Welcome back to my year end review of some of my top beauty products from 2023 to use in 2024. In the previous post, I shared my most used beauty tools, skincare, and brushes, so if you missed part one click here.
As a working makeup artist for over 15+ years and a beauty content creator for almost 13 years of that, I’ve been around the block with the makeup industry! Throughout this past year, I have been constantly testing, trying, and evaluating which makeup products and new launches are truly worth my time and money!
And as you know – I don’t believe you have to spend a TON of money on ALL the makeup and skincare. I like a nice blend of drugstore and prestige products on my face – just like in my everyday fashion. Pairing an expensive pair of sneakers with Old Navy jeans, a YSL red lipstick, and a Maybelline mascara, can be a pretty fab combination!
Today’s post will focus mainly on the color products I have enjoyed using on my, and my clients’, faces. Things like eyeshadow palettes and liners to create winning eye looks, all the way to lip products galore! I base my choices on their overall value, how effective they are, and any other special qualities that make them stand out.
Grab a coffee (or make one of Beth’s Fridays with Oscar cocktails!) and let me introduce you to the 2nd round of makeup products that have made a lasting mark on my beauty routine in 2023 and now into 2024…
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 to Use in 2024
EYEBROWS: FRAMEWORK OF THE FACE
EYEBROW PENCIL
Morphe Micro Brow Pencil & Spoolie, $8. It’s so cheap, but so so good! It reminds me of the $25 Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, but almost a quarter of the price. This is the pencil I stock in all of their shades to use in my makeup kit – they offer a bunch. I wear two colors together (bc that creates a more realistic brow) – the “Cold Brew” and “Latte.”
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OVERALL BROW PRODUCT
Milani Stay Put Waterproof Brow Color, $9. This eyebrow kit really does make filling in eyebrows easier and cheaper! AND it comes with its own dual ended brush to help define your brow shape along with a spoolie to groom and shape. This cream-gel based formula helps those that are beginners just attempting to fill in their brows a little bit, all the way to experts who want something more sculpted and full.
BROW GEL
Patrick Ta Major Brow Lamination, $27. I didn’t want to spend this much on a brow gel, but boy am I glad I did! I have ornery old man coarse brow hairs that don’t want to lay down or stay put. I’ve tried so many brow waxes and gels that don’t do squat. But this one is a clear gel that gives a laminated brow look and actual superior hold. Plus, the tiny brow comb is the perfect tool…dare I say better than a spoolie??
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THE EYES HAVE IT!
EYELID PRIMER
Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, $26. I would never ever skip this first step before applying eye shadow! And this is the cream of the crop in terms of a sheer finish with stay put power for keeping that hard work of shadow and eyeliner in place – and stays all day.
CREAM EYESHADOW
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow, $32. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? That’s why I have to recommend the old school Laura Mercier shadow sticks bc they offer so many shades. They even offer an all matte finish line if that’s what you prefer to any shimmer. These have amazing staying power, glide on + blends easily with your fingertip or a brush, and the roll up stick makes it less messy than say a cream pot of shadow in my opinion. One of the best brushes to use for blending cream shadow is this Airbrush Placement brush by It Cosmetics, $14.50.
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POWDER EYESHADOW
Ulta Beauty shadow singles, $7 (inexpensive), MAC Cosmetics shadow singles, $23 (prestige). Here are the two price range picks I would give if you’re one of those women that just gets overwhelmed with a shadow palette and only needs/wants one or two shades to deal with! While the Ulta ones are truly great for the price point, my all time fave would be the MAC ones – Unbeatable. Most popular shades I constantly have to repurchase from MAC would be : Cork, Amber Lights, Woodwinked, Satin Taupe, Embark and Naked Lunch.
EYESHADOW PALETTES
(matte palette) Makeup By Mario Master Mattes palette, $50. I am obsessed with this all matte palette. Celeb makeup artist Mario Dedidanovic, created this universally flattering palette which was inspired by human skin tones from light to dark. They go on with a velvety feel and the pigments are outstanding. For a drugstore priced one, the e.l.f. Cosmetics Nude Mood, $10 is a fabulous option for all matte neutrals.
(mix of shimmers + matte palettes) In the case of palettes, oooh it just gets hard to pick one or even two! They come and go so often, it’s hard to get attached to just one. But right now, for affordable shadows in smaller palettes, you can’t beat the Colourpop Shadow palettes, $14, that contain 9 shades in various color combos. They range from soft golds and browns, to petal pinks, and sage greens!
For a larger palette, the tartlette In Bloom Clay palette, $45, will always be a must-have and so very versatile for all skin tones and eye colors. Wonderful palette for beginners and experts alike with many wearable shades and shimmer combos. Treat yourself to this palette, you won’t be disappointed. It has stuck around for years with the tarte brand which is a testament to how good it truly is.
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FINISHING TOUCHES: EYELINER + MASCARA
EYELINER
(liquid) L’Oreal Paris Infallible Grip Liquid liner, $9. The color choices are fairly good here considering many liquid liners are only available in black and brown. The pen is easy to hold, the tip has just enough give but not too much and the longwear ability is superb.
(pencil) I lose count of how many eyeliners I own bc I like options here! But for cheap, NYX cosmetics retractable pencils,$6.50, are hands down the best for your money. If you prefer prestige products, my choice will forever be Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On eyeliners, $25. Because they do NOT budge, and the color options are insane and wonderful! There’s a liner shade to please everyone.
(inner waterline) The tarte Fake Awake Highlight liners, $22, in white (brand new) and nude are ones I will be consistently repurchasing. There’s no easier way to fake an awake face than with these pigmented liners that you swipe in the lower waterline to wake up the look of those tired looking eye beds!
MASCARA
Oh how I love thee and so many of them thru the years have made me happy! But if I had to say which two were the most repurchased by me, I’d say these…
(drugstore) Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions mascara, $9, has been really good to me! It gives truly “surreal” volume and length at the same time to my lashes and isn’t flaky! (prestige) You knew I was gonna say it if you’ve been reading my posts for awhile! The Lancome Lash Idôle mascara, $30, is my go-to for a more pricey mascara. The curved wand is easy to use and also gives such buildable fanned out volume and length without getting too clumpy!
(tubing) Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions, $12, is a fab option if you are a tubing mascara gal! I didn’t love it the first two days of a brand new tube, but the more and more I wore it, I grew to absolutely love it! Being able to remove it just with water and my fingers, still blows my mind – but it doesn’t run all over your face when wearing!
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LIP SERVICE
LIP LINER
Buxom Cosmetics Power Line Plumping Liner, $21. This dual-ended liner has a fab brush attached at the end for smudging and softening your line as well as a handy roll-up chiseled tip that NEVER needs sharpening! And the color choices are fantastic. I’m honestly obsessed with these liners honestly. (I am Wearing shade “Rich Rose” in today’s post.)
LIPSTICK
(matte) Anastasia Beverly Hills liquid lipstick, $20. Really great color selection, non-drying on the lips, feels smooth once applied, and great staying power! (I am wearing shade “Crush” in this post.)
(creamy/satin) L’Oreal Colour Riche Original Satin Lipsticks, $7. You can’t beat the price, the formula, or the finish! They’re all great and so accessible and so many color options! Iconic favorite of mine.
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LONGWEAR
Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink, $10. Make sure you shake it up before use, apply in thin layers, let dry completely before licking your lips, and you won’t be able to eat or drink it off – until you work at taking it off!! It’s truly a phenomenal and comfortable product. I wear shade “peachy” constantly.
LIP GLOSS
Maybelline Lifter gloss, $9, is without a doubt my most purchased gloss over the past year. I bought so many shades of it! It feels incredible, smooth, hydrating, zero stickiness, and oh so shiny! Even the see thru packaging looks quite chic for a drugstore formula! And the price is right.
SET IT AND FORGET IT! SETTING SPRAY
Last but not least, we can’t forget this category. The product we use to set that makeup look we worked so hard on and make it last ALL day. I fell for the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, $38 hype, bought it, used it, and absolutely don’t want to use anything else. It locks and loads your look with no heaviness or sticky feeling. In fact it feels divine going on and immediately melts everything together and gets rid of any unwanted powdery finishes.
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There you have it ladies – my completed list of most used items of 2023 that will continue to be used often into this year. Remember, if you didn’t see Part One list check it out. Which ones will you be trying in 2024??
My other outfit details : LOFT waffle puff sleeve top (on sale, $29) | Amazon stretchy gold bracelet stack, $16 I wear all the time | J initial ring, Amazon $12 | Apple watch chain wristband, $19
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared stylish winter outfits. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Kick off the Weekend with Stylish Winter Outfits
About The Author
Very nice yes I agree with you on a lot of things you look beautiful
I appreciate your kind comment Sally! Happy New Year and thanks for being here and following along!
Jennifer,
I used to have beautiful shaped brows and had given up trying to fill them in with eye brow pencil. Thanks for the information on brow gels which I look forward to trying!
Mary
Don’t give up Mary! Sometimes it just takes the right product to make filling in sparse brows a little easier to pull off. the Milani brow gel is a fab option and always be sure to go a shade LIGHTER than your actual brow hair so that it looks more natural and not too harsh if you have very few natural hairs up there