The Allure best beauty products of 2021 that are actually worth the splurge
Allure just revealed the best of the best beauty products of 2021 and here are the ones we've tried and swear by.
Every year Allure rates its top beauty products of the year. The categories include hair, skin, body, base, eyes, nails, lips, splurge, drugstore and tools.
Simultaneously, every year I end up scrolling through the top picks and spending more than I should. However, to save you the trouble of scoring through the hundreds of "best" beauty items, I thought I'd share with you some of my personal favourites that made it to the winner's circle and where you can shop them in Australia.
Olaplex No. 4 Shampoo & No. 5 Conditioner
Price: $100
Where to buy: Sephora
Category won: Best shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair
We have a full review on these 2 products but to put it simply, they're completely worth the hype and live up to the Olaplex name. The shampoo and conditioner heal damaged hair from the inside out reintroducing hydration and strength into dry and damaged ends. While it's not the cheapest option in the hair care market, a small amount goes a long way and the results are worth every penny.
2. Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser
Price: $50
Where to buy: Sephora
Category won: Facial cleanser
One of the only cleansers I've ever used that ticks every box. It's perfect for removing makeup and cleaning your skin. You can use it in both your morning and evening skincare routines. It's incredibly gentle on the skin and the aloe vera makes it suitable for those with sensitive skin too.
3. Trinny London BFF Eye Cream
Price: $48
Where to buy: Sephora
Categories won: Treatment and coverage
Speaking of products that do it all, the Trinny London BFF Eye Cream is something of black magic. Not only is this an under-eye treatment but also a concealer. Basically, it's makeup that's good for your skin and that's something we obviously can get around. This serum concealer is a buildable formula that uses Duo Peptide Complex, which helps firm and tone while boosting microcirculation under the eye to reduce red and blue undertones. Not only does it cover dark circles but banishes them too.
4. Sun Bum Original Face 70 Sunscreen Lotion
Price: $17.99
Where to buy: Oz Hair and Beauty
Category won: Facial sunscreen (chemical)
SPF is obvously a must-have for your beauty arsenal but it doesn't need to break the bank. The Sun Bum Original Face 70 Sunscreen has always been a classic and a favourite. Unlike some other screens, this particular product doesn't leave you feeling greasy, chalky or with a lighter cast to your skin tone.
5. Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
Price: $65
Where to buy: Sephora
Category won: Body lotion (rich)
While Fenty Skin has numerous products that are a must-try the body lotion leads the way. The name pretty much says it all with what you can expect from this product. It's a rich, creamy and buttery formula that hydrates the driest of skin – trust me, my skin gives the Sahara Desert a run for its money. To give you an idea, if I apply this lotion at the start of my day, my skin is still hydrated by the time I'm crawling into bed. Absolute gold.
6. Dyson Airwrap
Price: $799
Where to buy: Sephora
Category won: Splurge (hair)
Before you pass out from the price tag, we know this is an expensive hair tool, BUT it is completely worth it. It's technically 6 different hair stylers in 1 (blow-dryer, waver, curling iron, straightener, volumiser, blow-dry styler) so you do get the bang for your buck. In my opinion, it is the only at-home tool that even comes close to a salon-quality style and I use it every damn day so that's my two cents.
7. CoverGirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation
Price: $16.99
Where to buy: Chemist Warehouse
Category won: Drugstore (makeup)
Made with coconut milk and aloe vera this foundation not only gives your skin a well-deserved boost of hydration, it evens skin tones and creates the most beautiful dewy canvas. It's the exact product to achieve the "your skin but better" look we all know and love at an incredibly affordable price.
8. Biossance Squalane – Rose Vegan Lip Balm
Price: $37.00
Where to buy: Sephora
Category won: Lip balm (daytime)
If you're feel like you're constantly fighting the battle with dry or chapped lips then you've found your weapon. This lip balm is incredibly nourishing, light, non-greasy and gives you a natural glow. What more could you want?
9. Charlotte Tilbury Brow Fix
Price: $39.00
Where to buy: Charlotte Tilbury
Category won: Brow gel (clear)
As someone with quite unruly and curly brows, they can be quite the nuisance to tame. This brow gel from Charlotte Tilbury shows naughty brows who is boss and holds the hairs in place with a super thin wearable coat of gel. I personally cannot stand super thick brow gels and this formula is beautifully lightweight without sacrificing strength.
10. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops
Price: $39.00
Where to buy: Adore Beauty
Category won: Facial tanner
I've tried a fair few face tanners and this particular one from Coco & Eve is 100% up there.
