Best of Beauty Awards 2023

As most of you know, I’m a big beauty junkie. I struggled with horrible acne in my early 20s and was always a little jealous of people who could go out and buy the popular skincare or makeup products and use them without any issues. My skin was so sensitive! I finally had a breakthrough when an aesthetician told me that my skin was actually dry, not oily like I thought. I had been over-drying my face to try to clear my breakouts, but all it was doing was making my skin produce more oil to combat the dryness. Once I got my skin more balanced, everything cleared up.

Learning my skin type and how to take care of it was a game-changer for me (and I can teach you more about your specific skin type and how to take care of it in this free training). Now that I know what types of products work well for my skin, I love buying and trying skincare and makeup to see which is the absolute best.

There’s a lot of noise on social media about beauty products these days. So many people are telling you that this foundation is the best, or this cleanser is their holy grail, etc. It’s hard to know what’s actually worth the hype, especially if they aren’t telling you about the other stuff they’ve tried in comparison. So today, I’m doing just that. I’m going to share all of the products I tried this year (some I purchased and some I was gifted) and which ones win for each category (and of course, why).

Ready? Let’s jump in.

Best of Beauty Awards 2023

Best Cleansing Balm: Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm

The winner for my favorite cleaning balm is the Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm. I was using Beautycounter’s for years before switching, but now I like Colleen Rothschild’s so much better. It’s more hydrating, has a nicer texture, smells better, and — this is the key point — it does not sting my eyes. I use it to remove my makeup at night (even my eyeliner and mascara) and my skin feels balanced after I use it. I hate when my face feels tight once I cleanse, and that never happens with the CR balm.

You can use (TERILYN20) for 20% off your Colleen Rothschild order. I shared more details about this balm in this in-depth review of the Radiant Cleansing Balm and have a review of more Colleen Rothschild products here.

Other cleansing balms I tried in 2023:

• Beautycounter’s Lotus Cleansing Balm
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
• JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm

Best Cream Cleanser: Alpyn Juneberry & Collagen Hydrating Cream Cleanser

I really like my cleansing balm, but prefer to use a cream cleanser in the mornings for simplicity’s sake since I’m not removing makeup. I discovered the Alpyn Beauty Cream Cleanser when they sent me a few products in a PR package and shockingly LOVED it. My face feels so clean and fresh after I use it, thanks to the refreshing eucalyptus. It doesn’t strip my skin or make it feel tight, but I do feel like it’s a more clarifying cleanser than my CR balm since it has jojaba beads.

Every cream cleanser I tried in 2023:

• IMAGE the MAX™ facial cleanser – I really liked this but the packaging wasn’t my favorite. It was a bit hard to get product out.
• Beautycounter Countermatch Cleanser
• Beautycounter Counsterstart Cleanser – I also love this one and it almost won but the eucalyptus in the Alpyn one pushed it to the top spot.
• Tula Purifying Cream Cleanser
• Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam

Best Toner/Essence: Beautycounter Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence

I only tried a few toners this year, and my trusty favorite, the Beautycounter Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence, still holds the #1 place in my lineup. The “Prep Step” (i.e. a toner or essence) is probably the most skipped step in most people’s skincare routine, but it’s one I NEVER skip. The right toner or essence is hydrating and preps the skin for your serums. Serums are pricey so you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of them, and the Prep step helps with that since it improves absorption.

I included facial mists in this list as well since they are a type of toner.

Other Toners/Essences I tried:

• True Botanicals Microbiome Enzyme Essence – I like this almost as much as the BC one but given the price difference, I’d recommend the BC one.
• Dime Beauty Co Thirsty Face Mist – I like this for an afternoon refresh.
• Primally Pure Plumping Face Mist

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Colleen Rothschild Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I tried a handful of Hyaluronic Acid Serums this year and felt like only one actually helped hydrate and plump my skin: the Colleen Rothschild Hyaluronic Serum. HA helps draw moisture to skin so it’s a must if you struggle with dry skin and works best when used under a moisturizer.

Other HA serums I tried:

• Beautycounter Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum
• DIME Hyaluronic Acid Serum
• COSMEDIX Surge Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Best Vitamin C Serum: Beautycounter All Bright C Serum

Nothing I’ve tried measures up to Beautycounter’s All Bright C Serum. It’s the most effective Vitamin C serum I’ve tried, and I like the way it feels best too. Some Vitamin C serums feel like they dry tightly on my face, but not Beautycounter’s. I also love that theirs uses two different forms of stable Vitamin C, so it’s effective and also lasts a long time (l-ascorbic acid looses it’s potency and effectiveness if it’s not super stable).

Most high-end vitamin C products use 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, which isn’t super stable. Beautycounter’s uses 5% bis-glyceryl ascorbate and 5% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate which are more stable and effective at lower concentrations (which also means less potential for irritation).

Other Vitamin C Serums I tried:

• IMAGE VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum
• Colleen Rothschild Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Best Anti-Aging Serum: Colleen Rothschild Age Renewal Super Serum

There are a million great anti-aging serums on the market, and the majority of them have ingredients that target one or two signs of aging. The reason I love the Age Renewal Super Serum from Colleen Rothschild is because it was designed to tackle ALL the signs of aging at once: texture, dehydration, elasticity, fine lines, radiance, and tone. It has 20 potent ingredients that make it super concentrated. It’s definitely the best bang I got for my buck in terms of an anti-aging serum.

Other anti-aging serums I tried:

• True Botanical Chebula Active Serum
• Primally Pure Fancy Face Serum
• Beautycounter Radiance Serum

Best Retinol or Retinol-Alternative: Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

I have never liked prescription-grade retinol. My skin does not react well to it, and I obviously can’t use it while pregnant. I prefer a more gentle retinol that doesn’t require a prescription or a retinol-alternative. Beautycounter’s cult favorite Overnight Resurfacing Peel is still one of my favorite products after using it for years. It’s a safer alternative to retinol, but I swear it is more effective than anything I’ve tried. It increases skin cell turnover to slough off dead skin, reduces discoloration, and smoothes skin’s texture. I love that it has a slight tingle sensation when I apply it too!

You can read my full review of the Overnight Resurfacing Peel here.

Other retinol/retinol alternatives I tried:

• Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Night Oil – I only used this until I got pregnant, and then switched to Beautycounter. I really liked it as well!
• Dime Super Firm Serum
• Fleur & Bee A Game Retinol Serum

Best Daytime Moisturizer: Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer

I tried seven daytime moisturizers this year, expecting to love my Beautycounter Soft Cream most, as I have for years. However, I was blown away by the Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer (Alpyn Beauty’s products surprised me many times this year). I have VERY dry skin, so even my daytime moisturizer needs to have some really potent ingredients, and I think I liked this best because it’s technically a repair cream that someone might use at night but it’s not heavy.

Other daytime moisturizers I tried:

• Beautycounter Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream
• Beautycounter Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream – I loved this during the hot, humid summer.
• Colleen Rothschild Sheer Renewal Cream
• OSEA Advanced Protection Cream – I liked this almost as much as the Alpyn one but it’s pricier.
• Alpyn Beauty Triple Vitamin C Brightening Bounce Cream
• Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer– the smell of this was far too strong for me.

Best Night Cream: Beautycounter Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream

I’ve been using the Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream from Beautycounter since it launched about 5 years ago, and I have yet to find anything I like better. It’s the thickest, most hydrating, protective night cream I’ve ever tried but it’s not greasy. It contains anti-aging ingredients in it, so I also love that.

Other night creams I tried:

1. Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream
2. DIME TBT Cream
3. Alpyn Beauty Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer

Best Eye Cream: Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream

Like the Beautycounter Supreme Cream, the Ultra Renewal Eye Cream from Beautycounter has been a long-standing favorite of mine. It’s hydrating, soothing, and does not make my eyes water or sting in the slightest. And since it contains anti-aging ingredients, it has more benefits than just hydration (my crows feet have lessened).

I also have to note my honorable mention winner, Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream. Since I use this as concealer + eye cream when I’m not wearing makeup (or I wear underneath eye cream), I don’t feel like it totally fits in this section, but I do think it’s worth every single penny. It’s one of the only products that makes me look awake if I’ve had a rough night of sleep.

Other night creams I tried:

• Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Serum
• Colleen Rothschild Complete Eye Cream
• Alpyn Beauty Line-Filling Eye Balm with Bakuchiol and Caffeine
• Kiehls Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Best Face Oil: Colleen Rothschild Face Oil N°9

If you’ve never used a face oil, you’re missing out. It’s my favorite addition to my skincare routine when my skin needs a little more hydration and protection. I rarely use an oil in the AM, but use them every night under my night cream for a boost of hydration. The Colleen Rothschild Face Oil N°9 is the best EVER. It feels like a blend of bamboo, silk, and velvet on your skin. And the smell is crazy luxurious – like a 5 star hotel spa.

Other face oils I tried:

• Beautycounter All Bright Brightening Facial Oil – I really like this as well but it has a heavier feel.
• True Botanical Renew Pure Radiance Oil
• Annmarie Anti-Aging Facial Oil

Best Sunscreen: Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense For Face – SPF 25

I tried a lot of sunscreen this past summer, always hunting for the best mineral-based SPF that doesn’t dry my skin out and still looks good under makeup. My favorite was the Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense For Face – SPF 25. I appreciate that it’s super sheer (even though it uses zinc oxide), goes on smoothly without having to rub it in for a long time, and it looks great under makeup.

Other sunscreens I tried:

• Dime Wonderscreen® SPF 30
• Colleen Rothschild Triple Defense Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
• EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
• Annmarie Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen
• Supergoop Glowscreen – I really love this, but the ingredients aren’t quite as clean as the ones above, so I only use it on occasion when I want a little more glow.

Best Tinted Moisturizer: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Skincare Foundation

My favorite tinted base from this year is the Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Skincare Foundation from ILIA. The coverage is light (but buildable to somewhat medium coverage), the have a TON of shades so finding a match was simple, and it has SPF in it (bonus). The only qualm I have is that it smells bad when you first apply it (like dog food?). Thankfully that smells dissipates in about 2 minutes and it looks so good that it’s worth it to me.

Other tinted foundations I tried:

• Beautycounter Dew Skin – I loved this for years but found it was too drying in the last couple of years as I’ve aged.
• Dime Beauty Tinted Glow Wonderscreen® SPF 30
• EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen

Best Foundation: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow Tint

I alternate foundations pretty often, depending on my mood. So picking just one as my favorite feels a little unfair. It just depends!! But for the sake of this post, the foundation I wore most often was the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Glow Tint. It’s a medium, dewy/radiant coverage and it lasts all day, which most dewy foundations don’t. I wear shade 24N. (This post has a round-up of all my favorite lightweight foundations.)

Other foundations I tried:

1. Beautycounter Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation
2. ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation with Niacinamide
3. Tarte Face Tape Foundation
4. Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation – this is a close second for the winning foundation but I don’t like that it comes in a tub.

Best Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Radiant

I’ve tried a ton of concealers this past year and my favorite for all occasions is the Tarte Shape Tape Radiant Concealer. It has a medium to full coverage that’s buildable, and it leaves the perfect radiance without making your under-eyes look too dewy.

Other concealers I tried:

• Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy – I like this when my skin is ultra dry since it’s super hydrating
• Tarte Shape Tape Original
• ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer
• Beautycounter Skin Twin Creamy Concealer

Best Blush: Tarte Precious Gems Amazonian Clay Cheek Palette

I LOVE blush and like my foundation, switch it up all the time. If I was on a desert island, I’d take the Tarte Precious Gems Amazonian Clay Cheek Palette because it has a ton of shades, applies easily, looks natural, and has a bit of a radiant finish.

Other blush I tried:

• Tarte Maracuja Juicy Blush
• ILIA Multi-Stick Cream Blush
• Beautycounter Cheeky Clean Blush
• Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

Best Bronzer: ILIA NightLite Bronzing Powder

The bad news is that my favorite bronzer, the NightLite Bronzing Powder from ILIA seems to be discontinued. You can still find it a few places, but I am going to have to start my hunt for a new favorite this year once I can’t get my shade!

Other bronzers I tried:

• Tarte Scupt Tape Cream Bronzer
• Chantecaille Real Bronze
• Tarte Clay Play To Go Matte Bronzer

Best Mascara: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

I am SO picky with mascara. I want length, volume, and it can’t smudge. And the problem is, most mascaras (the oil-soluble ones, anyway), smudge. So I have to stick to water-based (also called tubing mascara since it comes off in tubes with water) and that doesn’t leave a ton of options. Thankfully, I discovered Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara a few years ago and it’s the best I’ve found so far. Would I prefer a little more length or volume? Sure. But I am really happy with this find, and with a little eyelash primer, it looks great. I always layer it over a primer, either the Dime Lash Primer or Tarte Primer for extra volume.

Other mascaras I tried:

• Beautycounter Think Big All-In-One Mascara – this looks great but it smudges on me
• Colleen Rothschild Panoramic Mascara
• GrandeMASCARA Conditioning Peptide Mascara

Best Brow Gel/Pencil: Glo Skin Precise Micro Browliner

I got the best brow pencil at the same place I go to get my brows done, and gosh it’s good. It’s called the Glo Skin Precise Micro Browliner. You can buy it online at Amazon or if you’re local to Winston-Salem, you can get it at The Parlor.

I also love the brow gels I’ve listed below. I don’t have a clear winner for those, but use them for different purposes!

• ILIA In Frame Brow Gel – this is the most natural and great if I’m in a hurry or if you’re new to using a brow gel
• Tarte Busy Gal BROWS Tinted Brow Gel – I like the small brush on this for more precision and it deposits more pigment than the Ilia one.
• Chantecaille Waterproof Brow Definer – This is a good one for filling in if you find the Glo Skin pencil too hard to use since you do need a lighter hand with that one. The Chantecaille one is more forgiving.
• Beautycounter Brow Gel – I love how this looks but it does dry out relatively quickly. But, it’s kind of like the ILIA and Tarte brow gels combined – easy to apply and more pigment deposited.

Best Self Tanner: Coco & Eve or N°36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse

I couldn’t pick my favorite self tanner between the N°36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse and Coco & Eve! And funny enough, I didn’t even like self tanning until this past year. I found that when I used a mit to apply it, it was super even and those two products didn’t have the nasty smell I always hated.

Other self-tanners I tried:

• Beauty By Earth
• St. Tropez
• +Lux Unfiltered N°12 Bronzing Self Tanning Drops – these are the only ones I used but I like them!

Best Stand Alone Products

These are my favorite products from this year that didn’t fall into a specific category because I didn’t try enough of each type but they still deserve a shoutout.

1. Beautycounter Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil
2. Colleen Rothschild Glycolic Acid Peel Pads with Blue Agave
3. Image CLEAR CELL Salicylic Clarifying Pads
4. Beautycounter Reflect Effect Bamboobuff Exfoliating Polish
5. Colleen Rothschild Dual Enzyme Polish – I love love love this! The texture is great and it’s amazing how good my skin looks afterwards.
6. Beautycounter Reflect Effect AHA Smoothing Facial Mask

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