Happy New Year and responsible spending to everyone. With that being said, I’ve curated an edit of favorite makeup products discovered in 2024 that have stayed with me ever since. This edit contains mostly products that aren’t new launches, but caught my attention with good reviews and survived the waves of trending. Furthermore, I’ve narrowed it down to 10 products, a mix of both drugstore and high-end ones, and ranked them for easier observation of which ones truly excited me. In light of the overall economic situation worldwide (or at least as portraited in the media), we should make smarter choices when spending our hard-earned money, so I’d rather stick to one product once I find to be good quality and fairly priced instead of hunting for viral “NEW” products. Excuse my rant, but I don’t see much novelty in the makeup world from well-established brands. I’ll be keeping an eye on what 2025 brings from newer brands. In the meantime, I’ll stick to products with high reviews from real consumers.Â
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.Â
This iconic, viral, must-have lip product has been my go-to lip gloss since the beginning of last year. I have a separate post with a complete review and swatches, which you can find here in this link.
To understand my obsession with this lip gloss, you need to see my collection. The first shade I got, after swatching it in- store, was 03 Moon, and it remains my favorite to this day. If I had to choose just one lip product to wear for the rest of my life, it would be Moon shade lip gloss and I am not exaggerating. Overall, the Lifter Gloss is not only a great lip product but also a moisturizer for the lips, thanks to its hyaluronic acid content, which gives lips a plump feeling. Other strong points include it’s constant availability( with only a few shades occasionally sold out, but restocked quickly) , non-stickiness, and excellent price point, especially considering it’s a drugstore product. The downsides are the vanilla scent, which may not appeal for everyone, and the similarity between some shades. I’m also wondering why the “Ruby” shade has been discontinued and missing for so long.
I highly recommend this range, as you can find your perfect match among various shades, from opaque to sheer, from pure color to shimmery-that is called versatility.
Sensational is an understatement- Maybelline has truly outdone themselves. When I find a good mascara, I tend to stick with it and rarely try new ones, even hyped ones, because I’m skeptical they’ll impress me or offer anything some novel. For a long time, my go-to mascaras for different effects and needs have been from L’Oreal, Mac, or Bobbi Brown. In the last two years there’s been a trend towards brown mascara. When it first started, it was suddenly impossible to find one from any brand. You see, these shades had existed before, but the viral popularity of brown mascara caused sales to soar, making the shade difficult to find for months. I wanted to try a brown mascara because black was too harsh and required a full face of makeup.Â
The first brown mascara available in my area was Maybelline’s Sky High. It’s a true brown shade that left me impressed. It lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and keeps my lashes curled. The color is soft, and it’s long lasting, meaning it doesn’t smear underneath the eyes or on the upper lid, and doesn’t leave little flakes throughout the day. However, it can be challenging to remove it if you don’t use the double cleanse method (oil balm/micellar water + cleanser). Although it is not marketed as a tubing mascara, it shares most of its features.
 The price is reasonable, considering it’s a drugstore product. Currently, in 8 shades(!) including a glittery one, which is a first for me. The “Burgundy haze” shade complements my green eyes. The other available shades are: Blackest black, Cosmic Black, Very black, True Brown, Blue Mist, Pink Air, Space Diamond.Â
According to the product description on the official website, this is an invisible shaping and setting gel for the brows. Brows are a crucial aspect of one’s appearance, as they can either make or break a look. therefore, they deserve serious attention.Â
Honestly, I couldn’t find any flaws in this brow gel. It effectively tames even the most stubborn hairs without leaving any flakes behind. The formula is flexible, allowing for adjustments to the shape before it sets. Once set, the gel holds the brows in place without budging. The wand is uniquely designed, featuring a dual-sided, plastic comb with one side shorter than the other. this design enables precise application, embracing every individual hair. This gel is designed to groom and tame the brows, the wand allowing allowing clear direction and control.
Keeping up with current trends, I can choose from various styles, such as natural, feathered, or laminated. Currently, I am embracing the feathered look, where the front section of my brows, closest to the nose, is styled upwards and the rest follows a diagonal direction, aligning with the natural shape of my hairs. To complete the look, I use a brow pen. To make the drawing process easier, I follow this routine: I apply foundation to the brow bone area, including the hairs, and then bronze through them. Next, I shape my brows using the gel, applying an even coat with the larger bristles and then sculpting the desired shape with the shorter bristles. Once dry, I apply a thin layer of a very finely mild powder and then draw hairs with the pen. It is the best eyebrow gel I’ve ever tried, but it comes with a hefty price tag and isn’t vegan. Therefore, I’ve been searching for a more affordable, vegan-friendly alternative. And I’ve found one, that you can check in my latest article with identical dupes that you can read HERE.
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I was hesitating between the Saie liquid blush and another newer one I only discovered in December and I really love it, but the former one won the race as I find it easier to apply and mistake proof as it sheers out and it’s intensity is slightly buildable. The blush melts seamlessly into the skin and gives that lit-from-within pop of color. It is lightweight and easy to blend and I didn’t experience problems like looking streaky or patchy. For more longevity match the blush with the foundation( water based or silicone based).Â
The brand promises a product for sensitive skin, fragrance free and cruelty free. The product hydrates because of the plant derived Glycerin, it protects because of the Elderberry in it’s composition and it is brightening containing licorice root. The vegetable derived emollient helps condition and soften the skin, so the blush is a hybrid between makeup and skincare, which I really love. It shows the Saie is a brand that cares for the customers. The packaging looks luxury with an almost transparent matte recipient, allowing the shade to be seen and with bold letters, which makes it very aesthetically pleasing. I prefer to put a dot of the blush on the back of my hand and then pick it up with a very fluffy, airy brush. I try to saturate the product evenly on the bristles of the brush and then with apply it with light touching on top of the cheeks, towards the temples and even on the bridge of the nose and slightly on the chin. Once blended it somehow sets but still looks fresh and dewy. The shades are gorgeous and right now they have 8 of them with the star being the “Chilly” one which is a versatile mauve that suits so many skin tones.
This product is THE concealer of 2024, with so many makeup artists and users in general raving about it. I have this one ever since it launched, as I am a Natasha Denona makeup fanatic and this one is a revolutionary product. The full description of the product is that is a brightening and hydrating crease proof serum concealer, being a hybrid product, therefore a combination of makeup and skin care. With makeup, I find myself purchasing the most concealers and blushes, so I did try a lot of them, high-end and drugstore and I have found in this concealer the winning formula. The natural finish, the medium buildable coverage luminous matte look are given by bio-mimetic pigments and texture perfecting micro spheres. It translates in a flawless, airbrush result with a weightless natural look and a long wear flexible feel on the skin.Â
I am considering making a separate in depth review with swatches, as I understand the system of color matching is more complex it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. There is an online shade finder, but still it is still difficult for some to get the suitable one and the price point of the concealer doesn’t give too much room for test and fail experiences. Other special features of this acclaimed makeup product include: adjusting to any skin irregularity, locking coverage all day, wearing it for an extended period of time (of course, taking it out at the end of everyday) it reduces dark circles, anti-aging effect, increased skin hydration, collagen synthesis boost, and skin illumination. Vegan and talc-free, it comes in 50 shades with different undertones. It is a versatile product, as it can be used for the face and under eyes, as well as a spot concealer. Don’t sleep on this one. I totally recommend it.
I’ve never been too much into lip pencils, but I needed to build my kit with the minimum necessary amount of this product. I have looked into both high-end and drugstore options for a long lasting effect, creaminess and great colors. Natasha Denona launched an extension of the “I need a nude” collection with lip liners and I wanted to try the pink nudes because it’s not easy to find a wearable pink shade. This specific kind of pencil, for being nude, it also looks good as an overall lip color. At this moment, the collection carries 16 matte shades: true pinks, neutral pinks, and neutral beiges. I am mostly happy about my discovery because of the longevity. They have the longest staying power from all the liners I have tried. They are also lightweight on the lips, they have a flexible waterproof formula that won’t smudge or transfer.
The pencils are INFUSED with a mix of silky ester oils for comfortable wear and non-drying coverage. They are easy to sharpen( I use my trusty Essence sharpener) and they glide on smoothly and effortless defining lines with precision. The pigment is very important as it was the main reason I first got my eyes on this product. It is true to the shade description in what concerns the undertone(pink/beige) and it doesn’t fade throughout the wear time. The true pinks-newer shades- have the shade number with the P letter in front, while the neutral ones have the NP- that stands for Neutral Pink and NB- that stands for Neutral Beige and of course the number describing the intensity, in an incremental system. For a bridal makeup, the pink nudes are a must.
I cannot rave enough about this next one. Ever since I’ve discovered it, I haven’t used another cream bronzer. I have featured it in one of my other articles with identical dupes, that you can check here (click) and you must because you will not believe what high-end product it can easily replace. I would like to point out the difference between a bronzer a contour, because I see a lot of confusion. The bronzer is a makeup product in liquid/cream/powder form that gives a “sun kissed tan” to the skin, giving a slight bronzy look to the face. It is called a BRONZER, after all. It is warm toned and it is placed where the sun would natural hit, while a contour needs to be cool toned as it mimics a shadow (pulling towards gray) and it is used mainly to sculpt features, to play with volumes of the face.
Our product here, “Melted sun”, is a creamy warm toned product making it a bronzer. It is a drugstore product, therefore an affordable and accessible one. It is easy to apply and blend and it gives a long lasting matte but not dull finish to the skin. The coverage is buildable and it is recommended to start with a small quantity and keep adding only if needed. It comes in two shades for now 020 Beach babe and 030 Pretty tanned. To achieve that sun kissed, it must be applied on the highest points of the face, where the sun would naturally hit: top of the cheekbones, temples and bridge of the nose. The bronzer is vegan and also a clean beauty product, no perfume and oil free. I recommend trying other products from Catrice, as it is a great brand to buy from, with quality products that are affordable.
This foundation received a whole separate article only for itself, an in depth review that you can check here. Once I’ve tried it, I understood why people were raving so much about it. Brides are using it on their wedding day, which shows the level of trust in it’s longevity and appearance of skin in front of the camera, both photography and video. Offering a medium glowy coverage, it looks like your skin, but better. The same weightless coverage is buildable and it doesn’t look cakey, as it mimics the skin while delivering a hydrating layer to the skin. The iconic foundation melts into the skin, gives you enough time for blending, blurs pores and smooths texture because of a patented micro-fill technology combined with skincare. Depending on the base used, it is suitable for most skin types. For a dry/mature skin you will need underneath a very hydrating primer or moisturizer and for an oily skin, a mattifying primer.
I personally like to apply 2-3 pumps of the foundation on the back of my hand, saturate well the bristles of a synthetic brush and apply an even layer on cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, neck, and ears. If you manage to find your perfect suitable shade, you will not reach for another foundation ever again. When I wear this foundation, I receive so many compliments on my skin. Feeling light and sheer, it still provides coverage and doesn’t dry down your skin or messes with it after a whole day of wear. The best part of it, and my favorite feature is that is doesn’t oxidize in the bottle or on the skin, meaning that neutral will stay neutral throughout time. 10/10. Run, don’t walk.
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Brows and their shape change in fashion and trends like they are disposable, and they are not. I personally prefer to change their shape only by drawing and setting the hairs in place and not by plucking or tattooing them, as I am convinced in 2-3 years, what is considered “beautiful” will change. I manage to do this with the help of a brow gel and a brow pen. I’ve tried so many of them. I’ve liked the ones from Nyx, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Mac and I hated many others, not worth mentioning. The ones that bleed, fade and oxidize on your skin underneath the brow hairs went directly to the garbage. For the longest time, my favorite brow pen was from Urban Decay, the Brow blade. In the shade Caffe Kitty to be more precise. But came a time when either the pen was sold out almost constantly, either I had problems with delivery in my area.
By pure chance I saw Maybelline has launched a new brow pen, and I gave it a try as my beloved UD Brow blade was about to finish. The price point was drugstore level, so I didn’t even look into reviews so much. Just went for it with no high expectations. What attracted my attention was that I saw it was drawing very thin lines and that it had a neutral cool shade which was the Ash brown. It totally took me by surprise with it’s longevity, the shade that doesn’t oxidize, the precision drawing of the thin applicator. What I love the most is that the pen is mistake proof, as it never happened to me to start drawing and drop a big stain of the ink. I like that the liquid doesn’t dry down inside of the tube as long as you store it horizontally. I managed to sketch lines with the same intensity after months of daily use. As long as there will be no major changes in “brow fashion”, this will be my go-to brow pen. Hopefully, it will not be discontinued. And a little secret.. I don’t ever use the gel part, as I have other preferences for that step.
The hype is real. I stayed away from the brand and this product for so long because of the price point. But what is this magic makeup product that blew away my mind and became my all time favorite? The Ambient Lighting Powders are finishing powders that create a seamless, multidimensional glow, like from within. With Photoluminescent technology, the powder filter surrounding light blurs imperfections and refines skin appearance. To make smart purchases and lower the costs, I got the first 2 palettes of the range which are a curation of 3 different shades, some permanent, some limited edition. Each of these high-tech soft-focus finishing powders recreates flattering light sources, a glow that is not in your face exaggerated, but healthy looking. Â
These amazing powders conceal skin imperfections, pores and even wrinkles making the skin look softer, younger and lit from within. They enhance skin in any type of light, including flash photography. A versatile product, I use it as a bronzer powder to mimic a sun kissed skin, as a transition base shade on the lid so that I will not get stains with matte eyeshadows, and I even use it as a highlighter. The secret is to know how to play with different shades and intensity. I simply adore this high-end powder. The packaging looks luxurious and they make your skin look airbrushed and satiny, but still natural, even for everyday use. Worth every penny and it’s my number one makeup product for 2024 and beyond
Now that you saw my choices, which product is in your list too and which product is your number one for 2024, the product you most used, loved and that you will purchase over and over again?
I really enjoyed reading this and learning about the makeup products that have stood the test of time! Your thoughtful approach to selecting quality over hype is refreshing, especially in a world where trends come and go so quickly.
Need to try more form Saie! xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
I will have to try some of these! I love a glitter gloss!
Beautiful list!