From foundations that photograph flawlessly to the mascaras readers reach for on repeat, these are the makeup must-haves that earned top marks this year.
FAVORITE TUBING MASCARA
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara ($26)
“The tubing formula coats my lashes beautifully, adding noticeable length and volume. It does not flake during the day, and removal is incredibly easy.”
Alex J., Age 41, California
FAVORITE LIP BALM
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($24)
“I love all the shades of this lip balm! It’s moisturizing, not sticky at all and stays on so well!”
Jamy T., Age 55, Maryland
FAVORITE CONCEALER FOR DARK CIRCLES
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Multi-Use Concealer ($13)
“This concealer blends seamlessly under my eyes without creasing. I can just tap it in with my fingers, no brush needed.”
Beth G., Age 60, Ohio
FAVORITE POWDER FOUNDATION
Laura Geller Beauty Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation ($38)
“I have been using Laura Geller’s powder foundation for as long as I can remember! I love the way it goes on and the coverage it provides.”
Lueta B., Age 83, Georgia
FAVORITE BROW PENCIL
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ($26)
“This is my favorite eyebrow pencil because I get the most natural-looking results! It gives me natural, wispy-looking eyebrow hairs. It is the one makeup staple in my makeup bag that I will never change.”
Sarah B., Age 50, California
FAVORITE FULL-COVERAGE CONCEALER
tarte Shape Tape ($32)
“Shape Tape is the best-priced and best-working concealer I’ve ever tried! Perfect consistency and it stays on all day!”
Heath P., Age 44, California
FAVORITE EYELINER
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($23)
“This eyeliner truly stays in place with both mattes and glimmering shades. It’s worth every single penny!”
Laura C., Age 53, Kentucky
FAVORITE LIQUID FOUNDATION
Armani beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation ($69)
“It is a perfect ‘my skin, but better’ foundation: not too matte, not too dewy—a perfect satin finish. It is long-lasting and comfortable to wear.”
Veronica M., Age 38, Oregon
FAVORITE BROW SERUM
Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum ($73)
“I’ve had an area on one of my eyebrows that was completely absent of hair. After using this serum for only a few weeks, the hairs are finally returning!”
Cynthia D., Age 71, Alabama
FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTER
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand ($44)
“I ADORE this product. The sponge applicator is amazing, and the color and glow I get from it are like no other product I’ve tried!”
Darlene N., Age 39, South Carolina
FAVORITE LIP GLOSS WITH SPF
LALICIOUS Lip Butter Gloss with SPF 30 ($24)
“I keep this in my purse and use it all day! It feels more like a lip balm than an SPF product and it gives my lips a really pretty shine.”
Kristy G., Age 39, New Jersey
FAVORITE LENGTHENING MASCARA
IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara ($28)
“The best mascara that defines and lengthens my lashes without any clumping or flaking!”
Stacy L., Age 43, Washington
FAVORITE FOUNDATION STICK
ILIA Beauty Skin Rewind Complexion Stick ($50)
“The coverage is beautiful, and finding a shade match was easy. The stick format is convenient for travel, and the packaging feels elevated. I would prefer the formula to be slightly more blendable, but overall, I like it enough that I have purchased additional shades.”
Kimber D., Age 57, Texas
FAVORITE EYESHADOW
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick ($34)
“This is by far my favorite cream eyeshadow stick. It’s long-wearing and there are so many flattering shades.”
Sharon K., Age 66, Massachusetts
FAVORITE BLUSH
NARS Powder Blush ($36)
“I love the way it stays all day, and there is a wonderful selection of shades to choose from!”
Jennifer R., Age 45, Montana
FAVORITE HYDRATING LIPSTICK
No Makeup Makeup Crème Classic Lipstick ($44)
“This lipstick glides on smoothly and feels creamy and comfortable on the lips.”
Barbie G., Age 54, Virginia
FAVORITE LIP LINER
MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil ($25)
“I love the MAC lip pencils! They’re the best for my skin tone.”
Empress L., Age 56, Texas
FAVORITE BRONZER
Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer ($34)
“So easy to use, and super blendable! Love how it adds a subtle warmth and depth to my complexion. I have gone through multiples of this product. Highly recommend!”
Aurora C., Age 32, California
FAVORITE LIP OIL
Clarins Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil ($32)
“This is perfection in a bottle. My lips feel and look smooth, perfect and kissably soft. I love this lip oil so much! I don’t ever want to be without it.”
Tashonda S., Age 52, Florida
FAVORITE LIP PLUMPER
RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer ($25)
“Love this lip product! I started using this a few months back and have seen more improvement than when I did a full year of some wildly expensive product. I will NEVER allow myself to run out of this.”
Callie F., Age 37, Oregon
FAVORITE VOLUMIZING MASCARA
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara ($10)
“This mascara volumizes my lashes and stays put all day and evening. My eyes really stand out while wearing this, so I make sure I always have it on hand, plus a backup just in case!”
Leah S., Age 46, California
FAVORITE LONGWEAR CONCEALER
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer ($38)
“I use just a few tiny dots under each eye, and it covers my dark circles without looking like I’m wearing a ton of concealer. I’ve checked it after a full workday, and it still looks almost exactly the way it did that morning!”
Melissa R., Age 39, New Jersey
FAVORITE LASH SERUM
Rodan + Fields Lash Boost ($155)
“This product was 100-percent more effective for me than products from other brands, including prescriptions. Everyone always comments on how long my lashes are and asks what I’m using, but that’s my little secret.”
Kristine S., Age 52, California
FAVORITE HIGH-SHINE LIPSTICK
Dior Addict Glass Lipstick ($48)
“I love this lipstick! I have a few shades of it. They all go on easily and actually last! Nothing ever lasts on my lips, but these do.”
Amanda H., Age 46, Kentucky
FAVORITE NAIL POLISH BRAND
OPI ($12 each)
“By far the best nail polish! I continue to use it over and over!”
Sandra R., Age 61, Tennessee
FAVORITE PRESS-ON NAILS
Olive & June Instant Mani Press-Ons ($10)
“I never have time to get my nails done, so press-ons are a must, and these are absolutely my favorite. I love the colors and designs, and they really stay on.”
Rachel S., Age 37, New Jersey
FAVORITE NAIL TREATMENT
epres ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment ($20)
“It is easy to apply, a little product goes a long way, and I noticed a visible improvement in my nails after only a few days.”
Caitlin R., Age 34, California
