The must-have beauty products that REALLY work: Chosen by thousands of readers and our panel of experts, these are the 44 best buys of the year in the YOU Beauty Awards

HOW IT WORKS

Our panel of experts tested hundreds of products before whittling them down to the standout winners for each of our five categories: make-up, fragrance, haircare, bodycare and skincare. Follow their lead and you’ll never waste your time or money on a dud again.

THE JUDGES

Jackie Annesley

YOU’s editor has read more beauty copy than she cares to remember, and products need to fight hard for her approval.

Caroline Barnes 

One of the industry’s most respected make-up artists whose celebrity clients include Kylie Minogue and Lily James.

Ben Cooke

A top hairstylist whose work with high-profile women means he puts products through their paces daily.

Alice Du Parcq

A fragrance authority and award-winning beauty editor.

Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme

One of the UK’s leading experts in skincare and aesthetics, who has extensive product and ingredient knowledge.

Rosie Green

There is nothing that YOU’s beauty editor doesn’t know about the products that make a difference, having spent three decades writing about them.

Alice Robertson

YOU’s deputy beauty editor is a stickler for value for money and efficacy.

MAKE-UP

Best blusher

‘A premium-quality texture that sheers out on the skin, leaving a soft, natural hue on cheeks and lips.’ Caroline

Best base

‘This standout new formula evens out skin tone, feels deliciously lightweight and blends so seamlessly that it looks invisible on the skin. Oh, and it smells seductively fresh, too.’ Rosie

 Best mascara

‘The brush is amazing. Its dense bristles and flexible tip mean you don’t overload lashes and you can get excellent separation and length. Plus, it’s smudge-free.’ Caroline

Best eyeliner 

‘This overachieves on the essential eye pencil requirements. It’s soft enough to glide on easily, but hard enough not to smudge or crumble.’ Caroline

Best concealer

‘This is a bestseller for a reason. Use a fine-tipped brush to brilliantly touch out blemishes or warm it with your fingertips to “airbrush” over larger areas. Excellent “grip” means it lasts the day.’ Alice R

Best lip product 

‘A one-swipe product that’s a make-up bag staple. Boasting hyaluronic acid, which subtly amps up my lips’ volume, and a flattering gloss finish that delivers a sophisticated, not sticky, shine.’ Rosie

Best bronzer 

‘A great dupe of Chanel’s OG, when buffed on the forehead, cheekbones and under the jaw this blendable formulation adds a believable sunkissed colour. One pot lasts for ever.’ Jackie

FRAGRANCE

Best multi-tasker 

‘This gentle, light and comforting spritz smells like a cashmere blanket woven with white petals.’ Alice DP

Best luxury fragrance 

‘This smoky, woody perfume with notes of tonka bean, tobacco and cedar is stop-you-in-your-tracks sexy.’ Rosie

Best body spray  

‘Designed as a “wellness splash”, this is a bracing blend of citrus and warming woods, created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion.’ Alice DP

Best room fragrance 

‘The tangy ping of tomato leaves is hard to get right but this has captured the “granny’s greenhouse” nostalgia in a fresh, modern way.’ Alice DP

Best men’s fragrance 

‘Combines fresh citrus and masculine woody notes. If only all men smelt as great as this.’ Jackie

Best crowd pleaser 

‘This is a new iteration of Glossier You and it smells like a cherry tart, which is my fragrance catnip! Addictive but not heavy or cloying.’ Alice DP

Best high street fragrance 

‘I’m a huge fan of M&S’s Discover Intense fragrances and I love this one’s breezy, summery shoreline vibe, with its crunch of salty freshness.’ Alice DP

HAIRCARE

Best luxe shampoo and conditioner 

‘Expensive, yes, but I’ve never used better. Together they transform my damaged, frizzy hair into silk. Every. Single. Time.’ Caroline

Best dry shampoo 

‘This dry shampoo is definitely the best! The formula is perfect and if you use it correctly (massage it in like normal shampoo) you can get brilliant results. Smells fantastic too, so win-win!’ Ben

Best hair treatment  

‘This is the only conditioner that unlocks knots but doesn’t weigh my hair down. Packed with 65-plus minerals and free from nasty sulphates, it can also be used as an intense hair mask.’ Jackie

Best hairspray 

‘When I use a hairspray, I want it to hold. Not a flexible hold, a soft hold or a touchable hold, but a serious hold. This is exactly what this does.’ Ben

Best for curls  

‘Marshmallow root softens while aloe juice adds lightweight hydration. Two powerhouse ingredients that work together to give textured hair definition without crunch.’ Ifeoma

Best styling product  

‘The texture, consistency and results are excellent. It’s just a brilliant, affordable product that adds serious oomph.’ Ben

SKINCARE 

Best cleanser 

‘Formulated with squalane, a deeply hydrating yet non-greasy emollient, this respects your skin barrier while effectively melting away make-up, SPF, and impurities.’ Ifeoma

Best exfoliator 

‘This is a classic for a reason. I’m a massive fan of its powder-to-paste formula that uses salicylic acid to gently dispatch dead skin cells and colloidal oatmeal to soothe.’ Jackie

Best face spf 

‘I love this SPF so much I repeatedly choose it over high-end brands because it’s wonderfully light, doesn’t feel sticky and leaves my skin glowing not greasy.’ Alice R

Best moisturiser 

‘Boasting high and low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid to hydrate and shea butter to lock in that moisture. Great for dehydrated skin.’ Ifeoma

Best anti-ageing serum 

‘Both gentle and effective at reversing fine lines and pigmentation. The dinky capsules are travel-friendly and deliver just the right dose.’ Rosie

Best face mask

‘Delivers impressive plumping and lasting glow. Hydrating ingredients lock in moisture, leaving skin feeling supple and visibly refreshed.’ Ifeoma

BODYCARE

Best body oil 

‘This jasmine and neroli scented oil trebles as a body treatment, fragrance and mood enhancer. Absorbs quickly, I put it on before going to bed. Asleep instantly.’ Jackie

Best body lotion

‘A brilliant skin hydrator. Unscented, soaks in well, calms irritation and leaves skin super soft. Non-greasy. Everyone I recommend it to is immediately obsessed.’ Alice R

Best body scrub 

‘The best scrub I’ve found, it’s effective, pleasant to use and, crucially, not too messy. Removes dead skin cells and leaves you with soft, smooth, flake-free limbs.’ Rosie

Best fake tan

‘Full of wonderful skincare ingredients, it instantly gives a warm, natural glow while also working to develop a fake tan. And it doesn’t stink!’ Caroline. Read our best fake tans guide for more recommended buys. 

Best body wash  

‘Super-hydrating and nourishing, it leaves skin clean and soft. Has a rich velvety texture, smells lovely and is as cheap as chips. What’s not to love?’ Alice R

Best hand cream  

‘Created by an intensive care nurse, regular use has rehabilitated my dry, cracked hands and improved my skin’s resilience long term.’ Rosie

Best foot cream 

‘With super hydrators urea and ceramides, a little of this goes a long way. Smooth over desiccated feet before bed, pop on some old socks and wake up with silky smooth skin.’ Alice R