What a year it’s been for beauty! It’s fair to say that brands have seriously been working overtime throughout 2016 to surprise and delight beauty lovers. To put it into perspective, we launched a mammoth 2000 products this year. That’s roughly 5 launches every single day of brand new gorgeousness… so you’ll see why we found this post particularly tough to write!
The Escentual Beauty Team has gone away, rifled through our collective stashes, and we’ve come up with a list of just three products each that we consider to be the stars of 2016. And because we can’t resist, we’ve also chosen some highly commended products that are on our wishlists going into 2017.
So take a look and discover something new for the New Year. Don’t forget to let us know your favourites below or over on Twitter, tweet @Escentual!
Emma’s Favourites
I didn’t realise what a good year it had been for beauty until I was faced with having to whittle down the list of my favourites! Even through they’ve only launched this year, each one of my favourites has established itself as a core part of my beauty routine, from the powder that I have in three different shades (yes, three!), to an innovative oil tanner that’s changed the way I feel about faux glowing…
GIVENCHY Prisme Visage
My favourite product this year (and one I use every day) is GIVENCHY Prisme Visage, a pressed powder that brings together four powder shades into a single flattering harmony. It’s a prime example of a powder being so finely milled that it feels creamy on the skin, which makes it a bit of a unicorn product for dry skin types like myself! I use three shades: 1 Mousseline Pastel as a translucent powder, 2 Satin Ivoire as an all-over powder and 5 Soie Abricot as a subtle bronzer. Who says I’m addicted?
Hand Chemistry Glow-Oil
I’m not much of a tanner, faux or otherwise, but this product has really changed my mind this year. Hand Chemistry Glow Oil is an excellent example of a DHA-free false tan (learn why you might want to avoid DHA here), with a tanning agent created from erythrulose, a keto sugar found in raspberries. Another brilliant aspect of the tan is that it’s intensely nourishing; its dry oil texture ensures the tan glides over skin and moisturises it at the same time, which gives skin a beautiful glow. If you’re looking for something more from your tanning experience, give this a whirl.
Shiseido IBUKI Quick Fix Mist
Never underestimate the power of a good facial mist! Back in the summer when we were experiencing gloriously hot weather (that’s a distant memory now, eh?) I used this cooling spray religiously. Not only does its gel-water texture soothe and calm your skin, it also makes for an excellent setting spray for makeup. My favourite aspect, though, is its ability to rehydrate skin that is feeling tight and lacklustre midway through the day. I couldn’t get through the working day without it now.
My 2017 Wish – Shiseido Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of this foundation recently, and it’s already planted itself firmly onto my 2017 wish list. Shiseido Skin Glow is everything I want from a base: dewy but not shiny, great coverage but not mask-like, and extremely long-lasting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t launch until March, so I’m counting down the days until then. Watch this space…
Ceryn’s Favourites
2016 has been good to us beauty lovers, with a wave of new launches and reformulations to appease our beauty leaving hearts. And as for me, I’ve found a show-stopping scent, locked eyes on quite possibly the most beautiful eyeshadow palette in beauty history and continued my Diorshow love affair. These are favourites too good not to share…
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Essence de Parfum
Even though the Classique Essence de Parfum only launched in September, our love affair has been a whirlwind. I can honestly say I’ve never fallen as hard for a fragrance as I have for this sensuous white floral. It’s as if it has me in a trance, and all I want to do is spritz it, and that won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Givenchy Nude Nacres Shimmering Nudes Palette
All you have to do is look at the Givenchy La Palette Nude Nacres and it will steal your heart, and that’s exactly what happened to me. A beautiful combination of wearable matte and shimmering nude shadows, it’s as if this palette was made just for me. But, and this is a big but – this is an exclusive Escentual limited edition, so I better stock up, fast…
Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation
Applying Lingerie de Peau is like wearing a tailor made dress, it fits perfectly. Lightweight with a medium coverage, the satin-finish foundation is exactly what I’d create if I was making a foundation myself. So, thank you Guerlain, my skin looks amazing and you’ve saved me a lot of time and effort!
My 2017 Wish – Givenchy Les Saisons Healthy Glow Powder in 04 Extreme Saison
It almost feels like I already own this glow-enhancing bronzer, the number of times I have raved about it. And, I am quite ashamed to say that I don’t, it’s that good! The finely milled powder gives skin a beautifully sun-kissed colour, that doesn’t look orange or ever cake on the skin. So, fingers crossed I can finally say one is mine in 2017!
Chelsey’s Favourites
What a year for beauty at Escentual! Below you’ll rediscover a few absolute loves that have come my way over the past 12 months. From my ultimate signature to my definitive brow saviour, let’s talk about my beauty favourites…
Comme des Garcons Blackpepper
There are no words. I’m absolutely obsessed with this scent. Every time I wear Blackpepper, somebody will ask me what I’m wearing. I love how different it is to everything else that I own, a complete head tuner with longevity. If you’re thinking ‘new year, new scent’, I highly suggest that you start with this undiscovered gem.
Givenchy Brow Groom Universal Brow Setter
I bet you’re thinking: ‘how can you love a brow gel that much?’ Put it this way, it was love at first comb with this one. Groomed to perfection, I love the way it takes an extra 3 minutes out of my morning makeup routine, providing me with results last all day. It’s definitely my brow BFF.
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1.00%
Do serums really work? I have news, this one absolutely does! Copper peptides are essential for healing functions. Strictly made to repair and maintain your skin’s health, CAIS acts like your complexion’s guardian angel. I’m partial to an acid peel and the odd drying product, so it’s become essential for me to include this treatment in my daily routine. There’s no going back with this one.
My 2017 wish – Guerlain Santal Royal
Right up there on the top of my wish list lives Santal Royal, Spicy, sensual and all-round a bit of me. Santal is everything I love and more in a fragrance. Exquisitely expensive and desirable, I believe that everyone should own a Guerlain fragrance at least once in their life, and I’m hoping that this one will be all mine come January 2017.
Over To You!
What are the products in your 2016 beauty hall of fame?
