What is your one transformative WOW beauty product that you found in 2024?

[JMAngel1]

For me it was a product I didn’t want to like as it’s very pricey and I had thought over the years it was just a gimmick. Plus I had a really good skincare routine before I started using them (essence, HA serum, vit C, peptide cream, SPF, tretinoin, acid actives etc) and I didn’t really see that I could get much more positive effect than with what I was already using.
But wow, these little capsules (god they’re fiddly and annoying) of Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide oil/serum have massively improved my skin just adding it in as an additional layer after my other serums and before my peptide cream. My crepey under eye skin has completely smoothed out and fine lines on my forehead have gone. My skin tone looks more even and skin looks plumper definitely. I’m also less oily throughout the day. I’m gobsmacked given that it’s such a small amount in the capsule.
Only downside is now I have to find the money to include them in my routine ongoing!

What have you found recently that has been an absolute game changer?

At the moment there's a 15% discount on your first order plus a free gift ( that contains some of the capsules too). I admit i have caved and purchased!!

ELF cleansing balm, fabulous stuff, so much nicer than The Body Shop camomile balm.

I've gone back to The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc and it seems to be making a really difference to my skin texture - I definitely look glowier.

Also, Éthique solid conditioner bar - I use the Curliosity one. It's the only bar I've ever repurchased!

murdomunro I'm not sure if they're different products or if they've just packaged them differently? I use the Curl Enhancer in the toothpaste tube style packaging anyway; it's apparently based on mascara curling/separating technology (?!) and it works really well on my fine, dryish 3a/b curls, giving them a bit of body without weighing them down.

Always a wee bit wary recommending curl creams as there are so many variations of curl, and what works well for one person mightn't be the same for the next curly person! But I went away without it (and the Windle shampoo/conditioner) and my hair was Not The Same.

I also have PCOS like @mintgreensoftlilac, my game changer has been La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Serum Ultra Concentrate. I use it every night and it’s made a real difference.

Also Aldi’s Lacura Marine Cream Night Mask is an amazing dupe for Elemis Marine Collagen Cream and costs just £7 a jar!

Pretty much all of the Sunday Riley products (in particular CEO Vitamin C cream and Good Genes Lactic Acid). I had a voucher for Space NK and that was what I used it on. Have run out of them and just working up the courage so go and restock (and tell DH that we will have to live on super noodles for the next 3 months)

Also, Drunk Elephant Lala Retro. The best night cream out there.

I have just ordered Colorwow Money hair mask after hearing a million people rave on about it so looking forward to that arriving.

I always get the EA capsules from All Beauty. Usually around half the price!

https://www.allbeauty.com/elizabeth-arden-serums-advanced-ceramide-daily-youth-restoring-serum-capsules-x-90/11382385.html

I’m a sucker for a free gift - have also bought!

Frizz Ease hairspray - a light spray after styling really does stop my hair from fluffing/frizzing up - there's a £2.50 small can you can try
Skin Rocks cleansing balm - excellent, skin feels amazing after use, smells beautiful, removes even waterproof mascara but £55, so if I'm to keep on using, something's gotta go!
Skin Rocks two handed oblong flannel - so much easier and quicker than the usual square flannel for cleansing my face

Ooh good to know - thanks for the tip.
I’ve actually started using half a capsule every morning (use a different face oil at night anyway so felt like a waste to use half a capsule at night. So now one capsule is lasting 2 days which makes it more affordable. I keep the half used capsule in a contact lens case so it doesn’t leak and is in an airtight container.
To all of you who have bought them off this thread - report back!

Love this thread! Im going to look at EA now, ive always been put off because the amount of influencers who promote the brand.

My favourites have been victoria beckham eyeliner. The best one ive ever used. Will look to get a few more colours in 2025.

My other favourite item even if its not technically beauty related, ive started using a sad lamp when i first wake up and have a cup of tea, near it. Its purely to get my body into a better sleep/wake cycle and its done wonders and ive only started using it at the start of january. I wake up like clock work without an alarm and im ready for bed by 9.30pm lol

Really interesting thread OP - thanks!

My product of the year is Even Better Clinical™ Serum Foundation SPF20
I only put a teeny bit on, and it seems to cover and even out all the redness/blotchy bits on my old face at my advanced age of 60.

It really stays on though, and has to be removed properly. Amazing stuff

Having spent two years working my way through lots of beauty advent calendars, my skin has never been worse and I'm going back to the old favourites.

I got a skin analysis thing in boots a long time ago (to recommend what make up to use) and have been using No.7 restore and renew make up serum foundation since. It’s very light and looks nice, doesn’t go into the cracks like heavy make up 😄

Anyway I went back in again to another boots before Christmas and they used the machine thing again and it came up with all green lights this time, she said my skin was in brilliant shape now. So my skin has improved and the only thing I did differently was change foundations.

So i bought some no7 cleansing balm and moisturiser now so ill go back again in a few months and see if there is any change.

To everyone liking the VB eyeliners do try the Aldi dupes, they are so lovely and whilst VB has some lovely colours I think the Aldi ones are softer and smudgier (at least the black one is).
I am also a sheep with the EA capsules, I think I can be guilty of trying new fashionable brands and forgetting about the big beauty houses so very interested to try them out. The contact lens case tip is genius.

@Summerdew where do they put the eyeliners in aldi? Are they a middle isle items everyone so often or are they permanent near the skin care? Ive never seen them?

Great thread. I got similar Vit c capsules a few years ago (expensive brand, can't remember)and I just used them every second day.

Oops just bought those EA capsules! I got the 8 hour body lotion too as I had 25% off. Great thread thanks!

Does the black Aldi liner have any shimmer? I really love the brown one but find black a bit heavy for me.

I'm surprised for the love for VB eyeliner as it's the worst eyeliner I've ever tried, and I've tried a lot of them! Smudges all down your face in minutes. I thought I'd just use it for tightlining but even then it smudged really quickly. Ended up in the bin.

I've been using skin and me tretinoin this year and the difference is noticeable. You take regular photos on their site so it's clear to see the improvement.

The only product which has had an absolute wow factor for me was Chanel Sublimage. An immediate noticeable difference to my skin. I loved it but only had a trial size and it's way out of my affordability range.

OP - the Elizabeth Arden capsules are really reduced on a Groupon offer at the moment. Really tempted to try them.

A cheap one from me -The Ordinary 5% face and body moisturiser - but for my hands. I'm in my 50 sand very fair and despite suncream on them my hand freckles started to look like horrible age spots and my hands were getting a bit wrinkly. This stuff is the only thing that has made a big difference. I have tried all sorts of expensive lotions and potions.

Of PP's suggestions I'd agree collagen definitely helps and I have used face tape on my 11s for years - only takes a few months. Need to keep it up every second night though.

They are a middle aisle thing, they had loads pre Xmas with all the other dupes. No glitter at all in the black one @ShowAndGo , I use it for tightlining and it’s so soft and easy to put on.

Also will second everyone saying collagen supplements. I use the powder in my coffee every morning. I notice the difference in my skin if I run out. My nails are stronger and my hair thicker and glossier now in peri menopause than it ever was when I was younger. My hairdresser comments every time I go in now at how much healthier and thicker it is and how fast it grows. My mum (80) also uses it and thinks in a lifetime of taking all sorts of supplements its the only thing that has ever made a difference.

Not me but someone to whom I gave Laneige Lip Mask for Christmas has told me it's now their Holy Grail for lips as they've struggled with seriously sore chapped lips for a long time and they won't be without it now.
Sorry if it's been mentioned already - just found this thread and need to go back and read it all.
I wish I could say some of my 2024 purchases for myself have been "WOW" but nothing stands out.

Late to the party, but Olaplex has been an absolute game changer. I have long blonde hair and I thought it was always destined to loose the swish and start splitting after a certain length, never mind the fact it was often a tangled mess. I use it once a week and my hair has never looked better.