From exciting news that made waves across the world to the most compelling figures and buzz-worthy trends, EnVi looks back at the very Best of 2023. In this installment, EnVi‘s Beauty Team rounds up the beauty products they couldn’t live without in 2023
The beauty industry has experienced unprecedented success in recent years. As per the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, the beauty market generated approximately $430 billion in revenue in 2022. This growth didn’t show any signs of stopping in 2023.
Even amid a looming recession, new brands and products emerged in the market every other day. Beauty communities online continued to extend and strengthen their influence. And to no one’s surprise, as beauty products and content were so easily available on the internet, the trend ecosystem thrived.
In between a myriad of microtrends and viral products online, every year, beauty consumers find it harder to identify what’s truly worth buying. Do we follow the glossy reviews and TikTok’s latest craze or should we stick to our holy grails only — even at the expense of missing out on something that has the potential to change our beauty game?
Well, we don’t have a definite answer to those questions. When it comes to beauty, everybody has their own journey to finding the products that best suit them. However, with 2024 around the corner, we can share some insights on products we can’t live without. Below find the products EnVi‘s beauty editors swore by in 2023 — the ones that we’re keeping even after our New Year vanity overhaul.
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
This year, COSRX has received global recognition due to their social media famous snail mucin line. However, the South Korean skincare brand has equally well-respected solution-based formulas across categories. COSRX’s Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a longtime skincare staple, but especially when battling the summer’s humid heat. This product is the perfect first step for your morning routine, but it’s also an amazing follow-up to a cleansing oil. The best part? Because it cleanses the skin without over-drying, this gel is suited for different skin types.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Eau Thermale de Avène
French pharmacies might have shot to popularity thanks to TikTok, but the OG French girls have been swearing by pharmacy products for decades. L’Eau Thermale de Avène is one of those must-haves. This mineral and silica-rich mist soothes and reduces skin irritation while also offering hydration, which makes it a go-to for those with redness and rosacea-prone skin — especially during summertime. But regardless of their skin type, anyone can use this thermal water. As per experts, you can practically introduce it in any step of your skincare. It serves as a toner, as a moisturizer between serums and even as a setting spray. If you want to take some tips from the French girlies, however, just spray it after washing your face and let it dry on the skin — yes, don’t even touch it.
— Mayra Peralta, Fashion and Beauty Editor
isoi Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Pad
Pore care, skin balancing, and a rosy aroma; what’s not to love about these toner pads? The isoi Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Pad has slowly become a non-negotiable when reaching for a daily toner. As someone with large pores, these toner pads are a game changer. After a week of usage, my pores appeared smaller and my skin tone appeared less rosy.
Pro tip: leave the pads on the skin like a facial pack to let the essence soak into the skin.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer
Vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand Summer Fridays debuted in 2018 with their Jet Lag Mask. This multipurpose moisturizer was an instant hit, in part because it can be used to hydrate the face and hands. The Jet Lag Mask is a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic product, which makes it suitable for all skin types at any time of the year. It is also a sensitive skin-friendly recipient of the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™. This moisturizer is a year-round must-have: it’s a perfect overnight hydrating mask for the summer and a thick, but by no means cakey, addition to your winter skincare routine.
— Valentina Reni, Fashion and Beauty Writer
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum : Rice +Alpha-Arbutin
Korean skincare brand Beauty of Joseon is recognized for its viral sunscreen, but its serum line deserves just as much attention. With formulations aimed at tackling different skin concerns, the line carries four serums with Korean natural products as key ingredients. For example, the Glow Deep Serum with rice bran water and +Alpha-Arbutin promises to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. And it delivers.
As someone who never uses non-prescribed skincare, I was nervous about testing this product. Needless to say, my concerns were unfounded. This serum is gentle, leaves a glowing finish and works magic in brightening and evening the skin tone. If you’re consistent and take care of your skin holistically, you’ll see almost immediate results. Want a radiant and even complexion? This might be the bulletproof product to add to your skincare routine.
— Mayra Peralta, Fashion and Beauty Editor
The INKEY List Retinol Serum
Inexpensive and effective, The INKEY List Retinol Fine Lines and Wrinkles Serum sets the standard for retinol serums. In the year 2023, skin cycling was in its heyday and this product is perfect for it. The high-performance serum is a perfect beginner retinol as it has a simple formulation. Smoothing out pores and fine lines, this product is an ace in my skincare routine. For best results, start by applying once a week and build up your tolerance.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
South Korean skincare brand Isntree’s Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel is a convenient and effective sunscreen for everyday use. This is a high-quality and fragrance-free sun gel, suited for sensitive skin and with a high protection factor (SPF50+). Additionally, it contains nourishing ingredients (hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and inositol) that can breathe life into your skin. The gel also has a lightweight and smooth formula that doesn’t feel sticky and leaves the skin with a satin look — which can double as the base for your makeup. Plus, the bottle is the perfect size for bringing with you on any occasion.
— Valentina Reni, Fashion and Beauty Writer
La Roche Posay Anthelios Pigment Correct SPF50+
La Roche-Posay is another French skincare brand making the rounds in online spaces, especially among those interested in the best sunscreen formulas. The Anthelios Pigment Correct Cream SPF50+ might not be its most viral product (everybody raves about the brand’s invisible fluid instead), but it is an effective alternative for those looking to skip makeup. This tinted high-protection sunscreen offers broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB, but was also formulated to even out the skin complexion and simultaneously offer coverage that can easily replace foundation. It is truly, the best of both worlds.
Pro tip: this sunscreen comes in two colors; light is best suited for light and medium skin tones while medium works better for darker skin tones.
— Mayra Peralta, Fashion and Beauty Editor
CLIO Kill Cover Mesh Glow Cushion
The South Korean cosmetics brand CLIO always delivers when it comes to its Kill Cover line. However, from its star products, the Mesh Glow Cushion is one to rave about. If you want impeccable coverage with a glass skin finish, this is the foundation for you. Unlike most glowy cushion foundations, CLIO’s offers medium to full coverage while making the gnarliest pores disappear. The brand truly engineered an all-kill foundation down to its innovative mesh cushion and translucent packaging.
Side note: matte-skin lovers, do not fear because this cushion stays all day long with a little powder in the T zone.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Dior Forever Skin Correct
For those who are not particularly well-versed in the makeup department, discovering the power of concealer can be mindblowing. Finding the right concealer, however, is tricky. Some products offer full coverage but end up giving your makeup a cakey or unnatural finish — in particular when applied in the undereye area. Others, don’t live up to our duration expectations and others simply don’t suit our skin type. None of those issues are a concern with the recently reformulated Dior Forever Skin Correct. This skin corrector is an easy-to-wear, natural-looking and lasting product that is worth every penny. It gives the skin a smooth finish, doesn’t crack or crease and most importantly, doesn’t cause breaks on sensitive skin.
— Mayra Peralta, Fashion and Beauty Editor
Piccasso Brushes
If you pay attention to the K-beauty scene, the makeup tool brand Piccasso may ring a bell. Conceived in 1990, the South Korean name develops premium brushes suited for makeup professionals and everyday consumers. They gained global recognition over the past years due to their famous makeup spatula, but their brushes are not to be slept on. The brand offers brushes in natural and synthetic varieties at multiple price points.
Simply put, the brushes do the blending for you while staying impeccably soft. The 207A Eyeshadow Brush and 133 Fixing Powder Brush are some of our favorites. Utilizing its horseshoe shape, the 207A Eyeshadow Brush pats and blends eyeshadow with ease. Meanwhile, the 133 Fixing Powder Brush features just the right amount of tapering while still being feather-soft on the skin.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Dasique Shadow Palette Ice Cream Edition
Dasique has climbed the competitive K-beauty ladder in the past couple of years for delivering silky eye makeup and glowy lip products. The brand is specifically known for its nine-pan eyeshadow palette collection, which grows yearly.
In 2023, the brand launched an Ice Cream palette, featuring new domed eyeshadow pans. This line is a must-have for natural makeup lovers. Blendable and smooth, the neutral-toned matte eyeshadows offer easy sculpting without patchiness. In addition to the creamy mattes, fine glitter eyeshadows make of Dasique’s new product the ultimate product to achieve the K-pop look.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Stila Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Undeniably, one of the best makeup-related experiences is flawlessly applying eyeliner in one stroke. Stila’s deep black waterproof eyeliner will help you achieve any ultra-precise look thanks to its sharp, felt tip applicator. The eyeliner is available in six dark shades and one bold white variation, each highly pigmented and opaque. Whether your look calls for a drawn-out cat eye wing or just light lining, Stila’s eyeliner will help you get it right on the first try. Plus, because it is waterproof, it’s not prone to smudging.
— Valentina Reni, Fashion and Beauty Writer
Versace Man Eau Fraîche
Although it is marketed as a men’s cologne, Versace Man Eau Fraîche is a great stand-alone scent to add to any fragrance collection. Flooding the senses with zesty lemon and cedar leaves, the fresh fragrance is an easy-to-wear, daily pick. Donatella Versace described the perfume’s wearer as “full of charisma and self-confidence.” Accordingly, the eau de toilette is a modern olfactory playground. When layered with other fragrances, this invigorating scent peaks through with an effervescent — almost soda-fizz — aroma. Whether paired or worn alone, this scent is a perfect fresh start for the new year.
Pro tip: To bring the fragrance’s delectable soda pop aroma to life, layer Versace Man Eau Fraîche with sweet fruity products.
— Mel Simmons, Senior Beauty Writer
Hermès Eau D’orange Verte Cologne
Hermès Eau d’orange verte is a citrus-infused elixir packaged in a compact, vivid green lantern bottle. Though the eau de cologne’s primary scent profile is orange, bright notes of mint and moss combine to create a complex and refreshing perfume. Once named the Eau de cologne Hermès, Eau d’orange was the luxury brand’s first-ever fragrance and it lives up to the brand’s reputation. This luxurious fragrance is a versatile summertime essential that complements virtually any situation — think beach day with family, upscale dinner date, brunch with friends, you name it.
— Valentina Reni, Fashion and Beauty Writer
Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum
It’s hard to find a fragrance that satisfies everybody. Experts might rave about one product that the masses dislike and a product that doesn’t check all the boxes for connoisseurs might be the next big thing online. Yet, Prada Paradoxe perfectly finds a middle ground between crowd-pleasing and critic-impressing.
Truth to its tagline “Never the same, always myself,” this eau de parfum seems to keep evolving with every spritz — and there lies its charm. Even after you’ve convinced yourself you’ve finally decoded its olfactory range, you’ll keep discovering new sides of this complex scent. Prada Paradoxe opens up with top notes of pear, tangerine and bergamot; blossoms with orange blossom and neroli; and sets on vanilla and musky accords.
Sweet but not overpowering; sophisticated but sexy; this fragrance has the best of all worlds and flawlessly embodies the archetype of the Prada woman: bold, elegant, quirky and unapologetically herself.
— Mayra Peralta, Fashion and Beauty Editor
Check out more of EnVi’s end-of-year content and recap the top moments from the K-pop-led fashion wave here.
All products featured on EnVi are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn a commission from qualifiying purchases.
