Best Beauty Products 2020 | Honest Reviews

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I have never done this type of blog post before, so I hope to make it a tradition! Since we are at the end of the year, I want to talk about the items that I consider to be the best beauty products of 2020. Not everything here was released in 2020. This award show is dedicated to all of the items that I am trying this year that are the best of the best and absolute game changers that I am blessed to have discovered. For each item I am giving a full, detailed review, and I will link you to any related blog posts if you want to see swatches or more details. Get ready to have your beauty life changed!

Best Beauty Products 2020

elf+ Matte Oil Control Primer

Let’s start off the best beauty products of 2020 with a face primer. elf’s +Matte Oil Control Primer first appeared on the blog in a post where I tested a bunch of primers, and this one is a clear winner. I urge you to check that post out for pictures and a detailed review/wear test. But, the formula reminds me so much of my all-time-favorite Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. A little bit goes a long way, so definitely only apply about a dime-size amount. It has the power to transform a bad foundation into one that looks, wears, and performs much better. Your oils are perfectly controlled and the matte look lasts all day. This is high-end performance in a drugstore product.

Related Post: Best elf Primers for Combination Skin

wet n wild photofocus Dewy Foundation

Second is wet n wild’s photofocus Dewy Foundation, which first appeared in my 2020 new products post. In order to review this foundation, I need to talk about the original formula first.

wet n wild first gave us regular photofocus Foundation, which is matte. I love that foundation so much because it looks great on the skin and wears beautifully all day. The only issue with it is the need for balance. It is very easy to apply too much of the foundation, which causes it to look heavy on the skin. To this day I struggle with applying just the right amount. I should throw in here how quickly it dries, meaning you need to apply the foundation in sections.

Dewy foundation is not something I immediately jump on with my combination skin, because it tends to make me look too oily as the day goes on. But, let me tell you, I consider photofocus Dewy to be the ‘perfected’ version of its matte sister, correcting all of the ‘problems’ with the matte formulation. If they discontinued the matte one, I would not be all that mad.

photofocus Dewy has a lightweight formula that can be built from medium to nearly full coverage, but it never looks heavy, and you do not need to work in sections. The amount of dew is gentle, and will mostly go away if you powder your entire face like me. It looks beautiful on the skin, and really skin-like. By the end of the day it holds up fabulously, and it does not make me look greasy! As the dew and your natural oils come back, it makes your skin look fresh and healthy.

This year I have really enjoyed not only wearing photofocus Dewy, but actually mixing it with the matte version! I mix the foundations directly on my face. For example, I take the paddle applicator and apply a swipe of each formulation on my cheek, then blend it all together with a sponge.

Related Post: wet n wild 2020 New Products

elf Hydrating Camo Concealer

Third is elf’s Hydrating Camo Concealer. I am personally not a fan of the original 16 Hour Camo Concealer, as I find the formula to be too matte, to the point that it looks dry. That is coming from someone who does not have dry skin! Hydrating Camo Concealer is the perfect alternative.

The formula is ultra creamy and full coverage. It dries to a satin finish, which is not matte or dewy, but essentially natural. A little bit goes a long way. The curved applicator holds more product than you may expect, so you do not need to dip the applicator in the tube several times. With drugstore concealer it can be tricky to find a light enough shade to brighten the face, but elf’s shade range is great. I love to apply this concealer under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, on the center of my forehead, and on my chin. It is definitely long wearing. All concealers crease in my under eye lines, so I really do not review them for that, rather, I always bake my under eyes.

P.S. wearing Hydrating Camo Concealer with wet n wild photofocus Dewy Foundation is a match made in heaven.

Nyx Glitter Primer

Fourth is Nyx’s Glitter Primer. I wish I would have tried this sooner! This formula is developed to adhere pressed and loose glitters onto the eye, but, I have more uses for it.

Any eyeshadows that are not considered to be matte (shimmer, glitter, metallic, etc.) are my arch enemy. I cannot stand using them because they do not stay put. For example, if you put a shimmer eyeshadow on your eyelid, five minutes later you will see the shimmer in your crease. That spikes my anxiety level to a 10, so I typically stick with mattes as much as I can. Glitter Primer has opened new doors for me. I always cover my eyelid with normal primer and set that with neutral eyeshadow, but, I apply Glitter Primer anywhere that I am going to lay down non-matte eyeshadows, and they actually stay in place all day.

The primer basically dries down like a gentle glue that is super tacky, which is how it effectively keeps everything in place. It does not crease either, so it meets my qualifications of standard eyeshadow primer.

Eylure x Vegas Nay Easy Elegance

Number five in the best beauty products of 2020 is not a new product by any means. Why has it taken me so long to try the Easy Elegance false lashes? Oh, I am stocking up now! First and foremost, they have a thin band that is natural on the eye. Beyond that, what makes these lashes so great is that they look like your own lashes, just enhanced and perfected. Honestly, I do not think anyone will suspect you are wearing falsies with these on. They will think you have amazing real lashes! They are excellent for every day wear, whether that means a t shirt and jeans, or dressing up for a special event. Additionally, they gradually taper outwards, which will open your eyes and make you look more awake. You will see these babies in action at the end of the post.

Urban Decay Vice Lip Chemistry & wet n wild megalast Stained Glass Lip

Next up I am going to talk about two products that are total dupes. I first made you aware of the dupes in my cheap alternatives post. These formulas are not to be slept on, and here is why they are worthy to be in the best beauty products of 2020.

I am not sure what kind of black magic we have going on here, but both Urban Decay Vice Lip Chemistry and wet n wild megalast Stained Glass Lip dry down and stay glossy all day. I do not consider these to be glosses, rather, highly pigmented glossy liquid lipsticks that actually stay on the lips all day through eating and drinking and stay shiny. Again, this is unheard of! With Urban Decay’s you can press your finger on your lips and you end up with a shiny, clear residue on your finger, but no color transfer. You can do that all day long and not damage your lip look. So weird! Additionally, Urban Decay’s claims to react to your body’s pH so that you get a custom version of the color, but wet n wild’s does not do that. wet n wild needs more shades ASAP.

Related Post: Cheap Alternatives for High-End Makeup

Urban Decay Vice Lip Chemistry vs wet n wild megalast Stained Glass Lip

Maybelline Brow Extensions Fiber Pomade Crayon

Here is my favorite brow obsession of the year- Maybelline Brow Extensions Fiber Pomade Crayon. The size of the crayon is a great happy medium, making it fast to fill your brows, but you can stay in the lines. The fibers make a noticeable difference. My brows look so full and voluminous with this pomade. You will see that in the look at the end of this post. Maybelline always shade matches me well. This crayon is smooth and easy to work with and does not tug.

Related Post: Best Maybelline Products of All Time

Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Liquid Eyeliner in Black to Basic

Continuing on, I am googoo gaga over the Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Liquid Eyeliner. I first discovered it in my unboxing of the Walmart Halloween 2020 box. This eyeliner features a brush-like tip that really reminds me of the KVD Tattoo Liner, but the tip is a bit thicker. The liner dries down quickly to be matte black, and it is super easy to make thin and thick lines. I love how fluid this liner is! It glides right on without skipping. You can draw by holding it on its side OR with the tip itself and it works beautifully. It is so easy to draw a wing using the tip. You will mistake this eyeliner for high-end. Always be sure to store it tip side down and shake it well before each use. I already bought it in white.

Related Post: Walmart Halloween Beauty Box 2020 Review

Kiss Lash Glue Liner

This next review is going to be big, and I promise you I am not sponsored, I just love this product to the moon and back. Are you ready to have your life and your lash game changed forever? Take a seat.

When I am planning to wear false lashes, application usually takes so long that I have to set extra time aside, so I only wear them for special occasions. Now, I can wear lashes every day with no extra time needed.

Kiss Lash Glue Liner eliminates EVERYTHING that you hate about lash glue. You line your eye like you would with any felt tip eyeliner, then pick up the eyelashes with your fingers, and stick them in place. The lash just stays put with no slipping and sliding around, no repositioning, no fixing the ends, and no tools needed. Your lashes will stay on all day with no lifting, not even on the ends. Heck, I even tried this liner with cheap lashes that were oversized and heavy with flawless results. Does this sound too good to be true? This is one time that it actually is true.

You need to see Lash Glue Liner in action. I have watched several Youtube videos. What I find most striking is how women literally pick their lashes up with their fingers but BOOM they are stuck on the eye in seconds with no fuss. Here is a clip you can see for yourself- https://youtu.be/z_OYGz3ksCE

I have already donated ALL of my magnetic eyelashes, and 99% of my eyelash glues, even my favorite Duo brand glues. I am that serious about Lash Glue Liner.

You have two options, which are black and clear. Clear is best for wearing lashes when you do not want to wear eyeliner, or if you want to wear your own eyeliner. Your eye makeup will stain the tip, but that is ok, as it will not deposit the staining onto your eye. The black version is to be used as normal eyeliner. You can draw a wing with it or do whatever you want. The formula is matte black, incredibly fluid and does not skip or tug, and the tip is easy to control and work with. You do not need to rush with this product. Line how you want, then go in with your lashes.

The liner is a bit difficult to remove, as expected. After using a a wipe/micellar water, about half of the liner is still on. I recommend using an oil-based eye makeup remover. I have no trouble getting the rest off completely. As for removing the lashes, they pull right off painlessly and effortlessly.

If Kiss ever discontinues Lash Glue Liner, I will find you. You have been warned. If that sounds like a threat, it is. You need this product point blank period.

wet n wild Fantasy Makers Glitter Gels

I am surprised the next product is in my best beauty products of 2020, but sometimes we fall for unexpected items. When I first got my hands on the wet n wild Fantasy Makers Glitter Gels, I knew I would hate them before ever trying them, but I stand terribly mistaken. I consider these to be like body glitter for an adult. The formula is a clear gel that is not sticky or tacky in any way. They do dry down and last all day, without fallout or mess. Best of all, you can apply these over powder and they look great! I attribute that to the gel formula.

My favorite way to wear these is over top of the highlighter on my cheekbones as a topper, or I incorporate them into a creative eyeshadow look.

Related Post: wet n wild Fantasy Makers Neon Collection

elf Putty Eye Primer

I am impressed with the elf Putty Eye Primers after doing a dedicated blog post on them, so they deserve another mention in the best beauty products of 2020. I urge you to read that post for an in-depth review with swatches, but I will give you an abbreviated review here.

The formula of these primers is a cream that you can easily spread onto the eyelid with a brush or your finger. Rose, Sand, and Black have a very creamy formula, while the rest are somewhat dry. The dry primers actually look dry and patchy when applied to the eyelid. Once you apply your eyeshadow over top, you no longer see they dryness and patchiness, and your eyeshadow performance is not affected. They are not full coverage, but you can build the color up to your desired level of intensity. These are all matte.

What about creasing? I find with the dryer formulas are that they crease up by the time I am ready to apply my eye makeup. I simply use the brush that I originally applied the primer with to smooth out the crease. This can also be avoided by applying your eye makeup first, or by waiting to apply the primer until you are ready to work on the eyes. Additionally, you can set the primer with your face powder or a neutral eyeshadow, which eliminates the issue. The creamy formulas never crease when worn without powder. Your eyeshadow will last all day without creasing, fading, or movement.

Related Post: elf Putty Eye Primer Review: In-Depth Analysis

Physicians Formula Butter Collection x Weylie Hoang

In 2020 I placed a Physicians Formula order and I was blown away by everything! Now, I have enjoyed plenty of blush, bronzers, and highlighters this year, but to keep it simple, let’s talk about a palette that contains all three. You should already know that I love the Butter line of products, and this Physicians Formula Butter Collection x Weylie Hoang palette is top notch. You get the classic scent along with the Butter formula that is so soft and easy to blend that you would swear these are creams. The highlighter shines for miles! These shades are great for everyday use, plus you score some limited edition shades.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 1

Eyeshadow is my absolute favorite type of makeup. In 2020 I have tried so much eyeshadow, and I have found that almost all of it worked out really well. It is hard for me to narrow down to one palette, or even a few. So, to make my decisions, I am going with the palettes that are first of mind when I think over what really impressed me this year. These are in no particular order.

Technically I got the Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 1 in 2019, but I really did not get to try it until 2020. I used this for my maid of honor look this year, so it holds a special place in my heart. All of the colors in this palette are super pigmented and gorgeous. ABH usually knocks it out of the park with eyeshadow! I feel like such a pro makeup artist every time that I use this palette, and I cannot wait to own all four volumes. See my Christmas 2019 post for swatches and more details!

Related Post: What I Got For Christmas 2019

anastaisa Beverly Hills Norvina Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 1

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Eyeshadow Palette

Yes, I have another ABH palette. Meet the Amrezy Eyeshadow Palette. I used this palette on Mother’s Day and my final look was so beautiful that I cannot forget it. That bright blue definitely catches the eye, and it is very good. Just as you get with their other palettes in this format, these eyeshadows are incredibly pigmented and bendable. Some kick up will happen, which is pretty characteristic for ABH, but I do not have fall out issues.

Physicians Formula Rose All Play Eyeshadow Bouquet

Thinking about that Physicians Formula order, this Rose All Play Eyeshadow Bouquet is a surprising drugstore palette. The mattes are ultra pigmented and so easy to blend without patchiness. As for the shimmers, they are gorgeous and creamy. I like this formula very much and I hope they release more shades. If you love mauves and pinks you need this palette for sure. Not much kick up is created with these shadows.

Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette

I am obsessed with the eyeshadow look I created with the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette this year! It took me until 2020 to try this brand, but best believe I am going back for more. This palette is so clean without fall out or kick up. These eyeshadows are highly pigmented and they blend well. The shimmers are simply lovely and soft. I cannot wait to play with this palette more.

elf Bite Size Eyeshadows

I want to give the elf Bite Size Eyeshadows a quick shout out while I am discussing eyeshadows. I have a full review blog post that I did this year on them, so definitely check that out if you want full details, swatches, and eyeshadow looks. For only $3 you can have a mini drugstore palette that is of high-end quality. These eyeshadows are so pigmented and rich. See the post for more!

Related Post: elf Bite Size Eyeshadow Review

Physicians Formula Rose All Day x Exteriorglam Collection

The last product in the best beauty products of 2020 is the Physicians Formula Rose All Day x Exteriorglam Collection, also from that order that I am referencing. I am mainly including this for the eyeshadow, as it has the same amazing formula found in the Rose All Play Eyeshadow Bouquet, but everything in this set is great! The blush is super flattering for a range of skin tones, and the highlighter glows just the way that I like. The lip color is perfectly fine, and the perfume is what it is.

Makeup Look

To top off the best beauty products of 2020 award winners, I am doing a full-face makeup look using as many of these items as I can. These selections are not enough to make a full-face, so I am filling in with other items that qualify as my favorites.

In this look you can see the natural beauty of the lashes, the voluminous brows, and the glitter gels used as highlighter toppers!

full face of makeup best beauty products 2020

For the eyeshadow look, start by applying OG in the crease and bring it down below the eye about a quarter across. Next, apply the Nyx Glitter Primer onto 75% of the eyelid, excluding the outer v, and pack the shade Barb on top of it. Now, apply Semsa onto the outer v, and bring it down below the onto the lower lash line just a bit to connect the lower lash line to the outer v. To make a statement, apply Leo onto the lower lash line. Finish the look by highlighting the brow bone and inner corner with Waisted.

eyeshadow look using anastasia beverly hills amrezy eyeshadow palette

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Conclusion

In summary of the best beauty products of 2020, I stand behind each and every product discussed here. These are the products that make the year for me, and my makeup routine is forever changed for the better. It is so difficult to narrow down a list as a beauty lover, so I call on you to add to my list by including your award winners in the comments. When I think about 2021 I cannot begin to imagine what new favorites await us. But, I know for sure that the items I am talking about in this post will continue to be a force in the years to come. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

What are your personal best beauty products of 2020?