Are you ready for American Cosmetic Association’s list of the best makeup products of the year? We have an update on the latest beauty trends and cosmetic products that you have been waiting to discover.
Makeup trends are constantly evolving, and this year is no exception. This year, the beauty world is all about embracing individuality and self-expression. Whether you’re a makeup enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the world of cosmetics, ACA has you covered with the latest trends and must-have products to make this your most glamorous year yet. If you see something that you feel is missing from the list, please reach out to let us know.
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Here is the ACA list of must-have makeup products that you should consider adding to your collection this year. We’ll make sure to mention a wide variety of beauty and cosmetics items to cover all of your makeup needs.
Best Makeup Products – All Categories
Best Face Makeup
Ready to create the perfect canvas for your makeup? We’ll guide you through a selection of foundation, concealer, setting powder, bronzer, blush, highlighter, primer, and setting spray that will help you achieve that flawless and long-lasting look.
- Best Foundation: Find your perfect match for a flawless base with the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation.
- Best Concealer: Conceal imperfections with the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer for a flawless finish.
- Best Setting Powder: Keep your makeup in place with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.
- Best Bronzer: Achieve that sun-kissed glow with Benefit Hoola Bronzer.
- Best Blush: Add a pop of color with the NARS Blush in Orgasm.
- Best Highlighter: Get that lit-from-within glow with the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector.
- Best Primer: Smooth and prep your skin with the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
- Best Setting Spray: Seal your makeup with the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.
Best Eye Makeup
The eyes are the windows to the soul, and your eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrow products play a crucial role in defining your gaze. Discover the products that will have your eyes looking mesmerizing.
- Best Eyeshadow Palette: Create endless eye looks with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette.
- Best Mascara: Lengthen and volumize your lashes with the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
- Best Eyebrow Pencil: Define your brows with the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil.
Best Lipstick and Lip Makeup
Your lips deserve the best, and we’re here to introduce you to an array of lipsticks, lip liners, lip glosses, liquid lipsticks, and lip balms that will keep your pout luscious and captivating.
- Best Lipstick: Find your signature shade with the MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick.
- Best Lip Liner: Define your lips with the Estee Lauder Double Wear 24H Stay-in-Place Lip Liner.
- Best Lip Gloss: Add shine to your pout with the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.
- Best Liquid Lipstick: Get long-lasting color with the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick.
- Best Lip Balm: Keep your lips hydrated with the Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm.
Best Eye Products
Perfect your brows, ensure your eyeshadow stays in place, experiment with false lashes, and provide the best care for your under-eye area. We’ll walk you through the essential eye products that will take your eye game to the next level. Check out 100 Best Selling Beauty and Makeup Products.
- Best Eyebrow Gel: Set your brows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel.
- Best Eyeshadow Primer: Ensure your eyeshadow stays in place with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
- Best False Lashes: Achieve dramatic volume with the Huda Beauty Classic Lash Collection.
- Best Eye Cream: Hydrate and rejuvenate the under-eye area with the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.
- Best Eyelash Curler: Open up your eyes with the Shiseido Eyelash Curler.
Best Makeup Tools and Accessories
Behind every stunning makeup look are the tools that make it happen. We’ll reveal our list of makeup brushes , beauty blenders, makeup removers, makeup bags, and compact mirrors that will enhance your makeup routine.
- Best Makeup Brushes: Invest in high-quality brushes, such as the Sigma Beauty Essential Kit, for a flawless application.
- Best Beauty Blender: Achieve a seamless finish with the Original Beautyblender.
- Best Makeup Remover: Gently remove makeup with the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water.
- Best Makeup Bag: Organize your collection in a stylish Sephora Collection Tote.
- Best Compact Mirror: Keep a Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror for on-the-go touch-ups.
Best Specialty Makeup
Ready to step out of your comfort zone? Explore face paint, glitter, tattoo cover, color corrector, and HD powder. These specialty makeup products will allow you to experiment and create unique looks.
- Best Face Paint: Unleash your creativity with a Mehron Makeup Paradise AQ Face & Body Paint palette.
- Best Glitter: Add some sparkle with the NYX Professional Makeup Face & Body Glitter.
- Beset Tattoo Cover: Conceal tattoos with the Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup.
- Best Color Corrector: Neutralize imperfections with the L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer.
- Best HD Powder: Achieve a flawless complexion with the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder.
Best Luxury Makeup
Indulge in luxury with products like Tom Ford Beauty foundation, Chanel blush, Yves Saint Laurent lipstick, and Guerlain illuminating pearls. These high-end options will make you feel like royalty.
- Tom Ford Beauty Traceless Foundation Stick: A luxurious foundation for a radiant complexion.
- Chanel Joues Contraste Blush: Elevate your cheek color with this iconic blush.
- Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick: Indulge in rich, hydrating lip color.
- Guerlain Météorites Pearls: Enhance your skin’s radiance with these illuminating pearls.
Best Drugstore Makeup
On a budget? No problem. Discover wallet-friendly drugstore makeup products like Maybelline foundation, Wet n Wild blush, e.l.f. Cosmetics liquid lipstick, and NYX Professional Makeup eye pencil that prove you don’t need to break the bank for quality.
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation: A budget-friendly foundation for a matte finish.
- Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush: Add a flush of color without breaking the bank.
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lipstick: Affordable yet high-quality liquid lipstick.
- NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil: Create bold eye looks with this budget-friendly pencil.
Best Clean and Green Makeup
If clean beauty is your preference, we’ve got you covered. Explore clean and green options like Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint, RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek, Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara, Burt’s Bees All Aglow Stick Highlighter, and Alima Pure Brow Pencil.
- Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint: A clean and skin-loving alternative to traditional foundation.
- RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek: A versatile product for lips and cheeks with clean ingredients.
- Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Mascara: A green option for luscious lashes.
- Burt’s Bees All Aglow Stick Highlighter: Highlight with natural ingredients and sustainable packaging.
- Alima Pure Natural Definition Brow Pencil: A clean option to define your brows.
Best Indie Makeup
Support indie brands and explore products like Indie Lee I-Waken Eye Serum, Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Highlight, Coloured Raine Vivid Pigments and Shadows, Sugarpill Pro Pan Pressed Eyeshadow, and Beauty Bakerie Lip Whips. It’s all about celebrating unique, independent creativity.
- Indie Lee I-Waken Eye Serum: Show indie brands some love with this rejuvenating eye serum.
- Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Highlight: A unique, independent highlighter option.
- Coloured Raine Vivid Pigments and Shadows: Experiment with indie eyeshadows in bold shades.
- Sugarpill Pro Pan Pressed Eyeshadow: Support indie with these highly pigmented eyeshadows.
- Beauty Bakerie Lip Whips: Explore indie lip colors and formulas with these fun lip whips.
Best Skincare-Infused Makeup
Combine the best of both worlds with makeup that cares for your skin. Learn about Tarte Sea Water Foundation, Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer, It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, and bareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder.
- Tarte Sea Water Foundation: Makeup that cares for your skin with marine plant extracts.
- Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer: Blur imperfections while hydrating your skin.
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer: A skincare-makeup hybrid for a natural look.
- It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream: CC cream that provides full coverage and SPF.
- bareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder: A makeup product that nourishes the skin.
Best Makeup for Mature Skin
As our skin matures, its needs change. Explore products like Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm, L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder, Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color, and Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer designed specifically for mature skin.
- Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm: Add radiance to mature skin with this balm.
- L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation: Specifically designed for mature skin.
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder: Set makeup and blur fine lines.
- Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color: A long-wearing lip option for mature lips.
- Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer: Full coverage that’s gentle on mature skin.
Best Makeup for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin requires gentle care. Learn about Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick, Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free ABC Cushion Foundation, E.L.F. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream, Pacifica Beauty Alight Clean Foundation, and Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation for makeup that’s friendly to sensitive complexions.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick: Makeup with hyaluronic acid for sensitive skin.
- Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation: A gentle option.
- E.L.F. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Face Cream: Hydrating makeup for sensitive skin.
- Pacifica Beauty Alight Clean Foundation: Clean makeup that’s friendly to sensitive skin.
- Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation: A mineral foundation for sensitive complexions.
Best Inclusive Makeup
Inclusivity is a priority this year. Discover products like Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation with its extensive shade range, Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Pigments for custom shades, Juvia’s Place The Saharan Eyeshadow Palette designed for diverse skin tones, Mented Cosmetics Lipsticks created for various skin tones, and Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation from a brand dedicated to inclusivity. See the ACA list of the best makeup brands.
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation: Known for its extensive shade range.
- Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Pigments: Mix and match to create custom shades.
- Juvia’s Place The Saharan Eyeshadow Palette: A palette designed with diverse skin tones in mind.
- Mented Cosmetics Lipsticks: Nude lipsticks created with a variety of skin tones in mind.
- Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation: A brand dedicated to inclusivity.
- Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer
Best Makeup Brushes
Behind every great makeup look are the right tools. Explore brush sets like Real Techniques Everyday Essentials, Zoeva Luxe Complete Set, Sephora Collection PRO Airbrush #55, Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Master Brush Collection, and the Artis Elite Mirror Oval Brush for professional-level results.
- Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Brush Set: Affordable and high-quality brushes.
- Zoeva Luxe Complete Set: A luxurious brush set for makeup enthusiasts.
- Sephora Collection PRO Airbrush #55: An airbrush brush for a flawless finish.
- Morphe X Jaclyn Hill The Master Brush Collection: A collaboration for professional-level results.
- Artis Elite Mirror Oval Brush: A unique and efficient way to apply makeup.
Makeup Trends of the Year and Must-Have Products
1. Glass Skin Glow
Achieving that coveted glass skin look is a top trend this year. It’s all about radiant, luminous, and almost translucent skin. To get the look, consider adding the following products to your arsenal:
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation: This foundation offers buildable coverage and a matte finish for a flawless base.
- Glossier Haloscope Highlighter: A dewy highlighter that gives your skin a natural, glassy glow.
- Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence: Keep your skin hydrated for that glass-like effect.
2. Monochromatic Makeup
Coordinating your eyeshadow, lipstick, and blush colors can create a stunning, cohesive look. Opt for these products to nail the monochromatic trend:
- Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette: Available in various color schemes to match your monochromatic style.
- MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush: Choose a shade that complements your monochromatic look.
- NARS Audacious Lipstick: A wide range of shades to match your overall color theme.
3. Graphic Eyeliner
Bold and dramatic eyeliners are making a comeback. Experiment with these products for striking eye looks:
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: Perfect for creating sharp and precise lines.
- NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner: Highly pigmented and long-lasting.
- Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon: Ideal for smudging and blending your graphic designs.
4. Lip Art
Your lips are the canvas for creative artwork. Explore these products to craft unique lip looks:
- Sugarpill Liquid Lip Color: Known for its vibrant and unusual shades.
- KVD Beauty Everlasting Lip Liner: A range of versatile lip liners to create intricate designs.
- Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: A multi-use pencil for precise lip art.
5. Sustainable Beauty
Eco-conscious makeup brands are gaining popularity. Look for these sustainable makeup products:
- rms beauty “Un” Cover-Up Concealer: A clean beauty favorite for concealing imperfections.
- Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara: Vegan and cruelty-free, it provides natural-looking volume.
- Burt’s Bees All Aglow Lip & Cheek Stick: A multipurpose, eco-friendly product for a touch of color.
Remember, makeup is a form of self-expression, so feel free to experiment and find the products that work best for you. Whether you prefer a natural look or full-blown glam, there are countless makeup products available to help you achieve your desired style. This year, the beauty world is all about diversity and celebrating individuality, so embrace the trends and products that make you feel confident and beautiful. To see the global size of the beauty industry, check out the ACA list the best and largest cosmetics companies in the world.
Ready to learn about applying makeup, see our Ultimate Guide to Flawless Makeup Application: Tips and Tricks.
With these trending looks and must-have beauty products, you’re ready to slay the makeup game this year. Explore new colors, techniques, and cosmetics brands, and most importantly, have fun expressing yourself through the art of makeup. Don’t forget good skincare! See the ACA list of the best skincare products and best selling makeup.
(*all product images are sourced from the manufacturers’ website)