Your 2024 Beauty Bag Essentials
January 1 | 3 minute read
Words by Ruby Devlin
Originally published on | December 27
Expired serums and shattered blushes taking up precious beauty bag real estate is something we all need to leave in 2023. Instead, we’re ushering in a new era for 2024 – organised, adaptable and with a focus on the essentials.
And for those joining us on the ‘start afresh’ bandwagon, now is the time. Why? Because the holiday season delivers ready-to-go, bang-for-your-buck sets that make beauty bag replenishment easier than ever (it’s the time of year beauty editors love most for that very reason). With that said, it’s time to refresh, reassess and reset – here’s how…
Roots first
This year in beauty, our scalps became the main character, finally recognised as an extension of the skin on our face. ARKIVE’s The Crown Scalp Scrub, Root-ine Scalp Serum and Good Scalp Massager led the trend, helping to remove dead skin and debris from your roots for hair that looks better, and feels a lot healthier. The brand’s Better Together pack gets the green light for making every day of 2024 a good hair day.
Think skin
For the skincare maximalists, experimentalists and lovers of colour co-ordination, Drunk Elephant’s TRUNK 7.0 has it all – we’re talking 10 full-sized products (staples, actives, bestsellers, cult favourites) to cleanse, exfoliate, brighten, plump and hydrate. It even features the brand’s TikTok-approved (and at times elusive) D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops – all packed up in a cute and practical backpack.
Active essentials
Skin cycling – a method encouraging skincare enthusiasts to ‘cycle’ through individual actives in the PM (and take breaks in between!) – is here to stay. Sunday Riley’s Nice Work set features a full size of their new B3 NICE 10% Niacinamide Serum for brighter, smoother, balanced, more even skin. It comes alongside three more of Sunday Riley’s bestselling actives in travel size, perfect for trying before committing to the real deal.
The makeup shake up
Whether in fashion, beauty, homewares or even food, red is the colour on just about everyone’s Pinterest boards right now. So much so, we’re convinced a red lip has the potential to become 2024’s new nude ! Alas, to set you up, we can’t go past the Smashbox Red Carpet Glamour set, a collection of makeup curated by fashion designer Christian Cowan, with the star inclusion of the (literally) Always On Liquid Lipstick in the shade ‘Bawse’, alongside a blurring primer, shimmery cream shadow and volumising mascara.
The sparkle of the year
In 2023, Urban Decay’s 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow in ‘Space Cowboy’ was the product on everyone’s ‘For You Page’, and it quickly became a beauty bag essential. Now, the champagne shimmer is one half of an iconic duo in Urban Decay’s Space Cowboy Kit, starring alongside the much-loved All Nighter Setting Spray. Spritz a little of the spray on your brush to intensify your sparkle, then spray it all over the face to lock in your look.
A blush for every occasion
We think blush will continue to be a key part of everyone’s signature looks in 2024 – and if you’re one of the many who struggle to pick just one shade to sweep across your cheeks, NARS are here to make the decision easier. Their Invite Only Mini Afterglow Liquid Blush Set has 3 buildable shades suitable for when you want a second skin glow or a statement blush moment.
