Here we are, the last installment of the Meg O. Beauty Awards! Today we’re chatting all about the best beauty products of 2017 – hair, skin, body, fragrance, nails, and tools! This is an extremely long list of products, and I have no idea how this list got as long as it did. I did end up breaking it down into categories to make it easier to navigate and digest.
You can also click any of these and it will take you to the category you want to see!
HAIR // SKIN // BODY // FRAGRANCE // NAILS // TOOLS
I made sure to limit the links to Amazon and ULTA as much as I could, to make it easier for you to shop. I truly appreciate and thank you if you shop using the links here on my blog! Let’s jump right into this!
Hair
A note on my hair type: My hair texture is fine and pretty straight. It can get a little frizzy due to the fact that I live here in Houston and it’s 99% humidity year round. It can also get a little dry because it is color-treated. I get highlights and low lights about twice a year. I prefer items that smooth and moisturize, but also do not weigh down fine hair. I also don’t have a shampoo/conditioner combo favorite because I rarely stuck to one thing, and it was hard to pick!
Aussie 3-Minute Miracle // This is something I’ve been using for so long, I can’t even remember how long it’s been. It truly is one of the best deep conditioners I’ve used and I rekindled my love for it this past year!
OGX Coconut Miracle Penetrating Oil // Probably my favorite hair oil I’ve discovered in a really long time. It’s smoothing, moisturizing, and does not weight down whatsoever. I will repurchase over and over.
Saints & Sinners Velvet Divine Leave-in Conditioner // I love this leave-in conditioner for creating softness and detangling! It also smells amazing!
Kenra Professional Platinum Blow Dry Spray // I started using this towards the end of last year, but it quickly rose to the top of my favorite styling products. It truly does smooth the hair so amazingly without weighing it down. I also feel it gives a little lift!
Batiste Dry Shampoo // Seriously the most repurchased beauty item of 2017. I have gone through countless cans of this holy grail stuff! Side note: it seems to be a little cheaper on Amazon, so use my link to purchase!
Hask Dry Shampoo // I discovered this dry shampoo towards the end of the year, and I was seriously blown away. It is almost up there with Batiste. I have the Argan dry shampoo, and I do not know if it is any different than the other types. I will be experimenting more with this brand!
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray // Oh, Lordy, this is so expensive. Like, crazy expensive for a can of spray. But I am obsessed. I save it for special days. I love it. I love the scent. I love the texture it gives.
L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray // I used to loathe this hairspray, especially because it smells like grandmas. Once I discovered the “unscented” version (it still has a scent to me), it’s far more tolerable. You can literally brush through the hairspray and it will still hold what you sprayed! Miracles, y’all! Another item I notice is cheaper on Amazon – snag it!
T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer // This is an extremely pricey hair dryer, but it truly is the best one I’ve ever used. If you’re on a budget, I do like the Conair Pro 3Q. It’s not quite as amazing as my T3, but a great tool! My Mother-in-Law used it when she was in town visiting, and she loved it so much she bought one, too!
Nume 32mm Wand // My most-loved curling wand! Every time I use it I get a compliment on my hair!
Skin
My skin type: I am 34 years old. My main concerns are anti-aging and treating blemishes as they appear. Yes, I am so lucky to have to worry about wrinkles and pimples at the same time. #NOT I have a Retin-A prescription that I use, and my skin is normal to oily. Even though am slightly oily, I do like to keep my skin hydrated, because I tend to use exfoliating treatment. I live in a super humid climate so I rarely get dry, even in “winter” time.
Clarisonic Mia Fit // I’ve had a Clarisonic for over 8 years, and it is something I will continue to use/repurchase if I need to. I
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Cleanser // I love that this cleanser has Salicylic acid. So great if you’re an acne sufferer.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup // My favorite cleansing balm of the year! It melts makeup away like magic. I can only find it at Sephora and QVC.
Garnier Micellar Water // I rarely use this to remove makeup from my entire face as part of a skincare routine, but I absolutely love having it on hand for removing lipstick, swatches, and spot removing when I make mistakes. It also is great for removing any excess stubborn eye makeup I couldn’t wash off.
Pixi Glow Tonic // This is such an amazing skincare item, and at Target, no less! It has 5% glycolic acid, so it is a great exfoliant for the skin. I put it on a cotton pad and rub it on like a toner after my cleanser at night. I do not use it in the daytime.
Pure Hyaluronic Acid // My holy grail skincare ingredient! Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring ingredient in our bodies, and it’s found within so many skincare products as a moisturizing ingredient. It holds and retains moisture on the face. I love to use this underneath my moisturizer and any other treatment serums. It keeps my face hydrated and plumped. Just read the reviews on Amazon if I have not convinced you!
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier // If you have more to spend, this Hyaluronic Acid serum is freaking amazing. It is like my beloved hyaluronic acid on steroids. I did a whole post in collaboration with SkinCeuticals and was so blown away by this product. It is really pricy, and I wouldn’t recommend it if you are on a budget, but I went through 2 bottles of it and it’s a favorite, so it’s on this list!
Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum // I love using a Vitamin C serum under my daytime moisturizer. I absolutely loved this one, and it’s fairly affordable!
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Cream // This benzoyl peroxide treatment is the best for spot treating pimples. I use it every time I feel one popping up.
It Cosmetics Secret Sauce // I started using this moisturizer at night towards the end of the year, as it was a later launch for It Cosmetics. It’s super hydrating and moisturizing. My skin feels so smooth in the morning!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost // I mentioned this moisturizer on my Drugstore Skincare Gems blog post. All of those products on that list are favorites, but I think this one is my favorite of the favorites. HAHA, oh my gosh, I am a beauty addict.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream // I did a collaboration with Olay for this product and was seriously blown away by this product. If you’re on a budget and want a great anti-aging moisturizer, this is an amazing option. I think it’s just as good as many of the higher end moisturizers I’ve used!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen // This is an amazing liquid mineral sunscreen. You can add it to any moisturizer or just slather it on by itself before you put your makeup on! It does not get oily or weird, nor does it break me out (a lot of chemical sunscreens do that to me).
Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist // This mist is probably my favorite Pixi mist! It’s so hydrating and feels great on the skin! I love to spritz the skin before I apply my serums.
Honey G Gultamin Vitamin B Jel Mask // I am not huge into masks, but I tried a lot this year. I do love this one the most! It’s suuuuper hydrating!
Body
All of these products are miscellaneous items I swear by for body care and wellness. I’m not huge into lotions and creams for my body, but I do use them.
Rosehip Essentials Lip Balm // I’m not even kidding when I tell you that this is the best lip balm in the entire world. Hydrating, comfortable to wear, repairs dry lips overnight, all good-for-you ingredients, smells amazing, even tastes great if you happen to taste it! I don’t know what she puts in these but I am addicted!! I do know the owner of this small shop and I love supporting a mama trying to hustle, and this mama just so happens to make the best lip balm in the universe.
Sky Organics bath bombs // Soooooo darn good. Better than Lush. The end.
Sky Organics Jojoba Oil // I always need some Jojoba Oil on hand. I use it to dilute essential oils, I put it on my skin if I’m feeling dehydrated, I use it on my cuticles, and more.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil // Another item I always need on hand! I not only cook with it, but I love to use it as a makeup remover (my favorite beauty use), diluting essential oils, and even on dry hair!
Eden’s Garden Essential Oils // Please don’t come after me, but I don’t like spending an arm and a leg on essential oils. I discovered Eden’s Garden and they are amazing quality at a wonderful price. Don’t get me wrong, I still love and use Thieves and Stress Away from Young Living, but I burn through Peppermint Oil so fast (thank you, migraines). $15 for a big ol’ bottle? YEP. I will either order through Amazon or on their website, depending on the prices I see. Skeptical because your friend who sells EOs says you can’t trust other brands? Don’t worry – Eden’s Garden is a legit company with quality products. Read their website and decide for yourself.
Vita Liberata Body Blur // I am pale AF. My legs are pasty. Sometimes I don’t have time to self tan, but I want to wear a dress. Slather this stuff all over them, and they not only look more tan, but I swear they are smoother and look less “lumpy.” It’s pricy but sooooo worth it! You only need the tiniest bit.
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs // If you’re on a budget, pick up this stuff instead of the Vita Liberata. It works the same way, but is a little messier in the spray form.
Dr. Axe Collagen Protein // Collagen is something you definitely need to incorporate into your beauty routine! I have tried the Vital Proteins brand, but then I worked with Dr. Axe collagen on this blog post and ended up loving it even more. I like that it’s more of a complete collagen from four different sources. Just after a few weeks, I noticed my hair and nails were growing super fast! It’s just an amazing product that helps not only with hair and skin, but gut health. It is great in a bulletproof coffee!
Fragrance
My preferred fragrances are citrusy, floral and clean, or dark and masculine. I’m a Gemini, what can I say? I like all kinds of stuff. These two just so happened to be my favorite this year!
Ralph Lauren Woman // This is such a beautiful classic scent that is grown up and feminine, but doesn’t smell “old,” if you get what I mean! It has some grown up floral feel to it!
Tom Ford Black Orchid // This is my holy grail perfume. It’s so deep and musky, and almost manly. If you do not like manly type scents, you will hate this.
Nails
I paint my nails once a week at home, and I enjoy saving money that way. I have a lot of polish in my collection, but I continue to come back to these three brands.
Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish in Vows over the Pacific // I discovered the Lauren B. Beauty brand this year, and I actually got to meet Lauren herself! They are a more expensive polish but are five-free, have the best formula and brush, and truly are worth the splurge. This light blue color is seriously unique and beautiful!
Essie Gel Couture Polish // My second favorite nail polish formula of this year. I own a lot of these and they really do last a long time!
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish // I love the brush and the formula of this polish, and it does hold up really well, as well!
Tools
I did do a blog post and video this year on the Best Makeup Brushes, so definitely check that out if you are looking for more of a comprehensive list of brushes. For this post, I narrowed it down to my favorite tools I used, and I limited myself to three makeup brushes I loved the most this year.
Morphe M510 // My absolute favorite brush to apply my highlighter with. It’s affordable and available at Ulta, too!
Morphe M433 // Another affordable Morphe brush that is so similar to my beloved Sigma E25 or MAC 217. If you do not have an eyeshadow blending blush like this, you need one in your life!
e.l.f. Ultimate Blending Brush // I have a lot of great foundation brushes, but I really am blown away by this one! It’s so, so good! Even better, it’s super affordable. I guess I was all about the affordable brushes this year!
Ardell Demi Wispies Studio Effects // Not a “tool” but I’m not sure where else to put this. I know we all love the Ardell Demi Wispies, but these have been a serious contender! These have some extra definition and volume in the outer corners, and they are just stunning! Pick these up if you love the original demi wipsies – you will not be disappointed!
Facial Razors // These are great for getting rid of peach fuzz and unwanted hairs on the face!
There we go! All of the best beauty products of 2017! What are you planning to buy to incorporate into your routine this year? I know I made it a little hard with this extensive list.
I definitely want to start incorporating more non-makeup beauty content in my blog, and I know a lot of you want to see that, too. Thank you for making 2017 a great year!
Natalie says
I knew you would love the Hask dry shampoo. I still need to try the other types too. Hopefully they’re just as amazing.