I’m A Beauty Writer And These Were My Favourite Products From 2022

Towards the second half of last year I was feeling particularly experimental when it came to my beauty routine. I’d made it through the worst part of birth control-related hormonal acne which meant my skin care options opened right up. Plus, with my impending nuptials, I was in search for the perfect wedding day fragrance, lipstick and long-wear foundation.

Not only that, but for the first time in well, ever, I did something different with my hair and tried tape extensions. This meant sulphate and protein-enriched hair products (like Olaplex) were off limits for the time being and I was introduced to a world of hair care I’d never considered before.

What I’m trying to say is: I tried a lot of stuff. And though there were some I didn’t like, didn’t understand and quite frankly don’t even remember, there were a few that quickly cemented themselves in my core lineup.

My favourite beauty products from 2022…

Boring Without You For Face Sake Multi-Mask

I let this face mask sit on my desk unopened for longer than I care to admit. At the time of its launch, the skin programme I was on required me to use only one brand for 90 days. Once this was all said and done, I took this pot home and gave it a whirl.

The two-in-one mask includes a whipped butter for your t-zone and a jelly mask, designed for your u-zone. As a textbook combination skin girl, I’m oily down the middle and dry everywhere else.

Here’s how it works: one mask contains salicylic acid and niacinamide to clarify and protect, while the soothing gel includes gentle AHAs and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, exfoliate and calm.

Skin care is often overwhelming, confusing and at times total smoke and mirrors. This brand is none of those things. Honestly, give it a try.

$54 at Boring Without You

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Eyeliner

The decision to omit a thin cat eye from my makeup routine has never been due to a lack of interest. More a lack of skill. Thankfully I came across Rare Beauty’s fine and rigid-tipped eyeliner which made for a sturdy, precise and wobbly hand-proof applicator.

From thin, barely-there liner to a statement wing, take it from a total rookie, this eyeliner is shake-resistant.

$37 at Sephora

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow

I wore this foundation on my wedding day. Like every bride, I was hoping I’d wake up to blemish-free skin. Alas, I did not. Between the blind pimples and acne scarring (both textural and discolouration), my complexion was looking far from flawless.

At least it was until I applied a primer and then a layer of Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow, carefully building on areas which required more coverage.

The inclusion of both hyaluronic and mandelic acid made for a calming, plumping finish over any areas of dryness or redness. Without question, this medium-coverage, velvety formulation left my skin radiant hours before I set foot onto the aisle and right up until my head hit the pillow that night.

Want to know more? Read Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow reviews here…

$69 at Adore Beauty

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush

Here’s a brush that’s not new to the beauty world, but new to me. 2022 introduced me to the beauty tool that I can say with complete confidence changed the way I did my makeup for the better.

Before an overseas trip, I visited MECCA in search of any sort of brush or sponge that would take care of my foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush and powder all in one seamless hit.

Did it exist? Unfortunately for my dreams of being a beauty entrepreneur, yes it did. For my face, however? I couldn’t be happier.

$70 at MECCA

Mcobeauty Xtendlash

This mascara is excellent. If you haven’t done so already, familiarise yourself with this supermarket range, Mcobeauty.

Why? Because it truly never misses. I’m already a fan of their foundation (as is Ada Nicodemou) but 2022 introduced me to their tubing mascara, a formulation which rivals Kevin Aucoin’s cult-favourite, The Volume Mascara ($45, MECCA).

If you like your lashes free from clumps, lifted, curled, voluminised (basically anything but flat), do yourself a favour. No, seriously.

$24 at Woolworths

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze

Here is the product that wins my ‘actually does what it claims’ award.

To keep it brief, this brow styler holds each individual brow hair in place all day. Mimicking the appearance you’d get from an in-salon brow lamination, the tiniest bit of this colourless wax will deliver frozen, feathered and full eyebrows.

$40 at Adore Beauty

Elie Saab La Collection Essence No 2 Gardenia EDP

After being introduced to this scent late last year, it quickly became my go-to throughout summer. It’s subtle, fresh and totally intoxicating.

Though every floral scent claims to transport you into a field of fresh white gardenia petals, this one will actually (mentally) do it.

Special enough for your wedding day, light enough to run errands and sophisticated enough for a dinner date night. I personally can’t think of a perfume as versatile. Can you?

$265 at Myer

Summer Fridays Shade Drops SPF30 Mineral Milk

In an ideal world I’d prefer this product to be SPF50+. In saying that, a sunscreen that you like is a sunscreen that you’ll wear (and reapply throughout the day). This lightweight formulation won me over with its breathable, barely-there consistency that played nicely underneath makeup and never, not once, flared up or triggered a breakout.

$54 at MECCA

ColourWow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

File this under: TikTok made me do it. And thank the lord it did. This shine spray has changed the look of my hair. The dread of post-wash frizz has officially left the building. In its place? Sleek and glossy locks that hang around all week long.

Have you tried any of my 2022 picks? If not, which beauty products did you love last year?