Another best of post this time featuring my top picks in makeup for 2022. Quite honestly, I did not try a ton of stuff this year but the stuff that I did try, I fell in love with. While most of these launched this year, there are a couple that launched prior to 2022 and it wasn’t until this year that I tried them. This year complexion and cream products reigned supreme and skin once again was in. Here are my faves from 2022 that I will definitely be carrying into the new year.
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
The name says it all. This is basically the only primer I will use with all of my base products. This product is nothing short of magical. It minimizes pores while providing a blurred canvas that you can wear as is or under your favorite complexion product. It comes in 10 flexible shade + a universal shade. I love the way this glides onto my skin and last all day. The texture is interesting in that at first it seems to have a lot of slip leading you to believe that it will not do the job of controlling oil but somehow it does. The control lasts all day, works with basically all skin types. and the formula seems to be compatible with both skincare and complexion products.
Refy Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel with Lamination Effect
& Brow Pencil
If your are in to laminated brows then these are the products for you. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to get my brows professionally laminated so I decided to give these two products from Refy a try. Initially I bought the 3.0 Stage Brow Collection- Sculpt, Pomade & Pencil set, but I wasn’t a fan of the pomade but loved the other two products so I’ve been purchasing them over and over and over and over again since I first tried them. The Brow Sculpt is a laminated brow lovers best friend.
The formula doesn’t leave brow hairs stiff but still holds them in place without leaving a white residue. The spoolie applicator is thin and long so applying it to your brows can be done in a few strokes. The brow brush and comb help to distribute the product into the brows and flatten your hairs at the same time.
Once the is complete it’s easy to see where you need to fill in with the fine point brow pencil and you end up with sculpted, yet natural looking brows. If you have thinner brows and want them to look full, these two products will do the trick.
Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 Sunscreen
This was the first product that I tried from Rare Beauty and it has been my go-to tinted moisturizer. It has a great shade range and for a tinted moisturizer it has light-medium coverage and is easy to apply whether you use a brush, sponge or your fingers. The finish is virtually undetectable and the lasting power on this is amazing. I have worn this on some of the hottest NYC summer days and it has held up quite nicely. The added bonus of SPF 20 is nice but we all know we shouldn’t be relying on our complexion products for sun protection.
Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint with Hyaluronic Acid + Squalane
Not surprising (at least to me) Summer Fridays has made it to the list again, but this time in a new category. This is the first makeup/skincare hybrid launch from the brand and they did not miss. This formula is exquisite. The water-like consistency provides sheer coverage and in the best way. Although sheer it works beautifully with your medium coverage concealers and all of your other face products for a seamless blend and naturally radiant finish. With just a light dusting of setting powder it has solid lasting power (over eight hours) without touching up. With skin-loving ingredients including hyaluronic acid, glycerin and avocado oil, skin retains moisture and locks in hydration.
Blinc Lash Extension Tubing Mascara
You know it’s real when you are on your third tube. Real ones know that Blinc was the original tubing mascara and has always been the reigning queen of tubing mascaras for over a decade. I can’t even tell you why I stopped using Blinc, but one day while browsing through Sephora I noticed that they had a new formula with a skinny tapered brush (my personal favorite brush type) and decided to give it a try. I love it! No clumping, added length and gave me the doe-eyed look. I was sold. This is also a great layering mascara. I always use this first to coat my lashes and protect them and then go in with a volumizing mascara. It’s chef’s kiss.
LYS Beauty Triple Fix Brightening Concealer
This wins concealer of the year for me because it works with just about any complexion product. Whether your base product preference is tinted moisturizer, skin tint, medium or full-coverage foundation—this concealer will work with them all. It is buildable without looking cakey and sheer enough to be used on its own for a no-makeup-makeup look. Since I purchased this it’s the only concealer that I use and I have them in multiple shades for spot concealing and highlight. At a price point that is under $20 it can definitely sit (and often beats) it’s higher priced competitors.
Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
One thing about Nars, when they launch a new complexion product, it’s going to be a hit. There have been some really good foundation formulas this year but this set the bar high for skincare hybrid foundations. A strong medium coverage foundation, the light reflecting properties combined with skincare ingredients leave you with a natural radiant complexion that seemingly blurs imperfections without masking your skin. I love how natural this looks and the longevity of this foundation is remarkable. I have worn this foundation without touchups for over ten hours and it looked as beautiful after ten hours of wear as it did upon initial application—1000/10.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Dewy Cheek & Lip Palette
I don’t know why I don’t hear more people talk about this but this was the cream palette of the year. I love a multi-purpose palette and this palette is perfect for both cheeks and lips. Of the two color ways that are offered Dew it Flirty is my favorite. The coral and peachy tones work with most complexions and because of it’s balm-like texture you can easily build intensity to your desire. For a cream product I was surprised at the staying power especially during the warmer months and didn’t feel the need to set it with a powder blush. On the lips you can get a sheer wash of color or full-on intensity. This is amazing for travel.
Ami Colé Skin Melt Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder
I am so excited share this brand on my blog. I’ve been using Ami Colé since it launched a little over a year ago and I have loved every product they have launched. This year they launched a few products but the one that I keep reaching for is this setting powder. It’s what setting powder dreams are made of. Finely milled, flashback-free and formulated with hyaluronic acid and baobab seed extract to hydrate and nourish the delicate under eye skin (it can also be used to set your entire face) without settling into fine lines.
To close out the year, the brand announced that it is now available for purchase at Sephora and sephora.com and this powder will be available for purchase on December 30th. A shade for every skin tone use this to set any of your complexion products and you’ll forget about all your other loose setting powders.
