Best New Makeup Formulas

Best New Makeup Formulas | 2018

- December 30, 2018

Best of 2018

Best New Formulas

One of my favorite parts about reflecting on the last year’s worth of reviews is figuring out what new formulas were released, which ones resonated, and whether any of my go-to formulas shifted as a result. Most of the top-performing products on this year’s list are lip-related, which is interesting. I’ve personally found it very difficult to keep up with all of the lip products that have launched as it is one of the more time-consuming types of products to review (from swatching to editing to actual testing).

2018 was a good year for budget-friendly favorites with ColourPop’s Lux Lipsticks (and Matte Lux Lipsticks) along with L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Shines and Sephora’s LipStories. While small in quantity, Shiseido’s VisionAiry Gel Lipsticks have such a superb texture and intense pigmentation that they’ve, so far, been “worth it” to me. Guerlain’s update to the Rouge G range, which seemed to be mostly a total packaging and shade range do, as the formula remained consistent with the previous Rouge Gs.

Several of my new go-tos are here, though: Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter (use it almost every time I wear foundation for photos), Marc Jacob’s See-quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadows (please make these permanent, MJB!), Natasha Denona Super Glows, and Pat McGrath debuted the smaller MTHRSHP palettes this year.

I love the look, feel, and application of ColourPop’s Jelly Much Shadows but would love to see a packaging update in 2019. While I wasn’t so enamored with the holiday palette featuring this formula, I did absolutely enjoy the Fenty Beauty Killwatt Foil Freestyle Duos they launched (that are permanent).

Also, an interesting theme I saw throughout this year’s “new” formulas was that many were redos of past lines… like Dior’s DiorSkin Luminizers, Guerlain’s Rouge Gs, NARS Highlighting Powders (this was the only one that was substantially different than previous variations) and Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Liquid Patents.

What new formulas did you discover this year?

P.S. — You can view swatches of my favorites here.

P.P.S. — If you enjoy reading/viewing my favorites, make sure you check out my all-time favorites here, products I’m thankful for (2018 series), and all of my editor’s recommended products here.