Makeup
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And the Official 6th Annual TotalBeauty.com Winners Are...
When you try thousands of new beauty products over the course of a few months, you become startlingly picky about just how well a mascara performs (there may have been tape measures involved) or whether an eye cream lives up to its claims. Our Editors' Picks are the ones that outshined the rest in spades - and earned a permanent spot on our vanity. Our Readers' Choice awards go to the beauty products our readers live and die by. Here, the 2015 TotalBeauty Award-winning beauty products that make us look and feel pretty enough to join Taylor Swift's #squad.
Select Category
BB / CC Cream
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Editors' Pick
Merle Norman CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
This color-correcting product will replace your daily foundation, thanks to the creamy, buildable coverage, matte (but not cakey) finish and eight-hour wear.
Readers' Choice
Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream
A tiny bit goes a long way for beautiful, natural coverage. I like to apply with a stippling brush and dust some mineral powder on top to set. It stays on all day and never gets shiny or oily.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
A fantastic drugstore buy that will give you a healthy, dewy glow without clogging pores. It's instant your-skin-but-better magic.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Rimmel London BB Cream 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup
Offers more coverage than my tinted moisturizer, and at the same time it feels like I'm wearing nothing at all. It's also like a primer in that all your pores disappear and smooth out.
Blush
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Editors' Pick
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
We're not sure what's most impressive: the soft, shimmery finish of this gorgeous blush (which stays put all day and gives an ethereal glow) or the work-of-art packaging.
Readers' Choice
Every girl should have at least one Nars blush. I have the color Orgasm, and it is the prettiest of my blushes. One swipe gives you an instant glow. Two swipes is the perfect, flattering pink.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Flower Beauty Transforming Touch Powder-to-Crème Blush
This matte blush starts off as a powder and turns into a cream, making application extra smooth. It manages to be both vibrant and natural-looking for a flushed, youthful glow.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush
Another highly pigmented product from Tarte that delivers. The colors are absolutely gorgeous, and they blend like a dream. They're extremely natural-looking, and they're made from all-natural ingredients.
Breakthrough Product
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Editors' Pick
Add these drops to any gel or cream to create your own customized foundation. Each drop contains suspended spheres of pigment, allowing you total control when it comes to coverage. Plus, it comes in 24 shades and three undertones -- making it easy to find your perfect match.
Readers' Choice
BareMinerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation
So simple to apply and blends easily into the skin. This product lasts all day when set with a face powder. My skin stays smooth and dewy, but not oily.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
The celebrity makeup artist's eponymous line lives up to the hype with innovative technology, like a primer that absorbs UV particles and transforms them into visible light, giving skin a luminous glow.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick
I purchased this lipstick in Violet Orchard, and am absolutely in love with it. It is creamy and easy to apply. The color is superpigmented, bright and matte. It really is long-wearing and lasts the whole day.
Bronzer
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Editors' Pick
Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Summer SPF 15
The serum-like formula of this easy-to-build bronzer is perfect for both contouring and faking a golden tan. Plus, the application is surprisingly foolproof.
Readers' Choice
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
I love this bronzer. I have found that it works well for any time of year. I recommend it for any skin tone, because it's easily buildable. It smells great, like chocolate, but not overpowering.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Becca Shadow & Light Bronze/Contour Perfector
This adorable compact comes with two shades of bronzer, making it insanely easy to get that just-back-from-vacay glow.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
BareMinerals All-Over Face Color
After I apply foundation and blush, I top off my look with a light touch of this radiant stuff to give me that "Florida girl" look without baking in the sun. This offers natural coverage that lasts all day long.
Brows
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Editors' Pick
Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil
The slanted tip of this 16-hour brow pencil lets you draw soft or defined lines for the brows of your dreams. Use the attached spoolie to blend and put every hair into place.
Readers' Choice
It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil
I have extremely sparse brows and am always looking for brow makeup that is really natural-looking. This product is great. I have places where I have no hair, and this applies well to bare skin. With short feathery strokes I can get a very natural look.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Maybelline New York EyeStudio Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
Score fuller, natural-looking brows with just a few swipes of the genius ball-shaped wand. The long-lasting gel formula glides on like mascara, without any clumps.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
This brow powder is long-lasting and easy to blend. It looks totally natural and even works for darker-haired people. No wonder Oprah has Anastasia do her brows.
Concealer
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Editors' Pick
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer
This ultra-lightweight concealer is packed with anti-aging ingredients, so it gets rid of fine lines while masking imperfections. Did we mention it stays put all day long?
Readers' Choice
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
This concealer is my definite go-to for nice coverage. I apply it to my under-eye area and any other small blemishes. Within seconds, the discoloration is gone, and my skin looks flawless.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Concealer
A full-coverage, anti-aging concealer that blurs fine lines and looks totally natural? We're hooked.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream
I have tried everything to get rid of my hyperpigmentation, which is darkest on my forehead. This stayed all day and completely covered the darkness on my forehead without looking like I had makeup caked on.
Eye Shadow
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Editors' Pick
Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette
If ever there were a vanity-worthy palette, this is it. Not only are the shades breathtaking, they're also crazy-pigmented, incredibly silky and look just as gorgeous on as they do in the packaging.
Readers' Choice
M.A.C. eye shadows are my favorite. I love the wide palette of colors. They are very blendable and wear a long time. Best of all is that each one lasts forever, and doesn't fade.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Sonia Kashuk Pearlescence Long Wear Crème Shadow
These metallic shadows contain light-diffusing properties -- so eyes look wide-awake -- and come in an array of oh-so-gorgeous colors that last and last (even on oily lids).
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
This is unique, rich, decadent color that lasts forever, especially over a good primer. Urban Decay offers shades that you will find nowhere else and a consistency second to none.
Eyeliner
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Editors' Pick
Make Up For Ever Graphic Liner
This inky liquid liner applies like a dream, thanks to the very thin tip that gives you total control. Once it's on, it won't budge until you wash your face.
Readers' Choice
This eyeliner glides on smooth and has excellent staying power. The color is rich, deep and really makes my eyes pop. I love that it is non-irritating, even for my sensitive eyes.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
NYX Two Timer Dual Ended Eyeliner
One side is a precise liquid liner; the other is a smudgy kohl crayon. Together, they’re our new date-night makeup go-to product.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
I love when a product lives up to its claims. Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Pencils apply with the ease of a liquid, blend beautifully and provide a non-budge, long-lasting finish. They are worth every penny.
Foundation
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Editors' Pick
Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation
This lightweight, stay-all-day foundation offers flawless, invisible coverage with just one drop. The dewy -- but never shiny -- oil-free formula is dispensed via pump, making application that much easier.
Readers' Choice
Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15
After years of buying foundation, I've finally found the perfect one. Applied with a brush, this disappears into my skin, evening me out without looking like I have anything on. I've had zero breakouts and nothing but compliments on my skin.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation
This drugstore find will keep your skin looking flawless well into tomorrow, thanks to the long-lasting formula that's full-coverage, yet natural looking.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin
Hands down, the best foundation I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. A friend recommended it to me for my wedding day. It's so lightweight, but covers so well that many times people don't think I'm wearing foundation.
Highlighter / Contour
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Editors' Pick
Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book The Art of Sculpting + Defining
Consider this booklet the beginner's guide to contouring. It comes with everything you need to slim your face and define your brows (including instructions), not to mention three silky, shimmery highlighters that accentuate and brighten.
Readers' Choice
Buttery and goes on like a dream. I was always afraid of contouring. However, this fit my skin color perfectly and didn't make me look like my cheeks had caved in. The highlighter portion of the duo was fantastic, too.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Rouge Bunny Rouge Seas of Illumination Highlighting Liquid
This illuminating, shimmery product gives skin a supermodel glow (we like it best applied along our cheekbones and under our brows to really make them pop).
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter
I've tried a huge number of illuminators, but this angelic pink gives the perfect, natural, dewy finish for my fair complexion. I love that I can use it on certain areas, such as cheekbones, to bring them out, or mix with foundation for an all-over glow.
Lip Balm
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Editors' Pick
Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick
When you pull out this green-hued lip product, be prepared for a few surprised looks. But never fear: The color turns to a gorgeous, sheer rosy shade when applied to lips. And it's packed with shea butter and vitamin E for moisture.
Readers' Choice
I'm addicted to this lip balm. It tastes wonderful and keeps my lips soft and smooth. It lasts a while as well. The shape of the balm makes it easy to apply, and it fits nicely into a purse or bag without being impossible to find.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector
You'll find yourself rooting through your purse constantly for this intensely hydrating balm, which has just the slightest, prettiest tint of color and shine. Wild mango extract, shea butter and vitamin E are the superstar ingredients.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
It leaves a fresh, tingly, minty feeling right after applying and lasts for a while. It actually feels really good, and it's all-natural.
Lip Gloss
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Editors' Pick
Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Tint-in-Oil
It was love at first swipe with this lip gloss. It contains a blend of four essential oils that make for an ultra hydrating, ultra shiny gloss that doesn't feel sticky or heavy. As for the color selection? Absolutely gorgeous.
Readers' Choice
NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss
This NYX butter gloss definitely lives up to the hype. Great pigmentation that gives your lips a nice wash of color. Applies supersmooth and not too sticky. I'm going to get all the colors.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss
This is like lip gloss on steroids. The color payoff is intense, and the formula leaves lips looking lush and vibrant with a slight sheen -- all without being goopy or sticky.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Who couldn't love this little lit tube with a mirror? It's so convenient. The gloss comes in lovely shades and it keeps my lips moist -- not sticky.
Lipstick
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Editors' Pick
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme
The lipstick of your dreams has arrived -- and it's available in 20 shades. It glides onto lips precisely and without tugging, and stays put through an entire workday. Even though it dries to a gorgeous, matte finish, it leaves lips hydrated and supple.
Readers' Choice
This lipstick is a dream. It goes on smoothly, and you can't even feel it on. When you press your lips together, you don't get that sticky feeling that you get with other lipsticks. It's superlong-wear and lasts all day with minimal touching up.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipstick
This silky, highly pigmented lipstick lives up to its claims -- nary a touchup was needed throughout the day. The texture is smooth, light and moisturizing, and it has a killer color payoff.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color
These lip colors are richly pigmented, last a long time and are incredibly velvety. I find that the condition of my lips improves when I wear these lipsticks. Plus, the packaging is so chic.
Makeup Brush
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Editors' Pick
Sephora Collection Pro Contour Kabuki #82
Consider 2015 the year of the contour. This uniquely shaped, supersoft brush from Sephora makes defining your cheekbones so easy, even a total contouring novice can do it.
Readers' Choice
This is a great brush. It has fluffy, soft bristles and works like a charm to blend all your makeup. The price is such a steal for the quality -- I recommend this brand instead of more expensive brushes.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
E.L.F. Studio Ultimate Blending Brush
This bargain buy is oh-so-soft and blends like a champ. The densely packed synthetic bristles make it ideal for applying liquid foundation or blending in your contour and highlight for a seamless finish.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Great brush. It is very soft, put together well and looks and feels expensive. It is also easy to wash and dries fast. A must-have. And you can't possibly beat the price.
Mascara
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Editors' Pick
CoverGirl The Super Sizer by LashBlast Mascara
This mascara gives you everything: insane volume, length and curl at an amazing price. The rubber bristles on the wand grab every last lash, resulting in wide-awake, defined eyes.
Readers' Choice
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
My eyes look naked without mascara, and this makes them look like they are wearing Paris couture. My lashes are lush, full and -- best of all -- no clumps.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
Just one coat of this mascara will lengthen and curl lashes you didn't even know you had. With a couple more coats, you'll be convinced to forgo your falsies.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
There is a reason this is best-selling and wins so many awards -- it is simply awesome. Easy to use, provides great volume and definition and is long-lasting without clumps or flaking. Amazing.
Powder
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Editors' Pick
Dolce & Gabbana Perfection Veil Pressed Powder
This sheer, pressed powder sets makeup to seamless perfection and keeps skin shine-free all day. Available in six colors, the ever-so-subtle tint counteracts dullness and makes skin look radiant and bright.
Readers' Choice
BareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 25
I love this foundation because it is light, natural and adds a soft shimmer and glow to my skin. It gives my face a little sunshine but doesn't feel heavy.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Loose Powder
A few sweeps of this superfine, colorless setting powder minimizes fine lines and ensures you stay shine-free from your morning cup of coffee to your after-work cocktail.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinishing Powder
This is an amazing product. I can really tell a difference in the way my skin looks after I apply this. I use it as a finishing power and it gives me a soft-focus, superblended look.
Primer
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Editors' Pick
With ingredients like hyaluronic acid, mushroom extract and honey extract, you can feel good about putting this moisturizer/primer hybrid on your skin. It plumps, smoothes, reduces redness and nourishes skin -- creating the perfect base for your makeup.
Readers' Choice
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I never used primers because I didn't think they did much, but I am really impressed with this product. It goes on so smoothly, covers blemishes, evens out my skin tone and hides the natural red in my face. When I apply foundation it goes on much more smoothly.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Mineral Fusion Mattifying Primer
Oily skin meets its match in this vegan primer. Only a small amount is needed to keep makeup looking fresh and non-greasy throughout the day.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Not only does this Arbonne Primer keep my makeup looking flawless all day, it really gives my dry skin a dewy glow. This is the best ever.
