Beauty and Etc.

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Top 10 Products of 2023

Since I’ve started this blog I’ve always loved ending the last post of the year highlighting my beauty favorites. Some of the rules that I stick by is not repeating any of the products from the previous years and the product should be something I’ve used for a min. of 3 months.

If you’re interested in seeing some of my previous top 10 beauty favorites posts, check out the links below:

2022 Top 10 Beauty Favorites

2021 Top 10 Beauty Favorites

2020 Top 10 Beauty Favorites


Top 10 products of 2023

 

1. Ysl Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick #14 in Scenic Brown

Price: $39

Have you ever just looked at makeup item and just knew it was going to be perfect? That’s how I felt about the YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick in the shade #14 Scenic Brown prior to buying. For me I think this is my perfect shade of nude. I can apply this straight to my lips without having to add a lipliner or make any adjustments to it. Besides the shade, I absolutely love the finish of this.

It’s a lipstick but feels like a gloss that isn’t sticky. The Candy Glaze formula gives the pigmentation of a lipstick, but the shine of a lip gloss. If you’re a lip gloss lover like me, this is one that is definitely worth checking out. The formula also contains vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, which helps to nourish the lips. I love that Candy Glaze line has such a wide variety of shades, so there’s something for everyone!

 

2. Lancome Lash Idôle Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

Price: $30 for the full size

I’m super picky about my mascaras and I typically look for the same properties when looking for a new mascara. My lashes are a decent length, so my goal with mascara is for it help provide volume and some length. The Lancome Lash Idole really lives up to its name. It works so well to lengthen and add volume to my lashes. The wand has a curved shaded, which helps to get into the inner and outer corners of the lashes.

The wand also has the silicone like teeth on the comb to help separate the lashes and provide volume. When using this mascara my lashes look longer and fuller. Another thing to note is that, when using this mascara, I never had an issue with my lashes looking clumpy or the formula flaking. I’ve made a habit to double cleanse every night and this mascara washes away pretty quickly – usually within my first cleanse! I also like the formula doesn’t dry out super-fast – meaning that it will last more than 3 months!

 

3. L’Occitane Cleansing And Softening Shower Oil With Almond Oil

Price: $29 for 8.4 oz

Throughout the year I’ve tested out several cleansing body oils and the L’Occitane one stands out to me the most! This cleansing oil is formulated with sweet almond oil and grape seed oil to provide a moisturizing cleansing experience. The cleansing oil starts off as a more of medium weight oil that quickly transforms into bubbly lather when water is incorporated. Unlike other shower oils that I’ve tried, this one foams up beautifully and a little bit of product goes a long way.

The almond scent adds a lovely aromatherapy effect with each usage of the shower gel. The shower oil leaves my skin feeling cleansed, soft, and smelling nice. This is one my newer skincare finds that I know will stay in my body care routine. The cleansing oil tends to go on sale here and there at Ulta and I would highly recommend picking it up if you can catch it one sale.

 

4. Lume Whole Body Invisible Cream Tube Deodorant

Price: $14.99 for 2oz

I’ve been using solely natural deodorant for the past 4 years. Throughout this time I’ve tried various drug store and high end brands. One day while browsing in Target I came across a mini size of the Lume Invisible Cream Deodorant and I thought I would give it a try. I’m not new to cream deodorants and I know it’s best not to use too little or use too much. Unlike like other natural deodorants, this one is marketed and encouraged to use all over the body. I typically used it just for my under arms but next summer I would like to try it on my inner thighs to see if it helps with chafing and sweating.

I started testing out the deodorant in the midst of the summer and I was so surprised at how well it held up. With natural deodorants it’s often recommended and needed to re-apply it a couple times during the day. I would easily apply it once a day and I felt that it held up well! I didn’t have any issues with odors, staining on my clothing and the most important factor- no skin irritation as I did with other natural deodorants. After trying several of the scents, I can honestly say that I don’t love them, but I don’t hate them. The scent dissipates fairly quickly after application, so the scent is not something I consider good or bad.

I also tested out the solid version of the Lume deodorant, but for some reason I prefer the cream version. I also think it works a tad bit better too.

 

5. Inkeylist Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30

Price: $14.99 for 1.7oz

As someone who is constantly trying out new sunscreens, it takes a lot to impress me. Over the years I’ve noticed that sunscreens have progressed in formula, but so many of them remain to be costly. If you’re using sunscreen regularly the way you should, then you should be finishing sunscreens fairly often. With that being said, the goal is to not overspend since it’s a product that is being using so frequently. One of my favorite affordable skincare brands, the Inkeylist, launched an affordable sunscreen that’s also beautifully formulated.

The Inkeylist Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen has a spf of 30 and is 1.7 oz which is tad bigger than the most common 1oz that is often seen with sunscreens and moisturizers. As someone who has a normal to oily combination skin type, it can be difficult to find a sunscreen that works with my skin. For the most part I tend to use sunscreen daily without using a separate moisturizer. The Inkeylist’s sunscreen is formulated with Polyglutamic Acid, which is known for hydrating the skin and helping to lock in moisture. I know the sunscreen has dewy in the title, but I didn’t find it to be dewy, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

I would say the finish is more of a satin finish. After applying the PGA sunscreen to my face, my skin looks and feels hydrated and nowhere near dewy or even oily. Whilst using the sunscreen I’m happy to say I didn’t experience any sensitivity issues to my eyes or skin. The PGA sunscreen also did a great job at prepping my skin for makeup applications. For the price and performance, I 1000% think it’s worth trying out!

 

6. Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide – [TAP BELOW FOR TRY-ON]

Price: $38 for 1.7oz

The Supergoop Glowscreen is described as a tinted sunscreen that hydrates and primes the skin for makeup applications. When Glowscreen was initially launched I wasn’t the biggest fan of it. This is probably because it was only available in one shade, which was the Golden Hour shade, which I didn’t personally find flattering on my skin. This year they decided to launch 3 additional shades, which I found to be flattering for all skin complexions as some of the shades were lighter and deeper. My favorite amongst the shades is the Sunset shade. I found the shade to be so flatter for my complexion and those with skin tones deeper than mine.

The Glowscreen has the tiniest bit of a tint and such a beautiful glowy finish. I really enjoyed using it during the summer months when I wanted a slightly glowy finish. Now that we’re in the winter months, I think it’ll be nice to use since my skin can sometimes look a little dull.

In comparison to other sunscreens, the Supergoop Glowscreen leans more towards the higher end of the price point. Being that it has a bit of tint, offers spf protection and functions as a primer all in one, it may be worth checking out if you’re interested. I’m a supergoop ambassador, so if you use my code BEAUTYETCBLOG it can help you save on your purchase directly from the Supergoop site.

 

7. Louis Vuitton Attrape-Rêves Perfume

Price: $320 for 3.4 oz

Scent Notes: Top notes are Litchi, Ginger and Bergamot; middle notes are Peony, Turkish Rose and Cacao; base note is Patchouli.

The Attrape-Reves is one of the most feminine and almost airy scents in my current perfume collection. I was initially attracted to the rose incorporation since I am a big rose lover, but I also love the litchi and peony notes. I am a big rose lover. In comparison to the other rose scents in my collection, this one smells nothing like them. This is the type of scent that I feel like I can wear for every season and pretty much for every occasion. Whenever I’m in doubt, I tend to reach for this one. My only qualm is I wish the scent was longer lasting. On me I would say the scent lasts 4-5 hours. I feel like this is one of those scents you really need to smell in person because it’s hard to describe it.

I’ll be the first one to admit it, the Louis Vuitton scents come with a hefty price tag, but I find many of the scents to be super unique. I also like that many of the scents are available in travel sizes! The Louis Vuitton perfumes can be engraved to add extra level of personalization. The number one thing that got me to bite the bullet when it came to purchasing was the fact that bottles can be refilled in store at a discounted rate!

8. Dior Oud Ispahan Perfume

Price: $125 for 1.3oz

Scent Notes: Top note is Labdanum; middle notes are Rose, Patchouli and Saffron; base notes are Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood and Cedar

This was definitely my year for branching out and trying out more Oud scents. Since purchasing this scent last year, it appears that Dior eliminated the 1.3oz travel size bottle and in its place put together a set that consists of 3 travel sizes, each of 0.5oz for the price of $165. Either way, I think this price is worth it! The Dior Oud Ispahan is now one of my favorite Oud scents! I would categorize the scent as being unisex and very long lasting!

I think the Oud Ispahan is a show stopping scent in the best way possible. For me I smell the woody oud notes followed by the rose and saffron notes. The blend gives a nice mixture of being woodsy and slightly sweet at the same time. Everytime I wear it I get so many compliments and if it spray it on my clothing the scent will linger until its washed, which is why I think the smaller bottle is better for me. Being that the scent is more on the intense side and very long lasting, I would no way categorize this as an everyday scent. I do think the scent works year round- but this is not a scent that I would find appropriate for an office, traveling or being in close proximity to people that may be scent sensitive.

9.Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer

Price: $22 | Shade 15.0

As somewhat of a concealer snob, I’m constantly trying out different formulas and brands and in the process I’ve become so picky. I tend to look for concealers that are super hydrating with a light to medium coverage. The Tower 28 concealer feels like a serum under the eyes and provides the perfect level of hydration - especially if you’re under eyes are on the drier side like mine.

With made of the concealers that I’ve tried, even the ones that are on the hydrating side, they tend to crease on me horribly. But I find this one to crease less. For the formula and results, I find this to be priced exceptionally well!

10. Miele Pomegranate & Honey Curl Twisting Soufflé

Price: $17.69 for 12oz

The Mielle Twisting Souffle has been in my natural hair routine for the past few years. But it wasn’t until this year after comparing it other products, that I really got a chance to understand why I love it so much! The twisting souffle is a cream on the thicker side that is said to provide semi-deep definition. It formulated with ingredients like pomegranate extract, honey, and babassu oil.

I find the cream to super moisturizing. I prefer to use it on my freshly washed damp hair in small sections. The cream alone provides a nice level of moisture along with great results for a braidout/twist out. I’m not really big on wash and go’s, but if I were to do one, I think the twisting souffle would be perfect for it. The curl cream is on the heavier side, but perfection for those that are in the 4 curl hair community. I can’t count how many jars I’ve gone through over the years, but I haven’t found anything else that compares to it!!


BLOG GIVEAWAY

The Prize:

  • Hyperskin -Hyer Even Gentle Brightening Cleanser

  • Super Glow Screen SPF 40 in Jumbo Size (2.5oz)

  • Peach & Lily Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream

  • Everyday Humans Rose Above SPF 35

  • Josie Maran Bright Skin Vitamin C Serum

  • Faceoloy Green Tea Mask

  • Dew of the Gods The Theory Retinol Blend Cream

  • Byroe Pro-Berry Pore Refining Toner

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  • The Giveaway is open from now until Wednesday 1/3/2024

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