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Best of Beauty

Let us introduce you to the 391 products that earned our utmost trust — and ultimate seal of approval — this year.

Skin

These fancy face creams, serums, and exfoliators elevate your medicine cabinet — and your skin.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Best Multitasking Serum

    Olay Super Serum

  • Best Rich Facial Moisturizer

    Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream

  • Best Cream Facial Cleanser

    EltaMD Oil-in-Gel Cleanser

  • Best Exfoliating Toner

    Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Tight 'N Toned: Pore-Refining AHA + PHA Toning Foam

  • Best Mineral Facial Sunscreen

    La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Tinted Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid Sunscreen

  • Best Clarifying Mask

    The Outset Purifying Blue Clay Mask

Hair

These are the very best ways to lather, rinse, condition, volumize, smooth, and color. And repeat.

  • Best Volumizing Spray

    Nexxus Unbreakable Care Root Lift Thickening Spray

  • Best Dry Shampoo

    Olaplex No. 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo

  • Best Volumizing Mousse

    Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer

  • Best Scalp Tonic

    Drybar Crown Tonic Pre-Shampoo Scalp-Balancing Cleanser

  • Best Purple Shampoo

    Dove Love Your Silver Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo

  • Best Twisting Cream

    TPH by Taraji Twist and Set Moisture-Rich Twisting Cream

Splurges

Extravagant lipsticks, gravity-defying hair products, and souped-up skin treatments that live up to the hype — and the price tag.

Tools

Not a pro? Not a problem. These gadgets allow you to nail a perfect finish, every time.

Base

The foundations, highlighters, and powders that make every feature shine (but not too much).

  • Best Powder Highlighter

    Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

  • Best Foundation Stick

    Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick

  • Best Contour Stick

    Milk Makeup Sculpt Cream Contour Stick

  • Best Cream Blush Tube

    Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

  • Best Loose Powder

    Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Ultra-Blur

  • Best Contour Wand

    E.L.F. Cosmetics Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand

Eyes

For eyes of amazing size and lashes of fantastic length, look no further than these shadows, liners, and mascaras.

Lips

The perfect lipsticks (and stains, and pencils, and glosses) to get your heart racing.

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Break throughs

You don't have to be bold to be a boundary-pusher —  and this year's winners are proof.

Nails

These durable formulas won't crack (or chip or fade) under pressure.

Scent

Take a deep breath and prepare your pulse points: Your new signature scent awaits.

Clean

In a murky category of conflicting criteria, these winners meet our (crystal-clear) definition of clean.

Steals

These top performers give us the highest payoff for the most affordable prices ($15 or less).

Body

Your body is a temple. All hail these skin-smoothing, moisture-boosting, glow-inducing offerings.

  • Best Liquid Body Wash

    Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash

  • Best Body Wash for Acne

    PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength

  • Best Teeth Whitening

    Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

  • Best Chemical Body Sunscreen Lotion

    CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen

  • Best Shaving Oil

    Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shave Moisturizing Shave Oil

  • Best Gradual Self-Tanner

    Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

Sensitive

These gentle giants deliver maximum results with minimal ingredients and the mildest approach.

  • Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

    Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream

  • Best Sensitive Skin Facial Serum

    Tatcha The Silk Serum

  • Best Fragrance-Free Cleanser

    Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser Fragrance Free

  • Best Treatment for Sensitive Eyes

    Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Eye Treatment

  • Best Fragrance-Free Deoderant

    Saltair 5% AHA Serum Deodorant Fragrance Free

  • Best Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

    Beekman 1802 Milk Scrub Oat & Goat Milk Exfoliating Cleanser

Credits


Models Photographed by: Heather Hazzan

Fashion stylist: Christine Nicholson
Hair: Junya Nakashima
Makeup: Raisa Flowers
Manicure: Sonya Meesh
DP: Grayson Kohs
Production: Jean Jarvis/Area 1202
Models: Angeer Amol, Tess McMillan, Beri Smither
Location: NY Beach Club

Products Photographed by: Bobby Doherty
Prop stylist: Andrea Bonin

Product smears and white line designs: Getty Images