'It did nothing it promised': 8 beauty products I loved and hated in 2022.

We’re nearly at the end of the year. In other words, we’ve been through four Mecca Beauty Loop boxes. Wild. But I must say, 2022 has been one of my favourite years for all things beauty.

I locked in worthy holy grails, regretted some purchases, tried lots more new launches and welcomed the influence of #beautytok. 

Watch: Speaking of beauty... here are seven ways to improve your skin while sleeping. Story continues below.

So, in line with my love for chatting about all things beauty and skincare, shall we get into my 2022 roundup?

Let's go!

My love list: 

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, $73.

Image: NARS.

Right at the top of my love list is the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation. To be honest, it wasn’t love at first sight with this one. Funnily enough, I hated it. I’ve always been a full-coverage, matte babe — so the skin-like finish had me bamboozled and hoodwinked. 

Still, I wasn’t going to waste $73, and thank God I didn’t because it’s become my favourite foundation ever. 

Image: Supplied

It gives my skin such a luminous glow, and the way it smooths out my complexion is delectable. Despite having oily skin, it holds up fabulously after an entire workday. I can’t rave about this enough! NARS truly came through with this one.

COSRX Clear Pads, $24.50.

Image: COSRX.

Next up, these COSRX Clear Pads are never leaving my skincare arsenal. 

After messing up my skin barrier due to overusing chemical exfoliants, I took a year off from them to focus on hydrating my skin and repairing the damage. These pads were my first step back into the exfoliation game, and it was well worth the wait. 

The COSRX Clear Pads are soaked in a super gentle chemical exfoliant ingredient called Willow Bark, which controls oil, prevents future breakouts, and improves skin tone. 

These alone transformed the texture of my skin and also the clarity. If I could only use one skincare product for the rest of my life, it’d be these!

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, $34.

Image: Rare Beauty.

As a now-retired matte makeup girl, I’ve reached for fewer powders and more liquid and gel-based products. Rare Beauty’s Liquid Blushes have come in handy for this. The pigment from one tiny dab is insane, and I adore the packaging. 

Although it’s been so hard to get my hands on more shades because they’re always sold out, the shade I’ve been using daily is ‘Faith’. It’s this deep, bold purple shade that sheers out into the perfect natural tint for my complexion. I’m obsessed. 

I apply it in the ‘W’ shape blush hack trend from TikTok to get the loveliest youthful flush.

Kosas Air Brow Fluff & Hold Treatment Gel, $36.

Image: Kosas.

To this day, I take personal offence to Glossier not shipping to Australia. It’s been eight years, and I still haven’t tried Boy Brow?! Oh well, sucked in for them - because Kosas’s Brow Gel has filled the void. 

I’ve become a lazy makeup wearer, so my old seven-minute routine, which consisted of brow pencil, brow pomade, and then cleaning up with a concealer, is no longer sustainable. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

With this, I get the loveliest fluffy brow look that stays in place. The ‘brown/black’ shade perfectly matches my brows, so I get colour and definition with no flakiness. Superb! 

My 'meh, overrated' list:

Image: Supplied

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze, $36.

Image: Anastasia Beverly Hills.

I don’t know if I’m using this incorrectly, but I’ve tried everything to get this to work. It’s supposed to give that brow-lamination-at-home look. Instead, I get zero hold, and my brows look sad. 

I feel like everyone and their mum loves this product, but it’s a no for me - which sucks because I’ve seen how amazing it looks on others.

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Setting Spray, $59.

Image: Milk.

TikTok made me buy this one. After hearing reviews, I was so keen on it that I bought the full-size bottle as soon as it was available in Australia. Sadly for me, it did nothing it promised.

For example, it’s meant to make my makeup transfer-proof, keep it from budging for 12 hours and provide a glow. Unfortunately, this made my makeup melt off faster and left specks of wet patches on my face. To use up the bottle, I’ve been misting it on days I wear skin tint, and it’s okay — but nothing to rave about.

My 'didn't love it' list:

Image: Supplied

Fenty Eze Drop’Lit All Over Glow Enhancer, $52.

Image: Fenty Beauty.

I’m super disappointed this is on this list, because it’ll be the first Fenty product I don’t love. (Sorry, Rih). 

This product should give your skin a subtle glow, but it’s beyond subtle. The glow is invisible, and although the product is liquid, it’s weirdly matte when it dries down. After applying it, it also makes my pores look more prominent. 

I’ve tried mixing it with my foundation, and it didn’t look great. I tried to use it as a liquid highlighter, and it left a streaky, splotchy mess. On paper, this would be the perfect accompaniment to a dewy, lit-from-within makeup look, but it’s just not giving. 

Mario Badescu Brightening Eye Serum, $36.

Image: Mario Badescu.

I figured it was about time I invested in eye care products since I’m over 25. But gosh, this was not the product for me. Whenever I applied this, it made my eyes sting and water like crazy. Not great when you end up ruining your concealer and lashes because your eyes won’t stop watering. 

It also has a slightly pearly finish (which I think is the brightening effect) that didn’t suit my skin tone. Covered with makeup it's unnoticeable, but noticeable on my no-makeup days.

And that’s my round-up! What are your top picks, and maybe not-so-great picks of the year? Let’s chat in the comments.

Check out more stories from Mamama's You Beauty Collective, where our beauty community talks all things skincare, makeup and more.

Feature Image: Supplied.