimension by layering a few different colours. Or, for something different, you can use them just along the lash line like a liner.
Tarte Surfer Curl Mascara | I’ve said it a few times in the past, but I think now, my hunt for the perfect mascara is over. Tarte really nailed it with this launch; it creates the perfect fluffy lash. Volumised, full, and with length, but never feels extreme. It also has a slight lifting effect. My favourite part though? It doesn’t smudge on my brow bone, a single bit. This is usually my most common bugbear with mascaras, given the pairing of having oily eyelids plus living in a humid climate. A total winner, and one that I’ll be continuing to repurchase from here on out.
Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour in ‘Sazan Nude’ | My perfect lipstick; that your lips but better shade, which breathes life into my lips. It’s balmy, moisturising and nourishing, while adding a nice wash of colour. Which, you can build up as desired. I also have the shade Cabana, which is a bright coral pink. Often I like to mix the two colours together for a brighter spring/summer look.
Tom Ford Lip Color in ‘Wild Ginger’ | An old favourite, and one that I re-added to my lipstick wardrobe this year. You really just can’t beat it, and I find I’ll often get compliments every time I wear it. Very pigmented, creamy, and feels comfortable on the lips. Though being such a vibrant red, you do need to keep an eye on it over the course of the day. The pigment does grip onto the lips well, but usually will wear away on the inner part as you consume food and drinks so top ups are needed. It has a satin-matte finish.
Glossier Ultralip in ‘Coupe’ | Another bright red hue, but with a balmier, glossier finish. This has a sheer quality to it that needs to be built up on the lips for an even application. But I just love how smooth and nourishing it feels. Like a vibrant lip balm. If you can’t tell, there’s a bit of a theme here with products I reach for frequently. This does tend to wear away reasonably quickly when eating and drinking, so again, one to keep on hand for top ups. Just love the high shine finish.
BODY
Nécessaire Body Wash | Basically the only body wash I want to have in my shower from here on out. I love the concept behind Necessaire as a body care brand, and the fact that each product offers an unscented version. Not just that, they’re effective too. This feels cleansing, but not stripping. I also love the soft fragrances too. If I had to pick, Eucalyptus probably sits up there as my personal favourite.
Biossance Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream | I want to caveat this favourite by saying for me, the key benefit I find myself enjoying from this body cream is how nourishing it is. It sinks into the skin immediately, so there’s no tacky or sticky residue remaining. There’s no fragrance, which allows your other perfumed items to really shine (this really appeals to me in body care products right now). And it just feels nourishing. Of course, it’s loaded with my favourite hydrator: squalene. I can’t speak for the toning/firming effect; this has never really been a skin concern of mine, so I’ve been utilising it and considering it as I would any other body lotion. Love that I don’t need to top up with more moisturiser later in the day, too. This used to be a common complaint for me, living in such a warm climate – your skin gets exceptionally dry over the summer!
Necessaire Body Oil | Another favourite from Necessaire is their Body Oil. This is a dry oil, that is hyper-nourishing. For me, an alternate to using a lotion, but with more of an intensely moisturising effect. I like that this settles into the skin beautifully, and a little goes a long way. I’ll build up how much I need so that I can work it in well – for me that’s been the key to ensuring that there isn’t any oily residue left over. Again, another product which doesn’t require me to top up my skin with extra lotion/moisturiser later in the day. Bonus points for being fragrance-free, too. Only thing to note is that the lid/cap does leak ever so slightly, so I highly recommend storing it upright.
Bondi Sands Hydra UV SPF50+ Sunscreen Spray | It would be remiss of me not to mention sunscreen. Especially given I live in Australia. Truth be told, for the past two years, we’ve really relied on the one brand: Bondi Sands. I personally adore their coconut-scented line for obvious reasons (it literally smells like coconut, rather than sunscreen). But just received a new bottle of their HYDRA UV Protect. It’s great to apply as you spray it directly onto your skin so can build up the coverage/sun protection, and I find that it doesn’t feel oily or tacky on the skin once it’s sunk in (takes around 5-10 mins max).
FRAGRANCE
Jo Malone Cologne Intense in Scarlett Poppy and Vetiver & Golden Vanilla | Given my serious love of Jo Malone, I’m sure you’re not surprised to see the brand feature in my favourites. The two that I wore the most this year – or enjoyed wearing the most this year – were Scarlett Poppy (for a fresher, floral hit), and Vetiver & Golden Vanilla (for more of a musky, heady fragrance). Both, from the Cologne Intense range. Personally, I’m much more drawn to the Cologne Intense fragrances because, as the name would suggest, they have a deeper, more intense scent. But also, they’re not in the slightly bit ephemeral, as some their regular fragrances can be.
Tom Ford EDP in Bitter Peach | My other favourite fragrance is from Tom Ford; their EDP in ‘Bitter Peach’. Tom Ford fragrances are a bit of a luxury, but with good reason. Each scent has such a long-lasting quality on the skin, treating you with little waves of fragrance as you naturally move your body around over the course of the day. And the fragrances themselves are alluring. Rich and typically more complex than many other brands. My pick for this summer is Bitter Peach. The name would suggest something sickly sweet and fruity, but that’s far from the case. There’s underlying notes of vanilla which peek through, and warming spices like Cardamom, giving real balance to the sweet fruity notes.
HAIRCARE
Chloe Zara Silk Hair Wash & Conditioner | 2021 has definitely been the year where I’ve experimented with haircare products, stepping (quite far) outside of my usual Aveda comfort zone. One of the brands which has really stood out as one that works for my hair type, is Chloe Zara. I have dry, frizzy hair. Lots of volume. And generally it needs to be tamed. I find that the Silk Hair Wash & Conditioner adds weight to my hair (without feeling heavy) and makes it much more manageable for styling.
Klorane Nourishing & Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner | I wasn’t expecting to be quite so blown away the first time I used this. As I mentioned before, frizziness is something I am constantly trying to combat. My hair hates humidity. The slightly hint of moisture in the air, and it becomes a frizzy mess. The hydrating and nourishing properties of this shampoo and conditioner duo are beyond. Seriously. The star ingredient is cupuacu – ethically and sustainably sourced from Brazil – which is 1.5X more nourishing and hydrating than shea butter. After using this duo (along with the hair mask), my hair is ultra glossy and shiny, feels incredibly smooth, and the postpartum regrowth – which I’m currently dealing with as “flyaways” – isn’t at all visible. Safe to say I think I may have found a new holy grail…
EVO Easy Tiger Smoothing Balm | One of those products I’ve used off and on over the course of the year, and I always notice a difference during the “off” periods. I like to concentrate this around my roots to help with flyaways. It helps me to manage them, and works really symbiotically with my shampoo and conditioner. It also lasts forever.
Klorane Dry Shampoo | If you’re following me on Instagram, then you probably know just how quickly I run through this. There’s quite a few different versions, which offer varying levels of grit and texture. I’m not fussy, as I love them all, but the green and blue canisters are the ones which I find have the longest lasting impact, and don’t require a top up the following day.
Aveda Shampowder Dry Shampoo | I also wanted to pop in this old favourite. This adds a lot of grit and texture to the roots while managing oil, so you get that double whammy with volume while drawing down on the shine. A little goes a long way, but I love that this is a powder as opposed to an aerosol. Very travel friendly, too!
