Mike Garten
Beauty aisles and online shops are overflowing with more products than ever. Luckily for over 100 years, the scientists in the GH Beauty Lab have been saving you time by presenting only the best. This year, we rigorously evaluated a record 955 innovations, formulas, tools & treatments to bring you the top 75 products of the year!
Meet Our Experts
How We Tested
The scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab follow stringent industry protocols to evaluate beauty products — from face and body skincare to haircare and hair styling, makeup, tools, technology and more — throughout the year.
The Lab uses advanced equipment including the Corneometer device, for measuring skin moisture levels; the Visia Complexion Analyzer, for tracking changes in skin including wrinkles and hyperpigmentation; and the Cutometer, for gauging skin firmness. For hair, the Instron machine calculates conditioning properties and the climatology chamber regulates humidity to determine frizz-blocking effects.
And that’s just the beginning: Products are often label-masked to eliminate bias and are distributed to consumer testers throughout the U.S. to elicit and quantify feedback on factors like ease of use, benefits and drawbacks. Taken together, these objective assessments reveal the best products you can buy, ones that truly deliver.
Beauty Award Tested Categories
Rejuvenating Day Cream
Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Hydrating Moisturizer
The GH Beauty Lab’s gold standard Olay face moisturizer gets a boost from powerhouse actives: brightening antioxidant vitamin C and smoothing, firming peptides.
LAB RESULTS The cream increased skin’s hydration by 31% over six hours and significantly improved brightness, dark spots and texture after four weeks, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed. In a 180-woman study, 91% said their skin had a healthy glow after five days of use.
Olay
Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream
Age Reverse Night Lift Antiaging Face Cream
$59.25
A winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test, Exuviance’s light, gel-like lotion was tops at reducing lines, thanks to a smoothing trio of glycolic acid, retinol and peptides.
TESTER NOTE “My skin was smoother and more even, with fewer fine lines in time.”
LAB RESULTS Lab digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer found that the formula minimized the look of wrinkles by 10%. In calculations with the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin laxity, it raised firmness 31% after four weeks.
Exuviance
Replenishing Serum
Hyaluronic Concentrate
Tackle crepiness and dehydration by applying Isdin’s silky serum, packed with two types of hyaluronic acid as well as peptides to plump both inner and outer layers of skin.
TESTER NOTES “I love how this serum soaks in quickly and smooths my face instantly” and “It left my skin refreshed,” two remarked.
LAB RESULTS GH Beauty Lab data evaluations found that the formulation delivers immediate plumping and smoothing effects and will improve skin’s texture over time.
ISDIN
Calming Treatment
Minéral 89 Prebiotic Recovery & Defense Concentrate
Reduce inflammation that can exacerbate signs of aging with this Vichy Laboratoires serum, which contains a prebiotic ferment to improve the health of skin’s barrier.
TESTER NOTE “Calmed my skin and made it soft and less irritated.”
LAB RESULTS In a study, women showed statistically significant improvements in skin redness, tightness and dryness after 28 days of use, GH Beauty Lab data analysis confirmed.
VICHY
Line-Fighting Eye Cream
Pure Retinol Eye Cream
No7’s great-value eye treatment provides the wrinkle-diminishing effects of retinol in a formula infused with soothing ingredients that’s safe for use around the delicate eye area.
LAB RESULTS After six weeks of nightly application, 80% of consumer testers thought their wrinkles were reduced and their skin felt firmer, and after eight weeks, 91% said the product was gentle on skin, a study found.
No7
Dark Spot Corrector
Out Of Sight Dark Spot Gel
A potent yet streamlined blend of ingredients (kojic acid, niacinamide, licorice extract, tranexamic acid) works to fade hyperpigmentation in this “lightweight” spot treatment. In an eight-week trial, 85% of users agreed that it minimized the look of dark spots.
Versed
Brightening Exfoliator
Skin Perfecting Smoothing & Clarifying Daily Liquid Exfoliant
Splash on this exfoliating liquid with 7% glycolic and citric acids to combat skin congestion, dullness and clogged pores. It helps even out skin tone over four weeks of daily use, per GH Beauty Lab data evaluation.
Neutrogena
Instant Wrinkle Fix
Revox Line Relaxer
$145.00
Five types of muscle-relaxing peptides and hyaluronic acid in this wrinkle filler mimic pro treatments, targeting stubborn crow’s feet and mouth and forehead creases. Lines were less noticeable in under 30 minutes, two expert evaluators said.
Revision Skincare
Professional Treatment
PCA Skin NoPeel Peel
LEARN MORE
Get a pro-strength face peel sans irritation: This slow-release lactic acid version is safe for all types of skin, even sensitive. Beauty Lab analysis found that the PCA Skin pro treatment brightens skin with less discomfort and redness and no expected visible peeling or downtime.
2-in-1 Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Gently cleanse skin and whisk away makeup at the same time with this buttery Clinique balm, the winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s makeup remover test.
TESTER NOTES “Dissolved all my sunscreen and makeup almost instantly” and “Skin felt fresh, clean and so soft.”
LAB RESULTS The face wash earned the top score in Lab testing for needing the fewest swipes to completely remove makeup. Plus, 100% of testers agreed that it rinsed off easily and didn’t irritate or bring on breakouts.
Clinque
Exfoliating Scrub
Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
$4.97
This creamy classic St. Ives exfoliator — less than the price of a latte—lived up to its reputation, topping the GH Beauty Lab’s face scrub test.
TESTER NOTES “My skin has never felt smoother or [looked] brighter” and “It gave my skin a glow,” two said.
LAB RESULTS In Lab and consumer testing, it ranked high for effectively removing dirt and oil, minimizing the appearance of pores and having a fresh, fruity scent.
St. Ives
Silkening Moisturizer
Call Me Hydra-Cream
$44.99
SeeMe Beauty’s satiny cream melts into skin to deliver intense hydration all day long via glycerin, niacinamide and botanical oils and extracts (avocado, turmeric, lavender, lemon).
LAB RESULTS In a study, 84% of users said the formulation left skin feeling hydrated throughout the day and 90% said it gave their complexion a healthy look. The cream also made skin feel firmer, 81% of them found, according to GH Beauty Lab data evaluation.
SeeMe Beauty
Hydrating Treatment
Clinical Solutions HA + Ceramide Hydrator
$38.00
Smooth a few drops of Mary Kay’s ceramide, hyaluronic acid and glycerin concentrate onto skin to reinforce its moisture barrier.
LAB RESULTS In a study, it significantly increased hydration within 15 minutes after use, per Lab data.
Mary Kay
Night Serum
Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Serum Capsules
$32.99
These portable single-use biodegradable Roc Skincare capsules contain softeners like hyaluronic acid and plant oils to nourish skin while you sleep.
LAB RESULTS They upped skin moisture 64% post-application, Lab analysis showed.
RoC
Face SPF
LiftActiv Peptide-C Face Sunscreen SPF 30
$27.30
The winner of the Lab’s face sunscreen test, Vichy Laboratoires shone overall.
TESTER NOTE “A perfect product.”
LAB RESULTS It rated highest for not leaving a white cast, being sticky or causing irritation and for strong sun protection.
VICHY
Clarifying Serum
Silymarin CF
A unique blend of a high 15% level of antioxidant vitamin C and purifying salicylic acid, this liquid simultaneously protects skin, reduces excess oil and improves signs of aging like lines. “Based on data review, this is effective for improving clarity and texture,” Wizemann says.
Moisturizing Serum
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
High-quality minimalist skincare at a value price, this water-like serum is packed with hyaluronic acid to add a layer of hydration to any typeof skin with no heaviness. “It’s smoothing and feels hydrating, yet is absorbed quickly,” Wizemann reports.
Boots
Radiance Face Mask
Overnight Brightening Mask
This translucent gel exfoliating mask is left on overnight to illuminate skin using lactic acid and citrus extracts. In a study, 82% of users agreed that it improved the look of discoloration and gave skin a healthy glow, Lab data analysis confirmed.
Pipette
Facial Oil
Skin Therapy Oil Face
The lowest-priced of the face oils in the GH Beauty Lab’s test, this Palmer’s 10-botanical-oil blend (with argan, apricot and almond oils) was also a hero skin hydrator.
TESTER NOTES Skin had a “healthy glow” and “… the lines are gone!” two reported.
LAB RESULTS In testing using the Beauty Lab’s Corneometer device, which gauges skin hydration levels, it measured an 8% skin-moisture increase without feeling heavy.
Palmer’s
Healing Lip Balm
Ultra Rich Lip Balm
$18.00
Made with plant butters, extracts and oils (shea, mango, avocado, jasmine), it had immediate lip-line-blurring and softening benefits and a non-goopy feel, Lab pros found. “Lips felt protected and smooth,” one said.
Clark’s Botanicals
Facial Oil
Skin Therapy Oil Face
The lowest-priced of the face oils in the GH Beauty Lab’s test, this Palmer’s 10-botanical-oil blend (with argan, apricot and almond oils) was also a hero skin hydrator.
TESTER NOTES Skin had a “healthy glow” and “… the lines are gone!” two reported.
LAB RESULTS In testing using the Beauty Lab’s Corneometer device, which gauges skin hydration levels, it measured an 8% skin-moisture increase without feeling heavy.
Palmer’s
Skin Tool
Hydro Silk Dermaplaning Wand
Like a razor for your face, this Schick dermaplaning tool with an ergonomic handle gently sweeps away facial fuzz and dead skin cells to reveal a smoother complexion.
TESTER NOTE “Maneuvering it around my face felt natural and it removed my fuzz with ease and without irritation.”
LAB RESULTS It safely and effectively removed even thicker facial hair, resulting in smoother and more even-looking skin, with no nicks or cuts experienced, according to Lab expert evaluations.
Schick
Resurfacing Pro Treatment
Moxi by Sciton
LEARN MORE
The cutting-edge fractionated face laser from Sciton Inc. resurfaces skin to reduce spots, even tone and boost radiance on all skin tones.
LAB RESULTS GH Beauty Lab analysis found that the professional treatment delivers noticeable skin changes in one short treatment with minimal to no downtime.
Game-Changing Moisturizer
Nourish by Nature Body Lotion
Nivea’s genius body lotion, made from 98% naturally derived ingredients, is housed in a flexible reduced-plastic bottle that rolls up so you can more easily squeeze it all out.
TESTER NOTE “My skin was soft, plumped and hydrated for two days with none of my usual winter itchiness.”
LAB RESULTS Lab expert evaluators were impressed by both the breakthrough packaging design, made with 58% less plastic than the brand’s standard pump bottles, and the appealing formulations.
Nivea
Innovative Body Wash
Nourishing Body Wash
$18.49
This groundbreaking MyKirei by Kao body wash is a gently sudsing gel with a subtle citrus-floral aroma encased in first-of-its-kind air-inflated packaging to reduce waste.
TESTER NOTE “The light and foamy lather feels soft.”
LAB RESULTS GH Beauty Lab assessment confirmed that the packaging has up to 47% less plastic than that of similar-size products. In a clinical study, the cleanser didn’t irritate even sensitive skin; testers found that it lathered well and rinsed clean without overdrying skin.
MyKirei
Slick Razor
The Razor Kit
$9.00
The best of the GH Beauty Lab’s razor test, Athena Club’s five-blade refillable razor sweeps away unwanted hair in a single pass.
TESTER NOTES “It left my skin incredibly smooth with not a hair left,” a fan reported. “The close shave is significantly better than that of the razor I was using,” a second tester said.
LAB RESULTS The tool came out on top for shaving hair in one pass, maneuvering easily around tricky areas like knees and ankles and creating smoothness that lasted.
Athena Club
Super Self-Tanner
Ultra Dark Express Tan Tinted Mousse
Get a realistic faux bronze with Ulta’s fast-developing foam, which won the GH Beauty Lab’s self-tanner test.
TESTER NOTE “Best tanner I’ve ever used.”
LAB RESULTS It was top-rated for its easy application and uniform streak-free color.
Ulta Beauty
Light-as-Air Hand Cream
Cloud Crème For Hands
$6.47
No sticky, goopy fingers with Jergens, a featherweight gel with hydrating hyaluronic acid.
TESTER NOTE “Hands felt hydrated yet clean, as if I’d washed them.”
LAB RESULTS It lived up to claims of quick absorption, a clean feel and no tacky film on skin.
Jergens
Pampering Exfoliator
Brown Sugar & Coconut Butter Exfoliating Body Polish
A creamy whip of coconut oil and brown sugar, Dove’s scrub both indulges the senses and sloughs away rough skin.
LAB RESULTS A Beauty Lab expert evaluator found that the formulation left skin clean, invigorated and not irritated.
Dove
Stellar Body Sunscreen
Sport Ultra Lotion SPF 50
For beach days—and every day — turn to Banana Boat’s formula, a Beauty Lab body SPF test winner thanks to its silky texture and sheer finish.
TESTER NOTES “It went on smooth like a lotion” and“I forgot I even had sunscreen on,” two testers marveled.
LAB RESULTS An impressive 100% of users said that it soaked in fast and didn’t leave a white film on skin. It also scored well for sun protection, having a pleasant scent and not irritating or drying out skin.
Banana Boat
Ultra-Rich Body Balm
Intensive Repair Essential Oil Balm
To tackle extremely dehydrated skin, layer on this thick salve loaded with naturally derived oils like castor oil and sunflower oil. The fragrance-free moisturizer didn’t irritate skin and kept it looking hydrated for 48 hours after one application, GH Beauty Lab data analysis found.
Eucerin
Foot Healer
Severe Cracked Heel Balm
This mess-free solid balm stick is made of one-quarter urea (a naturally occurring moisturizer in skin), plant butters and refreshing peppermint oil; glide it over feet to help repair rough skin. “After about a week, my dry, cracked heels are softer,” Aral remarked.
Dr. Scholl’s
Cellulite Treatment
Endo Aesthetics Qwo
LEARN MORE
The first ever injectable pro service for stubborn cellulite uses an enzyme to break down collagen bands that cause visible lumps in skin. It takes just 15 minutes and effectively smooths cellulite over time, per Lab data evaluation.
Allover Salve
Healing Ointment
Aquaphor’s iconic all-purpose ointment with nourishing glycerin and panthenol is proven to heal skin from head to toe.
LAB RESULTS The ingredients help protect skin’s barrier and prevent water loss, Beauty Lab data evaluation showed. Clinical studies found that the salve was effective for healing wounds, and 91% of consumer testers agreed that it repaired extremely dry, cracked skin.
Aquaphor
Body Soap
Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Beauty Bar
The “gold” standard bar soap is not so basic: It’s made with skin-conditioning glycerin and shea extract to balance the purifying effects, and it can be used on both face and body.
TESTER NOTE “I loved the soft lather, satiny feel and clean aroma it left on my skin,” a tester reported.
Olay
Light Body Lotion
Body Lotion
Bio-Oil‘s classic skin healing blend is now available in a featherweight liquid body lotion formula enhanced with proven skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and retinol, plus botanicals including rose, jojoba and sunflower oils.
TESTER NOTE “It soaks into skin in seconds so there’s no waiting time for the lotion to dry or sticky, greasy film and it feels incredibly silky on.”
Bio-Oil
Sought-After Scent
Super Amber Eau de Parfum
This warm, subtle Ellis Brooklyn fragrance has quickly become a GH Beauty Lab expert go-to thanks to its wearable yet irresistible aroma of amber, musk and cedarwood.
TESTER NOTE “It smells cozy and soft — like the sweet scent of skin, but even better,” a fan raved. “I get compliments on it constantly.”
Ellis Brooklyn
Hair Removal Device
Pure Fit
An at-home laser hair removal device, SmoothSkin provides clinically-proven permanent body and facial hair reduction with no appointment necessary.
TESTER NOTE “I saw noticeable results with this device after a single use and didn’t experience much discomfort.”
LAB RESULTS GH Beauty Lab expert analysis found the system is a worthy investment that’s easy to use and comes with safety features, including automatically assessing skin color and adjusting the power of the laser light accordingly.
Smoothskin
Contouring Treatment
Cartessa Aesthetics Physiq
LEARN MORE
This first-of-its-kind Cartessa Aesthetics non-invasive professional treatment utilizes both deep heat and electrical muscle stimulation to help tone and slim the body.
LAB RESULTS The service yields noticeable muscle toning and fat loss in the abdomen, arms and thighs, among other areas, in one to two 30-minute sessions, Lab evaluations showed.
Next-Level Body Lotion
Skin Food Body Lotion
The iconic Weleda Skin Food, nearly 100 years old and a GH Beauty Lab scientist longtime go-to, now comes in body lotion form.
TESTER NOTES Two raved that they “loved” the formula, with its “natural” scent. “It gets absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, and skin is immediately smooth,” one said. “My body felt hydrated,” another added.
LAB RESULTS Beauty Lab experts lauded the brand’s century-long legacy of growing plant ingredients on its own farms and its eco-conscious manufacturing practices.
Weleda
Anti-Aging Body Cream
10 Luxe Hand & Body Cream
Made with a special bio-identical wound-healing molecule never before used in a body moisturizer, the luxe formula produced visible skin benefits.
TESTER NOTE “My hands look younger and brighter,” Wizemann commented.
Defenage
Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioners
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo, Conditioner and Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In
The creamy Redken trio works together to protect and strengthen bonds in hair, shielding against damage.
TESTER NOTES “My hair was absolutely gorgeous,” “Results were transforming and long-lasting” and “I can’t live without these.”
LAB RESULTS In a study, the set reduced visible split ends by 82%, and 93% of testers said their hair felt moisturized immediately, according to Lab data analysis.
Redken
Smoothing Shampoo
Ultralight Smooth Weightless Frizz Protection Shampoo
$15.84
This protein-infused Nexxus shampoo tames unruly hair and fends off frizz starting in the shower.
TESTER NOTE “The amount of smoothness and shine was noticeable from the first use.”
Nexxus
Smoothing Conditioner
Ultralight Smooth Weightless Frizz Protection Conditioner
$15.84
Like the matching shampoo, this Nexxus conditioner is a must when it comes to taming frizzy hair.
LAB RESULTS In a study on hair samples in 98% humidity, strands had significantly less frizz up to 72 hours after system application.
Nexxus
Color-Protecting Shampoo
White Nectarine & Pear Color Protect Shampoo
$9.97
A winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s color-protecting shampoo and conditioner test, Hair Food’s rich formulas deeply soften and protect damage-prone colored hair.
TESTER NOTE “My color still looks great after five weeks.”
Hair Food
Color-Protecting Conditioner
White Nectarine & Pear Color Protect Conditioner
$9.97
LAB RESULTS The Hair Food duo earned the highest score for conditioning ability in measurements with the Beauty Lab’s Instron machine, which gauges the force required to comb through wet hair samples.
Hair Food
Color-Boost Conditioner
ColorBalm
Enhance or switch up your hair color with less commitment thanks to Biolage’s color-depositing conditioner.
LAB RESULTS Lab tests of bright hues on hair samples showed impressive color coverage, depth and vibrancy. Users also said it added shine.
Biolage
Root Touch-Up
Embellish Root Touch-Up
With a built-in no-mess sponge applicator and mirror, Calista hides hair regrowth fast.
TESTER NOTE “The powder covered and blended my roots into the rest of my hair with just a few dabs.”
LAB RESULTS In a study, it scored well for being sweatproof.
Embellish
Superior Dry Shampoo
Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Living Proof won the Beauty Lab’s dry shampoo test, faking freshly washed hair and maintaining styles for up to five days.
TESTER NOTE “The most effective I’ve ever tried.”
LAB RESULTS 100% of users found that it left hair looking clean.
Living Proof
Conditioning Serum
Sulfate-Free Hydrating Glow Thirsty Ends Milk to Water Serum
Smooth on this watery serum to quench dehydrated or frayed strands without weight. It makes both damp and dry hair more manageable and feels “silky and not heavy — it almost disappears,” Wizemann commented.
Pantene
Frizz Fighter
Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum
The original anti-frizz serum gets an upgrade with advanced ingredients and packaging that doesn’t sacrifice its proven performance, GH Beauty Lab evaluations found. “It defines and smooths my frizzy waves and baby hairs,” Aral said.
John Frieda
Multiuse Hairspray
One Step Texture
A few spritzes of this airy mist give strands fullness, movement and texture as well as light hold. “It lifted and held layers in place while keeping flexibility and bounce in the hair,” Aral said. “It’s the rare spray that doesn’t make hair stiff,” Wizemann added.
TRESemmé
Smart Hairdryer
Luxe Supercharged Hair Dryer
This next-generation tool with magnetic attachments does more than dry hair: It “remembers” your last heat setting to save time. In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, it was easy to use, had powerful heat and airflow and dried hair fast.
Ion
Purifying Shampoo
Alpine Vetiver + Sage Shampoo
Made with plant-derived ingredients, this Alpine Provisions shampoo has a novel gel formula that pours from its more easily recycled aluminum bottle, eliminating the need for a pump dispenser.
TESTER NOTES “It clarifies buildup on my hair and uplifts my senses with refreshing scent.”
LAB RESULTS Beauty Lab evaluators were impressed by its minimalist aluminum packaging and how the shampoo dispenses mess-free without being runny until the end of the bottle.
Alpine
At-Home Haircolor
Radiant Hair Color Kit
LEARN MORE
Madison Reed has revolutionized the hair color industry by delivering salon-quality DIY dye kits that are custom shade-matched, guided by the expertise of professional colorists.
TESTER NOTE “I loved how easy it was to find my perfect shade and that the kit came to my door with everything I needed to color my hair – genius!”
Madison Reed
Volumizing Spray
Rise Up Powder Spray
A unique water-based powder spray, Joico effortlessly gives lifeless, flat strands a lift either targeted at roots or all over.
TESTER NOTE “It gave my hair really good volume and kept it looking full.”
LAB RESULTS The formulation dispenses through a plastic bottle with a pump nozzle rather than an aerosol to texturize hair and lift roots in specific areas with less mess, Lab evaluations found.
Joico
Sleek Straightener
Salon Straight Copper Smooth 1″ Flat Iron
A GH Beauty Lab test winner, Revlon’s extended 1-inch-wide iron gave lasting straightness to even strands that were frizzy and dense.
LAB RESULTS It has a wide temperature range (180°F to 455°F) to work on all hair types as well as the longest plates to straighten larger or thicker sections of hair, “making the process quicker,” a pro evaluator noted.
Revlon
Genius Curling Iron
Beachwaver B1 Midnight Rose
$99.00
This groundbreaking The Beachwaver Co. curling iron, a GH Beauty Lab expert go-to, makes creating perfect waves and curls a breeze no matter what your skill level thanks to a self-rotating wand.
TESTER NOTE “The easiest and quickest when it comes to curling hair.”
LAB RESULTS The next generation of the tool is a more compact and travel-friendly option
and even works well on shorter hair lengths, Lab expert evaluators found.
Beachwaver
Natural-Look Mascara
Length & Lift Mascara
For lashes that look like yours, just better, eye Almay’s magic wand, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s mascara test.
TESTER NOTES Several mentioned that it “did not clump.” One said, “It made my lashes very long with only one coat,” and another raved, “The best I’ve ever used.”
LAB RESULTS In Lab assessments, it scored high for defining, separating and reaching all lashes; its easy-to-use brush and smooth application; and not clumping or flaking.
Almay
Dramatic Mascara
Monsieur Big Mascara
Lancôme’s bold mascara batted a thousand in GH Beauty Lab testing, winning for lengthening, volumizing and curling lashes in a blink.
TESTER NOTES “It made my light, thin lashes thicker and filled in,” one remarked. Several said they would buy or continue to use it.
LAB RESULTS Beauty Lab evaluations showed that it was the best at adding length, thickness and lift to lashes and at not flaking.
Lancôme
Longwear Eyeliner
Exhibitionist 24 Hour Kohl Eyeliner
No jagged or faint, fading lines with CoverGirl’s “silky” pencil, which won the GH Beauty Lab’s eyeliner test.
TESTER NOTES Many commented on the “soft”and “easy-to-apply” texture. “It really did last all day long, even on my waterline, which is unusual,” one fan marveled.
LAB RESULTS Lab evaluations found that it outperformed all other pencil eyeliners at staying put throughout the day, and 100% of testers agreed that it applied smoothly without skipping or tugging.
Covergirl
Flawless Foundation
Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation
Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s base delivers medium satin-finish coverage in a lightweight cream that feels more like skincare than makeup.
LAB RESULTS It is not heavy on skin and gives a lasting glow, Beauty Lab pros found.
Charlotte Tilbury
Great-Value Base
Age Perfect 4-in-1 Tinted Face Balm Foundation
More than makeup, this buttery L’Oréal Paris tinted balm foundation is boosted with anti-agers like peptides.
LAB RESULTS The light-to-medium-coverage solid formula instantly makes skin look smoother, Beauty Lab data analysis showed.
L’Oréal
Cover-All Concealer
Softlight Luminous Hydrating Concealer
Even skin’s tone and hide spots, redness and shadows with this creamy “soft-focus” Rose Inc. coverup.
TESTER NOTES “Doesn’t dry out skin” or “settle into lines.”
LAB RESULTS It gives lasting coverage that blends well.
Rose Inc
Waterproof Mascara
Lash Blast Clean Volume Waterproof Mascara
The next generation of the iconic volumizing mascara was a winner of the Beauty Lab’s waterproof mascara test. It earned a perfect score for not running in Lab water-exposure testing and was best for thickening lashes. “It made my lashes look fuller,” a user said
Covergirl
Liquid Eyeliner
The Tank Eyeliner
Sketch sleek lines that won’t budge with this felt-tip-pen liquid liner, a top performer in the Beauty Lab’s test. In Lab evaluations, it was best for not transferring or running, and 100% of users agreed that the color lasted all day without fading. It held up to “allergy eyes” and “high heat and humidity.”
Milani
Eyebrow Enhancer
Age Perfect Brow Magnifying Pencil with Vitamin E
Not your basic harsh brow pencil, this two-in-one is made of cushiony natural waxes and oils, and it has a built-in brush for easy blending. A 119-woman study found that it fills, shapes and softly defines brows.
L’Oréal
Perfecting Primer
Nu Tone Corrector in Green
Translucent green-tinted pearl powder in this cutting-edge makeup primer helps cancel out redness and give skin subtle radiance. “Redness around my nose vanished,and it filled in pores almost like spackle,” Aral reported.
YSL
Sheer Tinted Moisturizer
Nu Bare Look Tint Foundation
A base that gives a true “no makeup” look, lightweight YSL Beauty provides dewy light to medium coverage that stays put, a rare feat for a tinted moisturizer.
TESTER NOTE “I like how sheer it is — it gives a glowy, barely-there look yet evens skin tone.”
LAB RESULTS In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, the formula spread well, subtly covered imperfections and evened skin tone. The coverage lasted all day, even on a tester with oily skin, and didn’t irritate another user with very sensitive skin.
YSL
Perfect 10 Nail Polish
Nail Lacquer
OPI’s iconic polish has stood the test of time (literally!) with its GH Beauty Lab test-winning quick-dry formula that boasts a rainbow of colors.
TESTER NOTE “It went on thick, so I didn’t really need two coats.”
LAB RESULTS It was the quickest- drying polish in Lab evaluations, setting in under five minutes.
OPI
Believable Bronzer
Murumuru Butter Bronzer
$15.99
No fear of the telltale fake orange effect with this unique luxe-for-less Physicians Formula cream and powder bronzer hybrid, which comes in an unusually wide range of eight shades to flatter multiple skin tones.
TESTER NOTES A favorite of two GH Beauty Lab experts, the formula “applies effortlessly and gives a natural sun-kissed look,” Wizemann reported. Users appreciated that the bronzer was encased in a “convenient” mirrored compact with a sponge applicator.
Physicians Formula
Easiest Eyeshadow
Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick
$30.00
A longtime GH beauty editor go-to, this Bobbi Brown Cosmetics crayon makes eyeshadow application almost effortless: Just glide the soft-cream stick along eyelids and go.
TESTER NOTE “I can do my eye makeup in just a few seconds with these — no tools needed and no tugging or caking on my skin,” a fan commented. “Plus, the shades, ranging from light to dark, are all wearable and flattering.”
Bobbi Brown
Makeup Remover
Makeup Cleansing Oil
Stubborn face, eye and lip makeup doesn’t stand a chance against the sumptuous, gentle Curél Japan oil, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s makeup remover test.
TESTER NOTES “No trace of makeup left,” one said; several said that their skin felt “soft” after use.
LAB RESULTS The fragrance-free liquid earned a perfect score for not irritating skin and top marks for dispensing easily and leaving the face feeling smooth and not tacky.
Curél
Eyeshadow Palette
Mineralist Eyeshadow Palette
Standout makeup palettes with no plastic packaging, these BareMinerals sets of six complementary powder eyeshadows in versatile matte, satin and shimmer finishes come in shades from neutral taupes to bold blues.
TESTER NOTE “The shadows give strong, true color payoff, and there’s not one I wouldn’t wear,” a fan remarked.
Bare Minerals
Cream Lipstick
FMG Cashmere Essence Lipcream
This inventive gel-like formula delivers the pigment of a lipstick with the softness and easy application of a balm, thanks to a core made with skincare ingredients. The lipstick doesn’t feather or dry out lips, Lab evaluators found. “It’s moisturizing, but it stays on,” Wizemann said.
Avon
Lasting Lipstick
Lady Bold Lipstick
Get high-impact color that won’t disappear with one swipe of this rich cream-finish lipstick. It is “strongly pigmented, yet feels so light I forget I have it on,” Wizemann noted. Aral was impressed by its “smooth application” and “lasting vibrancy.”
Too Faced
Gorgeous Lip Gloss
Unlimited Lip Gloss
Take a shine to this next-level lip gloss, which has a flexible, curved sponge applicator to hug lips and comes in an array of shades and finishes (pearl, cream, shimmer). In a 100-woman study, it wasn’t sticky and left lips feeling silky, per Lab data.
Mary Kay
Double-Duty Blush
Blush Divine Radiant Lip & Cheek Color
This cream blush, housed in a handy refillable compact, leaves a plush, dewy tint on cheeks and lips in hues from pink to peach and berry. “It adds a hydrating glow and a pop of color,” Wizemann said.
Sephora