Welcome to Marie Claire's first annual Makeup Awards! Over the past few months, our team of beauty testers and editors have been diligently swatching, swiping, and sampling hundreds of the best cosmetics in the industry right now. Several renowned makeup artists also lended their expertise to narrow our selection down from good to great to truly exceptional.
Our beauty staff and judges panel looked at everything from staying power, shade range inclusivity, comfortability, tendency to pill—the works—in order to bring you our 84 winners. In other words, we tried out a lot of makeup and are now even more knowledgeable about what makes a luxury cream blush or matte lipstick worth the price tag. Or, if you're in the mood for a more budget-friendly find, we also found a comparable product in each of the 42 categories. Remember—you don't have to blow your beauty budget to find exceptional products.
So, without further ado, keep scrolling to see Marie Claire's 2025 Makeup Award winners, and learn how they made it to the coveted final spot on our list.
Face
It might be hard to believe now, but there was once a time when complexion products were cakey, heavy, powdery, and…well, obvious. They were nothing like the lightweight, breathable, velvety textures we’re lucky enough to have grace our faces today. We didn’t think they could get any better, but then along came this year’s finalists. From blushes that give us a dewy glow to foundation that felt more like moisturizer than makeup, we were blown away by the innovative textures and high-tech formulas that made our skin feel as good as it looked. With these award-winning picks, you’ll always give good face.
Blush blindness? Never heard of her—at least not when you’ve got this sheer, buildable cheek tint from MAKE Beauty in your kit. It features skin-enhancing pigments to plump your skin as it imparts a watercolor-esque effect on your cheeks. “I live for dewy products,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “This melts right into the skin and is formulated with skin-plumping brown algae that gives the skin bounce. I love that the color range is available in 12 shades. A multi-purpose product like that can double up on the lips and eyes. So pretty!”
This bouncy pudding creates the most delicious, velvety stain on cheeks and lips. Enriched with cocoa seed butter and blue agave leaf extract for extra moisture, it uses a special blurring powder to filter out pores and lines to create a soft-focus flush. “I absolutely adored this formulation,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray. “The blush is literally bouncy, feels like pudding, and has such a pretty velvet finish too. Easy to blend and holds onto the face. I used my finger to apply and it was easy to use. Beautiful color range with lots of different colors and undertones. Plus the packaging is so fun, vibrant, and eye catching.”
Bouncy, jiggly, and just plain fun, Milk’s jelly blush stain gives your cheeks and lips some serious color that will not budge once you blend it in. It’s also impossible not to smile when you’re bouncing this bright tube of Jell-O off your skin, so that’s a fun bonus. “This is it, this is the one,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “I was immediately impressed with the color payoff—a little goes a long way. The aloe provides the dewy radiance that I love when doing fresh-faced, clean beauty. It gives a healthy and youthful radiance. I love the shade range and compact packaging (a makeup artist's dream when building your kit). LOVE!”
This blurring blush from Caliray packs some serious pigment and is both oil absorbing and pore-minimizing. The boxing glove shaped applicator makes it easy to place exactly where you want it to go and the buildable, blendable formula means you can customize how vibrant you want your flush to be. “It has incredible pigment and staying power,” says Marie Claire Beauty Director Hannah Baxter. “A lot of liquid blushes sink into the skin too much and this one hung onto the pigment, buffed out with a nice velvety finish, and lasted all day. Color me impressed.”
When we heard Dior had updated its iconic Rosy Glow blush, our first thought was panic—why mess with a good thing? But then our judges experienced the new Rosy Glow and were instantly impressed—it features the same silky powder texture you know and love, plus pH-adjusting pigments that customize the glow to your unique skin tone. “Dior Beauty Rosy Glow Blush is a makeup artist’s staple in their kit,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “This new formula blends seamlessly for a radiant glow. I was drawn to how the blush reacts to the skin’s natural pH levels, making the blush shade specifically catered to each person individually. This is a buildable product that melts into the skin appearing skin-like. It’s stunning!”
Powder blush pressed into a convenient stick that gives you the blendability of a cream—genius. Infused with vitamin E and coastal plant, this nifty push-pop powder is buildable, blurring, portable, hydrating. “The product blends seamlessly into the skin and offers a soft matte blurred finish,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “I especially love how compact and travel friendly the packaging is—it’s ideal for a makeup artist's kit. I will definitely be picking up more of this product!”
Enhance your tan and your skin with this buttery bronzer from VIEVE. Available in four sunny hues, it’s enriched with squalene, avocado oil, and vitamins A & D to nourish and smooth the skin as it warms up your natural tone. “The cream formula was very blendable, not too glowy,” says celebrity makeup artist Keita Moore. “It has a ton of gorgeous undertones that help to give a skin-like finish.”
Give your face an instant wake up call with this creamy bronzer from UK-based brand No7. The velvety texture glides onto skin with ease, giving you an instant, healthy glow that’s weightless on the skin. With three shades to choose from, the buildable and blendable formula ensures you can create the beachy bronzed look that’s right for you. “This was absolutely perfect,” says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney.
SPF 50 and liquid bronzer in one, these bronzing drops offer sun protection and natural sun-kissed skin in an instant. Mix them in with your favorite moisturizer or foundation to create a 3-in-1 product and customize your glow as you protect your skin from UVA, UVB, infrared, and blue light. “This blends so beautifully and has an extremely realistic looking bronze effect,” says Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty birector. “It's so cream and comfortable on the skin as well. Plus, it has added SPF benefits?! Be still my heart.”
This super-sheer bronzer makes it easy to give your skin a just-got-back-from-vacation glow. Its hydrating formula is packed with a powerful blend of murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter, and tucuma butter, plus illuminating minerals that create a subtle radiance on the skin. Safe for sensitive skin, you can wear it alone, under your makeup, or over your foundation to add instant warmth and to soften and smooth your complexion. “This has easy application and great undertones,” says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney.
Finding a powder bronzer that doesn’t look muddy on the skin can feel like an impossible task, but with this Gucci compact it’s like someone pressed a tropical beach vacation into a chic compact. “This bronzing powder has such a silky texture that blends beautifully and gives my skin a warm, healthy glow,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “It blurs fine lines and pores, making my complexion look so smooth and even. I love that it’s made without talc and is dermatologist-tested, so it feels gentle on my skin. Plus, it’s enriched with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, which adds a nice touch of skin care.”
Available in seven matte hues, this vitamin-infused powder bronzer features a micro-fine powder for a silky finish on the skin. There's also vitamin E, moringa, pomegranate, and a vitamin C derivative for an antioxidant boost that improves hydration and skin tone as it creates a sun-kissed effect on the skin. “Really great shade range for all complexions,” says pro makeup artist Jonet Williamson. “This powder bronzer applies very smoothly with zero fall out and melts really nicely into the skin for all-day wear.”
Contouring can be intimidating, but this creamy duo from Tom Ford makes it a breeze thanks to a blendable formula and ultra-flattering finish. There’s a reason celebs like Hailey Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter swear by it—it sculpts and snatches your features while adding a pearlescent glow. It also helps to hydrate your skin thanks to an infusion of moisturizing botanical oils. Says Sam Holender, Marie Claire senior beauty editor, "This contour duo is my go-to when I want a natural look. The bronzer never looks ruddy or cakey and sinks into my skin for a super natural finish. The illuminate portion of the palette is also my secret for a non-sparkly, but incredibly reflective highlight."
This high-pigment liquid bronzer can double as a contour shade, giving you tons of versatility in one tiny tube. The lightweight formula is easy to blend and creates a natural-looking sculpt that lasts. The rounded, grooved applicator makes for easy application, grabbing the perfect amount of product so you can seamlessly smooth it into your complexion for definition that is lightweight in feel but delivers pigment galore. "Be very mindful of how much you use! You get so much gorgeous color-payoff, the tube will last you so long. Great value," says Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire beauty director.
Concealer pencils have come a long way since the chalky crayons from days of yore. Case in point: This creamy, highly-pigmented precision pencil from Lisa Eldridge. The 1.5mm tip allows you to get ultra precise with your application to create a soft-focus matte finish that blends in seamlessly. “I think this is one of the most innovative products that have come on the market in years,” says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “The idea of being able to conceal tiny blemishes and around the lips, wrinkle lines, et cetera with just a pencil is genius. It has good coverage and is very easy to use for any consumer.”
If you’ve never tried a powder concealer before, this pressed powder duo from Spatch is a great reason to give the unconventional texture a go. The talc-free formula is non-comedogenic and ultra-fine, so it’s undetectable on the skin. It features two color-correcting shades that neutralize redness and conceal while also controlling oil so skin is mattified and satiny smooth. “This product blew my mind,” says makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. “It’s so unique and I was so pleasantly surprised at how the powders adapted to skin texture.”
A true Goldilocks foundation, this complexion perfector is long-wearing but still breathable, oil-controlling but also hydrating, and covers everything that needs to be covered while still looking like your skin. “I wore this foundation in warm, humid weather and it held up very well without touch-ups,” says pro makeup artist Jonet Williamson. “It feels very lightweight while delivering medium coverage and it’s a great formula for us combination, oily, and acne-prone girlies.”
If anyone was going to nail a high-performance, long-wearing foundation that looks flawless on the skin, it would be Mother Monster. This skin-loving foundation features the brand’s proprietary fermented arnica, plus 20+ other skin-care ingredients to help reduce redness, even skin tone, hydrate, and protect from environmental stress. It also comes in 51 shades, so there’s truly a hue for everyone. “This is the best foundation on the market, period,” says Marie Claire beauty writer Ariel Baker. “I’ve never had a foundation where I can buy only one bottle and not have to mix it to match my undertones PERFECTLY! The coverage level, the bottle, the pump—everything is perfect.”
This foundation stick from legendary makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury truly lives up to its name. The glowy effect is unreal in the best possible way, blurring and smoothing uneven tone and texture to give you a soft-focus glow that’s instantly more hydrated. “AMAZING! It has aring light finish, and it's super lightweight and pretty if you want glowy skin,” says Sam Holender, Marie Claire senior beauty editor.
Three products in one handy stick, it's a serum, primer, and foundation rolled into a single formula. Swipe it on and watch it magically blur away texture while giving your skin a natural veil of color. It contains green tea extract, watermelon seed extract, and rosehip oil to soothe, hydrate, protect against free radical damage, and help boost skin’s barrier function. “So smooth and it delivers the perfect tone,” says makeup artist Billie Jean.
More like a moisturizer that also just happens to be tinted, Chantecaille’s SPF-infused skin tint is loaded with complexion-enhancing ingredients that will improve your skin’s hydration and texture instantly and with continued use. A botanical polysaccharide improves skin’s hydration within one hour while thyme and butterfly bush extracts provide antioxidant protection—all while creating a dewy and fresh finish on the skin. “This is so yummy for skin,” says makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. “Perfects skin without looking too heavy.”
You know that feeling of slipping into your favorite pair of comfy sweats on a lazy Sunday morning? Well, Iris & Romeo put that feeling in a bottle to create the most perfect three-in-one skin tint packed with niacinamide, time-released vitamin C, and SPF 50 to deliver a dewy, luminous glow. “So comfortable on the skin and the ideal blurring effect,” says Marie Claire beauty director Hannah Baxter. “It's packed with skin-care goodies, too. I love to use this for a barely-there finish that makes you look well-rested and hydrated, even if you're on the struggle bus that day. It just filters everything subtly.”
For a deliciously creamy and high-shine highlighter, look no further than this cult-favorite stick formula from Victoria Beckham Beauty. The gold packaging has such a luxe feel, but it's not just looks with this highlighter. As Marie Claire beauty director Hannah Baxter explains, "I have yet to wear this highlighter out (which is pretty much daily) and someone doesn't comment on how dewy and reflectivebmy skin looks. I'm utterly obsessed, and use it from my inner eye corners to my cheekbones and brow bones."
Create a glass-skin effect with this genius stick from L’Oréal. Available in three glowy shades, the lightweight formula melts into skin for a comfortable feel, imparting a translucent, glassy finish on the skin that makes your complexion look positively reflective (in a good way). “Really nice for drugstore,” says Marie Claire senior beauty editor Sam Holender. “A pretty pearlescent shine, blends easily and looks like super healthy, glowy skin.”
A hybrid illuminating serum and brightening treatment in one, this liquid highlighter is a multitasker extraordinaire. Mix it in with your favorite serum, oil, or moisturizer to give your complexion an instant radiance boost as the potent niacinamide, diglucosyl gallic acid, and mulberry leaf extract work to gently fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. “This gives me a sophisticated golden glow that looks so natural and beautiful,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “It has really helped fade my hyperpigmentation and dark spots. My skin looks clearer and more radiant. Plus, the omega oils are so nourishing and soothing.”
Waterproof, sweatproof, humidity proof, life-proof—this liquid highlighter comes in eight shades of shimmer and can stand up to whatever your day (or night) has in store. Formulated with three percent niacinamide to help smooth skin, it’s transfer-resistant and smudge-resistant, so your glow is locked in once you swipe it on. “I love that Urban Decay formulated this luminizer for ALL skin tones rather than just a few,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “I also really enjoyed that this product can be used on the eyes, face and body. A waterproof formula was the cherry on top!”
Featuring an innovative hydrating texture, this lightweight highlighting powder uses light-capturing technology to a lit-from-within glow. Available in five unique shades, the multi-use powder can be worn on the face, eyes, lips, or body and has a buildable finish that allows you to customize your luminosity. “I loved the packaging of this product—both sustainable and trendy,” says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “I applied it with a brush and found that it didn't break up my makeup. It was visible on my complexion and I feel as though it would work on most skin tones.”
For those who love their highlight with a healthy dose of shimmer, this chromatic compact from wet n wild has a dynamic color shift that uses light reactive pigments that transform depending on the light source. Available in two shades, the liquid-to-baked texture melts into skin, allowing you to build up the intensity of your radiance. "This is such a great powder highlight for the price, and it's buildable so there's little risk of going overboard," says Marie Claire Beauty Director, Hannah Baxter.
A color-correcting and hydrating translucent powder that blurs pores, fine lines, and uneven texture as it helps your makeup go the distance. The formula has been updated to be talc-free, so it uses silica and amino acids to get that airbrushed effect instead. Added bonus: It’s truly translucent, so there’s no visible white cast after you dust it on. “This loose powder photographs beautifully and I especially love that there is no flashback on the camera,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “I use this often on my clients for red carpet and on set.”
Bake, set, and blur your beat with this silky powder from makeup expert Huda Kattan. Available in 10 flattering hues, the matte finish powder has a flashback-free formula that won’t show up in photos and is enriched with vitamin E and oil-absorbing rice starch powder to keep you fresh and fabulous. “The undertones, specifically for the Cinnamon Bun color, are what dreams are made of,” says makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, “especially for the brown-skinned folks.”
In addition to looking like a work of art, these colorful pearls help color correct and set makeup while mattifying shine and illuminating dull skin. Available in four “harmonies” for fair, light, medium, and dark skin tones, the secret to their unique mattifying and illuminating formula is a blend of flat and round mother-of-pearl particles (which reflect and radiate natural light), while silica absorbs excess oil for up to eight hours. "I never quite understood the need for finishing powders until I finally tried the Guerlain Météorites,” says Ariel Baker, Marie Claire beauty writer. “They add a stunning veil of what can only be described as light, on my face, without emphasizing texture or acne. They're a fantastic addition to any makeup routine but especially for people who have dry skin."
Reduce shine instantly and control oil production over time with this blurring, brightening, and mattifying loose powder from Patrick Starrr. In addition to locking in makeup for up to 12 hours without settling into fine lines, a dusting of this will give you 24 hours of shine control. Soft-focus powders blur pores while performance microspheres help diffuse light to create a soft-focus effect. “Great product for mattifying a T-zone,” says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney, which, as well all know, is essential for photos, whether a selfie or on the red carpet.
A primer that does exactly as promised, this blurring and refining makeup extender is infused with alpha-hydroxy acid, beta-hydroxy acid, and lipo-hydroxy acid to refine pores and soften and smooth skin. The addition of panthenol help strengthen the skin barrier for more hydrated skin with every wear. “Admittedly I am not normally a primer person, but this took me by surprise,” says makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. “I expected this matte-looking primer to dry out my already extremely dry skin, but instead it actually felt really great. The primer instantly blotted my face and made my skin soft. My foundation went on smoothly and lasted all day."
Add a major dose of hydration to your makeup routine with this ultra-moisturizing primer from Laura Geller. It features nourishing shea butter and jojoba oil, plus soothing cica, calming aloe vera, hydration-boosting squalane, and antioxidant camellia sinensis extract. “I’m a big fan of this product,” says makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. “It feels great on the skin and minimizes texture.”
An ultra-fine hydrating mist that enhances the look of your foundation as it sets it in place for up to 24 hours? Yes please. Spray it on to create a soft-focus, filtered effect that smooths the skin as it gives your look a naturally radiant finish with water-resistant properties. “A high-quality setting spray,” says Marie Claire associate social director Lucia Tonelli. “Went on as an even mist and my makeup held up more than it would’ve without this.”
When you say “setting spray,” chances are good an image of this iconic black and purple bottle pops into your head. With a natural skin finish and up to 16 hours of wear, the waterproof, smudge-proof, transfer-resistant formula fixes your makeup look in place while blurring it to create an IRL filter effect. “Love the safe ingredients,” says celebrity makeup artist Saisha Beecham. “Sustainable and feels light.”
Eyes
Glittery shadows, fluffy brows, eyeliner so sharp it could cut someone—as far as your makeup bag is concerned, the eyes really do have it. The sheer variety of colors, textures, application methods, and vibes one can create with the products available in the eye category alone are mind boggling. Just playing with the finalists for this year’s awards unlocked our cosmetics creativity in ways we didn’t even know we had in us. Whether you prefer a more timeless aesthetic or you like to go all out with your eye effects, these winning products are sure to take your makeup look to the next level.
Volume, tint, and hold in one tiny tube—Kosas’ Air Brow gives you the fluffy, full brows you’ve always wanted with just a few swipes. Enriched with five percent castor oil to help nourish and protect your existing brow hairs, it fills in sparse spots while fixing brow hairs in place without making them look or feel stiff and flaky. Just off-duty Loewe model brows with barely any effort on your part. “A great everyday brow gel,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “I like the super convenient packaging, and how easy it was to brush on the product.”
Lift, sculpt, and set your brows with this laminating gel from Grande Cosmetics. Infused with peptides to help condition brow hairs for healthier looking arches with continued use, apply this clear gel with the included brush to create a feathered effect and set brows in place with zero stickiness or flakes. “I did not expect to be obsessed with this product, but here we are,” says Marie Claire associate social director Lucia Tonelli. “It’s super lightweight and essentially undetectable on the brows—no clumping, no overly-frozen hairs—but holds the brows in place as if you were just genetically blessed with perfectly-laid hair. You can also add a tinted gel on top without it becoming too thick. I haven’t used anything else since.”
The secret to filling in gaps to create a bold brow look is to use your brow pen or pencil to mimic the look of fine hairs. Easier said than done in most cases, especially if you don’t have the steadiest hand—you might wind up with a drawn-on brow that looks more clown-ish than cool girl. This genius innovation from Benefit takes the guesswork out of being a brow architect with a unique triple tip micro-point pen that lets you easily create those super-fine hairs to naturally build up your brows. "This is ideal for the brow pen newbies in the crowd to get a full but not too dense effect," says Marie Claire Beauty Director Hannah Baxter.
Keep your brow hair healthy as you fill in bare areas with this tinted serum from Neutrogena. Use the precision tip pen to apply the nourishing panthenol-infused formula to condition the brows you create realistic-looking brow hairs to fill in your arches. “I was able to make tiny, controlled strokes,” says celebrity makeup artist Saisha Beecham. “Product didn’t over bleed in packaging and it lasted through my workout. Faded slightly with rub test, but stayed better than other brands.”
Everything you need to enhance your brows in one compact, MacGyver-like pencil. Use the ultra-fine crayon to fill in any gaps, then use the tiny brush on the other end to brush up your hairs to exactly the fluffiness you desire. Once you’ve perfected your arches, unscrew the brush end to reveal a brow gel that will freeze your look in place. “I prefer brow pencils with a thinner tip so I loved using these,” says makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran. “Very easy to use, good payoff.”
Microblading in a pencil, this tiny crayon from NYX helps fill and shade your brows with an angled, dual-edged tip. Use the thin, bladed side to create hair-like strokes, then flip it sideways to use the wide, flat side to shade in your brows for a fuller effect. “This was so easy to use,” says celebrity makeup artist Keita Moore. “I used a light hand and found so much pigment payoff.”
These shadow sticks from Laura Mercier are an OG in the creamy eye color game. The kicked off a revolution in portable, easy to apply shadows that are long-lasting and blendable. Use them on the lids to create a soft and crease-proof color or line and define your eyes for a smudged-out look that’s chic and won’t irritate your sensitive eyes. “I love these shadow sticks," says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “I have the entire shade range in my kit. I think these are great for beginners in the industry as well as professionals. They're easy to work with and glide right onto the eye. They also blend seamlessly.”
A cream-to-powder stick shadow that glides on smooth and delivers pigmented, buildable color in matte and pearl shades. The multi-use sticks feature versatile hues with easily blendable textures that can be used as shadows, liners, or highlighters. “These eyeshadow sticks glide on so effortlessly, and can be blended in with just your fingers,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “They set beautifully as well without the use of a powder!”
While the packaging alone on this shadow quad from YSL Beauty is enough to turn heads, it’s what’s inside that is truly attention grabbing. Four coordinated hues in satin, matte, metallic, and shimmer finishes, so you can customize your eye look to create myriad styles to fit your mood and your wardrobe. “The packaging is GORGEOUS, I would buy this again for the compact alone,” says Kristin Contino, Marie Claire senior editor. “The colors last well all day and are beautiful.”
Proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to create high-impact eye looks, this palette from Revolution Beauty features an entire eye makeup arsenal in one slim compact. Available in six color stories, each palette contains 12 hues in a variety of textures that include mattes, shimmers, creams, and an innovative shade like marble, foil, multi-chrome, or split-shade. “Great value for this price point,” says makeup artist Billie Jean.
One swipe is truly all you need of this high-pigment pencil from Youngblood. The rich gel formula glides across the eyes, delivering intense color payoff without tugging on delicate skin around the eyes. The precise tip ensures clean lines that won’t smudge, crease, or transfer, so you can draw it on and not worry about it giving you accidental emo eyes in the afternoon. “This is a great eyeliner,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. “The color payoff is amazing and longwear is top tier. My only note would be that because it dries down, you need to blend quickly or it will set."
Your smoky eye game just got a major upgrade thanks to this double-ended pencil from Black Radiance. On one end you’ll find a chunky gel crayon that saturates your lids with intense matte pigment to create a bold, smudged shadow effect. On the other is a tapered matte pencil that’s perfect for more detailed work. Best of all, one you put it on, it Does. Not. Budge. “Amazing staying power,” says celebrity makeup artist Saisha Beecham. “Seems great for hooded eyes and oily skin. Glides on smooth and creamy and is fast drying. I love that it is not clumpy or flakey.”
A dual-ended liner pen in the darkest obsidian black hue, this luxe pen from Tom Ford Beauty allows you to create lines so sharp they should come with a warning label. On one end is a traditional brush tip while the other features a fine calligraphy tip that allows you to easily master precision work. “I especially love how fine the calligraphy tip is to do those precise, detailed eyeliner looks,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “It is the deepest jet black. This is a makeup artist's kit staple! An iconic eyeliner product.”
Having a crappy day is bad enough, but having to deal with your liner running down your face because you’re tearing up is enough to start the waterworks up all over again. Want a liquid liner that can stand up to your worst days and any emotional outpourings that might follow? Whether you’re crying, have naturally watery eyes, or dealing with hellacious humidity, this long-lasting liner from wet n wild won’t wash away when faced with a little (or, let’s be real, a lot) of moisture. “Wow—the darkest liquid eyeliner I’ve come across in a while,” says celebrity makeup artist Amrita Mehta. “Love the formula and angled brush tip.”
Sky-high lashes with not a clump in sight—Armani Beauty takes your lashes to new heights with the Vertigo Lift Mascara. The lifting, curling, and defining formula delivers 24 hours of smudge-proof and flake-free volume that really lasts, for 70 percent visibly lengthened lashes. An infusion of arginine amino acids ensures lashes feel soft and fluttery, never stiff and spiky. “Adds a ton of length and volume without the clumps,” says Marie Claire beauty director Hannah Baxter. “I consider this the little black dress of mascara—it always works and looks fab.”
For those that love layering, this clump-resistant formula from L’Oréal Paris let’s you load on as many coats as your lashes can handle and it will continue to deliver a perfectly defined, lengthened, and volumized look without getting spidery or clumped. For that you can thank the self-smoothing complex that smooths each layer as it separates and extends. “I am always thoroughly impressed with L’Oréal’s mascara formulas,” says Dominique Lerma, celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and Omnia Brush executive artist. “My lashes were sky high and looked dramatically long. I wore it through an intense workout and there was no transfer.”
This jaw-dropping palette from Florasis is almost too pretty to use. Engraved with incredible artwork and featuring sublimely rich pigments, the talc-free powder shadows feature micro-fine particles that glide evenly over the skin to create a seamless, buildable, and weightless finish. They can also be used as a shadow, blush, bronzer, highlighter, or contour. “Not only are the colors stunning, but the storytelling and images on each shadow makes it all the more impactful,” says celebrity makeup artist Amrita Mehta. “The attention to detail is amazing.”
If you love how sparkly a loose glitter shadow looks but hate the fallout (and finding chunky pieces of glitter all over your clothes and apartment for weeks afterwards), this innovative shimmer from Bodyography is just what you’ve been waiting for. It combines the twinkling effect and color saturation of loose glitter pigment with the smooth application of a cream, and the finish and convenience of a powder. “Incredible, best glitter eyeshadow ever,” says Marie Claire senior beauty editor Sam Holender. "It's the only formula I'll ever use, and I've turned so many people onto it and they're all obsessed too."
Lips
Editors are the first to admit that we’ve gotten a bit spoiled when it comes to our lip wardrobe. It’s not enough anymore for a lipstick to just give us pretty colors—with the recent boom in lip care, we expect any product that comes near our pouts to also deliver some form of care, be it hydration, nourishment, or antioxidant protection. There’s nothing worse than swiping on a beautiful and bold lip color, only to wind up with flakes and parched spots as the day goes on. Instead, it's all about juicy, glassy, plump, plush lips that look and feel healthy. Thankfully, that’s exactly what this batch of award-winning pout perfectors delivers, and then some.
Equal parts lip gloss and lip oil, Glossybounce gives you a high-shine finish and a sheer hint of color as it drenches your lips with good-for-your-skin ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, carnauba wax, and castor seed, jojoba seed and coconut oils. “This is my first time trying Saie and it didn’t disappoint,” says Marie Claire associate social content editor Ashlyn Delaney. “The hype is real for a reason. One, I am not a fan of shimmery lip glosses and this lip oil has a perfect amount of shimmer, shine, and coverage! This is officially a part of my everyday lip combo!”
Versed delivers a solid lip tint that offers the nourishing benefits of a lip serum with the color pop and shine of a gloss. Made with shea butter and vitamin E, this solid stick will keep your pout soft and supple as it coats your lips in a high-shine finish and sheer color that isn’t sticky or gloppy. “Amazing color payoff, feels cushion-y on the lips, surprisingly long straying power, and the packaging is so chic for the affordable price point,” says Marie Claire beauty director Hannah Baxter.
Alright, we’ll get the elephant out of the room: Yes, this is a $67 luxury lip balm. But, damned if it doesn’t work for every dollar because our lips have never been softer and plumper. Available in clear, rosewood, and a pH-adjusting pink hue, the skin-care heavy formula is infused with shea butter, padina pavonica extract, vitamin E acetate, hyaluronic acid, and konjac glucomannan microspheres to hydrate, plump, smooth, and protect your lips from external aggressors. “Pricey but worth it,” says Marie Claire beauty director Hannah Baxter. “So obsessed with this product. Comfortable, velvety, nice sheen, and the packaging is so French and chic.”
What’s not to love about a lip balm inspired by donuts? This K-beauty lip serum is packed with good-for-your-lips skin care ingredients like polypeptides, argan ceramides, and polyglutamic acid (PGA) to visibly plump, nourish skin, and build up your lip’s moisture barrier for long-lasting hydration. The fact that each of the eight shades and scents are directly inspired by one of our fave pastries is definitely a perk, as is the glazed icing finish it gives lips. “Truly a superior lip balm,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. “The color is buildable and the product is comfortable on the lip. Great texture!”
If you peek into pretty much any makeup pro’s kit, you’re bound to see at least one of these lip pencils by MAC tucked away, waiting for its moment to deliver precise definition and rich, creamy color with zero drag on your skin. With 35 shades to choose from, there’s a hue to match pretty much any lip color in your makeup bag. The MAC Lip Pencil is one of the most trusted lip definers on the market because it really is just that good. “A MAC staple that will never fail,” says Marie Claire associate social content editor Ashlyn Delaney. “My go-to lip liner since I was in high school.”
A creamy lip pencil that’s truly transfer-resistant (once it’s on, it is ON), Glossier knocked it out of the park with this lip liner. We’re also kind of obsessed that the shade range is matched to both lips and nipples, because of course it is. “These glide on effortlessly and wear with comfort even when applied to the full lip,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “I noticed that I could wear them throughout the day without my lips drying. It’s also available in a gorgeous shade range.”
In the past few years, lip oils have gone from fringe product to must-have in our makeup bags. That’s because the combination of maximum moisture and juicy glow they bestow on our lips is something no other product has been able to replicate. With eight shades to choose from and the shiniest, lacquered finish we’ve ever seen, this honey, hyaluronic acid, jojoba, and meadowfoam seed oil potion is a one-way ticket to unbelievably smooth, soft, and glossy lips. “This lip oil is truly a lifesaver when my lips are in need of some hydration,” says Marie Claire associate social content editor Ashlyn Delaney. “It’s not thicker than a lip gloss, but thicker than a normal lip oil. Honestly, a perfect balance.”
Dry, cracked, chapped lips don’t stand a chance against this intensely hydrating lip oil from Primally Pure. Made with organic castor oil, pomegranate sterols, ethically sourced lanolin, and biocompatible nutrients found in beef tallow, it seriously moisturizes and repairs even the most parched pouts as it creates an ultra-glossy finish and naturally plumps lips. “This nourishing lip oil is sustainable, and I love the convenient squeeze tube packaging,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “Perfect for on-the-go lip moisture.”
Matte liquid lipstick is not really known to leave your lips looking and feeling plush. Typically, to get the bold and long-wearing color those products promise, your pout usually winds up cakey and flakey due to lower oil content in the formulas. Stila, however, cracked the code on a long-wear matte liquid lipstick that not only gives you a ton of pigment and stays in place, but also feels smooth and creamy on your lips in the process. “I do like the application and the feeling of this product on my lips,” says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “A lot of longwear lip products are extremely dry and you can tell when looking at the lips but this one kept my lips looking hydrated.”
The biggest issue you’ll face with this colorful liquid lip tint from Maybelline is how you want to wear it. Each of the 10 buildable shades allows you to apply it as a sheer tint, a blurred ombré effect, or a bold matte for exceptional versatility. It lasts up to 12 hours once applied and is transfer- and smudge-resistant. “Love the strength of pigment,” says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney.
A moisturizing matte lipstick?
Never thought the day would come, but Valentino delivers with this fashionable tube. Infused with cotton oil extract to keep lips hydrated and nourished, each of the 13 hues contains a light-diffusing gel to deliver a creamy matte finish that stays true for up to 10 hours. Extra bonus points for the refillable packaging. “Beautiful packaging and lovely formula with long wear,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris.
A matte liquid lip that packs a serious velvety red color punch, this creamy formula delivers long-lasting wear and a non-drying, flexible, lightweight layer of coverage that won’t dry out your lips. “I don’t even want to call this a lipstick—it’s a red lip pigment that’s universally flattering on ALL skin tones,” says Marie Claire beauty writer Ariel Baker. “It glides onto the lips like butter and the packaging is so, so chic! I love it.”
Despite the fact that you probably have more red lipsticks than you can count, this formula does not disappoint. Designed by Italian makeup artist Lucia Pica, this satin hue glides on the lips like a scrap of silk, leaving behind a gorgeous swath of bold color in just one stroke. The elegant case is a hefty affair that feels substantial in your palm and, like all responsible brands these days thinking about circularity and packaging waste, is also refillable. “Packaging is phenomenal—so pretty,” says celebrity makeup artist Saisha Beecham. “Love that they offer refills.”
Applying this lipstick from Trinny London is an instant mood lifter. The rich colors, high-shine finish, hydrating formula, and nourishing ingredients all make this feel like a treat for your lips. “This is definitely one of the most buildable lipsticks I have used,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray. “I loved how sheer it was at first and I was able to build it up to full coverage. Very comfortable and I felt like it smoothed my lip lines! The component size was great too, very easy to apply.”
Nails
While the love affair with the nail salon will never fade—our devotion to nail art is just too strong and our hands just not steady enough for that intricate detail work—we also know how important it is to have a solid at-home kit of nail essentials you can rely on to keep your digits primed and polished like a pro. That’s where these award worthy picks come in: From press-ons so good they look like they came from the salon to top coats that will seal your paint job in a flash and guarantee no chips, here are the nail products that wowed the Marie Claire judges this year.
For those that love the look of gels but hate what it does to your nails afterwards, Shellac is the compromise that gives you the glossy, long-wearing finish of gels without the damage. The formula is a mix of traditional lacquer and gels bound together with polymers and tiny molecules called monomers, so you get the long-wear, shine, easy removal, and no dry time convenience of gels minus the intense removal process. “A great gel product that not only applies very easily but also removes easily without causing damage to the nail,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “I like that the formula is vegan and breathable but also comes in many different colors.”
If you love gel manis but hate how much it costs to maintain them, this kit is going to be a game changer for your wallet. It contains everything you need to create a professional quality gel mani that lasts up to 21 days from the comfort of your couch: UV lamp, a peel-off base coat, a gel base coat, a gel polish color, a gel top coat, the brand’s famous Poppy polish painting aid, cuticle pusher, nail file, nail clipper, nail buffer, cuticle serum, cuticle remover, clean-up brush, and acetone remover pot. We’re particularly impressed with the peel-off base, which allows you to have damage-free removal of your gels—a pretty impressive feat for long-wear polishes. “A great product and affordable in comparison to visiting the salon,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton.
Calling all gel mani addicts: With a three-protein complex, plus MSM and ceramides, this sheer treatment from essie can help rehab nails that have been wrecked by the removal process of gel nails in just five days of wear. “Essie To The Rescue Nail Emergency has been a game-changer for my nails,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “After just five days, I noticed a visible improvement in my peeling, splitting, and thinning nails caused by UV gel damage. The formula worked instantly to seal peeling surfaces, protect against splitting, and thicken my nails. I loved the sheer, neutral, and shiny finish, which gave me a beautiful naked manicure look.”
The best way to get a professional looking manicure is to start with a great base coat, like this protective potion from OPI. Not only does it extend the wear of your polish for up to seven days, but it also helps perfect the look of your natural nail. “I have been using the OPI Natural Nail Base Coat for a long time, and it’s quickly become a staple in my nail care routine,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “This base coat is a lifesaver—it does what it needs to and makes your nails look healthier and more polished. I love how it prevents staining and smooths out ridges, essential when applying polish. It’s quick-drying formula is a huge plus, allowing me to get on with my day without waiting around.”
A mood ring for your nails, Mooncat’s Queen of the Dead is a color-shifting polish that changes hues depending on the temperature. The thermal lacquer is a deep wine red when you’re chilly and transitions to a raspberry hue when your temperature rises. “This is such a fun product and I love how you get two colors for the price of one,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “I love the idea of thermal polishes and there aren’t many brands that are offering this.”
Is this the most adorable nail polish you will ever use? Undoubtedly. It also might be one of the healthiest—infused with superfood ingredients like blueberry, spinach, and avocado, plus biotin to fortify, it leaves your nails looking healthier after each paint job. “A nice vegan, cruelty free product that is great for those who love an affordable product,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton.
Get an ultra glossy, gel-like finish without the UV lamp with this innovative top coat from ZOYA. The oxygen-activated formula dries almost as fast as you paint it on, delivering a patent shine and durability to your polish that can withstand chips for up to seven days. “A clean and environmentally-friendly top coat is always a bonus when looking for nail products,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “I loved the finish and ease of use of this product. It really helped to smooth out any imperfections while leaving a glossy finish.”
It’s Topless is a revolutionary at-home nail care—the formula is a 4-in-1 treatment, base coat, polish, and top coat that delivers bold color and a gel-like finish while also providing bio-peptides to the nail for strengthening and protection of dry, damaged nails. It’s your entire nail routine in one bottle. “A one of a kind,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. “I’ve never seen or used a product like this before and think it's a game changer for those who don’t have much time or for professionals when you’re on set and needing to change looks very quickly. I love it.”
For press-on nails that won’t pop off the minute you try to open something (or shower, or run your fingers through your hair, or do the dishes…), KISS has cracked the code to create press ons that actually go the distance. The secret is a UV-cured soft gel adhesive—just paint it on, press on your nail of choice, and cure it under a UV lamp for a bend-resistant finish that lasts as long as you need it to. “A great innovation,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton.
Love the idea of press ons but not keen on dealing with the hassle of glue? These tab press ons from imPRESS are the easiest way to get your faux mani fix. The adhesive is pre-applied to the nail, so you simply peel off the backing and press to your natural nail to affix the press on in place. Boom—incredible, durable designs that can stay in place for up to 10 days. “An efficient way of applying press ons without any fuss,” says celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton.
Tools
Never underestimate the power of a great makeup brush. While your fingers can get the job done when you’re in a pinch, there’s truly no replacing a well-designed brush or sponge for the best application and blending work. Truly exceptional tools allow you to transcend the every day, elevating your cosmetics so they don’t merely sit on top of your skin but rather become one with your complexion. The brushes and sponges that caught our judges’ eyes were awarded as the best of the bunch because of their ability to help make the products we already had in our kits work that much better, apply smoother, and blend into our skin more naturally than they would have on their own.
This Angled Cream Blush Brush from Anisa Beauty stood out for its thoughtfully designed shape and density, perfect for grabbing just the right amount of cream, liquid, balm, or stick blush and draping it over your cheekbones for the most natural flush. The densely packed yet flexible fibers and angled domed shape of the bristles give you pro-level consistency and control. “Phenomenal and eco conscious brush that helps you feel like a pro,” says Marie Claire senior beauty editor Sam Holender.
Everything you need to create picture-perfect makeup in one shockingly affordable brush set. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, these brushes can help you perfect any type of cosmetics creation you are looking to achieve. There’s a flat-topped cream and liquid foundation brush, a round paddle concealer brush, a tapered powder brush, a small pointed powder brush, and a slanted cream and liquid bronzer brush. “Really loving these for creams and powders,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. “The handles are sleek and bristles are a nice texture. They perform well.”
As much as we love our makeup blending sponges, we don’t love the environmental impact they have when the majority are made out of polyurethane, which requires crude oil as a raw material. That’s why these eco-friendly options from makeup artist Jenny Patinkin were an immediate add to cart—made from 65 percent upcycled rice and 35 percent waterborne foam, they are biodegradable, antibacterial, and dye-free. They expand up to 30 percent when damp, similar to how rice fluffs up when cooked in water, and also contain tiny invisible pores made from plant cellulose that don’t soak up makeup and make them easy to clean. “These are a nice texture and blend foundation easily,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. “Love the sustainability aspect of this product!”
Design & Packaging
It’s easy to be swayed by a pretty face, especially in beauty. There is no shortage of gorgeous packages lining the shelves, each competing to catch your eye. But, in order to be deemed an award-worthy pick, a product has to do more than be really, really ridiculously good looking. To determine what would be the standout in the design and packaging category, the judges looked not just for those that were attractive, but those that also served a purpose with clever designs that helped to make our makeup routines more efficient, easier, and/or practical. The winner in this category somehow managed to do all of the above—and look pretty damn good in the process.
Stackable, packable, and one of the most genius designs we’ve seen in a long time, Subtl Beauty’s “Staks” might not look like much from the outside, but inside this compact is everything you need to do a full beauty routine, brilliantly stacked in one easy to transport package. The brand allows you to customize your Stak with whatever you want from the line, but if you’re not sure how to kick things off, being with the Starter Stak, which features a cream concealer, lip and cheek cream color, powder highlighter, shine control powder, bronzer, and mini brush to apply. "I'm traveling more than ever at this point in my life, and any design that promises to streamline my packing process is more than welcome,” says Marie Claire beauty director Hannah Baxter. “Subtl Beauty manages to do just that while also being super blendable, easy to use, and long-lasting."
Breakthrough Brands
Beauty is a category that thrives on newness—there’s always something launching for us to ooh and ahh over. But, shiny and new doesn’t always necessarily mean the best. Sometimes a brand will reinvent itself after years of what we thought we knew about its identity to show a completely new and innovative side to itself. This year’s Breakthrough winners took us by surprise for exactly these reason—amidst all the TikTok trends and hype lines that came across our desks, one quiet luxury brand emerged from the forgotten corners of the department store with a new look, new formulas, and a new attitude that immediately grabbed our attention and had us reaching for our wallets. Another formed a new niche for shoppers with mature skin concerns, offering stunning products that looked just as beautiful in the packaging as they do on the skin.
Of all the designer brands to launch their own beauty lines, Burberry was always one of the most understated of the bunch. It was quiet luxury before quiet luxury was a thing. That unfortunately worked against them when they first hit the market, not quiet capturing an audience with their initial formulations and packaging. When they decided to revamp the entire line last year and take inspiration from the brand’s iconic trench coats, that’s when everything just started to click. From the tailored, minimalist packaging to the formulations that included weather-resistant technology to boost the longwear capabilities—like the Trench Protect Technology in the Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation, which acts as a shield on the skin to deliver breathable protection against humidity, rain, and sweat—we’re smitten with this new direction for the brand and we’re definitely not the only ones. "The resurgence of Burberry Beauty was truly one of the best things to happen to me this year,” says celebrity makeup artist Saisha Beecham. “I was a mega-fan of the original line, and the re-launch did not disappoint. Every product in the range feels luxe, gives my skin a soft, hydrated finish, and lasts all day."
Sarah Creal has long been a beauty industry name to know, developing products for a more than a handful of big hitter brands over the years. But her most recent project, her namesake line, is proving to be incredibly successful. Designed for women over 40 (but wearable for all), the range specifically targets concerns of mature skin. The Adults Are Talking Solid Serum Lip Repair blurs over fine lines, while the Brilliant Repair Shield infuses brightness (and SPF) to the skin. "This is easily my favorite new brand of the year," says Marie Claire Senior Beauty Editor Samantha Holender. "Every product has infiltrated and stayed in my routine over the past few months. The textures across the board are truly distinct—wearable, blendable, blurring—in an oversaturated industry where formulas often start to feel the same."