It is already March and I know writing this piece is kind-of late in the game but I am writing this anyway. I been seeing this type of content in Youtube and I have enjoyed it a lot. Content creators would share their favourite skincare and makeup finds for 2021. I could identify that skincare and makeup favourites can vary year after year though there will be products that will be stuck as the ultimate favourite or as we call it – Holy Grail.

I am so happy with my 2021 favourite skincare and makeup finds because I have finally found products that worked for me here in Oman. I arrived here in mid of 2019 and I have been struggling with acne, ezcema, hyperpigmentation and dryness due to harsh extreme weather and maybe adjusting to the new lifestyle. It was hard for me to find the products that work for me because most of the products I used in Singapore are not available here in Oman. It took numerous trial & error and my skin took a heavy beating from all that until I found products that worked for me.

So here they are, the best skincare and makeup products of 2021 according to Little Miss Honey:

BEST CLEANSER: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

For years I been using harsh, strong cleanser with salicylic acids or those with microbeads which kind-of worked for me before. I also learned that I am sensitive for micellar water. So any products that has micellar water can cause a bad reaction to my face. I decided to try again Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which has helped me before when I also had a horrible acne breakout during my Family Medicine residency days. I love that it is mild and it didn’t aggravate skin at all. I realised I been using to many harsh ingredients in my face so I should keep a mild cleanser but still able to do the job.

BEST FACIAL EXFOLIANT: Sae Skincare 2% Exfoliator Salicylic Acid Lotion

Sae Skincare have been such a skin saver and such an amazing discovery for me. I am so happy I found this skincare line here in Oman online. I used to use Paula Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. It is really my Holy Grail product. Unfortunately, it is hard to find Paula Choice here in Oman. I was so glad I found Sae Skincare Salicylic Acid. I managed my expectations when I tried it because I have used so many products already and my skin was at its worst. But I was so happy that in a month, I saw my skin gradually was improving. My cleared after two months and I am so grateful for this product. They also have a Salicylic Acid Peel.

BEST FACIAL OIL: Sae Skincare Intense Repare Skin-Perfecting Night Oil with Argan

I love facial oils! In Singapore, I used to buy a big bottle of jojoba oil and instill drops of essential oils in it. My skin love it! When I transferred here in Oman, I searched for good facial oils and even tried using the regular EVOO to my skin. Nothing works. Until I found this product from Sae Skincare and I am hooked! I love recommending this to friends because I love it so much. I apply this at night after duty.

BEST EYEBROW PENCIL: Faceshop Designing Eyebrow Pencil

I love eyebrow pencil from Korean cosmetic companies. Here in Oman, Faceshop cannot be found in most malls. Unlike in Singapore where there are numerous Korean cosmetic shop available. I am glad Faceshop has an eyebrow pencil similar to the one I buy in Singapore. I love the angle-shaped tip of the pencil and comes with a spoole. I use the Grey Brown colour. They are quite cheap too.

BEST FACE POWDER: Mac Studio Radiance Face & Body Sheer Radiance Foundation

Finding a perfect foundation can be so tricky and damn hard. There are so many variables that needed to work: the perfect shade for you, the perfect texture, the coverage, the wearability, if your skin reacts to it causing pimples and if it applies well to your skin. My favourite foundations were RMK and Lancome Teint Idole 24 Hr. There is no RMK here. There is a Lancome products here unfortunately, there are lack of shades available here. For sheer daily wear face base, I used to use Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer or Laneige Pore Control Cushion Foundation. There is a Laura Mercier booth in Oman and I did buy their newly formulated Tinted Moisturizer Skin Perfector. Though it works fine, the weather here is so hot that it doesn’t stay in place. The wear is too sheer that it doesn’t cover well skin imperfections and applying to much face powder on top makes my skin so cakey after few hours. Laniege, unfortunately, is not available here in Oman.

After hearing so many good reviews of Mac Studio Radiance Face & Body Sheer Radiance Foundation, I decided to try it and I love it! I love that it gives you this glowy sheer and the coverage is buildable. I am so happy that I found the perfect shade too. Because sometimes, you find a good foundation but the problem is there are no shades for me. I always have trouble finding a perfect shade for me. I am glad there is shade in Mac Radiance Face & Body that suit me. I use the C3 shade.

BEST LIPTINT: Faceshop Water Fit Lip Tint

When I discovered lip tint, I almost turned away from lipsticks. I used to use EtudeHouse Lip Tint. Too bad there is no EtudeHouse shops here in Oman. But good thing, I found a good lip tint in Faceshop. I use the Water Fit Lip Tint in colour 05 Cherry Kiss.

BEST CONCEALER: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

I have always preferred creamy concealer in pots like the Cinema Secrets or Benefit Boeing Industrial Strength concealer. There are Mac stores here so I thought I could go back to the Mac Studio Fix Concealer that are in black pots. I used to use that before and I would even go to Manila to buy that concealer specifically until I discovered Cinema Secrets. I used to use the shade 35 but it is always or even never available in Mac stores. So I looked for another option. I tried the Maybelline Fit Me in shade 25 and I love it!

BEST HIGHLIGHTER: Faceshop Hydro Cushion Highlighter

I love a glow on the skin. I usually apply highlighter on some pints of my skin for that healthy glow. i use to apply this face base cushion from Etude House which crates a natural glow on skin. I tried Mac Strobe cream but it didn’t work for me. Im glad I found this in Faceshop. I apply it on the bridge of my nose, high points of my cheeks, above eyebrows and inner corners of eyes.

Hope you enjoyed me sharing my favourite skincare and makeup products of 2021. Can you share your 2021 favourites too?