The Absolute Best Skincare, Makeup And Haircare Products Of The Year
With thousands of products that boast innovative formulas, buzzy ingredients and luxurious textures launching each year, figuring out what really works (and what’s worth your $$$) is no small task. After testing hundreds of new makeup, skincare and haircare products for the past 12 months, we selected the very best of the bunch. But don’t take our word for it: We sent our picks to readers across Canada for their no-holds-barred feedback. Here, they share their thoughts on the top products of the past year, at every price point.
The Absolute Best Skincare Products Of The Year
Best Drugstore Cleanser: Vichy Pureté Thermale Mineral Micellar Water Face Cleanser
“This water-like solution easily removes every last trace of makeup without drying out or irritating my sensitive skin—even my stubborn waterproof gel liner doesn’t stand a chance. The fact that it doesn’t need to be rinsed off is a huge plus for me.” —Kathy Chin, 45
$20, vichy.ca
Best Prestige Cleanser: Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
“This ultra-nourishing balm doesn’t leave the slightest trace of makeup behind. Thanks to exfoliating papaya enzymes, my skin feels soft and my complexion looks brighter.” —Josyane Simon, 37
$42, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Day Cream: Neutrogena Bright Boost Moisturizer with SPF 30
“I love that this moisturizer contains SPF—a must even in winter! A dime-sized amount of product is enough to keep my skin hydrated all day. The lightweight cream absorbs quickly so I can apply makeup right overtop, and its light- reflecting finish gives my skin a radiant, lit-from-within glow.” —Sharon O'Neil, 63
$35, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Day Cream: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera
“I use this moisturizer in the morning and at night. Upon application, my face and forehead feel noticeably smoother and more hydrated. The formula is soothing and lightly scented, with notes of aloe, cucumber and lime. The texture is so silky and fast-absorbing that I’ve been using it as a hand cream, too!” —Chantale Tremblay, 57
$50, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Night Cream: Marcelle Revival+ Ultra-Nutrition Anti-Aging Night Cream
“After a long day spent wearing PPE at work as a registered massage therapist, this rich night cream hydrates and soothes my parched, irritated skin. After a few weeks of daily use, I’ve noticed that my skin tone is more even. I also love that it’s a perfume-free formula that’s made right here in Canada.” —Melanie Brohm, 43
$35, marcelle.com
Best Prestige Night Cream: Jouviance Dream Cream Night Repair Cream-in-Mask
“It can be hard to find a night cream that’s both nourishing and lightweight, but this one ticks all the boxes. Since this cream can also be used around the sensitive eye area, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to simplify their routine while still getting noticeable results.” —Maryse Drolet, 56
$65, jouviance.com
Best Drugstore Eye Cream: Olay Eyes Retinol24 Night Eye Cream
“This eye cream feels quite thick right out of the pot, but the delicate skin around my eyes absorbs it quickly. The formula is gentle and soothing, without any of the dryness or irritation often associated with retinol.” —Marie-Pier Fortin, 36
$44, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Eye Cream: Clarins Total Eye Lift
“This gel-cream absorbs easily and makes quick work of the puffiness I get under my eyes after a restless night or when I’m dehydrated. I like that the product comes with a pump, so I get just the right amount every time.” —Dee Roderique, 40
$91, clarins.ca
Best Drugstore Serum: Karine Joncas HD Bio-Boost Serum
“This lightweight serum is refreshing and pairs well with my go-to moisturizer. I’ve been using it for a few weeks and I’ve noticed that my sensitive skin is softer and plumper. Plus, I love that it’s made in Quebec!” —Sandra Michaud, 52
$39, karinejoncas.ca
Best Prestige Serum: Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum
“This serum has a creamy consistency that sinks into my skin quickly to gently slough away dead skin cells overnight. Since I started using it, my complexion has been noticeably brighter and smoother. The pump dispenses just the right amount of product to cover my whole face and neck.” —Andrea Byaruhanga, 39
$82, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Face Oil: Nivea Q10 Power Anti-Age Triple-Action Facial Oil
“Used before bed, this oil helps blur and soften the fine lines on my brow and eliminate the dry spots I typically have on my cheeks.” —Janice Hudson, 42
$29, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Face Oil: Weleda Awakening Oil
“This luxurious oil provides plenty of hydration without looking greasy. My skin feels smoother, softer and brighter after use, and the herbal scent makes for a relaxing experience.” —Sandy Lopes, 57
$58, well.ca
Best Drugstore Exfoliator: Nuxe Organic Fruit Stone Powder Micro-Exfoliating Cleansing Mask
“Finally, I’ve found an exfoliant that’s gentle on my skin! After I wash the mask off, my skin looks and feels noticeably smoother, without any irritation or redness. The lovely apricot scent is just a bonus.” —Olivia Polowski Amores, 35
$35, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Exfoliator: Isa Knox Anew Clinical Collagen Booster Microneedling Polisher
“I love the creamy texture and gentle feel of this exfoliant. I use it multiple times a week and the results are immediate—it makes my skin glow every time. It’s the perfect way to get my skin ready for my nighttime routine.” —Elle Ayoubzadeh, 39
$48, avon.ca
Best Drugstore Face Mask: Garnier SkinActive Glow Boost Fresh-Mix Sheet Mask
“I love mixing the serum with the sheet mask myself—the DIY aspect is fun. Once soaked in serum, the mask has a refreshing, jellylike consistency. After just 15 minutes, my complexion looks brighter.” —Vicky Boisvert, 40
Best Prestige Face Mask: StriVectin Cloudberry Moisture Plumping Cream Mask
“I have dry skin, which tends to show off my lines and wrinkles. After using this moisturizing mask just once, the lines on my forehead didn’t seem as deep, the skin under my eyes wasn’t as dark and my cheeks were suddenly smoother. The consistency is thick, like butter, but it’s easily rinsed off with just a little bit of water.” —Lisa Hannam, 46
$49, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Drugstore Sunscreen: Aveeno Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen
“This palm-sized bottle is great for on-the-go sun protection. The lotion is lightweight and fluid, and blended easily into my caramel-toned skin without leaving any chalky residue or white cast behind.” —Shalini Roy, 45
$15, walmart.ca
Best Prestige Sunscreen: Coola Sun Silk Drops
“The beautifully designed bottle comes with a mess-free dropper that makes this sunscreen a cinch to use, whether you’re applying it directly to your skin or mixing it into your favourite moisturizer. It has a milky, serum-like texture that spreads evenly, offering protection even in tough-to-reach spots. It doesn’t irritate my eczema and is even gentle enough to use on my kids.” —Jennifer Perez, 43
$62, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Lip Balm: Bioderma Atoderm Lèvres
“Thanks to its angled tip, this lip balm is easy to apply. It instantly soothes my chapped lips and makes them appear smoother. From the barely-there scent to the intense hydration, everything about this balm is comforting.” —Marie-Josée Tremblay, 57
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Lip Oil: Dior Lip Glow Oil
“This oil has a high-gloss finish that turns into a slight sheen, giving my lips a subtle wash of colour that’s perfect for no-makeup days. The application is easy—thanks to a large, cushy doe-foot applicator—and the results are surprisingly long-lasting.” —Hannah Henderson, 39
$42, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Hand Cream: Burt’s Bees Orange Blossom & Pistachio Hand Cream
“This hand cream has been working wonders on my dry, cracked hands. The cream feels thick, but it’s quickly absorbed into my skin, leaving behind a beautiful orange-and-pistachio scent. The small tube is an ideal size to keep in my purse.” —Johanne Gervais, 59
$7, walmart.ca
Best Prestige Hand Cream: BKIND Mandarin and Grapefruit Nourishing Hand Balm
“This hydrating balm is the perfect salve for anyone with sensitive skin that’s irritated by frequent handwashing and harsh alcohol-based sanitizers. The bright citrus scent always cheers me up. Plus, I feel good about supporting a Canadian company.” —Kara Gibbs, 39
$24, bkind.com
The Absolute Best Makeup Products Of The Year
Best Drugstore Foundation: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation
“Just a small amount of this foundation is enough to make my skin look brighter and healthier. The dewy, medium- coverage formula feels like bare skin, with enough pigment to tackle dark spots.” —Monica Reyes, 39
$8, walmart.ca
Best Prestige Foundation: Bite Beauty Changemaker Supercharged Micellar Foundation
“Available in 32 shades, this foundation provides even coverage and a smooth base for makeup. The long-lasting formula stays put from morning to night, keeping up with my hectic work schedule.” —Marie-Eve Aubry, 43
$58, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Concealer: Covergirl Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer
“I usually gravitate toward creamy products with a thicker consistency, but this liquid concealer does a great job of covering my dark circles without creasing or settling into fine lines.” —Andrea Bastos, 41
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Concealer: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Multi-Purpose Glow Concealer
“This concealer is lightweight and provides a dewy coverage that lasts for hours. It makes my under-eye circles disappear without irritating my skin. I like the wide applicator, which makes it easy to cover large areas, like my cheeks and chin.”
—Simone Castello, 35
$49, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Lipstick: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydrating Core Lipstick
“This surprisingly long-lasting formula rekindled my love for bold lip colours. Thanks to its hydrating core, this lipstick feels just like a balm, making it the perfect pick-me-up for the winter months.” —Nicole Keen, 39
$14, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Lipstick: Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream
“Although less pigmented than a traditional matte lipstick, this comfortable and lightweight formula gives me a bright, juicy pout that’s perfect for everyday wear.” —Roopa Cheema, 40
$26, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Blush: Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush
“This light-as-air blush looks intensely pigmented when it’s first squeezed out of the tube, but it goes on sheer for a natural-looking flush of colour that lasts all day.” —Sana Dastoor, 36
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Blush: M.A.C Cosmetics Glow Play Blush
“While the pigment is subtle on my dark skin, this blush’s slight shimmer brightens up my complexion and gives me a radiant glow.” —Rose Pierre, 34
$33, maccosmetics.ca
Best Drugstore Eyeshadow: Catrice Cosmetics BAE Eyeshadow Palette in Basic
“This eyeshadow palette is versatile and easy to use no matter your skill level. The shades are carefully laid out, making it easy to see which ones to combine for maximum impact. Each shade is buttery, pigmented and easy to blend.” —Carol-Ann Lamontagne-Poirier, 31
$17, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Eyeshadow: Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette in True Neutrals
“The matte and shimmer shades included in this palette offer great colour payoff and smooth application. The best part? You can snap two palettes together to create your own custom compact.” —Trina Wylie, 50
$33, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Mascara: Annabelle Swerve Supreme Mascara
“Thanks to its curved wand, this mascara defines and separates every last lash, even in hard-to-reach corners. It lasts all day without flaking but still comes off easily with my usual makeup remover.” —France Lapointe, 31
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Mascara: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara
“This wand has a flat side and widely spaced bristles to lift each lash at the root without smudging. Just one coat is enough to add length and volume to my lashes, but the formula isn’t heavy, so it’s easy to build it up for extra definition.” —Victoria Nguyen, 30
$34, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Eyeliner: Quo Beauty Liquid Precision Marker
“As someone who wears liquid liner daily, I need a product with serious staying power—and this one delivers. The formula glides on smoothly, with a slightly glossy finish that flatters all my go-to eye looks.” —Amanda Koyama, 41
$12, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Eyeliner: Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Pencil
“Whether you’re after a subtle flick or a graphic cat eye, this creamy pencil’s versatile tip does it all. I love that it comes with a small brush on one end, which I use to blend out smoky eyeliner looks or correct stray lines.” —Christelle Bellerose, 35
$29, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Brow Styler: NYX Cosmetics Dip, Shape, Go! Longwear Brow Pomade
“Since this product comes in eight different shades, finding one that matches your brows is easy. It comes with all the tools you need to define your arches—I love that both the angled brush and spoolie slide right into the packaging!” —Karine Tremblay, 39
$14, nyxcosmetics.ca
Best Prestige Brow Styler: Benefit Cosmetics Brow Microfilling Pen
“This pen’s unique three-pronged tip is great for filling in my eyebrows in a hurry. Each stroke yields three fine lines in a light ink that dries down to a matte powder finish for a natural look.” —Marie Buban, 47
$33, sephora.ca
The Absolute Best Hair Products Of The Year
Best Drugstore Shampoo & Conditioner: Maui Moisture Shine + Awapuhi Shampoo and Conditioner
“This shampoo-and-conditioner duo has a beautiful scent. It reminds me of a tropical vacation—it’s energizing, with a sweet and slightly spicy twist. Together, the products leave my colour-treated hair soft, hydrated and smooth, without a knot in sight.” —Andréanne Turcotte, 34
Shampoo, $11, shoppersdrugmart.ca, conditioner, $11, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Shampoo & Conditioner: Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo and Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner
“I have fine, dry hair, and this shampoo and conditioner leave it clean, smooth and shiny without drying it out or weighing it down. The subtle almond scent is intoxicating and clings to my hair for a few hours post-shower.” —Rachelle Sunga, 44
Shampoo, $33, sephora.ca, conditioner, $33, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Hair Treatment: SheaMoisture Moringa & Avocado Power Greens Reconstructor
“This hair treatment gives me instant results. After every use, my hair feels revitalized and strong, and my dry, split ends look shiny and healthy.” —Maureen Par, 44
$14, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Best Prestige Hair Treatment: AG Hair Nourish Mask
“As a busy mom, I can’t resist the time-saving convenience of an in-shower hair mask. The rich texture and the clean, refreshing scent make my me-time more luxurious. Each application helps tame my damaged, colour-treated hair, leaving it smooth and soft.” —Andrée-Anne Jutras, 36
$26, aghair.com
Best Drugstore Dry Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V Never Tell Dry Shampoo
“This dry shampoo comes out in a fine mist and doesn’t leave any white residue behind. It refreshes greasy roots and adds gorgeous volume to limp strands. I use it after my midday workouts to give my hair a quick boost before rushing to my next remote meeting.” —Cynthia Laventure, 34
$9, walmart.ca
Best Prestige Dry Shampoo: Kérastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo
“A few spritzes of this dry shampoo leave my hair feeling fresh and clean. The nozzle distributes the product evenly, so there’s none of the dreaded white residue often left behind by other dry shampoos. I also love the scent, which reminds me of a high-end hair salon.” —Pam Edwards, 43
$45, sephora.ca
Best Drugstore Air-Dry Styling Product: Sephora Collection Air Dry Styling Cream
“This styling cream spreads easily through damp strands without leaving a sticky residue on my hands. It makes my hair soft and manageable, giving my natural texture plenty of definition.” —Monica Polkowski, 37
$16, sephora.ca
Best Prestige Air-Dry Styling Product: Alterna My Hair My Canvas Easy Does It Air-Dry Balm
“This vegan balm’s texture is halfway between a paste and a gel. I apply it to damp hair before bed and wake up with voluminous, silky tresses. It makes my hair easy to style for days after application, and it banishes frizz instantly.” —Marie-Hélène Faucher, 37
$32, chatters.ca
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