beauty

Behold, our favourite tried and tested beauty products of 2019.

 

There’s no denying that 2019 has been a big year for beauty.

So many new brands, so many innovative products… and not enough money. Ugh, we feel you.

To make sure we all spend our hard-earned cash wisely, the Mamamia team have listed our favourite, treat-yo-self-worthy beauty buys of 2019. The ones we would consider game-changers in our skincare, haircare, body and beauty routines.

So without further ado…

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Skincare

Sukin Coffee & Coconut Exfoliating Masque, $16.95.

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"I've started focussing more on what's in my beauty products, and I love the fact that this face scrub is made from Australian natural ingredients like coconut shell, aloe vera and ground coffee from Melbourne. It does a really good job scrubbing away the day and leaves my face and neck feeling super soft. Even if you're a bit of a self-care rookie like me, applying a good exfoliating mask just feels luxurious. Bonus, it literally smells like a coconut dessert." - Tamara Davis, Commissioning Editor.

Heimish All Clean Green Foam Cleanser, $17.57.

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"Behold, a perfect dupe for the $49 Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser! As someone who is prone to dryness and fine lines, I find my skin loves a cleanser that has a low PH, is glycerin-based and fragrance-free. It has a fun jelly texture and even has the power to remove tough eye makeup, without the oily residue some makeup removers leave. This brand is my new obsession." - Maddie Swan, Client Services Executive.

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate, $100.

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"OK so... this WORKS. I have pretty dark under eyes due to thin skin, being translucently pale and definitely not sleeping enough, and this is the first eye cream (serum) that I’ve seen a visible difference from." - Lucy Neville, Executive Assistant.

AHC Perfecting Eye Cream for Face, $49.

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"One of these tubes sells every three seconds in Korea. The product is designed to cut out the eye cream and serums steps from your routine by delivering a high achieving yet gentle cream that can be used on both the eyes and face. In short, it's as powerful as an eye cream and contains AHC’s exclusive ingredient VITAMIDE Complex, which has been filled with vitamins, 12 types of peptides and natural moisturising factors to increase skin absorption for bouncy, hydrated, luminous skin." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

EGO SunSense Daily Face SPF50+, $14.99.

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"I have to admit, for a long time I wasn't using face sunscreen every day. I know, my bad. But now there's just no excuse with all the great tinted face sunscreens available. This one is oil-free and non-greasy, with a really lightweight matte finish and no overpowering smell. I use it daily under makeup, and on the weekends when I only want super sheer coverage, it's all I wear." - Tamara Davis, Commissioning Editor.

Makeup

Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation, $106.

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"This is the foundation I have looked for my whole life (no really, I have 36 foundations). It's got a light coverage, but simultaneously corrects redness, perfect for summer when you want fresh glowing skin without feeling like your face is going to slide off. It's self-setting (why don't more foundations have this feature??) so you don't have to overload on powder. Heaven in a beautiful frosted glass bottle." - Maddie Swan, Client Services Executive.

Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color, $40.

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"Nudestix is one of my favourite new (well, to Australia) beauty brands because it's no bullsh*t and no fuss. The cream eyeshadow sticks are so easy to apply and don't crease and turn into clumpy lines, even after hours of wear. My favourite shade is the iridescent lilac that comes in their gift set designed by Hilary Duff (!!!)." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

Morphe Continuous Setting Mist, $23.

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"THE. BEST. SETTING. SPRAY. EVER." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, 200ml for $18.

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Mascara, be gone. Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

"I've been using the Charlotte Tilbury Take It All Off Eye Makeup Remover (150ml for $52) for ages and can confirm this $18 one is just as good. The 'bi-phase texture' (blue and clear liquids that sit on top of each other like oil and water) dissolves even the most stubborn of makeup, including waterproof mascara. No stinging and no having to excessively rub or pull on your lashes to get your smokey eye off." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

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Haircare

1.  Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub, $69. 

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"This scalp scrub is hands down the best I've tried. The thing about scalp scrubs is they seem like a great idea in theory until you've spent far too long in the shower trying to rinse an average one out of your hair. This one combines the best parts of a hydrating shampoo and a scalp scrub. The sea salt cleanses, purifies and restores balance to sensitive or oily scalps, but the creamy formula still foams = you only need a little bit and it's easy to rinse out. The tub is also huge." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

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2. Garnier Fructis Nourishing Banana Hair Food, $12.

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"If your hair gets particularly dry during summer, rotate a hair mask into your hair washing routine. This one from Garnier comes up in the You Beauty Facebook group all the time - switch your regular conditioner with a mask once a week for an extra boost of hydration.

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You can also use it as a leave-in hair treatment by applying in the shower, then jumping out and wrapping your head in cling wrap. Sounds weird, but you can leave it on like that for hours before rinsing out for soft, silky hair.

Oh, and if banana isn't your jam, Garnier also do masks with papaya, coconut oil and macadamia." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

3. Strands of Silk’s Silk Sleeping Cap, $44.

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"This silk cap I've been using nightly is from an Aussie-owned brand, costs $44, is made from 100 per cent silk and comes in four colours. I use it by twisting my hair up into a loose bun and popping the cap over my head, making sure all my hair is tucked in. You can also try 'plopping' your hair into the cap. Then snooze, snooze, snooze and wake up with great hair. I'm talking frizz-free, silky, shiny and tousled to perfection. - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

Bodycare

1.  Zuii Certified Organic Flora Moisturising Body Wash, $14.95.

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"I went through this body wash far too quickly for my liking. It smells so, so good." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

2. Circa Home Mango and Papaya Hand & Body Lotion, $19.95.

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"I was at a birthday party (a few champagnes down) and spotted this moisturiser on the counter... it was placed there clearly for guest usage, don't come for me. It smells like a tropical dream and I proceeded to make my boyfriend sniff my legs all the way home. Would recommend for summer!" - Lucy Neville, Executive Assistant.

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3. No Pong All-Natural Anti-Odourant, $6.95.

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"I've just returned from a three-week 'outdoorsy' holiday, during which I very vigorously tested out this natural deodorant from No Pong. It's aluminium and bicarb-free (just in case you're sensitive) and legitimately works. Trust me, there was a four-day, showerless hike involved in this experiment, and this little pot of wonder pulled through." - Jess Wang, Lifestyle Writer.

Fragrance

1. Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal A Paris EDT, from $89.

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"I love a sweet smelling perfume usually so this is perfect for me! But it also has a sharpness to it that doesn't make it overbearing. It's fresh and slightly floral, making it the ideal scent to have on all day." - Rachael Hart, Senior Podcast Producer.

2. Recreation Bondi Beach STARDUST Woody 2ml Trial Eau De Parfum, $10.

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"Aussie brand Recreation Bondi Beach are doing some fabulous vegan and all-natural perfumes and this fresh woodsy number is divine. The fragrance contains notes of Moroccan Cedarwood, Patchouli, and Vetiver, which fade into a lovely citrus scent that stays on the skin for ages. I also love that you can buy a nifty little 2mL sample before committing to the full-size, plus they make great handbag spritzes, perfect for touch-ups." - Jess Wang, Lifestyle Writer.

3. Ellis Brooklyn Sci Fi EDP, 10ml for $46.

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"I picked up this travel size of the Ellis Brooklyn fragrance at Mecca and I'm fast running through it. It's a citrusy vanilla and is heaven."- Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.

 

These products have been editorially curated because our team love them and reckon you will too.

Feature image: Supplied.

What is your favourite beauty product from 2019? Let us know in the comments below.

Want to chat more about beauty? We've got a podcast for that. For helpful advice, interviews and great exxy and budget beauty recommendations, get the You Beauty podcast in your ears below.