Top-Rated Everyday Beauty Essentials: Expert-Reviewed & Tested

Miko Lim 

What Makes A Winner

Our beauty editors narrowed down approximately 1,500 nominated new beauty products to 558 semifinalists, which were evaluated by our experts. The pros' top selections were then sent to our reader testers, who scored each on such factors as effectiveness, texture, scent, and ease of use to determine our winners.

Miko Lim

Eyeliner

Winner: Urban Decay All Nighter Eyeliner in Perversion

Our testers swooned over this waterproof, shiny black formula that "glides on like butter" and "doesn't need to be sharpened." ($20, sephora.com) 

Runner-up: Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide Eyeliner ($22, elizabetharden.com)

Miko Lim 

Mascara

Winner: Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara

Consider this your do-it-all mascara. A few swipes and your lashes look thicker, longer, and totally glam—no smudging, no clumps. ($28, bobbibrowncosmetics.com)

Runner-up: Surratt Relevée Mascara ($30, Barney's New York) 

Miko Lim 

Body Wash

Winner: Aveda Shampure Hand + Body Wash

This luxe lather transforms your shower into a spa-like sanctuary, thanks to 25 flower and plant essences, including calming lavender and mood-boosting ylang ylang. ($19, aveda.com) 

Runner-up: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Body Wash ($25, sephora.com) 

Miko Lim

Concealer

Winner: Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer

This concealer does a lot more than cover; a drop also deflates puffiness and brightens dark circles. ($28, lauramercier.com) 

Runner-up: Clarins Instant Concealer ($30, clarins.com) 

Miko Lim 

Volumizer

Winner: Kerastase Densifique Densimorphose Mousse

The hyaluronic acid in this frothy foam plumps thin strands. Comb an orange-size pouf through damp hair and prepare for bombshell body. ($42, kerastase-usa.com for salons)

Runner-up: Nioxin Diamax Advanced ($50, nioxin.com for salons) 

Miko Lim 

Frizz Fighter

Winner: Shu Uemura Art of Hair Ultimate Remedy Extreme Restoration Duo Serum

The nourishing half-oil, half-serum combo kept our tester's naturally fuzzy hair "shiny and smooth" despite NYC humidity. ($38, shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com for salons)

Runner-up: OGX Hydrate + Defrizz Kukui Oil Anti-Frizz Hydrating Oil ($8, Target stores) 

Miko Lim

Foundation

Winner: Philosophy Hope in a Jar Light-as-air Hydrating Fluid Makeup SPF 20 

Even testers who don't normally wear foundation praised how weightless this felt. Light-reflecting pigments give dull and tired-looking skin a glow. ($39, philosophy.com) 

Runner-up: Dior Diorskin Star Foundation ($49, dior.com) 

Miko Lim 

Lip Balm

Winner: Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Coconut & Pear

The cult-favorite lip balm, now with an added dose of coconut oil, keeps your lips cushiony and flake-free. ($3, burtsbees.com) 

Runner-up: Nivea A Kiss of Care & Color ($5, drugstores) 

Miko Lim 

Shampoo

Winner: Pantene Pro-V Damage Detox Daily Revitalizing Shampoo 

"This seems like a high-end salon product," one reader said. Others praised its "refreshing scent" and the way it made their hair "much more manageable." ($5, drugstores) 

Runner-up: Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo ($20, fekkai.com) 

Miko Lim 

Conditioner

Winner: Fresh Seaberry Revitalizing Conditioner

Like a face serum for your hair, this conditioner is packed with antioxidants and softens strands without leaving them limp. ($26, fresh.com) 

Runner-up: Fekkai Full Blown Volume Lightweight Foam Conditioner ($20, fekkai.com) 

Miko Lim 

Shaving Cream

Winner: Whish Shave Cream with Hair Inhibitor 

A tiny pump of this coconut-scented cream goes a long way. Not only does it hydrate scaly skin, but it slows hair growth so you stay smoother longer. ($24, nordstrom.com) 

Runner-up: Freeman Beauty C. Booth Mimosa Honeysuckle Shaving Oil ($7, freemanbeauty.com) 

Miko Lim 

Hand Treatment

Winner: Deborah Lippmann The Cure Ultra Nourishing Cuticle Repair Cream

This mini jar is perfect for stashing in your bag or keeping next to your keyboard. It repairs dry cuticles and is absorbed quickly, so you can text or type right after you rub it in. ($24, deborahlippmann.com) 

Runner-up: Le Couvert Des Minimes Eau Des Minimes Hand Cream ($8, ulta.com) 

Miko Lim 

Body Lotion

Winner: Korres Body Butter in White Grape

The aloe, shea butter, and quince extract in this moisturizing lotion prevent crepiness and soothe chapped skin without leaving you sticky. ($29, hsn.com) 

Runner-up: Ahava Mineral Botanic Rich Body Butter ($28, ahavaus.com) 

Miko Lim 

Blush

Winner: Butter London Cheeky Cream Blush

The sheer colors helped us fake a post-gym flush. Perfect for touch-ups on the go. ($20, ulta.com) 

Runner-up: Make Up For Ever HD Blush ($26, sephora.com)