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Unable to keep up with all the incredible beauty releases this year? We get it — and it’s only August!
Whether you’re a makeup enthusiast and love collecting and expanding your vanity display, or you are a newbie just starting out in makeup, it’s safe to say that 2023 has been a busy year for beauty brands — we’ve had some incredible releases this year.
Keep reading below to learn more about the best makeup products released so far.
1. Grippy Primers
We all know that the days of silicone-based primers are in the past, and now, it’s all about infusing skin care into as many complexion products as possible so that we can reap all the rewards of taking good care of our skin, all the while without our makeup budging all day.
Well, we’ll be the first to tell you that these days, the makeup for face game is going strong, especially so in the primer department.
Earlier this year, we saw more and more makeup products, but primers especially so, being merged with incredible ingredients that our skin will thank us for, such as niacinamide.
Not only do we get to keep the same tacky formula that allows for the longevity of your makeup, but now, with a small percentage of helpful ingredients like niacinamide means that the skin care-infused property can take your primer to a whole other level.
The benefits of niacinamide are vast and include brightening and evening out your skin tone over time, making it the ideal primer to use in the day or the evening. The best part about it is that niacinamide is suitable for all skin types, so you don’t need to worry about it clogging your pores.
2. Blush and Highlighter in One
Gone are the 2016 Instagram days of streaky highlighters (thankfully). We are now firmly in the era of glowy skin where ‘no makeup’ makeup is trendy — are you just flushed from the sun, or is that blush?
Blush/highlight products have been all the rage recently, and makeup minimalists especially love having the option of wearing a glowy blush or a highlighter with a slight wash of color, all packed into one product.
Skin care infused into these types of products as well, such as hyaluronic acid and kukui oil, your skin will look hydrated and moist all day long without it becoming overly dewy. Although you might be left to believe that this is a dry skin dream, we’d say this would also be perfect for oily skin, especially during those winter days when you need an extra boost.
3. Mini Eyeshadow Palettes
Unless you’re a professional MUA, we don’t think you’ll really need that 32-pan eyeshadow palette anytime soon…That’s why we’re thankful that 2023 has been the year where mini eyeshadow palettes have been in!
Whether you already have fifty palettes in your drawer or just want a neutral everyday palette to throw in your bag that you can use on the way to work, smaller eyeshadow palettes are a welcome addition for everyone.
With a special focus on neutral tones so that it’s as wearable as possible, we’ve seen a mix of a lot of taupes and rosy pinks, with one or two shimmer shades, meaning that you can take your day look to a night one with the swipe of a brush.
If you’re just starting out with eyeshadow and don’t want to get too adventurous with colors just yet, the mini five-pan palette is a perfect starter for all. And even if you’re a seasoned expert, we still think you can make room in your collection for one more. It’s just a mini, right?
4. SPF Reapplication Mists
One of the most innovative launches this year has to be a staple in everyone’s collection, whether you wear makeup or not.
For a long time, there has always been one issue that has prevailed: how do you reapply sunscreen over makeup? Well, this year, we’ve got the answer thanks to a focus on SPF-infused mists to set and refresh your face.
Not only can you touch up your makeup when it starts dulling down a little — especially during those hot summer months — but you can also make sure that your UV protection is up to scratch, thanks to the SPF within it. You really do get the best of both worlds!
It’s a great product to finish your makeup routine off with and then throw into your bag when you’re on the go. Cooling down and protecting your skin at the same time has never been more efficient than now.
5. Plumping Lip Glosses
If high-shine is your vibe (as it has been trending on TikTok), then you can finally put aside your matte liquid lipsticks and say hello to new and improved plumping gloss sticks that have taken the internet by storm.
Contrary to the stinging sensation you might have felt before with traditional plumping glosses, these ones simply give the illusion of plumped lips without it feeling at all sticky.
It has all the feeling of a lip balm, meaning it’s comfortable and nourishing on the lips, but it looks exactly as you would expect a gloss to look: shining, shimmering, and splendid.
Clear options, as well as glosses with sheer washes of color, mean that they work with whatever look you’ve put together, whether as a topper to finish off your look or if you just want a gloss look with minimal or no lipliner for a more toned-down finish.
What Are You Picking Up?
And just like that, we’ve narrowed down our top five makeup releases of the year so far.
From mini eyeshadow palettes to SPF mists to high-shine glosses, 2023 has been an incredible year so far for many brands — both old and new.
We’re excited to see what brands come out with for the rest of the year, especially with the holiday season around the corner.
