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With top-performing formulas and impressive shade ranges.

Collage of products from makeup brands we recommend on a brown background, including Merit, Nars, and Haus Labs

Byrdie / Kevin Liang

Ahead, youll find the makeup brands that stand out against the rest.

Plus, were sharing our favorite hero products from each one.

It creates glamorous but easy-to-use products, featuring smooth, glow-boosting formulas.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze® Gel

Sephora

The hero product:TheLuminous Silk Foundationis without question, the brands most iconic product.

Makeup artists and Byrdie editors agree its one of thebest foundationsyou can buy.

It has medium coverage and a skin-like, radiant finish that suits all skin types.

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

Sephora

It also boasts an extensive shade range and impressive longevity, making it hard to beat.

The fan-favorite shade is a neutral pink that looks beautiful on a ton of different complexions.

It smooths the appearance of lip lines, lending tofull-looking lipswith a glassy finish.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick

Sephora

Inclusivity was at the forefront of the brand, not an afterthought.

It has a lightweight formula with buildable coverage and a soft matte finish.

It relied on crowdsourcing from its social media followers to inform its product creation.

Dior Lip Glow Oil

Sephora

Glossier products are simple to use and great forminimal makeup looks.

The hero product:TheTriclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundationis a gem of a product.

Not only is the shade range one of the best available, but the formula is equally as impressive.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation

Sephora

It provides medium buildable coverage, a skin-like finish, and impressive longevity.

Hourglass

The brand:Hourglass was founded in 2004 and has been vocally cruelty-free since the beginning.

Beyond supporting a philanthropic brand, youll be investing in products that are luxurious, sophisticated, and high-performing.

Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush

Sephora

It locks in makeup and creates a beautiful blurring effect.

Its products walk the line between skincare and makeup, lending to minimalist items that enhance your natural features.

We also appreciate that its suitable for sensitive eyes.

HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

Sephora

The products are formulated with skincare ingredients that enhance makeup performance rather than detract from it.

They instantly awaken the complexion with the perfect boost of color and radiance.

The brands products were designed to help customers easily recreate his signature techniques at home.

Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder

Sephora

The formula is smooth, easy to blend, and long-wearing.

That disaster turned into an opportunityshe mixed the ashes with Vaseline to create a mascara.

Theyre designed by everyday makeup consumers who take a minimalist approach to beauty.

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascaras

Ilia

Today, Nars offers a wide range of approachable, artistry-inspired products with a high-fashion approach to beauty.

We love theLaguna Talc-Free Bronzer Powder; its one of our favoritebronzersaround.

It comes in eight bronze shades to suit a variety of skin tones.

Kosas Blush Is Life Baked Dimensional + Brightening Blush

Kosas

It has buildable pigmentation, easy blendability, and a smooth finish on the skin.

It gained massive popularity online by cultivating a following of beauty-loving content creators.

Today, its available in more than 70 countries in stores and online.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation

Sephora

The hero product:There are noeyeshadow palettesquite like theMothership Eyeshadow Palettesfrom Pat McGrath Labs.

The eyeshadows are pigmented and add gorgeous dimension to eye looks.

The packaging is high-quality black lacquered material, making the palettes a worthy investment.

MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes™ Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

Patrick Ta Beauty offers a range of high-quality products that anyone from makeup novices to pros can use.

Its available in 12 stunning shades ranging from bronzy neutral to rich berry and pretty much everything in between.

The lightweight formula is long-lasting and packed with pigmentall you need is one dot to create a gorgeous flush.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Ulta

The brand is 85% vegan and formulates products withoutparabens,mineral oil, and phthalates.

It offers full coverage that camouflages blemishes and redness while covering andbrightening dark circles.

We also love that its available in 38 shades and is a very long-wearing formula.

MERIT Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick

Sephora

Despite her experience working in beauty, she had trouble testing and using beauty products due to her chroniceczema.

She created Tower 28 to be inclusive of all skin tones and skin types, even sensitive skin.

Its one of our favoritecream blushesthanks to its creamy texture, seamless blendability, and dewy finish.

NARS Laguna Talc-Free Bronzer Powder

Sephora

We also love that it can be worn on the lips for a hint of color and shine.

The hero product:TheSatin Kajal Lineris one of our favoritepencil eyelinersaround.

It comes in nearly 20 shades ranging from classic black and cocoa brown to rich copper and eggplant purple.

NYX Butter Gloss

NYX

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributorAlyssa Kaplanis an associate editor who covers makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and more.

To compile this list, she evaluated each makeup brand and looked at results from countless product tests.

PAT McGRATH LABS Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora

Alyssa has been writing for Byrdie since 2022.

PATRICK TA Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo

Sephora

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

Sephora

Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer

Ulta

Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush

Sephora

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner

Victoria Beckham Beauty