I always say the beauty industry doesn’t need more (for the blissfully unaware, we’ve got a serious waste problem over here), we simply need better. Now I say this in the same breath that I’m introducing you to Cosmopolitan’s biggest beauty awards in its 60-year history—we have more winning brands and products than ever featured before—but trust me when I say these beauty awards are also, by far, the best.
Each of the 267 winning products, tools, and treatments on this list has been personally vetted by one of 29 discerning Cosmo editors, each with their own unique beauty point of view. And that vetting process? A yearlong journey of sorting through thousands of products and then swatching, testing, debating, and comparing notes and feedback on countless spreadsheets, Slack threads, and emails. The end result is an ultra-curated list of holy grails that deliver big on results and are a genuine joy to use too.
So next time you shop for new skincare, makeup, or perfume, reference this list and remember: better, not more. Think of it as your guide to shopping the crowded beauty landscape like a pro so you end up with one lipstick you truly love (instead of five so-so ones that just take up space in the bottom of your bag) or one clear sunscreen (instead of a bunch that end up leaving a white cast on your skin). Shop a small edit of our favorites for summer, as seen on NYC’s hottest DJ trio Las Flaquitas below, and don’t forget to click through each link for the full list of winners in each category.
(Title Image) On Jess: Dress from Depop, Luar bandana, Jennifer Fisher earrings. On Tatiana: Diotima top, Norma Kamali swimsuit, Shiny Squirrel earrings (bottom), talent’s own earrings (throughout), Isabel Marant bracelet. On Kaila: Tropic of C bikini, R13 shorts, Shiny Squirrel earrings, Jacquie Aiche bodychains. (Face Image) On Kaila: Oséree bikini top, Shiny Squirrel earrings, talent’s own necklace.
Best Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
On Tatiana: Edward Cuming bikini top and skirt, Bliss Lau earrings. On Kaila: Oséree bikini, No Maintenance jeans, Shiny Squirrel earrings, arm cuff, bracelets, and bodychain, talent’s own necklace. On Jess: Etro top, Tropic of C bikini, Deniz shorts, Jennifer Fisher earrings, Don’t Let Disco necklace.
On Tatiana: Theophilio dress, Marie Lichtenberg earrings.
Best Hall of Fame Makeup Product
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer
On Jess: Christopher John Rogers bikini top, Diesel skirt, Jennifer Fisher earrings.
Best Shampoo + Conditoner for Damaged Hair
Kérastase Première Repairing Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Best Repairing Hair Mask
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Best Product for Flyaways
Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream and Taming Wand
Best Styling Cream
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Long Last Hydrating Hair Styling Cream
Best Edge Control
Mizani Artful Edges Edge Tamer
Best Scalp Exfoliator
Living Proof Scalp Care Exfoliator
Best Multistyler
T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit
Best Claw Clip
Emi Jay Big Effing Hair Claw Clip in Cherry Kiss
Best Hall of Fame Hair Product
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
On Tatiana: Edward Cuming bikini top, R13 shorts.
On Kaila: top from The Break, Belle the Label top, Lizzie Fortunato earrings.
Details on our methodology
May 2024 to December 2024: We (aka the Cosmo beauty team) compile data on new and noteworthy beauty launches while continually researching and reviewing the thousands (yes, actual thousands) of products that come across our desks. December 2024: January 2025 to March 2025: April 2025: May 2025:
Styled by Jessica Neises. Hair by Mirna Jose for Oribe. Makeup by Olivia Barad for Dior. Manicure by Alexandra Smith.
Lauren Balsamo
Beauty Director
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
