EVERY first Monday of the new year, I write about my favorite beauty products of the past year and this year won’t be different. Or maybe it will be different because there will be less products on my list.
Like most people in the world, I spent nine months of 2020 in the house with my only contacts to the outside world confined to twice-a-month trips to the supermarket and online press conferences and events.
In the beginning, I’d get all made-up for these online press conferences but when I realized that we were gonna be here for a while, I’d just apply brow mascara, lipstick and powder on the shiny areas of my skin. I even stopped wearing contact lenses.
But I still loved beauty. I’d still play with makeup at leisure and I experimented with different looks. No matter how sad or anxious I was, I’d still do my skin-care routine without fail, twice a day.
Anyway, here are my favorite makeup and skin-care products for 2020:
- Make Up For Ever Reboot Foundation. The first time I wore this foundation, I didn’t like it so much, but I gave it another chance and I then fell in love with it. I’ve said this a number of times here and I will say it again: Make Up For Ever has really upped its game in the past couple of years. Anyway, Reboot gives light to medium coverage with a skin-like finish. It’s also very blendable without being too watery. I love the luminous but natural-looking finish. Reboot is slightly expensive at P2,700 but I would repurchase again when I consume what I have and we can go out again.
- By Terry Cellularose CC Brightening Serum. I received this as a gift from a friend who is the low-maintenance type. She swears by this product and how it can make her look polished for work. “This color-correcting elixir brightens, moisturizes, and rejuvenates skin from the inside out. Infused with radiant rose stem cells, By Terry Brightening CC Serum creates a flawless base,” is the brand’s claim. I don’t know about rejuvenating but it does make your skin look better. If you need to do a quick look to face someone, whether onscreen or in person, this is your best bet. The rose scent can be off-putting for some but I’m okay with it. This CC serum is quite expensive at around P5,300 from www.sephora.ph.
- Colourette Cosmetics Colourtint in Emma. I got this from Shopee’s 11:11 sale and that was quite a feat as this shade sold-out in two minutes during that time. This pinkish brown is a tint-in-oil that’s nearly fully opaque. You need to shake it well before using. Though I got it quite late in the year, it has became a favorite because of its no-fuss application and nondrying formula. This is priced at P299 at Shopee and Lazada.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer. This was the year I became obsessed with lip balms as my lips, for some reason, become drier when I don’t wear lipstick. This lip primer became one of my favorites because it was moisturizing without being too slippy. It works both as a lip balm and a primer. Most days, it really was just a lip balm for me. This costs P1,120 at www.sephora.ph.
- Mary Kay Philippines Naturally Nourishing Oil. I love how this is just a simple oil to use if your skin was extremely dry and it doesn’t have fancy ingredients such as essential oils that could potentially irritate the skin. Every bottle (P1,499 from https://www.marykay.com.ph/mkpweb08/home.asp) contains olive oil, sweet almond oil, squalane and vitamin E. The Mary Kay Naturally Nourishing Oil is also free of silicone, mineral oil, alcohol or any ingredients that have been genetically modified. It’s also free of parabens, phthalate, synthetic fragrances and synthetic dyes.
- NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 CAIS2. NIOD is the high-end brand of Deciem, which also owns The Ordinary. I got the Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 CAIS2 from the brand. I am just halfway through the bottle and planning to do a proper review of this along with other products they sent me. the second generation of NIOD’s multi-award-winning Copper Amino Isolate Serum. This replaces the very popular Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1 percent and targets skin aging, and also protects and repairs the skin barrier. This serum addresses “visible textural damage, uneven tone, visibly enlarged pores and a general lack of healthy radiance,” according to Deciem.
- Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate Serum. I’ve been using this as a pre-serum for over a year now. This formula has a dewy texture that sinks quickly into skin. This new version has the added benefit of the ImuGeneration Technology—which has Reishi Mushroom and Iris Root—that improves “skin’s ability to defend itself.” It also addresses signs of aging and damage. It’s not inexpensive at P3,900 for 30 ml, P5,500 for 50 ml and P6,600 for 75 ml (www.rustans.com and Shiseido boutiques) but Ultimune is a very important step in my skinc-are routine. My daughter, who also has acne-prone skin, applies this before The Ordinary Niacinamide 10 percent + Zinc 1 percent.
- Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex. The new Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex has been enhanced with Chronolux Power Signal Technology that boosts the skin’s cell renewal and collagen production processes. This technology is based on the findings that only 25 percent of aging is predetermined by genes while the 75 percent is influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors. The newly-developed technology is made of a proprietary blend of yeast extract, peptide and plant-based ingredients. The new ANR addresses cellular damage and increases cell renewal and production by 43 percent. Prices start at P2,850 for a 20 ml bottle.
- Strokes Beauty Lab Brow Artist Collection. Strokes Beauty Lab, conceptualized by Strokes by Momoi Supe that specializes in brow sculpting and permanent makeup, recently released a collection of brow products. My favorite is the Microblade Pen Perfector, which was created to help you replicate the look of micro-bladed brows without them looking overdone. This pen (P424) comes in Graphite and Bronzite.