From Maybelline’s chokehold on luscious glossy lips to e.l.f's foundation that had wallets thanking the owners more than their skin, 2022 has been one of the best years for new products to make their mark. With the ever-so-influential rise of reels in our consumer choices, some products smashed the like button and the expectations of makeup gurus worldwide. These products deserve to be highlighted for both their quality and affordability. And so, to introduce 2023 on the right note, here are the most viral beauty products of 2022 that continue to fuel both wish lists and makeup bags.

1. e.l.f Poreless Putty Primer

Rating: 4.5/5

e.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer currently boasts 27k+ reviews and goes on transparent once you blend it out. Hydrating and known to contain squalene - which reduces fine lines and increases skin moisture - it's sure to be a game changer for anyone with extremely oily skin or visible pores. Complete with the ability to blur out fine lines, provide hydration and create a concrete base for other makeup products, this primer is a must-have for any makeup lovers or beginners.

2. Maybelline Sky-High Mascara

Rating: 4.2/5

Known for enriching both volume and drama with its bendable brush plus bamboo-infused formula, Maybelline New York's Sky High Mascara provides the most intensely defined and off-the-scale sky-high lashes. This drugstore mascara also prevents clumping, elongates lashes and has fibres to add extra length. For 7 dollars, the mascara's name sure does the product justice.

3. Essences Lash Princess

Rating: 4.5/5

Rounding in 2023 with another drugstore mascara with a clever yet corroborative name, Essence's lash princess houses 1000s of glowing reviews, with a volumising and lash-lifting formula that has many grabbing the 5-dollar tube. The lash princess series has 3 distinct types of mascaras (all with different wand types, mind you) consisting of:

1. Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

2. Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara

3. Lash Princess Volume Mascara

And all of them have sworn by testimonies to be long-lasting and slow to dry, but still hydrating. So, if the low price isn’t a convincing point for you, hopefully, the almost 5-star reviews this product boasts will be.

4. L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer

Rating: 4.3/5

Lightweight and famous for providing a dewy finish, the L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion boasts the title of the best CC cream on Amazon. Tinted and enhanced with shea butter to give your skin a supple soft glow without feeling like a lotion, this ‘Glotion’ is a must-have as it provides day-long coverage and moisture.

5. e.l.f Halo Liquid Glow Foundation

Rating: 4.5/5

The elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter contains squalene (for moisture) and hyaluronic acid (for hydration) to provide glowing and dewy skin all day long. The foundation provides a soft-focus filtered look and is wearable by all skin types, as well as being a complexion booster that gives your skin more radiance and enhancement. The large doe foot applicator also helps the product seamlessly blend in with your skin. Overall, due to the low price and raving reviews, I would undoubtedly push towards purchasing this product.

6. Maybelline Lifter Gloss

Rating: 4.6/5

Aside from having extremely rich quality for such a low price, Maybelline Lip Lifter Gloss has a very hydrating, smooth, glossy and plump finish that does not feel sticky or heavy. While its slightly sweet scent may turn some consumers off, these glosses impart intense colour and shiny delivery. Also known to be moisturising and hydrating, the addition of hyaluronic acid and the way this gloss has converted many serious matte lip devotees to lipgloss addicts is a plus point to consider while purchasing.

7. Profusion Blushes

Rating: 4.6/5

With liquid blushes dominating the drug store makeup industry, blushes that never fail to be mentioned are the Profusion Blush Hour Liquid Blushes, which provide a lightweight feel and deliver a soft matte finish on the cheeks. The blushes are easy to blend and are easier on the wallet. These viral blushes house bright and vivid colours with the best shade range and even better pigmentation. Trust me, 2 dots will do more than enough to last you the entire day.

8. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

Rating: 4.7/5

The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer contains a Micro-Corrector Applicator which fills and smoothes out uneven skin. The concealer also contains an active formula including Haloxyl to reduce redness and puffiness, fine lines or ridges. Available in a diverse shade range, the product is a sure-shot steal that gives you a proper bang for your buck. Its unique application makes both applications and blending an easy task, and covers up dark circles with pigmentation that lasts throughout the day.

9. Hard Candy Selfie Cheek Tint

Rating: 4.2/5

Also known as the universally flattering cheek stain, the Hard Candy Selfie Cheek Tint adapts to your skin's pH to give a bright glowy flourish that's perfect for users who want a more natural look. The blush is easy to apply and is not sticky, thus succeeding in giving users a dewy and sun-kissed look.

10. NYX Bare With Me Concealer

Rating:4.4/5

A concealer that blends well, gives an ultra-dewy finish and has medium natural coverage that lasts superbly long, NYX’s Bare With Me concealer is a must-have for any beginner or advanced makeup artist. The concealer also delivers a spectacular yet naturally subtle glow that does not show any fine lines and covers up dark circles in a jiffy, while ensuring that the base it sets is both non-flaky and cakey. What's not to love?

11. Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oils

Rating: 4.5/5

Compared to the high price tag for Dior lip oils, the Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oil first surfaced on TikTok as an affordable dupe and then went viral for all the right reasons. The oil delivers instant hydration and glossy lips that make your lips look plump and soft. The oils also provide a sheen-tinted colour that lasts for quite some time. Containing fruit extracts and vitamin E, this lip oil deserves a star for every flavour it comes in.

12. Essence Kissed By The Light Face Illuminator

Rating: 4.5/5

Available on: https://essencemakeup.com

Another well-hyped essence product (aside from its affordability) is the essence kissed by the light face illuminator, which is known to deliver a Subtle, Shiny, and Shimmery tint on your cheekbones or any area of application. What's also amazing about this brand is its 100% vegan ingredients and its ability to make high-quality products available at outstandingly low rates. The versatility of shades in this compact and its longevity truly make it a must-have worth under 4 dollars.

13. NYX This Is Milky Gloss Milkshakes Vegan Lip Gloss

Rating: 4.5/5

The NYX This Is Milky Gloss is not only viral for its insane shade range (I mean it, they have every possible colour), but also for its hydrating and shiny application that dazzles beauty gurus. Known to be non-sticky and providing full coverage for long durations, its soft and cushiony applicator and gloss finish that stays on for 11+ hours, this limited edition gloss is not to be messed with.

14. Colorpop Super Shock Highlighter

Rating: 4.6/5

The highlighter that blew away many makeup lovers has a long list of pros, the biggest one being the radiantly dewy complexion it gives, along with the angelic sheen the highlighter provides. The silky smooth texture of this Colourpop Super Shock highlighter, along with its natural and soft look, makes it a highlighter that’ll ‘shock’ you with its super high quality and payoff and super low price for an amazingly natural shine.

15. Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush

Rating: 4.7/5

To save the best for last and end our list of amazingly high-quality and low-price products, the Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush certainly takes the cake. known for its soft and natural look, butter-like formula, silky, smooth texture and amazing colour payoff, it's understandable why this blush averages out at a 4.7 on 5. The best part of it all? A little goes a long way with this blush that is buildable, easy to apply and blend and gives a sheen finish.

Conclusion

One thing I love about all the aforementioned brands is not only their ability to deliver high quality at low rates but also their inclusivity in shades. Most brands listed have vegan and cruelty-free ingredients and testing, which in my opinion makes them worth more than any high-end brands. These products are easy to use, beginner-friendly and available almost everywhere.

As always, makeup should be purchased based on your skin type, shade, and what works best for you. Hopefully, this list of diverse and nutrient-packed products helps you make some new additions to your makeup bag and helps you start 2023 on a more colourful page.