best of 2019 beauty
We asked a few of our fave beauty insiders from across canada
to share their Faves of the year.
1.
“From skin-type compatibility to coverage preference — and don't even get me started on colour matching — finding the perfect foundation can feel like an impossible task. That's what makes a product like the Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint from CHANEL such a treat. The formula features a lightweight, gel texture with "micro-droplets" of pigment to hydrate and smooth skin, while also giving it a subtle glow. It's easy to apply — yes, even if your application "technique" is less skilled and more along the lines of smearing it around until it appears to be blended — and even easier to wear. No flaking, pilling, cracking ... it's perfect,” says Aleesha Harris, Arts&Life Editor, The Vancouver Sun and The Province, and blogger at Covet & Acquire.
2.
“COVERGIRL’s Trublend Undercover Concealer ($11) is my top beauty pick of 2019. For awhile we were seeing brands expand their foundation shade range but neglecting the concealers. So when COVERGIRL announced they were launching 30 full coverage concealers that would match 99% of skin tones I was quite blown away,” says Veronica Chu, an in-demand hair and makeup artist works her magic behind the scenes for Canada’s top magazines and also appears as an on-air beauty expert for The Marilyn Denis Show. “It has a built-in, fluffy doe foot applicator combined with a smooth formula that is a buildable to full coverage that can conceal, shape and brighten. The finish is matte and the long-lasting formula makes it last all day. There is literally a concealer shade for everyone!”
3. & 4.
Jill Dunn & Carlene Higgins
“For the podcast’s “Best Foundations” special in episode 85, we swatched and swatched and I found a handful of faves. But there’s only one that I actually went out and bought (ouch - it’s hella expensive!), the PAT MCGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation ($90). Mother really ticked all the base boxes with this one: it’s got a silky, serum-like consistency, medium but buildable coverage that lasts and a soft focus finish (here for the blurred pores!) - it’s truly like a second skin,” says Jill Dunn, Co-Host, Breaking Beauty Podcast.
“My favourite new foundation is Urban Decay’s Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation ($53). It’s got a long-lasting matte finish that makes my blotchy skin tone look way more even, and I like how refined my pores look, too. It’s a little easier to blend than some of the other matte longwears we reviewed, and still looks great into the evening. We interviewed Urban Decay’s founder Wende Zomnir for episode 94 recently, and realized this foundation is just one more in a long list of UD products always in our makeup bags,” says Carlene Higgins, Co-Host, Breaking Beauty Podcast.
5.
“I love L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Mascara ($27) because not only does it give you great lift and length, but the bendable wand allows you to really get in at the root of your lashes. It also makes for a much easier application to the bottom lashes too,” says Tracy Peart, makeup artist and on-air beauty expert for BT Toronto and Cityline.
6.
Photographer Alvaro Goveia.
“I love fragrance but it's not often that I fall head-over-heels in love with one. Gucci's Mémoire d'une Odeu Eau de Parfum (60ml, $116) swept me off my feet at first whiff. I love everything about it. The bottle is based on an old perfume ad from the nineties. The star notes include jasmine and Roman chamomile that has grown in terraced gardens since the 16th and 17th centuries. It's a bit earthy, a bit floral, a bit musky. I leaned into the whole vibe *and* it smells really good. The kind of good where you have you be standing really close to the person to smell it. I like the intimacy of it and how it's not loud or flashy, but quiet and every bit intriguing on its own,” says Mishal Cazmi, a freelance beauty writer who also appears as an on-air expert on The Social and is founder of 100 ML, a must-visit beauty and travel website.
7.
“Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lipsticks ($34) stole my heart the moment I tried them, they're now a purse lipstick so it's serious! Peach & Quiet and Juicy Date are just my perfect easy shades. I wear them on their own, mix them, use them as lipstick toppers - perfection! They have a really comfortable and a buildable formula that I find super versatile”, says Samantha Jane, a top Canadian beauty YouTuber.
8.
“I included the Givenchy Volume Disturbia Mascara ($33) in the September issue of ELLE Canada as one of my fave launches for fall, but I'd now like to revise my previous statement because I've decided it’s my favourite launch of the year. This mascara doesn’t smudge down my face, is never clumpy and isn’t overly fragranced (my least favourite mascara attribute—why do lashes need to have a fragrance?). It’s also in very attractive packaging. I’ve used three tubes so far,” says Victoria DiPlacido, digital director at Elle Canada.
9.
“Buxom is a quiet BOSS at lip products – the Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss is no exception. It has a great feel and shiny full look on lips. There’s a good shade range, plus a minty fresh scent that invigorates. I love that you can wear this without fuss, with no liner or lipstick underneath required. It looks so simple and fresh on its own, and lips look totally kissable,” says Christine Cho, who ‘paints faces and talks about it on TV’ and is a regular expert on The Marilyn Denis Show.
P.S. Cho also gave Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, Jowaé Hydrating Water Mist and Benefit Cosmetics’ Brow Styler and Hello Happy Foundation a shout out when sharing her faves.
10.
“My 2019 fave is aN-Hydra The Powder of Youth ($66) — I absolutely love this little wonder, for a few reasons. The bottle contain three months of powder, and is refillable (genius!). When I use it as a face wash, my skin feels clean but not dry. And when I use it as a mask (in the bath mostly!), it helps clear up any pimples, while it brightens. This one will be in my stash for year's to come,” says Michelle Bilodeau, who is a green beauty expert on The Social, co-host of On a High podcast and editor of The Eco-Edit.
11.
“My favourite beauty launches of the year help maintain the illusion that I am a pulled-together, non-frizzy-haired, grown-up lady. I love anything that smooths my hair or gives my skin some vibrancy (all the more essential during these long winter months),” says Liza Herz, a beauty writer and regular contributor to BeautyGeeks. A legit foundation of info, we’re thrilled that Liza did NOT hold back with all her recos 🙌🏽. “Pantene Pro-V Intense Rescue Shots ($8, pack/3) are magical little treatment bombs full of lipids that actually penetrate sad, straw-like, damaged hair giving it life where before there was only sadness and crispy ends. And the wee single-serving tubes are very travel-friendly. The Kérastase Blond Absolu line is not just for blondes. The purple shampoo and conditioner are brilliant on grey hair, banishing any yellow (ugh) cast and in its wake leaving a gorgeous silver gleam you can see from space. Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector is true to its name. It's loaded with hydrators and the tiniest microscopic bits of shimmer to give your skin a believable healthy glow with only the faintest veil of glowing colour. And because grey hair can suck all the colour from your face (sigh) I am always looking for my next favourite red lipstick. Maybelline New York’s new Color Sensational Made for All Lipstick in 'Ruby For Me' was tested on 50 different women with different skin tones so it really is “universally wearable,” and makes me look 'done' even when I'm wearing nothing else (except for tinted moisturizer and mascara. Duh),” she says.
12.
Photographer Katherine Holland
“My fave isn’t one singular product, but a whole product line extension. Oribe’s Moisture & Control collection ($38-$46 USD) now includes two different curl-enhancing stylers, such as the new Curl Gelée for Shine & Definition, and a deep treatment mask all designed for highly-textured hair. It’s finally great to see a big-name, luxury haircare brand properly targeting natural hair with a full range of products,” says Natasha Bruno, beauty director at FASHION.
13.
Photographer Émilie Hébert
“I’m obsessed with mascara. I have very pale lashes so I feel like it’s the staple item that changes my entire face when I put makeup on. When I was a teenager, I always had one mascara to lengthen my top lashes, another one to add volume and a last one for my bottom lashes. I kinda spent all my babysitter money on mascaras. Call me crazy,” says says Théo Dupuis-Carbonneau, beauty director at Elle Québec. “Nowadays, I tend to only use one mascara at the time and I was blown (pun intended) away by It Cosmetics X Drybar Lash Blowout Mascara ($33). It curls, lengthen and add volume to my lashes in a couple swipes without flaking or making a mess on my eyelid (I have oily eyelids and it’s kind of a struggle). The formula is just right - not too waxy, not too liquid - and ages well. The brush is inspired by a blow out brush and MY MY - I have to say it’s a brilliant, brilliant idea. Last point: the packaging itself is perfect and allows a good grip.”
14.
“The retinol train is riddled with choices and, while I am looking for results, I'm more concerned with a gentle, non-irritating dose of the good stuff. With Skinceuticals Retinol 03 Refining Night Cream ($70), I feel like I'm getting a healthy dose of retinol to boost the turn over process without dealing with fiery-red, peeling skin,” says Bahar Niamwalla, On-Air Beauty Expert and Digital Beauty Editor at Cityline.
15.
“My favourite new product of the year is the Essentials by Temi Soothing Elixir Oil ($26). This facial oil is my holy grail, it keeps my skin in tip top shape all year long - especially during wintertime. I really spent my time perfecting this formulation based on cherished feedback from like-minded skin-care formulators and friends/clients with very sensitive skin. This elixir oil is a blend of powerful, ultra-calming oils that is rich in antioxidants which makes it perfect for all skin types,” says Temi Shobowale, the line’s founder who is also a professional makeup artist.
