12 Innovative Beauty Products That Made My Life Infinitely Better This Year
In the beauty realm, there's always a new product launch to test out. As someone who gets nearly every new beauty product delivered straight to her desk, I know better than anyone that most products can be disappointing as they over-sell and under-deliver.
Lately, however, a few innovative products have downright wowed me to the point of gaining a permanent spot in my routine. And as someone who hardly ever finishes a beauty product, that's a major feat. Keep reading to discover the products that improved my life this year.
Selahatin is one of the more interesting beauty companies I've come across. The brand essentially creates high-end fragrances but for your mouth. Forget everything you know about oral care because Selahatin flips it on its head and turns mouthwash, toothpaste, and other oral-care products into luxury experiences. I'm in love with the brand's oral sprays. I'm not really a gum or a mint person, and this spray fills a void I didn't even know I had. It's the chicest way to freshen up your breath—it leaves it smelling absolutely divine after just one spritz.
Only Glossier could make a matte liquid lipstick I actually want to wear. I'm a fairly no-frills person when it comes to my daily makeup, and lipstick is one of my least favorite products to use, even though I love how it looks. It always settles into the fine lines of my lips or makes them feel as dry as a desert. But Glossier G Suit fits seamlessly into my makeup routine. It feels cushiony and blurring and is easy to swipe on in a flash.
I've only been taking Nutrafol's new vegan supplements for a month, but my hair has already grown like crazy before my eyes. Last week, my best friend commented on how quickly my hair had grown and asked if I had a secret—I pointed her toward these supplements. Nutrafol's new vegan formula has been clinically proven to promote hair growth and strength. And let me tell you, I've never seen results like this before after just one month from any other hair growth supplement, including the original Nutrafol pills.
In my opinion, every hand cream should come with SPF. Hands are one of the first parts of our body to show signs of sun damage, and there aren't many products formulated with protecting them in mind. Though this hand cream has an SPF of only 15, it's better than nothing, which is the usual option. I keep it in my bag to use when I'm on the go. It sinks in easily and doesn't leave a film on my skin.
In one of our recent Deep Reviews, eight editors gave this blush a whopping 4.7 out of 5 stars. We're obsessed with its effortlessly blendable powder-to-gel formula, knock-your-socks-off pigmentation, and versatile colors. We all agree that this product made us love powder blush again.
Here's my qualm with vitamin C serums: they smell weird, and I'm convinced many don't actually do much. This vitamin C serum not only packs a skin-brightening punch, but it also smells like oranges. Putting it on my face in the morning doesn't feel like a chore at all.
I'm not going to mince words: my nails are damaged. My last gel removal left me with thin, peeling nails that resemble cat scratching posts. This treatment polish has saved me. It fills in lines, smooths my nails, and gives me that clean-girl nail aesthetic everyone's been after. Plus, it helps heal damage.
The Rhode Peptide Lip Treatments have revolutionized my lip game. Instead of dealing with sticky gloss, I swipe on a coat of this non-stick lip treatment and run out the door. It's hyper-reflective and gives my lips a major dose of nourishment.
This super light hydrating gel has changed my life when it comes to slicking my hair back or putting it up. With an aloe vera base instead of water, it's much more nourishing than most gels. Plus, it gives hair tons of shine and keeps every stand in place.
I've long been a Glowscreen fan, but I've always felt the original color didn't quite suit my skin tone, particularly in months when I didn't see the sun much. However, now that Glowscreen comes in four different shades, it's easier than ever to use the celebrity-favorite pearlescent sunscreen that delivers the most covetable glow.
Day two or three hair is tricky for me. I'm generally not a fan of dry shampoos because of the filmy residue and white cast they can leave, but this one has changed my opinion of dry shampoos for the better. It leaves my hair feeling lighter, refreshed, and, most importantly, like I just washed it—and there's never any leftover buildup to battle with.
When I want to amp up the glow factor, I add a pump of this into my sunscreen or foundation. It's downright dazzling—every time I use it, I get at least three compliments on my skin. A little goes a long way, and too much product could have you looking like a vampire from Twilight (though that's not the worst thing). It's also hydrating and brightening, thanks to vitamins that help your skin glow from within.
Next, 10 Preventative Eye Creams That Are *Extra* Strategic Once You Hit Your 40s
Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.