Every year, the CLEO Beauty Hall of Fame brings you the very best in beauty. This time, judges Alex T, Mong Chin Yeoh, Sahur Saleim, Sean Ang, Beauty Editor Smita DeSouza and the CLEO crew tried over 200 products to bring you the ones that truly work—plus insider tips to make the most of them. Don’t add to cart without reading this first
Winners
LIPS
BEST NEUTRAL LIPSTICK
Les Merveilleuses Ladurée Lip Color in 08, $36
MOST HYDRATING LIPSTICK
The History of Whoo GongjJinHyang Mi Luxury Lip Rouge, $58
BEST MATTE LIPSTICK EVER
ETUDE HOUSE Matte Chic Lip Lacquer, $19.90
BEST LIPSTICK SPLURGE
Clé de Peau Beauté Lipstick Cashmere, $92
BEST UNIVERSAL RED LIPPIE
Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in RD163, $38
BEST PINK LIPPIE
HERA Lip Gelcrush in #117, $45
BEST LIP GLOSS
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick, $42
BEST LIP BALM
LANEIGE Stained Glow Lip Balm, $33
BEST LIQUID LIPSTICK
HERA Sensual Intense Velvet, $43
BEST LIP PENCIL
Bourjois Lèvres Contour Edition Lip Pencil, $13.50
BEST WEIGHTLESS LIPPIE
Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Magnet, $57
MOST WEIGHTLESS LIP OIL TREATMENT
Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil, $82
CHEEKS
BEST CUSHION/STICK BLUSHER
HERA Flash Blusher, $55
MOST EXTRA HIGHLIGHTER
NARS Illuminating Loose Powder, $62
BEST BLUSHER UNDER $30
Excel Skinny Rich Cheek, $25.90
BLUSHER FOR THE MOST NATURAL LOOK
Benefit Cosmetics Gold Rush Blush, $53
BEST BRONZER
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer Jumbo, $77
MOST SPLURGE-WORTHY BLUSHER
Les Merveilleuses Ladurée Face Color Rose Ladurée, $105 (refill), $45 (pot)
BEST CHEEK PALETTE
Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow & Blush, $80
BEST CONTOUR PALETTE
Dior Backstage Contour Palette Universal, $77
BASES
BEST UNDEREYE CONCEALER
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, $38
BEST CONCEALER FOR BLEMISHES
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer, $42
MOST MATTIFYING FOUNDATION
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Compact, $72
LIQUID FOUNDATION THAT FEELS LIKE SECOND SKIN
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, $74 BEST
LONG-LASTING FOUNDATION
Sulwhasoo Sheer Gel Lasting Foundation, $76
LOOSE POWDER WITH THE MOST TRANSLUCENT FINISH
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder, $44
BEST CUSHION MAKEUP
Sulwhasoo Sheer Gel Lasting Cushion, $76
BEST MAKEUP PRIMER
Tarte Base Tape Hydrating Primer, $39
BEST FOUNDATION BRUSH/TOOL
CLIO Hydro Makeup Sponge Original Master Blender, $20.90
BEST POWDER BRUSH
Fenty Beauty Powder Puff Setting Brush 170, $50
BEST SUNSCREEN UNDER MAKEUP
Sigi Skin Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen, $58
TIE
LANEIGE Air Light Sun Stick, $30
BEST SUNSCREEN OVER MAKEUP
Soleil Toujours Organic Set + Protect Micro Mist SPF 30, $55
BEST MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY
Rimmel #Insta Fix & Go Setting Spray, $18.89
EYES AND BROWS
BEST EYESHADOW PALETTE UNDER $50
I’m Meme I’m Eyeshadow Palette #SP01 Day to Night, $49.90
BEST EYESHADOW UNDER $30
KATE Dark Rose Shadow, $20
BEST EYELINER PENCIL
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long Stay Sharp Gel Liner, $16.90
BEST EYESHADOW STICK / CRAYON
ETUDE HOUSE PLay 101 Pencil, $12
BEST LIQUID EYELINER
Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner, $18.90
BEST WATERPROOF MASCARA
ALBION Elégance Full Extension Mascara, $54
MASCARA FOR THE MOST DRAMATIC RESULT
Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Bang, $44
MASCARA FOR SHORT LASHES
Excel Curl Up Mascara, $20.90
MOST VOLUMISING MASCARA
Tarte Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara $35
BEST EYEBROW PENCIL
PIXI Natural Brow Duo, $35
BEST EYEBROW KIT
Excel Styling Powder Eyebrow, $22.90
BEST BROW POMADE
Bourjois Brow Pomade, $21.90
FRAGRANCES
MOST SUBTLE SCENT FOR AN ATAS DINNER
Byredo Eleventh Hour Eau de Parfum, $210 for 50ml
MOST DATE-WORTHY SCENT
Miss Dior Eau de Toilette, $137 for 50ml
BEST FRAGRANCE FOR GIRL BOSS MOMENTS
Giorgio Armani Beauty Sì Passione EDP, $175 for 100ml
FRESHEST SCENT
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Ginger Piccante EDT, $161 for 125ml
BEST FRAGRANCE FOR HIM AND HER
Mugler Aura Eau de Parfum, $149 for 30ml
BEST 9-TO-5 FRAGRANCE
Lanvin Éclat de Nuit Eau de Parfum, $74 for 30ml
HAIRCARE
BEST EVERYDAY SHAMPOO/ CONDITIONER UNDER $20
Schwarzkopf Extra Care Total Repair Shampoo, $11.90
BEST SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER FOR CHEMICALLY-TREATED HAIR
L’Occitane Aromachologie Intensive Repairing Shampoo, $35
BEST SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER FOR COLOURED HAIR
Mucota Little Forest 01 Smoothing Botanical Scalp Shampoo, $56
BEST DEEP-CLEANSING SHAMPOO
Ryo Scalp Deep Cleansing Shampoo, $16.90
BEST ANTI-FLAKES SHAMPOO
Ryo Dandruff Relief Shampoo, $16.90
BEST SHAMPOO FOR OILY SCALPS
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Vitalizing Shampoo, $38
MOST VOLUMISING SHAMPOO
Moist Diane Perfect Beauty Extra Volume & Scalp Shampoo, $16.90
BEST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Phyto Phytomillesime Beauty Concentrate, $65
MOST HYDRATING HAIR MASK
Amika Kervais and Argan Lifesaver Treatment Mask, $100
BEST REPAIRING TREATMENT FOR DAMAGED LOCKS
Schwarzkopf Extra Care Total Repair Express Repair Treatment, $18.90
BEST FRIZZ-TAMING TREATMENT
John Frieda Frizz Ease Original Serum (Ginseng Extract), $19.90
BEST TREATMENT FOR THINNING HAIR
Dr.ForHair Folligen Tonic, $21.90
HAIRSTYLING TOOLS & PRODUCTS
BEST STRONG HOLD HAIRSPRAY
Schwarzkopf Taft Power Hair Lacquer, $13.90
BEST VOLUMISER
Goldwell Kerasilk Style Bodifying Volume Mousse, $52
BEST CURL DEFINER
KMS Curlup Perfecting Lotion, $40
BEST STYLING CREAM
Goldwell Kerasilk Style Accentuating Finish Crème, $58
BEST HEAT PROTECTOR
Shiseido Stageworks Fluffy Curl Mist, $31
BEST EVERYDAY WAX / CLAY
Matomage Hair Styling Stick, $9.90
BEST HAIR OIL
Schwarzkopf Beology Hair Serum, $25 BEST HAIR DRYER Amika Power Cloud Repair and Smooth Dryer, $538
BEST STRAIGHTENER
Amika Digital Titanium Styler, $458
BEST CURLING TOOL
Dyson Airwrap Hair Styler Complete, $699
CLEANSERS
BEST EXFOLIATOR
Rosette Gommage Gentle Peeling Gel, $9.90
MOST EFFECTIVE CLEANSING WIPES
Bioré Cleansing Oil Cotton Facial Sheets (Moist and Hydrating), $17.90
MOST EFFECTIVE MAKEUP REMOVER
Filorga Foam Cleanser, $35
TIE
Senka All Clear Oil Whip, $14.90
BEST EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
Filorga Optim-Eyes Lotion, $45
BEST OIL CLEANSER
Shu Uemura Skin Purifier POREfinist2 Sakura Refreshing Cleansing Oil, $50
TIE
Recherche Pre Wash Micro Cleansing Oil, $69
MOST EFFECTIVE CLEANSING WATER
Bifesta Cleansing Lotion Moist, $16.90
GENTLEST DEEP PORE CLEANSER
KANEBO Refreshing Powder Wash, $49
BEST CLEANSER FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Eucerin Pro Acne Cleansing Gel, $25.90
BEST CLEANSER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Cosme Decorte Phytotune Foaming Cleanser, $48
BEST CLEANSER UNDER $30
NIVEA Micellar Rose Water Wash Gel, $10.90
MOST SPLURGE-WORTHY CLEANSER
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Water, $50
BEST CLEANSING TOOL
Bio Therapeutic Bt-Sonic 2.0 Microsonic Cleansing Brush, $160
MOISTURISER
BEST OIL-FREE MOISTURISER
Utena ALOES Moist Gel, $18.90
BEST WRINKLE-DEFYING MOISTURISER
One By Kose The Wrinkless Wrinkle Repair Cream, $80
BEST MOISTURISER FOR DRY SKIN
COSME DECORTE AQ Whitening Cream, $298
BEST NIGHT CREAM UNDER $50
Innisfree Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream, $43
BEST NON-PORE CLOGGING MOISTURISER
Crème Simon Restorative Light Night Moisturiser, $98
BEST MOISTURISER FOR OILY SKIN
Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion, $100
BEST BRIGHTENING MOISTURISER
Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin-Brightening Light Day Cream, $69.10
BEST MOISTURISER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
The Body Shop 100% Natural Shea Butter, $31
BEST FACIAL MIST
Jowaé Sakura Hydrating Mist, $18
TREATMENTS
BEST EMERGENCY ZIT ZAPPER
Oxy Anti-bacterial Acne Patch, $6.50
BEST ESSENCE / AMPOULE
The History of Whoo Bichup First Care Moisture Anti-Aging Essence, $122 BEST SERUM UNDER $50 Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic Serum, $38
BEST WRINKLE PREVENTING SERUM
Allies of Skin Vitamin C 35% Collagen Rebuilding Serum, $175
MOST WORTHY SERUM INVESTMENT
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $128
BEST SERUM FOR CITY SKIN
Sulwhasoo Bloomstay Vitalizing Serum, $188
BEST FACIAL OIL
MTM Skincare Custom-blended Relieving Oil, $126
MOST HYDRATING MASK (CREAM / SHEET)
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Mask, $14.90
TIE
KORA Organics Noni Glow Sleeping Mask, $68
BEST BRIGHTENING MASK
Pixi Skintreats Glow Glycolic Boost, $16
BEST DARK SPOT TREATMENT
Albion Infinesse White White Surge Solution, $167
BEST PORE MINIMISER
Decorté Phytotune Hydro Toner, $68
BEST EYE DE-PUFFER
PERA Hydro Cooling Sleep-On Eye Mask, $88
BEST EYE CREAM FOR DARK CIRCLES SANA
Namerakahonpo Wrinkle Eye Cream, $19.90
BEST EYE MASK
Sigi Skin Pink Nectar, $62
GENTLEST PEEL
Dermalogica Rapid Reveal Peel, $146 for a pack of 10
BEST CLEAN SERUM
Alche{me} Customised Serum, $60 for 15ml
BEST FACE DEVICE
ReFA Caxa Ray, $350
BODY & NAILS
BEST BODY EXFOLIATOR KORA
Organics Body Exfoliator, $59
BEST BODY WASH FOR HIM AND HER
A’kin Lavender Relaxing Body Wash, $38.50
MOST REFRESHING SHOWER GEL / FOAM
Moist Diane Botanical Refresh & Moist Body Soap, $18.90
MOST HYDRATING BODY WASH UNDER $30
Oh Oppa Shower & Bath Gel (Chamomile), $10.90
BEST BODY MOISTURISER UNDER $30
Lishan Skin Cream, $19.90
BEST SPLURGE-WORTHY BODY MOISTURISER
Lierac Body-Hydra+ Hydro-Plumping Lotion, $48
BEST SCENTED BODY LOTION
GRATiAE Silky Body Butter (Passion Fruit and Lime), $58
BEST BODY OIL
Beyond Deep Moisture Body Serum in Oil, $36.90
MOST EFFECTIVE DEODORANT
NIVEA Whitening Powder Deodorant Roll-On, $4.95
BEST EVERYDAY NAIL SHADE
Chanel Le Vernis in 578 New Dawn, $40
BEST RED NAIL SHADE
THE FACE SHOP Easy Gel in 07, $9.80
BEST HAND CREAM
Chanel La Crème Main, $85
TREATMENT FOR YOUR SOLES
Olive Oil Skincare Company Soothing Balm Pure, $28
MEN'S GROOMING
BEST EVERYDAY FRAGRANCE
Tom Ford Ombre Leather Eau de Parfum, $350 for 50ml
SEXIEST MEN’S SCENT
Bleu de Chanel Parfum, $217 for 100ml
MOST EFFECTIVE SHAVING CREAM
The Body Shop Maca Root & Aloe Softening Shaving Cream, $24
MOST SOOTHING AFTERSHAVE
The Body Shop Maca Root & Aloe Calming Post-Shave Water-Gel, $25
BEST HEAVY-DUTY HAIR POMADE
KMS Hairstay Molding Pomade, $40
MOST EFFECTIVE DEODORANT
Kiehl’s Body Fuel Antiperspirant & Deodorant, $29
BEST FACIAL CLEANSER FOR HIM
Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser, $38.35
BEST MOISTURISER FOR HIM
HERA Homme Super Brightening Fluid, $60
SUPPLEMENTS + SPAS / SALONS
BEST GLOW-INDUCING SUPPLEMENT
RE:ERTH PhytoBright, $105
MOST VALUE-FOR-MONEY FACIAL
AsterSpring Intense Whitening Plus Treatment, $240 (75 mins)
BEST FACIAL FOR NO-FILTER SKIN
Ageless Medi-Aesthetics Miracle Defence Facial, $300 for first trial session (U.P. $360 per session)
MOST NATURAL EYEBROW EMBROIDERY
Avone 9V Ultimate Virtual Brows Embroidery, $1,480
TIE
KO Brows K-Natural Makeup Eyebrow Embroidery, $699
BEST SCALP TREATMENT FOR HAIR LOSS
Radium Aesthetics Scalp Revive MediSpa Facial, $158