Images courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman/Bloomingdales/Nordstrom
While no makeup-makeup—and fresh faces in general—were all the rage last year, 2022 channeled the re-emergence of bolder, more expressive beauty looks that echoed the desire to get dressed again (though I’ll probably always live in leggings on the weekend). Luxe best-sellers from Dior and MAC made replicating the latest TikTok makeup trends simple, and culty body care releases, like Soft Services’s Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment and Oak Essentials’s Dew Body Oil were key in soothing rough, dry skin. Plus, expert-approved fragrance, skin-, and hair care drops from Olaplex, YSL Beauty, and more provided a treasure trove of options to seamlessly upgrade any routine now and next year.
Our beauty team already pulled together a short list of products released over the past 363 days that are worth the buy in this year’s BAZAAR 100, but we’re expanding our favorites here with additional selects from dermatologists, influencers, editors, and brand consultants in the know. For an even closer look at some of the best beauty products of 2022, read on for the pro picks we suggest making space for in your vanity to use well after the ball drops.
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“I became a mom this year, so I have very little time to dedicate to my makeup routine. Rose Inc’s Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum is my first MVP of 2022. I slap it on haphazardly after moisturizer and it leaves my skin looking instantly plump, radiant, and a little more even. It’s foolproof and leaves your skin looking like skin. I love that it doesn’t rub off on my son’s face if I’m kissing him, too!
Plus, I am a bit of a mascara sommelier—I must have six or seven in rotation right now. The brand’s mascara is the most natural-looking one I’ve ever used. I reach for it on no-makeup makeup days. It defines and lengthens while leaving your lashes looking glossy and soft, and though it wears all day long, it’s easy to remove at night. On days I want more drama, I’ll use it on my bottom lashes only or as a first coat before layering a more volumizing mascara on top.
Lastly, I have dry skin, and though many cleansers promise that they won’t strip skin, they still fall short. U Beauty’s creamy The Mantle Skin Conditioning Wash is the first I’ve ever used that actually left my skin feeling supple post-shower. When using this, my skin is noticeably calmer, less red, and overall more balanced. It’s a must-have for the winter months.”
—@jennarosenstein
“Whenever I wear even the tiniest bit of makeup, I make it a point to double cleanse—waking up with streaks of leftover mascara on my pillowcase is the absolute worst. Thankfully, Eadem thoughtfully created its gentle Dew Dream Cleansing Balm (which I love so much I wrote an ode about) that literally works in under a minute to dissolve every last trace of product. Aside from its superior cleansing power, I think my favorite part about the balm is that it doesn’t leave my face feeling parched after I rinse it off.
Another beauty hit for me in 2022 was the fourth iteration of YSL’s Libre fragrance, YSL Libre Le Parfum, which combines notes of lavender, orange blossom, and saffron accord and smells absolutely divine. It’s the perfect evergreen, signature scent.”
—@tiffdods
“Henry Rose’s Char Eau de Parfum is a ginger-spiked cocktail containing sweet notes, like tonka bean and ginger, balanced with earthy patchouli and vetiver. The result is warm, subtly sensual, and appealing day or night.
This silky serum does it all (and then some): Olaplex’s No. 9 Bond Protector shields hair from heat styling and pollution, conditions, detangles, provides style memory—and minimizes static and frizz.”
—@gmonsma
“When I imagine a ‘clean girl’ fragrance, this Maison Francis Kurkdijan scent comes to mind first. Although the brand’s Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance gets all of the glory, this fresh-yet-sophisticated scent has become my favorite for everyday. Dosed with sandalwood and white musk, this eau delivers an airy essence that clings to me all day long and always gives me compliments.
And I’m loyal to my creamy, light skin tints, but this powder foundation from Maybelline has become a mainstay in my makeup routine. It sets my makeup without looking cakey or drying, and still looks flawless hours after application. It comes with a sponge and built-in mirror–plus, you can’t beat the price.”
—@katieintner
“I was introduced to House of Bo this year through the launch of its Tesoro collection, the second for the one year-old brand. The Infinitoud scent is Sexy with a capital ‘S’ and while I enjoy it, I can easily picture my dad wearing it too. The thing about this scent is that it captures the earthy woodiness of an oud without the intensity often seen in that scent category.”
—@justjamiemarie
“When I think about who is truly breaking ground, I have to shout out Krave Beauty and founder Liah Yoo. It’s no secret that the beauty industry has a massive waste problem, and the brand has found innovative ways to curb their contributions—such as upcycling trial runs of their Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser into a limited-edition body wash. Plus, the products are great; my personal favorite is the ultra-calming Great Barrier Relief serum, which has become a go-to after traveling and rough nights.
2022 has been the year of a thousand concealer launches (it’s almost like we’re tired or something?). But ever since I tried the Dior Backstage Concealer, it’s been the gold standard to which I compare all the rest. It brightens dark circles, has a creamy (but not too thick) consistency, and never settles into lines. Plus, the brush applicator is a game-changer.”
—@lindysegal
“K18’s Molecular Repair Hair Mask was a game-changer this year. It’s a leave in treatment that repairs hair from damage in four minutes, and can be used for either curly or straight hair. The treatment also works wonders on blonde and heat damaged hair.
I also love Authentic Beauty Concept’s Hydrating Hair Mask, which instantly hydrates it. A little goes a long way, and its slip is amazing to aide in detangling the hair—and it’s great for all textures.”
—@curlsbycandace
“The body care category had a stellar year in 2022, and few brands nail the double whammy of aesthetics and formula like Soft Services. One of their newer launches, Theraplush, focuses on treating your hands with retinol (to minimize hyperpigmentation) and colloidal oatmeal (for a boost of moisture), and it has a gorgeous refillable container that looks absolutely stunning on your nightstand. Hand care will be the reigning beauty queen in 2023, mark my words, and Soft Services is making a strong case as the top brand to watch.”
—@hannahbaxward
“For the longest time, I couldn’t use vitamin C in serums because my skin would react with burning and redness—to the point that I would have to wash the product off within minutes of applying it to my face. During the pandemic I got together with a pharmacist and dermatology nurse practitioner—all AAPI women and working moms—and Skin by Anthos was born, with the idea that women professionals in derm know how best to treat our own sensitive skin.
This serum has done wonders for my skin (I panic whenever I’m down to the last drop) and I recommend it for sensitive skin or reactive skin types to promote collagen growth, brighten a dull complexion, and help get rid of dark spots caused by sun damage or melasma.”
—@drshirleychi
“In retrospect, I see that many of my 2022 skincare products reflected what I wanted to feel in my life. Much of this year’s rituals and essentials centered on calm. And while my skincare tastes tend to lean toward luxury, this year I have re-upped and replenished a certain drugstore-friendly calming product over and over again.
Aveeno’s Calm+ Restore Triple Oat Serum is on constant replay in my routine—I’ve gone through three bottles just this year. This lightweight serum soothes on contact and helps balance skin’s moisture barrier. I’m learning more and more that addressing the root of inflammation is key. If we can keep skin calm, we are less likely to deal with trauma from breakouts, texture issues, and flare ups.
And in keeping with the theme of ‘calm,’ lately, I’ve been slathering Phoebe Skin Stay Chill Facial Treatment Mask on my entire face. Using its damascus rose and aloe gel-based formula twice a week quiets my inflammation and restores skin harmony. Not only is this soothing mask a quick fix since it works in up to 10 minutes, but it also works beautifully as an overnight sleeping mask.”
—@thisthatbeauty
“I’m a huge fragrance girly, and months later, the launch of Perfumehead (sold exclusively at Violet Grey) still has me in a chokehold. Back in September, I was invited to meet Perfumehead’s founder and CEO, Daniel Giles, and I was instantly impressed by the thought and intention that went into the brand and each scent’s careful creation. Almost immediately, I asked which one Giles was wearing (because, well, he smelled heavenly) and he revealed that a member of the Violet Grey team had layered two Perfumehead scents (Canadian Tuxedo and Cosmic Cowboy), and the end result was some time of alchemic witchcraft Giles and I could not get over. (Since then, both perfumes—which I layer—have become my two most-prized beauty possessions.)
As parfum extraits, the fragrances are about as concentrated and pure as you can get, and each perfume is hand-poured, bottled, and sealed in a traditional glass perfumer’s decanter labeled by hand and then numbered and carefully packaged into the brand’s signature white box. You’ll also get a glass dabber (so glamorous) that you dip into the perfume and then apply to the inside of the elbows, base of your neck, behind your ears, and around your heart. The fragrances are small-batch and handcrafted from essential oils, natural extracts, and safe, sustainable synthetics, and they’re also vegan and cruelty-free. This brand is a perfume-lover’s dream, and it’s definitely defined 2022 for me.”
—@erin_jahns
“Admittedly, I am quite a bit late on the snail mucin game. When I was introduced to the ingredient through Cosrx’s TikTok-viral essence, I was intrigued but it took me a while to give it a proper try. Powered by 96 percent snail mucin, this essence boasts a uniquely slimey texture that instantly hydrates and plumps the skin sans any sticky residue. I absolutely adore how conditioned and smooth my skin feels after each use, particularly before bed or ahead of a dewy makeup look. Obsessed.”
—@maashont
“I have been a long time fan of Therabody and all of their products, so when they launched theraface in 2022 the bar was set high! The Theraface pro surpassed my expectations and has been a constant in my wellness routine. This device reduces acne and wrinkles and also helps with tension headaches. I love using the cold ring attachment to battle under eye puffiness. This tool truly does it all!
And as a working mom, I’m always looking for new products that are easy to use and give me that extra boost. Everything Pillow Talk from Charlotte Tilbury is amazing, and their new Beauty Light Wand that launched this year is no exception. I use this product as a highlighter but it’s subtle pink tint works allows it to work as a blush as well. I love the natural warm glow this product gives me and I never need to reapply.”
—@marissa.galante.frank
“It seems like all anyone could talk about in 2022 was barrier repair and U Beauty’s Barrier Bioactive Treatment takes the cake. This silky overnight mask single-handily changed the texture of my skin. It’s spiked with marine ingredients that reduce fine lines, plump, hydrate, and soften skin instantly. So happy I discovered it.
I’ve also been living for Hyper Skin’s Fade and Glow AHA Mask. It’s the perfect weekly addition to my routine because it gently exfoliates, brightens lingering dark spots, and delivers a post-facial glow (at a fraction of the cost), thanks to its hero mandelic acid.”
—@lara.adekola
“Even I can’t believe I’m mentioning a celebrity beauty brand as the year’s stand-out, but here we are. Hailey Bieber’s Rhode proved that celebrity beauty and science-driven, expert-backed skin care can coexist — within one brand. She tapped cosmetic chemist and industry veteran Ron Robinson to help create effective formulas, rather than getting caught up in flashy buzzwords or aggressively throwing around the word ‘clean’ for the sake of marketing. This lightweight, non-irritating, peptide-packed serum has become a staple in my everyday routine; it’s perfect for pre-makeup hydration prep and creates a lasting dewy glow like nothing else I’ve used.”
—@stephsaltzman
“2022 was an exciting year for AAPI-owned brands. Seeing more retailers carry them, new brands debut, and innovative launches makes me really optimistic for the future of inclusivity in the beauty industry. As a Filipino American, it was especially exciting to see the US launch of Sunnies Face (previously only available in the Philippines–I wrote about it for ELLE here). They would send me their Their Fluffmatte lipsticks from Manila, and I would get constant DMs about where to buy them in America, so I’m glad they’re now widely available. They are, hands down, the best matte lipsticks. They feel velvety and moisturizing on the lips, have major color payoff, and come in a wide range of shades so everyone can find their pink, red, or nude. My favorite shade is Major, a deep red.
Another AAPI-owned brand I’ve fallen more in love with this year is Tower 28. Their new Make Waves mascara, a vegan formula, totally impressed me with its flexible wand, flake-free finish, and longwear capabilities. I have really short, straight, stubborn lashes (as do many of my Asian friends!) so I was prepared for this mascara to disappoint me like every other one out there. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised because it holds a curl, even on my baby lashes, and gives that enviable fanned-out look that makes me not even want to wear false lashes.”
—@kristinarodulfo
“Fragrances that merely smell good are so 2021. These days, there are scents that can influence your mental state—and this is one of them. It’s based on the science of ‘blue medicine,’ a growing body of research that has found that spending time in or near bodies of water is a powerful mood booster. Using high-tech scent capture machinery, perfumers isolated four volatile organic chemicals found in marine environments and combined them with familiar notes like bergamot, rose, and sandalwood. The result: A light, fresh fragrance meant to mimic the relaxing feeling of being by the seashore. If you’re a beach person—and really, who isn’t?—you’ll understand its powers.
I’m a total beauty nerd: Cool science gets me going. And Lancôme’s Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum is a true feat of bioengineering. It combines powerful active ingredients once thought too difficult to combine in one product—stuff like hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, and a combination of notoriously unstable vitamin C and niacinamide. What it means for your skin: It’ll be plumper, brighter, smoother, and less red. What more could you ask for?”
—@thebrianunderwood
“My skincare routine below the neck is supremely important to me, which is why I’ve always been intentional about opting for thoughtful formulas. This year, I discovered my new favorite body oil by Oak Essentials, a skincare brand created by lifestyle expert and all-around chic tastemaker Jenni Kayne. There’s just something so soothing about slowly and surely lathering every crease and crevice of my body in oil after a long shower. It feels way more luxurious than a regular lotion, so I never rush through it. The ritual of massaging the silky soft texture into my skin, which drinks it up and glows for hours on end afterwards, is something I look forward to daily. It also has a light herbal scent that instantly calms my nervous system and puts my body into a more relaxed state.
Additionally, my relationship with red lipstick is very personal. It’s my signature shade because I truly believe a good red can make you feel like fiercest version of yourself. For my deep skin tone, I tend to gravitate towards blue-based reds, which is why I love how the vivid hue of NARS Powermatte Long-Lasting Lipstick in Dragon Girl pops on my complexion. Not only is it a head-turning shade that will turn up a selfie, it also feels completely weightless and does not budge—a win-win in my book.”
—@mayaalenaa
“Everyone lost their minds for Clinique’s Black Honey lipstick but I propose that the gloss version is superior. Every time I put it on, without fail, someone asks me what I’m wearing. On trips, it’s the only lip product I bring anymore. I’ve never had a product do so much for me with so little effort.”
—@tatjanafreund
“The last three years have been a (sometimes disastrous) journey in seeking out products that enhance my natural, loose waves without weighing down my fine hair. I was wary of gels, but Ceremonia’s Pequi Medium-Hold Styling Hair Gel absolutely changed my mind. While many of my Allure coworkers use it to slick back low ponytails, I prefer to scrunch it in wet to define my texture. Any crunchy excess brushes out nicely, leaving my hair super soft and shiny.
I also don’t often get excited for liquid lipsticks these days, but this one from Make Up Forever had the whole Allure staff buzzing. It’s almost unbelievably comfortable, comes in 11 highly-pigmented nudes and reds, and truly does last all day. The cherry on top is the smaller-the-usual angled doe-foot applicator, which makes it easy to get crisp lines.”
—@kara.mcgrath
“In beauty, we often hear so much about the no makeup-makeup trend, and most people don’t know that it can sometimes require a lot of makeup. But not with this gem! The Westman Atelier Vital Skin Care Complexion Foundation wowed me the moment I felt the texture on my fingertips before even applying it to my face. When I did, I had a ‘This is it, I have found the one’ moment. For me, the foundation only requires the smallest drop to truly make you look and feel like you have nothing on but your naturally glowing skin. The cherry on top is that it improves your skin texture after consistent use. I cannot say enough about this product.
I also like to say, ‘You date your mascara and marry your foundation.’ Once you find the foundation that works best for you, you’re dedicated to it. But mascara is a product that you can experiment between brands, formulas and wand shape. That is until you meet MAC’s MacStack Mascara. There are a lot of great choices out there, and I’m not a loyalist when it comes to mascara since it so easy to try something new when it’s time to replace it in three to six months. However, you can believe the TikTok hype with this one. No lash extensions or falsies needed. I have seen this applied over 30 times and it never gets clumpy. Instead, you get just layers and layers of full, long but separated, voluminous lashes.”
—@autumne_w
“I have fallen in love with its silky, liquid texture and it has kept me coming back for more with its minimal, yet skin-perfecting coverage. I have never been much of a foundation girl, opting for spot treating with concealer instead. But, this lightweight skin tint is all that I need for those mornings where I only have five minutes and still want to do a little something.
If all of that wasn’t already enough to sell you, the formula is also packed with skin-loving ingredients including redness-reducing tiger grass, plumping hyaluronic acid and hydration-locking squalane. She’s definitely not for you if you’re looking for full coverage, but if you’re in the market for a your-skin-but-better complexion perfector, look no further.”
—@lisa_desantis_
“Melaclear Advanced Dark Spot Corrector from ISDIN is a great new treatment for dark spots and hyperpigmentation. This powerful topical has tranexamic acid, which is a popular and effective option in the treatment of melasma. Melaclear Advanced also contains niacinamide which targets pigmentation and increases hydration, and licorice root, to preserve hyaluronic acid levels. Visible results can be seen as early as two weeks, with the most effective results seen at two months.
For acne-prone skin, the new La Roche Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Facial Serum is a great option for patients desiring to improve blemishes but also to reduce pores, fine lines, and post-acne redness. This topical contains 1.5 percent salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid which work together to reduce and prevent acne. This topical also contains the brand’s ever-popular thermal spring water, which soothes irritated skin.”
—@kristelpoldermd
“Talk about a holy grail. My skin went through it this year, battling breakouts, prescriptions, wild weather, and more than a little stress. When I discovered Dieux and its new Instant Angel moisturizer, it was a true godsend. The fatty acids, ceramides, and glycerin restore my moisture balance nearly immediately, and, despite how rich and fluffy the cream is, doesn’t irritate or exacerbate my acne-prone skin. It’s like the ultimate skin care redemption, ready to plump, prime, and hydrate my skin no matter how sinful I was that week. I keep one on my desk, one bedside, and one in my bag at all times—no joke, I’m obsessed.”
—@amanda.planet
“MacStack Mascara went viral for all the right reasons. This product was one of my absolute favorites this year because of its long-wearing formula and the mind-blowing volume and length you get from using just a few coats. This mascara is perfect for those who want to skip lash extensions.
Maybelline Super Stay Active Concealer also quickly became one of my favorites, as it not only provides 30-hour wear, but also has a matte finish that looks natural on the skin. Maybelline hit it out of the park with this one since the formula doesn’t crease or look cakey.”
—@jaleesajaikaran
Source: news.google.com