Must-Haves that Stayed Favorites 2021

Christine — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 23:00:00 +0000

2021 was a very utilitarian year for me, because it was the hardest year for me–I am fortunate enough that my hardest/worst year on-record is by no means that bad, it’s just relative to what I’ve experienced thus far. Mellan, my heart-dog, passed away on January 12th, 2021, which set the tone for the year and dictated a lot of my beauty rituals and routines.

I teared up frequently throughout the year over his passing, with some days being better than others, and there were even times where a week or two would go by with almost no tears at all (perhaps just a sob-fest randomly in the evening). Nonetheless, it’s taken me awhile to get to the point where I am more consistent about not tearing up significantly during the day.

As a result, in order to still test eye makeup, I applied everything noticeably above the upper lash line, leaving a very blank space between my upper lashes and where the eyeshadow began so that if I did tear up, I didn’t breakdown the makeup I was testing. This really made makeup functional but not that fun. It’s been many years since I really wore whatever I wanted without regard for what I needed to review, but I very, very rarely bothered to do makeup “just for me” in 2021.

A lot of the must-haves I discovered in 2020 didn’t actually end up getting incorporated or used much in 2021, so my 2021 list looks a lot like my 2020 list. Here’s hoping that 2022 might be a better year for me in makeup.

Keep in mind that these are products that I really enjoyed using enough to 1) remember they exist, 2) put them in a more accessible area, and 3) use again but in my world, using the same product more than a handful of times is a feat, so my threshold for “must-have” is by no means something I have to use everyday (not possible!).

You might want to check out the new must-haves I discovered in 2020 along with must-haves that remained favorites in 2020, which gives you an idea of how these all-time favorites have evolved. This post is a reflection of how those newer must-haves were incorporated into my routine in 2021 along with any my long-time must-haves as listed in 2020 continued to be used in 2021. I’d love to hear about your own staple products in the past year and how that compared to prior year; what stood the test of yet another year?

Here are some things that changed:

I finally let go of some products, whether because I moved on or it felt like it was time to replace and I didn’t want to repurchase (because I do like playing with new things and have plenty of new and not-so-new-but-not-yet-old things to enjoy, too!). These included: Giorgio Armani Luce, Milk Makeup Blitzed, and Charlotte Tilbury Light (2).

Must-Haves that Stayed Favorites in 2021

01.

01. Overdrive Urban Decay

Urban Decay

PPermanent. $22.00/0.04 oz.

A+

Urban Decay Overdrive 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Eyeliner) ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, green-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and a...

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Urban Decay Overdrive 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Eyeliner) ($21.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a deep, green-leaning teal with subtle, cool undertones and a...

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02.

02. Warm Honey Cover FX

Cover FX

PPermanent. $38.00/0.51 oz.

A+

Cover FX Warm Honey Monochromatic Blush Duo ($38.00 for 0.51 oz.) contains a satiny, medium brown blush with a more shimmery, peachy-brown blush. The...

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Cover FX Warm Honey Monochromatic Blush Duo ($38.00 for 0.51 oz.) contains a satiny, medium brown blush with a more shimmery, peachy-brown blush. The...

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03.

03. Decadence Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $128.00/0.7 oz.

Pat McGrath Decadence Mothership Eyeshadow Palette ($125.00 for 0.70 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette for spring that features 10...

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Pat McGrath Decadence Mothership Eyeshadow Palette ($125.00 for 0.70 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette for spring that features 10...

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04.

04. Lines & Last Night (502) Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty

PPermanent. $42.00/0.282 oz.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is soft, medium coral with warm,...

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Marc Jacobs Beauty Lines & Last Night (502) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is soft, medium coral with warm,...

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05.

05. Raw Honey Melt Cosmetics

Melt Cosmetics

PPermanent. $39.00/0.24 oz.

Melt Cosmetics Raw Honey Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, shimmering blush duo that featured a deeper, reddish-copper hue paired...

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Melt Cosmetics Raw Honey Digital Dust Duo Blush ($39.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, shimmering blush duo that featured a deeper, reddish-copper hue paired...

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06.

06. Fairly Precious MAC

MAC

PPermanent. $31.00/0.14 oz.

MAC Fairly Precious Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and an iridescent pink sheen. This...

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MAC Fairly Precious Extra Dimension Blush ($28.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and an iridescent pink sheen. This...

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07.

07. Bronze Seduction Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $128.00/0.68 oz.

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Mothership Eyeshadow Palette ($125.00 for 0.47 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that contains an assortment of...

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Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Mothership Eyeshadow Palette ($125.00 for 0.47 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that contains an assortment of...

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08.

08. Afternoon Snack/Mo' Hunny Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $34.00/0.24 oz.

Fenty Beauty Afternoon Snack/Mo' Hunny Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo ($34.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains highlighters in soft, peach-brown and...

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Fenty Beauty Afternoon Snack/Mo' Hunny Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo ($34.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains highlighters in soft, peach-brown and...

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09.

09. Star (2020) Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $169.00/1.44 oz.

Natasha Denona Star (2020) 18-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($169.00 for 1.44 oz.) includes a mix of metallics and mattes across a mix of earth tones paired...

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Natasha Denona Star (2020) 18-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($169.00 for 1.44 oz.) includes a mix of metallics and mattes across a mix of earth tones paired...

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10.

10. Celestial Divinity Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

LELimited Edition. $82.00/0.79 oz.

($78.00 for 0.684 oz.) is a new, limited edition mega-sized palette with 18 shades that they're between a dime and quarter in size and are most...

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($78.00 for 0.684 oz.) is a new, limited edition mega-sized palette with 18 shades that they're between a dime and quarter in size and are most...

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11.

11. Rebel Urban Decay

Urban Decay

LELimited Edition. $18.00/0.11 oz.

Urban Decay Rebel Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a medium, rosy mauve with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque...

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Urban Decay Rebel Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a medium, rosy mauve with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque...

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12.

12. Petal Poppin' Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $20.00/0.1 oz.

Fenty Beauty Petal Poppin' Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium pink with moderate, warm undertones and fine, golden...

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Fenty Beauty Petal Poppin' Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium pink with moderate, warm undertones and fine, golden...

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13.

13. Icy Nude/Pink-Champagne Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $19.00/0.14 oz.

Natasha Denona Icy Nude/Pink-Champagne Mini Diamond & Glow ($19.00 for 0.141 oz.) includes a highlighter and blush, both of which originally appeared...

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Natasha Denona Icy Nude/Pink-Champagne Mini Diamond & Glow ($19.00 for 0.141 oz.) includes a highlighter and blush, both of which originally appeared...

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14.

14. Nude Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $27.00/0.14 oz.

Natasha Denona Nude Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features five neutrals with three shimmers and two...

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Natasha Denona Nude Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features five neutrals with three shimmers and two...

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15.

15. Flesh & Fantasy (506) Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty

PPermanent. $42.00/0.282 oz.

A-

Marc Jacobs Beauty Flesh & Fantasy (506) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is muted, medium peach with hints of...

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Marc Jacobs Beauty Flesh & Fantasy (506) Air Blush ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is muted, medium peach with hints of...

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16.

16. Light-Medium (02) Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $38.00/0.35 oz.

A-

Natasha Denona Light-Medium (02) Super Glow Highlighter ($38.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a soft peach with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It...

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Natasha Denona Light-Medium (02) Super Glow Highlighter ($38.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a soft peach with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It...

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17.

17. Flesh Fatale Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $40.00/0.13 oz.

A-

Pat McGrath Flesh Fatale BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a muted, reddish-copper with warm undertones and gold and pink pearl and larger...

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Pat McGrath Flesh Fatale BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a muted, reddish-copper with warm undertones and gold and pink pearl and larger...

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18.

18. Bloom Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $19.00/0.14 oz.

A-

Natasha Denona Bloom Highlighter Blush (Mini) ($19.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with soft, warm undertones and a stronger,...

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Natasha Denona Bloom Highlighter Blush (Mini) ($19.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with soft, warm undertones and a stronger,...

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19.

19. Biba Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $129.00/1.2 oz.

A-

Natasha Denona Biba 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features three Metallic eyeshadows, four...

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Natasha Denona Biba 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features three Metallic eyeshadows, four...

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20.

20. Jersey (80) Chanel

Chanel

PPermanent. $45.00/0.17 oz.

A-

Chanel Jersey (80) Joue Contraste Blush ($46.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a muted, peachy brown with subtle gold shimmer. Guerlain...

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Chanel Jersey (80) Joue Contraste Blush ($46.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a muted, peachy brown with subtle gold shimmer. Guerlain...

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21.

21. Naked Truth Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder

DCDiscontinued. $32.00/0.12 oz.

A-

Estee Lauder Naked Truth Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink-coral with a golden, frosted shimmer. It...

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Estee Lauder Naked Truth Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink-coral with a golden, frosted shimmer. It...

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22.

22. Hologlam (601) Dior

Dior

LELimited Edition. $48.00/0.22 oz.

A-

Dior Hologlam (601) Rouge Blush ($44.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-coral base (almost matte in finish) paired with iridescent blue and...

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Dior Hologlam (601) Rouge Blush ($44.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-coral base (almost matte in finish) paired with iridescent blue and...

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23.

23. Wattabrat Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $36.00/0.28 oz.

A-

Fenty Beauty Wattabrat Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter ($34.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light-medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and flecks of silver...

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Fenty Beauty Wattabrat Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter ($34.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light-medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and flecks of silver...

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24.

24. Lavendaring Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $30.00/0.15 oz.

A-

Pat McGrath Lavendaring OpuLUST Lip Gloss ($30.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, silvery lavender with subtle, cool undertones and flecks of lavender,...

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Pat McGrath Lavendaring OpuLUST Lip Gloss ($30.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, silvery lavender with subtle, cool undertones and flecks of lavender,...

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25.

25. Fenty Glow (Universal) Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $21.00/0.3 oz.

B+

Fenty Beauty Universal Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer ($18.00 for oz.) is a medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and fine gold and pink pearl. It had a...

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Fenty Beauty Universal Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer ($18.00 for oz.) is a medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and fine gold and pink pearl. It had a...

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Side-by-Side Swatches

Glossover Breakdown

94%

Average

Glossover Averages

product

9.5

pigmentation

9.5

texture

9.5

longevity

application

Total

94%

product

9.5

pigmentation

9.5

texture

9.5

longevity

application

Total

94%

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Mothership Eyeshadow Palette

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Palette | Look Details

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction / Decadence Look | Look Details

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Mothership Eyeshadow Palette

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Palette | Look Details

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction / Decadence Look | Look Details

Temptalia

Must-Haves that Stayed Favorites 2021

Must-Haves that Stayed Favorites in 2021

01. Overdrive Urban Decay

PPermanent. $22.00/0.04 oz.

02. Warm Honey Cover FX

PPermanent. $38.00/0.51 oz.

03. Decadence Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $128.00/0.7 oz.

04. Lines & Last Night (502) Marc Jacobs Beauty

PPermanent. $42.00/0.282 oz.

05. Raw Honey Melt Cosmetics

PPermanent. $39.00/0.24 oz.

06. Fairly Precious MAC

PPermanent. $31.00/0.14 oz.

07. Bronze Seduction Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $128.00/0.68 oz.

08. Afternoon Snack/Mo' Hunny Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $34.00/0.24 oz.

09. Star (2020) Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $169.00/1.44 oz.

10. Celestial Divinity Pat McGrath

LELimited Edition. $82.00/0.79 oz.

11. Rebel Urban Decay

LELimited Edition. $18.00/0.11 oz.

12. Petal Poppin' Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $20.00/0.1 oz.

13. Icy Nude/Pink-Champagne Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $19.00/0.14 oz.

14. Nude Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $27.00/0.14 oz.

15. Flesh & Fantasy (506) Marc Jacobs Beauty

PPermanent. $42.00/0.282 oz.

16. Light-Medium (02) Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $38.00/0.35 oz.

17. Flesh Fatale Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $40.00/0.13 oz.

18. Bloom Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $19.00/0.14 oz.

19. Biba Natasha Denona

PPermanent. $129.00/1.2 oz.

20. Jersey (80) Chanel

PPermanent. $45.00/0.17 oz.

21. Naked Truth Estee Lauder

DCDiscontinued. $32.00/0.12 oz.

22. Hologlam (601) Dior

LELimited Edition. $48.00/0.22 oz.

23. Wattabrat Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $36.00/0.28 oz.

24. Lavendaring Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $30.00/0.15 oz.

25. Fenty Glow (Universal) Fenty Beauty

PPermanent. $21.00/0.3 oz.

Glossover Averages