Alright I'm a little late with this one, seeing as we're already in 2019, but when I asked ya'll on Instagram Stories if you'd be interested in a post on my TOP 2018 beauty picks you guys unanimously said YES.
2018 was a big year for beauty for me. I tried a ton of new products, kept loving a lot of old favorites, and really played. Out of the hundreds (I kid you not - hundreds) of products I used in 2018, there were a handful I came back to time after time.
Keep on scrollin' for my list of the BEST beauty products of 2018!
BEST LIP BALM
Bkr Paris Water Balm - Chapped lips are my constant state of being, so I kept this handy balm on me at all times. I also paired it with this cap for my water bottle. Yup. You heard me. My lip balm was literally attached to my water bottle for easy access.
BEST TONER
Fresh Rose Toner - I have normal to dry skin and most toners dry me right out. Not this bad boy, though. The Rose Toner is crazy hydrating and, best of all, softens and smells delicious.
BEST LUXE MOISTURIZER
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer - Can you tell I like rose? This moisturizer is what I would call a medium weight. You'll get a good hydration without a heavy feel.
BEST LIP SCRUB
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish - Fresh makes a great range of lip products, but my favorite of theirs is actually their lip scrub. If my lips get dry and flaky I have a tendency to pick at them, so I love using this scrub to keep 'em nice and smooth.
BEST FACE MASK
Laniege Sleeping Mask - I love a good mask, especially a hydrating one. The Laniege sleeping mask has a gel like texture that sits light on the skin while you sleep overnight. Rinse off in the AM and viola, fresh skin.
BEST VALUE MOISTURIZER
Olay Microsculpting Cream - This is easily my favorite affordable skincare product eva eva. Seriously, it's hydrating, soothing, and smells amazing. And all for a drugstore price.
BEST EXFOLIATOR
Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads - If you're not exfoliating, you're not doing skincare right. Peel pads are my fave because they're super convenient. I use the Extra Strength ones to really keep my skin fresh.
BEST EYE CREAM
Dr. Dennis Gross Eye Serum - Not an eye cream, a serum. I love the Dr. D philosophy on this one. The skin around your eye is thin and gentle. A serum makes more sense than a heavier cream. I do feel like this serum keeps my under eye hydrated, although I'm not sure it's fully cured the little fine lines appearing in the area.
MOST USED CLEANSER
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser - This cleanser is the bomb. I absolutely love the milky consistency because it's gentle, but powerful. You can take off your makeup with this cleanser or use it for a lightweight wash.
BEST MAKEUP REMOVER
Elemis Collagen Cleansing Balm - I'm actually working on an entirely separate post about why cleansing balms are the best way to remove your makeup, but couldn't NOT sneak my fave one of them all into this "Best of 2018" list. The Elemis Cleansing Balm is soft, gentle, but powerful. You'll get alll the gunk off your face, but with none of that nasty stripped feeling.
BEST SERUM
Elemis Peptide Cream Oil - Technically this product isn't really a serum, it's a cream oil, but it sort of falls into the same category. I love the vitamin packed ingredients in this product and it makes a great pre-moisturizer kick. I've definitely found it's helped soften my texture and keep me hydrated.
BEST ALL AROUND CLEANSER
Elemis Superfood Cleanser - You can't make me choose just one cleanser. You just can't. And I could not have a "best of" list without my Elemis Superfood Cleanser. This cleanser is like a bowl of salad for your face. It has so many amazing vitamins and ingredients and it smells like fresh greenery. I feel instantly relaxed after washing my face with this product - it's so soothing! It also does a bang up job of keeping my skin clean, with no icky tight feeling afterwards.
BEST CC CREAM
Chanel CC Cream - I had a heart attack about half way through 2018 when I saw this CC cream was no longer on the market, but thank the beauty gods it was just being reformulated. It's back and better than ever! This CC cream is lightweight and not sticky. I hate when I touch my face midday and feel that icky sticky makeup feel. This cream is definitely on the pricier side, but I choose to put my $s behind my skin product because if my skin looks it's best, I need less of everything else.
BEST BROW GEL
Glossier Boy Brow - Brow gel is life. There's something about a fluffy brow that just screams chic and youthful. Boy Brow looks natural, but gives your brows that extra oomph.
BEST POWDER
Glossier Wowder - Because I have dry skin, I'm not big into powder, but do need some to set my face makeup. I love Wowder because it's super lightweight and looks invisible (even though it's slightly tinted). It gives sort of a soft focus effect to the skin.
BEST CONCEALER
Glossier Stretch Concealer - I'm also not big into concealer. If I have zits, I typically like to let them breathe. Yes, it sucks walking around with a blemish. But I find my zits clear up faster sans concealer. When I do reach for concealer, it's primarily for my under eye area so I need it to be lightweight and not cake on. Glossier Stretch Concealer is my all time fave. Do note, though, that it is quite sticky. You'll definitely need a powder with this bad boy.
BEST SETTING SPRAY
MAC Fix+ - I love my skin to look like skin. A spritz of Fix+ instantly makes any makeup look like it's part of you - natural. If you want a setting spray that's geared more around making your makeup last, this probably isn't the spray for you. But if you want to soften your look or freshen up midday, this spray is perfection.
BEST BRONZER
Too Faced Sweetie Pie Bronzer - I LOVE this bronzer. LOVE it. Because the bronze color is mixed with a blush color, this product gives you the perfect natural looking flush. I went through two of these in 2018. It was basically the only bronzer I used.
BEST LIPSTICK
Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect Lipstick - I'm not sure there's a "perfect nude" out there because nude looks different for everyone, but I love this neutral nude shade and think it would work well for most light to medium skin tones. I kept this color in my handbag all year long.
BEST EYESHADOW PRIMER
Smashbox Eyeshadow Primer - A girlfriend turned me onto this primer well over a year ago and it's now the only eyeshadow primer I use. My eyeshadow stays put when I use this product.I have to make it through a commute, a full work day, and a commute home. That's a lot of hours!
BEST EYESHADOW PALETTE
Tartelette in Bloom Eyeshadow Palette - I tested a ton of palettes in 2018, but the In Bloom stood far above the rest. I love all the neutral shades in this palette and also love how absolutely amazing the formula is.
BEST BLUSH
Benefit Gold Rush Blush - I usually opt for a pink shade of blush, but loved this peachy/golden Benefit blush all year long. I even skipped a highlighter most days (note there isn't a "best" highlighter on this list) because this blush gives a subtle natural glow on the cheeks.
BEST MASCARA
Diorshow Mascara - I tested a ton of mascaras this past year, but kept coming back to this old favorite. Diorshow both lengthens and volumizes, without clumps. I hate clumps.
BEST EYELINER
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner - The UD 24/7 liner was a new purchase for me in 2018 and I loved it! Not only was the pencil easy to apply, but it stuck. My eyes can get pretty watery, but this pencil held strong.
BEST BROW PENCIL
Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil - On days I wanted a more defined brow, I reached for the Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil. The product is soft and I love that it comes with a spoolie on the other end of it so that I can brush the product through for a soft focus brow if I accidentally went too sharp.
BEST BODY MOISTURIZER
Kopari Coconut Melt - I want to start by saying NO this section is NOT sponsored by Kopari lolz. I wish. I just have serious body care addiction when it comes to Kopari. I love that their focus is clean beauty! With the Coconut Melt specifically, it's the only product I use as an all over body moisturizer. I really dislike thick body creams and hate that sticky feeling. I love the lightweight nature of coconut oil and Kopari is my numero uno pick when it comes to coconut oil for beauty.
BEST BRONZING PRODUCT
Kopari Coconut Body Glow - If I want a little extra glow (especially after a spray tan or on vacation), I break out my Body Glow. This product is a lightweight cream/oil that smells like delicious coconuts and leaves a natural bronze golden glow on the skin.
BEST DEODORANT
Kopari Coconut Deodorant - I tried so many natural deodorants before finding Kopari. I'm telling you - my armpits were RED and ITCHY from all the other brands (I won't rat them out, but please note I tried all the major natural brands out there). Kopari Coconut Deo is the only natural deodorant that doesn't irritate my armpittles and also keeps me smelling fresh. I truly cannot recommend this product more.
BEST TOOTHPASTE
Kopari Toothpaste - Okay this one I cheated on because it launched in the first few days of 2019 so isn't really a 2018 fave...but I'm really excited to try it!!! I'll keep ya'll posted.
BEST PRODUCT FOR BLONDES
Kevin Murphy Shimmer Me Blonde - I LOVE this spray. Effing LOVE it. If you're a blonde you have to have this spray. I spritz a little on damp hair after I shower and oh my goddddd my hair looks so shiny once dry. It's unreal. Blonde angel goddess spray.
BEST HEAT PROTECTING/DETANGLING SPRAY
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil - My obsession for Shimmer Me Blonde runs deep, but I also have a heat protectant and detangler on hand for those days I need a little more TLC. I love this Bumble and Bumble spray. It smells delicious and keeps my hair healthy.
BEST HAIRSPRAY
Living Proof Flex Shaping Hairspray - I love a soft hairspray. I still want my hair to feel like hair (no crunchiness here), but need it to hold a curl. This spray is my fave! If you like that stiffer crunch or if your hair doesn't hold curls well, you'll probably want to opt for a stronger formula than this.
BEST SHAMPOO
Pantene Pro-V Blends Charcoal Shampoo - I actually partnered with Pantene last summer to talk about this charcoal line...and have been repurchasing ever since! I'm obsessed! The shampoo really clarifies my scalp.
BEST CONDITIONER
Pantene Pro-V Blends Charcoal Conditioner - I love using the matching conditioner in this charcoal line. My hair always feels light and airy after use.
Have 2018 faves? Share in the comments below!