over: Marble + Brass Stand (how I put it together here)
Happy New Year! Wrapping up 2023 with my Beauty 2023 favorites! A huge thank you to all of you for your love and kindness. Every kind gesture, no matter how big or small, means so much to me. I have appreciated it more than words can express! Loved connecting with so many fellow beauty lovers – loved reading your posts. Thank you for sharing your beauty loves, photos of your fur babies, new discoveries and more!
This year’s list of favorites includes a mix of new launches and longtime staples. Here’s what I liked best about 2023.
The best foundation/face products
Here were my favorites in 2023:
Best Skin Tone: Too Faced Born This Way Healthy Skin Glow Tint (I’m wearing warm beige)
Best Concealer: Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer (I wear shades N6 to N9 depending on how bright I want the look)
Best Glowy Multi-Tasking Primer: Elf Halo glow filter (rotate between shades 3 and 4, in action here and here)
Best Setting Powder: Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder (I’m wearing Shade 3, in action here)
Best Institution: Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick (I wear shade VI or VII depending on how fair/tanned I am, in action here)
The best products for cheeks
So many new favorites in this category, I’ve left out so many but tried to edit my list down to one in each group!
Best Highlighter (Powder): Chanel Symbols Oversize Highlighters (review here)
Best Highlighter (Liquid): Gucci Illuminateur de Beaute (review here), the most underrated liquid highlighter, I don’t know that it hasn’t gone viral!
Best Blush: Gucci Blush de Beaute in True Pink (new shade, in action here and revision here)
Best Cheek Palettes: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Palettes, my favorite was Leopard (review here)
Best Bronzer: Chanel Healthy Glow Les Beiges Cream Bronzer (review here)
The best eye makeup
Best Eye Palette: Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Eyeshadow Palette (review + samples here)
Best Eyeliner: Sisley Phyto Kohl Matte (samples herestill favorite!)
Best Mascara: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara (the best formula that holds a curl)
The best lip products
Favorite Lipgloss: Dior Addict Lip Maximizer reformulation (samples herenew shades in action here Moreover here)
Best New Lipstick: YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick (review herein action here)
Best New Lipstick Formula: Chanel 31 Le Rouge (the colors are very limited in shades, but the formula is one of the best I’ve ever tried! review + swatches here)
Runners-up: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump and YSL Candy Glaze (review here)
Perfumes
Most worn perfume: Celine Parade (also love Dans Paris, Black Tie and the new Cologne Celeste) – review of all fragrances in discovery set here
The second most worn fragrance: Phlur Missing (also beloved Paternal role model and Vanilla skin)
New Favorites: Guerlain Perfumes are also big hits, but I only rediscovered them at the end of the year, I’m still working Floral Discovery Set. I also think that the Iconic Discovery Set it has amazing options too if you are willing to indulge and treat yourself Advent Calendar Hive of Wonders also has an amazing selection. (More details at this blog post here).
Skin and body care favorites
This has been a very pivotal year for me in skincare. I’ve kind of stuck with my tried and true basics. This year I hope to be a little more adventurous.
Favorite Moisturizer: La Mer Gentle Moisturizer
Go-To Moisturizer #2: Drunk Elephant Protein Polypeptide Cream
Best Spot Treatment: Bliss Clear Genius Gel Acne (Andrew loves this too, it’s strong enough to work as a good acid acne treatment but doesn’t leave red marks on the skin)
Best smoothing/straightening treatment: Sunday Riley Good Genes
Best Cleanser Splurge: Chanel Sublimage L’Huile cleansing oil (feels so smooth and soft, this is what I buy again and again)
Best thing to keep skin clear/smooth: Eve Lom Muslin Cloths (any muslin cloth will work) but using this helps ensure all dirt, oil and any cleaner residue is removed
Best Body Products: Chanel L’Huile it’s the best body oil I’ve tried (I love vanilla) and the Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Body Cream it has been a lifesaver for dry skin breakouts.
Best New Test: Botox! I did it for the first time in May and I really liked the results. We went to @marissathepa in Boca Raton (she’s great!) I got 40 credits the first time and it lasted 3.5 months. I fully intended to do it again, but I didn’t plan far enough ahead and when we were in Miami in December, they were completely booked. Debating whether to find someone local or wait until we get back (I think I will).
Hair Care Loves
Best Hair Tool: ghd Platinum+ Styler it’s my go-to for smooth, sleek hair or soft waves. I like this because it turns off automatically, it’s set to just one temperature, the plates have sensors to keep a constant temperature, the edges of the plates don’t touch the skin so I never get burned with it. See in action here and here.
Most used hair care: Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo + Softener – I use them so much that I ended up buying the liter pump bottles and have since bought the liter refills again, definitely a huge OUCH on the wallet but the formulas are my favorite
Basic hair styling product: R&Co Dart Stick for my baby flyaways as my hair grows back this year i usually order from Neimans the Amazonit’s small enough to keep in my bag.
Difference
Best launch of the year: The Couleur Code Chanel mirrors, nail files, brush sets were so much fun, I wish I had bought all the colors, I hope they do something like this again! These sold out almost immediately, review here.
The most worn polishes: Olive and June Quick Dry Nail Polish in Sandy (this is the best quick drying sheer baby pink and the one that got the most compliments this year). Many shades are available at Target but it seems this is only available on Olive and June.
Thank you again for watching. I’m looking forward to the new year! I know New Year’s is really just another day, but I feel like it’s a great time to reset and make a fresh start. The past 12 months have been challenging and incredibly difficult for me personally, so I really cannot express how much your kindness has meant to me.
I’d love to hear about your favorites!
