The best beauty products of 2024 so far, while being basically on a no-buy; with products from make-up, skincare and haircare categories.
Contents
Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Advanced MoisturizerOfficial descriptionNoteworthy ingredientsWhat makes it greatClio Sharp So Simple Pencil LinerOfficial descriptionNoteworthy ingredientsWhat makes it greatKMS Curl Up Control CrèmeOfficial descriptionNoteworthy ingredientsWhat makes it great
Whaaaaaaaaaaat, a no-buy?! Well, not really. But somehow, I landed in no-buy territory at the beginning of the year. There was no particular reason for this, I kinda slid into, and then stayed with it. What pulled me into a no-buy was surely my full makeup drawers, and I’ve got one very firm conviction I cling to: No. New. Drawers. So if there’re full, they’re full. Another reason was Tretinoin: while at the beginning of my Tret journey I needed the same amount – or even more – skincare products than before, when it became Spring, I could get away with basically a toner-moisturizer-SPF routine if I wanted to.
And so I bought some new skincare (mainly when I run out of something), and very, very rarely some new makeup item. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the need to buy more. (That was one of the points why I clung to that semi-no-buy: I felt the lingering suspicion that I’d been very, very dependent on the dopamine hits from all those ‘little treats’ in the past. I didn’t like that. At all.)
All my purchases this year, therefore, have been really considerate, and thankfully, there weren’t many total misses.
Here’re the best beauty products of 2024 so far I tested. (And used the most.)
Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer
- Original review
Official description
An advanced repairing moisturizer that strengthens, smooths & improves skin’s delicate barrier in 30 minutes + locks in all-day hydration.
(…)
Delivers all-day hydration & prevents moisture loss
(…)
Light lotion with a dewy finish for all skin types
Noteworthy ingredients
Ceramides: They’re the cement (well, liquid cement) between the building blocks of our skin barrier. They hydrate, and can actually help to repair a compromised skin barrier.
There’re important moisturizing emollients: glycerin, shea butter, squalene.
Tripeptide-5 is a peptide that promises ‘to protect and boost collagen and and improve skin texture’ (Incidecoder). A manufacturer study claimed it improves the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen is an important player in our skin barrier and reduces trans-epidermal-water-loss.
What makes it great
This lotion-type moisturizer is astonishingly lightweight for the heavy kind of moisturizing it delivers. I love the silky-smooth, creamy and quick-absorbing formula of this one. I think a lot of skin types might enjoy this one. If you feel your skin barrier needs some TLC, look into it! (I also find the price rather palatable for Paula’s Choice.)
43€ for 50ml/ $38 for 1.7 fl. oz.
Clio Sharp So Simple Pencil Liner
- Original review
Official description
The waterproof pencil eye Liner with 4s (Simple, Sharp, Soft and Slim)
2mm Slim Pencil
Waterproof
Smudgeproof
Noteworthy ingredients
The staying power comes from a mix of Trimethylsiloxysilicate and Cyclopentasiloxane.
Trimethylsiloxysilicate: A solid silicone resin that creates a permeable film over the skin. It makes makeup formulas more long-lasting (…). It leaves a non-tacky film when dried. (Incidecoder)
What makes it great
I did that insane project to find the best long-wearing eye pencil at the beginning of the year and test 25 eye pencils or so, which was bonkers and I won’t do something like that again. I’m not Temptalia. But of all of them – I reach to Clio’s pencil the most. Even if it’s a basic brown, its tip is incredibly fine, making it perfect for very precise lines. It holds up on me very well, and while I wouldn’t term it waterproof per se, it holds up to water reasonably well.
KMS Curl Up Control Crème
- Original review
Official description
Shapes and bundles curls
Calms curls
Reduces frizz for up to 72 hours
Noteworthy ingredients
As per the brand:
- VP/VA Copolymer – setting polymer for hold and durability
- Polyquaternium-11 – provides flexibility
- Orange & Mint – known for being calming and curl enhancing.
What makes it great
I’ve got fine, wavy (type 2A) hair, and have been suffering from hair loss last year. My best decision to cope with that was actually cutting it off and wearing it wavy, which means to try to tease out my waves as much as possible. Enter the KMS Curl Up Control Crème. I use it both after washing on towel-dry hair, and to freshen up frizzy waves between washes. After washing, I use my Dyson with a diffusor attachment together with the Curl Crème, and it gives me indeed soft, frizz-free waves. What makes it amazing, though, is that it actually holds up for about two days, and then I can simply apply a bean-sized blob to dry hair – and magically, back it falls into its wavey pattern and tames frizz without making it looking greasy.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way! Twindly is an independent blog, and our reviews reflect that. Sometimes we’ll use affiliate links that will be clearly marked. Affiliate links mean that if you choose to buy a product through this link, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. If you decide to do that, thank you for helping to keep the blog afloat! (No matter if the link is affiliate or not, the reviews will always truthfully reflect how any product performed when I tested it.)
