After the last two years, we’re taking the phrase “new year, new me” to heart! And nothing helps us transform into a better version of ourselves like a fresh routine. So get ready for a new and improved skincare routine, because we’ve assembled the best basic #glowup essentials along with our favorite makeup buys that won’t break the bank.
“I’m going on a cleanse…”
First thing’s first: cleanser! Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is an award-winning staple. While suitable for all skin types, it was made with sensitive skin in mind. If you’re concerned about how your skin may react to certain cleansers, this is a great safe option (and a great product period)! If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser brings the spa to your sink. Packed with amino acids and soy proteins, this cleanser gently removes makeup and dirt without jeopardizing your skin’s moisture.
Tone It Up!
After cleansing, it’s time to tone! A step most people skip just might change your entire skincare game! While toners hugely benefit those with oily or acne-prone skin, it also shrinks and closes pores, reducing impurities and environmental contaminants from penetrating the skin, restores pH balance and can even prevent ingrown hairs! We swear by Thayer’s Witch Hazel and Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater.
We’re Serum-iously Obsessed
There are a million different types of and purposes for serums: anti-aging, redness reducing, hydrating, the list goes on. Regardless of your specific need, serums are liquid GOLD! Often loaded with vitamins and exfoliants, facial serums absorb into the skin to provide an extra layer of moisture and protection. Bazaar’s Editor’s Choice Award went to Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum, an age-defying and vitamin C-packed formula that brightens, firms, and smells amazing. Eminence Organic Skin Care’s Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum is an au naturel option, providing the skin with a youthful glow.
Moist We Remind You to Hydrate?
No, we aren’t talking about 8 glasses of H2O. The most important part of skin maintenance is moisturizing! Combating the side effects of changing seasons, boosting elasticity, and supplying your skin with oils and nutrients are just some of the benefits of keeping your skin hydrated. Well-nourished skin will see slower signs of aging, as well. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid absorbs quickly, but don’t let the gel formula fool you. This stuff packs the punch of even the thickest moisturizer! Clinique’s Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator locks in moisture, giving the skin a healthy glow and hydration boost.
Eyes on the Prize
We hate to break it to you, but if you remember Dunkaroos and every word to N*SYNC’s “I Want You Back,” It’s time for eye cream. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most fragile, which is why we’re so prone to dark circles, bags and wrinkles. Because of this, your eyes are actually the most important part of your face to protect and moisturize! Visibly brighten that sleepy skin with cult-classic Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, or a gold star drugstore option with Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream.
Here Comes the Sun…screen
Our final weapon in our anti-aging arsenal is none other than sunscreen! UV rays penetrate the skin even on days we aren’t lounging by the pool, resulting in premature aging and wrinkles. Applying SPF daily can help keep skin elasticity intact, as well as fight harmful ultraviolet radiation. We recommend Aveeno’s Protect + Hydrate Face Sunscreen Lotion as an affordable option, or splurge on Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen.
Concealers
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer $9.99
This medium-coverage concealer not only covers dark circles and discoloration, but has an added bonus of caffeine to awaken fatigued skin, PLUS antioxidants! Basically, it’s green tea for your undereye bags.
E.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer $6.00
Compared to Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer, at a quarter of the price, this guy packs a punch! This full coverage concealer dries down matte, won’t settle into fine lines, and can double as a contour or highlight if you go darker or lighter in shades. Talk about an all-purpose purchase!
Foundations
Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation $11.99
An Allure Best of Beauty winner, this foundation definitely earns its title with its impressive 24-hour wear. This foundation feels extremely lightweight, while still providing full coverage and pro-level pigmentation. For an oil free, flawless finish, look no further!
L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation $14.99
Waterproof? Check. Sweat-resistant? Check. Breathable? Check. It sounds like we’ve found our go-to medium coverage foundation! With 24-hour staying power and SPF, this can be worn to work, the gym, AND the beach!
Powders
Cat Aquasurance Compact Foundation $13.99
If you prefer a powder foundation, this product definitely fits the bill. But we find this little compact carries more than meets the eye, as this can multitask as an amazing setting powder, pore minimizer, or skin-improving color corrector.
Covergirl Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder $8.99
This compact gives new meaning to “ride or die,” as it’s literally the one we throw in our purse on the go and would die without! This is a staple powder among the pros, known for its skin-brightening features and smooth finish.
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder $7.99
Set it and forget it! Often touted as an affordable alternative to the high-end Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Setting Powder, this mineral-based powder smooths the appearance of texture and controls shine.
Highlighters + Glow
Pixi x Rachhloves The Layers Highlighting Palette $24.00
Pixi and beauty guru @rachhloves collaborated to deliver THE holy grail of highlighters, producing a palette that truly shines. With highlight shades complimentary to every skin tone, this palette was designed for play. Mix the colors, use them as eyeshadow or an inner-corner color pop!
Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter $9.99
Another Allure Best of Beauty winner, this metallic highlighter will give you some serious sparkle! With this, you can achieve the J.Lo glow on a Jenny from the Block budget.
Revolution Beauty Glow Revolution Eternal Gold $15.00
The possibilities are endless with this liquid gold. Doubling as a makeup setting spray, you can top off your look with a touch of sparkle, spritz your face to hydrate + prime prior to makeup application, or spray over your face and body for an all-over “back from the beach” glow!
Bronzers
Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder $9.99
This Jeffree Star-approved bronzing powder gives a new meaning to “endless summer,” as the sunkissed season will never end as long as you keep this lightweight, silky powder in your cosmetic bag.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Sculpting Bronzer $11.99
If you prefer a Kardashian-level contour, allow us to introduce you to Spanx for the face. This hydrating, cream-to-powder contour stick is buildable, blendable, and packed with antioxidants. Sculpt and shape to the high heavens, honey!
Blushes
Milani Baked Blush $7.99
Earning a cult following in the beauty community, comparable to NARS, this blush has some serious pigment payoff with added luminosity to boot! This buildable formula blends like a dream.
Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops $10.00
Actress Drew Barrymore is the brain behind these blush bombs, as well as the entire FLOWER Beauty brand! Winning a Refinery 29 Beauty Innovator Award, this vegan gel-cream formula provides a cheeky-clean, radiant finish.
Lips
NYX Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish
Plump up the volume with this painless pout enhancing gloss.
This best seller provides a soft-as-butter hint of color. Worn on its own or on top of a matte stain or lipstick, this formula is never sticky and always decadent!
Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lip Mask
The secret to a perfect pout is hydration! Women’s Health Editor’s Choice Award winning, this recovery treatment soothes and nourishes with mango and cocoa butter.
Eyeshadows
Pixi Endless Shade Stick $14.00
Gal on the go? Pixi Endless Shade Sticks are perfect in a pinch. Swipe and smudge for a smoked-out date night look, or apply a lighter shade all over to brighten up for brunch!
Loreal Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow $7.99
Slay ALL DAY with this 24-hour long wear powder-cream eyeshadow. This waterproof and fade proof formula has a velvety finish you’ve just got to see to believe (and trust us, with this pigment, it WILL be seen)!
Wet ‘n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow 10 Pan Palette $5.99
If you don’t have a [Anastasia of] Beverly Hills budget, don’t fret! You can still master the Modern Renaissance look for much less with this Wet ‘n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow palette in “Rose in the Air.”
Mascaras
Loreal Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara
You probably used this in junior high, but there’s a reason it’s still on the shelves — this puppy’s got staying power! Never flaky, you don’t have to worry about this OG ghosting you (or your lashes).
Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara
Put those lashes on display with this va-va-volumizing mascara! If you’re looking for a product that lengthens, separates, and boosts the fullness of your lashes, we’re happy to tell you your search is over.
Eyeliners
Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer
If you’re a fan of pencil eyeliner over liquid, we have found the holy grail of pencil products! The creamy formula of this eyeliner allows for smooth application. The built-in smudger can take your liner look from day to night, helping you achieve the perfect smokey eye.
Loreal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner
Will the real slim liner please stand up? For those who prefer the precision of a liquid liner, this ultra-fine felt tip serves up the perfect cat eye every time. Quick-dry, smudge-proof, and a total gamechanger!
Brows
BROW down, the Queen of Affordable Brow Pencils is here! Similar to the Anastasia Brow Wiz, this product is definitely magical. Fill in sparse spots, shape and define with this double-edged tool.
No fuss brows in no time at all! Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt is our go-to for on-the-go makeup application. Add color, definition, and TAME your brows in one fell swoop (literally)!
