I’ve always been a hoarder when it comes to skincare products and haircare. I take great delight in opening a new product and cautiously using it for the first time, wondering if this will be the thing that solves all of my skincare concerns / hair woes / other beauty issues.
I get sent some beauty products to try directly from brands or PRs, and I always make sure I’ve given each product a thorough test before I start shouting about it. I feel like some people on Instagram are posting about their ‘new fave’ shampoo or whatever every week, and it just doesn’t seem authentic.
There are only so many products you can try at a time. Especially when it comes to skincare, I prefer to introduce new products to my routine one by one so I can be 100% sure that whatever effects I’m seeing are actually down to that particular product.
My dresser is overflowing and while I frequently have clear-outs and donate unused beauty bits to charity or my mum, I’ll always have at least three products backed up to try out when I’ve finished the product I’m currently trialling.
The products listed here are the things that I discovered for the first time in 2020 which I’ll 100% be restocking.
Best Beauty Products This Year
Without further ado, here’s my pick of 2020’s beauty game changers. Just a disclaimer first – some of the following products may not have been released in 2020, it’s just that they only made it into my bathroom in the past 12 months!
1. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches
Unfortunately my adult acne came back this year. I don’t know why! I’ve tried an endless stream of ‘miracle products’ to treat my hormonal spots and only one thing has unexpectedly stood out from the rest.
COSRX is a Korean beauty brand. I’ve recently started using more of their products in my evening skincare routine because I was so impressed with these patches. I pop one on as soon as I feel a spot lurking under the surface and wear each clear patch for up to 24 hours before I change it. The patches massively reduce redness and inflammation. I’ve found that even stubborn spots clear up much quicker.
Oh, and they stop me touching and picking at any blemishes, which is definitely helpful!
2. Endocare Cell Pro Intensive Eye Contour
I’ve been through countless eye creams this year and until I opened this one, I had found them all to be pretty much the same.
Endocare uses all sorts of scientific insight – including snail-derived stem cells – to generate new skin’s fibroblast cells while stimulating existing fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin. The eye cream contains Hyaluronic Acid and a blend of Glycosaminoglycans to deeply hydrate and plump the skin while Caffeine and Haloxyl increase circulation, to minimise dark circles and puffiness.
I think you have to manage your expectations when it comes to eye products. If you’re genetically predisposed to having dark circles under your eyes, no miracle product is going to reverse that (anyway, that’s what concealer is for). But the Endocare Cell Pro genuinely feels different. It has a rich, almost buttery texture that glides over the eye area leaving it feeling super nourished and plumper.
3. Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation Stick
This little wonder was lurking in my drawer for a while before I picked it up one day on a whim. I thought I’d left contouring behind long ago, but his handy 2in1 product blends so beautifully that I’m pleased I gave it another go.
One end of the stick contains a full-sized foundation and there’s a complementary soft contour shade on the other. The foundation side gives you medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish and the contour sculpts. It’s much easier to use than any other contouring product I’ve tried.
Available here – I think it might be discontinued but I found it on Amazon!
4. Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro-Mist
I mentioned this product in my DIY facial guide, and it’s still a ride or die in my bathroom line-up. Elemis products are a treat for me, and the Pro-Collagen range is my favourite.
This product is a ‘serum-in-mist’ which you can use to top up your hydration levels at any time of the day or night, even over makeup. Personally, I often skip serum if I’m in a rush to get ready but I never skip this! I spritz it over my skin after my toner and follow with moisturiser. My skin is noticeably more hydrated when I use it.
5. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
Do you know how much money I’ve spent on ‘repairing’ hair masks that make my hair feel soft for a day but don’t ultimately do any hard work? I mean, I don’t know the figure but I bet it’s a lot. Like any bottle blondie, I’m on a continuous quest for healthier hair and Olaplex No. 3 has finally given me this precious gift.
It’s a bond repairer rather than a conditioner, and frequent use makes your hair stronger at a molecular level, with less breakage. My naturally wavy hair is instantly more manageable when I use it.
If you’re going to invest in Olaplex for your haircare routine (and it is on the pricey side), start with No. 3. I bought myself a set containing more of the Olaplex range in the sales, so I shall report back on whether they’re worth buying!
6. Dyson Airwrap
I might have to do a full blog post reviewing the Airwrap because I could talk about it for hours. Trust me, if you’ve been eyeing it up but you’re unsure it’s worth the money – I can promise you that it absolutely is!
What’s your hero beauty product of the past 12 months? I’d love to know if there’s something incredible that I’ve missed!
I share my honest thoughts on the products I’m testing over on my Instagram Stories, so follow me there and say hi! I have a ‘skin/beauty’ highlight where I save all of that sort of thing.
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Chloe says
I loooove Olaplex Number 3!
Chloe X https://www.chloepryce.com/