Happy 2023, friends, and welcome back to Stylishly Good Vibes! I’m back on the blog to share with you all of my favorite purchases from 2022. I figured what better way to kick off the new year than by sharing a round-up of the best items I bought over the past year!
Let’s get started!
Byoma Balancing Face Mist
One of my besties recommended this to me and it’s been a game-changer for my skincare routine! I’m a sucker for a facial mist, so I needed no convincing to make the purchase! You can find all of Byoma’s products at Target, and they’re very reasonably priced.
Why I love it: I’ve noticed such a difference in my skin’s redness/irritation since I started using this mist. It’s virtually nonexistent now! I spray five pumps into the palm of my hand and pat onto my face, morning and night. The barrier-boosting power of this facial mist is unmatched—trust me, I’ve used just about every high-end mist and nothing compares to this!
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
I use this essence from Beauty of Joseon immediately following the Byoma Facial Mist. The purpose of an essence is to lock in hydration before you move onto the remaining steps of your skincare routine. Think of an essence as a super concentrated formula that’s as thin as a toner, but as potent as a serum. I’ve used a bunch of different essences over the years, but this one stands out as a top contender.
Why I love it: I have fairly sensitive, reactive skin, and ginseng is the perfect ingredient to combat that. Ginseng is rich in antioxidants that may help prevent damage from free radicals. This essence also contains niacinamide, which is my absolute favorite skincare ingredient! Nothing brightens dark spots better than niacinamide.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 Serum
Everyone and their mother has something to say about retinol nowadays, and there’s definitely value in the hype around it! If you’re looking for a solid retinol product without having to go to a dermatologist, this is a great option. This was a recommendation I found through Charlotte Palermino, the founder and CEO of Dieux skincare. If you’re not following her on Instagram, get to it!
Why I love it: This is the most gentle, yet potent retinol that I’ve ever used. Like I mentioned, I have pretty sensitive skin, and retinol products I’ve used in the past have caused my skin to flake off. Gross, but I just wanted to give you some context! Because this product is formulated with retinaldehyde, it’s a bit gentler than tretinoin, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less effective.
Dieux Skin
There is no other skincare company I love quite as much as I love Dieux. The founder and CEO, Charlotte Palermino, is an advocate for transparency in skincare and skincare marketing. I absolutely love how honest she is—especially in an industry that notoriously preaches that miracles can be made through skincare products.
That’s what makes Dieux different. They’re not going to tell you that all your wrinkles will disappear, or you’ll never get a zit again. They will provide you with high-quality products you can trust to do what they say they will do—support the overall health of your skin!
Why I love it: Dieux’s Instant Angel Moisturizer and Deliverance Serum are *chef’s kiss*. The moisturizer is deeply hydrating without being too heavy to wear under makeup, and the serum leaves my skin feeling as soft as it typically does after a Hydrafacial.
Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen
I’ve been on a mission to try the top-rated tinted moisturizers to find my top pick, and this one from Tower 28 takes the cake! It’s so lightweight, yet buildable, and the finish cannot be matched! My skin still looks like skin, AND it gives the best glow of any tinted moisturizer I’ve used! There’s no whitecast, it’s non-greasy, and fragrance free.
Why I love it: I absolutely hate full-coverage foundation, and haven’t worn it since 2020! The tinted moisturizer life is the life for me! I wear this Tower 28 tinted SPF daily. Plus—it’s so easy to color match this product. I don’t think I’ve worn a makeup product that’s matched my true skin tone so well.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Refreshing Tint
Back on my tinted moisturizer sh*t, this comes in close second to Tower 28! I typically keep both on hand and switch off depending on my mood. If I had to give you a difference between the two, I would say that the Shiseido goes on a bit lighter than Tower 28, and is a bit less glowy. It’s still super buildable, but definitely lighter coverage than Tower 28.
Why I love it: This tinted moisturizer keeps my skin hydrated all day long. In the winter months, I usually have dryness or flakiness, but when I wear this, there’s none of that! Tower 28 will always be my choice for tinted moisturizer in the summer, but Shiseido is my go-to on the days where my skin needs a little extra love.
The Marais Chiffon Maxi Dress
I buy a lot of clothes—nothing surprising about that! But there are very few items that I can honestly say are my favorite. But this dress!!! It will live in my head rent-free forever. It’s flattering on every body type. When I wore it to work at Anthropologie, I had three customers with varying body types buy it because it truly looked great on all of us! It’s like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in dress form!
Why I love it: This dress is so ethereal! It can be dressed up or down with ease, and it’s very lightweight—making it perfect for daytime or nighttime wear. I wish I would have bought it in every pattern available because it’s seriously THAT good.
The Way Home Shorts
Last summer, I was on the hunt for the best running shorts. I decided to give the iconic Way Home Shorts from Free People a try and they did not disappoint. I have these shorts in four different colors, and knowing me, I’ll be ordering more! These shorts are excellent for summer runs or those warmer days at the gym. They’re high-waisted, but still long enough so that your butt isn’t hanging out.
Why I love them: I should have prefaced this section by saying I have a deep hatred for shorts! So me saying that I like a pair of shorts means something. You can find me wearing these on a run, to the gym, or lounging around at home! If you have a booty and struggle to find running shorts, you have to give these a try!
Sanctuary Frankie Knot Shacket
I sure do love a shacket! There’s nothing better than layering one on top of a sweater or graphic tee. This one from Sanctuary is my go-to layering piece in the spring and fall. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve worn it— and how well it has stood the test of time. Yes, it’s a bit on the pricey side, but it’s so versatile!
Why I love it: This shacket is so comfortable and soft, plus the length is perfect for anyone who likes their tops on the longer side. You can wear this shacket as a buttondown top or as a jacket—and there’s truly nothing better than that!
Well, that’s all I have for you today! A quick wrap-up of my favorite products from 2022! I’ll be back on the blog soon with another new post for you!
Until next time!
Alicia