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Can you believe we’re in 2025 already? My inbox is already filling up with new and exciting makeup and skincare launches that are coming soon and I can’t wait to get my mitts on them. But before we start looking ahead, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the standout beauty products that have earned a permanent spot in my collection in 2024.
Earlier this year I invested in some IKEA Alex drawers which allowed me to better organise my beauty arsenal. I genuinely have no idea how I lived or where I stored all of my makeup before, but being able to see all of my products has meant I could actually use them on rotation, rather than grabbing whatever first became visible in my makeup bag while rummaging around. This organisation has allowed me to really work out which products I constantly reach for and as the 2024 season comes to an end, I’ve taken a look at which staples have won me over.
From new launches at No7, Natural Collection and Clinique, to celeb-loved classics like Charlotte Tilbury and trending names such as Refy and Milk, these are the products I’ve been most impressed by in 2024 in every category, from primers and concealers, through to mascaras and setting sprays.
Primer: ELF Halo Glow – £15
The ELF Halo Glow primer is the ultimate multitasker. Similar to Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter, it’s not quite a primer but not a foundation either, sitting somewhere in between. It preps the skin beautifully, leaving a radiant glow that shines through any foundation, but can equally be worn alone as a bit of a skin perfector. Its luminosity reflects the light, which minimises the appearance of imperfections, plus, it’s budget-friendly, making it an easy choice for everyday use.
Concealer: Natural Collection Concealer (Shade 1C) – £4
My love for Natural Collection runs deep – it was one of the first brands I ever reviewed on this blog back when I was a Sunday sales assistant at Boots. In 2024, Natural Collection made a grand comeback, and their relaunch did not disappoint. The £4 concealer is lightweight yet offers fantastic coverage, making it perfect for a natural look. It’s by far my most-used concealer of the year and has fast become my everyday weapon for disguising my dark circles. Creamy and blendable, it provides light to medium coverage and effortlessly melts into my skin without sinking into any creases and once blended, is practically undetectable making it perfect for those no makeup makeup days where you just want to look a little fresher and more awake. Read my full review of the Natural Collection range here.
Foundation: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint (Shade 3) – £49
Skin tints are becoming an increasingly popular substitute to full-coverage foundation as beauty trends shift towards a more natural, skin-focused approach. If you’re on the hunt for a luxurious, skincare-infused base that enhances your skin rather than covering it, Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is well worth considering. Fusing lightweight, comfortable wear with high-performing ingredients and seamless coverage, there’s no wonder it’s earned a permanent place in my makeup routine for the days I want to feel glam without reaching for full-coverage. The natural, glowy finish is unbeatable, it feels so good on the skin and I’ve gotten so many compliments while wearing it. While it’s on the sheer side, the buildable formula and added skincare benefits make it worth every penny. Read my full review of the skin tint here.
Contour: Milk Makeup Sculpt Stick (Toasted) – £22
The contouring product I haven’t been able to stop reaching for this year was Milk’s Sculpt Stick in the shade Toasted. The matte, cool-toned cream formula melts into the skin, creating natural-looking shadows for a sculpted appearance. You don’t have to be particularly precise with it, and can be built up to the desired intensity – it really is ‘contouring for dummies’. Milk’s makeup sticks are designed for the time-poor, and work alongside other products in the range to allow you to get ready in under a minute. And while it may be small, these pint-sized sculpting sticks are said to have over 1,000 swipes in them, and are designed to be applied exactly where you want them. I’ve been using mine for around 9 months and there’s still plenty of product left in it. Find our more about my favourite Milk products here.
Bronzer: No7 Pro Artist Soft Glow Cream Bronzer (Light Glow) £19.95
Launched in autumn 2024, No7 hit it out of the park with their Pro Artist range – a capsule collection of affordable yet high-performing makeup staples designed for everyday use. The cream bronzer is a standout product – though I also really like the luxe liquid blush and perfecting primer. I’ve previously struggled with cream bronzers appearing muddy or too warm, but No7’s is really lightweight and velvety, and not too pigmented on the first pass but very buildable, making it easy to control the intensity. The neutral tone flatters pale skin without veering orange, and it blends really well into the skin, working nicely over and under other products in my routine, too. I find myself reaching for this more than my Refy and Charlotte Tilbury bronzers, these days.
Blush: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush (Hope) – £22
Selena Gomez’ Rare Beauty continues to reign supreme in the blush department. And this year I fell in love with the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Shade Hope. The formula is richly pigmented but blends so effortlessly, giving a fresh, dewy flush that lasts all day. You really do only need a tiny dot on each cheek for the perfect flush of colour with a silky texture that harmonises with my bronzer and foundation really well. For a cohesive look, sometimes I’ll line my lips with a nude pencil and tap some of the blush onto my lips. It dries down to a really comfortable finish and doesn’t budge. We love a versatile essential.
Mascara: Clinique High Impact Mascara – £26
I’ve never really been married to a mascara and have tried dozens over the years. But of late I’ve been loving the Clinique High Impact Mascara, which certainly delivers on its name. It provides bold, voluminous lashes with zero clumping, but the reason I love it so much is because it’s the only mascara I’ve ever used that doesn’t leave smudgy transfers under my eyes. Whether I’m going for a natural daytime look or something more dramatic, this mascara has been my trusty sidekick. I may still flirt with other mascaras from time to time, but I think this will be a mainstay.
Eyeshadow: Too Faced Born This Way The Nudes Palette – £48
When it comes to eyeshadow palettes I’ve typically been one to use whatever I happen to have acquired in beauty boxes, but the palette that I’ll 100% be repurchasing when I hit pan is this Too Faced Born This Way The Nudes Palette. Incredibly dynamic, it has eight mattes, two shimmers, three metallics and three sparkles in easy-to-wear neutral shades inspired by the Born This Way foundation shades. These 16 highly-pigmented, modern shadows are creamy and blendable, made with skin-loving ingredients like coconut water, alpine rose and hyaluronic acid. I love that you can use it for both an everyday, natural look, or go more glam with it – and its slimline design makes it easy to travel with, too.
Brows: Refy Brow Sculpt – £18
Keeping my brows tamed has never been easier since adding the Refy Brow Sculpt to my routine. The double ended brush allows me to comb and shape my brows with the innovative wax-gel hybrid before setting them in place for a sculpted, laminated look. The product dries clear and is long-lasting, with hairs remaining flexible rather than crispy, keeping brows set until they’re washed out. I do get my brows professionally laminated, but Refy’s product does a wonderful job at prolonging the effect and allowing me to go longer between appointments. It can easily be used alongside other gels, pomades and pencils, too, if you’re needing to define or fill in sparse areas, too. Read more about my favourite Refy products here.
Lip Liner: Barry M Lip Liner – £3.49
2024 has been the year I’ve branched out from solely using MAC lip liners, adding a selection of high end and drugstore options to my collection, including Charlotte Tilbury and Max Factor. But the brand that impressed me most with their precise but creamy liners has to be budget-friendly Barry M. I’ve got three or four of these now, and I honestly don’t think I’ll buy an expensive liner again. Long lasting, non-tugging and in a selection of flattering shades, you can consider me converted.
Lip Colour: Clinique Black Honey Lip & Cheek Oil – £23.50
Clinique’s Black Honey Lip & Cheek Oil is one of the best launches of 2024. A fresh take on their iconic Black Honey shade, this oil adds a glossy, hydrating finish that’s perfect for both lips and cheeks. Unlike some of the cheaper lip oils I’ve tried, Clinique’s is much thinner in consistency, with a serum-like texture that truly feels like skincare. It delivers a high-shine, glassy finish on the lips, but a more subtle, glowy appearance on the cheeks, which makes for a really fresh and radiant look. What’s more is that it lends itself to any occasion, whether you’re opting for a minimalist clean girl aesthetic, or want to build intensity for something a little more glam. Read my full review of the lip oil here.
Setting Spray: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray continues to be the reigning champ in its category. Formulated with aloe vera, hydrating Japanese green tea and an aromatic resin, the Charlotte Tilbury spray locks makeup in place for hours on end while delivering a gorgeous, dewy finish that leaves skin looking radiant. Glass skin is a major trend this year, and if there’s one setting spray to help you achieve that luminosity, then it’s this one. I also love to keep a travel sized version in my bag to help refresh my face on those longer days. Check out all of the Charlotte Tilbury products I’ve tried and tested here.
