The best makeup and skincare products of 2023

Can you believe that 2023 is nearly over?! It always blows my mind how quickly each year seems to go by.

2023 was another fantastic year of makeup and skincare launches. Particularly makeup launches, as there have been so many beautiful products I’ve wanted to buy. While not every product in this post was released this year, many of these products were new to me.

As today is the last day of 2023, I wanted to close the year with the best makeup and skincare products. These are products I constantly wear, make my skin look and feel amazing, and continue to impress me. I had a hard time narrowing it down to these products, but these are my standout beauty products of 2023.

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Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm

The Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm (15% off with SARAHSSPH) is one of my fave lip products of all time. This beautiful lipstick has a gorgeous glossy balmy texture that’s high-shine and non-sticky. Unlike many glossy products, these deliver intense colour payoff and also feel incredibly comfortable and hydrating. They glide on like a dream and feel very luxurious. I’m obsessed.

I’d recommend the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm Duo, which offers great value for money with 2 stunning shades.

ATOPALM MLE Cream

The ATOPALM MLE Cream is a more recent introduction in my skincare routine, but it’s gorgeous. This K-beauty moisturiser is thick and rich, but it’s not greasy or heavy at all. This is perfect for my oily skin, as it delivers deep nourishment and banishes any potential dryness or dehydration while feeling comfortable. I use this as a winter night cream for extra moisture, and it’s brilliant.

Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette

I know I’m not the only one that has featured the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette in the best beauty products of 2023! This neutral eyeshadow palette is so wearable, as the tones work for everyday makeup likes but can be dialled up for more glam night-time looks. I use every single shade in the palette and love how versatile it is. The formulas are lovely, soft, easy to blend, and non-patchy. And the glossy shimmers are insane. They look wet and so sparkly on the eyes. They’re simply the best.

Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème and Powder Blush Duo

I’ve purchased a lot of blushes this year, and there have been so many incredible launches in 2023 in general. But the Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème and Powder Blush Duo is my fave. This gorgeous duo comes with a powder and cream shade. The cream is smooth, dewy, and blends effortlessly. The powder is soft, buttery, and highly pigmented. They layer on top of one another beautifully and last all day.

I’ve got the shade She’s a Doll, which is a gorgeous bright pink duo that gives a fresh-faced look every single time. I love both formulas equally. There’s a reason why you see this blush all over your feed.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

The Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (20% off with LFTFBLOGSARAH) is such a great primer. It feels like a moisturiser, as it’s highly moisturising and enriched with skin-living ingredients. It gives makeup a smooth, even base to work with and offers a natural radiant finish. Plus, it helps makeup last a longer without going greasy.

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm needs no introduction. I think this might just be my fave beauty product of 2023. Obsession is an understatement. They smell divine, feel thick and luxe, aren’t sticky whatsoever, deliver dewy tints to the lips, repair any dryness, and leave lips feeling hydrated and soft. You can wear them on their own, as the shades are subtle, or as part of a makeup look for a clean girl aesthetic. All I want to do is wear these all the time because they’re just so good.

Saie Glowy Super Gel

I love the Saie Glowy Super Gel. This gorgeous liquid highlighter is very versatile. You can mix it with your moisturiser for added glow, mix it with your primer or foundation to amp up the dewyness, or apply it to the high points of the face like a traditional highlighter. No matter how you use it, the highlighter always works.

As the highlighter has a transparent gel base, it mixes well with other products. It’s not glittery at all and instead offers a gorgeous luminous finish. It doesn’t emphasise texture or cling to dry patches. I love how light it feels on my oily skin too, as it doesn’t feel greasy throughout the day, even when I mix it with my foundation.

Rhode Glazing Milk

I’ve fallen in love with the Rhode Glazing Milk. This lightweight essence has a milky texture that’s super hydrating and non-greasy. It provides a beautiful glow and makes my skin feel smooth, soft, and healthy. It’s perfect skin prep for makeup application too, as it provides deep moisture so that base products don’t cling to dry patches.

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

It probably won’t come as a surprise that the popular Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation has made it into my best makeup and skincare products in 2023. This foundation broke the internet. And with good reason. It offers a natural second-skin finish, feels comfortable, doesn’t emphasise pores and texture, is very long-lasting, delivers an excellent shade range, and offers hydration.

I love how customisable the foundation is too. You can apply it over a mattifying primer, and it won’t look dry, or you can mix it with a highlighter for added radiance, and it won’t separate. I just love it.

Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in 54 Boy

The Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in 54 Boy is such a unique shade. It looks quite grey in the packaging, but it’s actually a neutral pink with subtle gold and silver shimmer particles. It offers a gorgeous comfortable balm texture with a luminous finish. Of course, the glossy nature of this lipstick means it wears off quite quickly, but I love the shade. It’s so subtle but delivers an instant ‘put together’ look. I find this works with most makeup looks.

facetheory Ocuwake Eye Cream EYE1 PRO

I find that a lot of eye creams don’t provide many benefits beyond being hydrating. But I’ve seen multiple benefits from the facetheory Ocuwake Eye Cream EYE1 PRO. It’s moisturising, brightens the under-eye area, and mildly reduces the appearance of dark circles. The eye cream is lightweight and absorbent, so it plays well with other skincare products.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara (LFTFBLOGSARAH for 20% off) went viral on social media in 2022, but I only got around to trying it in 2023. And I can see what the hype is about! I’ve got the Cosmic Black version, and it’s dark and dramatic. I love how much length this adds to my lashes without the formula becoming clumpy, feeling dry, or going flaky. It’s very smudge-proof, as the formula isn’t too wet.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

I tried the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (LFTFBLOGSARAH for 20% off) a few years ago in the Berry scent and didn’t understand the hype. But I recently tried the Mango scent and can see why it’s so popular. When I don’t use this for a few days, my lips become noticeably drier. This overnight lip balm is so good at nourishing lips, repairing any dryness, and soothing sore patches. It smells divine too. The texture is a little sticky, but it’s no issue when I’m asleep.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner

The Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner is hands down the best pencil eyeliner I’ve ever used. It’s richly pigmentated, uber creamy, and lasts all day. The eyeliner stays put but can be easily smudged out for a sultry, smoky look. The eyeliner never drags on the lids, feels very comfortable, and has the most gorgeous colour payoff. I’m obsessed.

NARS Bronzing Cream

I love the NARS Bronzing Cream (LFTFBLOGSARAH for 20% off). This gorgeous bronzer isn’t too orange, blends like a dream, and doesn’t go patchy. and feels comfortable on the skin. It’s easy to build up the intensity, as it’s not so pigmented that it becomes tricky to use. If you apply too much product, you can simply buff it out. The application is foolproof and just works. This is the cheat code to radiant, sunkissed skin.

Urban Decay 24/7 Mono Moondust Eyeshadow

The Urban Decay 24/7 Mono Moondust Eyeshadow (LFTFBLOGSARAH for 20% off) is a must-try. This stunning glitter eyeshadow isn’t chunky or harsh on the skin. Instead, it feels comfortable and offers a captivating glossy sparkle. The eyeshadow can be diffused out and worn on bare lids for a wearable sparkle, as it has a transparent base. It can also be used as a topper on eyeshadow to dial up the glam. However it’s worn, this eyeshadow always warrants compliments.

Byoma Hydrating Serum

I discovered Byoma earlier this year and am impressed with the brand. The Byoma Hydrating Serum (15% off with SARAHSSPH) is my fave of all the products I tried. This serum is wonderfully hydrating and instantly makes skin feel moisturised, plump, and firm. It also adds some radiance for a healthy look. I love how well it makes other skincare products smooth over my skin and overall contributes to my skin feeling super hydrated.

Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar

2023 was the year I tried my first SPF stick, and I fell in love with how convenient the Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar (CONFIDENCE10 for up to 5% off) is to use. This SPF50 bar smooths over skin easily, without any dragging or patchy application. The formula is hydrating and comfortable with a skin-like finish. It doesn’t make my skin feel oily at all. Plus, this stick formula is perfect for topping up throughout the day (no excuses!), without getting your fingertips messy. It’s perfect for summertime when you don’t want to layer lots of products on your skin, as it’s undetectable once applied.

Biossance 100% Squalane Oil

I love the Biossance 100% Squalane Oil (LFTFBLOGSARAH for 20% off). This oil instantly restores my skin to feel plump, supple, soft, and nourished. It doesn’t make my oily skin feel greasy or heavy, plays nicely with other skincare products, and deeply hydrates my skin. This is a winter skincare holy grail.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil

We all know the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oils are fantastic. These lip oils are everywhere on Instagram. I absolutely love these. I’ve used a lot of lip oils in 2023, and this one is my fave. It’s lightweight, non-sticky, hydrating, makes lips look plump and juicy, gives mirror-like shine, and instantly makes you look sophisticated. It’s comfortable to wear, and I love the subtle tints of colour. They’re so addictive and so wearable.

MERIT Beauty Flush Balm

2023 was the year of so many people’s cream blush obsession, as there were plenty of incredible launches. The MERIT Beauty Flush Balm is definitely one of my faves. I’ve got the shade Fox, which is a warm taupe, and it’s just so wearable. As it’s got a brown undertone, I can skip bronzer altogether and still add warmth to my face. I love the formula. It blends seamlessly with my fingertips, never looks overdone, and melts into any complexion products I’m wearing. It’s dewy, natural, and perfect for quick makeup looks.

Perricone MD Chia Cleansing Balm

I’m a sucker for a good cleansing balm, and the Perricone MD Chia Cleansing Balm (PMDM20 for 20% off) is seriously good. This rich cleansing balm is luxurious, rich, and smells divine. It removes all traces of makeup, skincare, dirt, and oil without any hassle or harsh scrubbing. And it leaves my skin feeling soft, fresh, clean, and hydrated. I look forward to using this every time I get to my evening skincare routine.

Mediheal Derma Clear Madecassoside Blemish Spot Patch

The Mediheal Derma Clear Madecassoside Blemish Spot Patch is one of the most effective spot patches I’ve tried. These spot patches significantly reduce redness, swelling, and irritation overnight. By the morning, spots have either come to their head and can be squeezed easily, or they’ve almost gone. Within 2 days, these spot patches get rid of pretty much any spot. They’re a lifesaver.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmos Eye Shadow Palette

I don’t see enough people talking about the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmos Eye Shadow Palette (LFTFBLOGSARAH for 20% off). This eyeshadow palette is extraordinary. The shimmers and duochromes, in particular, are out of this world. I love the colour story and cosmic theme, and each shade is richly pigmentated, buttery smooth, and blends easily. It’s an eyeshadow palette where I’ll use every single shade too.

L’Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara Primer

I can’t believe I didn’t try the L’Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara Primer until this year! This mascara primer is so good for prepping my eyelashes for mascara. It adds length, helps the curl stay put after I’ve used an eyelash primer, and overall adds more volume to my lashes. Obsessed with this.

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.