It’s a brand new year ladies and I’m super excited to see what fun new makeup and innovative skincare products emerge in 2024! But as much as I thoroughly enjoy trying out brand-new products, there are always some trusty stand-bys that I just won’t (can’t!) give up on. I find we gals usually get the best beauty recommendations from a trusted friend, family member, or influencer, as opposed to a magazine or TV ad. And newer, doesn’t always mean better, am I right?! So today, it’s my Top Beauty Products From 2023.
So today as we kick off the first week of January of 2024, here is my hope for this year on SAACA. I aim to be your over 45-year-old (weeks away from 46!) makeup artist/mom, budget-conscious, and trusted friend whose goal is to recommend and share with you what beauty products, plus tips and tricks I have truly benefited from.
There is a lot to cover in this beauty category, so I am going to break this extensive list up into a TWO PART SERIES. These are all things I have used over the past year that I will continue to stock in my makeup artistry kit to use on my clients, as well as things I use in my own personal bathroom!
Let’s kick off PART ONE with beauty tools, skincare, and face products. Stay tuned for next week, when I dive into brows, eyes, and lips.
If you’ve got some leftover holiday money and want a fresh start with a few new makeup and skincare products, hopefully, this list will help guide you in your decision-making on what to give a try.
TL;DR
Jennifer shares her top beauty products from 2023
Jennifer’s product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
Top Beauty Products From 2023 I Will Continue To Use in 2024
MOST USED BEAUTY TOOLS
SMOOTHER FEET
Flawless Touch Pedi Electronic Tool File, $13. I realize this has nothing to do with the face, but this is honestly one of my favorite beauty tools from this past year! Do you suffer from cracked feet and heels this winter?? Then you MUST get yourself one of these. You will immediately have super smooth heels in mere minutes. It’s been a life (foot) saver for me and I tell everyone I know to get one!! Don’t forget to add this #1 foot cream in America, $12, afterward to really heal your feet.
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MAKEUP BRUSHES
BK Beauty Makeup Brush Sets, between $75 – $180. I own a TON of makeup brushes that I have collected through my 20+ years as a makeup artist, and nothing compares to the BK Beauty brushes. They offer sets to single brushes, whatever you need for eyes to face brushes. Once you make the investment in these brushes, if you clean and care for them often, they’ll be around for many years to come!
MAKEUP MIRROR
Simple Human 8″ Sensor Light Up Mirror, (on sale QVC) $180. I can’t live without this mirror nor would my makeup look as good if I didn’t use this daily! It’s been with me for over 5 years now and I consider it a truly wise investment for anyone whose eyesight is failing (ah hem, me!) OR you just need to be able to clearly see those stray eyebrow hairs in order to pluck them!
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SMART SKINCARE MUSTS
EXFOLIANT
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Exfoliant, $36. Want a product that truly resurfaces your skin for the smoothest texture ever? This fairly new and innovative liquid exfoliant by Paula’s Choice has quickly become my favorite! I saw an improvement in my skin tone and surface within a little over a week of using it – no kidding. If you’re over 30, you should definitely be including exfoliation in your skincare routine and this product should be at the top of your must try list.
EYE PATCHES
Pixi Beauty fortifEYE Toning Eye Patches w/ collagen, $24. I apply hydrating eye masks every morning to my under eyes while I’m drinking coffee and getting all 3 kids off to school! It’s my treat to myself and these Pixi ones fit snug under the eyes, unlike the cheaper ones from Amazon I used to buy. These give ultimate hydration and are soothing to puffy under eyes. Store them in your fridge for the best pick me up to your face in the a.m.
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CLEANSING BALM
E.l.f. Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, $11. My dry skin loves this stuff and it removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and the many layers of makeup I wear daily! Your skin will feel silky smooth after wiping this off and the price is just right for makeup removal. I’d rather spend more money on anti-aging serums and creams.
TONER
Glow Recipe Watermelon glow PHA + BHA Pore Tight Toner, $34. It smells like the freshest faintest watermelon and makes my skin feel dreamy, bouncy, and more hydrated right after I wash my face. I use this morning and night with a cotton round. Can’t get enough of it! Constantly repurchasing because I can’t stand clogged pores.
PRESTIGE MOISTURIZER
It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating moisturizer, $59. It’s been around for years and will continue to get my money and used on my face! Best for normal to super dry skin (oily skin gals might want to skip this one). This ultra-hydrating face moisturizer has potent active ingredients like niacinamide and squalane – to help reverse visible signs of aging in mere weeks.
DRUGSTORE MOISTURIZER
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel to Cream moisturizer, $18. This unique gel-cream formula that contains skin-pumping Hyaluronic Acid, quickly absorbs into skin like a gel but has the lasting moisturizing power of a cream and feels amazingly lightweight. Great for even sensitive skin and is fragrance free.
PRO-AGING VITAMIN C OIL
Sunday Riley CEO Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Oil, $80. Achieve a radiant skin finish with this glow-giving vitamin C-enriched oil. Because of my mega dry skin, I love an oil, and I will even use it to cut some of my fave foundations with this product to sheer out heavier foundations. And a topical Vitamin C is essential for boosting collagen production in our aging faces and helps with reducing hyperpigmentation.
MICELLAR WATER
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Waters, $10. I carry at least 4 types of this micellar water in my makeup kit! Why? Because micellar water benefits skin by being a gentle but thorough cleansing product with no rinsing necessary. Which is great for me on location with a client and I need to remove old makeup quickly and effectively. There’s a formula for everyone too – from mattifying, to hydrating, to brightening, etc. Just squirt onto a cotton round and go!
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BODY CREAM
Nivea Cocoa Butter With Deep Nourishing Serum, $7. Old school and effective! I keep tubs of this stuff on hand because it’s affordable and feels amazing. With cocoa butter and vitamin E, this creamy formula leaves my arms and legs feeling so hydrated, especially during these dry harsh winter months!
SELF TANNER
St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse, $44. Nothing makes me feel better and look less sickly pale during the winter months than this tanning mousse! It’s the most foolproof one I’ve used, doesn’t have a super strong smell, and never turns orange. It’s pricey, but is easy to apply (always use a tanning mitt for application), never looks streaky, and dries quickly = worth it.
MARVELOUS FACE MAKEUP
FOUNDATION
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow, $47. I can’t get enough of this product and use this formula on many of my mature clients (and myself) as it just gives the most beautiful finish that looks like fresh glowy skin every time. And the high SPF addition of 40 is key also if you’re bad about remembering to wear sunscreen. I continually reach for this because it makes achieving realistically flawless skin…easy! I wear light-medium shade currently and this is what I’m wearing in todays post.
LIGHTWEIGHT FOUNDATION
L’oreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, $16. For those times that I want a truly no- makeup look, but definitely can’t go bare faced, I go for this skincare makeup. It comes in a medicine dropper glass bottle and soaks into the skin to reveal a sheer veil of color. I hope this never gets discontinued!! I wear shade 3-4 currently and go a tad darker than I should because of its very sheer finish.
CONCEALER
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer, $30. Finding a fantastic concealer has been difficult. But now that I’ve found this Hy-Glam hydrating concealer, I’ve been a very happy camper. The pointed doe foot applicator makes applying exactly where I want it very easy and the shade range is incredible. I like to layer the color correcting Peach 2 shade first with the Neutral 2 shade on top if I have time!
CREAM BRONZER
Merit Bronze Balm Stick, $30. I can’t recommend this bronzer enough. Just like its description, it’s lightweight, flexible, and buildable formula allows it to effortlessly blend into your skin to add natural-looking warmth and soft definition only where you need it. The oval shape makes it easy to apply with precise strokes while the neutral undertones ensure zero orange hue! I use the shade “seine.”
POWDER BRONZER
L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer, $13. I’d recommend this drugstore powder bronzer over any of the expensive ones I’ve tried so far. It’s buttery and smooth and gives a great boost of warmth with a stroke of a brush!
BLUSH
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double Take Creme + Powder Blush Duo, $36. Are you sick of hearing how much I talk about this product in almost every other blog post? Ha! But the fact it includes two options in one palette that I like to I waiver between – a cream and powder – it’s just so handy. And the color choices are fantastic. It’s always sold out over on Sephora (I hope this doesn’t mean it’s being discontinued!) so I have linked it to Patrick’s official site where there is more inventory. Try a shade before it’s gone!
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POWDERS
(Pressed) Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, $48. If you like the portability and less mess of a pressed powder, this is the one to grab. It’s a micro-fine powder that gives a gorgeous complexion without cakey-ness. It contains Rose Wax and Almond Oil to hydrate and smooth skin.
(Loose) Laura Mercier Loose Setting Ultra- Blur, $48. Laura Mercier is the holy grail when it comes to setting loose powders – nothing comes close. I use the translucent like it’s going out of style! But, if you just can’t spend $48 on a powder, try the Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus version,$7, it’s a very good option.
HIGHLIGHTER
Dior Backstage Glow face palette, $48. This quad of 4 shades gives you so many options to mix and match each of the 4 to create various looks, why would you buy anything else?? Dior gives a truly luminous touch of light to the skin that works on anyone. Highly recommend this iconic palette.
That’s it for part one! Please come back next week for part two of my best of 2023 list. Did you see any on this list that you want to try out? Anything you personally used last year that will remain in your makeup bag?
The rest of my outfit details from today’s post: Free People Emily oversized cardigan HERE and HERE,$268 | Versona Stud Earrings, $8 | Pixi “Sheer Rose” Lip Lift Max Gloss, $14.
*Info on Vitamin C benefits were found here*
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In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared winter outfits and a great winter salad. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Happy New Year – Fridays with Oscar
About The Author
Thankyou for your post today. It was very informative for me, since I am make-up challenged, and I liked the prices too.
Happy New Year.
HNY to you too Rory! Glad you enjoyed my year in review post and don’t forget part two is coming on Saturday with more makeup focus and less skincare 🙂
Excellent I will be buying some of that stuff looks good
Wonderful Sally! Glad to hear I gave you some ideas of new products to try. Remember to check back in this Saturday for part two! Happy New Year!
Please tell me why this makeup mirror you recommend is better than ones that are less than half the price…I am considering, but give me a reason…
Ha Ha! I get it Sarah – the Simple Human one isn’t cheap but there’s something about the ring light surrounding it and whatever they’ve made that mirror out of makes it so clear and easy to see everything. I own quite a few other cheap mirrors that do okay and do the trick – but none as good as the Simple Human IMO.