As much as I love reading and book blogging, I have a variety of interests outside of those hobbies that I love to chat about and share with others. I started Beyond the Books as a way to take a break from bookish content and feature some of my other favorite things!
As 2018 comes to a close, I decided I wanted to highlight some of my favorite things- both bookish and non-bookish! While I’ll definitely have my “best of” posts up for my 2018 reads, I wanted to also highlight my favorite beauty products of 2018. I’m a huge beauty junkie and probably watch more beauty Youtube than Booktube (it’s addicting!) and I’ve always said if I wasn’t a book blogger I’d want to be a beauty blogger, so it’s my biggest obsession outside of books and reading! I wanted to share 5 of my favorite products that have been new discoveries for me this year that I would definitely repurchase.
Pureology Strength Cure Split End Serum | I balayage my hair and though I love the effect, I have pretty thin hair that can break easily. My hair stylist recommended this product to me to offset the potential breakage from coloring my hair, especially as I am in the process of growing it out longer again for my wedding. It’s worked pretty well so far, and I also use the shampoo and conditioner from the same line and have noticed my hair feels much healthier and softer!
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm | This year I wanted to try “double-cleansing,” the process of using two steps to remove your makeup, the first being using a cleanser to initially pull the makeup and grime out of your skin before going in with your normal face wash. I was recommended this one by a sales associate at Sephora and it’s quickly become one of my favorite things! It literally melts your makeup off and my face feels so much cleaner than if I use regular makeup remover or a makeup removing wipe. It’s also a vegan and cruelty free “clean” product and I like the idea of my makeup remover not having a bunch of chemicals in it. After I use this I go in with my face wash, toner, exfoliater, moisturizer, etc.
MAC Powder Blush in Harmony | I was introduced to this matte finish blush the day I went to the MAC counter to have my makeup done for my engagement photo shoot, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. While it looks dark in the pan, it creates a really nice warmth that honestly can probably be used as either a blush or a bronzer/countour powder. It’s a “rosy brown” which is really quite beautiful in person. It’s a unique color that strays away from the pinks and peaches we usually think of when we think of blush and it’s actually not harsh looking on my fair skin.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC12 | This foundation has been around forever but I had never purchased it because I always had dry skin growing up and this is described as super full coverage (I once heard someone refer to it as an eraser). However they recently rebranded the whole Studio Fix line and I’m a sucker for the new packaging. BUT they also expanded their shade range and I am finding that NC12 is my winter jam!! I used to be limited to NC15 (the lightest many MAC foundations would go) but it could pull a little too warm on me, especially in the winter. NC12 is more of a “neutral warm” compared to NC15 (or even NC15) and I’m really liking it for this time of year.
Kylie Cosmetics Glitter Gloss in Handsome Devil | I finally caved this year and placed my first Kylie cosmetics order and honestly had very mixed feelings about it. The lipstick had a good color but I didn’t like the scent and the eye shadows had good pigment but the fallout was INSANE. However the stand out of my Halloween collection order was this sort of duo-chrome orange/yellow toned gloss. Now I haven’t bought or worn lip gloss in AGES, but I was so intrigued by the color of this one that I had to get it and it’s one of the most unique lip glosses I’ve ever owned! It’s really fun to wear too even if the color is a big extra, but it’s super long wearing. I don’t know how long it will be around for since it was a Halloween exclusive, but I would say out of the Kylie cosmetics products that I’ve tried, the glosses are by far the best.
Let me know what your favorite beauty products of 2018 were in the comments!
I just received the Farmacy cleansing balm for Christmas and it is an absolute dream!
I love it!! I feel like my face is so clean and refreshed after I use it and I don’t worry about clogging my pores now when wearing makeup!
I just bought that split end serum myself the other day! I have hard water (from a well) in my shower, which makes my hair green, and the special shampoo I rotate in to eliminate the green causes my hair to get split ends. Currently cannot win at all.
Honestly the split end serum has been a huge lifesaver for me since I have such thin hair and have been coloring it since I was 11! I think you’ll be happy with it 🙂
I don’t think I purchased any new beauty products this year! Just repurchased my daily ones. Two of my bridesmaids gifted me the Urban Decay Heat palette for my birthday and I use it EVERYDAY, it’s perfect for my skin color! And I love Colourpop’s liquid lipsticks!
I thought about the Heat palette but I ended up buying the Tarte Toasted palette instead (has a similar color theme) and I love using it!
[…] Beyond the Books: Favorite Beauty Products of 2018 @ Girl in the Pages | I’m always excited to see non-bookish posts from my favorite book bloggers, but I get even more excited when they’re about beauty/makeup! […]