There are a lot of beauty products, like a lot a lot and navigating a starting point can be a minefield. Add the explosion of never-ending beauty hype, coming at you from all directions, it’s a wonder we decide on a product to commit to. 

Is that Charlotte Tilbury bronzer really amazing? Do I need that Clinique lipstick? 

It’s difficult, I get it. Also who has an endless fund to support and an ever growing beauty wish list? But that strong nagging thought that this could very well be the holy grail of products and you don’t want to miss out on it, is just sometimes too hard to put to bed. To offer a helping hand, we’ve put together a list of products truly worth the hype. Tried, tested, adored and repurchased over and over again, to act as a starting point for your very own beauty adventure.

1. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

When it comes to cleansers you want something that is less faff and more just gets the job done. If you’re in the market for a cleanser that fits that description, look no forward than the Glossier offering. A staple in my routine, the creamy gel formula, works to dissolve makeup and grime, leaving you with a clean face without stripping it dry. If you have oily to normal skin, you’ll absolutely love this cleanser. 

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Magic Touch Concealer

Anastasia Beverley’s latest offering has already stirred up quite the commotion. People of the internet are singing its praises. Available in twenty-five shades, it’s 2021 no brand should be slacking with their shade range offering. Anastasia Beverley Hills Magic Touch Concealer comes equipped with a teardrop-shaped wand that works to deposit just the right amount of product and allows precise application even on the small areas of the face. The creamy formula is buildable, from medium to heavy coverage but never looks too heavy. A flawless and smooth finish is the result. 

3. 111 Skin Sheet Masks

The beauty market is inundated with sheet masks, and sometimes I wonder if it’s all frill and no results. However, there is one sheet mask that delivers every time. If you’re looking for instant results, the 111 Skin sheet masks certainly give you that, instant glow, hydration and even de-puffing. Try their Sub Zero De-Puffing sheet mask and thank me later.

4. Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer

As a woman of colour, bronzers can be a hit or a massive flop. But that was until queen RiRi delivered, the Fenty bronzers are insane, available in 9 shades, there is a tone for everyone. The formula is lush, it’s so fine and smooth, allowing it to glide on the skin leaving you with a natural sun-kissed finish.

5. Bite Soft Matte Lipstick

Bite has very recently made their way across the pond, and their lipsticks don’t disappoint. Believe the hype, long-lasting and so comfy to wear, true to its name. Their soft matte lipstick in hot tomato might just be the perfect red, not too blue or oranges toned. A super easy red to wear, one to definitely try if you find red lipstick difficult. I’ll be stocking up on all the colours! 

6. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand

Ever since Madison Beer mentioned the CT beauty light wand in her Vogue video, it has been continuously sold out and I’ll come clean and admit I too fell prey to the hype. Let’s just say it’s worth all the hype, I have used it every single day since it came into my possession. I adore the coral tones of the shade peachgasm, which I find works so beautifully with my deeper skin tone. If you’re about that glowing healthy look, you need this and bonus points for the fact that it’s a blush and highlighter in one, lazy girl hack.

7. Crabtree & Evelyn Cleanse + Awaken Shower Gel

Shower gels hold the power to make or break your daily showers. The ultimate lux wake up call, Crabtree & Evelyn are no newbies to the shower gel game. This lush, decadent shower gel is blended with apple AHAs to gently buff the skin leaving you silky smooth without drying out the skin. The smell is beyond words, absolutely divine. No more morning struggles, waking up just got a whole load easier. 

8. RevitaLash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner

The world of eyelash serums can be a little daunting, both expensive and do they really work? Created by ophthalmologist Dr Michael Brinkenhoff for his wife while on chemotherapy. RevitaLash® was one of the first serums made available to the general public and they have sold a whopping 10 million since 2007. The answer is in the numbers, you don’t repurchase something unless it works and trusts me if your lashes need some assistance, RevitaLash® will do the trick. Fuller and longer lashes in a matter of weeks, it’s like magic.

9. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

A tacky gimmick or truly worth it? I too was a little hesitant to come round to the Bum Bum cream hype, nonetheless I have been pleasantly surprised. A gorgeous rich body cream, enhanced with guaraná, a native Amazonian plant that is one of the most potent forms of caffeine on the planet. Perfect for stimulating circulation and keeping your skin super smooth. Plus the scent is as glorious as they say, the perfect combination of sweet and nutty if that’s your thing. 

10. Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels

The only eye gels that have truly worked for me. Pleasantly cooling and refreshing, infused with hydrolysed collagen to improve skin’s hydration, elasticity, tone and density and, vitamin C and Omega3 fatty acid-rich Portulaca Oleracea extract which brightens the under-eye. Say goodbye to any signs of tiredness. 

11. Allies of Skin Vitamin C + Perfecting Serum

So Vitamin C in itself is a hyped-up product and the beauty market is saturated with Vitamin C products. The whole Allies of Skin product range gets chef kisses from me, but this Vitamin C serum is a stand out product. This potent formula boosts an extremely stable, ethylated form of 20% pure L-ascorbic acid, AKA Vitamin C to provide next-level antioxidant protection. Expect brighter skin in days. 

12. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

This product has been around for what feels like forever, and with several awards under its belt, it has truly stood the test of time. And no wonder, it delivers every time and on all hair types. A pre-shampoo treatment that works on elasticity, manageability and hydration. The effective formula is made up of hydrolysed elastin, castor oil, olive oil and glycerine to boost hydration and lock in moisture, leaving you with immensely healthy and shiny hair.

13. HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun

We live in the day and age of supplements, it’s supplements galore. Where to start? Of all the Vitamins I take, Vitamin D is the one where I notice a remarkable difference. A difference in how my body feels, skin and mood. Especially as a Muslim woman, who chooses to dress modestly, I’m not absorbing a lot of Vitamin D from the Sun, so in this case, a supplement is actually beneficial. The Hum, Vitamin D is vegan and most importantly super easy to take. Definitely worth adding to your daily routine.

14. Tropic Silk Gel Liner

Very much hyped up among beauty editors and makeup artists, the Tropic eye liner is where it’s at, if you are devoted to your eyeliner. Extremely smooth, no tugging, barely feel it as you make your mark. Intensely rich in pigment and just enough give time to manipulate the liner to what you need it to be.