I didn’t make any big changes to my skin- and hair-care routines in 2019, but I like to keep a record of standout, new-to-me products. These are all products I've already repurchased or can see myself buying again when I run out.

Hi Bar shampoos and conditioners: these are the best bar-form hair products I’ve tried, and I’ve tried a bunch. I’ve been using Liggett’s tea tree bar shampoo for years because it’s locally made for me, easy to find and relatively cheap. But my hair gets desperately dry in the winter these days so I’ve been looking high and low for a bar conditioner. I started using the “Maintain” formula, both shampoo and conditioner, in November and love how glossy and manageable it makes my hair (I shampoo and condition about twice a week). I have the Moisture formula on order to get me through the rest of the heating season and will probably try the Volume formula in the summer. The trickiest part is remembering which one is the shampoo and which one is the conditioner, especially when you’re just waking up and it’s dark out.

Kosas lipstick: my only new lip colour purchase of 2019 was Kosas Undone, which Kosas describes as a “full-coverage, high-impact neutral” and a “warm balanced toasted pink” which I’d say are quite accurate descriptions. It’s a great neutral for me, more pigment than nude/MLBB, pretty good staying power, and doesn’t dry my lips out too much or feather into cracks. Extremely versatile -- I smudge it on lightly for day use or apply a full layer for evening. I’m big into lip colours as cheek colours and this one is perfect as a blush stand-in. I'll be ordering Fringe, a brick red, for 2020.

Glossier Futuredew: I thought this might be gimmicky but I tried it anyway and now I’m sold. It’s an “oil serum hybrid” designed to be applied as a last layer. My current morning routine is: rose hydrosol, moisturizer (alternate between $$ Avène and cheapo Aveeno baby lotion), sheer-tinted zinc SPF 30, and then this stuff. I have to be careful to let the previous layer dry before applying, and it can be a bit sticky at first, but it absorbs nicely within about 30 minutes and leaves my skin velvety and "soft-focus" and does a good job warding off tightness. It balances out any chalkiness the zinc might leave by the end of the day and I pretty much don’t bother with any make-up or concealer anymore. I've been looking for a squalane product I actually like for a long time, and this is the first one that's made any kind of notable difference on my skin.

Wild Rose Herbs Nihilist lip balm: creamy, unflavored lip balm with the perfect texture. I find lip balms with scent/flavor/colour don’t work for me at all and some of them make my lips worse. I apply this balm every morning after I shower and again before I go to bed (and usually when getting into the car or going outdoors too), and it really helps fend off dry, cracked lips, my number one nemesis!

My only other update of interest is that I'm taking a break from topical hyaluronic acid and using supplemental HA instead. My skin seems to be doing fine with this arrangement.

Curious to hear what others have been trying and liking lately!