Awards Total Beauty 2021 Seal

WELCOME TO THE 12TH ANNUAL TOTALBEAUTY AWARDS

We tested and you voted…get ready to meet the best beauty products of the year.

BB/CC Cream/Tinted Moisturizer
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EDITORS' PICK

Sisley Phyto Hydra Teint

This luxe tinted moisturizer combines the hydration of a light moisturizer with the full coverage of foundation in one do-it-all product that doesn’t settle into lines. Wear it in place of foundation for added radiance and a smooth finish.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Blush
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EDITORS' PICK

M2U NYC Cream Blush Multi Stick

You don’t need any tools to apply this cream-to-powder blush, which comes in a goof-proof stick form. Simply glide the blush stick over your cheeks anytime and anywhere for a pop of color. You can also use it on your lips. This pick was also selected by our readers.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

E.L.F. Cosmetics Putty Blush

The velvety, cream-to-powder formula easily blends into skin to create a gorgeous, natural flush.

Bronzer/Contour Powder
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EDITORS' PICK

Gucci Poudre De Beaute Eclat Soleil

This creamy powder bronzer comes in five warming shades to give every skin tone a sun-kissed glow. The formula is infused with shea butter and hyaluronic acid to nourish skin so you can rest assured it’ll apply smoothly without caking. Plus, it comes with an angled brush for easy application.

READERS' CHOICE

ITEM Beauty Cheek Money

Sculpt and glow with this two-in-one bronzer/contour powder. Use the contour powder to define your cheekbones, jawline and hairline. Then apply the bronzer to the apples of your cheeks for warmth.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer

Enjoy a summer glow even in the dead of winter with this cream bronzer. Each of the five shades is buildable, blendable and has a multidimensional sheen for an effortless bronze.

Brows
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EDITORS' PICK

Meloway Brow Creation Gel

Fill, tame and thicken brows in just one swipe with this long-lasting brow gel. It transforms brows from thin and sparse to full and fluffy by grabbing and coating each hair. With four natural shades, finding your perfect match is a breeze.

READERS' CHOICE

ITEM Brow Chow

This dual-sided brow pencil is the one tool you need in your brow arsenal. Use the triangular tip to fill, fluff and define your arches. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

EM Cosmetics Flexibrow Clear Brow Gel

With this product you don’t have to worry about finding a shade match. This universal clear brow gel works on all hair colors to lift, shape and hold brows in place without making them feel stiff.

Concealer
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EDITORS' PICK

Kosas Revealer Concealer

Hide dark circles, dark spots and blemishes seamlessly with this medium-coverage concealer, eye cream and spot treatment in one. It’s formulated with ingredients that brighten, soothe and plump and comes in 28 shades to suit all skin tones. This pick was also selected as a readers' choice runner-up.

READERS' CHOICE

Bodyography Skin Slip Concealer

This creamy concealer might be full coverage, but it’s incredibly lightweight. It brightens the undereye area, effortlessly hides blemishes and gives skin a smoother look.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Eyeliner
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EDITORS' PICK

One/Size Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Why settle for eyeliner that smudges midday when you can use one that stays put? This gel eyeliner pencil, available in black and brown, is waterproof and won’t budge. Unlike with liquid eyeliner, you can use this one to create a smoky eye before it dries to a matte finish.

READERS' CHOICE

Milani Cosmetics The Tank Liquid Eyeliner

This eyeliner seems a lot more expensive than it really is. It has a fine felt-tip pen for precise application. It’s also waterproof, transfer-proof and long-lasting.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Stila Stay All Day Dual Ended Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Get two products in one with this dual-ended liquid eyeliner that has Stila’s best-selling waterproof liquid eyeliner on one side and a micro tip on the other. Create thin lines, dramatic looks and everything between.

Eyeshadow
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EDITORS' PICK

Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames

This multi-chrome liquid eyeshadow delivers crease-proof, all-day wear. It’s super pigmented and opaque for the ultimate holographic look. Bonus: You can apply it as a lip and cheek pigment.

READERS' CHOICE

ITEM Beauty Lid Glaze

One of the best things about this eyeshadow is its ability to be layered to your desired intensity. The luminous liquid formula is easy to work with and comes in four pretty, shimmery shades.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

M2U NYC Eyeshadow Palette

This eyeshadow palette has everything you could ever need to create a variety of everyday eye makeup looks. It contains six neutral eyeshadows in matte and shimmer finishes so you can mix and match.

Foundation
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EDITORS' PICK

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

Finally there’s a foundation that offers coverage and skin benefits. Thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, this medium-coverage liquid foundation boosts radiance, minimizes the appearance of pores and also works to improve your skin over time. Choose from a whopping 40 shades. This pick was also selected by our readers.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Lottie London Velvet Skin Tint

Smooth and mattify your skin with this lightweight, soft-focus foundation. All you need is a few drops to create a filter-like effect that enhances your natural beauty. Choose from eight blendable shades that work on all skin tones.

Highlighter/Illuminator
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EDITORS' PICK

Be a 10 Be Bold Powder Highlighter

This versatile powder highlighter is all you need to enhance your cheekbones, nose, eyes and brow area. It contains luminescent and matte mineral powders to prevent excess shine while giving you a natural, lit-from-within glow.

READERS' CHOICE

M2U NYC Luminizer

Get a dewy, ethereal glow with this liquid luminizer. It comes in four luminescent, pearly hues and can be used alone or mixed in with your foundation.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Lottie London Diamond Bounce Trio illuminating Powder Highlighter

Shine bright like a diamond! This unique gel-powder highlighter features ultra fine silver mica suspended in a transparent base to give you a gemstone-like glow.

Lip Balm
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EDITORS' PICK

Clean & Pure Lip Balm

Pucker up! This all-natural lip balm goes on so silky without ever feeling waxy. Available in a variety of flavors, it instantly softens lips and keeps them hydrated throughout the day.

READERS' CHOICE

Florence by Mills Tinted Glow Yeah Lip Oil

Talk about cool. This shiny, nourishing lip oil adjusts to your pH to create a custom tint of color that flatters you. It looks different (and gorgeous) on everyone!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Tower 28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly

Enjoy the shininess of a lip gloss with the softening properties of a balm. This lip jelly is formulated with nourishing oils and comes in four semi-sheer, milky shades that look as good as they feel.

Lip Gloss
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EDITORS' PICK

Catrice Cosmetics Powerfull 5 Liquid Lip Balm

You never have to worry about stickiness with this high-shine lip gloss that has the hydration of a balm thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the formula. There are eight flattering shades that look great on their own or layered over lipstick. This pick was also selected by our readers.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil

This cushiony tinted lip oil is incredibly comfortable and moisturizing. It instantly makes lips look fuller and gives them a natural, glossy sheen.

Lipstick
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EDITORS' PICK

Dominique Cosmetics Soft Focus Demi-Matte Lipstick

This comfortable lipstick marries the long-wear properties of matte lipstick with the moisture of a satin finish. The result? Pillowy-soft, demi-matte lips that last all day long. Choose from six nude hues for an on-trend look. 

READERS' CHOICE

M2U NYC Matte Liquid Lip

Liquid lipstick doesn’t have to be drying or patchy. This matte liquid formula goes on smoothly, dries comfortably and stays put. Shade choices run the gamut from nude to purple.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

E.L.F. Sheer Slick Lipstick

On days when you don’t want to go glam, pick up this lipstick. With a silky, sheer formula and slightly shiny finish, it’s the perfect option for everyday wear.

Makeup Brush
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EDITORS' PICK

Lawless Beauty Make Me Blush Brush

Your makeup is only as good as the brushes you use to apply it. We love this blush brush because it’s perfectly sized to deposit and blend color on the apples of your cheeks. The soft, rounded head can be used with liquid, cream or powder formulas.

READERS' CHOICE

Lottie London Multi-Use Face Brush

If you only have room for one makeup brush in your kit, let it be this one. You can use it to apply all sorts of powder products from bronzer to blush to setting powder.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

E.L.F. Cosmetics Putty Primer Applicator

This dual-ended makeup brush is meant to be used with the brand’s putty primers. On one end is a spatula to scoop out the primer. On the other is a brush to blend the primer seamlessly into your skin. Two products for the price of one!

Mascara
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EDITORS' PICK

Hourglass Cosmetics Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

You’ll have everyone asking if you got lash extensions when you wear this mascara, which features lightweight fibers that coat each lash for a dramatic, fanned-out finish. The molded brush grabs every last lash and does an excellent job of lengthening, lifting and defining lashes. This pick was also selected by our readers.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Guide Beauty Lash Wrap

What sets this mascara apart is the unique tubing formula that holds a curl and the patent-pending ring that steadies your hand while you apply it. No more mess!

Palette
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EDITORS' PICK

PUR Anti-Pollution Eyeshadow Palette

Why buy one eyeshadow when you can have 12? This palette comes with a range of gorgeous shades from neutral to dark and finishes from matte to shimmer. Each one is ultra pigmented, easy to blend and infused with ingredients that protect skin from environmental damage.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Powder
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EDITORS' PICK

Stila One Step Correct Brightening Finishing Powder

This all-in-one finishing powder corrects, controls shine, blurs pores and sets makeup. The compact has four color-correcting shades to target every concern. Use it alone or wear it under foundation. This pick was also selected as a readers' choice runner-up.

READERS' CHOICE

One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder

Blur, baby, blur. This super-fine setting powder blurs fine lines and pores leaving you with a soft matte finish. Available in a universal translucent shade and deep/dark shades.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Primer
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EDITORS' PICK

Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects Blurring Primer

Consider this primer a filter for your skin. It blurs the look of pores and wrinkles, controls oil and locks makeup in place. It’s gentle enough to be used around the eye area to boot.

READERS' CHOICE

Gucci Serum de Beaute Fluide Soyeux Primer

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin or anything between, you’ll love this universal primer suitable for all skin types. It has a luminous, natural finish and evens out tone, plumps skin and creates a smooth base for foundation application.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

READERS' CHOICE HONORABLE MENTION

Be a 10 Begin 2 End Primer

Spritz on this priming mist to prep your face for makeup application. You can even use it on non-makeup days to refresh and revive tired skin.