With 2018 coming to an end, it’s time to reflect on another year of growth, self-improvement, and how we can become the best version of ourselves in 2019. Just kidding. We’re talking about products, baby! Of course, it’s been another crazy year and we will set aside time for reflection, but today we’re talking about the best beauty and skincare products that everybody wanted to get their hands on in 2018.
There are tons of great products on the market, but some have really stood out this year. Whether it was an exciting new release or just an old fave that remained in everyone’s makeup bags, we’ve rounded up the best-selling, most talked about, and most buzzworthy products. Drumroll, please…
We know CBD oil is having a moment, but we don’t think this KUSH mascara by Milk Makeup is a gimmick. While the CBD oil nourishes our lashes, this mascara provides definition and adds length and volume, without being clumpy or flaky. It noticeably enhances your lashes without looking too fake or spidery, so you’ll want to get your hands on this one ASAP.
Listen, almost every Glossier product could be on this list, the brand is just that popular. But the most talked about Glossier product of the year has to be the infamous Boy Brow. The waxy formula comes in four shades, black, brown, blonde, and clear, and is applied with a tiny spoolie brush. If you want your brows to look natural with a little definition and color, this is the product for you.
Makeup artist and beauty blogger Huda Kattan launched Huda Beauty in 2013, and at first, it was all about dramatic false lashes. This year, Huda Beauty released several eyeshadow palettes that quickly became best-sellers. We love her nude palette, which contains 18 gorgeous shades that range from matte to shimmery to straight up glitter.
If there was one constant in this tumultuous year, it’s the cult-favorite Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner. Some liquid eyeliners are too drying, or they smudge off, but this one is justttt right. Its sleek felt tip applicator is similar to a fine-point marker, so it’s super easy to draw on a precise cat eye, and as the name says, it really will stay all day.
We have to hand it to Rihanna. After a few years of matte liquid lipsticks being all the rage, she did the unthinkable. She made lip gloss cool again in 2018 with the release of the incredibly popular Gloss Bomb. This universally-flattering lip gloss lasts forever, isn’t annoyingly sticky, and now comes in three gorgeous shades.
If you thought the resurgence of lip gloss sent shock waves through the beauty community, let us remind you of Fenty’s Pro Filt’r Foundation release. Rihanna raised the bar for beauty brands by creating a foundation with 40 shades, making it easy for people of all skin tones to find their match. Fans obviously loved this inclusive shade range and were quick to call out any brand who didn’t offer the same variety of shades in their complexion products, leading to a very necessary discussion about representation in the beauty world.
If you’re a highlighter fan you may want to get yourself one of these and fast. This limited-edition highlighter was recently relaunched after fans basically begged for its return. The product is buildable and adds an instant glow to all skin tones.
When we think of popular skincare brands in 2018, Drunk Elephant is one of the first that comes to mind. Their T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial has quite the name, and skincare enthusiasts are loving the way its AHA/BHA-packed formula leaves their skin feeling new and radiant. It’s so popular that it earned a Teen Vogue Acne Award as well as an Essence Best in Black Beauty Award for 2018, among several others.
On the more affordable end of the spectrum, we have The Ordinary; a brand that had quite the year in 2018. People love The Ordinary’s products because they’re affordable and just as effective as some of the top luxury brands. Their popular Vitamin C Suspension was a huge hit this year and only costs $5.80, which is pretty cool when you realize some vitamin C products cost around 90-100 bucks. For a minute we thought we might lose this infamous brand, but luckily it’s still going strong and will likely continue to do so in 2019.
This hydrating mask was a hit this year for anyone with dehydrated or dull skin. It uses clean ingredients like chestnut extract and green tea, which will sooth skin and leave a brighter complexion. It can be used as a 10-minute treatment or as an overnight mask if you need some serious hydration.
In 2018, a good Instagram moment was just as important as effective skincare, and Wander Beauty delivered in both departments with their Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks. These patches provide a luxurious at-home spa experience, and truly work to smooth, plump, and hydrate your undereye area.
Chapped lips are a year-round issue for many beauty lovers, which is one of the reasons the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask was such a hit this year. All you need to do is apply the mask with the provided applicator then go to bed and let it do its magic. In the morning your lips will feel soft and moisturized and back to normal.
by Clare Saxton
cover photo via Fenty Beauty
