What does it take to uncover the year’s best beauty products? Well, for one, you can’t do it alone. There are only so many creams and foundations the Marie Claire beauty team can slather across our faces and bodies. It also takes time. Days, weeks, months of testing. And finally, as any beauty lover knows, you need to be curious about the latest ingredients and trends while also maintaining a high standard of excellence. After all, not every product that hits the market is worth your attention or budget.
That’s where we come in.
With the help of 101 external judges, all experts in their various beauty fields, we sampled over 3,500 products across hair, skin, nails, body, and makeup for five months, and I’m incredibly proud to say that we have found the best of the best. That includes a drugstore shampoo that leaves curls bouncy and hydrated, a foot cream that can tackle even the roughest heels, a vibrant lip that can outlast both a martini and a makeout, and so many other impressive finds. And what I can say for certain, is that every winner in our 2026 Beauty Awards is worth a spot in your routine.
BEST ESSENCE
AUNU
Manuka Essence
$110
HANNAH BAXTER,
Beauty Director, Marie Claire
The serums, creams, and SPF that will enhance each step in your daily routine.
SHOP THE SKINCARE WINNERS
EXPLORE THE SKINCARE WINNERS
BEST UNDEREYE PATCHES
Biodance
Collagen Peptide Eye Patches
$23
BEST RETINOL ALTERNATIVE
Clark's Botanicals
DNA-42 Clincalift Serum
$150
BEST LIP SPF
Good Weather
Skin Daily Sun Gloss
$24
BEST BRIGHTENING CLEANSER
TULA Skincare
The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser
$34
JUDGES
DRUGSTORE
NAIL CARE
BODY CARE
HAIR CARE
MAKEUP
SKINCARE
HAIR
MAKEUP
SKINCARE
NAILS
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
FRAGRANCE
BODY
TOOLS
JUDGES
Skincare
Shop the Rest of the Skincare Winners
Shop the Rest of the Makeup Winners
BEST EYESHADOW PALETTE
Makeup By Mario
Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original
$69
BEST POWDER HIGHLIGHTER
Kosas
Shiny Objects Wet Glisten Powder Highlighter
$34
BEST CONCEALER
ILIA
Skin Blur Serum Concealer
$32
BEST INNOVATION
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
$39
BEST LIP OIL
Chanel
SUBLIMAGE L'EXTRAIT HUILE LÈVRES
$365
SHOP THE makeup WINNERS
EXPLORE THE MAKEUP WINNERS
From red lips to smokey eyes, everything you need to turn up the glamour.
Makeup
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the Rest of the Nail Care Winners
BEST NAIL POLISH REMOVER
Zoya
Remove+
$8
BEST CUTICLE TREATMENT
JINsoon
Carmellia Glow Renewing Peeling Balm
$35
BEST PRESS-ON NAILS
Glamnetic
Mermaid's Tail
$18
BEST NEUTRAL NAIL COLOR
essie
Ballet Slippers
$10
BEST INNOVATION
Dazzle Dry
Prima Ballerina Mini System Kit
$39
SHOP THE NAIL CARE WINNERS
EXPLORE THE NAIL CARE WINNERS
Our hands-down favorites for strong, healthy nails.
Nail Care
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the Rest of the Drugstore Winners
BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA
Well People
Expressionist Mascara
$20
BEST DRUGSTORE CONDITIONER
L'Oréal Paris
Elvive Glycolic + Gloss Shine Boosting Conditioner
$6
BEST DRUGSTORE LIPSTICK
e.l.f.
Glow Reviver Lip Oil Stick
$10
BEST DRUGSTORE SCALP CARE
Carol's Daughter
Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Hair & Scalp
$12
BEST DRUGSTORE BODY WASH
California Naturals
Glow Oil Body Wash
$12
SHOP THE drugstore WINNERS
EXPLORE THE DRUGSTORE WINNERS
Affordable staples that prove a great formula doesn’t need to be expensive to work.
Drugstore
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the Rest of the Body Care Winners
BEST SOLID SUNSCREEN
SHISEIDO
Ultimate Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 60+
$33
BEST NECK TREATMENT
OLAY Regenerist
Face & Neck Lifting Treatment
$41
BEST BODY LOTION
OHMIA
Red Bean Body Lotion
$34
BEST ALUMINUM-FREE DEODORANT
Each & Every
Zen State Deodorant
$22
BEST BODY SELF-TANNER
Bondi Sands Australia
Self Tanning Foam
$27
SHOP THE body care WINNERS
EXPLORE THE BODY CARE WINNERS
Treating your skin doesn’t stop at the neck, which is where these products come in.
Body Care
Shop
the Rest of the Hair Care Winners
BEST INNOVATION
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
FutureIQTM Biomimetic Hair Longevity Serum
$120
BEST REPAIRING HAIR TREATMENT
Crown Affair
The Overnight Repair Serum
$58
BEST HAIR GEL
Camille Rose
Guava Slip Heavy On Hold Extreme Gel
$23
BEST VOLUMIZER FOR STYLING
blu & green
Rise & Set Light Styling Cream
$36
BEST VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO
AWARE HAIR
9•1 Professional Scalp Care Shampoo
$55
SHOP THE HAIR CARE WINNERS
EXPLORE THE HAIR CARE WINNERS
Whatever your texture, these must-haves ensure every day is a good hair day.
Hair Care
Meet Our Beauty Team
HANNAH BAXTER
Beauty Director
SAMANTHA HOLENDER
Senior Beauty Editor
ARIEL WILSON
Beauty Writer
SIENA GAGLIANO
Beauty Editor
meet the rest of our judges