115. Beauty 2024 Index
Last Year's Most Memorable Skincare and Makeup
Happy New Year! There’s no better way to start 2025 than celebrating 2024 with the annual Tender Forms Indices.
If you’re new, the “Index” newsletters are my “Best of” compilations. In 2024, I truly tried to use less and use up what I had (whether I was successful or not is a story for another newsletter). Thus, I will try extra hard to pick only ONE item for each category. If there were any additional standouts (which there are sure to be), they’d be neatly categorized as Honorable Mentions. Now, let us dive into the most memorable beauty of 2024! Any repeats from previous years will read “R” followed by the year it’s a repeat of. *Links within paragraphs lead to previous newsletters with fuller reviews. Also, I highly recommend viewing this particular newsletter in the app or browser, as it is most definitely too long for email!
Below is a quick glance at what’s included:
2024 Index: Skincare
TONER / SERUM / OIL / EYE OIL / BALM / LIP BALM / SPF / CLEANSER / TREATMENT + TOOLS
2024 Index: Makeup
FOUNDATION + CONCEALER / POWDER / BROWS / BRONZER + CONTOUR / BLUSH / EYELINER / MULTI-USE / LIPS / BRUSHES
T O N E R
CAP Beauty Serotoner ($58, 3.38floz | 100ml, R 2023)
Starting strong with a repeat of last year’s, I can’t get enough of Serotoner. It’s the perfect first step: sensorial and uplifting; it quenches your (skin) thirst and prepares for everything to follow. It is the most hydrating toning step I’ve ever used, and I love that I can get away with layering only this in the summertime. Also, one bottle lasts a very long time: five months, morning and evening for me!
Honorable Mention:
Wildcare Rosemary & Bay Hydrosol ($34, 100ml | 3.38oz, R 2020, 2023)
This is a forever favorite. The only reason it didn’t win the number one spot is that the bottle size was smaller than the Serotoner, so I went through more Serotoner than Rosemary & Bay. You’ve heard me ramble on for years about how beautiful this is, and now that it’s offered in a 100ml size, I’m happy to know it’ll be in my life for longer throughout the year!
S E R U M
Monastery REI ($110, 30ml | 1oz, R 2023)
Boy, did I miss this in my life once I emptied it. REI is such a magical product packed into a tiny package. The description sums it up perfectly: gentle retinol cream fortified with reishi. I have sensitive, reactive skin, and I was blown away by how it kept its promise of being gentle yet revealed beautiful skin. I loved the harmonious experience, especially as I was a little scared (as I am with all retinol products). It’s a testament to Athena’s carefully constructed formula, balancing the powerful efficacy of retinol with beta-glucans and other natural ingredients that protect, hydrate, and soothe. As with most skincare products, I didn’t need to use the full suggested amount, so one bottle lasted well over eight months!
Here’s the original Instagram Reel with music!
O I L
Monastery ROSE Cleansing Oil ($48, 2.03oz | 60ml, R 2023)
A no-brainer. You know I love an all-in-one product, and it is rare for an item to be truly all-purpose. ROSE is a cleansing, facial, and eye oil wrapped into one. (Not to mention, its substantial cushiony texture makes it a dream for mixing into cream foundations if you find them a tad dry.) I’m very particular with scents, and while this one is heady, spicy, and rose-driven (almost three things I never gravitate towards in the skincare scent category), I adore this one and its ability to transform throughout the cleansing process (beginning: used dry to remove makeup, middle: removed with a warm washcloth, end: the gentle whisp after removal). I always have a bottle on hand (in either the 1oz or 2oz)!
E Y E O I L
Stark Skincare ASTRAL Orbital Eye Serum ($55, 10ml)
I don’t always feel the need for a separate eye oil, but whenever I have one, I love using it. Stark’s ASTRAL is an outstanding one. I especially loved it for a little relaxing eye mask moment. I’d roll on a generous amount (did I mention the cooling rollerball?), then use my NOTO Botanics reusable eye masks and put on an episode of television (recently, Gilmore Girls, obviously): heavenly. I only used this in the evenings, which lasted eleven months!
B A L M
Monastery 008 Lab Edition Universal Balm ($48, .7floz | 20ml)
I can’t believe I haven’t talked about this item yet because it was THE discovery of 2024. As an avid Monastery fan, the moment this came out and I read the skincare and scent description, I immediately ordered it. It is stunning; there’s no other word for it. A full newsletter will be dedicated to this, so I’ll expand on it more then. For now, know that if you’re like me and Attar wasn’t quite the consistency, finish, or scent of your dreams, 008 Lab could be the one. This one is grounded in a mixture of neroli, sandalwood, and hinoki, and the balm dries down a lot more. And believe me when I say this will give you the softest skin you’ve ever had.
LESSE Essential Moisturizer ($120, 2floz | 60ml)
Okay, for this category, I had to “cheat” and step out of the one-only rule, but in my defense, these two are pretty different. The LESSE Essential Moisturizer is described as a cream, but in my eyes, it’s more akin to a balm than a cream. Like the JSS Recovery Cream, the LESSE moisturizer has a thick consistency and almost looks matte, depending on the light. It has a beautifully fresh scent like everything else in the LESSE line, but I love its performance the most. This deeply moisturizes, yet it creates a smooth and dry-to-the-touch canvas. Yes, you heard me right; this dries down! I’m not sure of the wizardry, but it also brings down the glowy-ness of other items I lay on top. (If you don’t know by now, I prefer the matte look and a dry surface so my long hair doesn’t get stuck on my face.) This is especially great for sunscreens that lean on the oily side because it still provides grip but slightly takes down the “wetness.” Again, I’m unsure how they do it, but I’m eternally grateful. Plus, this makes it the most comfortable item to wear on bare-faced days when I still want my skin to feel nourished and protected.
L I P B A L M
URB APOTHECARY Basil Mint Lip Balm ($12, .35oz, R 2021, 2022, 2023)
There’s not much to say about this defending champ, as the repeats say it all: four years in a row! This is the perfect lip balm: price, amount, performance, packaging. All are winners. The basil mint has a delicate scent, and the texture is cushiony yet won’t melt all over its beautiful biodegradable tube. A few swipes right before bed, and you’ll wake up to soft, hydrated lips. And even then, you could go a few more hours without reapplying. It’s amazing.
S P F
LESSE Every Tone SPF 30 ($75, 2floz | 60ml, R 2023)
Second year running. I love this SPF so much: creamy, has grip, has an incredible unexpected scent, and is soothing. It’s beautiful on its own or layered underneath makeup. And it truly feels like sunscreen and skincare. When I wear this, my skin is less reactive, less red, and overall very happy.
C L E A N S E R
Monastery ROSE Cleansing Oil ($48, 2.03oz | 60ml)
I’ve already noted all the joys of ROSE above so I will spare you here. Just know that it removes everything: makeup, thick SPF, grime, you name it.
Honorable Mention:
(You know that cleanser is my favorite skincare category, so are you really surprised I have three honorable mentions?)
Wildcare Singing Leaves Cleansing Oil ($43, 1.7oz | 50ml, R 2022)
THE best rinseable oil cleanser out there. Beautiful scent, luscious formula, easy to use, removes everything without stripping. Also, healing. Yes, it does everything.
Monastery SAGE Cleansing Oil ($48, 2.03oz | 60ml)
For those who have easily congested skin, fighting acne, or don’t like the scent of rose, this one’s for you. I especially love it in the summertime, but it’s beautiful all year round.
27 Rosiers Fight Grime Cleanser ($39, 3.4floz | 100ml, R 2023)
I had to put this here because it was my favorite second cleanse. Don’t let the fresh spa-like scent fool you into thinking it’s too gentle to get the job done; it is beautiful alone or mixed with a few drops of oil. However, I won’t be repurchasing because I only just found out it contains microplastics. I’m deeply saddened.
T R E A T M E N T + T O O L S
LESSE Bioactive Mask ($85, 2floz | 60ml)
This was the only mask I used this year, and I’m happy to say I think I’ve found the one! It does everything I want in a mask: detoxifying, exfoliating, cooling, hydrating, and pre-mixed. A little goes a long way. It is also excellent as a spot treatment.
Lanshin Nephrite Sculpting Spoon ($59, R 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
I must admit, I fell off the facial massage bandwagon hard this year. This explains why the Lanshin Sculpting Spoon is my favorite of 2024. Thanks to its general shape and size, it’s so convenient to keep anywhere, making it easier to pick up and use whenever. When I didn’t have time or the energy for a full gua sha routine, I’d do a shortened one to release jaw tension or headaches. I always felt better afterward.
Honorable Mention:
Lanshin Pro Gua Sha Tool ($129, R 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
If I HAD to choose a Lanshin tool to get, this remains my number one. You can’t go wrong with it. The design is so considered with its various shapes and edges to target different areas and techniques. It’s pricey, but it’s so worth it.
F O U N D A T I O N + C O N C E A L E R
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Concealer Pen with TFC8® in FL2 ($68, 2.4ml | .08floz)
I want to preface that I am so sorry to say that I sincerely love this concealer. You know why. The price is…*squeezes my eyes shut*…and the amount you get is…*will look anywhere else rather than face you*. But I feel zero regret or apprehension in stating that this is my favorite concealer of all time (and I purchased it full-price!). It’s perfect. I love slim components, and yes, I do love a click pen (this has a brush tip, which I prefer over a sponge tip). I am not bothered by how little I get because I generally find it impossible to go through any full-size coverage item within its PAO. Here are all the things it does oh-so-well:
light to medium coverage - I apply it directly with the brush, let it sit for 15 seconds, then blend with my finger (I know, no brush, shocking!)
dries down and doesn’t need powder - it remains glowy for a little bit but then dries down to a beautiful soft matte with a hint of luminosity that I don’t feel the need to powder (and I always powder)
not cakey; doesn’t settle into fine lines* - it’s beautiful under the eyes and around the nose (my usual problem area). *This is hard to explain, but it never looks bad, even if it wears away, moves slightly throughout the day
looks like skin and makes skin look incredible - I don’t know how they did it, but this is undetectable on the skin
so comfortable to wear - weightless
long-lasting - stays through an eleven-hour workday
a little goes a long way - I use one click to cover under the eyes, around the nose, between the brows, and on any spots. On days when I have harder-to-conceal spots, I’ll use two clicks
great shade match - FL2 is great for all over the face, but I miss a bit of brightening under my eyes, so I recently purchased FL1 during the holiday sale
Honorable Mentions:
MOB Beauty Blurring Ceramide Cream Foundation in Neutral 0 ($26, 3.5g | .12oz, R 2023)
You can’t beat the performance, price, and amount you get with MOB’s cream foundation. This was a treat to use mixed with a drop of facial oil or directly from the pan for high coverage over angry acne spots. They have an incredible shade range covering all undertones (there will be at least one that matches you, if not multiple, that you can use), and they offer $1 foundation samples. I’m thinking of picking up Gold 10 next!
Fara Homidi Essential Face Compact in Silvette ($88, 3.7g | .13oz)
I asked my BFF for this as my birthday present (plus the brush), and what a beauty this is. The compact is luxe, sturdy, and a gorgeous shade of red. It’s refillable with a larger pan for the Smooth Veil Soft Matte formula (coverage) and a smaller pan for the Shine Baume (illuminator). The idea is that you can custom-create your ideal finish anywhere from dewy to matte. Because the coverage is so high, it’s more concealer than foundation. And while I love a matte texture, it’s too matte for me when used alone. I’ll prep the skin with a thin (a little goes a long way) layer of the Shine Baume, then go in with Smooth Veil over the top. It took some getting used to, but when you find your perfect finish, it really is beautiful. The compact is also my mirror for getting ready every morning and adds to that luxe experience. Silvette is a good match, though I suspect I’m somewhere between Silvette and Creme, the next shade up.
P O W D E R
Manasi 7 Silk Finish Powder ($49.50, .32oz | 9g, R 2023)
Even using this almost daily, I have barely made a dent! Silky, ultrafine, removes shine, and is weightless. This is still my preferred loose powder (though I’m honestly just buying my time until MOB Beauty comes out with a pressed powder).
B R O W S
MOB Beauty Cake Liner M41 ($18 refill, 1.8g | .06oz, R 2021, 2022)
I will always be a powder-brow girl at heart, I think. And MOB’s M41 will be my ride-or-die: third year running!
B R O N Z E R + C O N T O U R
Victoria Beckham Beauty Contour Stylus in Travertine ($38, 1.1g | .04oz)
Okay, I restarted my love of slim, stick/pen components back in 2023 with NOTO, and it continued into 2024 with VBB’s Contour Stylus. Way back when, I had always loved and dreamed of using the Burberry Contour Pens (who remembers those?), but I could never make it happen. When Victoria Beckham came out with the Contour Stylus, I had to try it. Travertine is the lightest shade, and it’s great. I love the pen style; it draws and blends like a dream. I just wish it were slightly cooler, but other than that, zero notes.
Honorable Mention:
Manasi 7 All Over Colour in Sisserou ($43.50–45, 5g | .17oz, R 2023)
If I mix a bit of Sisserou with Travertine, that’s my ideal contour shade. And I much prefer contour over bronzer. This also doubles as a multi-use honorable mention because it’s perfect for all over (blush, contour, or eyeshadow, just not the lips) to bring definition and a hint of color. I love how natural it looks while bringing more sophistication to a bare face.
M U L T I - U S E
MOB Beauty Lip Balm in M139 ($24, 3g | .1oz)
Wow, I loved using this all over the face for several months in 2024. It’s one of those perfect shades for my skin tone. It has a great balance of cool and warm, leaning on the cool side in the formula but turning warmer on my skin. Speaking of stick formulas, this is intended as a lip balm but the lip component made it so easy to just draw right along the tops of my cheekbones a bit on the nose and a dab over each eye. Blends out beautifully. It has a similar hue quality to MOB’s powder bronzer in M36 (a favorite if you’ve been around for a while), just in a balm formula. It’s that perfect blush and contour in one.
Honorable Mention:
Manasi 7 All Over Colour in Kuranberi ($45, 5g | .17oz, R 2023)
For days when I wanted a bit more color on my cheeks and lips, it had to be Kuranberi.
E Y E L I N E R
Manasi 7 Eye Glow Colour in Jardin ($38, 5g | .17oz, R 2023)
Another year for the most gorgeous eyeliner color you’ll ever use, Jardin. Every time I use this, I fall in love with it again.
Honorable Mention:
Manasi 7 Eye and Lip Definer in Yubari ($28–28.50, 1.5g | .05oz)
For a few months, I switched over to using Yubari as eyeliner. The pencil format makes it super easy, and the formula is creamy, so it glides on. The color is a lovely neutral brown with hints of mauve. The main pain point was the packaging. The cap on this was way too tight, and the pencil itself cracked maybe 1/3 of the way through.
L I P S
Henné Organics Lip Tint in Blissful ($23, .15oz | 4.3g)
I used to love Henné’s Intrigue Lip Tint (I went through an entire one), and in 2024, I got Blissful from Credo as a reward perk. I usually wouldn’t go for this shade out of all of them, but it’s a fantastic everyday lip color, a raspberry with some shimmer. I like to sheer it out slightly by applying this over my lip balm. Blissful has reawakened my love for these lip tints, so Intrigue and Nightfall are next on the list for 2025! (20% off referral link above in case you need it.)
Honorable Mention:
NOTO Botanics Lip + Cheek Multi-Bene Stick in Genet ($26, .09oz | 2.6ml)
I loved this color, but the 6-month PAO can be a real bummer in instances like these (darker shades if you don’t go through them quickly enough). I wish I had one during these colder months when I want to wear deeper colors more!
B R U S H E S
Rephr AA01 cheek brush for Alexandra Anele ($35, ~6.5” handle length)
I love Alex’s YouTube, and, of course, I was going to support her by purchasing her first Rephr brush. I haven’t encountered anyone in the beauty space who makes makeup sound as approachable, captivating, and intelligent as Alex does. She’s an incredible tour de force packaged in a genuine, gentle soul. I did not doubt that she would put as much knowledge, thought, and precision into designing her brush as she does with everything else. This is the perfect do-it-all brush. A mix of natural and synthetic hairs with a slightly rounded and tapered top that features both a flat and sloped side. It’s great for applying, blending, carving, powder, liquid, anything. The moment I used this, I thought, “Oh. This is what I’ve been trying to force all my other brushes to be.” If you’re a minimalist and want that “one” brush, this is it. I only wish she would have stuck to the original shorter handle version (as someone with small hands would selfishly request). Other than that, it’s perfection (especially if you prefer longer brushes!).
Honorable Mentions:
Westman Atelier Powder Brush ($85, ~5.5” handle length, R 2022, 2023)
I have always loved this brush, but I was trying to force it to be like Alex’s Rephr version. In 2024, I started using it sideways to create a smaller tapered shape to diffuse a custom SPF-concealer blend I concocted. And it worked marvelously! Because all WA brushes are ultra-soft, this blends everything seamlessly over the skin, making them undetectable.
NOTO Duo-Brush ($24, ~4” handle length, R 2023)
Another brush I was trying to force into a specific shape, though this one is much easier with the sliding travel barrel to cater the density to how I preferred. Once again, you can’t beat the price since this has both a blending and precision end. If you truly want just one brush but need both ends/types for various purposes, then this is the one!
Fara Homidi Buffer Brush ($62, ~4” handle length)
This is another fantastic brush, especially for coverage. Like Alex’s Rephr brush, this, too, has a flat and curved side. The flat side flawlessly gets into those hard-to-reach nooks around the nose. The bristles are short and dense, so I only consider this a cream-coverage brush. It’s also very petite, which makes it great to take with you on the go for touch-ups, as it is intentionally designed to complement the Essential Compact.
Westman Atelier Baby Blender Brush ($64, ~4.75” handle length, R 2023)
Gressa Mini Air Focus Multi-Use Brush ($26, ~3.75” handle length, R 2023)
These two brushes serve the same purpose in my day-to-day: dip directly into my Manasi 7 jars and onto the face. The small brush-heads fit into the jar with room to spare and don’t catch along the edges, messing things up too much! They’re soft and apply and blend color beautifully. No, you don’t need both, but I love them both.
Thanks so much for reading! Today’s was a long one, so if you have made it this far, congratulations! What were your beauty favorites of 2024? Is there anything I should try in 2025? I’d love to know.
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you January 19!