I’m a Beauty Editor and These Are the Best Products I’ve Tried in the Last Year
Lisa Patulny is a beauty editor, journalist, career creative and Italo disco enthusiast. (She’s also a qualified volunteer ethics teacher, so if you’re looking for a D&M on an ethical issue, you know who to call.) She’s passionate about a lot of other things too: sun safety, skincare, fragrance, family (hi kids!), food and travel. Find her on socials @lisapatulny.
As a beauty editor, I identify as a very pampered guinea pig.
I try a tonne of beauty products every year, and, yes, it is fun, and, yes, I am lucky to do it.
(It also means I get to stay on top of what’s out there and report back to you on what’s good!)
There are always standouts that I will go on to repurchase for years, if not forever.
Like, I’ve loved Bioderma’s micellar water for so long I doubt anything will ever surpass it.
And I feel the same way about L’Occitanne’s iconic Almond Shower Oil. It can’t be beat.
But, per my JD, I keep on testing and trialling, always hoping to discover new winners.
So, without further ado, here are a bunch of goodies I got butterflies for last year.
VIRTUE Healing Oil.
What: VIRTUE Healing Oil 50ml
Fast facts:
- Multi-tasking formula: designed to repair, protect and hydrate all in one application.
- Lightweight and non-greasy: adds shine and softness without weighing down hair.
- Versatile usage: can be used as a treatment pre-styling or as a finishing serum.
- Contains the brand’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku protein to strengthen strands.
- Also infused with vitamin E to help safeguard hair against environmental damage.
My mini VIRTUE Healing Oil review:
I am not being hyperbolic when I say this is, hands down, the best hair oil I have ever tried.
Perhaps more impressively, it’s the only one I have ever added to my personal product lineup.
I love Healing Oil like I love tiramisu – truly, madly, deeply.
I have fine, colour-treated hair that is easily overwhelmed by leave-in products of any kind.
Usually, I only need to look at a bottle of hair oil and my roots get gross. But not with this.
It’s nourishing, frizz-busting, split end-smoothing and delicious-smelling.
I never want to be without it ever, ever, ever. I can’t say enough good things.
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+ Ultralight SKINSCREEN.
Fast facts:
- Not just an SPF: Fave Fluid is a convenient combination of skincare and sunscreen.
- High protection: this sunscreen offers SPF50+ and defence against UVA and UVB rays.
- Skin-loving: enriched with brightening, hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients.
- Next-gen UV filters ensure a comfortable, non-greasy finish that works under makeup.
- Australian-made and owned: created to adhere to the highest standards in the world.
My mini Fave Fluid review:
I’m not allowed to give one! (IYKYK, if not, read this for more on the TGA’s SPF guidelines.)
What I am allowed to do is lay out this product’s features and benefits for you.
From the silky fluid texture to the second-skin finish, it ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people.
There’s no white cast, no pilling under makeup and no potentially irritating fragrance.
If you like your sunscreen with a side of skincare ingredients, it’s got that on offer too.
Embryolisse Exfoliating Milk Powder.
Fast facts:
- Customisable! Dial the exfoliation power up or down depending on your skin’s needs.
- Use it with any cleanser: mix it with your face wash or just water for flexibility.
- Made with coconut pulp and milk powder, it’s smoothing (and also yum-smelling.)
- Water-free formula: easy to travel with because it’s in a petite bottle that won’t leak.
- French pharmacy-approved: this gentle skincare brand is all about nailing the basics.
My mini Embryolisse Exfoliating Milk Powder review:
This is embarrassing to admit, but once I read ‘baby-skin’ on the bottle I was halfway sold.
The brand describes this mild, water-free powder as enveloping skin in a “milky cloud”.
I mean, I’ll wait right here while you go and buy it too.
It’s effective at whisking away grime but super-soft and just lovely and comforting to use.
And it smells ever-so-slightly tropicale, thanks to a cocktail of 3 coconut extracts.
If you’re craving skincare that feels simple but is still a bit special, this is worth a look.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum.
Fast facts:
- Radiance-boosting: based on a brand complex specifically designed to dial up glow.
- Applied after cleansing, it helps the skin to better absorb subsequent skincare.
- The formula was updated last year to include ginseng, making it even more potent.
- Does all the things: hydrates, nourishes, firms, and improves overall texture and tone.
- It sinks into the skin really quick, leaving behind that borderline glass skin luminosity.
My mini Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum review:
Me, before trying First Care: how good can this cult-y serum actually be?
Me, after trying First Care: ok, so you’ll pry this out of my cold, dead hands.
If I’m honest, part of me wanted to not like this because it costs a pretty penny.
But dang, it does what it says on the tin/sculptural bottle.
It gives my tired skin the kind of radiance I envy in K-pop stars.
I love that it enhances the efficacy of skincare applied afterwards – it feels like a secret hack.
Kayali Eden Sparkling Lychee.
Fast facts:
- A fruity-floral, gourmand-coded fragrance that is flirty, fun and easy to wear.
- Expect a mix of juicy, bubbly fruit layered over a radiant floral heart and creamy base.
- Kayali fragrances are designed for layering, allowing you to personalise your scent.
- Also comes in a 100ml and 10ml travel spray.
- Cruelty-free and vegan.
My mini Kayali Eden Sparkling Lychee review:
If you know me, you won’t believe that I like this fragrance.
And – to be fair – at first sniff, I didn’t.
I am not a gourmand girl (no shade, it’s just not my thing), so this is an odd pick for me.
It starts off sweet and fizzy, with top notes of sparkling lychee, red apple and blackcurrant.
But once this scent settles, things get good.
Sultry jasmine sambac shows up with its pals: rose damascena, cedar, musk and vanilla.
And it develops an almost soapy, clean-skin energy that I enjoy.
I think it’ll come into its own in the cooler months, adding lightness to cosy knits and jeans.
DIOR Backstage Face & Body Foundation.
Fast facts:
- Customisable coverage: it’s light and buildable, so you can go sheer or layer it up.
- Effectively blurs imperfections, leaving skin even and luminous but never cakey.
- Super-easy to blend: whether you use a sponge, brush or fingers, it really is seamless.
- Infused with plant-derived squalane and hyaluronic acid for extra nourishment.
- Tested backstage: being used for runway shows means it’s gotta stand up to scrutiny.
My mini DIOR Backstage Face & Body Foundation review:
I am a fan of fluid foundations because they allow your actual skin to peek through.
Add a dose of radiance to the formula, and it’s going straight into my makeup bag.
This one gives me everything I need – a sheer veil of tint, a dewy finish and extra moisture.
I don’t like a full-coverage beat (too many years spent in competitive dance), but that’s me.
If you do, you can easily layer this up for a more polished, ‘done’ vibe – snaps for versatility.
These days, I also care about base products settling into fine lines, and this one doesn’t.
Plus, the hydrating ingredients give my skin a pleasant plumpness.
I’ve got plenty of glowy foundations at my fingertips, but this has been my go-to for months.
MAKE UP FOR EVER AQUA RESIST GRAPHIC PEN.
Fast facts:
- The colour payoff is no joke. One swipe will do; no need to layer for an intense black.
- Felt-tip applicator: has a specially engineered tip to ensure smooth, crisp lines.
- Long-wear: it’s smudge-proof, sweat-proof and fully waterproof. (We checked.)
- Good for sensitive eyes: suitable for easily irritated peepers and contact lens wearers.
- It’s slim and comfy in your hand, making it easier to apply if you’re a liner novice.
My mini MAKE UP FOR EVER AQUA RESIST GRAPHIC PEN review:
Do you want to hear a funny story? (Nodding? Cool.)
After I was commissioned to write this story, senior beauty editor Sadaf, asked me what I intended to include.
I name-checked this guy.
What followed was confusion over whether I had added it to my list because she was a fan.
I had no idea, but two beauty editors loving on the same liquid liner? That says something.
Mainly, that it’s rather excellent.
And that is coming from me, a person with hooded eyelids that smear and smudge always.
And also from her, a person who road tests all of the liners, all of the time.
Here’s all you really need to know: it’s inky black, and it truly doesn’t move.
You can read more of Lisa's recent Beauty IQ articles here:
