2019 has been a big year in beauty, and I have trialled so many products, some amazing, some terrible, to bring you this list: My Top Ten Products of 2019!
Category: Hair Products
The Airwrap had to appear on this list, I’ve written two posts that include it already, including a review that you can read here, so I’ll keep this brief. It’s a fantastic product, I use it on average once a week to take my hair from a messy mix of waves to a sleek blow-dry look so for me it was absolutely worth the hefty price tag.
This was the first product I ever reviewed for ele, and it still holds a place in my heart. When I don’t have time for a full-blown treatment, Happy Campers is there to add shine and protein to my heat-treated tresses.
Happy Campers leaves my hair strong and shiny without the crunchiness that comes from so many other strengthening sprays! You can read my full review of evo here.
Kerastase 8H Magic Night Serum
For the times that I can do an overnight serum, this is my go-to product. It helps define my curls so gives me a couple of days in the week where I don’t have to heat-treat them to make them more presentable.
I know that the $64AUD price tag is a bit of a turnoff, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how long my bottle has lasted, I’ve had it for a couple of months, and it looks basically new. In case this doesn’t convince you, read my more in-depth review here.
Category: Skin Care
This cutie is a new addition to my routine, and I was initially a bit hesitant to include it on this list. Then I managed to survive the most hormonal couple of weeks without a breakout. The only change in my routine was the Luna Mini 3, so I will be singing this little cleansing machine’s praises from the rooftop!
My original scepticism of the idea of not needing to clean a foreo product was appeased when foreo bought out a cleaning spray. So I’ll be happily using my Luna Mini well into 2020.
This past year has involved a lot of work travel for me, and the Jet Lag mask has been the boost I’ve needed when I’ve had dull, dehydrated plane-skin. This blue tube travels with me everywhere, it’s super easy to use, it’s clear, so you aren’t ruining any hotel face washers with it. Plus, I’m sure it’s as excited as I am to be jetting off to NYC in a few days!
This product was an @dirtyboysgetclean recommendation, and I cannot stress enough how much I love this balm. I can’t wear concealer underneath my eyes, it gets in my creases and just looks terrible. Unfortunately, I spend my days running a tech start-up and my nights studying two masters degrees aswell as writing beauty for ele, so I’m also incredibly tired. Enter: Kopari Starry Eye Balm to brighten my dark circles without concealer!
I seriously adore this product, my only advice would be, don’t use too much or you’ll look super greasy. Also, the container is tough to open, I shove tweezers in there every morning just to pop the lid.
I promised a friend a billion years ago that I would do a review of a gua sha tool, and I haven’t come across any that are as good as Zove Beauty’s Rose Quartz Gua Sha. Zove Beauty is an Aussie company, and their pieces use natural materials and are actually a bit heavier because of this, which is a big plus for me.
The gua sha really deserves a more extensive review all of its own. It’s such a small tool that can make such a big difference in reducing puffiness and just generally making your face feel more rejuvenated. I like to use a gua sha when I’ve been a bit lazy or eating badly. It encourages blood flow to my face and acts as a gentle reminder to treat my body better.
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+
You may remember from an earlier article that I adore the UV Clean Screen product, well this is its chemical sunscreen sister, Queen Screen. Typically I don’t like to use a chemical sunscreen, but there are times where it’s necessary, such as swimming or under thin makeup.
For me, Queen Screen is perfect under IT CC+ Cream. Queen Screen doesn’t pill, which is precisely what I need in a sunscreen base, and the IT CC+ Cream provides the physical sunscreen barrier I like! Dream team!
Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF 30 Hydrating Lip Balm
This baby has it’s own review here, but it’s earned it’s place on this list 50 times over. This lip balm is one of my desert island products. When I eventually die, my family will be finding tubes of this in every handbag, desk drawer and backpack I own. I don’t need to say anything more about this lip balm, just buy it and enjoy it.
I know this lipstick was super trendy about 3 years ago when everyone was excited by colour-change products, but there is a reason I’ve continued to buy it – it goes with everything! This lipstick is beyond adorable, it’s sheer which I adore, it’s shiny but not sticky. It just ticks a lot of boxes, and you’d be hard-pressed to unseat this little pink tube from its place on any annual list I write.
Click here for more of Alex’s Beauty reviews and here for her tips on Creating A Golden Festive Makeup Look Using Only Three Products.
Great advice! Enjoy NY!