We Tried $675 Worth of 2020 Beauty Makeup Trends and Here’s What We Learned

I never shy away from a bold beauty look, and I’ve been all over the neon bedazzled trend a la Euphoria. I recently purchased the Huda Neon Obsessions Palette in Neon Pink, $37 and have been sporting highlighter lids regularly since. Every shade is super pigmented and it delivers that “ready for the party” look no matter where I’m going. If I actually am going to a party, I add some dollar store rhinestones or confetti sparkles to my eyes (dilute lash glue with a bit of water and paint on, a beauty trick I learned from my favourite drag queens). - Lydia H., producer, Food Network Canada HUDA BEAUTY’s Neon Obsessions Palette, $37

I so badly want to be the kind of person with a 10-step skincare routine — I feel like those are the kind of people who truly have their life together. But I think it's time to admit that I'm basic, a skinimalist if you will. I work with three core skincare products, and that's it! When asked to drop the skincare routine, I'm a huge disappointment, but it works for me and may be my secret to radiant, clear skin. I use Biore's Blue Agave + Baking Soda Cleanser, Yves Rocher Anti-Aging Activating Toner, and finish with the tried and true The Ordinary's Buffet. - Tracey M., producer, Slice Biore's Blue Agave + Baking Soda Cleanser, $9 Yves Rocher Anti-Aging Activating Toner, $20 The Ordinary's Buffet, $28

My skin doesn't always love hyaluronic acid, but this vegan mask has made me a believer. I got this as a Sephora order sample and added the full size to my cart the day after it arrived. I feel like my parched, end-of-winter skin was waiting for this intense burst of moisture. While the texture of the overnight mask was kind of waxy, it smoothed onto my face easily, leaving a fresh citrus-like scent. I woke up to plump, super soft skin. Even the rough little acne patch on my skin was smooth enough to apply makeup without primer! - Jenny P., digital strategist, Slice and History Youth to the People’s Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask, $63

I swear by glycolic skin peels. They really slosh off all the dead skin cells, and help rejuvenate skin. I can’t go into my aesthetician right now, but I do have my glycolic skin cream that I use religiously now, more than ever. It’s a high-end product, and it’s really great. This is my bedtime skincare routine (a DIY replication of a spa treatment): - I wash my face using Laroche-Posay Effaclar Gel (Oil Free Wash for Acne-Prone skin), $33 Pat skin dry with clean towel I apply Thayers Witch-Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner, $17 You can only use this glycolic cream every other night, my aesthetician recommends using a Vitamin A cream in-between the nights you are not using the glycolic cream, and only use both at night time. Never use it out in the sun (otherwise you will burn your skin). My last step on alternate nights is to apply my glycolic serum of choice, Zein Obagi MD/ZoMedical Glycogen Exfoliation Accelerator, $100 - Heather M., editor, History Canada

I am not one to jump on beauty trends — and I almost never try a new product without running it by my mother first, who thinks Kiehl's products are best for me. My sister is the beauty fanatic of the fam (all with her lash extensions, microblading, product-trying approach to her face). But, here's what I try to do (if I'm not too trashed or stoned before bed): I wash my face with a gentle cleanser — I use Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser. I have also been using a super affordable toner since I was 16 — literally one circle, clean off residual dirt and call it a day. This is my secret favourite product that I never talk about — Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent (I have tried Clinque, Estee Lauder, Bioderm and a number of other fancier toners but nothing makes my face feel as fresh as this orange burning toner). In the mornings, I start the day with my daily facial moisturizer — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer. - Chloe T., editor, Slice Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, $28 CLEAN & CLEAR ESSENTIALS® Deep Cleaning Astringent, $9 Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $65

Full confession: Like Chloe’s sister, I like to experiment with beauty products and trends (I've joined the jade rolling, face massaging crowd), and I’ve also tended a pretty serious lash extension habit...Those in the know get that your natural lashes need some time to recoup and recover from all that damage, after a steady stretch of getting those falsies on. Once I (and my budget) decided to wean myself off those extensions, I wanted to give my natural little guys a bit of a boost. So I turned to Latisse — a prescribed serum that helps lashes grow longer. The good news: The lashes do get significantly longer. The bad news: There can be some skin discoloration and it can even change eye colour. Coupled with the hefty price tag and that you need a prescription from your doc, this shouldn’t be an impulse purchase. For me for the time being, it works however, and it’s cheaper than having my extensions done every few weeks. - Dragana K., assistant editor, Slice Heribvore Jade Roller, $40 Latisse, $200