The year was 2023 and the People and Today staffers needed glowing skin, lush lashes and gorgeous manicures, stat. Enter: 164 primers, foundations, blushes, brow gels, lipsticks and so much more that we methodically whittled down to this list of 35 makeup and nail products to meet every need — making themofficial PEOPLE Beauty Award winnersthis year. And if you want to see how some of these products performed on our testers, watch them in action duringour reveal with Today!
Best Pore-Refining Primer:e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
This silky liquid creates a smooth canvas that grips makeup for a flawless all-day finish. The best part: “It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all,” one tester said.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $10
Best Illuminating Primer:Dior Forever Glow Veil Primer
Testers called this hydrating hyaluronic-acid-infused formula “magic.” As one said, “After I put it on, I wondered if I even needed to wear makeup.”
Dior Forever Glow Veil Primer for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $50
Best Complexion Booster:Kosas Glow I.V. Skin Enhancer
“Sunshine in a tube,” is how one tester described this vitamin-infused liquid, which comes in 10 shimmery shades that give skin a luminous look.
Kosas Glow I.V. Skin Enhancer for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $38
Best Undereye Corrector:Lottie London Bright Bounce
Stayed up way too late swiping through TikTok and have the dark circles to show for it? This color-correcting cream has you covered — literally — and for an amazing price.
Lottie London Bright Bounce for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $8
Best Concealer:Smashbox Halo 4-In-1 Perfecting Pen Concealer
Housed in a travel-friendly pen, this buildable formula can be used to cover imperfections or to highlight, contour and correct. Either way, it won’t crease or fade for hours.
Smashbox Halo 4-In-1 Perfecting Pen Concealer for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $29
Best Radiant Finish Foundation:Saie Glowy Super Skin Lightweight Hydrobounce Serum Foundation
Testers were “obsessed” with the “your-skin-but-better” effect they got from this hydrating and brightening winner.
Saie Glowy Super Skin Lightweight Hydrobounce Serum Foundation for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $40
Best Matte Finish Foundation:Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
This matte formula got rave reviews for delivering the “perfect” amount of coverage that doesn’t budge until you take it off.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$55 at AmazonBuy on for $57
Best Setting Powder:Milani Cosmetics Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Powder
This finely milled powder creates a flattering filter-like effect on skin and gets rid of shine with zero caking.
Milani Cosmetics Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Powder for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$12 at AmazonBuy on for $13
Best Setting Spray:Too Faced Makeup Insurance Setting Spray
Wearing makeup on hot, humid days? It’s no sweat, thanks to this alcohol-and-silicone-free mist that locks makeup down for up to 18 hours and smells divine.
Too Faced Makeup Insurance Setting Spray Wearing makeup for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $34
Best Matte Powder Blush:L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Blush
If you like your blush bold and bright, this richly pigmented one provides a fun pop of color.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Blush for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$16 at AmazonBuy on for $16
“A little goes a very long way,” a tester reported of this velvety formula that stays in place all day.
With its sheer texture, this blush practically melts into skin to create a natural-looking flush with a dewy finish.
Buy on for $30
Best Liquid Blush:Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand
“I would buy this again in a heartbeat,” raved one tester of this gel-likeformula that only requires a dab or two.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $42
One tester called this $5 wonder, which comes in three tones and is a breeze to blend, an “absolute steal.”
$5 at AmazonBuy on for $5
Best Liquid Bronzer:Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzer
“It’s the best bronzer I’ve ever used. I’m hooked,” one tester exclaimed of this standout which has the luxurious feel of a serum.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzer for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $48
Best Powder Highlighter:Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter
“Absolutely gorgeous” is how one tester described this shimmery winner from Selena Gomez’s makeup brand, which delivers the perfect gleam.
Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $25
Best Contour Palette:Physicians Formula Butter Glow Contour Palette
Even contour novices found this trio—which lets you bronze, sculpt and highlight—easy to use whether you blend with a brush or fingers.
Physicians Formula Butter Glow Contour Palette for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$14 at AmazonBuy on for $14
Best Liquid Eyeshadow:ColourPop Chrome Liquid Shadow
This shadow coats lids with a pearlescent pigment that one tester reported lasted through a 90°day without creasing.
ColourPop Chrome Liquid Shadow for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $12
Best Cream Eyeshadow:Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow
“You get a lot of oomph out of a little of this formula,” said one tester of this shimmery find that glides across lids and looks vibrant for hours.
Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $28
Best Eyeshadow Stick:Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick
“This is fun!” reported one tester playing with the two color options, while another raved about the “amazing” staying power.
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $39
Best Liquid Eyeliner:Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework
One tester and self-proclaimed eyeliner aficionado said this earned a spot in her makeup bag thanks to its “forgiving” paintbrush tip and ability to stay put through a boot camp class.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $16
Best Pencil Eyeliner:Live Tinted Hueliner Longwearing Pencil Liner
Once this liner is applied, it’s not going anywhere until you wash it off, according to testers who also loved the inky-black color.
Live Tinted Hueliner Longwearing Pencil Liner for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$20 at AmazonBuy on for $20
Best Lengthening Mascara:Maybelline New York The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara
You could spend the time and money on lash extensions or you can just swipe on a few coats of this fiber-infused mascara.
Maybelline New York The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$9 at AmazonBuy on for $10
Best Volumizing Mascara:CoverGirl Lash Blast Cleantopia Mascara
Environmentally friendly plant fibers help thicken lashes while nourishing aloe leaf extract and maracuja oil minimize fallout.
CoverGirl Lash Blast Cleantopia Mascara for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$10 at AmazonBuy on for $11
Best Defining Mascara:Winky Lux Detail Oriented Mascara
Perfect for sparse lashes and tricky spots, we’re filing this micro spoolie mascara under makeup we didn’t know we needed and now can’t live without.
Winky Lux Detail Oriented Mascara for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $19
Best Waterproof Mascara:Milk Makeup Rise Waterproof Mascara
One tester with “stubborn, straight” lashes said this kept them lifted and curled all day without clumping or smudging. “I give it 100/10!”
Milk Makeup Rise Waterproof Mascara for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$24 at Sephora
Best Tinted Brow Gel:Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Brow Styling Gel
One tester’s 79-year-old mom was so impressed with how great her brows looked from this gel that she bought one for herself.
Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Brow Styling Gel for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$8 at AmazonBuy on for $10
Best Clear Brow Gel:GrandeBrow-Laminate Brow Styling Gel With Peptides
This is supposed to create a laminated look, and according to our testers, it does exactly that sans flaking.
GrandeBrow-Laminate Brow Styling Gel With Peptides for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$22 at AmazonBuy on for $22
Best Brow Pencil:Ilia Beauty In Full Micro-Tip Brow Pencil
Ilia Beauty In Full Micro-Tip Brow Pencil for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on for $24
Best Cream Finish Lipstick: Estée Lauder Pure Color Creme LipstickEverything about this lipstick—from the gold case and embossed bullet to its buttery texture and rich shades — feels elegant.
Estée Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Buy on Macy’s
Best Matte Finish Lipstick:Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte on the Go Lipstick
Yes, it’s expensive. But if there was ever a lipstick worth every penny, it’s this weightless one with zero transfer. “Pure luxury,” said one tester. “It made me want to throw all my other lipsticks away,” exclaimed another.
Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte on the Go Lipstick for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Best Liquid Lipstick:Glossier G Suit
“It’s hard to find a formula that lasts this long and keeps lips so hydrated,” exclaimed one tester of this assortment of eight opaque colors.
Glossier G Suit for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
Best Lip Oil:NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip
From the chunky applicator to the nonsticky feel, testers raved about this under $10 find. As one said, “Where has this been all my life?”
NYX Fat Oil Lip for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$9 at AmazonBuy on for $9
Best Tinted Lip Balm:Wet n Wild Rose Comforting Lip Color
Not only does this hydrating formula give your lips tons of shine, but you also can’t beat the price.
Wet n Wild Rose Comforting Lip Color for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
$4 at AmazonBuy on for $5
Best Nail Polish:Chanel Le Vernis
“It’s the crème de la crème of polish,” said one enthusiastic tester of this lovely line which includes a range of stunning shades and “wears like iron.”
Chanel Le Vernis for PEOPLE Beauty Awards.
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Petite Shoppers Don’t Have to Hem These $16 Walmart Lounge Pants, and They’re Selling Out Fast
source: people.com
