It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through 2018. Seriously, how the hell did that happen?! Across the board, so much has already gone down. The midyear mark is the perfect time to reassess those top of year goals that you may have set, map out new ones, see how you’re doing or ditch what’s not working and reset where necessary.
It’s also a great time to look back on all the major wins that’ll make part two even more glorious. On the beauty front, it’s been a solid six months, and the setup for the back half of 2018 is going to be a lot more beautiful thanks to these hair, skin and makeup innovations that have truly changed the game.
Originally posted on StyleCaster.
Benefit BADgal Bang! Volumizing Mascara
Sure, there are a lot of great mascaras out there — but prepare to gasp at first swipe. Your lashes will be long and really defined without a clump in sight.
BADgal Bang! volumizing mascara, $24 at Benefit Cosmetics
DevaCurl Wash Day Wonder
If washday feels more like a workday, you'll want to add a pre-shampoo detangler to your mix to help melt away tangles before you even hit the shower. Also try it after taking out your protective style to help comb through a matted mane without any breakage.
Wash Day Wonder, $28 at DevaCurl
HiMirror Mini
This isn't just some basic magnified makeup mirror. Power it on and behold your getting-ready bestie. Not only can this smart mirror analyze your skin so you can effectively adjust your skin care regimen, but you can also watch a YouTube tutorial that you'd like to recreate, blast your favorite Spotify playlist and check the weather — all straight from the device.
Mini mirror, $119 at HiMirror
Madison Reed Light Works
DIY'ing your hair color sounds intimidating, but Madison Reed is making it easy-breezy with this at-home kit that not only lets you balayage with precision (thanks to a patented wishbone applicator), but you can double-process your roots at the same time — saving yourself hours at that salon and a lot of money.
Light Works, $45 at Madison Reed
Cover FX PowerPlay Foundation
Of course, Fenty Beauty set the foundation bar really high in 2017, but Cover FX came correct with its latest lineup of bases that's not only lightweight, sweatproof and spans the skin tone spectrum, but also meets the needs of our varying undertones. It comes in 40 shades.
PowerPlay Foundation, $42 at CoverFX
Lashify The Control Kit
Even if strip lashes aren't your thing, you have to at least give these DIY extensions a shot. Your mind will be blown. It's seriously a major upgrade from the falsies you're used to. The kit comes in three different lash styles and with an applicator, adhesive and a clear-coat sealer. The small clusters not only hold up for days without budging, they look natural like you found a really great mascara.
The Control Kit, $125 at Lashify
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment
The 12,000-person wait-list for this launch wasn't just hype. If your skin is misbehaving or just not looking its best, a combo of bamboo and macadamia seed exfoliates the dead skin on the surface, while AHAs from Australian finger lime clear out clogged pores and boost cell turnover. You'll notice a difference right away.
Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment, $59 at Sand & Sky
Paul Mitchell Neuro Halo Dryer
The first iteration of this styler was a lifesaver for DIY blow-dry regulars. The upgraded version is lightweight, has three temp settings and three airflow controls, touch screen display and a filter light to let you know when it's time to clean.
Neuro Halo dryer, $255 at Paul Mitchell
Farsáli Jelly Beam in Rose Goals
We definitely weren't ready for this jelly. Farsáli changed the highlighting game last year when this jiggly gel-to-powder formula stole the spotlight. Now it comes in a coppery rose gold that's a serious glow up for deeper skin tones.
Jelly Beam in Rose Goals, $40 at Farsáli
Cantu Curl Stretcher Cream Rinse
Curly girls know the shrinkage struggle all too well, which is why this strand savior is a godsend. Slather it on damp hair, let it sit, and then rinse. It temporarily loosens curls for elongated, defined coils.
Cantu Curl Stretcher Cream Rinse, $5 at Target
Marmur Metamorphosis
At-home light devices aren't new, but this next-generation system, created by renowned dermatologist Dr. Ellen Marmur, was designed with a full spectrum of blue, red, green, purple, yellow and white lights. It'll basically correct every skin concern, from acne to aging, and will help boost the effects of the skin care products designed to complement the light therapy. The blue light kills acne bacteria and calms inflammation. Yellow improves skin circulation. Green and red stimulate collagen renewal. And purple blends the effects of red and blue light into one stream. The system also includes a serum, mask and a cell phone app. You can start using the products and app now. The device launches in October.
Serum, $85 at Marmur MetamorphosisFace masks, $75 (set of four) at Marmur MetamorphosisChest/neck masks, $95 (set of four) at Marmur MetamorphosisSphere device, $500 at Marmur Metamorphosis
Psssst Instant Dry Shampoo with Coconut Oil
There have been a lot of imitators, but Psssst! still holds the spot as the first dry shampoo on the market. It's once again shaken up the category with this formula update that now has coconut oil to help hydrate strands while it soaks up excess sebum at the roots.
Psssst Instant Dry Shampoo with Coconut Oil, $13 at Walmart
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick
The masters of on-the-go makeup have done it again with a pocket-size touch-up stick that you can use to quickly (but thoroughly) cover blemishes and skin imperfection for a soft-focus photo-filter finish. The 10-shade range is pretty solid too.
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick, $30 at Sephora
Flex
Insert to catch your monthly flow for up to 12 hours. It even holds up during sex, sleeping and working out. Now that's pretty life-changing.
Flex, $15 (for a two-month supply) at The Flex Company
Beautyblender Instaclean
The same magic that went into the invention of dry shampoo for hair is what this airy spray cleaner does for makeup sponges and brushes. If you don't have time for a full wash in between product applications, just spray, wipe and move on to the next step in your routine.
Instaclean, $16 at Beautyblender
EOS Aqua Hydrating Skin Prep
Consolidate your summer skin care essentials with a three-in-one toner, serum and moisturizer. It literally turns to water on skin when you rub it in to help cool, prep and rehydrate parched and sun-scorched skin.
Aqua Hydrating Skin Prep, $20 at Evolution of Smooth
Tweezerman Avocado Filemate
Not much has changed on the nail front since the invention of gel manis, which is why this file that's infused with avocado oil — so it nourishes and strengthens nails with each stroke — is such a big deal.
Avocado Filemate, $5 at Tweezerman
Schick Intuition F.A.B. Razor
Tons of blades are great for getting a great shave, but what's even better is a razor head that you can effortlessly swipe in both directions for even more surface smoothing. Genius!
Schick Intuition F.A.B. razor, $6 at Target
vFit Intimate Wellness Solution
It's most definitely the year of the V — and there are plenty of products geared toward getting your lady parts in tip-top shape. What light therapy does for aging skin on your face and body, this does for your vagina. A combo of heat, light and vibration helps increase blood flow, tighten loose tissue and maintain balance between the good and bad bacteria down under.
Intimate wellness solution, $395 at vFit
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
K-beauty continues to set the bar really high with its innovations. Try this watermelon juice hydrator when you need a cooling, vitamin-packed moisture boost that's not at all heavy.
Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer, $39 at Glow Recipe
Leave a Comment