10 viral beauty trends and products that took the spotlight this year

Every day, new trends and products emerge, each claiming to be the next best thing everyone should jump on. However, not all of these trends withstand scrutiny and time – but those products that gain widespread popularity, have become permanent (or at least till the next trend comes about) additions that can elevate their beauty routines. 

We reflect and look back at ten beauty and makeup products that have gone viral among the online beauty-loving community this year. These range from mascaras that promise to give you the long, thick eyelashes you’ve always desired to a hair oil that claims to encourage hair growth for luxuriously voluminous locks. 

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

The Brazilian Bum Bum Cream from Sol de Janeiro is a favourite among celebs such as Selena Gomez and Dua Lipa. It is scented with pistachio and salted caramel, making each application an imaginary trip to a tropical island. The cream contains guarana extract, rich in caffeine that purportedly helps tighten and smoothen skin appearance. Meanwhile, Brazil nut oil and cupuaçu butter moisturise. Here are other popular body creams and moisturisers you can check out.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $67, Buy it from Sephora

Gua sha becomes mainstream

Gua sha is a time-honoured skincare treatment that uses various facial massagers to aid lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, increase blood circulation and sculpt the face, among many other reported benefits. Because we're on the bandwagon too, we've created a guide to using the gua sha correctly and effectively. But for now, shop this MoValues Gua sha set of three made with Brazilian jade and durable stainless steel hardware that doesn’t squeak as you use it.

MoValues Original Jade Roller & Gua Sha Facial Tools, $27.11, Buy it from Amazon

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops Serum

The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops have been so popular that you might have difficulty finding them in stock. The drops aren’t meant to bronze the face but to add a healthy, just-got-back-from-the-beach glow when mixed with a serum, moisturiser or primer. It is then meant to help protect the skin against environmental aggressors with its antioxidant-rich formula with ingredients such as platinum peptides, cocoa extract, chronocylin and various vitamins and plant oils. 

D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops, $56, Buy it from Sephora

Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

The fact is, we all want a head of thick, healthy hair. But because of issues such as stress and hormonal fluctuations, the hairs on our heads might never reach their full potential. Give them a little nudge in the right direction as the beauty space has been clamouring for rosemary oil, which is touted to promote blood circulation and hair growth while reducing inflammation and fungal growth. The Mielle formula contains a cocktail of plant oils to nourish hair lengths too. 

Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, $22.98, Buy it from Amazon

Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty has been known for their inclusive shade ranges and long-wearing prowess. The latest addition to the base makeup line – the Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick – is no different. The portable tint stick offers light coverage that blurs texture with its long wear, buildable formula. It is infused with ingredients such as moisturising murumuru butter and hydrating sodium hyaluronate.

Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick, $53, Buy it from Sephora

e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain in Cinnamon Dreamz

There are no surprises here as the lip stains often spotted in South Korean dramas continue to be a popular lipstick variant. But unlike the matte formulas in the past, tastes have swung towards a glossier effect, likely fuelled by the rise of lip oils too. These e.l.f. Cosmetics lip stains offer extended wear time and a slight flush of a stain while the shiny finish gives the illusion of fuller lips. Looking for more options? We have a list too.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain in Cinnamon Dreamz, $13.92, Buy it from Amazon

Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara

Mascaras usually don’t get a lot of buzz following its release. Yet, people went crazy for the Fan Fest Mascara from Benefit Cosmetics following its release months ago as the formula does afford a dramatic volumising and eye-opening effect that it touts to provide. Besides the fanning formula, the Full-Flex Fiber Brush has been custom-engineered with a 40-degree curve to lift eyelashes root-to-tip, even the difficult-to-reach inner corner.

Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder

The Prisme Libre powder is by no means a new product. But like the cyclical nature of trends, the Givenchy product got a resurgence in popularity as new fans fawned over the ultra-fine powder that blurs imperfections and boosts radiance while controlling shine with a velvet matte finish. Of the quartet of coloured powders, two brighten and colour correct while the other two add luminosity. 

Isntree Onion Newpair Sunscreen SPF40 PA+++ UVA/UVB

The online skincare community freaks out whenever a new Korean sunscreen hits the market. The latest product from Isntree is no different. With a purple tint that corrects discolouration and brightens complexion, the pore-blurring sunscreen is formulated especially for blemish-prone skin types as it contains five percent red onion extract. It also contains other skincare ingredients including soothing allantoin, glycoproteins and vitamins. Check out other sunscreens suitable for Singapore’s climate here.

Onion Newpair Sunscreen SPF40 PA+++ UVA/UVB, $16.22, Buy it from Shopee

Heatless curls

Is there a way to get voluminous curls without heat damage from curling irons? Yes, you can. This year saw a rise in heatless curlers made from luxurious materials like silk and satin that don't damage the hair. Start with these heatless hair curlers from Kitsch made with smooth satin. All you have to do is to wrap your hair around the curler and secure it with the scrunchie. Go to sleep or let your hair air dry completely before unravelling the luscious curls. These other hairstyling tools have also gone viral. 

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set, $37.05, Buy it from Shopee