An old school beauty favourites post feels like a real throwback at this point, but 2023 was a significant year for exploring new products. I spent a solid 18 months or so trying to use up my non-cruelty free makeup, then a while trying to find CF replacements. 2023 feels like the first time in a while I haven’t been rushing to finish something or quickly find an alternative and I’ve actually had time to play with my products and find solid favourites. So, my 2023 beauty favourites are all things I’ve genuinely loved that I’ve tried for the first time in the last 12 months.
New products to me only – you won’t find Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk liner in this list despite the fact I’ve had one in my bag for most of the last decade. This list may include products that have been around for a while, but I’ve tried them for the first time in the last 12 months.
BYBEAUTYBAY NEUTRAL RANGE
£25 42 Shades, £9.50 9 Shades
This is the palette I’ve wanted my whole life, and that’s not an exaggeration. I always say I like cool neutrals, then get incredibly frustrated when I see a mass of greys and blacks. I like cool toned browns, soft pinks and beiges and cool taupes. And if it is grey, I want it with a hint of mauve.
For a very long time, I don’t think that existed in one palette. But I got the 9 pan matte palette last Christmas and have since purchased the 42 palette and can comfortably say I use one of them every single time I use my makeup, even if it’s just carving out my crease or using some darker shades to line, she’s a staple now.
COCO COSMETICS BY CHLOE MARSHMALLOW SPONGE
£9, Beauty Bay
I’m a brush girl. I hate the Real Techniques sponge; I can barely tolerate a Beauty Blender. I only use a sponge if I’m using a base product that genuinely does not blend well at all with a brush, and even then, it’s used begrudgingly. This sponge may have changed all of that.
So, I saw this sponge getting a lot of hype and when it was time to chuck my last Beauty Blender, I thought I’d see what the fuss was about, not to mention it’s half the price of a Beauty Blender and my sponges don’t get much love. But when I tried it, I was blown away. It’s the softest sponge I’ve ever used, it blends seamlessly, and I don’t think it eats as much product as some others I’ve tried previously. I’ve even done the unthinkable and used it with products that blend perfectly well with my beloved brush(es).
If you haven’t tried this one yet, purchase immediately.
ELF LASH N ROLL MASCARA
£6, Black, Beauty Bay
Anyone who has been around for a while may remember the bald patch in my eyelashes, the hair growth diet and the fact that ever since then all mascaras rip my lashes out to the point it’s now a special occasion makeup item.
I only use cheap mascara these days because a tube barely gets used before it dries out to the point it needs to be binned. I bought this little Roller Lash dupe not because I love Roller Lash, but because I’ve found Roller Lash to be gentler on my lashes.
This Elf number is only £6 a tube, and I lose fewer lashes when I use it, so I can get away with using it once or twice a week now rather than once a month or so.
It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a major improvement for my poor lashes. They’ve been through it.
HUDA BEAUTY GLOWISH SKIN TINT
£34, 40ml, Shade 00, Boots
If you have dry skin and like a satin finish, look no further. My skin is naturally too dry for this to be dewy. But it gives a perfect satin finish that doesn’t look too dry and comfortably stays in place for the day/ night. And Huda has been extremely vocal in her support for Palestine, risking business along with it, so from a purely moral perspective, it’s a brand I’m extremely happy to shop/ use and support.
LUMENE HYDRA RANGE
Water Gel, £21.90, 50ml
It might be cheating to list an entire range, but the Clinique Moisture Surge range used to be one of my favourites and I used several products from it, and the Lumene Hydra range has pretty much like for like swaps for the Moisture Surge range; it’s cruelty free, mostly vegan, and it’s cheaper than Clinique’s offerings too.
