The very best beauty products of 2020

Phewpf! With 2020 finally coming to an end, not to mention most of it feeling like a blur, we've curated an edit of the stand-out releases - from skin care and make up to supplements - that you need to take with you into the New Year.

JanuaryBiossance entered the fold in January, to the delight of vegan beauty obsessives the world over, and the {Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil} was welcomed with open arms. Cultivating the universally adored benefits of vitamin C, the lightweight oil visibly brightens and firms your skin, bestowing a healthy-looking radiance you won’t be able to move on from.FebruaryIn February, the queen of the beauty scene herself, Huda Kattan, graced our virtual shelves with the release of Wishful. The straight-forward skin care line got off to a glowing start with {Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub}, a glue-like exfoliator that gathers grime and residual debris to visibly smooth your complexion without irritation.MarchWe said bienvenue to France’s favourite prestige beauty brand - Chantecaille - in March. Amongst their pioneering, plant-derived formulas, the {Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15} stole the show with its smooth, velvety ‘second skin’ finish, that enhances your skin’s unique characteristics while blurring imperfections and shielding from damaging rays. AprilIn spring, we saw the future of suncream come to our screens when we launched Supergoop!. With no greasy feel or tell-tale white film, the universally flattering {Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30} is perfect for every complexion – providing unparalleled UV deflection without suffocating your skin or exacerbating congestion.

MayThe launch of {U Beauty} marked a new way of thinking. Contending with the Korean 12-step school of thought, the brand locates itself in the realm of multi-hyphenate skin care, shrinking your routine with singular products that replace excess with efficacy. Powered by an abundance of incredible ingredients - from AHAs and retinol to hyaluronic acid and peptides - the {Resurfacing Compound} not only resurfaces but also refines, hydrates, brightens and tightens.June Subverting beauty standards with bold colour choices since its origin, we couldn't wait to welcome Urban Decay into our hallowed halls. True to tradition, the {Naked Ultra Violet Palette} contrasted the signature, nearly-bare neutrals with colour-pop lavender, lilac and mauve hues.

July All of our Spice Girl dreams came true when {Victoria Beckham Beauty} became a member of the Cult. Inspired by Victoria’s signature smoky eye and designed to create a succinct edit of the most used pans you'd find in a larger palette, the {Smoky Eye Brick} was an instant hit thanks to its ultra-wearable, richly pigmented hues and decadent design.AugustCreated by actor-turned-brand founder Jessica Alba for all of the beauty fanatics that are tired of having to choose between ‘what works’ and ‘what’s good for you’, we watched in awe as Honest Beauty won the affection of our #CultCommunity; "I’m in love with this crayon, it’s the perfect combination of matte and moisturising. I would always put a gloss or a balm on top of a matte lipstick but with this, there's no need." - Cult Beauty customer review of the {Lip Crayon Demi-Matte}.September A {J-Beauty} brand that boasts sumptuous pigments, incredible, light-as-air textures and cutting-edge tech, SUQQU stands in a league of its own when it comes to luxury beauty. Case in point, the {Designing Color Eyes} palette features amino acid-coated pigments and silicone-coated powders that lends the pans a smooth texture and pure colouration, effortlessly bringing radiance to your eyes with beautiful gradations and definitions. OctoberSince we share the belief that self-care (and skin care!) starts from the inside out, it's no surprise that we introduced HUM Nutrition and their incredible supplements into our ranks. Extending the belief to our strands too, their {Hair Sweet Hair} gummies scored major points with those up against thinning tresses.NovemberInspired by her experience as a beauty blogger and a full-blown make up maestro, Jamie Genevieve's exclusive, vegan line of versatile and sophisticated make up took the beauty world by storm when it launched in November - it's already sold out several times in its short existence! Our pick of the magnificent mix? The {Modern Matte Lipstick} is a winner with its intense, bold, matte-but-never-flat colour.DecemberWith a world-renowned range of salon staples to repair and care for your precious hair, Aveda offer good hair days only, and their {Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair} plays a key role in your tress destiny. Classed as a hair necessity by all who try it, this ultra-restorative, leave-in treatment protects against the ravages of heat styling, as well as detangling for enviably smooth, soft strands!

Bethan Robinson Writer and expert

Bethan is a Senior Copywriter at Cult Beauty. When she’s not trying to perfect the ultimate ‘no make up’ make up look — she swears by Saie — or find new skin care to fall for, she’s likely playing video games, making the most of her housemate’s MUBI account or strolling around Victoria Park with a pastry in hand.

The very best beauty products of 2020

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