Here Are This Year's 15 Most Popular Beauty Products
Art by Nicole Pizaro1/16There are definitely some parts of 2015 that made us question humanity: Zayn Malik officially leaving One Direction, guys apparently buying clip-in man buns on Groupon, and Ariana Grande's infamous donutgate — to name a few. But there were certainly a lot of good times this year too, and while we might be a little biased here in the TeenVogue beauty department, a lot of our favorite memories revolved around some stellar beauty trends and products that launched over the past year.
There are some obvious ones we knew would hit it out of the park at the mere mention of the brand (we're looking at you, Glamglow), but there were a few surprising stars, too. Click through to see the buzziest hair, makeup, skin, and nail products from 2015, and if you're lucky, you can get your hands on the ones that are still left.
Photo: Courtesy of Urban Decay2/16Urban Decay Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette
There's the popular Mark Twain quote that "too much of anything is bad," but when it comes to Urban Decay's Naked palettes, we simply just can't get enough. Like its predecessors — Naked, Naked2, and Naked3 — the Naked Smoky eyeshadow palette sold out as soon as it hit shelves this past July. Unlike the other kits that all followed a general color theme within the same palette, Naked Smoky offers a broader range of drool-worthy shades. It was everything you'd expect to be able to create a perfect smoky eye: a few shimmery and matte neutrals, dimensional grays, gorgeous browns, and obviously black. Then there's also this universally flattering eggplant purple, a color you never even realized you wanted until you swiped it on, and we fell in love with Naked all over again.
Photo: Courtesy of Glamglow3/16Glamglow Poutmud Fizzy Lip Exfoliating Treatment & Wet Lip Balm Treatment Duo
Ever since the Youthmud face masks were introduced to the mass market in 2011, Glamglow's been sitting pretty on top of Sephora's list of best-selling skincare brands. Last year, the company rolled out daily-use face washes as well as Flashmud, a new brightening mask that had us all Instagramming our #facemask selfies. But it's the lip exfoliating and balm treatment duo that truly hit one out of the ballpark, leaving our lips softer than ever — and in the dead of winter, that's saying a lot.
Photo: Courtesy of Kylie Lip Kit4/16Kylie Jenner Lip Kit
To say that Kylie Jenner had one hell of a year is a huge understatement. Who else would launch a makeup product that's so popular, it gets its own Instagram account? The social media star's highly anticipated Lip Kit, which launched late last month, lasted for a whopping 60 seconds on her site before the site crashed because too many people were trying to purchase it at the same time. In other words, she literally broke the Internet. Now the completely sold-out set, which originally was available for $29, is now listed on Ebay for up hundreds of dollars. Smooth move, Jenner.
Photo: Courtesy of Nars5/16Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in VIP Red
When beauty editors first spotted this semi-matte brick red lipstick on the models at Phillip Lim's F/W 2015 show, they breathed a refreshing sigh of relief from the no-makeup makeup looks from seasons past. When it finally hit shelves in July, the demand was so high that it became the number one selling lipstick shade on Nars’ website for 16 straight weeks.
Photo: Courtesy of Sephora Collection6/16Sephora Collection Hakuho-do + Sephora Pro Kanpeki Perfection Set
Ask any makeup artist, and they'll say your beauty products are only as good as the brushes you use to apply them on your face. And though we initially picked up this box for its beautiful packaging, we were happy to learn when the six brushes inside also lived up to our expectations. Thanks to the carefully crafted, handmade design of the brushes, the synthetic bristle material still felt super luxe like cashmere. Plus, the 200-year-old Japanese manufacturing technique guaranteed they would last forever. You can’t find it in its cool keepsake box anymore, but the brushes are still sold individually.
Photo: Courtesy of John Frieda7/16John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Waves Salt Spray
It's been about eight years since John Freida discontinued his iconic Beach Blonde Ocean Waves spray. And though it's not like we've tried many other ways to achieve the same cool-girl texture, nothing else quite lived up to the blue stuff. While it only re-launched a few months ago, its best-seller status was thanks to girls who bought multiples just in case the brand ever decided to pull it off shelves again.
Photo: Courtesy of H&M8/16Balmain x H&M Fragrance
If you recently happened to noticed the world has become a better-smelling place, chances are it was because girls around the globe were breaking down the doors to H&M to bring home the coveted Balmain x H&M perfume that launched a few days ago. After Balmain released its insanely successful clothing collection in H&M stores last month, the tonka bean and jasmine fragrance was the last chance for fans to snag a piece of the collab. And at a super affordable price of $39.99, you’ll be hard-pressed to still find it in stores.
Photo: Courtesy of Christian Louboutin9/16Christian Louboutin Velvet Matte Lip Color
Just like Christian Louboutin's red-soled shoes, the designer's new addition to his first beauty collection this past fall made just as big of a statement. After debuting nail polishes the previous year, his lipsticks, which you could also wear as a necklace, flew off the shelves despite their $90 price tag. The hues with matte and sheer finishes are completely sold out, but you can still score a couple of the silky satin lipsticks in time for the holidays.
Photo: Courtesy of Clinique10/16Clinique All About Shadow 8-Pan Palette in a Pink Honey Affair
Clinique launched the cult classic Black Honey lipstick in 1971, and the deep bordeaux, universally flattering shade, became a staple in makeup kits for decades. Since then, tons of new spinoffs in different forms — from nail polishes to liners — have followed the footsteps of the “Honey” collection and the Pink Honey Eye Shadow Palette that launched in October was the latest to send us into a frenzy. These highly pigmented shadows glide on with ease, and the mix-and-match colors look great for both day or night.
Photo: Courtesy of YSL11/16Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Kiss & Love Edition
If you’ve ever wondered what the secret is behind a celeb’s gorgeous red carpet glow, it’s likely thanks to this magical illuminating pen, which was introduced in 1991. With a highlighter sold every 10 seconds, it single-handedly changed the way we approached makeup (here’s looking at you, strobing!) and with this limited-edition design it rekindled our long love story with Touche Eclat. The new packaging only comes in three shades, and while the Luminous Ivory is still sold out, Luminous Radiance and Light Peach are still available — for now.
Photo: Courtesy of Tony Moly12/16Tony Moly Panda’s Dream Eye Patch
Thanks to amazing technology, hard-to-find ingredients, and the cutest packaging in the world, Korean skincare has become more than just a fast trend in the States. Even if you’re not completely convinced a 10-step regimen is right for you, you at least tried out these amazing eye patches, as evidenced by its consistently sold-out status on Sephora. Tony Moly is also sold at Urban Outfitters and finally got a permanent standalone store in NYC’s K-town so there are still ways to score yours if you want to get rid of dark undereye circles too.
Photo: Courtesy Estée Lauder13/16Estée Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge Fragrance
The beauty giant launched their Modern Muse Le Rouge fragrance very differently than it had ever before, starting with a social media campaign three months prior to traditional print advertising. Plus, it was the first time It girl Kendall Jenner appeared in the print ads and posted a photo to her Instagram as the official kickoff the the fragrance launch. The combo of Kendall’s standout modeling prowess and her 43 million Insta followers (aka potential Estée costumers) following her every move helped exceed all sales expectations for the perfume.
Photo: Courtesy of Maybelline14/16Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
We get stressed when it comes to the mascara aisle: there are simply way too many to choose from and way too few that actually deliver the results they promise. But when we heard that the makers of the famous Great Lash came out with a new mascara, we knew they were on to something really good. Maybelline Lash Sensational has a brush that features 10 layers of fanned out bristles that are super effective at grabbing each individual hair, and the inky formula coats your lashes from all sides.
Photo: Courtesy of AmorePacific15/16Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
Korean cushion compacts feature a thin elastic netting that helps dispense the perfect amount of product so you don’t waste any formula and make it easier for travel so you can avoid a scary spillage situation at the bottom of your bag. This new CC option from AmorePacific offers buildable coverage, lasting moisture, and an essential amount of SPF all in one sweep, so it’s no wonder there are only a couple shades left in stock.
Photo: Courtesy of Origins16/16Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment
We used to have to keep a separate hand cream in every bag, pocket, and office drawer to stay moisturized all day long — until we met Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment. Made with a unique combo of oils, plus Rose of Jericho plant extracts known for its rehydrating properties, we found lasting moisture that even made it through multiple rounds of hand-washing during the winter season. It’s sold out for now, but the brand’s new A Perfect World Highly Hydrating Body Lotion With White Tea is an equally lovely substitute.
