One of the best things about the beauty industry is that there’s always room for improvement, whether it’s the performance of a face serum, the pigment payoff of a lipstick, or the staying power of a hairspray. And while that sounds like it could be a bad thing, it just means that our beauty products only get better — or more effective, or longer lasting, or better smelling — with time.
Of course, it can be hard to keep track of all that progress. That’s why, for our 28th consecutive Best Beauty Buys, we tapped some of the top experts in the industry, including dermatologists, makeup artists, hair stylists, and nail artists, to help us narrow down the very best products from the past year, since there was quite a lot to choose from.
And, alongside those, you'll also find the picks that have stood the test of time, proving that sometimes, perfection is possible. In other words, consider this list the best of both worlds, brought to you by the people who live and breathe all things beauty on a regular basis.
Meet the Experts
We sought out pros in their respective industries who have the pulse on the latest and greatest, from the best blushes to the hair products that really work. They chose the products and tools that they reach for day after day to deliver results to their clients and patients. Translation: You can trust that you’re in good hands with their unique insight and recommendations.
- Mimi D., a celebrity nail artist
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist
- Venner James, a celebrity hairstylist and groomer
- Angela Lamb, MD, a board-certified dermatologist
- Daniel Martin, a celebrity makeup artist
- Queenie Nguyen, a celebrity nail artist
- Jenna Perry, a celebrity hair colorist
- Neil Scibelli, a celebrity makeup artist
With the help of our top experts and seasoned editors, we've edited our list to a mere 160 beauty products across a variety of categories, including the greatest tinted moisturizer to come across our desks and the candle that transports us to an island off the Italian coast. You’ll also find the best among even more niche categories, such as a nail topcoat for your DIY manicures, a body serum to soften skin from head to toe, and even in-office cosmetic procedures to try in your 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Not only that, but we've also accounted for all people, taking into consideration a variety of hair textures, skin tones, and budgets. There’s no point in calling something a winner if it only works for a handful of people, which is why inclusivity was top of mind for us when we made our choices. Wherever you are in your beauty journey, we’ll meet you there.
With that, we won’t make you wait any longer. Scroll ahead to discover all of the 2023 Best Beauty Buys winners — and why we love them.