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I got to try dozens of new beauty products this year, thanks in part to brand generosity, my beauty box subscriptions to Sephora Play and Birchbox, and my unceasing addiction to Sephora (bye, bye savings!). Here I’ve rounded up my favorite makeup, skincare, and haircare products from 2016 that you should absolutely add to your vanity and makeup bag in 2017. The list includes matte lipsticks that won’t dry out your lips (for real), masks that rescue your hair from too much heat and bleach, and anti-aging creams that diminish fine lines (yes, they exist!). Scroll through and let me know your favorite products of the year in the comments.
Makeup
Best Eyeliner Pencil: Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner*
Best Liquid Eyeliner: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
Best Matte Lipstick: Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick
Note: One of the most non-drying and long-lasting matte lipsticks I’ve ever used; I used to hate matte lipsticks before trying this one. Beauty Tip: apply after exfoliating lips (I use this lip scrub) and moisturizing with lip balm.*
Best Lip Crayon: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Best Lipstick: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick*
Note: Read my full review of Amuse Bouche here.
Best Blush: Nars The Multiple in Orgasm
Best Organic Blush: Au Naturale Cosmetics Organic Creme Blusher in Palermo
Best Highlighter: W3ll People Bio Brightener Stick
Best Mascara: Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Note: It lengthens, adds volumes, and never clumps! And best of all it lasts all day.
Best Eyeshadow Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hill Modern Renaissance
Best Primer: Lancome La Base Pro Oil Free Primer
Best Foundation: Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint
Best Concealer: Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Creme*
Best Makeup Remover: Cailyn Cosmetics Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm
Note: this is the gentlest makeup remover and it removes everything. Beauty Tip: apply to face before cleansing.
Best Self Tanner: Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish*
Note: This is the most natural looking self-tanner I’ve ever used and it’s organic, which means no toxic ingredients to worry about. Read my full review here.
Skincare
Best Facial Scrub: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator
Note: It’s pricey so I only use it whenever I have blemishes and to completely zap pimples.
Best Organic Facial Scrub: Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Best Eye Cream: Kate Somerville Age Arrest Eye Cream
Note: One of the few eye creams that doesn’t sting my eyes. It makes my eyes look more refreshed and diminishes fine lines and crows feet.
Best Anti-Aging Serum: StriVectin Overnight Resurfacing Concentrate*
Note: I use this every night right after cleansing my face and it gently exfoliates my skin leaving it so soft, even in winter.
Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer (and for filling in fine lines): Sunday Riley ‘Good Genes’ Treatment
Note: Apply ‘Good Genes’ after the StriVectin Resurfacing Concentrate
Best Cleanser (Normal to Oily Skin): Sunday Riley ‘Ceramic Slip’ Cleanser
Best Organic Mask: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
Best Pore Minimizer: StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Pore Refiner*
Best Overnight Face Mask: Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial
Note: My face always looks so refreshed and smooth after I use this overnight mask.
Best Sheet Mask: SK-II Facial Treatment Mask
Best Acne Spot Treatment: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
Note: I’ve been using this for years as a spot treatment; it minimizes pimples overnight.
Haircare
Best Purple Shampoo: Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Shampoo
Note: Read my full review of Blonde Ale here.
Best Anti-Frizz Treatment: StriVectin Hair All Smooth Frizz Control Mist*
Best Overnight Hair Masque: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector
*Beauty Tip: apply to dry hair and leave on overnight.*
Best Hair Masque for Bleached Hair: Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque
Note: Expensive, but if you have damaged hair, it’s worth every penny.
Best Leave-in Oil: Drybar 100 Proof Treatment Oil
Note: By far the best oil I’ve ever used (and that includes Moroccan Oil). It makes my hair feel and look so much healthier and shinier without weighing it down or looking too oily.
Best Blow Dryer: Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer
Note: This blow dryer completely changed my at-home blowout game so I rarely get salon blowouts anymore.
Best Flat Iron: GHD Classic 1″ Styler
Best Heat Protectant: Drybar Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant
Best Anti-Humidity Hairspray: Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield
Note: I usually skip hairspray, but this one is worth it for the anti-humidity element.
*Product sponsored for review; all opinions are my own.
**This post contains affiliate links.
