This year I really wanted to try new things and now I can’t stop! To my surprise, I was interested in a myriad of brands and found some amazing new products. See the list below for my picks on the Best of Beauty 2021-heres my top 25. Everything listed is shop-able underneath each photo. If you want to hear more in-depth reasons why I chose each product, listen in on, The Makeup and Beauty Podcast Now to the list…
Skincare
Skincare is something I took a deep dive into this year-especially since I got my acne and hyper-pigmentation under control. For more on my clear skin journey click (Here). I found my hero products that really surprised me and worked so well-the most surprising being Dermalogicas Daily Microfoliant. After the first use I saw immediate results! My skin looked brighter and refreshed.
Complexion
All of these products below shocked me this year! From the Gucci primer truly blurring out the skin, the Blk/Opl foundation giving full coverage without looking cakey, and the Tower 28 blushes seamlessly melting into the skin-I was impressed. I found my foundation duo using the Merit Minimalist Complexion stick first and setting with the sheer and like skin, Kosas powder-in the shade pillowy…
Lips
Lip products are my absolute favorite! I’ve made them even more of a focus due to the mask and my lips feeling so dry. The Ilia Overnight Lip Mask is amazing to combat dryness, the next morning, follow up with the Fresh Lip Wonder Drops, and stay moisturized all day using the LYS Speak Love Treatment Oil Gloss. I love that the LYS gloss has a hint of color to it leading to both moisture and lip color. Another two stellar products are the long wearing Juvias Place Luxe Liners and Tower 28 Lip Jelly…I talk about it on The Makeup & Beauty Podcast (Here).
Eyes
Given the circumstances the brows and eyes have truly become a persons focal point when interacting. Since people can not see your expression (if your smiling or not), from the eyes up has to tell the story. I don’t think I ever really knew what smiling with my eyes meant before having to wear a mask! For me, it’s about longevity, products that won’t bleed or smudge-(unless that’s what I’m going for!). The Nars Climax Extreme Volumizing Mascara is perfect, dramatic, long wearing, lifts, all the things! It has become my new favorite go to mascara. The YSL Dessin Du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil sets in place and is super hard to get off, which is a good thing for staying power. For my brows, besides my honorable mentions that I shared on The Makeup & Beauty Podcast, the Anastacia Brow Freeze is amazing. Not greasy, holds them in place and gives you that feathered brow look…
Body
Bath Savvy is a black owned brand that makes something called Hair & Oil Body Cream that changed my life! I have had something similar but not quite like this. The texture is perfect-it’s infused with essential oils and feels like BUTTER on the skin. Bath Savvy’s Oil Cream kept me moisturized all day and just feels luxurious. It’s so good it went in my friends Christmas goodie bags this year. Here is the link to her store (Here). The Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil did the same thing! Melts into my skin, non greasy, and left my skin feeling so smooth. I have a mini size of the Josie Maran that stays in Chanel…my car LOL.
Hair
My hair has been something I’ve been trying to figure out all year! Sometimes I just want to wear it natural and some days I want to wear it straight. However, when I do wear it natural I found the products that work for my hair by Uncle Funky’s Daughter. Once a client gave me the “Uncle Funky’s Daughter Ultimate Travel Kit-5pc” set (pictured above) and one day I decided to try it…when I did I fell in love! Finally products that work for me! They smell good, give me the perfect results for a wash & go, AND don’t weigh my fine 3c/4a hair down. When I want to wear my hair in straight styles I love to use the Kenra Blow Dry Spray because it detangles and works as a heat protectant! I will not blow dry my hair unless I have it.
Fragrance
Fragrance was something I didn’t know I needed this year! So much so I made a whole video about it (Here). Valentino Born in Roma and Kilian Love Don’t Be Shy are two fragrances that I could not stop reaching for. Both are floral, subtle, and sexy (and I mean really sexy). I have found my signature scents.
Honorable Mentions
The items listed in my honorable mentions are always my favorite!
Best of Beauty Awards
I’m so excited that Fashion Fair relaunched this year! I purchased a lipstick in my favorite shade and it’s the same! I am so glad they didn’t change the formula and the packaging is beautiful.
Another awesome launch this year is by LYS Beauty! I bought a foundation, blush, lip treatment oil, and setting powder.
Adios 2021
That’s it! I hope you found some new things to try and had a good year experimenting with new makeup and beauty products. I used to be afraid of trying new things, maybe the loyalist in me wanted to stick to my tried and trues. If it’s not broke don’t fix it, right? Naaaaah! Im hear for both the old and the new. The worst that could happen is that I don’t like it! Anywho, thank you for reading Cmichellestyles.com all 2021! Hope you have a blessed, fruitful, and prosperous 2022! See you in the new year…with a new list & more!
*Besos*
C.Michelle
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