2020 Favorites: Skincare and Makeup

Staying home gave me more time to indulge in self-care activities. One thing I really enjoyed was trying various skincare and makeup products. Last year was the beginning of my K-Beauty journey. I also watched a lot of YouTube tutorials and got inspired to experiment with different makeup looks. I’ve discovered a lot of great products, and I’d like to share my 2020 Skincare and Makeup Faves with you.

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Disclaimer: The skincare and makeup items featured below are the ones I’m currently loving and using in my routine. Some of the links are affiliate links. This means, if you buy something through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me a lot to keep my blog running. Thank you for your continuous support.

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Skincare

1.  BANILA CO Clean It Zero

I love to massage this cleansing balm on my face. The sherbet-like texture transforms into smooth oil when applied to the skin. It easily melts away my makeup without stripping my skin of its natural oils. Thus, leaving my skin feeling clean and hydrated.

2.  COSRX Skincare Heroes Set

This is called the Heroes Set for a reason. Each item in this set is well-formulated to help prevent and treat blemishes. The products (cleanser, toner, essence, moisturizer) saved my skin from mask acne. If you want to read more about my not-so-secret skincare regimen to fight maskne, click here.

3.  SON & PARK Beauty Water

After reading a lot of raving reviews, I tried this cult favorite. A cleanser, gentle exfoliator, and toner in one, it is so effective in removing excess dirt and prepping my skin for the next skincare and makeup steps.

4. SON & PARK Beauty Filter Cream Glow

The lightweight cream doubles as a moisturizer and primer. It helps smoothen and even out skin tone. It also contains hydrolyzed pearls to brighten the skin. I like to use the Beauty Water and Beauty Filter Cream Glow together before applying makeup for photoshoots. It’s my go-to skincare duo to get that flawless, camera-ready, “glowing skin” look.

5. COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+PA+++ 

I’ve tried a ton of sunscreens this year, and it was so hard to choose my ultimate favorite. This product won my heart because it has EVERYTHING I want from a sunscreen: lightweight, non-irritating, blends easily, no white cast, affordable, and of course, excellent sun protection.

Makeup

1. BARE MINERALS BAREPRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation

I’ve been looking for a pressed powder foundation for everyday wear. After trying several brands, I was so happy to finally find a shade (Warm Natural 12) that perfectly matches my skin tone. The medium coverage made my complexion look naturally smooth and even. It also lasts long enough that I seldom do any touch-ups for at least 6-8 hours.

2. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara

Anastasia of Beverly Hills’ very first mascara is a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner. According to the brand’s website, there are 3 ways to wear this mascara —

BRAG A LITTLE: Just a single coat delivers the perfect amount of product, leaving you with voluptuously defined lashes that last all day.

BRAG A LOT: Apply 2 coats for extra length and thickness.

TOTAL BRAGGING RIGHTS: Apply 3 coats for full-on extreme volume.

Thick and Fuller Eye Lashes. YES. This mascara absolutely deserves total bragging rights!

3. BENEFIT COSMETICS 24-Hour Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel

I’d like you to meet my brows best friend. I love how it shapes and tames my eyebrows. It comes with a 2-sided wand. The custom-molded side with long bristles is for applying the gel, while the shorter bristles side is for sculpting and shaping hairs into place.

4. BARE MINERALS Gen Nude Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

I was inspired by the neutral eyes and bold lip looks that I saw on YouTube. So, I got this eyeshadow palette last year, and this is now one of my favorites. It has a beautiful mix of nude/neutral shades in matte, silk, and metallic finishes that can be worn alone or together.

5. BARE MINERALS BAREPRO Longwear Matte Lipstick

For the lips, my favorite shade right now is Boysenberry from the Bare Minerals collection. I love the creamy texture, soft-matte finish, and color of this lipstick. It’s the perfect shade if you want to rock the berry lip trend this season.

What are some of your favorite skincare and makeup products? Have you tried any items from my list? Are there any beauty products you’d like to recommend? Please share in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you so much for reading. Have a beautiful day ahead!

31 responses to “2020 Favorites: Skincare and Makeup”

  1. I haven’t tried any of these products yet but you certainly have intrigued me! I love nude palettes for that more natural than glam look. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I loved indulging in skincare during 2020. Since I wasn’t really going anywhere I didn’t buy any new makeup items. I do hear no end of good things about Anastasia Beverly Hills though, so I do fancy trying some of their products in future. I can’t be without my Laura Mercier powder, that’s definitely an HG product for me x

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  3. Totally agree with you with being able to up the skincare game with being at home! I love that my skin can breathe more these days. Oooh I haven’t tried COSRX and SON & PARK before. It is great that these two brands have been pretty good overall. Big plus with saving your skin from mask acne! It is always nice to have foundation that actually lasts. I hate having to reapply regularly. My makeup stack is just only Chanel makeup. It works well for me! Thanks for sharing your faves!

    Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com

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  4. Your ravishing descriptions of each of the items you love has me wanting to buy everything on your list . . . literally! I love the sounds of the Clean It Zero cream; I love a face cream that is smooth and not greasy. The berry lipstick also sounds subtly present!

    Thank you for sharing!

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  5. Some interesting products to try ! Although I have never been a fan of Bare Minerals as the products tend to dry out the skin and lips. Maybe its time to give them another go !!

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    • Some of the Bare Minerals loose powders that I tried before was a bit drying. But, this pressed powder one works well with my combination/sensitive skin. The berry shades are pretty, but my lips do feel a little dry after a few hours.

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  6. Thank you for sharing! I haven’t tried any of these yet (and I think I’ve only worn makeup twice since March – thanks to my low-resolution laptop camera!). I have been trying out some of the skinceuticals products since the summer (CE Ferulic Vitamin C, AGE Interrupter Moisturizer, Micro Exfoliating Scrub) but I’ve still been breaking out a bunch – might give some of these a try!

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    • Oh… so sorry to hear that some of the products you tried didn’t work well for you. I tried a lot of brands before I finally found something that really works well with my skin. COSRX is a great K-beauty brand. There’s a trial/travel kit in Ulta for only $25 if you want to give this set a try.

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  7. I’ve been looking for an SPF that’s lightweight and not too expensive for my oily skin. I will definitely give the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+PA a try. Thanks for sharing!!

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