Best in Beauty 2020
At the end of every year, your social media feeds are filled with posts lamenting on how quickly time passed. How could it possibly be December? Where did the time go?
Well, I think this year will be different.. This year was the longest year of recent memory and if anyone posts anything about their year flying by…I would recommend you reconsider your relationship with them and/or their social media content. And maybe check in with them to make sure they’re okay.
In 2020, time did not get away from or fly like a bird off into the sunset. I can believe it is over and I couldn’t be happier about it. So much of this year was difficult for so many reasons - from major family changes to the global pandemic that brought society to a screeching halt. There were times I felt amazing and times I felt like crap but one thing didn’t change this year and that is my love of all things beauty.
It’s a passion and hobby that brings me joy and affords me luxury of a moment of stillness each morning. I’ve often felt misunderstood in my obsession but this year I have changed and I no longer worry if someone thinks I’m vain or silly or, in anyway, less than because I enjoy makeup products. These things bring me joy and if you haven’t walked away from 2020 with a deeper understanding of your inner need to pursue the things that make you happy, I suggest you go back and try again.
In addition to a change in my mindset, I had a yearning for deeper connections this year. In the realm of beauty, this manifested in a want to work with products that I could dig into apply with fingers instead of brushes as if I had a need to eliminate the middle man and be closer to the art of it all.
When reflected on what I loved most in 2020, I think you’ll find a pleasing mix of lightweight finishes and smokey, smudgy touches. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Primer
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint in Rendezvous ST1 ($46): Ohhh, she pricey but she has replaced my forever favorite Dr. Jart+ Premium BB cream which appears to have fallen off the face of the Earth. This stuff is so pretty and dewy with a light coverage and SPF 40. If you like light, glowy coverage, this is for you. Apply with fingers or a damp BeautyBlender.
Concealer
E.LF. Hydrating Camo Concealer in Fair Rose ($6): My tube is a bit…janky. But we don’t judge here. Beautiful, perfect makeup is unused makeup. I use this concealer daily. It is full coverage but not drying. The color is a perfect match for me which is nearly impossible for me to find in the drug store. It works with my favorite face products and last throughout the day and even under masks. What can I say? It’s good stuff.
Setting Spray
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist ($28): It smells divine and feels so good. The mist is truly ultra fine and feels like being kissed in by a baby angel. It helps take the edge off of the dusty look powder products can sometimes leave behind. Which is brilliant because that is so not my vibe right now. And did I mention, I’ve purchased more than one bottle? That’s a tell tale sign of true love.
Blush
Tower28 Beach Please Lip+Cheek Tint in Magic Hour ($20): I once wrote an entire post about how much I love boring blushes. I love these kind of warm-neutral, just shy of brown colors. And this formula is chefs kiss perfection. You can apply this blush either over or under other base products. You can even apply over powders. It will last all day and gives you that perfect “just home from the beach” look. To apply, swirl your little finger around to warm up the product then gently tap 3-4 dots on each cheek. With a clean finger, tap out to desired flush. Pat with a BeautyBlender to diffuse, if needed.
Bronzer
Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed ($10): For someone who has sung the praises of the $52 Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer, the fact that this $10 bronzer stood out to me in 2020, should speak volumes to you about how good this really is. It is not too warm. It applies smoothly and blends easily. And it gives you just enough color to look like you actually got sun without looking like you piled a bunch of orange-y powder on your face.
Highlighter
L to R: Lightening Dust heavy swatch, Lightening Dust buffed out, Fire Crystal heavy swatch, Fire Crystal buffed out
Fenty Killawat Freestyle Highlighter in Lightening Dust/Fire Crystal ($36): This is by no means a new product. It’s not even new to me but I love it and I can’t get over it. It’s so pretty and so smooth. It’s a true “lit from within” type of highlighter that is perfect for fair skin tones. The Lightening Dust side is my go-to for everyday and Fire Crystal is for when I’m feeling sassy.
Eyeshadow
Clionadh Cosmetics Multichrome in Blood Line ($17): It was hard to narrow it down to just one of these Multichromes but Blood Line is just so beautiful and almost impossible to capture on camera. This formula is best tapped on with a finger and blended gently with a fluffy brush. To put it simply, this shadow made me happy on days where there wasn’t much to be happy about.
Eye Pencil
Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chamelon Pencil in Smokey Emerald ($27): For whatever reason, I was craving green eyeshadow in 2020. I picked this grungy olive green up and it fit the bill perfectly. I love to smudge this along the lash line then smoke out with my finger for a quick and easy, messy on purpose kind of look. Pair with a heavy application of mascara for the ultimate cool girl eye. Cuz I’m such a cool girl
Eyeshadow Palette
Roen Beauty 11:11 Palette ($42): These shadows are soft yet chunky bits of pigment suspended in a soft putty-like base. And that sounds extremely unappealing, I know, but it’s a texture you have to experience to understand. These shadows apply best with your fingers. Throughout the day, they will shift and crease which gives you a lived in look that doesn’t seem like it would be pretty but trust me, it is lovely. If you aren’t into the crease-y look, with a little tap of your finger, you can refresh your look.
Mascara
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara ($28): This was another FabFitFun find and I am ashamed to say that, despite the hefty price tag, I truly love this stuff. Unlike some of the more affordable options, it is perfect right out of the box - no need to wait for it age. It is already perfection. It gives you fluffy, long, and separated lashes that do not smudge. It is truly lovely.
Bite Beauty Yaysayer Plumping Lip Gloss in Cider Donut ($25): 2020 was not the year for new lip products but when Bite Beauty launches a new product, I’m there. So, I had to try this new formula and I’m glad I did - even if I only got to wear it while I was home with my dogs. It is so pretty and zero precent sticky. I can’t vouch for it’s plumping effect - I didn't notice any but I didn’t notice any of the sting often associated with plump glosses either. So, I’m okay with that.
I want to know what beauty products, if any, you were loving in 2020. Tell me all about it in the comments below.
