The Absolute Best Makeup Products Of The Year
If there’s one thing the past ten months have taught us, it’s to embrace whatever makes us feel good. Whether you went back to the basics and ditched everything but mascara or used the extra time spent at home to have fun with bold lip colours and graphic eyeliner looks, there were plenty of new makeup products to play with this year. But with so many innovative formulas to choose from, figuring out what really works (and what’s worth your $$$) is no small task.
From dewy foundations to fuss-free eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks that stay put under a mask, we sent our top picks to readers across Canada for their no-holds-barred feedback. Here, they share their thoughts on the best makeup products of the past year, at every price point.
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
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Andréanne Dion is the senior editor, style, beauty and travel at Chatelaine. She is also a contributing editor at FASHION and Hello! Canada.
