Picks

Best of 2021 Beauty

Written by Natasha Lawrence

The products that have TS editors’ stamps of approval. We’d like to introduce you to our best of 2021 beauty.

We will be honest with you here: one of the greatest perks of being an editor is getting to test out so many different products that come across our desks. We’ve tried products that have disagreed with our skin, we’ve tried products that have done nothing for our skin, and then we’ve tried products that have revolutionized our beauty routines and changed our beauty game.

As we enter into a fresh year, we wanted to share with you, our dear readers, our favourite products from 2021. Some of these products were products that landed on our desks, and some are products we picked up at the local drugstore and can’t stop buying.

For Your Hair

Briogeo’s B.Well Organic + Cold-Pressed Castor Oil: Prior to washing out hair, in 2021, we’ve incorporated the use of Castor Oil on our strands. Briogeo has been our go-to that hydrates our hair as well as promotes hair growth.

goop beauty’s GOOPGLOW Restore + Shine Hair Serum: Due to our frequent use of heated styling tools, and the colder temperatures Canada is known for, our hair is often in need for some serious TLC. We’ve tried countless products to revive our tresses, but none have been as effective as Goop’s Hair Oil. It’s a pre-wash treatment that finally revived our stressed out tresses.

Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment: Again, we would like to re-iterate that Canada can get really cold. One solution that we tried out and can’t get enough of, is Moroccanoil’s Dry Scalp Treatment. Another pre-wash treatment that helps soothe the itchy, dry feeling that can leave your hair with dandruff – no thank you.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager: Briogeo has become quite the hero product of ours. Since buying the Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager, we can’t go a shower without spending 3-5 minutes massaging our scalp – either with shampoo in our hair or not. While it can be used on dry hair, we prefer to include it in our shower routines.

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie: We discovered this product on Instagram, and for the curly-haired TS members, it has been a game. changer. It’s lightweight and leaves our curly hair frizz free, without looking wet or sticky.

Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil

goop GOOPGLOW Restore + Shine Hair Treatment

Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager

For Your Face

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover: Truthfully, we feel foolish for taking so long to incorporate this product into our skincare routines. Its more gentle on the skin than your average makeup remover and doesn’t make your pores feel clogged or oily. It’s a top seller in the beauty community and we completely understand why.

Make Beauty Succulent Skin Wash Serum Weight Facial: We were introduced to this product by TS Alum Carrie Barber. The pH-balanced, sulfate-free cleanser cleanses our skin, without drying us out.

Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum: When it came to compiling this list, Charlotte Tilbury’s Cryo-Recovery mask and eye serum were among TS favourites. While the mask gives us the feeling of an ice-cream headache, but leaves our skin looking tight and awake, the Eye Serum is a go-to for daily use. It instantly de-puffs tired eye and infuses a healthy dose of moisture.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask: Cold temperatures and constant mask wearing has our lips chapped and in dire need of moisture. A nightly application of Laneige’s Water Sleeping Masks and we feel ready to face the day ahead.

Starface x Sesame Street Hydro-Stars: You’ve heard us share our love for Starface many times before, and one of our favourite launches from the brand this past year was their collaboration with Sesame Street. While the collection has sadly sold-out (as most of their collections do), we have yet to met a Starface Hydro-Star we didn’t like. They’re cute and effective.

Sensibio H2O Sensitive Skin Micellar Water

Charlotte Tilbury CRYO-RECOVERY EYE SERUM

For Your Body

eos Shea Better Shea Cream: While we normally turn to eos for our lip needs, we actually can’t get enough of their shave cream. It’s not a typical foaming shave cream, but it leaves our skin feeling super soft, with nary a knick.

Plus Body Wash: By far our favourite product of 2021 has been Plus’ Body Wash. We told you about it when it first came out and we are still singing it’s praises to anyone who will listen. We are super excited about this brand and can’t wait to see what else they have in store.

Indie Lee Energize Deodorant: Ever since we learned about the effects of aluminium in our deodorant and questioned the countless chemicals in our generic deodorant stick, we’ve been on the hunt for an actually effective natural deodorant – unfortunately a more difficult task than we originally thought. Luckily we found Indie Lee’s natural deodorant and haven’t looked back since.

Fenty Skin Butta Drop: Rihanna has done it again. Fenty Skin’s whipped body cream leaves our skin feeling insanely soft and moisturized, with a super subtle shimmer and light scent. It’s a go-to for date nights or any outfit that requires showing a bit of skin.

Flexitol Heel Balm: It’s not the most glamorous thing to talk about our dry feet, but Flexitol’s Heel Balm is something we have to share. No-one is immune to dry/cracked heels and rough skin on your feet. Since being introduced to Flexitol’s Heel Balm, it’s become a product constantly stocked in our night tables. It heels dry feet overnight.