20 beauty products that our editors used to the last drop in 2018

The end of 2018 is near, which means it’s time to start looking back at some of the highlights of the year. In addition to celebrating our personal achievements (one of our editors ran a marathon; another learned to love her arm hair after years of being at odds), we’re also reflecting on some of the best new beauty products that came across our desks this year—and boy, were there a lot of them.

The past 365 days have been some big ones for the beauty industry: From 40 foundation shades dominating the market (thanks to Rihanna, who technically made this happen in 2017) to hair tools that made our morning routines easier than ever to skin care specifically targeted to period skin, there has been a lot worth looking back on…especially now that it’s time to start picking out gifts for loved ones. Ahead of the New Year, we rounded up the best new beauty products of 2018. Read on to see why we love ’em.

Dove Exfoliating Body Polish, $6

Not to share TMI, but I credit this scrub entirely for helping me kick the blackheads that took hold on my back (and okay, butt) this summer. It comes in three different scents (my personal favorite is the Macadamia & Rice Milk), and exfoliates and moisturizes skin in one fell swoop.

Cannuka Lip Balm, $9

CBD found its way into everything this year, and our lip balms were no exception. Cannuka’s lip moisturizing stick uses the cannabidiol to reduce inflammation, plus has Manuka honey to repair the top layers of skin.

Herbal Essences Foam Conditioner, $5

Your favorite brand from the early 2000s got a very 2018 update with its new foaming formulation, which is great for adding volume and moisture to fine hair that can’t handle being held down by the heavier condish.

Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, $55

Facial oils had a major moment this year (yes, you can use them, even if you have oily skin), and Elemis’s Superfood was one of our favorites. It’s packed with a powerhouse combination of plant-based superfoods like broccoli, flax seed and daikon radish to help plump, nourish, and bring an all around glow to skin.

Corpus Third Rose Deodorant, $22

Corpus’s all-natural, vegan DO features essential oils like bergamot, pink lemon, orange blossom, and cardamon, and not only does it smell a-m-a-z-i-n-g, but its sleek packaging feels more luxe than any deodorant we’ve ever seen.

Kosas Tinted Face Oil, $42

Kosas touts its tinted face oil as “the future of foundation,” and we’ve gotta agree. It combines skin care and makeup in one easy-to-use product, which will leave your complexion dewy and hydrated with the slightest coverage to give you a lit-from-within glow.

Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer, $39

Olay’s new lighter-than-air moisturizer is ultra hydrating, but goes onto the complexion like velvet. It basically feels like you’re applying a fine-line-fighting cloud to your face, which is something that I am totally here for.

BeautyCounter Colour Intense Lipstick, $34

You’ll be downright shocked at the pigment and staying power that this stuff brings, and with eight high-impact shades from creamy neutrals to bright pinks, there’s something for everyone in the collection.

bareMinerals Claymates Mask Duo, $35

With two masks in a single jar, bareMinerals Claymates combo serves double-duty without taking up any extra space in your beauty cabinet. The Be Bright formulation exfoliates with pomegranate extract and papaya enzymes, while the Be Firm side helps tighten and smooth by way of kale seed and watermelon extracts.

Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Body Gel Cream, $9

I’ve used Neutrogena’s Hydroboost Water Gel on my face for the better part of the last decade, so was over-the-moon excited when I heard that they’d be launching a head-to-toe lotion of the cult-fave line—and the product itself did *not* disappoint. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration under the skin, making it the perfect body-care product for winter and summer weather, plus everything in-between.

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara, $16

Glossier underwent 248 different mascara formulations before landing on the perfect product, and their dedication shows by how good Lash Slick actually is. It’s almost like a fringe stain, providing a darkening without overwhelming your lashline with clumps.

Knours Your Only Cleanser, $25

Period skin is the pits, but new skin-care brand Knours is making it slightly less terrible with their line of products designed with your hormonal cycle in mind. Each offering targets a specific time of the month, catering to your body’s specific needs—essentially syncing your skin care with your period.

Glopro Lip Edition Microneedling Regeneration Tool, $249

You’ve likely seen micro-needling facial tools on your Insta-feed for a while now, but GloPro changed the game with the launch of their version of the tool that specifically targets your lips. It uses LED therapy and teeny, tiny needles to rejuvenate lips, leaving behind a firmer, smoother pout, and kissing chapped lips buh-bye.

Benefit Brow Contour Pro, $34

Kim Kardashian introduced us to the wonders of contouring our faces years ago, but this year Benefit took things one step further by showing us how to do it on our brows. The brand’s Brow Contour Pro is similar to the multi-colored click pens you likely had in elementary school, but uses four different pencil shades to help you highlight and add dimension.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $48

If you went anywhere near a beauty Instagram this year, you’ve likely seen Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. When the product, created by Mariana Hewitt and Lauren Gores Ireland, launched in March, everyone from Kim Kardashian to our beauty editors sang its praises. It’s great for travel-tired, hungover, or just plain dehydrated skin, and really does live up to the hype.

Dyson Airwrap, $549

Every once in a while, a hot tool comes along that has us wondering how we ever survived our morning routines without it. This year, that was the Dyson Airwrap. Unlike anything else on the market, it uses hot air—instead of the usual iron—to style strands, which means you can go from sopping wet post-shower to a beautiful, curled blowout in a matter of minutes. Plus, the changeable heads mean you can use it to create multiple looks with the same tool.

Flesh Flipbook, $22

Flesh’s highlighter, bronzer and blush offering is nothing like the usual pots and palettes that dominate the market. It includes single-use sheets that can be used to highlight and contour your face, and—bonus—you never have to worry about it shattering.

DryBar Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush, $145

Instead of clamping your strands between iron plates and following it up with a paddle brush the way you have been since middle school, DryBar’s Brush Crush combines both steps into one. The heated brush straightens hair while smoothing strands and fighting frizz, and (my personal favorite part), you don’t have to actually touch the hot hair as you straighten it, so you’ll never end your styling sesh with burnt fingers again.

Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment, $48

Part makeup, part skin care, Tatcha’s tinted eye cream will cover dark circles while also banishing them. It hydrates and illuminates skin, and the end result will leave you looking more awake—even on the mornings when there isn’t time for coffee.

Nécessaire Body Wash, $25

Who says your shower routine shouldn’t be just as luxurious as the rest of your skin-care regimen? Brand-new brand Nécessaire wants you to think about body care as more than just an afterthought, and is arming consumers with the products to make that possible. Their body wash, in particular, cleanses and nourishes while also balancing pH, which means the skin on your bod will finally get the love it deserves.

Weleda Skin Food Body Butter, $29

While we used to slather Skin Food all over the face, this year, Weleda expanded their line, making that feat easily achievable from head-to-toe.

Some other beauty innovations we were majorly excited about this year? The clean hair movement, and all of these chic new body wash offerings that have our showers feeling like spas.