Beauty reviews are a dime a dozen all over the Internet. But once a year, since 2001, our team has conducted stringent product testing for our beauty awards. We don’t just try the products for fun. We test each one vigorously against others in the same category to find the cream of the crop.
Makeup
The new foundations are better at giving your complexion that flawless look. Highlighters are providing a more natural version of that sought-after glow. And lip colours don’t fade anymore but stain lips instead, so you never look undone.
Foundation
BEST CARE-FOR-YOUR-SKIN CUSHION FOUNDATION
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Dior Prestige Le Cushion Teint de Rose, $140
It blends well, sits well, and gives a natural skin like finish as it evens and brightens skin tone while keeping the complexion smooth and plumped. The medium, buildable coverage lasts many hours.
BEST CUSHION FOUNDATION FOR K-DEWY SKIN
Editors’ Choice
La Mer The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF20, $160
With this, your skin has a natural-looking dewy glow. The sponge picks up just the right amount with each pat. It feels comforting and comfortable, especially if you prefer light coverage.
Readers’ Choice
Hera UV Mist Cushion, $68
Gives a good balance of coverage, dewiness and staying power – it doesn’t make skin look too oily, covers most blemishes, and lasts all day. Our testers love the scent.
BEST CUSHION FOUNDATION – SOFT BLUR
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Laneige Layering Cover Cushion & Concealing Base, $43
One side is a foundation, the other side is a concealer. The former covers imperfections in a semi-matte finish, softly blurring them out. The concealer covers light to medium blemishes nicely. Skin looks amazingly smooth.
BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION – MATTE FINISH
Editors’ Choice Laura Mercier
Flawless Fusion Ultra-longwear Foundation, $80
The matte finish lasts at least eight hours without streaking or fading. It’s lightweight and easily blendable, although it dries quickly on skin.
Readers’ Choice Estee Lauder
Double Wear Stay in-place Makeup SPF10/PA++, $70
This will give you at least eight hours of beautiful coverage. In fact, it looks flawless even without touch ups at the end of a 20-hour day – and on combination skin too.
BEST CUSHION FOUNDATION – SOFT GLOW
Editors’ Choice
Nars Aqua Glow Cushion Foundation, $66
Wonderful buildable coverage with a very subtle – not glassy – glow. If you have oilier skin, take the time to blend it in so it doesn’t end up looking patchy.
Readers’ Choice
Chanel Vitalumiere Glow Luminous Touch Foundation, $90
The glow is more dewy than soft, imparting a pinkish radiance. It is hydrating and covers imperfections well, but some testers found the texture a little too slick.
BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION – SOFT GLOW
Editors’ Choice
Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation Second-skin Glow – Breathable Perfection, $72
The finish is truly second skin-like, with a soft, natural glow. It covers imperfections, doesn’t cake or streak, and is long-lasting. Ticks all the boxes.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF30/ PA++, $70
Has a matte finish that covers blemishes like freckles well. Instead of a dewy glow, skin looks radiant and healthy – although it does look like you’re wearing foundation.
BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION – NATURAL FINISH
Editors’ Choice
Giorgio Armani Beauty Maestro Fusion Makeup, $110
The silky texture glides over skin to mask imperfections, but it doesn’t look heavy. It is ultra-light and buildable, yet lets the skin show through. Excellent natural finish.
Readers’ Choice
M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF30 Foundation, $64
Perfect for those with fairly good skin. The sheer to medium coverage will even out skin tone but not cover spots or zits completely.
Foundation
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION – SOFT MATTE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, $65
Lightweight, blendable, breathable and really comfortable even when layered on. The finish is a perfect soft matte that looks smooth and natural around lines and pores, not powdery or cakey. It comes in 21 shades.
BEST PARTY-ALL-NIGHT LIQUID FOUNDATION
Editors’ Choice
YSL Beaute All Hours
Foundation, $98 A full-coverage foundation that covers acne scars well. It has great lasting power – about 10 hours without fading or streaking. All you need beyond this is a quick touch-up around the nose and chin.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear
Foundation, $68 Our tester had it on for close to 15 hours and her face still looked decently matte. It takes more effort to blend the thicker cream texture into skin, but the payoff is that a concealer isn’t necessary.
BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION – DEWY FINISH
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Sephora Collection Glow Perfection Foundation, $26
It’s high-coverage and hydrating. To ensure streak-free blending, apply with a sponge, not your fingers, and take time to work it into your skin.
BEST CUSHION FOUNDATION – SOFT MATTE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Hera Black Cushion, $75
A truly natural finish that controls shine all day – skin looks matte and fresh even after 14 hours of wear. You get high coverage with one layer. Those with dry skin may want to apply a moisturising primer under the foundation.
BEST CUSHION FOUNDATION – NATURAL FINISH
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Kose Infinity Cushion Serum Glow, $82 (the refill is $60)
Covers slight blemishes and redness, and evens out skin tone in a natural way. The dewy foundation lasts a whole day without becoming patchy or streaking.
DRUGSTORE
BEST CUSHION FOUNDATION
Editors’ Choice
CNP Laboratory Propolis Ampule in Cushion, $54
A value-for-money product with high coverage (no concealer needed) and skincare properties (propolis is moisturising). It lights up the complexion and has a satiny finish that falls between dewy and matte.
Readers’ Choice
Aprilskin Perfect Magic Cover Fit Cushion, $47
Light to medium coverage with a slightly watery texture. Skin looks natural and dewy.
BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-matte Foundation, $29.90
The texture is not too heavy or thick, and covers blemishes and redness reasonably well without caking. For a more even finish, prep the skin with a primer first. Skin stays fresh and matte for about 10 hours.
PHOTOGRAPHY PHYLLICIA WANG STYLING SHERLI CHONG
PHOTOGRAPHY TAN WEI TE STYLING SHERLI CHONG
PHOTO GALLERY STOCK
Lips
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
BEST MATTE LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick, $40
It’s very matte and very pigmented yet glides on easily and doesn’t feel dry on the lips – or dry them out. It’s also long-lasting.
BEST LIP TREATMENT
Editors’ Choice
Inika Certified Organic Lip Serum, $42
Apply it on top of lipstick for shine and to seal in moisture, on bare lips to moisturise, or as a gloss. Use it at bedtime so your lips feel smooth and soft the next day.
Readers’ Choice
Fresh Sugar Lip Wonder Drops Advanced Therapy, $39
Massage one drop into lips every night to treat and condition them. It has moisturising ingredients such as glycerine and vitamin E to nourish the lips and keep them supple and smooth.
BEST CREAM LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice
Astalift Flarosso
Tirabaci Lipstick, $46 The matte lippie glides on easily, smoothing over dry patches and fine lines without dragging against your skin. It fades off evenly after meals.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Nars Audacious Lipstick, $46
Creamy and pigmented, it glides on without pulling on skin. The natural sheen of the cream finish makes for a fuller-looking pout. It fades minimally after a greasy meal.
Editors’ Choice
Elizabeth Arden Plush Up Lip Gelato, $35
Has lots of moisturising ingredients, including phytoceramides and sodium hyaluronate, to plump-up lips.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick, $42
The buttery texture glides over lips. We love the intense colours and high shine sans stickiness.
BEST LIQUID GLOSSY LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice
3ina The Lip Vinyl, $23
The colour is rich, creamy and shiny enough, and fades to a sheer tint. It’s a little sticky but hides fine lines and dry skin well.
Readers’ Choice YSL Beaute Volupte
Liquid Colour Balm, $52
The creamy texture is packed with pigments and is very hydrating. It gives a nice sheen that doesn’t look too slick.
BEST LIP BALM
Editors’ Choice
Bema Nature Up Lip Balm Moisturizing, $19
Really moisturising and creamy, lasting through an entire morning of drinking beverages without drying the lips.
Readers’ Choice
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, $14
It’s more of a gloss than balm, but it manages to moisturise dry lips for a few hours. Bonus: the refreshing grapefruit scent and shimmery finish.
BEST SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Rouge Dior Ultra Rouge, $50
It glides onto lips like a balm, has intense pigments and vibrant colours with a soft-matte finish, and is super long-lasting without being drying.
BEST LIQUID MATTE LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice
Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick, $55
It is super-pigmented, so build it up slowly and carefully. It’s not transfer proof but fades gradually to look like a lip stain. We like the hydrating, soft matte finish.
Readers’ Choice
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Paint-on Liquid Lipcolor, $52
Highly pigmented with a luxuriously velvety feel that makes lines on lips less obvious. Start with a light layer and build up the intensity with a second.
BEST LIQUID POWDER MATTE LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice
Nyx Professional Makeup Powder Puff Lippie Powder Lip Cream (Cream to Powder Matte), $20
Squeeze the tube to push colour onto the sponge puff. The lipstick is velvety and powdery-smooth, and fades off evenly after a meal.
Readers’ Choice
Chanel Rouge Allure Liquid Powder, $50
Another one with a sponge puff applicator. The finish is powdery and diffused – more like a pigmented matte stain.
Lips
BEST LIP GLOSS
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Urban Decay Hi-fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lip Gloss, $32
An ultra-shiny, glimmery lip gloss that has good staying power and a comfortable, moisturising texture.
BEST LIQUID SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice
Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Magnet, $57
One of the most beautiful soft matte lipsticks around, with the most user-friendly and precise triangular-tipped applicator. The watery formula is intensely pigmented but feels like nothing on the lips when dry, smoothing lines away.
Readers’ Choice
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayon, $38
A comfortable soft matte that hides fine lines and dry patches. The creamy crayon glides on very smoothly, even over the Cupid’s bow and lip corners, so go slowly.
BEST LIP STAIN
Editors’ Choice
YSL Beaute Tatouage Couture, $55
Lightweight, creamy and dries to a barely-there velvety matte finish. The flat applicator makes defining the lips a breeze, and the colour stays put.
Readers’ Choice
Laneige Stained Glasstick, $34
This gives sheer colour and a pretty sheen, so don’t expect it to be long-lasting. It melts into lips and leaves a pink stain after meals.
BEST LIQUID LACQUER LIPSTICK
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Dior Addict Lacquer Plump, $50
The super-shiny finish plumps lips, making them look fuller, and it is so hydrating that you don’t need a lip balm. It fades to a pretty stain.
Highlighter
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
BEST POWDER HIGHLIGHTER
Editors’ Choice
Shiseido Makeup Aura Dew, $38
So easy to apply with your fingers. It adheres well, with shimmer pigments that reflect light and look radiant. It works well over makeup too.
Readers’ Choice
Nars Highlighting Powder, $62
Melts right into the skin for a creamy, sun-kissed glow that doesn’t emphasise pores.
Editors’ Choice
Cosme Decorte Dip in Glow, $50
Gives a healthy-looking, natural sheen that’s very flattering. The balm-like highlighter is best worn over foundation and before blusher, so your makeup won’t move around.
Readers’ Choice
Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick, $66
The triangular tip goes easily over the brows and Cupid’s bow. Or you can dab the product on with your finger. Use a light hand so it doesn’t settle into fine lines.
Blusher
BEST “FAKE-A WORKOUT” BLUSHER
Editors’ Choice
Shiseido Makeup Minimalist Whippedpowder Blush, $48
We love the light, whipped cream-to-powder texture. The blusher blends easily into skin without highlighting pores.
Readers’ Choice
Benefit Cosmetics Gold Rush, $51
The warm peach blusher with gold shimmer gives a natural looking post-workout-like flush that works with all skin tones.
BEST NATURAL LOOKING BLUSHER
Editors’ Choice
Hera Flash Blusher, $55
A cream-to-powder formula that feels velvety. It’s buildable and finger blends easily. The colour stays on all day, too.
Readers’ Choice
Nars Torrid Liquid Blush, $50
A little goes a very long way – just a tiny dot will give your cheeks a dewy, rosy flush.
DRUGSTORE
BEST BLUSHER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Revlon Powder Blush, $19.90
Skin gets a slight flush with a subtle gold shimmer. Blend it carefully with a blusher brush so it lasts longer.
Base Makeup
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
BEST PRESSED POWDER FOR RADIANT SKIN
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Sulwhasoo Powder for Cushion, $78
Created to set cushion foundation, the super-fine powder absorbs excess sebum and gives skin a pretty, dewy finish. It gives a radiant glow to more tanned skin.
BEST BLEMISH-BLURRING PRIMER
Editors’ Choice
Erborian CC Red Correct SPF25, $62
Glides on, hydrates well and smooths skin too, making this a winner. It’s best for balancing redness because of the green tint, yet it doesn’t make you look pasty.
Readers’ Choice
3ina The Matte & Smooth Face Primer, $29
Our tester has a very oily T-zone and loved how this primer kept her makeup in place all day, controlling the oil on her forehead yet not drying out her cheeks.
BEST GLOW ENHANCING PRIMER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Pearl Primer, $54
Gives a soft glow with a pore- and pigmentation blurring effect that makes skin look flawless for up to 10 hours.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Hera Magic Starter in Rose, $62
This feels cool and refreshing, and has a soft glow finish. Skin feels hydrated, looks brighter, pores are filled in, and makeup glides on well.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, $76
It melts into skin for a smooth, airbrushed finish that doesn’t crease, crack or flake. Skin looks natural and flawless, not powdery or cakey.
Editors’ Choice
Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer, $105
It has good coverage for all sorts of imperfections. Just a little is needed as it blends so easily. Bonus: There’s no mess as it’s in stick form.
Readers’ Choice
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-longwear Concealer, $49
This softly blurs out imperfections like wrinkles and enlarged pores to make skin look airbrushed. It’s really easy to blend too.
BEST FULL-COVERAGE CONCEALER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, $46
It has a lovely whipped texture that blends easily to cover blemishes. Even when layered on, it doesn’t crease or cake.
BEST TINTED PRIMER
Editors’ Choice
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser, $126
Delivers the right amount of skin brightening and colour coverage for those who like a barely-there finish.
Readers’ Choice
Etude House Active Proof Liquid Fitting Base SPF50+/PA++++, $15.90
It glides on, blends easily and gives good coverage (one tester even used it in place of foundation).
Editors’ Choice
Erborian Bamboo Matte Cream, $35
Skin feels soft, smooth and shine-free. Unlike other mattifying primers, it will not cake your foundation. It is also hydrating, with a mild “green” scent.
Readers’ Choice
Nyx Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Primer (Velvet Matte Finish), $26
Leaves skin looking velvety-matte and shinefree for a few hours. It spreads and blends easily.
BEST PRESSED POWDER FOR EXTRA COVERAGE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder, $50
It sets any cream or liquid base, leaving a soft-blur matte effect. Skin looks luminous and flawless, and isn’t cakey even after several touch-ups over the course of the day.
Eyes
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
BEST BROW PRODUCT FOR DAGGER-LIKE BROWS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Benefit Cosmetics Brow Contour Pro, $57
The multipurpose “pen” houses four shades: two to fill in brows, a skin-tone one to define, and a highlighter to perfect the arch. The pen tip glides smoothly and deposits pigments evenly.
BEST EYELINER TO GET SMOKY EYES
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Elizabeth Arden 24 Hour High Drama Eyeliner, $36
A sponge tip at one end lightly blurs lines to give you a smoky eye. The creamy, intensely pigmented eyeliner gives you a good 30 seconds of blending time before it sets and becomes budge-proof for the rest of the day.
BEST MASCARA FOR FALSIE-LIKE LASHES
Editors’ Choice
YSL Beaute Mascara Vinyl Couture, $55
It opens up the eyes by fanning out the lashes while thickening them. The buildable formula doesn’t clump, and the densely packed bristles make it easy to coat lashes with one swipe while the tapered tip gets to stubby lashes easily.
Editors’ Choice
Hera Rich Long Lash Waterproof Mascara in #79, $45
The thin, slightly curved wand is loosely packed to catch every lash precisely. It has a lengthening effect but won’t thicken or curl lashes. The formula is lightweight, buildable and clump-free.
Readers’ Choice
Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara, $48
The big bristles on the large brush catch all your lashes in one swipe, helping to separate them and add volume. On poker straight lashes, a couple more swipes will do the trick. It’s smudge-proof.
BEST EYELINER TO GET THROUGH A LATE NIGHT
Editors’ Choice
Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner, $22
It glides on and sets quickly, and lasts at least 10 hours without smudging or rubbing off, although it is not waterproof (it washes off with water). The fine tip is good for beginners.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Shiseido Makeup Microliner Ink, $38
The thin, pointed tip makes it easy to draw fine, precise lines. It doesn’t drag on the lids because of how creamy it is. It’s waterproof, but will smudge after a few hours.
BEST VOLUMISING MASCARA
Editors’ Choice
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, $46
Pumps up lashes with just one coat. The brush grips lashes at the base and lifts them, then the formula locks them in place. It’s not waterproof, but it doesn’t smudge.
Readers’ Choice
Benefit Cosmetics Badgal Bang! Mascara, $42
Wonderfully volumising on every single lash, even hard-to-reach ones. Lashes look full and natural, and remain clump free. It makes your eyes look much bigger.
BEST EVERYDAY BROW PENCIL
Editors’ Choice
The Browgal Skinny Eyebrow Pencil, $34
The nib is of the right firmness – soft enough to deposit colour, hard enough to draw hairlike strokes. The result: natural looking brows. A bonus: the handy sharpener in the cap.
Readers’ Choice
Nars Brow Perfector, $38
The super-thin tip is the secret to a more defined brow. The tip is soft, though, so use a brush to blend out the brows for a more natural look.
PHOTOGRAPHY PHYLLICIA WANG STYLING SHERLI CHONG
PHOTO GALLERY STOCK
DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE
BEST EVERYDAY EYESHADOW PALETTE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Dior Backstage Eye Palette in #001 Warm, $83
A good mix of nudes and browns in matte and shimmer textures. The eyeshadows are buildable and effortless to apply, even without a brush. Extra points for the eye primer in the palette.
BEST BROW PRODUCT FOR K-BROWS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Laneige Two Tone Eyebrow Cushion-cara in #3, $36
Just dab and go – the colour deposits easily so filling in brows is a cinch, while the dual-ended applicator lets you shape or fill in gaps in your brows.
BEST EYESHADOW PALETTE FOR PARTIES
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette, $76
This has 21 richly pigmented shades in a range of everyday and party brights, in matte, shimmer and even glittery textures. Use a light hand when blending.
DRUGSTORE
BEST EVERYDAY EYESHADOW PALETTE
Editors’ Choice
Palladio Eyeland Vibes in Horizon, $19.90
All the most wearable browns and nudes you need to create a range of looks, from the smoky eye to an everyday work look. The mix of matte and shimmer finishes takes you from day to night.
Readers’ Choice
Max Factor Masterpiece Nude Eyeshadow Palette, $27.90
The easy-to-blend colours are versatile enough to take you from desk to dinner.
BEST BROW MAKEUP
Editors’ Choice
Za Dual-end Eyebrow, $13.90
The sponge tip blends colour smoothly while the angled pencil has just the right firmness on the skin. It’s long-lasting unless your skin is very oily.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Revlon Colorstay Brow Kit, $12.99
All you need for perfectly defined brows that last all day. The powder can be used wet or dry to create a different intensity.
BEST EYELINER TO GET SMOKY EYES
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Kate Tokyo Fit Rare Gel Pencil, $19.90
It’s easy to apply and lasts the whole day without smudging. The intense pigments really help to define eyes.
BEST EYELINER
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner 24H Waterproof, $19.90
The fine-tipped brush lets you draw a very fine line, wings, or even dots in between the lashes, as well as use it at an angle for a thicker line.
