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Literally: You are now looking at our first-ever awards full of products selected and vetted entirely by Cosmo readers. Earlier this summer, more than 12,000 of y’all collectively cast some half a million (!!) votes—and now? The results are finally here—in 73 skin, hair, makeup, and nail products that represent your holy grails, your must-haves, your new go-tos, and your tried-and-true staples. All of these very worthy picks prove what we’ve always known: You really know your beauty stuff. We couldn’t be prouder.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Face and Body / Hair / Makeup / Clean Beauty / Tools and Other Stuff
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Your Favorite Face Moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
“Doesn’t feel too heavy,” “lightweight but hydrating,” and “perfect for acne-prone skin” are a few of the phrases you used to describe this cream’s magic. It’s all thanks to hyaluronic acid, a humectant that pulls moisture to the skin for a nongreasy glow.
Best Face Exfoliant
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution
A staple for smooth, glowy skin, this cult-favorite exfoliator uses a combo of AHAs (like glycolic and lactic acids) and salicylic acid to dissolve dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve your skin’s tone and texture.
Your Favorite Eye Cream
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
The ultimate multitasker for your eye area, this cream helps minimize dark circles and smooth crow’s-feet with light-reflecting pigments and vitamin C (it’s prized for its collagen-boosting properties and brightening benefits).
Best Face Mask
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial Mask
Like a facial in a jar, this actives-packed mask from Glow Recipe is a genuine superstar in your skincare lineup. BHAs and PHAs remove dulling dead skin cells, watermelon enzymes brighten your tone, and hydrating kaolin clay deep cleans pores without drying out your skin.
Best Lip Balm
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Your chapped lips worst enemy. This ultra-nourishing lip balm from Laneige takes the top spot for its ability to smooth, soften, and moisturize even the driest of lips. Use it during the day under your favorite lip color or slather on a thick layer before bed as an overnight treatment.
Your Favorite Face Sunscreen
Supergoop Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30
Leave it to Supergoop to create a mineral sunscreen that’s non-whitening, super sheer and lightweight, and able to defend skin not only from UVA and UVB rays but the harmful effects of pollution and blue light too.
Best Face Serum
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
You all know an icon when you see, er, use one. This serum has been smoothing lines and plumping skin for 40 years. The latest formulation: a peptide and antioxidant blend that helps repair skin while you sleep and protect it from things like pollution during the day.
Best Acne Treatment
Starface Hydro-Stars
There’s no cuter way to hide or treat a zit than with one of these little star-shaped pimple patches. Just pop one on a breakout to accelerate the healing process and prevent you from picking at it too.
Best Face Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser got more votes than any other winning product on this list. Pretty major. Testers love the sulfate-free formula’s ability to gently remove buildup and excess oil without stripping skin or causing irritation.
Best Hand Lotion
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream
This no-frills hand cream puts in the hard work. Aka it dramatically smooths and softens dry, cracked hands with a combo of water-loving glycerin, moisturizing shea butter, and barrier repairing ceramides.
Best Body Moisturizer
Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
Loaded with seven different skin-conditioning oils and nourishing shea butter, this cream makes dry and ashy below-the-chin skin feel smooth and soft but not at all sticky. It’s no wonder you all can’t get enough of the luxe whipped formula.
Best Body Scrub
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
File under: a freaking delight to use. Made with buffing crushed cupuaçu seeds and sugar crystals, this scrub melts into skin to nix dulling dead skin cells and make your bod feel baby-soft and smooth.
Best Self-Tanner
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Glow Drops
Isle of Paradise’s gradual tan serum drops have made has made self-tanning pretty much foolproof. Add a few drops (more drops = a deeper tan) to your favorite skincare product (face serum, tinted moisturizer, body lotion…anything goes) and watch your skin start to glow.
Best Body Wash
Dove Dryness Relief With Jojoba Oil Body Wash Soap
This nourishing body wash is mainstay in your shower routines. “I have used this body wash every day for years,” said one tester. “It leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth, especially after shaving,” said another voter.
Best Body Sunscreen
Sun Bum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
There’s a lot to love about this SPF 50 body sunscreen. The nourishing formula (it’s infused with vitamin E), the lightweight, nongreasy texture, the beachy scent, the affordable price point…need we go on?
Best Body Oil
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Bio-oil isn’t exactly new—it’s had a cult-like following for decades—but that’s why you love it. Testers called it a “tried-and-true moisturizing staple” and “a must-have for smoothing dry skin and helping fade scars.”
Best Antiperspirant
Dove Even Tone Rejuvenating Blossom 48-Hour Antiperspirant
This antiperspirant is another one of your favorites from Dove. It blocks sweat and odor for up to 48 hours—plus, it’s infused with niacinamide to fade any shadowy discoloration under your arms. Genius.
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Best Volumizing Shampoo
OGX Extra Strength Extra Volume + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
This drugstore gem uses biotin, collagen, bamboo fibers, and wheat proteins to plump each hair strand while you wash for tons of body and lift. Consider it a must-have for thin and fine hair types.
Your Favorite Conditioner for Fine Hair
Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner
Finally, a conditioner for fine, flat hair types that provides hydration, softness, and shine without making your hair feel heavy and weighed down or greasy by midday.
Best Hydrating Shampoo
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
Testers couldn’t stop talking about how soft and hydrated this shampoo made their hair feel. “The smell is amazing and it provides the perfect amount of moisture and nourishment for my bleached hair,” wrote one voter. “It leaves my curls feeling hydrated and bouncy,” said another.
Best Hydrating Conditioner
Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Olaplex’s innovative products—especially the Bond Maintenance Conditioner—are total game changers in the hair space. “It’s not hyped up for nothing,” wrote a voter. “It makes your hair look beautiful after one use and it’s made with great ingredients too.” Hard cosign.
Your Favorite Shampoo for Natural Hair
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo is a must for natural hair. It gently removes dirt, excess oil, and buildup while nourishing curls and coils with honey and babassu oil.
Best Conditioner for Natural Hair
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner
Another one of your faves for natural hair? This ultra-moisturizing conditioner from SheaMoisture. It restores and replenishes dry, damaged hair and makes detangling and styling sooo easy.
Best At-Home Hair Color
L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color
$10.99
Your go-to for bold, bright color at home, L’Oréal Paris’s semipermanent dye comes in a range of trendy shades—from deep teal to pastel pink—that can be used on all hair colors and textures.
Your Favorite Volumizer
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Go Big Plumping Hair Treatment
Turn up the volume with this leave-in treatment. The innovative formula plumps each individual hair strand with wheat protein and starches for XXL volume. And unlike other volumizers on the market, this one contains conditioning brazil nut oil to prevent your strands from feeling dry and brittle.
Your Favorite Dry Shampoo
Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
This classic dry shampoo has been sopping up excess oil and refreshing second-day stands for decades. You love that the formula is non-whitening (us too) and leaves your hair with a soft, floral scent.
Best Hair Oil
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Hair Oil
Hundreds of you swear by this multitasking hair oil, and that’s probably because it’s unlike any other on the market. The ultra-lightweight formula can be used on wet or dry hair to repair breakage, protect from heat damage, enhance your hair color, and smooth frizz and flyaways.
Your Favorite Hair Mask
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
A miracle worker for hair that’s bleached, chemically treated, or frequently heat-styled, this vitamin-packed mask won over the most testers. It’s your ride-or-die for strands that are significantly softer, noticeably shinier, easier to style, and less prone to split ends.
Best Edge Control
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Edge Control Smoother
There’s nothing sticky, gooey, or crunchy about this edge control. It’s made with moisturizing honey and aloe extract to give your edges a soft hold and smooth finish that you’ll love.
Best Leave-In Conditioner
Living Proof No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner
Ideal for all hair types and textures, this leave-in conditioner helps hydrate and detangle hair, smooth frizz and flyaways, and prep your hair for easy styling—whether you air-dry or heat-style.
Your Favorite Scalp Scrub
Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
This exfoliator is a staple in your scalp care routines. It gently removes buildup and flakes with tiny buffing beads and AHAs—plus it contains a botanical complex to strengthen your hair and prevent your color from oxidizing.
Best Curl Definer
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Cream
Our voters with wavy and curly hair swear by this cream for giving their hair tons of definition and shine and minimizing frizz and flyaways too. “I have wavy hair that gets pretty frizzy, and this one did the trick for me,” said a tester.
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Your Favorite Foundation
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation
As it turns out, celebs and makeup artists aren’t the only ones in love with this foundation. It’s easy to blend and build, it covers everything from acne to melasma, and it comes in 40 shades so you’re guaranteed to find your perfect match (if you haven’t already, that is).
Best Mascara
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara
Many of you had positive things to say about this volumizing mascara’s flexible wand and waterproof, clump-free formula. “My eyelashes always look perfect after using this mascara,” one voter noted. “It coats all my lashes super well,” said another happy tester.
Your Favorite in Brows
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Waterproof, Smudge-Proof Brow Pomade
This creamy, smudge-proof pomade is your secret weapon (and ours too, btw) for sculpted, well-defined brows that don’t look overly “done” or “drawn on.”
Best Blush
Nars Blush in Orgasm
What’s a Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards without Orgasm? The iconic blush shade has been a favorite since its debut in 1999 thanks to its ability to make cheeks look perfectly flushed.
Best Concealer
e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Brightening Concealer
Don’t let the price tag fool you. This hardworking concealer expertly camouflages discoloration (like dark spots and under-eye circles) without feeling cakey or getting greasy. I mean, what more could you ask for in a concealer?
Your Favorite Palette
Morphe 35O Supernatural Glow Artistry Palette
This pro-quality eyeshadow palette is a staple in your makeup bag—and we totally get why. Each of the 35 neutrals shades (they range from shimmery champagne to matte chocolate brown) can be blended and layered to create an array of stunning eye looks.
Best Eyeliner
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
This high-performing pencil eyeliner is no stranger to awards. The creamy gel formula glides across lids and lash lines without tugging or skipping and the bold pigments (there are 30+ shades to choose from) won’t smudge or smear for hours.
Best Highlighter
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
In a sea of celeb-owned beauty brands, Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty is a standout. You awarded Positive Light best highlighter, which makes sense considering the silky liquid formula makes skin look ridiculously radiant in seconds.
Best Lip Gloss
Dior Lip Glow Oil
Even the readers who didn’t vote for this bb should probably get on board. The formula is technically an oil—so it has nourishing benefits, soaks in fast, and feels zero percent tacky—but it still leaves your lips with a mirrorlike shine that’s as impressive as any traditional gloss.
Best Lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
A comfy, nondrying matte that comes in 12 long-wearing shades and is loaded with nourishing orchid extract and vitamin E? No wonder you crowned it your favorite lipstick.
Your Favorite Tinted Moisturizer
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector Broad-Spectrum SPF 20
The GOAT of tinted moisturizers, Laura Mercier’s tried-and-true formula provides the perfect amount of coverage and hydration. You love it for the dewy, skin-like finish, lightweight feel, and fuss-free application.
Best Bronzer
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer
Not all bronzers are created equal, and this silky, streak-free powder is proof. It imparts natural-looking warmth with zero orangey tint for a healthy glow.
Your Favorite Clean Foundation
Kosas Tinted Face Oil
Voters loved this tinted face oil for its breathable coverage and skin-loving ingredients. “This is the most perfect everyday face makeup that nourishes my skin,” wrote one tester. “It is so lightweight and makes me so glowy,” said another.
Best Clean Concealer
BareMinerals Barepro 16-Hour Full Coverage Concealer
This isn’t one of those concealers that disappears from your face halfway through the day. It’s made with full-coverage, long-lasting pigments that stay in place for up to 16 hours.
Your Favorite Clean Lip Gloss
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Shine
A few swipes of this all-natural gloss give lips a hint of tint (there are six stunning shades to choose from) and a megawatt shine that isn’t the slightest bit gooey or tacky.
Best Clean Mascara
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
One of you said that “Ilia has mastered clean makeup,” and you know what? We couldn’t agree more. This top-selling mascara makes lashes look ridiculously long and fluttery and won’t flake or smudge either.
Your Favorite Clean Eyeshadow
Athr Beauty Moonlight Crystal Eyeshadow Palette
Not only is this collection of pink, purple, and blue matte and shimmer shades giving us major Euphoria vibes, it’s also 100 percent vegan, cruelty-free, and housed in an eco-friendly, recyclable palette that’s made with zero plastic.
Best Clean Blush
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush
It’s perfectly blendable and buildable, and y’all love this creamy cheek color and the way it leaves your skin with a realistic-looking rosy flush.
Best Clean Sunscreen
Coola Sheer Matte SPF 30 Mineral Face Lotion
Leave it to Coola to create a mineral sunscreen that is made with 70 percent organic ingredients, is water-resistant for 80 minutes, and has a sheer, non-whitening finish that feels incredibly lightweight.
Best Clean Body Wash
Rahua Shower Gel
A blend of organic, plant-derived ingredients including quinoa, rahua oil, and hibiscus flower come together in this body wash to nourish and moisturize your skin while you cleanse.
Best Clean Face Moisturizer
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
The perfect everyday face moisturizer, this luxe cream cocoons skin in a layer of moisture (thank you to squalane and hyaluronic acid) for a seriously plump and dewy glow.
Best Clean Face Wash
Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Sudsy but non-stripping, this gel cleanser is packed with all the good stuff, including antioxidant-rich kale, anti-aging green tea extract, and conditioning spinach. Use it morning and night for clearer, softer skin.
Best Clean Shampoo
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo
Sulfate-free, vegan and cruelty-free, and made with 98 percent all-natural ingredients—this crowd-favorite formula from Briogeo checks all the right boxes when it comes to a clean, green shampoo.
Best Clean Conditioner
Drunk Elephant Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner
Yep, clean skincare brand Drunk Elephant makes haircare products, and they’re really damn good. Y’all are fans of the Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner because of the way it makes hair feel super soft and smooth.
Best Clean Deodorant
Native Deodorant Eucalyptus & Mint
This aluminum-free deo from Native is an absolute standout. In fact, it got the most votes of any product in the entire clean category! It blocks sweat and odor just as well as conventional formulas do, and the eucalyptus and mint scent is sooo good.
Your Favorite Clean Body Moisturizer
Kopari Beauty Hydrating Body Milk
Your go-to for ultra-smooth below-the-chin skin? This hydrating body milk from Kopari. It’s made with organic coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E to nix rough patches and make skin feel soft and silky.
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Best Curling Iron
T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Clip Curling Iron Set
With three interchangeable barrels, this curling iron set can be used to create everything from loose, beachy waves to polished curls. And the fact that it has five different heat settings and a shine-boosting ceramic coating is pretty major too.
Your Favorite Flat Iron
GHD Platinum+ Styler 1″ Flat Iron
Your holy grail flat iron happens to be every hairstylists favorite too. This pro-quality straightener adapts to your hair type and needs to emit the optimal amount of heat with every pass. The result? Smooth hair in less time with minimal breakage,
Best Hair Dryer
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
You guys gave this hair dryer all the high praise. “It works better and faster, without damaging my hair, than any other hair dryer on the market,” said one reviewer. “It gives me pro quality without the effort or energy of actually going to a salon,” said another voter.
Your Favorite Skincare Tool
Herbivore Rose Quartz Gua Sha
Sculpt and smooth at home your skin with this top-rated rose quartz tone. Depending on what edge you use, it can help stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage, relieve facial tension, and make your jawline and cheekbones look snatched.
Best Toothbrush
Oral-B Pro 1000 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Powered by Braun
You all—and 30,000 other Amazon shoppers—gave this electric toothbrush a 5-star rating. “It works great, is easy to use, and is inexpensive compared to other similar electric toothbrushes on the market,” wrote one reviewer.
Best Teeth Whitening Kit
Crest 3D Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit
Hundreds of you said that these Whitestrips are your favorite way to whiten and brighten your smile at home. “I get amazing results every time I use these,” said a reviewer. “Get these—you will not be sorry. I noticed a big difference in the color after of my teeth after just a few uses,” said another.
Best Hair Brush
Wet Brush Original Detangler Hair Brush
A clear favorite in the category, Wet Brush’s original detangler got *triple* the amount of votes than the runner-up. It uses flexible bristles that easily glide through hair to cut down on breakage while you brush.
Your Favorite Hair-Removal Device
Dermaflash Luxe+ Advanced Sonic Dermaplaning + Peach Fuzz Removal
Yes, this dermaplaning device removes peach fuzz and unwanted facial hair, but it also does so much more. “My skin has never been so smooth and soft,” said one tester. “I would highly recommend this product if you have dull skin and you need to pump up the glow,” wrote another.
Your Favorite Makeup Brushes
Real Techniques Artist Essential Makeup Brush Set
Five makeup brushes for less than $20 bucks? Sign. Us. Up. This collection of everyday essentials can be used to apply and blend everything from foundation to eyeliner with ease. Plus, the high-quality synthetic bristles are 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free.
Your Favorite Makeup Sponge
Beautyblender Original Beautyblender
Not only does the OG Beautyblender get your top vote, it has thousands and thousands of 5-star reviews on Sephora too. Testers love how plush and bouncy the foam feels and how well it blends and builds makeup to a smooth, airbrushed finish.
Best Hand Sanitizer
Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer in Watermelon
We dare you to find a better (or cuter!) hand sanitizer. The stylish pump packaging, hydrating formula, nonsticky finish, and delicious watermelon scent…it’s just all too good.
Your Favorite Fragrance
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum
This is your favorite fragrance of the moment, and honestly, we couldn’t agree more. The main floral notes of jasmine and rose are paired with sparkling citrus and earthy patchouli for a perfume that’s warm and sensual without being overwhelming.
Best in Nails
OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish
DIYers and salon-goers both said OPI’s Infinite Shine Nail Polish is a mani-pedi essential. It stays super shiny and chip-free for 11 full days, and the range of colors is absolutely stunning.
Your Favorite New Brand
The Outset Daily Essentials Starter Set
Out of countless new beauty brands that launched in the last year, y’all deemed Scarlett Johansson’s The Outset as the best. The collection of elevated skincare essential is clean and efficacious without being overly complicated. If you’re not one of the hundreds of voters who’ve already tried the line, get your hands on this three-piece starter kit ASAP.
Your Hall-of-Fame-Worthy Product
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
It’s the *one* product you think deserves Hall of Fame status. “The hydration is unreal,” said one tester, adding that “the large tub makes it great for your face and body.” “It leaves my skin feeling moisturized during the day under makeup, and when I use it at night, I wake up to skin that’s super soft and supple,” said another happy voter.