2022 was a wild ride of a year in general, and the same sure can be said in the world of beauty. From bizarre TikTok trends to the return of much-loved makeup brands (bonjour Bourjois!) and the launch of approximately a million more celebrity beauty lines, I’m not quite sure how we managed to fit it all in.
It turns out for you, our Eliza readers, 2022 was also the year where you found some incredible beauty products that resulted in recommendations aplenty for friends and family, from e.l.f’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter to Dr Jart’s Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask and Trinny London’s nifty on-the-go makeup. Check out the full list of your favourites below:
Swipe and shop: Eliza reader's favourite beauty products 2022
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
There were a lot of fantastic new beauty launches too, which we on the beauty team were lucky enough to get to try out.
While choosing our ultimate products from the year was a nearly impossible task, we’ve managed to narrow down 10 of our favourite makeup, skincare, hair, body and fragrance products of 2022.
Because while we might already be in 2023, these products are ones that can stand the test of time.
Want to know what made our list? Read on…
Rebecca, Beauty Editor‘s favourite beauty products of 2022
These are the (mostly new) things I discovered in the past year which are now a permanent part of my kit…
Dyson Airwrap Complete, £499.99
2022 was the year I finally got a Dyson, and it pretty much revolutionised the way I do my hair. My short blonde bob has been tested to the absolute limit in recent years, with bleach and heat aplenty, and very little care for the condition that’d leave it in. Dyson technology was therefore incredibly appealing to me, as I was desperate to continue using heat styling on my hair in some capacity, but perhaps in a less abrasive way.
The Airwrap has changed the way I dry, curl and straighten my hair, and I’m not sure I can imagine my life without it now. Yes, it’s a major investment, but it’s one worth making if you get real use out of it.
My top tip? Book in for a Dyson styling appointment at its London store to trial the tools and consider whether it’s a sensible spend for you.
Maybelline Lifter Gloss in Stone, £8.99
Lip glosses are something I associate with being 14 and in school, trying to get away with wearing a first bit of makeup. I’ve always been more of a comfort matte girl myself, preferring that dried-down finish of slick nude.
However, this Maybelline gloss really changed the game for me. It’s an amazing dupe for the Fenty Gloss Bomb (which I also love), but has greater pigment if you want colour as well as shine. It looks unreal on top of a nude liner shaded in, for lips even Hailey Bieber would kill for.
Jones Road What The Foundation, £42
Everybody at Eliza knows I’m a sucker for any product (skincare, makeup or otherwise) that’ll boost my glow levels. A tinted moisturiser that makes me almost reflective? Sure. A liquid highlighter that has others stopping me in the street? Sign me up.
So when I heard one of my favourite brands Jones Road (the latest brain child of Bobbi Brown) was launching a lightweight skin tint, I counted down the days til I could try it. And reader: it did not disappoint. It covers what needs to be covered, leaves a gorgeous dewy, plumped appearance and lasts for AGES as a little goes a long way (which sort of justifies the price). Please try it.
Mortar & Milk PHA Barrier Repair Serum, £85
There is just something magical about this serum, and I’ll be honest: I’m still not sure I’ve put my finger on what exactly. I just really enjoy the ritual of using it and the results it brings my skin; the dropper bottle is so user-friendly and prevents waste, and the formula gently exfoliates and soothes and hydrates in one.
This certainly isn’t a cheap serum, but I truly believe it’s one of the few that’s worth it. Plus, it lasts absolutely forever, which was an active decision of skin expert and creator Pamela Marshall, who wanted to put sustainability at the forefront of her brand. You see, this only comes in 100ml to prevent repeated buys of smaller bottles meaning less bottles, lids and general waste.
My standout skincare product of 2022.
Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain in shade Berry Banger, £17
I made a pact with myself this 2023 to experiment more with makeup and have fun. The product that inspired this? Fenty’s now-viral lip stain in this punchy deep berry hue. It gives perfect Wednesday Addams vibes and has officially brought me out of my nude lip rut.
The key to application here is an initial layer (which goes on glossy) and a dabbing down to reveal a shine-free stain. Be sure to exfoliate and moisturise lips prior to use, so the colour does not cling onto any dry areas.
Hannah, Beauty Content Creator‘s favourite beauty products of 2022
These are the products that I’ve been raving about to everyone that’ll listen…
Maybelline Perfector 4-in-1 Glow Makeup, £13.99
I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been truly wowed by a high street foundation, but when I heard about Maybelline’s newest release, I knew I had a contender. Like it says on the tin, this glowing formula combines a primer, concealer, highlighter and BB cream in one, saving you both time and money.
It’s a lightweight formula that is more akin to a skin tint or tinted moisturiser so I go in with a concealer in places where I need more coverage, but that’s exactly my bag, and this makes a worthy dupe for my much-loved Glossier Skin Tint. Also, the applicator sponge is pretty handy for only applying the amount of product you need.
Phlur Somebody Wood, from £26
You might have heard about the other fragrance from this brand that caused quite a stir on TikTok and in the Eliza office this year, but IMO, this is the scent that turned my head (or should that be nose?).
Like all of Phlur’s perfumes, this scent is truly unique and not like anything I’ve smelled before. It’s a powdery, woody fragrance with a very subtle warm spice. It conjures up notes of bergamot, saffron, jasmine, musk, amber and sandalwood among others, but for me, I also get the nostalgic scent of apricot jam from my childhood, which was completely unexpected but made me fall in love with it even more.
If you’re looking to add a unique scent to your fragrance bank for the new year, I highly recommend heading in the direction of Phlur.
Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm, £34
My favourite lip product of the year was no doubt Hourglass’ Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm: a tinted and hydrating lip colour with the feel of a balm, the finish of a gloss, and yet none of the stickiness. I wrote a love letter to this product here if you want an in-depth review, but basically, this is the best lipstick for lipstick non-committals.
It doesn’t have the opaque, bold pigment of a matte lipstick, so you don’t need to constantly check to see if it’s faded. Also, special mention for the packaging?! There’s no way to not feel boujee pulling this golden case out of your bag. If the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic is your vibe this year, this is the perfect no-fuss, ‘I’ve-got-my-life-together’ lip product.
Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Super Lift Root Boost, £30
Ever since I discovered Alexa Chung and her choppy, textured bob in my teens, I’ve been in constant pursuit of ‘cool girl’ hair. I actually came across the original Cool Girl Texture Mist when I went to George Northwood’s salon (the man behind Alexa’s signature bob) years ago, and have been loyally bound to it since.
The latest iteration of the ‘Cool Girl’ styling product range is its Super Lift Root Boost, which has answered my hair prayers. As I’ve let mine grow longer it’s gotten less voluminous, so it’s often in need of a quick ‘boost’ before I head out, which is exactly what this spray does. Spritz into your roots on damp hair and blow dry to achieve an effortless lift without weighing your hair down or making your roots greasy.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Face and Body Balm, £9
I’ve tried hundreds of different skincare products in my job and the one thing I thought I knew is that it’s impossible for one skincare product to work for all skin types, but it turns out La Roche-Posay proved me wrong. I’ve been a La Roche loyalist for a couple of years, so I was overjoyed to see the brand’s Cicaplast Soothing Face and Body Balm going viral on Tiktok last year.
I’d already fallen in love with its soothing and restorative formula, which worked wonders for my skin (especially my hands which I’m constantly washing and are always in need of dire moisture), but the Tiktok beauty community were also sharing a plethora of other uses that this miracle balm had, including as a spot treatment and overnight mask.
Realistically, it’s not a product that everyone’s skin is going to get on with when used in the same way (those with acne-prone skin might find it better to use as a spot treatment vs an overnight mask for example), however, I do think this is an absolute staple to add to your skincare as it’s such a great multipurpose product and will set you back less than £10.
;
