Beautylish Staffers Share Their 2013 Discoveries and 2014 Resolutions

We've had quite a busy year around here, between trying new products, watching loads of beauty tutorials, and changing up our hair. Even though we’ve had a blast, we couldn’t be more excited to see what the new year will bring. To celebrate, we called on Beautylish staffers to reflect on their best beauty discoveries of 2013 (new products, hair tips, makeup tricks)—and set some beauty resolutions for 2014. Just like you guys, we have some bad beauty habits we want to change, and stuff we want to commit to trying next year—there’s no better time to do so than now. All we can say is, we’re welcoming the new year with open arms, healthy hair, clear skin, and a whole lot of bright lipstick!

My best beauty discovery of 2013 was…

“...face wipes! Yes, it's nothing new but I haven’t used them as much as I did this year. You can buy fancy skin care and makeup products, but you have to clean your skin properly to keep it healthy and glowing. I've noticed that using makeup remover wipes before washing leaves my skin feeling softer—and now they're part of my nightly routine.”
–Terry Lee, editorial designer

“… biotin. I don't know why I waited this long to take a vitamin that costs $3 a bottle. In return, it's provided healthier skin, hair, and nails. And it seems to help me in my quest to grow my locks longer, much faster."
–Selena Fragassi, contributing writer

“…Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil! Not only does it keep my skin hydrated (it has never been so soft!), but it also makes it glow in a way I’ve never seen before!”
–Caitie Schlisserman, assistant editor

“… Diorskin Airflash CC Primer. I've always poo-poo'ed primers—until l tried this delicious-smelling, complexion-perfecting mist. One spritz makes my skin look even-toned and radiant, like I've gotten a full night's sleep (which is a Herculean feat). Feather-light and fab."
–Tia Williams, contributing writer

”… RGB Nail Polish in Doll. The hunt for the perfect neutral-pink polish has been my longtime beauty holy grail, so I'm beyond thrilled to have finally found Doll. It's not unlike Essie's Ballet Slippers (if you watch The Food Network, that's the sought-after color Giada always wears!), but it's a little edgier and less girly."
–Jill Russell, managing editor

“… Tom Ford Beauty Purifying Face Cleanser For Men. I rise before my alarm out of excitement to lather this on my face every day. It's that good. I've never been a designer skin care person, and usually go for the more natural brands, but after a week of using this foaming gel cleanser, I'm hooked! They might as well call ‘liquid skin gold.‘ My skin has never looked better, even in the cold Chicago winter.”
–Brett Marlow, contributing writer

"...rms beauty Coconut Cream. I realize that everyone has skin sensitivities in one way or another. However, my skin reacts to most makeup removers like Macaulay Culkin’s character to bees in My Girl. Since discovering how gentle and effective this stuff is, it has been my go-to for everything from removing eye makeup to moisturizing, and even to dab it onto my dry elbows during winter."
–Alicia Hentemann, customer care/brand ambassador

“...baths! I spent five months living in an apartment that featured a functional bathtub where the couch should have been. Since then, hot baths have become a must for me to help de-stress and make my skin softer!”
–Stella Rose Saint Clair, contributing writer

“…Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil and coconut oil. As soon as winter hits, my skin gets crazy dry, especially on my face. Regular moisturizers simply don't cut it. So I've been supplementing my regular routine with both of these natural oils this year, and it's finally healing my cracked skin!”
–Jorie Larsen, contributing writer

“… ILIA Lip Gloss in Love Buzz! I usually don’t wear lip gloss because I find them to be too sticky. But this glides on without any tackiness and I love how it keeps my lips feeling moisturized. It's also the perfect pink and smells so good—kind of like cupcakes!”
–Christina Fung, product coordinator

My beauty resolution for 2014 is…

“...moisturize my body more often. I enjoy hot showers and yet always neglect moisturizing after. 2014 means some TLC for all of my skin, not just my face and hands!”
–Terry Lee, editorial designer

“...stop caring what I look like without makeup. I've often found myself putting on a full face of products just to get my morning cup of Starbucks. I'm not impressing any baristas, and actually I've found more and more people telling me how great I look au natural. Natural beauty is in for 2014!“
–Selena Fragassi, contributing writer

”…drink more water. I’m the worst at it. Even though I know that if I stayed hydrated, my eyes would be less puffy and my skin would be more clear!”
–Caitie Schlisserman, assistant editor

"...do my hair more often. The thing is, I must heavily heat-style my hair in order for it to look decent. And yet, I don't want to do too much damage. Therefore, my default routine is: air-dry most days, style only for special occasions. Next year, I want to reconcile the two, and find a way to balance damage vs. being more presentable(ish) day-to-day.“
–Jill Russell, managing editor

“...wash my face every night before bed. I have an, um, high-spirited 5-year-old daughter. By the end of the day, sometimes I'm so exhausted that I skip it and just crash. Bad beauty editor!”
–Tia Williams, contributing writer

“...juice for better skin! I'm a busy young professional. My body has run on non-fat lattes, cans of La Croix sparkling water, and on-the-go meals for years. Not the most ideal for great skin. Instead, I can't wait to use my holiday splurge to myself (a juicer!). I plan on making homemade morning cocktails with fresh leafy greens, alkalizing lemons, and anti-inflammatory ginger for better overall health. Which means better, glowing skin!”
–Brett Marlow, contributing writer

“...attempt highlighting and contouring. I've seen a lot of tutorials floating around the Internet, but I've been too intimidated to try it out yet. I just need to buy the right makeup and plunk myself in front of a mirror for a few hours. 2014 is the year I learn to highlight and contour!“
–Jorie Larsen, contributing writer

“...sanitize the makeup in my kit correctly. It may be career suicide to publicly admit this; but I hadn’t discovered BeautySoClean makeup sanitizer until earlier this year. I‘d been using an alcohol and water mix that’s not nearly as effective, and over time would ruin my powder-based products. Coming into the new year, my makeup kit will be organized and sanitized.“
–Alicia Hentemann, customer care/brand ambassador

“...stick to a routine. I'm a high-maintenance person, but if I don't schedule myself, I'll never find time to do all the daily and weekly things I'd like to do—pedicures, facial steams, and even basic things like moisturizing after I get out of the shower! Looking good is a full-time job.”
–Stella Rose Saint Clair, contributing writer

“... wear lotion. I don't know why, but I always forget to wear lotion. So my beauty resolution is to get softer, more hydrated skin!”
–Christina Fung, product coordinator

We want to know: what were your best beauty discoveries of 2013? And what are your beauty resolutions for 2014? Share in the comments below!