As I started to put together my 2022 favorites list, it started to look like the If I could Keep Only One Tag Post that I posted back in May. Since I often reference my favorite products and formulas throughout my reviews and sales suggestions, I thought it’d be more helpful to shine a light on some different products. So, instead of favorites, I want to talk about 4 products that surprised me (in a good way) this year. These products just don’t quite hit the mark to be my favorite, but they are still great products that are worth checking out.

Despite blogging for 9 years (I published my first blog post in October 2013 😲), I’m one of those people who still get excited to try new formulas. I can appreciate that, for instance, all blushes give you a flush of color, and I am still curious to know how the formula and color differ from one another. I go into most reviews expecting products to work just fine. There aren’t many products that are truly bad these days. So when something impresses me and moves beyond that “just fine” feeling, it can be especially exciting for me since I have tried so much makeup over the years.

Oh, and I realize that many new WordPress and email subscribers may not be familiar with my preferences as well as some of you, so I’ve created a page that lists my favorite products along with any corresponding blog posts. You can check out that page by clicking here.

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Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, $46

Despite hearing rave reviews about this powder, I couldn’t find much information on how it works for individuals with both dry and dark skin. Based on the claims, the powder is supposed to work for all skin tones and have a natural finish. So, in theory, there should have been no issue, but I was still skeptical, so I went to Sephora to check it out in person. As you can see, it impressed me enough in the store to go ahead and purchase it. I don’t typically like loose powders unless they come in mesh screen packaging, which most people dislike, but I thought this sifter-style packaging looked like it wouldn’t be too messy. I still prefer the mesh style, but this isn’t too bad. Since I only need a little bit of powder, it dispenses way more product than I need for one use, so I haven’t had any issues. If you pack on powder or have oilier skin, I can see how this style of sifter may not give you enough product.

There is no white cast on my Estee Lauder 4W4/NARS Tahoe skin tone, and there is no flashback in photos. My skin doesn’t feel dry or tight when I use this, and it works well for both my face and my under-eye area. I like it better on the face because I feel like my NARS Light Reflecting Powder does a better job of setting my under-eye area. I am, however, impressed that this is one of only two powders I’ve ever tried that minimizes the movement of foundation and concealer under the nose pads of my glasses. The other powder is the Morphe Cloudlight Soft Glow Veil Powder.

It definitely mattifies, but doesn’t look like I’ve set it with powder unless I apply too much. If I go overboard, it can start to look dry, but that’s true with any powder, especially when you have dry skin. It does have fine mica particles running through it, but the lighting has to be just right, and I have to look really closely to see it. Considering that I’ve been using this in cold and overcast conditions, it remains to be seen if those mica particles will be more apparent in sunlight.

The more I use the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, the more surprised I am that people with oily skin also enjoy this powder. I know that not everyone likes to be completely mattified, but when a powder works this well for my dry skin, I just assume it won’t work for oily skin. That doesn’t seem to be the case with this powder. I’m glad I purchased this powder and am excited to keep using it.

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Covergirl Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm, $6.99

This lip balm originally missed the mark for me. I felt like it was too lightweight and didn’t last long enough for my preferences. I personally prefer a thick balm, such as the Dior Addict Lip Glow or the Nivea All Day Nourishing Moisture (which I discovered just a couple of days ago). However, a couple of months back, I was suffering some sort of allergic reaction, and my lips were in tragic shape. For whatever reason, the Covergirl Clean Fresh Lip Balm was the only thing working for me. One major bonus is that it is fragrance-free, and many of my other products contain ingredients like mint or camphor that irritated my lips.

I will warn anyone with dark lips that you may want to consider skipping the clear version and getting a tinted one instead. The clear can start to look white once you apply a generous amount, and it is more effective when applied liberally. If you have chapping and flakes, however, I’d still stick to the clear version. The pigment from the tinted varieties clings to flakes and looks horrible. The white look eventually fades as you wear the clear, but if you are going to be seeing people, that’s not a good look.

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Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer, $38

The surprising thing about this medium coverage luminous finish concealer is how well it wears without much creasing. The only downside is that the luminous finish isn’t as smoothing as a matte or even satin concealer. However, if you love a fresh, dewy complexion, that may be preferable. For more details and how it compares to some of my other concealers, you can click here.

Update September 2025: While this formula can be built to medium coverage, it just barely gets there for me due to the darkness under my eyes and the hyperpigmentation spots I have. Once I add powder, it becomes more matte, giving the illusion of higher coverage (but still medium max). The impressive part of this formula for me is that it wears well without much creasing. There is mica running through this formula, and I notice it most days as the day wears on. I see the mica all day if I am out on a sunny day. Just something to keep in mind, as I know it is a big negative in reviews I’ve seen. If you like a dewy look and don’t mind lighter coverage, this performs well.

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NYX Cosmetics HD Finishing Powder in Banana, $11

As I suspected when I reviewed this powder back in February, this powder works better for my dry skin in the summertime. The surprising part is just how nice it looks on my skin, regardless of the season. It doesn’t look as undetectable as something like the NARS Light Reflecting Powder, but considering how mattifying it feels on my skin, it doesn’t make my skin look bad. I still think this isn’t the best for dry skin, but in the summer heat, it was more workable for me. The brand has some big claims, but I think this is just a basic powder, so don’t get too swept up in that. I have seen a lot of reviews from individuals with oily skin who say the NYX HD Powder doesn’t do enough for them. So it seems that it might be best for those with normal to combination skin. For the full rundown, you can check out my review by clicking here.

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Again, if you are interested in my 2022 favorites, check that out by clicking here, and you can read my If I Could Only Keep One Tag/Shop My Stash post for some additional favorites. Thanks for reading!

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If you’d like to check out more of my content, here are some places to start. 

• Blush Index
• Brands A-Z
• Bronzer & Highlighter Index
• Brush Index
• Concealer Ranking
• Eyeshadow Index
• Foundation Round-Up
• Lipstick Index
• Makeup Storage and Organization Ideas
• My Favorite Makeup
• Powder Round-Up

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  This site receives a minimal commission from participating in the WordAds program and using affiliate links (marked with **).  For my full disclosure policy, click here.