Listen, I’m not here to tell you how to spend your money, I’m just here to tell you I spent too much of my own. Here are my fave beauty discoveries of 2021 that I would wholeheartedly recommend plus a giveaway to win some of my faves.
Cosmetics
This year I opted for a more everyday no-makeup makeup look and was less experimental and bold with my makeup look, instead focusing on a healthy skin look. Listen, it’s been a long two years and I am not as glam I used to be.
For complexion, new discoveries this year include the Fenty Eaze Drop for light coverage, Sephora Best Skin Ever for fuller coverage. This year was also such a cream blush year for me, while I already rounded up my top 5, my faves/would most recommend are the Charlotte Tilbury highlighter wand in Pinkgasm and the Merit blushes.
While contemplating my fave eye products there is one that stands out to me, the ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara. It has been the BEST for these Asian lashes. It has a short side to curl and create volume and a longer side to build length and separate your lashes. I’ve never been die-hard loyal to any mascara because my eyelids are oily and I always end up with raccoon eyes but this is hands-down the best mascara I’ve ever tried.
Lips were a write-off this year. We’re still wearing masks (at least the hot people are) so when it comes to lip products it’s all about a natural and hydrated finish. It was a MLBB year for sure (the NARS Afterglow is my fave.)
Fragrance
I just want to smell like Rihanna but I haven’t been able to bite the bullet quite yet to pay that cost (fingers crossed for a Sephora launch soon.) In the meantime, I’ve become a bit of a fragrance snob with different scents for different seasons and occasions.
For every day / post gym I have been loving the Moroccanoil Mist, their signature scent. It’s perfect for hair and body and never feels drying or crunchy.
For spring/summer my fave scents are light, fresh and with a bit of floral. My faves are Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Love Eau So Sweet (key notes: white raspberry, daisy tree petals and sugar musk) and classic Chloé (key notes: peony, rose, honey and cedarwood.)
For colder months, once again I stuck with my fave, ‘REPLICA’ By the Fireplace by Maison Margiela (key notes: clove accord, pink pepper, chestnut accord.) I have yet to find a warm scent I love more.
Haircare
I’m put y’all on to something great. My absolute favourite haircare discovery of 2021 is the Playa shampoo and conditioner. Every time I wash my hair with this combo someone will ask me if I just left the salon. It makes my hair so soft without weighing it down. It has this coconut minty tingle. Listen. I worked at a hair salon for YEARS and have tried countless shampoos and conditioners, but this one is really *chef’s kiss.*
Skincare
My skin put me THROUGH some shit this past year and I ended up completely updating my go-to skincare routine. Because trying products is part of my job my skin was a fucking disaster this past year so I had to be pickier than ever when it comes to my skincare. For cleansers, I’ve been loving the KOV Everywhere Wash and the brightening mask from Somerset Moss.
If you’re looking to introduce vitamin C into your routine, I cannot recommend the Hydrating Hemp Toner from Empyri enough. It comes with a separate package of vitamin C for you to customize the potency.
For moisturizer I adore the Tata Harper’s Water-Lock Moisturizer, it’s refillable and lightweight enough to be worn under makeup without pilling. Honestly, it’s a dream and well worth the splurge.
I’m a gua sha bish because I deserved to be treated. Some new oils for face sculpting that I have discovered the past year are the East 29th and Kid Sister.
Bodycare
Lather me in delicious scents to live my rich lady fantasy. The best find of the year is the shea butter shave cream from eos. What an incredible product. A non-aerosol shaving cream that works well on dry and wet skin has been a total game-changer.
This past year I discovered my new fave natural deodorant, the Boscia All-Over Body Deodorant and new dark spot treatment, Faded by Topicals, which can be used on the face but I use it on my underarms. Is it a bit extra to have two specific products for my pits? Probably.
Win a box full of some of my fave products and more!
Two lucky Canadian winners will win a box of some of my fave beauty products (from this year and previous years) and more valued at over $500 CAD each! Brands include Fenty Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, eos, Fresh Beauty and more!
To enter head to my Instagram page (@vickiduong) and find my beauty faves post for all the deets. Contest runs from December 22 until January 5. Good luck!
UPDATE:
This contest is now closed. Congrats to Jennifer w from Lethbridge, AB and Natalie from Vancouver, BC for winning the beauty faves prize packs!
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