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Best Brush
Why: The pointed shape is ideal for applying foundation or BB cream, allowing you to hit tough-to-reach areas like the inner eye, Cupid's bow and around the nostrils.
Honorable Mention: BECCA The One Perfecting Brush
Readers' Choice Winner: E.L.F. Studio Powder Brush
Why: "Great brush! I've recently discovered how great it is for applying foundation. First of all, you get to build the coverage gradually and smoothly. Secondly, despite the thickness of bristles, they don't soak up the foundation, so you don't waste much of it. This brush is also easy to wash and dries fast. A must-have!"
Honorable Mention: EcoTools Bamboo Powder Brush
Photo 7/19
Best CC Cream
Why: Clinique's hydrating CC makes skin luminous while providing ample coverage that never looks cake-y.
Honorable Mention: Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Eye Crème
Readers' Choice Winner: Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream SPF 30 Dark Spot Correcting
Why: "It gets a 10 from me! A tiny bit goes a long way for beautiful, natural coverage. There is a good shade variety in these, which is a plus. 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. I just love it!"
Honorable Mention: Olay CC Cream Total Effects 7-in-1 Tone Correcting Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Photo 8/19
Best Concealer
Why: We were ready to ditch our old favorite under-eye concealers after trying this cooling, soothing pen, which brightens and covers shadows but doesn't emphasize fine lines.
Honorable Mention: L'Oréal Paris True Match Superblendable Crayon Concealer
Readers' Choice Winner: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye
Why: "This is the best concealer ever, hands down! You only need to use a very small amount (about the size of a pinhead) per eye so it lasts forever. It covers dark circles beautifully, making them bright and young-looking. It can also be used to cover blemishes and other imperfections. Incredible product!!"
Honorable Mention: Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
Photo 9/19
Best Eyeliner
Why: The search for long-lasting eyeliner is over. Vincent Longo's potted liner goes on smoothly, dries quickly and stays put. Plus, it comes in an array of fun, densely pigmented colors.
Honorable Mention: Marc Jacobs Magic Marc'er Precision Pen Eyeliner
Readers' Choice Winner: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes
Why: "This is my favorite eyeliner. It has a lot of staying power and goes on extremely smooth. You can smudge it for about 30-60 seconds after applying to create a great smoky eye. After that, it won't budge for hours. No raccoon eyes with this stuff!"
Honorable Mention: M.A.C. Fluidline
Photo 10/19
Best Eye Shadow
Why: Rich-looking, trendy hues with dramatic shimmer make this long-wearing shadow great for nighttime.
Honorable Mention: Urban Decay Naked3
Readers' Choice Winner: Urban Decay Naked3
Why: "I love all the rosy matte and shimmery colors in the palette! It's a nice tweak to the entire Naked line. Love this! Perfect and beautiful!!!"
Honorable Mention: M.A.C. Eye Shadow
If you're anything like us, you're probably pretty discerning about what makes the cut in your makeup bag(s). Only the best makeup will do. So we painted our faces with all kinds of products (from BB creams and lipsticks to bronzers and primers) to find the best of the best makeup: the mascara that gave us lashes a mile long, the foundation that made our skin look flawless and the concealer that hid all traces of a late-night Netflix binge session.
From the best drugstore makeup finds to the prestige products that are definitely worth the money, we promise these buys are editor-approved and will have you looking gorgeous in no time. Click through to see the Total Beauty Award Winners for best makeup products.
From the best drugstore makeup finds to the prestige products that are definitely worth the money, we promise these buys are editor-approved and will have you looking gorgeous in no time. Click through to see the Total Beauty Award Winners for best makeup products.
