Cheryl Shops

Normally I'd combine my best buys of the year into a single post, but I had so many good products I wanted to tell you about, I decided to break it into two. Last week I recapped my favorite clothes, shoes, and accessories of 2024; this week, it's the best beauty products I tried in 2024. In full transparency, because I receive so many gratis products, I haven't actually paid for all of these with my own money, but I am noting which ones I received for free. That said, I highly recommend (and would spend my own money) on all of the following, so let's dive in.

Left to right: 

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless setting spray 

As a no-makeup makeup person, I thought that setting sprays were not for me...until I tried this stuff. It truly does help your makeup last all day long but doesn't feel at all gross on your skin. It has even eradicated eyelid-creasing for me. This is now an absolute must in my routine, and if that makes me high-maintenance, so be it. 

Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster (c/o)

After irritating the crap out of my skin from testing several different products with too many active ingredients at once (never say I don't do anything for you!), I decided to give this serum a try, because why not? Not only did it calm down whatever reactions I was having, it made my skin look plump, smooth, and dare I say healthy again. I've been hoarding another bottle of this in case of emergency. 

Versed Day Dissolve cleansing balm (c/o)

This is not my holy grail cleanser (that honor belongs to Elemis), but it is very similar in formulation—it's a thick, creamy balm that you apply directly onto dry skin, massage in, then rinse away. It doesn't strip your skin of moisture, nor does it leave a bunch of greasy residue or irritate your eyes. And for the $17.99 price, you really can't go wrong. Versed is probably my favorite mass-market skincare line—it's really effective yet incredibly affordable and deserves way more attention than it gets.

Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded All-Over Illuminator Drops

This is a product that you really shouldn't need—ideally your sunscreen or foundation could do this?—but you kind of do. I add a few drops to my sunscreen and it provides a very subtle, natural, glowy finish to my skin. Full disclosure: it has a strange odor at first that has either dissipated or I've gotten used to it. Also, like all Westman Atelier products, it's on the pricey side but, so far, lasts a very long time. 

Bobbi Brown Skin Color Corrector Stick (c/o)

I've spent the last few years slathering on thicker and thicker undereye concealers in the hopes of hiding my ever-more-prominent dark circles. Turns out all I needed was this color-correcting concealer. It has a deceivingly light yet buildable texture that works a lot harder than you'd expect it to—and without any creasing or caking whatsoever. This is holy-grail status for me. 

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

Another winner from Charlotte Tilbury, a line I will admit I've stayed away from because the packaging feels a little over-the-top. This stuff doesn't quite have as much coverage as foundation, and the overall effect is a little shimmery. I wouldn't recommend wearing it every day (that's what the Westman Atelier is for), but I will not do a photo shoot without this product. It somehow manages to reflect (or refract?) the light bouncing off your skin so you look, for lack of a better word, flawless. 

Jones Road Miracle Balm (c/o)

I have a strong natural flush to my skin tone and have never been a big blush person, so I approached this product with skepticism. But I was blown away by it; "Miracle" is an understatement. It somehow smooths out the uneven texture of my skin around my cheekbones and makes me look healthy and well-rested. (I gave one to my 80-year-old mother and she loves it too.) The tubs are ginormous and after using mine for nearly a year, it barely looks like I've made a dent in it. I love this so much, I'm vowing in 2025 to try the rest of the Jones Road line. 

Sidia the Hand Serum (c/o)

During the winter months, my hands are so dry that I go through hand lotion like it's my job. And let me tell you, it's hard to find something that keeps your skin moisturized without making it so greasy that you leave a trail of schmutz on your keyboard, your phone, etc. This is miraculously lightweight yet super-hydrating, and I really love the packaging with its pump dispenser. 

Not pictured: 

Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 (c/o)

SPF is an absolute must in my daily routine—I don't leave home without it. That said, there are a lot of terrible SPF products out there (you can thank our very outdated FDA regulations for that one) so when you find a good one, you want to shout it from the rooftops. This evens out your skin tone, gives you a nice glow, and manages to provide good protection on top of that. Add a few drops of Westman Atelier Illuminator and it's *chef's kiss.*

Kiko Milano sunscreen

Speaking of sunscreen, it's better in Europe (and Asia), so whenever I travel abroad, I stock up. Of the five (yes, five) sunscreens I bought in Italy last summer, this was hands down my favorite. It goes on sheer without pilling, protects incredibly well, and as a bonus, smells amazing. You sadly can't buy it in the US (nope, not even online), so if you're going to Italy this year, pick up a tube or 10 for me?