Best Beauty Products 2022 Top Makeup Picks

It is now an annual tradition for me to do roundup reviews on everything that I could not put down during the year. You can consider this to be like The Aesthetic Edge awards! For the best beauty products 2022, as I always do, my focus is on products that I tried for the first time this year. These items may not have been released in 2022. 2022 seemed like the year of lips, as so much lip color came my way, which happens to be my least favorite type of makeup. I also got to do several single brand in-depth reviews, which yield plenty of favorites. Get ready for me to spill the full details on everything! You will notice that I have blog post reviews for most of these already.

Best Makeup Products of 2022

Primer

Alix Avien Primary Pro Matte Primer

To start off the best beauty products 2022, I have the Alix Avien Primary Pro Matte Primer. When I say it blew me away on first application, I can hardly do it justice in words. I am so blessed that the brand sent me a box full of their products in order to do an Alix Avien Paris review for you, and this was the top standout. Here is the breakdown of why it rocks. It leaves you with a mattified base that smooths and evens out the skin, but without a dry or tacky finish. When you apply your foundation over top, it gives you a blurred, real-life filter effect. I have combination skin, and it hardly allows oils to come through, plus it extends the wear time of makeup. Best of all, I can pair this primer with foundations that do not look the best on me, and it makes them look better!

Foundation

elf Halo Glow Liquid Filer

Second, in thinking about the best drugstore beauty products of 2022, I have two complexion or foundation related items to discuss. The world has fallen head over heels for elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter, and I admit that I have used it a ton this year, besides some of the remarks that I made in my elf Halo Glow review. The only negative remarks that I gave it are that it has a sticky finish no matter what, and wearing it alone makes me look too shiny in a bad way. I get the most use out of it by applying a thin layer under my foundation. However, I also enjoy it as a foundation mix-in, as well as for liquid highlighter. It makes the best liquid highlight because it blends into the skin well, and the color is natural. It does not harm the wear time of whatever you pair it with, nor does it give some crazy blurring effect. This goes hand-in-hand with the below serum.

Loreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum

It seems like a Loreal knockout foundation hits my list every year, and this time it is the Loreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. This is not a foundation per se, but I choose to wear it as one. I like to apply two layers with a sponge to get medium coverage. Here is why it is so great. Hyaluronic acid keeps your skin hydrated AND plumped all day, which means oil production is minimal to non-existant. This product does not need set with powder at all, yet it looks amazing all day. It is my go-to for wearing cream makeup for that reason. You should feel free to apply it with a brush, your fingers, or a sponge. It always looks fresh, healthy, and skin-like, no matter how much you layer on. Can you say no fuss? You can easily rock a no-makeup or skinimalism makeup look too. Please read more in my Loreal True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum review.

Concealer

Loreal True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer

Third is concealer, and I am hitting you with the matching companion to the foundation serum. The Loreal True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer is your best friend, and it also contains hyaluronic acid. Please note, a little bit goes a long way! It offers medium coverage with a serum-like consistency that blends into the skin easily. I literally apply a dot from the tube straight to my under eyes to get a brightening effect. This provides low to high medium buildable coverage. All concealers settle into the fine lines under my eyes, but this formula does it less.

Powder

Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder

Fourth, I am going to discuss two powders, starting with a viral TikTok favorite. The Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder has been shown to give a too good to be true blurring effect, which I want to debunk. It does provide a decent blurring effect as it sets the skin well and does not look heavy, but it is no TikTok filter. This is a nice one for the under eye area! I really appreciate the light tone of this banana powder for fair skin. Usually, they are too dark yellow, but I can apply this one all over. I really do not believe that it extends wear time.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear 3-in-1 Setting Powder

I have a love-hate relationship with the Physicians Formula Mineral Wear 3-in-1 Setting Powder, but I want to include it anyway. The biggest complaint is the packaging. It is hard to open the lid to each powder, plus you are dispensing all of them into one lid. I would really like to see PF package each powder separately, as the concept is nice. You get a powder for setting, baking, and for brightening (finishing). They each set your face well with a blurring effect. I would use this a lot more if I felt like fighting with the package.

Brows

elf Soap Brow

Fifth for the best beauty products 2022 is brow products! I have been reaching for my elf Soap Brow like crazy. Let me be clear, virtually any clear soap will do the job, and I still love my Pears Soap Brow routine. But, I appreciate that elf is small for easy travel. This product dries down and locks my brows in place all day, even in humidity. I love to follow it up with a tint that gives hair like strokes, as discussed below. You can read more in the head-to-head battle of elf Brow Lift vs. Soap Brow.

Haus Labs The Edge Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brown

This Haus Labs The Edge Precision Brow Pencil is still being sold at a deep discount on Amazon. Haus Labs did keep it around for the rebrand, but I have not tried the reformulation. I will be the first person to tell you that a skinny brow pencil is what it is, and they are all the same. Somehow, this one is a standout. The shade match is great, the tip is just skinny enough, and it is that much more creamy than the next leading pencil. I use it a lot, and I have a backup.

Setting Spray

elf Stay All Day Blue Light Micro Setting Mist

Next is a setting spray, which is the elf Stay All Day Blue Light Micro Setting Mist. It is my pick because it extends the wear time of makeup, much like Urban Decay All Nighter, but at a fraction of the cost. It also does not have the yucky scent that elf’s green bottled counterpart has. You can read all of the details in my elf setting spray review.

Bronzer, Blush, Highlighter

elf Putty Bronzer

I have been trying my best to find an appreciation for cream makeup, and the elf Putty Bronzer line is making that super easy. Tan Lines is my most used shade because it is perfect on my skin tone. I apply mine with the elf Complexion Duo Blush. They blend out like a dream, set down like powder, and last all day without lifting up coverage underneath. They are truly no-fuss and require no skills to use. You can see all of the shades in my elf Putty Bronzer review.

Revlon Skin Lights Prismatic Powder Bronzer

I want to give you a powder option, too, so here is the Revlon Skin Lights Prismatic Powder Bronzer. You need to like shimmer bronzers with this one, but the powder is so soft and glides right over the skin. It gives the most beautiful sun-kissed effect that is multidimensional, but never orange or muddy.

Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team

I also want to shout out the Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team for blush, bronzer, and highlighter. Their formulas cannot be beat, and the value of this space-saving palette is a must. I go in-depth with it in my Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team review.

Believe Beauty Luminizing Glow Trio in On Cloud Nine

For the best makeup products of 2022, I have two highlighter options. After doing my Believe Beauty review of the brand, I was shocked by the Luminizing Glow Trio in Cloud Nine. All of the shades are fair skin friendly, which is hard to come by with a highlighter palette. The powders are incredibly soft and creamy for a buildable look that you control.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Glow Highlighter

If you are tired of liquid highlighter that refuses to blend, or that lifts up coverage underneath, then you need to try the Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Glow Highlighter. It eliminates all of those issues to give you a beautiful glow.

elf Putty Blush

For blush, cream and liquid are the winners! After mentioning the bronzer, it is no surprise that I am all about elf Putty Blush. My most used shade is Tahiti, and I apply it with their Putty Primer Applicator. This is really my bronzer review, but they apply with buildable pigment that blends like a dream, dries down to powder, and lasts all day. You can see all of them in my elf Putty Blush review.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

I got to try the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush as a Christmas gift set, but I never truly break into those until the new year. All of the hype is true! Liquid might look intimidating, but these are easy to work with. I recommend applying a few dots and blending them out with a stipple brush, or a sponge. You can control the pigment, and they last all day without removing coverage underneath.

Eyeshadow

elf No Budge Shadow Sticks

I have to break down eyeshadow in beauty products 2022, because I always try so many! I have a major obsession with the elf No Budge Shadow Stick line. First and foremost, they last all day without creasing or fading! There is zero movement! The formula is so creamy that I apply them as sticks to my eye, but you can blend them with a brush if you want to. I love these for a quick look when I am short on time. They pair well with other sticks, or powder eyeshadow. You can get to know all of the colors in my elf No Budge Shadow Stick review.

elf Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow

elf has another winner with their Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow line. Much like the sticks, they last all day without fading, creasing, or movement. I like to apply them straight to the eye, and blend with their flat eyeshadow brush. You get enough time to work with them before they dry down. They are another favorite of mine for a fast and simple eye look. You already know that I have the play-by-play in my elf Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow review.

Morphe Big Primpin’ Artistry Palette

It is always so hard for me to pin down eyeshadow favorites for best beauty products 2022, and I painfully narrowed my selections down to two of my most used palettes. Morphe Big Primpin’ is sadly discontinued as a seasonal find, but it contains the best selection of neutrals for virtually any look. Their formula is always hyper pigmented, blendable, soft, velvety, and buildable. I hardly see fall out or kick up either.

Nyx Ultimate Utopia Eyeshadow Palette

I wanted the Nyx Ultimate Utopia Eyeshadow Palette for years, and finally received it on my 27th birthday. The shade range is so unique! Over the year you have watched me publish several looks on my Instagram feed with a color theme. I have tried blue, green, pink, gold, etc. I also used this for Labor Day to use hues that matched the flowers in my outfit. This palette applies and wears like high-end!

Lashes

Babe Lash Essential Lash Serum

This year I did not try any mascara (or eyeliner) that truly took me over the edge, but I do have a related favorite. I tried the Babelash Lash Essential Lash Serum, and it has changed my life! At first I was skeptical about seeing results, worrying that they would all be in my mind. By using mascara and a lash curler, I could definitely tell things were changing. This product has made my lashes longer and fluffier with results that I can see! I am sure you know how having good lashes is the key to making most mascaras look good, even the crappier ones. I am seeing that effect, and it is amazing! This tube claims it is a six week supply, but I have been using it for two plus months at the time of this writing. They say you can reduce to two to three uses per week after the six week mark, but I keep using it daily. It is worth every penny!

Lips

Basic Lipstick

Anastasia Beverly Hills Satin Velvet Lipstick in Praline

As I mentioned in the intro, this has been the year of the lippie, so I really had to break down what I have been wearing the most. First are lipsticks. My love for Anastasia Beverly Hills Velvet Lipstick in Praline is really just the color because it is flattering on me. The velvet formula is basic lipstick with no special properties.

Believe Beauty Satin Crush Lipstick

I surprised myself by how much I reached for the two shades of Believe Beauty Satin Crush Lipstick that I have! Their satin formula is top notch for the drugstore. They are creamy, super pigmented, and the price is right. I opted for neutral pinks.

Kat Von D Epic Kiss Nourishing Vegan Butter Lipstick

It also shocks me how much I reached for these various Kat Von D Epic Kiss Nourishing Vegan Butter Lipsticks! As a long-wear fan, I usually do not desire sheer, buildable to medium coverage with a buttery feel and shine, but these are so pretty.

Longwear

Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink

In the long-wear category I have Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink. Multiple brands this year dropped their version of a shiny liquid lipstick that lasts all day, with a formula that you shake prior to application. These last super well, as does the shine. I must say, mine is not super shiny like I see on others. No one really talks about how gosh darn similar these are to Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink! Both formulations feel like a comfortable, latex coating on the lips that is flexible and lasts all day.

Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon

Why did it take me so long to try the Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayons?! They have a creamy, full-coverage formula that glides right on and stays in the lines of your lips. The matte finish is comfortable, and never flakey. I get all day wear with them, with little to no transfer.

Believe Beauty Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Charmed

Here is Believe Beauty again, this time with their Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick! Their formula is full coverage and dries down to be fully matte. It also lasts all day with no dryness and virtually no transfer.

Kara Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick

Did you know that Kara Beauty offers killer Liquid Matte Lipstick? Their formula is lightweight, but it also dries down to be fully matte and lasts all day. With serious eating you might get some fade that you can touch up, but there is no flaking.

Alix Avien Matte Liquid Lipstick

Rounding out the lasting lippies is the Alix Avien Matte Liquid Lipstick. Their formula is hard core because it is tricky to wash off! The bright and bold pigmentation is insane, with a fully matte formula that is never dry, and of course lasts all day.

Gloss

Alix Avien Lip Gloss in Rose Pink

I have been trying super hard in best beauty products 2022 to find an appreciation for lip gloss, and I have two. Alix Avien Lip Gloss in Rose Pink is the most beautiful shade of pink that is flattering. I have not seen another quite like it. Their formula has a surprising amount of pigment, but it is not heavy or sticky.

Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm

Nars Lip Gloss in Orgasm is that perfect shade of fresh, healthy pink that I love to layer itover several lipsticks and liners. Their formula also is not heavy or sticky.

Liner

elf Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner

For liner, I picked the elf Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner because it is the only one that I tried this year, but it is perfectly good. The shape makes application easy, and the formula glides right on without tugging or skipping. These are matte, but they feel good on the lips, along with plenty of pigment. You can wear these on their own if you prefer. You can get to know the shade range in my elf Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner review.

Best Beauty Products 2022 Makeup Look

I am topping off the best beauty products 2022 with a makeup look using many of these products. I also incorporate favorites of past years, because I still love everything that I have reviewed beforehand.

• Alix Avien Primary Pro Matte Base
• Lorac Behind The Scenes Eye Primer
• Loreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum in Very Light
• Loreal True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer in Fair
• Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder
• elf Soap Brow
• Haus Labs The Edge Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brown
• elf Putty Bronzer in Tan Lines
• elf Putty Blush in Tahiti
• elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter in Fair (highlighter)
• elf Stay All Day Blue Light Micro Setting Mist
• Nyx Ultimate Utopia Eyeshadow Palette
• Lottie London Stamp Liner Wing Edition
• wet n wild Care Bears Mascara & Believe Beauty High Drama Fiber Mascara
• elf Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner in Deep Brown
• Believe Beauty Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Charmed

To recreate the look, start by setting the eyelid with shade 3. Next, apply shade 19 to the crease. Then, apply shade 4 to the eyelid. Now, apply shade 27 to the outer-v, and along the lower lash line. Deepen the outer-v with shade 22, and connect it to the lower lash line. Finish the look by highlighting the brow bone and inner corner with shade 2.

Shop Beauty Products 2022

Conclusion

In conclusion of the best beauty products 2022, I firmly stand behind every item mentioned here. I used these products so many times during the year, commonly for special occasions when I need everything to last well. These are trusted products that I will use for years to come, which should be evident by my passionate reviews. I would love to hear your selections in the comments as you add on to my list. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

Have you tried any of these items, and what did you think?

See the Best Beauty Products of Previous Years:

Best Beauty 2020

Best Beauty 2021

Best Beauty Products 2023