As the year draws to a close, we thought it the perfect time to reflect on the biggest beauty moments of 2023. From the treatments that kept our skin and minds in check to the best new launches and iconic celebrity moments, there was a lot to celebrate in the beauty world. 

Here’s what team Hip & Healthy had to say…

Sadie Reid – Founder

The new beauty product that made my year…

The CurrentBody LED mask. I never thought I’d be one for a beauty tool, but I Love this mask with a capital L. It reduces blemishes and, if I do get them, it helps them heal faster. It’s also just really relaxing to wear and it gives me ten minutes of screen-free time with no guilt, which I know sounds utterly ridiculous!

The beauty treatment that got me through 2023…

This is appalling, especially for a wellness editor like me, but I haven’t actually had a beauty treatment this year. I need to book one in pronto. My poor face!

The most memorable celebrity beauty moment of the year was…

I love the partnership between Cannary and Claudia Winkleman. I think she’s fantastic. She is unashamedly herself and I see that as the ultimate self-love. I particularly love the way she looks at ageing – it’s inevitable and she’s excited about it. Winkleman also launched her own lip balm with Cannary (amongst a few other products), but it’s the lip balm I love the most as it’s brilliant and I feel her signature pale lip is so iconic.

The beauty tip I learned this year that’s forever changed my life…

Face Yoga. I learnt it from yoga guru and model Laura Dodd as she did a partnership with KAMA Ayurveda, which incorporated a face yoga sequence. It brings all the blood to the surface of the skin and gives you a lovely, dewy glow. As for the long-term effects, I’m hoping for a sharper jawline and fewer wrinkles. I’ll let you know how I get on…

My beauty resolution for the year ahead is… 

To embrace ageing. I’ll be turning 39 in 2024 and there really is no hiding from it. I love to look after myself, however, I no longer want to run away entirely from ageing. I’d rather see each new wrinkle or crease as a mark of a good night or a bit of wisdom I have gained over the years. It really is a privilege to be heading towards my 40s and I am excited for what the next year will bring. 

Molly Jennings – Managing Editor

The new beauty product that made my year…

I started Skin + Me in January this year and it’s been the best thing I’ve done for my skin. I suffer from mild rosacea, so their in-house dermatologists considered my very delicate skin type when formulating my own unique skincare blend and it’s dramatically reduced my redness and bumpy texture. I think everyone could benefit from Skin + Me. They have access to prescription-grade topicals that you can’t get on the high street and it will totally transform your skin no matter your concern. Big, big fan!

The beauty treatment that got me through 2023…

I don’t indulge in treatments regularly but one thing that never fails to make me feel good is getting my nails done at Townhouse. It’s my absolute favourite place to go for a little hand pampering. All their technicians are incredible and it’s such a lovely atmosphere. The salons are so chic, and it feels like a real treat when you’re there. Shout out to Patricia at the Wimbledon salon who is wonderful!

My most memorable celebrity beauty moment this year…

I’ve always been a less is more kind of girl when it comes to makeup, so I LOVED when Pamela Anderson went to Paris Fashion Week sans makeup this year. It felt so good to see someone embrace natural beauty and really celebrate it. It was incredibly refreshing to see her bare-faced and confident in a world where airbrushing, highly contoured, heavy makeup is the norm.

The beauty tip I learned this year that’s forever changed my life…

I’ve come to fully accept that fragrance in skincare is a big no-no for me. For anyone who has sensitive skin or is prone to rosacea, please stop using products that contain fragrance! I’ve learnt from top dermatologists that fragrance and perfumes can be very sensitising, and sadly that even goes for “natural” fragrance like essential oils. I battled with this for a long time because smell is such an important sense for me, and it does make skincare kind of boring without it. But my final flare-up in January this year, after trying a new (and totally gorgeous!) product, was the final nail in the coffin. My weapons of choice are Skin + Me, Avene, and Dr Sam’s. 

My beauty resolution for the year ahead…

I had to think about this one! To be honest, simplicity and consistency are my main goals for next year. I have more goals than resolutions, and one is to get my rosacea to a really good management phase so I’m able to introduce more actives. I’d love to be able to use something like vitamin C, but it can be quite a strong topical to adjust to for sensitive skins. While my skin is a lot calmer and happier now than it was a year ago, I’d like to brighten my complexion and boost radiance. I’d love to be able to dabble in a gentle retinol too, but I think I might need a good dermatologist to guide me through that!

Frankie Rozwadowska – Beauty Editor

The new beauty product that made my year…

Forest Essentials finally came to the UK this year, opening its gorgeous store in Covent Garden. To say I was excited was a huge understatement. I first discovered the brand and its incredible Ayurvedic beauty products in Delhi nearly 14 years ago, and I’d ask anyone travelling to India to bring me back one of their natural creams, mists, or masks. This year they launched the 24-karat gold infused ‘Transformative Soundarya Night Cream’, and it hooked me from the off. Packed with powerful Ayurvedic herbs, antioxidants, and pure gold extracts, I wake up with super soft skin that’s visibly smoother and glowing. 

The beauty treatment that got me through 2023…

You’d think as a beauty editor that I’d spend my days swanning around spas lounging around in robes, right? Wrong. As a working mum with two very little ones, my current self-care routine is almost non-existent. I’m lucky if I get to shower. Which is why Urban changed my life. At the touch of a button, I can book a top-notch masseuse to come to my house, set up a massage bed, put on a calming soundtrack, and pummel and knead my stress away. Even better? I can roll straight into bed after. Game-changer.

The most memorable celebrity beauty moment of the year…

Huda and Mona Kattan donating $1 million from their portfolio of Huda Beauty brands to humanitarian organisations in Gaza. The way they’ve been using their platforms to educate and spread awareness has been nothing less than incredible and inspiring.

The beauty tip I learned this year that’s forever changed my life…

This year I was lucky enough to meet amazing celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel (aka Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, and Sienna Miller’s go-to guy) and to have my hair done by balayage guru Limoz Logli. They both gave me the same advice that’s totally transformed my hair, and that’s if you want to add depth and make your hair look thicker and fuller (who doesn’t?) then you need to add lowlights as well as highlights. I’ve done balayage for years, but I have very fine, flat locks. Just by adding a few pieces of a darker tone truer to your natural colour, you’ll create more dimension. If you’ve been sticking to only highlights for years, this may sound daunting, but trust me – your hair will look amazing!

My beauty resolution for the year ahead is… 

To make the time for tools. I developed pretty bad melasma during my pregnancies, and while it’s definitely gone down, I know there’s so much more I can do to treat it. The problem (as I mentioned before), is time. I can’t go for laser facials every month, as much as need/want to. But I’ve just got my hands on the LYMA laser, and I can’t wait to incorporate it into my routine. The beauty of it being that it actually works (the results speak for themselves when it comes to tone, texture, and signs of ageing), and I can use it while catching up on The Crown. Win-win.

Isabelle Shury – Content + Creative Designer

The new beauty product that made my year…

K18Hair recently launched in the UK and nothing has transformed my hair like this range. The ‘Molecular Repair Hair Oil’ gives my hair a new sleekness I didn’t know was possible. If you’re a frizzy-haired girl, you’ll be blown away by the result!

The beauty treatment that got me through 2023…

It’s so hard to pick just one as this year I’ve been experimenting with treatments and the payoff has exceeded expectations! But if I had to choose, it would be the SKINWORK Healthy + Hydrated facial. Using all the gizmos and gadgets as well as manual facial techniques, it boasts everything I look for in a facial. It’s results-driven and divinely indulgent.

The most memorable celebrity beauty moment of the year…

It’s got to be Hailey Bieber’s glazed doughnut skincare routine for me. In fact, HB has dominated 2023 with the launch of her much-anticipated skincare makeup fusion, Rhode. Bringing her signature ‘clean girl’ aesthetic to the masses, everyone who’s into beauty has been drenching their skin in the cult Peptide Glazing Fluid, which gives that signature glazed finish, while glossing their lips with the Peptide Lip Treatment.

The beauty tip I learned this year that’s forever changed my life…

This year I’ve had to say goodbye to my beloved lash extensions, the upkeep was just too time-consuming. After feeling rather bare, a friend recommended the DIY lash kit from Lashify. The application takes a bit of practice as it uses a technique that sticks under the lash line to give the most flawless finish, but honestly, they look as good as individual extensions. They’re so natural, last around five days, and are a way more affordable option.

My beauty resolution for the year ahead is… 

Stay as far away from ultra-processed foods as I can and support my gut health. There is no doubt that beauty starts from within. When I’m eating a whole-food diet, my skin thrives, so I plan to steer away from anything artificial or high in refined sugar as much as possible. To give me a helping hand, I can’t wait to try out You’re Looking Well – the new skincare meets supplements brand that bridges the gap between skin and gut health.

Louise Afpetersens – Partnerships Director

The new beauty product that made my year…

Any new launch by de Mamiel is always going to be a big winner for me. I love their products and philosophy, and this year they launched the ‘Brightening Cleansing Oil and ‘Multi-Active Hydra Mist’, both of which are now firmly part of my beauty routine. The cleansing oil boosts my skins radiance and is the perfect way to start the day, while the mist is so hydrating and full of hyaluronic acid, which is ideal for my dry, tired skin. 

The beauty treatment that got me through 2023…

I have to say Botox. Due to all the negative connotations it’s treatment I never thought I would try, but I really was amazed at the confidence boost it gave me when I first tried it in February this year. At 39 my skin was “good”, but the wrinkles on my forehead were really bringing me down. I now get a small amount of Botox done semi-regularly and I really love the way this has changed the way I feel. 

The most memorable celebrity beauty moment of the year was…

This is a tough one but one of my celebrity icons is Zoë Kravitz – I just love her super cool style and natural beauty. At the spring/summer 2024 Saint Laurent show she brought back her micro bangs while keeping the rest of her look simple and natural with strong eyebrows and nude lipstick. She just looked incredible. 

The beauty tip I learned this year that’s forever changed my life…

Keep it simple. I felt the need to add more products to my beauty routine as I really thought more is more and that I needed to use everything and anything to maintain a youthful glow and to keep my skin looking even while feeling hydrated. But it turns out all I was doing was clogging my skin with too many products. So now I’m focusing on using just a few key ingredients to help boost my skin. Stripping things back and keeping it simple has definitely made all the difference. 

My beauty resolution for the year ahead is… 

Wear SPF! I always have good intentions when it comes to SPF, and as someone who loves skincare and has a big focus on trying to keep my skin looking its very best, it’s shocking that I don’t use SPF daily. Having been told off multiple times by many amazing beauty therapists, I have made it my resolution to incorporate the right SPF into my daily routine and to find one that doesn’t feel like sun cream but feels more like part of my skincare regime.