Cosmopolitan’s Ultimate Guide to the Best Makeup Products for Every Beauty Lover
Discover the most beloved makeup essentials for flawless looks, from concealers to setting sprays and more, with expert tips and user favorites.
The Very Best Makeup Products of 2025: Cosmopolitan’s Top Picks
In the ever-evolving world of beauty, finding makeup products that truly live up to their hype can be overwhelming. That’s why Cosmopolitan’s team of editors and thousands of readers rigorously test and vote for standout products every year. From luxurious concealers to multitasking blushes and long-lasting setting sprays, this guide covers all the must-haves for your makeup bag, supported by editorial expertise and real-world consumer praise.
How the Best Makeup Products Are Chosen
- Editors and seasoned beauty experts vet hundreds of products over several months.
- Products are tested for wear time, pigmentation, blendability, and overall performance.
- Reader choice awards are determined by a massive poll of beauty enthusiasts, ensuring wide representation.
- Final selections emphasize diverse skin tones, innovative formulas, and everyday usability.
Top Makeup Primers for Seamless Application
Primers are the unsung heroes of a long-lasting, flawless look. Cosmo’s picks cover everything from pore-minimizing to hydrating formulas—ensuring your makeup looks fresh all day.
- Huda Beauty Easy Blur Silicone-Free Smoothing & Pore-Minimizing Primer
This creamy, pink-hued primer blurs pores without clogging, creating a flawless canvas and extending makeup wear. - Milk Makeup Hydro Grip + Glow Illuminating Primer
Delivers a soft, luminous glow while hydrating and gripping makeup. Soaks in effortlessly for a dewy—but never greasy—finish. - e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer
A wallet-friendly choice that locks makeup in place, even throughout humid summer days. Readers rave about its versatility and longevity.
Best Foundations and Skin Tints for Your Perfect Base
Setting the stage for all your artistry, the right foundation brings confidence and comfort. This year’s favorites offer impressive coverage, shade range, and skin-friendly benefits.
- Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
Praised for its ultra-light finish and buildable coverage, this formula helps create a flawless canvas without weighing skin down. - Milk Makeup Hydro Grip 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Skin Tint
Perfect for quick, everyday wear. This buildable tint hydrates while evening out skin for a natural, glowy complexion that suits all skin tones. - MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Renowned for oil control and skin-blurring effects. Its extensive shade range ensures inclusivity and customization. - NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Doubles as skincare with sun protection, making it a top choice for “no-makeup” makeup days. Never heavy or cakey, reviewers swear by its versatile coverage.
Game-Changing Concealers for All Needs
From covering blemishes to brightening under-eyes, concealer is a daily staple. These formulas offer impressive coverage and blendability without settling into fine lines.
- Tarte Shape Tape Blur Concealer Stick
A new twist on an iconic classic, this stick concealer delivers full coverage with a lightweight, non-creasing finish. - Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer
Boasts a second-skin finish—full coverage yet undetectable. Its creamy texture is easy to blend for both minimal and glamour looks. - Caliray Hideaway Brightening + Hydrating Under-Eye Color Corrector Concealer
Features serum-like consistency and a luxe applicator, melting seamlessly into skin to cover dark circles for a refreshed appearance. - Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
A favorite among both editors and readers for its “cancel your sins” coverage and exceptional staying power. - Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser-Multi-Use Concealer
Affordable with cult status—brightens tired eyes and blends effortlessly, earning praise from thousands of users.
Essential Setting Sprays and Powders
Lock in your look with products that banish shine and extend wear—regardless of weather or activity.
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist
Keeps skin hydrated and makeup intact for up to 12 hours thanks to its fine, continuous mist. - Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder
Highly praised for blurring lines and airbrushing skin, maintaining flawless results for over 10 hours.
Blushes, Bronzers, and Face Palettes for Radiant Cheeks
From cream blushes to multitasking bronzer sticks, these are the go-tos for fresh, sculpted dimension.
- Make Up For Ever HD Skin Blush & Glow Longwear Cream Face Palette
Features both semi-matte and shimmering shades. This palette is easy to build for customized color payoff and lasts up to 10 hours on cheeks. - Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Dark-skin-inclusive, highly pigmented, and voted best blush three years running by readers. - Kaja Dewy Bar Blush & Lip Balm
A true multi-stick delivering natural-looking, dewy color for both lips and cheeks with skin-loving ingredients. - Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
Creamy and super-blendable, this bronzing stick makes contouring mistake-proof—even for beginners.
What others are reading
Expert Tips for Using These Award-Winning Products
- Apply primer after moisturizer but before makeup to extend wear and improve texture.
- For foundation, begin with less product and build coverage—this prevents a heavy finish.
- Blend concealer with a damp sponge or your fingertip for natural coverage, targeting under eyes and blemishes.
- Lock in your makeup with setting powder in your T-zone or wherever you tend to get shiny; use a mist for all-over hold.
- Layer cream and powder blush/bronzer for maximum dimension and staying power.
Editor’s Choice vs. Reader Favorites: What’s the Difference?
| Product Type | Editor’s Choice | Reader Favorite |
|---|---|---|
| Concealer | Tarte Shape Tape Blur Concealer Stick | Maybelline Instant Age Rewind, Hourglass Vanish Concealer |
| Primer | Milk Hydro Grip + Glow, Huda Beauty Easy Blur | e.l.f. Power Grip Primer |
| Foundation | Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech | MAC Studio Fix, Milk Hydro Grip Skin Tint, NARS Pure Radiant |
| Setting Spray/Powder | L’Oréal Paris Infallible Mist | Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Powder |
| Blush/Bronzer | Kaja Dewy Bar Blush & Lip Balm, Make Up For Ever Face Palette | Rare Beauty Liquid Blush, Rare Beauty Bronzer Stick |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which makeup product should I try first for a flawless finish?
Start with a high-quality primer like Milk Hydro Grip + Glow Illuminating Primer to create a smooth, luminous base, followed by a buildable foundation such as Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation.
Can I mix cream and powder blushes?
Yes. Layering cream and powder blush, such as Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush followed by Make Up For Ever HD Skin Blush Palette, enhances color and longevity for all-day wear.
What product is best for long-lasting coverage on oily skin?
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation offers superior oil control and blurring power, minimizing shine and providing a reliable matte finish for oily to combination skin types.
What’s a good drugstore concealer?
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser is a consistently top-rated affordable concealer, praised for brightening, blending, and user-friendliness.
Are these products suitable for sensitive skin?
Many featured products, like Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Skin Tint and Caliray Hideaway Concealer, are formulated without common irritants and tested for sensitive skin safety. Always patch test before applying all over.
Pro Tips for Building Your Makeup Kit
- Choose versatile products (like multi-sticks and palettes) to maximize your routine while minimizing clutter.
- Look for inclusive shade ranges to ensure perfect matches for all skin tones.
- Test products for both daily wear and special occasions to gauge performance under different conditions.
- Prioritize formulas with skin-beneficial ingredients for both beauty and care.
Why These Makeup Products Stand Out
Every product selected for this guide has undergone thorough testing by both beauty experts and real-world users. They represent the gold standard in innovation, inclusivity, and performance—making them essential additions whether you’re refreshing your makeup collection or gifting a beauty enthusiast. With options for every skin type, style preference, and budget, this year’s best makeup products empower you to experiment, enhance, and enjoy your beauty journey.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a64514082/holy-grail-beauty-awards-2025-makeup/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65321822/readers-choice-beauty-awards-2025/
- https://www.lolavie.com/blogs/press/cosmopolitan-s-2025-clean-beauty-awards-the-best-hair-products
- https://camerareadycosmetics.com/collections/cosmopolitan-beauty-awards
- https://manufakturashop.com/article/48/cosmopolitan-beauty-awards-nomination/
- https://www.aol.com/now-presenting-cosmopolitan-2024-holy-132900651.html
- https://hourshaircare.com/blogs/all-articles/full-time-is-a-cosmopolitan-2025-holy-grail-beauty-award-winner
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