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In This Article
Here at Byrdie, we pore over makeup products every year.
Best Primer
Highlights
Read our full product review for theHalo Glow Liquid Filter here.
“We at Byrdie HQ had a bit of an internal debate when it came time to categorize E.l.f.
’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter.
Is it a primer?
-Eden Stuart, associate editor
Best Setting Spray
Learn more about thehydrating ingredient Butylene Glycol here.
“Youthforia has become known for its next-level formulas, and the Pregame Setting Spray is undoubtedly innovative.
The first thing that caught my eye was the formulas pink tint, which boosts your skins vibrancy.
Needless to say, Ive become obsessed with this setting spray and how it performs.
Whenever I use it, my makeup stays in place and looks fresh all day.”
“This hydrating skin tint is one of those skincaremakeup hybrids that really does it all.
Apply it all over or just where you want some natural-looking coverage.”
-Hallie Gould, senior editorial director
Best Concealer
Find out more about theskincare benefits of saffron here.
It may seem like a low bar, but trust memany concealers don’t clear it.
-Eden Stuart, associate editor
Best Foundation
See some additionalfoundations we recommend here.
Her foundation melts into your skin without a trace and feels comfortable and hydrating for hours.
It builds from sheer to medium coverage so it’s completely customizable and it’s available in 36 shades.
This product is smooth, creamy, and skin-like every damn time.”
-Hallie Gould, senior editorial director
Best Cream Blush
Morecream blusheswe love here.
Because of that, I often reach for Patrick Ta’s Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush.
It adds just the right amount of peachy flush to my cheeks in little to no time.
The app is always seamless, and it’s almost impossible to overdo it.
This is a staple for any makeup collection."
-Erika Harwood, senior style editor
Best Bronzer
Find moreof our other favorite bronzers here.
Mented Cosmetics is a Black-owned brand, so they understand what Black and Brown people have been looking for.
“I never consistently used loose powder until I tried Ami Cole’s.
As you apply, you could watch it practically melt into your skin without ever caking or flaking.
It leaves behind a natural, matte finish but lets your skin look radiant at the same time.
I like to apply it with a small fluffy brush around my nose, under-eyes, and chin.”
-Hallie Gould, senior editorial director
Best Liquid Highlight
Learn Beauty here.
That is, until this tiny little tube came across my desk.
Simihaze Beauty’s Lightbeam Liquid Highlighter is a game changer for me.
It’s smoothing and natural-looking and still incredibly radiant on the skin.
The water-gel formula is hydrating, dewy, soft, and seamlessly blendable."
The finish is satiny without being shiny, illuminating without sparkle, and so incredibly radiant.
It’s like brushing silk across your face and watching the light catch.
Can you tell I’m obsessed?
Violette_FR has managed to bottle that quality with its liquid eyeshadow.
No matter your makeup skill level, Yeux Paint will have you channeling your inner artist."
-Madeline Hirsch, news director
Best Eyeliner Pencil
Find more ofour favorite eyeliner pencils here.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much pickier with my eye liners.
It’s also available in 18 colors, ranging from a true black to a vibrant cobalt blue.
There’s a shade for everyone and features a formula that everyone will love.”
-Erika Harwood, senior style editor
Best Liquid Eyeliner
Find othertop picks for liquid eyeliners here.
“Ive been doing cat eyes with winged liquid liner since ninth grade.
This Make Up Forever Aqua Resist Color Ink High-Intensity Liquid Eyeliner is one of the good ones.
The best part is that this liner comes in eight extremely pigmented shades.
Its also waterproof without being impossible to take off.
I have laughed and cried in this liner, and it’s stayed put.”
As such, my holy grail is a clear waxy formula with tons of hold and no flaking.
This brow sculpt from Refy is the only product Ive found that fits the bill.
The texture lives somewhere between gel and wax, but the hold is truly impressive.
Its a 10/10 for me."
-Madeline Hirsch, news director
Best Brow Pencil
Find out more about the nuances sustainable packaging here.
“This highly pigmented pencil is a daily holy grail product in my collection.
It has a unique oval shape that makes filling in sparse areas super easy.
The dual-sided brush builds volume and lifts your lashes, giving you a plush look without any clumping.
If that wasnt enough, this mascara washes off easily with just warm water.
Bottom line: Add this to your cart ASAP.”
-Olivia Hancock, editor
Best Lipstick
Find more favoritematte lipstickshere.
Plus, the cream formula stays put through dinner, drinking, and dancing.
It’s iconic for a reason."
-Hallie Gould, senior editorial director
Best Lip Gloss
Find more about thebenefits of shea butter here.
“This gloss offers a super-high-shine finish with no taste or smell (a feat!).
It’s also super hydrating and comes in a bunch of beautiful tints.
The shade applies sheer at first but is buildable and totally customizable.”
-Emily Cheng, celebrity makeup artist
Best Lip Oil
Learn about whythis productwent viral.
“This is a product I genuinely apply every single day.
It’s like three different lip products in one perfect package.
The minty-vanilla scent tingles as you apply and leaves your lips on cloud nine.
My favorite shade is Cherry, but there are eight lovely options to choose from.”
-Hallie Gould, senior editorial director
Best Tinted Lip Balm
Learn serums here.
“For me, this one is a texture thing.
I love how this formula feels cushiony and softrather than sticky or waxy.
It plumps and nourishes the skin while adding a subtle wash of color that’ll brighten your whole face.
Seriously, it’ll bring your lips back from the dead.
With Serum Balm, my lips go from thirsty to juicy in about 10 seconds flat.”
It perfectly blends out foundation, concealer, and blush in a way that makes my skin look airbrushed.
Its cliche, but theres really no other way to describe it.
-Bella Cacciatore, news editor
Best Makeup Sponge
Find out exactlyhow to use a Beautyblender here.
“Makeup sponges are a everywhere these days, but theres nothing like the OG.
Beautyblenders Original Makeup Sponge was the first edgeless makeup sponge in its iconic egg shape.
Its made entirely of foam and is vegan and cruelty-free.
It fits perfectly around my eyes and easily helps me blend into my hairline and neck for allover coverage.
Ive honestly never been able to get that perfect skin-like finish with any other product.”
It’s a double hit of dopamine: It’s good for you and good for the planet."
-Madeline Hirsch, news director
Best Makeup Palette, Eyes
Read our fullproduct review here.
“Tarte’s new Maneater After Dark Palette is one of my favorite makeup launches of 2022.
It’s the only eyeshadow palette I’ve ever owned where I actually use every shade available.
That, and it blends like butter and lasts all dayeven when I skip primer and setting spray.”
My favorite part of this product is definitely the convenience of having my contouring products all in one.
“Patience is not my strong suit, so this polish was practically made for me.
The faster finish doesn’t skimp on shine eitherthis formula still features a super-glossy, mirrorlike finish.”
-Holly Rhue, associate editorial director
