Image: Our picks for 2015.
Yeah, 2015 has been a big year for beauty. But while the rest of the world might be obsessed with contouring kits and Kylie Jenner lip pencils, The Glow team have fallen for some other products that won’t reach their use-by date in January 2016.
Edwina, Editor
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick, $48
“Like the frenemy within your group, I’ve always been distrustful of matte lipsticks. Sure, they look pretty but they feel heavy, seep into the lines in my lips and make me look like I need several glasses of water. Not Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in Love Liberty. It feels as though you’re wearing nothing at all, and holy Christmas — the staying power is almost absurd. Coffee, lunch, snacks. They are all impervious to this bullet’s super powers.”
Neutrogena Clear Face SPF30, $16.99
"No word of a lie, I’ve been using the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen range for around 10 years now. Neutrogena Clear Face SPF30 is a liquid sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection without that gluggy, thick feeling other face sunscreens come with. It’s oil-free (tick) and non-comedogenic (double tick) which means my skin won't rebel when I apply it."
The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask, $22.95
"Lately I’ve fallen victim to some angry, hurty hormonal acne. I’ve taken to coming home, washing off my makeup and chucking this mask on for about 15 minutes. The tea tree is perfect for acne prone skin and absorbs all the excess oil I’ve got going on. My skin is a whole lot calmer because of it. Plus, looking like Shrek makes me laugh."
Actually, we were all partial to a face mask this year — here were some of our favourites. (Post continues after gallery.)
Masks reviewed by The Glow
Kahla, Associate Editor
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30, $42
"I was suffering from BB Cream fatigue after using the same products for the past few years. Then this little Smashbox wonder came along and reignited the flame. Almost any time I wear it, friends will ask me what I have on my face. It's not cheap, but the water-like consistency means a little bit will go a surprisingly long way (plus, the 'dropper' is a lot more fun than your regular squeeze tube). It's also SPF 30, which gets a big thumbs up from my Snow White complexion."
Alpha Keri Sugar Body Scrub, $14.95
"I've only had this product for a few weeks but I'm already a huge fan. I love a good scrub and this one does the job well with the aid of sugar granules, not those awful waterway-clogging microbeads. Thanks to the various oils it contains, the scrub also leaves my skin feeling incredibly supple for hours on end (read: I walk around the house running my hands all over it). Usually I need to put moisturiser on immediately post-scrub, but there's no need with this one. Seriously impressed."
Dove Pure Care Dry Oil for Hair, $19.99
"I've been obsessed with this stuff all year long. I don't know how, but it soaks right into my hair without leaving any weird residue or moisture and keeps my waves hydrated (read: silky but not fluffy). It worked on my long hair and continued to do so after I cut it all off. The smell is also completely addictive; usually I scrub leftover hair product from my hands as soon as I'm finished styling, but I'll happily rub this stuff in because the fragrance is so delightful and it's probably good for my skin anyway."
Carla, Beauty Editor
Seven Wonders Natural Hair Care Coconut Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, $10.99
"I spent 2015 trying to nurse my poor hair back to health, after I’d fried, dyed and cut it all off in the previous year. Thank goodness for Seven Wonders Natural Hair Care Coconut Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. Not only are these products free of nasties, they also left my hair feeling soft, smooth and shiny."
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, $36
"I also had a revelation this year: that my constant eyebrow-trimming was turning my brows into a weird, spiky mess. So, I grew them out, but then no products I tried would tame the stubborn hairs into place. Enter: the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. It doesn’t matter if your brows are soft and obedient, or crazed and wiry like mine – the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel will make your brows look fabulous in no time."
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, $21.95
"And the lips! Finally, at the ripe old age of 30-something, I committed to wearing a full, glamorous bright lip. The lip colours that have added a bloom of lasting, moisturising colour to my lips are the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick shades in Cherries in the Snow, Fire and Ice, and Certainly Red, $21.95 from Priceline. If I had all the money in the world, I’d buy these in every colour. Even better – these lipstick colours have been available since the early 1950s, so you’re actually buying a little piece of beauty history."
Watch: The lipsticks that have stood the test of time. (Post continues after video.)
Lizzie, Site Producer
Bioderma Micellar Water, $42.99
"I have to admit - I used to get home from a long day and not take my makeup off before bed. Gross, I know. It was too much effort, but now with this prod I have no excuse, because it wipes of my makeup so, so easily. I can take it off in a matter of seconds, and it leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and clean."
Clinique superfine liner for brows, $32
"I have really sparse brows, and this has become my go-to product for filling them in, and making them look naturally defined. It is really gentle on my skin but has staying power, which I love. It's brilliant."
IT Cosmetics CC cream, $58
"This is the single greatest discovery of my life. It is gentle, nourishing, and contains SPF 50. It’s like it was made to reduce and treat redness... because it was. It’s hydrating and doubles as a primer. I could go on forever."
Watch: Face mist was another popular product in our office - for four very good reasons. (Post continues after video.)
Brittany, Glow Guide Producer
IT Cosmetics Eye Lift In a Tube
"The IT Cosmetics under eye concealer is a cult product for a reason - it can mask even the heaviest and darkest of circles and bags, but I love it even more in this handy stick combined with the brightener. Perfect to keep in your bag at all times. I can't imagine life without it now!"
Lipstick Queen cupid’s Bow Lip Crayons, $32
"I'm a big fan of a bold and bright lip and my favourite lip discovery of the year has to be this. No need for messing about with lipstick and lip liner, these do the job of both, last for ages and are so pigmented. I hope they bring out more colours because I am hooked!"
Model Co Luminosity Summer Whip, $28
"This year I made the swap from powder to liquid/cream highlighter and this is my go-to. It looks beautiful and natural even on pale skin and gives a gorgeous dewy finish."
Over to you, dear readers: what were your favourite products of 2015?