Cosmopolitan’s 2024 Holy Grail Beauty Awards: Best in Skin, Makeup, and Hair
Discover 2024’s most coveted, editor-approved hair, skin, and makeup products—rigorously tested, handpicked, and guaranteed to impress.
Cosmopolitan’s 2024 Holy Grail Beauty Awards
If you live for beauty products—or just want the best-performing options in your life—the Cosmopolitan 2024 Holy Grail Beauty Awards are your beauty bible this year. Cosmopolitan’s editors and beauty team dedicated nearly a full year testing close to 500 skincare, makeup, and hair products, narrowing the field to the absolute best across every category and need. Welcome to the ultimate beauty shopping guide, filled with editor-approved must-haves guaranteed to upgrade your routine.
Table of Contents
- Makeup Finds That Don’t Miss
- Game-Changing Skincare Products
- Top Haircare Heroes
- Trending Beauty Products & Expert Insights
- Editor’s Choice Products
- Frequently Asked Questions: Holy Grail Beauty
The Makeup Finds That Don’t Miss
The search for flawless, long-wear, natural-looking, and bold makeup stopped here. These are the formulas Cosmopolitan editors found themselves reaching for the most—whether for a Zoom meeting, a night out, or long days on set. Each winner is a champion for its texture, durability, and skin-friendly ingredients.
- Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
What It Does: Provides sheer, buildable coverage with a hydrating glow. Editors praised its skin-blurring effect and its weightless formula—never cakey, always fresh. - Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum
What It Does: A hybrid approach fusing makeup coverage with skincare power, this serum delivers complexion-perfecting pigment plus serious hydration. - bareMinerals BarePro 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation
Why You’ll Love It: Featherlight, true matte finish that never settles into lines or looks flat. It’s the touch-up hero with stay-all-day power. - Your New Go-To Mascara
Editors rewarded exceptional mascaras that lift, lengthen, and volumize—without flaking or smudging. Think: fluttery lashes that last. - Bold Brow Game
Brow gels and pencils that lock color and shape for the long haul, keeping arches crisp but natural. - Lip MVPs
Moisturizing balms, liners, and long-wear lipsticks in bold reds, plush neutrals, and everyday pinks stood out for pigment and comfort. - Effortless Blush
Cream and liquid blushes that blend where you want for a believable, healthy flush—no patchiness, ever.
Pro Tip: Look for formulas with built-in skin care benefits: hydrating gels, antioxidant-infused powders, or barrier-boosting serums.
Game-Changing Skincare Products
Meet the cleansers, serums, and moisturizers that editors tested for texture, ingredient innovation, and real results on skin types including sensitive, acne-prone, and mature. Each product has proven its worth for glowing, healthy skin.
- Gentle but Powerful Cleansers
Editors chose gel-to-foam and balmy cleansers that cut through sunscreen, makeup, and grime—without stripping natural oils or causing post-wash tightness. - All-Star Serums
Potent formulas packed with vitamin C, niacinamide, and peptides. Expect brighter, smoother, firmer skin within weeks. - Hydration Powerhouse Moisturizers
Gel creams and barrier-repair balms that soothe sensitive or parched skin and deliver day-long comfort, even under makeup. - Game-Changing SPF
Super-light, invisible, or glowy sunscreen serums that deliver broad-spectrum protection and play well under foundation. - Targeted Spot Treatments
Acne patches, dark spot correctors, and redness reducers that deliver visible improvement with minimal irritation thanks to advanced actives and skin-soothing botanicals.
Editor’s Highlight: Multi-tasking toners with gentle acids speed up cell turnover for brighter skin and clearer pores—without the burn.
Top Haircare Heroes
This year’s awards spotlighted hair essentials that restore, protect, and style your strands—no matter your texture or goals. Cutting-edge formulas and classic favorites alike made the cut for their performance and innovation.
- Kérastase Fresh Affair Refreshing Dry Shampoo
Why It Wins: Instantly revives hair between washes while adding renewed volume and a touch of luxury via its neroli scent. Leaves zero white cast, even on dark hair. - K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Standout Feature: Uses patented molecular technology to deeply repair damage, prevent frizz, and add lasting shine without heaviness. - Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
How It Works: Powered by an acidic pH formula that strengthens weakened hair bonds, repairs chemical and heat damage, and leaves hair feeling like silk. - Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic
Editor Favorite: This scalp tonic with rosemary stimulates roots, boosts circulation, and promotes thicker, livelier hair. - COLOR WOW Extra Strength Dream Coat
Effect: Provides all-weather humidity protection (up to 72 hours) for sleek, glass-like hair—essential for frizz-prone styles. - Redken One United All-In-One Multi-Benefit Treatment
Number One for Versatility: 25 benefits, from heat protection to detangling and shine, for all hair types. - Best at-home hair masks and oils
Deep conditioning masks and strengthening oils that undo the damage of coloring, heat, or everyday life.
What others are reading
Tip: Layer a leave-in with multi-benefit treatments before styling for maximum protection and manageability.
Trending Beauty Products & Expert Insights
The 2024 beauty awards also highlight what’s trending in the beauty world. This year, it’s all about barrier repair, hybrid ‘skinification’ of hair, and products that multitask—delivering multiple benefits with less fuss. Sustainability and ingredient transparency continue to guide both innovation and consumer demand.
- Science-Backed, Planet-Friendly Innovations – Brands and products with high percentages of plant-derived ingredients, minimal packaging, and clear, science-driven claims earned extra points with editors.
- Multi-Tasking Makeup and Skincare – Products that combine skincare actives with makeup pigment (think: serum foundations, lip balms with SPF, and priming moisturizers) continue to dominate.
- Inclusive and Adaptive Formulations – Expanded shade ranges, barrier-respecting formulas, and products addressing diverse needs (such as curly, color-treated, or sensitive skin and hair) reflect a more inclusive beauty industry.
- Editor’s Note: Hybrid formulas—like tinted serums and overnight hair masks—save time and minimize the product lineup, which is a win for both skin and wallet.
Editor’s Choice Products
Here’s a look at standout “Editor’s Choice” products across every beauty category. These are the items Cosmo beauty experts called “life-changing” and found themselves buying again, even after the testing window ended.
| Category | Editor’s Choice Product | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Tint | Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint | Unmatched glow, feels invisible, adapts to most complexions |
| Serum | Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum | Coverage + active skincare; improved skin over time |
| Powder Foundation | bareMinerals BarePro 24HR Wear | Ultra-longwear finish perfect for on-the-go touch-ups |
| Dry Shampoo | Kérastase Fresh Affair Refreshing | Refreshes, volumizes, leaves a delicate fragrance |
| Hair Repair Oil | K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil | Mends and reinforces hair’s inner structure |
| Bond Treatment | Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate | Strengthens, repairs, and boosts shine in damaged hair |
How the Awards Were Decided
The Cosmopolitan beauty team spent months rigorously testing over 500 new, classic, and buzzed-about products. Editors evaluated formulas on every skin and hair type, judged by:
- Performance – Did it deliver visible results?
- Texture and Scent – Did it feel, look, and smell good?
- Innovation – Did it offer something truly new or improved on a classic?
- Inclusivity – Was it accessible and effective for diverse beauty needs?
- Ingredient Integrity – Were the actives proven and the formula free from excess irritants?
Each product had to exceed expectations and outperform competitors. Only then did it make the final awards list.
Frequently Asked Questions: Holy Grail Beauty Awards
Q: What defines a ‘Holy Grail’ beauty product?
A: ‘Holy Grail’ refers to a product that delivers exceptional results, stands out in its category, and becomes a longstanding staple in both editor and consumer routines due to its performance, ingredients, and reliability.
Q: How often are the Cosmopolitan Holy Grail Beauty Awards updated?
A: The list is updated annually by Cosmopolitan’s beauty experts, reflecting the latest launches, technology, and shifts in consumer needs and trends.
Q: Are these products suitable for all skin and hair types?
A: Editors prioritized versatility and inclusivity. Most awarded products work for a wide range of skin tones, hair textures, and sensitivities, but always review ingredient lists for individual concerns.
Q: Can I find both affordable and luxury brands in this list?
A: Yes—awardees span from drugstore mainstays to high-end luxury brands, proving that excellence is not tied to price point.
Q: What should I do if a highly recommended product doesn’t work for me?
A: Even editor-dubbed ‘Holy Grails’ can react differently from person to person. Patch testing and reviewing return policies is advised, and consult a dermatologist or stylist for personalized recommendations.
Final Thoughts: Why Editor Testing Matters
Each product selected for Cosmopolitan’s 2024 Holy Grail Beauty Awards went through months of real-world testing and head-to-head trials. The winners are equal parts crowd-pleasers and editor obsessions, pushing boundaries in performance, inclusivity, and ingredient integrity. Start your beauty shopping here, and build a routine that feels modern, elevated, and authentically you.
References
- https://us.manucurist.com/pages/beauty-awards
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4fvPMmW6dE
- https://www.glamot.com/blog/48601/winners-of-the-cosmopolitan-beauty-awards-2024
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a60442544/holy-grail-beauty-awards-2024/
- https://www.bareminerals.com/blogs/barebeauty/cosmopolitan-s-holy-grail-beauty-award-winner-barepro-liquid-foundation
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a61817767/readers-choice-beauty-awards-2024/
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