2014 Beauty Awards: 17 Best Makeup Products

By Holly Dawsey
Updated January 26, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Lisa Shin
Treat yourself to award-winning lipsticks, mascaras, CC creams, and more
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Makeup you'll crave

Credit: Lisa Shin

Does your makeup bag need an upgrade? Of course it does!

We asked Health editors and a team of pros to find us their absolute favorite, top-performing makeup products. Here's what you'll want to use for a perfect complexion, razor-sharp cat eye, clump-free lashes, and more.

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Foundation

Credit: Lisa Shin

Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet SPF 15

($47; nordstrom.com)

Testers agree that this rich base melts right in, leaving behind a beautiful matte finish.

Fast and flawless
Too rushed to do a full face of foundation? Apply just around the cheeks and nose, then dab concealer over blemishes or dark circles. Done!

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Eyebrow filler

Credit: Lisa Shin

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow

($18; sephora.com)

"Thanks to the waterproof formula, it doesn't smudge or sweat off," Blitzer says.

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Bronzer

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Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting BB bronzer SPF 20

($15; ulta.com)

This powder "isn't too orange, too muddy, too matte, or too shimmery," raves makeup artist Suzy Gerstein.

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Complexion perfector

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Lancôme Visionnaire 1-Minute Blur

($55; sephora.com)

"You'll never need a selfie filter again!" Blitzer says. "The silicone and light diffusers blend into a satin finish."

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Lip gloss

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Nars lip gloss

($26; sephora.com)

The reformulated pro fave leaves lips glossy, never goopy. "It can be worn alone for shine or over lipstick to smooth lines," notes makeup artist Brian Duprey.

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Tinted lip balm

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Revlon ColorBurst crayons

($9; ulta.com)

"Whether you use a velvety matte or high-shine shade, the color is as good as any high-end lip color—at a fraction of the price," Duprey says.

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Eyeliner

Credit: Lisa Shin

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide eyeliner

($22; macys.com)

The payoff is gorgeous; the control, impressive: Testers created both graphic and smoky looks sans slipups.

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Undereye concealer

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StriVectin Clinical Corrector anti-aging eye illuminator

($29; macys.com)

"This revived my tired eyes in seconds," Blitzer says.

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Eye shadow

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Almay Shadow Softies by Intense i-Color

($5; ulta.com)

These shadows glide on for a creaseless wash of color. "The shades look just as pretty on your eyes as they do in the pan," Blitzer says.

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Mascara

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CoverGirl Bombshell Volume by LashBlast mascara

($12; ulta.com)

One side lengthens and curls; the other side deposits a topcoat. "My lash curler is on hiatus," Blitzer says.

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Blush

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Make Up For Ever HD blush

($26; sephora.com)

"It packs the perfect amount of pigment for a natural-looking flush," Duprey says.

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Lip balm

Credit: Lisa Shin

eos Smooth Sphere lip balm in Blueberry Acai

($3; ulta.com)

Testers liked it two ways: Used alone, it leaves lips soft for hours. With lipstick on top, color doesn't migrate.

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Concealer

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Laura Mercier High Coverage concealer

($20; sephora.com)

Gerstein was wowed: "A couple of dabs is all you need to hide imperfections."

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CC cream

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Bobbi Brown CC cream SPF 35

($44; sephora.com)

With SPF, hydrating glycerin and light-diffusing powders, you can "wear it alone for a glowing no-makeup look or under your foundation for a full-coverage finish," Duprey notes.

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Primer

Credit: Lisa Shin

Clinique Superprimer face primer

($27; sephora.com)

"This is the primer that made me believe in primer," Duprey says. "The peach tint solves my clients' number one complexion concern—discoloration."

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Powder

Credit: Lisa Shin

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian clay finishing powder

($33; sephora.com)

"The models I work with need their makeup to stay put for hours," Gerstein says. "This does the job!"

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Lipstick

Credit: Lisa Shin

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids

($7; ulta.com)

Blitzer is a convert: "One swipe gives lips a subtle tint, so you won't feel like Malibu Barbie—just pretty."

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By Holly Dawsey