From the gadget that teaches you how to sleep better to the award-winning and budget-friendly hydrating serum, of all of the thousands of products we've recommended to you this year these are the ones that impressed you the most
These products have been chosen by our editorial team based on what you, our readers, shopped most from our pages in 2021. If you buy something we recommend we may earn a small affiliate commission.
It’s been a year of highs and lows (as all years seem to be), but among all of that, the element that has remained constant throughout the last 12 months has been the emergence of some absolutely stellar beauty and wellness products. Products that have the power to make us feel better, look better and bring some instant joy and happiness into our lives. From the electric diffuser you couldn’t get enough of, the Bridgerton-inspired eyeshadow palette that had you immediately adding to basket, we have compiled a mega list of all the products that you have loved the most this year and we guarantee you will keep on loving into 2023.
1. The night cream designed for menopausal skin: No7 Menopause Skincare Nourishing Overnight Cream 50ml, £32.95
Earlier this year Get The Gloss' Editorial Director, Victoria reviewed the new Boots No7 Menopause skincare range and it seems it struck a chord with quite a few of you as you snapped up this product in your droves. “This velvety night cream, in conjunction with the serum, really did make me wake up with noticeably less dryness, thanks to shea butter, safflowers seed oil, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to balance and protect the skin barrier," said Victoria then - a statement she's still adhering to. So much so, she's on to her second pot.
2. The supplement set to take 2023 by storm: Rejuvenated Ltd Regenerate, £33.95
They are the hot new supplements that are rumoured to be the ultimate anti-ageing pill’ for their ability to keep youthful energy levels topped up. Perhaps it's unsurprising then that when we wrote about the benefits of N.A.D supplements just a few weeks ago it caused immense amounts of clicking to add to basket. Fans include biohacker Davinia Taylor, who says “It helps me get rid of brain fog and boosts my confidence; it makes me feel like a 20-year-old.” The supplement’s ability to support menopause is another reason why women biohackers have embraced it.
3. The hair saving treatment: Michael Van Clarke 3 More inches, £58.50
In the summer we told you all about Michael Van Clarke Summer Essentials Set brilliant haircare trio but there was one in particular that caught the eye of lots of readers and it was this pre-wash treatment. And we're not hugely surprised as this is a product that has been put through its paces. Michael tested it on hair pieces of different colours and left them out in the sun for two weeks where they were continually drenched in seawater. The hair that was protected with the cream stayed shiny, hydrated and colour rich and the hair that didn’t have the product applied faded in colour and became damaged and brittle. And whilst it contains UV protector, making it a great product for summer, it contains hydrating ingredients to keep it strong and less brittle all year round.
4. The tinted blush that went viral on TikTok: Jones Road Miracle Balm, £36
It's no secret what huge fans we are of makeup artist Bobbi Brown's brand, Jones Road. Earlier this year we were lucky enough to get our hands on the new Jones Road What The Foundation but it was another product that piqued lots of Get The Gloss reader's interest this year; the Jones Road Miracle Balm. This nourishing tinted balm launched back in February and became an instant hit on TikTok for its ability to make skin look immediately refreshed, revived and glowing - everything we all want from a product, right?
5. The gadget that teaches you how to sleep: Sensate, £299. Get £20 off with code GETTHEGLOSS
Self-confessed chronically bad sleeper, Victoria reviewed the Sensate Relaxation Device back in March of this year and her inability to nap or stay asleep for long obviously struck a chord with many of you because it quickly became one of our most popular featured products this year. You pair the pebble-shaped device with the corresponding app, place it on your breastbone, select a programme of relaxing music – anything from 10 to 30 minutes – and sink back as the pebble pulses and vibrates in time to your chosen track. And it works. "It’s so soothing that I drifted off almost instantly into that elusive but delicious ‘hypnagogic’ state between sleep and wakefulness," says Victoria.
6. The most versatile vegan cookbook: Deliciously Ella How To Go Plant-Based, £15
You all logged on to the Instagram live we did with Ella Mills to find out about Ella skincare, beauty and wellness routine and it seems you were so inspired by her holistic and plant-based approach that you added her book to your virtual baskets. This easy-to-follow book contains advice on how to go plant-based as well as simple-to-do vegan recipes that the entire family will enjoy.
7. The style reviving hair tool: Ghd Glide Hot Brush £154
We scoured the internet for the best Black Friday deals of 2022 and whilst hairdryers and curling irons were popular it seems most of you are on the lookout for an electrical that will make getting smoother hair that bit easier and more efficient - step in this heated brush from ghd. It's ideal for second-day hair when you want to bring a bit of life back to your roots and shape and shine to the lengths.
8. The no-fuss smokey eye pencil: E.l.f. Cookies 'n' Dreams No Budge Shadow Stick Cookie Lover, £3
Victoria reviewed this chunky eyeshadow pencil back in April in Glossy Picks and we think there are a few reasons so many of you loved it so much that you instantly clicked through to buy it. Firstly, it comes with an absolute bargain price point. Next, it has a gorgeous metallic finish. And finally, it is super blendable which makes creating a smokey eye even easier as you simply apply it all over the lid, give it a quick blend and you're good to go!
9. The pain-relieving patches: Kloris CBD patches, £28
Earlier in the year, Victoria did her back in and, in desperation more than anything else, thought she'd give these a go. Her review in our May Empties 2022 feature caused quite the stir and had loads of you snapping them up too. Here's why. “I love trying a new product expecting nothing but getting everything! I’ve spent the past month in self-inflicted agony, having injured myself in doing the one thing that, as a yoga teacher, I tell other people not to do: don’t push yourself past your 'edge' as that way, injury lies. My lower back gave out good and proper and kept me away from my beloved Rocket yoga practice. Having tried physio and rest, I turned to these time-release CBD patches - two of them stuck right where it hurt. At 16g, they are stronger than others on the market (70mg a day is the CBD maximum dose) but my goodness, are they effective. My pain eased within hours (as if I’d taken ibuprofen) and after three days I’m on the road to recovery. This'll be a staple in my first aid kit from now on”
10. The perfect hair styling product: JVN Hair Complete Instant Recovery Serum, £24
The wonder and joy that is hairdresser and TV star Jonathan Van Ness has created arguably one of the best hair products the GTG team has ever tried. So much so that we're written about it quite a few times; in a March Glossy Picks or when we were asking 'when is Jonathan Van Ness haircare coming to the UK?'And it's his Instant Recovery Serum that caught our, and your, eye. This gel-like serum offers heat protection, smooths the hair and gives amazing hold without feeling like the hair is weighed down. A little dollop really does go a long way so this tub will last you quite a while.
11. The water bottle saving the oceans: Ocean Bottle, £40
If finding the perfect water bottle still proves to be elusive to you (it must do considering how many readers went on to buy this)many then let us introduce you to the Ocean Bottle, as featured in our Christmas Gift Guide 2022. What makes it so genius? It's leak-proof, which you would think is a prerequisite for water bottles but so many aren't. It’s made from upcycled stainless steel and ocean-bound plastic (it’s also BPA-free) and has two neck options: a wide one for easy cleaning and letting hot drinks cool down and a narrow one for spill-proof water drinking. But the most genius thing is that the lid makes a dainty teacup too.
12. The cult skin hydrator: Hada Labo Tokyo Anti Ageing Super Hydrator, £11.62
GTG contributor, Rosie wrote about this cult hyaluronic serum in our September Empties feature and explains why she loves it so much. “Hada Labo Tokyo, aka Japan’s best-selling skincare line, which launched in the UK via Superdrug earlier this year, is a more recent discovery of mine thanks to Dr Ewoma, who is also a huge fan too. They call Super Hydrator an “anti-ageing lotion”, but I treat it as a hyaluronic acid serum, of which it contains four different types to deeply hydrate. A couple of pumps patted over my face leaves it supple and bouncy. Layer it under your moisturiser (you can always use a targeted serum like vitamin C too). Like many other J-Beauty brands it's fragrance free, and you get comparatively much more in this 150ml bottle than almost all other HA serums on the market, too.” You guys were lapping it up as much as your skin was the serum and bought bottles of it.
13. The supplement to aid brain fog and anxiety: A Vogel Menopause Support 60 Tablets, £15.49
The click-through-to-buy rate for this supplement went through the roof when we featured it back in May as part of our feature on the best supplements for menopause and what to take for hot flushes, brain fog and bad sleep. Whilst this one can’t combat all of those it does a pretty good job at the brain fog and sleep parts. It is specifically formulated to target the tiredness and fatigue experienced during menopause. They work by addressing the hormonal changes that can cause menopausal fatigue. The tablets contain isoflavones, antioxidants that are similar in structure to oestrogen, they come from fermented soy, plus hibiscus extract which is a source of iron, both are known to boost energy and reduce fatigue. The herbal remedy also contains 405g magnesium , a mineral that is thought to help maintain a normal nervous system and promote better sleep by sending nerve signals to the muscles and brain to tell them to relax.
14. The SPF for oily and spot-prone skin: Ultra Violette Clean Screen Fragrance Free SPF30, £32
Not only was this the perfect daily SPF of the summer, it was also a finalist in our Get The Gloss Beauty Awards 2022 and you guys have been snapping it up non-stop. It has a gel texture that sinks into the skin super quickly and doesn’t clog pores. It is also fragrance-free making it a great option for sensitive skin as well.
15. The hair-strengthening bond repairer: Living Proof Triple Bond Complex, £42
It seems we’re all on the lookout for the latest hair bond treatment for damaged hair. No wonder really as they strengthen hair from the inside out, making it easier to style and manage, look shinier and feel healthier. When we told you about the latest one to hit the beauty shelves; the Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Hair Strengthener, you all added it to your virtual baskets instantly.
16. The iconic pillow spray: This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray, £35
When it comes to the best pillow sprays to help you drop off to sleep, we’ve tried them all. And this is the one that we always come back to not only for its sleep-inducing properties but for helping us stay asleep for longer too. And This Works have really taken ownership of the sleep space and for good reason. Each of their sleep solutions goes through rigorous testing including six user trials (with over 900 participants), as well as independent functional MRI studies which are overseen by neuroscientist Professor Gaby Brader.
17. The best book on menopause: Cracking the Menopause: While Keeping Yourself Together, £8.39
When we declared this as one of the best books on menopause and perimenopause out there, it seemed it was the read you were all looking to find as sales soared. We interviewed author and broadcaster, Mariella Frostrup on menopause and her beauty and hair tips but it was her insight on how to deal with the many side effects of menopause that had us, and you, gripped.
18. The tonic that boosts hair growth: Noughty Get Set, Grow Growth Tonic, £9.99
There’s so much that haircare brand Noughty does that we love and, it seems, you love too. Back in April of this year, we focused on their Get Set Grow growth range which helps get hair and the scalp to optimum health so that hair can grow longer and stronger. There are three products in the range but the one that got everyone excited was the tonic. Just like the corresponding shampoo and conditioner, it contains organic garden pea sprouts in the form of the clinically-studied hair growth ingredient, Anagain, which has been shown to prolong the life cycle of hair, keeping it growing for longer, giving denser hair in three months of use. It also uses green robusta coffee beans, which stimulate the scalp. And thirdly antimicrobial agent called piroctone olamine is used to promote scalp cleanliness.
19. The space saving Air Fryer: Tefal Easy Fry Compact EY101827 Air Fryer, £59.99
Air fryers are to 2022 what slow cookers were to 2021; aka the hottest gadget to have in your kitchen. However, they came with a similar problem to slow cookers; how much surface space they take up. This is why when we featured this super efficient but compact version in the best Black Friday deals 2022 you added it to basket as quickly as you could.
20. The most perfect blusher: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, £19
There are celebrity beauty brands we eye-roll at and then there’s Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty, the beauty range that proves that some celebrities do deserve a place at the beauty table. And the one product that caused you all to go straight to checkout? The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blusher that we wrote about when it launched on our shores in April. It does exactly what it says on the tin. The creamy, buildable formula adds a healthy flush of colour as if someone has pinched your cheeks, or you've been out for a light jog. The doe-foot applicator gives precise application and there are four matte shades and seven dewy finishes with colours spanning the spectrum from mauve (Grace) to peach (Joy) to choose from.
Natural deodorants haven’t always had the best rep but with more and more of us wanting to make simple and more eco-conscious swaps the need to find one that is effective has never been more real. Hence why did a round-up of the best natural deodorants. We put this one to the test and it was declared as the ‘only one that works’, which was all the praise required for you guys to stock up on it.
22. The tinted colour-correcting SPF: Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula Colour Corrector SPF50, £31.50
We can’t count the number of times we’ve told you to wear SPF every day, which is why finding the best tinted sun cream and sun screens that works for you is one of the most essential products in your skincare arsenal. And it seems you guys agreed because you loved this high factor SPF with colour corrector when we wrote about it in August. Not only does it protect your skin, and offer great coverage but the colour-correcting pigments will reduce redness and make your skin look more flawless.
Our contributor Inge loved this in our July Glossy Picks for its ability to stay-put through heat, humidity, eye-rubbing and everything else you put your mascara through and you were all quick to give it a go too.
24. The must-read: The Perimenopause Solution: Take control of your hormones before they take control of you, £12.09
When we compiled the best books on menopause and perimenopause you were committed to adding to your reading lists and the one that topped the charts? This book covers a breadth of information on perimenopause and is written by two trusted health experts.
25. The luxe nude nail collection: Chanel Longwear nail colour, £25
We love it when a brand makes colour-matching simple and that’s exactly what Chanel did when they launched their new Chanel nude nail polish collection that perfectly matches their foundation shades. So if you know which base you wear you can now find your perfectly co-ordinating nude nail. Genius. And you thought so too as you went crazy for them when we wrote about it in August.
26. The best-selling cleanser from the US: Tula Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser, £29
Tula Probiotic Skincare has been created by gut health expert Dr Roshini Raj and broke new ground when it launched in 2014 as one of the world’s first probiotic skincare ranges. And the cleanser scooped the crown in the US for being the most popular in retail sales. It has the Tula USP of superfoods (in this case blueberry, white tea, and turmeric) to help improve skin texture and prebiotic extracts as well as a gentle citrusy smell. We loved it and so did you.
27. The cult fragrance: Phlur Missing Person EDP, £96
It’s the perfume that has taken TikTok by storm and we included in our best perfumes autumn 2022 round-up. It's been created to smell like the scent of a loved one you haven’t seen in a while. Our Beauty Director SJ is a huge fan and you guys obviously loved the sound of it too as it ranked seriously highly on one of our most loved products.
28. The bespoke facial cleansing gadget: Foreo Luna 4, £239
The full-size Luna 4 comes in three options for different skin types: sensitive, combination and balanced, each in their own colour and it’s the facial gadget that made Victoria rethink everything she thought about facial gadgets as she wrote about in Glossy Picks
29. The high-street designer dupe skin finisher: E.l.f Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £14
This complexion booster (a sort of cross between a skin tint and very good lighting) went viral on TikTok when it launched and we covered it in Glossy Picks Budget Beauty buys. It comes in eight ‘stretchy’ shades from fair to deep and adds a ‘lit' feel to your complexion without making you look like you face planted in a gold highlighter.
When we heard Michelle Obama, Drew Barrymore and Zac Efron were all fans of a new fizzy supplement that makes adding more greens into our diets, we of course had to do an 8greens review.
31. The transformational skin essence: Pat McGrath Labs Divine Skin Rose 001 The Essence, £81
Celebs from Linda Evangelista to Olivia Wilde, Paris Hilton and Timothée Chalamet all use this glow-in-a-bottle to get camera-ready. Meet Pat McGrath Labs Divine Skin Rose The Essence, the skincare product we told you needed to know about immediately and you responded by snapping it up immediately.
The one to buy in February when it launches: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50, £32.50
Our Beauty Director, SJ declared the IT Cosmetics CC Nude Glow is the ‘best thing I’ve ever put on my face’ and as someone who’s tried out thousands of products that is saying something. It's not out until February 2023 but until then you've been loving the original CC cream.
Trinny's age-well triumph: Trinny Overnight Sensation Retinal Serum, £69
This was the year that Trinny expanded her already brilliant Trinny London skincare products. There were quite a few new serums and moisturisers in the mix but it was her new retinal serum that proved the most popular. It contains both retinal and granactive retinoid, and another line-softening, brow spot-fading form of vitamin A. Despite a high dosage of each ingredient, the fast-penetrating serum is unlikely to bite. You will see results in weeks, if not days.
34. The light weight version of a classic foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup SPF 20, £37.50
GTG’s Beauty and Social Assistant, Amy raved about this new lighter version of Estee Lauder Double Wear in our April Glossy Picks saying, “I loved the light-to-medium coverage that was perfect for daily wear, and it did a great job of smoothing out skin tone. Despite the matte finish, my skin still managed to look radiant (presumably thanks to the skin-quenching hyaluronic acid). It’s also oil-free, which means zero shine, and I can confirm it really blurs the appearance of enlarged pores.”
35. The beautiful eyeshadow palette: Pat McGrath x Bridgerton MTHRSHP: Belle of the Ball eyeshadow palette, £61
You loved the first one, and you adored the second Pat McGrath Labs Bridgerton Makeup Collection for Series Two. The range included eyeliner, lipstick, body shimmer, and blusher but the star of the show was the eyeshadow palette.
36. The does-it-all serum: Fresh Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum, £97
As our contributor, Rosie wrote back in August in Glossy Picks, when this launched, “15 years in the making this serum has been formulated to boost the skin’s natural resilience to everyday life stressors (think sleep deprivation, stress, poor diet), so that it can adapt accordingly to its environment. With Mauritius tea plant to level up antioxidant protection, niacinamide to even skin tone and an ultra-low weight hyaluronic acid to hydrate, it’s firing on all cylinders and glides on like a dream, with a refreshing green tea scent."
37. The perfect filter foundation: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation, £36
It only launched earlier this year but we’ve already written about this foundation so much that it made it into our round-up of the best foundations for mature skin. Lauded for feeling super hydrated, offering medium coverage and having an extensive shade range there really is one for everyone which is why you've all been buying it.
38. The ground-breaking hair treatment: K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, £55
When this new(ish) hair repairer launched it had everyone asking if K18 Peptide Hair Treatment better than Olaplex and it had you intrigued enough to be snapping it up.
39. The tanning drops for all skin tones: Bondi Sands Pure Tanning Drops, £11.24
Thanks to its more concentrated formula these tanning drops are great for all skin tones and we rate them so highly they made them into our best self-tanning drops for a natural glow all year round feature which is where you all went crazy for them too.
40. The skin barrier strengthener: Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Barrier Support Elixir, £44
When your skin barrier is strong everything else clicks into place complexion-wise. This is why we rated this non-greasy, super-nourishing oil as one of the best face oils we’ve tried this year.
41. The wonder line-reducing serum: Beauty Pie Youth Bomb Concentrate, RRP £185, members pay £44
Formulated with the help of dermatologist Dr Andrew Markey, this light and quenching serum with a texture of an essence has 27 actives that work on all aspects of radiance, evening out tone, increasing springiness, smoothing texture and plumping to increase the skin’s capacity to reflect light. No wonder you couldn’t stop buying it when we included it in our May Glossy Picks.
42. The cellulite blitzer: Legology Cellu-Lite Salon Secret For Legs, £62.50
Lisa Snowdon’s beauty routine proved to be exceptionally popular with you all and you particularly loved the oil she uses to dry body brush the back of her thighs to kickstart her lymphatic system into gear.
43. The glow-inducing face primer: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer, £23.80
When we wrote about actress Phoebe Dynevor makeup and skincare routine it quickly became one of our most-read articles. And the product that garnered the most amount of interest? The vitamin C-packed primer she uses under her foundation when she's filming.
44. The OG electric diffuser: Aromatherapy Associates The Atomiser, £120; Oil blend in Forest Therapy, £25
Electric diffusers have been the gadget to transform home offices andbedroomsm this year which is why we rounded up the best electric diffusers. Whilst they’re all brilliant in their own way, the one that you guys loved the most was this stylish number from the original essential oil brand, Aromatherapy Associates.