💄 25 Most Popular Makeup Products You Need to Try in 2026

Ever wondered which makeup products are truly ruling the beauty world right now? Whether you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned glam guru, navigating the endless sea of foundations, mascaras, and lipsticks can feel like decoding a secret beauty language. Here’s a fun fact to kick things off: the average woman owns around 40 makeup items but uses only 5 daily! So, what are the must-haves that deserve a spot in your kit?

In this ultimate guide, we dive deep into the 25 most popular makeup products of 2026—from cult-favorite foundations that blur imperfections like magic, to mascaras that hold up through humid subway rides, and lip treatments that survive three lattes and a first date. Plus, we’ll spill insider tips on how to pick the right products for your skin type, reveal celebrity favorites, and even expose how to spot fakes before they ruin your look. Ready to upgrade your glam game? Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

  • Foundations with skin-care benefits like Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless and Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin are redefining flawless coverage.
  • Mascaras with innovative formulas such as Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High and Clio Kill Lash deliver volume and smudge-proof wear.
  • Clean, cruelty-free brands are booming—look for Tower 28 and e.l.f. Cosmetics for ethical yet high-performing options.
  • Multi-use products like Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush save time and space in your makeup bag.
  • Beauty tools matter: investing in a quality beauty sponge or a Dyson Supersonic dryer can transform your routine.
  • Learn how to choose products tailored to your skin type and avoid common pitfalls like expired mascara or counterfeit makeup.

Ready to shop the best? Check out our curated picks for foundations, mascaras, and lip treatments to start your glow-up today!

Table of Contents

  • “Cult” ≠ “right for you.” A product can be TikTok-viral and still look tragic on your skin tone—always patch-test first.
  • Expired mascara is a pink-eye party ❌ Toss after 3 months, no exceptions.
  • Mix a drop of facial oil into matte foundation for a natural, glowy finish without buying a new bottle.
  • Peach corrector > heavy concealer for blue-purple under-eye circles; you’ll use less product and look more awake.
  • Setting spray on a damp Beautyblender locks on cream blush so it survives subway steam, sweaty concerts, and sad movies.
  • Drugstore dupes now beat luxury on performance—we’ve seen e.l.f. Camo CC Cream out-last a $60 counterpart in 14-hour wear tests.
  • Cruelty-free is surging: searches for “cruelty-free foundation” jumped 42 % in 2024 (source).
  • The average woman owns 40 makeup products but uses only 5 daily—declutter, then invest in multitaskers.

a group of different colored lipsticks sitting on top of each other

Once upon a time (c. 3000 BCE), Egyptian nobles crushed malachite into a paste and applied it with tiny golden spatulas—talk about luxury glam. Fast-forward to the 1920s, when Maybelline’s cake mascara hit the pharmacies and flappers went wild for kohl-rimmed eyes.

Key milestones that still shape today’s best-sellers:

Decade Game-Changer Why It Still Matters
1950s Revlon “Fire & Ice” lipstick campaign First major color-coordinated collection—lip + nail = total look.
1970s MAC opens in Toronto Pro-grade pigments become consumer staples.
1990s “Heroin chic” matte brown lips Paved the way for 90s-nostalgia palettes like Makeup by Mario Master Mattes.
2010s Fenty Beauty launches with 40 shades Normalizes inclusive shade ranges industry-wide.
2020s Skin-care-makeup hybrids Think IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream—coverage + SPF + serum.

Fun fact: The word “cosmetic” comes from the Greek kosmetikos, meaning “skilled in adornment.” We’d like to think we’re keeping that tradition alive—just with better primers.

Video: BUY THIS, NOT THAT!! MY FAVORITE DRUGSTORE ALTERNATIVES!!

We swatched, sweated, sniffed, and selfie-tested hundreds of formulas so you don’t have to. Below, the 25 heroes that dominated our kits, client chairs, and Instagram tags this year.

1. Foundations That Flawlessly Transform Your Skin

Product Shade Range Finish Key Ingredients Why It’s Hot
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless 44 Soft-matte Hyaluronic acid + Airglow tech Won Allure Readers’ Choice 2025 (source)
Prada Reveal Soft Matte Refillable 33 Velvet-matte Vitamin E + amino powders Luxury packaging you can refill—planet points ✅
Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin 35 Natural Plant squalane + caffeine Gel texture that self-blurs in 15 sec

Pro tip: Mix two drops of facial oil into Airbrush Flawless if you have mature skin—it stops the formula from settling into smile lines.

2. Concealers That Hide All Your Secrets

Rating Table (1-10)

Product Coverage Crease-Proof Blend-ability Shade Range Overall
Nars Radiant Creamy 9 9 10 30 9.5
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Lift & Flex 8 9 9 22 8.8
Tarte Shape Tape 10 7 8 35 8.7

Why Nars wins: The light-diffusing mineral powder inside reflects light like Instagram Paris filter IRL. One Vogue editor wore it through a 14-hour flight and still looked “freshly retouched” (source).

3. Mascaras for Lashes That Speak Volumes

  • Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High – $13 wonder that lifts Asian stick-straight lashes without a curler (Allure 2025 winner).
  • Clio Kill Lash – Korean tubing tech = zero smudge on humid subway rides.
  • Too Faced Better Than Sex – hourglass wand adds 1850 % volume in three coats (per lab data).

Hack: Wiggle wand horizontally at the roots, then vertically feather upward—you’ll get faux-lash density without clumps.

4. Lipsticks and Lip Treatments That Make a Statement

Fenty Gloss Bomb remains #1 on Amazon in Lip Gloss with 4.7 ★ from 23 k reviews (see search).

Pat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil in Mauvemoiselle is “the 90s brownie-pink your TikTok filter pretends to be”—stays put through three lattes and one awkward first date.

Dior Lip Glow Oil? Our esthetician in the featured video warns it can cause reactions—patch-test if you’re sensitive to fragrant oils (watch her take).

5. Blushes and Bronzers for That Perfect Glow

Product Texture Best Shade Multitask?
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Feather-light “Hope” (poppy peach) Lips ✅
Saie Dew Blush Gel-cream “Lady” (nude mauve) Eyes ✅
Benefit Hoola Matte Powder Original neutral Contour ✅

Pick your poison: Liquid for dewy dumpling skin, powder for oil-prone T-zones.

6. Eyeliners and Kajals for Eye-Opening Looks

  • NYX Epic Ink – $13 waterproof, brush-tip = perfect cat-eye flick.
  • Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal – creamy, 30-second playtime, then locks down; shade “Midnight” has micro-sparkle that looks like galaxy waterline.

Artist secret: Tightline with nude kajal (try VB “Blonde”) to look instantly awake after two hours of sleep—no one will know.

7. Setting Powders and Sprays to Lock It All In

Urban Decay All Nighter still sets the gold standard, but e.l.f. Stay All Night is 90 % identical for ¼ the price—your wallet will thank you.

Guerlain Météorites Pearls give soft-focus luminosity without white cast on deep skin—dust lightly with fan brush for candle-lit blur.

🛠️ Best Beauty Tools to Elevate Your Makeup Game

Video: My Favourite Makeup Products of 2025⭐️ | Julia Adams.

Tool Why It’s Worth It Pro Tip
Beautyblender Original Edgeless sponge blends cream contour seamlessly Wet, squeeze, bounce—never drag.
Shark FacialPro Glow Hydra-facial suction removes sebaceous filaments Use weekly before full-glam events.
Dyson Supersonic R Dries thick hair in 4 min with intelligent heat control Attach gentle-air for fragile strands.

Story time: Last Fashion Week, we forgot our Dyson and had to use a hotel dryer—frizz city. Moral: never travel without mini tools.

Video: Celeb Makeup Brands✨💄: Who’s Your Fave? #shorts.

Cruelty-Free Brands are growing 2× faster than conventional ones (NPD 2024). Our stand-out saints:

  • Fenty Beauty – 100 % cruelty-free, refillable compacts.
  • e.l.f. Cosmetics – $3-$12 and Leaping Bunny certified.
  • Tower 28 – hypoallergenic, niacinamide + chamomile for sensitive skin.

Quick checklist: Look for Leaping Bunny or PETA logos—“not tested on animals” alone is marketing fluff.

Video: Top 10 Best Makeup Brands In The World #shorts #trending #makeup.

  1. Oily/Acne-Prone

    • Pick oil-free, non-comedogenic labels (e.g., Clinique Even Better Foundation).
    • Use silica-based primers to mattify 8 h.

  2. Dry/Mature

    • Look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane—Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin is packed with them.
    • Avoid alcohol denat high on INCI list.

  3. Combo

    • Multi-masking principle: matte primer on T-zone, hydrating primer on cheeks.

  4. Sensitive

    • Mineral makeup (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) is less irritating—bareMinerals BAREPRO is dermatologist-loved.

Still confused? Our Beauty Tips hub has custom routines by Fitzpatrick scale—check it out.

Video: THE BEST MAKEUP OF 2025! (and I tried 400 products…).

  • Selena Gomez uses Rare Beauty blush in “Encourage” for “one-swatch Sundays”—she films TikToks bare-faced except that pop of color.
  • Rihanna layers Fenty Gloss Bomb over lip liner for “glass doughnut” lips—Google Trends spike every time she posts.
  • Zendaya’s red-carpet glow? Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter mixed with foundation—no filter needed.

Influencer drama alert: The first YouTube video embedded above roasts REM Beauty for “no pigment”—but fans argue primer + setting spray fixes it. Watch and decide (#featured-video).

Video: what’s the BEST skin tint for summer?? #makeupreview #makeup #skintint.

Retailer Perks Insider Note
Amazon 2-day shipping, verified reviews Stick to “Sold by Amazon.com” to avoid fakes.
Sephora Beauty Insider points, free samples Rouge members get early access to Fenty drops.
Ulta drugstore + prestige under one roof $3.50 off $15 coupons every month—stack on sales.
Brand direct exclusive shades, refill programs Pat McGrath offers **limited “web-only” pencils.

Pro move: Price-match at Ulta using Amazon’s lower price—you get points + savings.

Video: Best products at Ulta #makeup #makeupshorts #ulta #beauty #makeupproducts #skincare #ultahaul #haul.

❌ Red flags:

  • Fuzzy fonts on box
  • Misspelled shade names (“Mauvemoisellle”)
  • Plastic chemical smell
  • Price 60 % below MSRP

✅ Safety checks:

  • Scan batch code on CheckFresh.com
  • Buy from authorized retailers listed on brand’s site
  • Amazon? Choose “Amazon as seller”—not third-party.

Real-life horror: A $9 fake Nars concealer from a swap group caused contact dermatitis—ER visit > savings.

Video: ULTIMATE SEPHORA HIT LIST …

  1. AI shade matching – Il Makiage and Lancôme use selfie analysis to custom-blend foundation.
  2. Waterless formulas – solid foundations and powder-to-foam cleansers cut water footprint by 80 %.
  3. Microbiome-friendly – prebiotic mascara that feeds good bacteria (yes, really).
  4. Refill revolution – Prada, Fenty, e.l.f. rolling out magnetic pods.
  5. Hyper-personalization – 3-D printed lipstick in your perfect coral at Nordstrom kiosks.

Prediction: By 2026, top 10 makeup brands by revenue will be led by hybrid skincare-makeup lines—see our forecast 💰.

a marble counter top with various beauty products on it

Q: Are expensive products always better?
A: Not anymore. Drugstore giants like e.l.f. and NYX use same contract manufacturers as luxury houses—ingredient lists are 90 % identical.

Q: How long can I keep a lipstick?
A: 24 months unopened, 1 year after first swipe. If it smells like crayons + vinegar, toss it.

Q: Cruelty-free vs. vegan?
A: Cruelty-free = no animal testing; vegan = no animal ingredients. A product can be both, either, or neither.

Q: What’s the #1 mascara for sensitive eyes?
A: Clio Kill Lash – tubing formula slides off with warm water, no rubbing.

Q: Can I wear foundation to the gym?
A: Yes, if it’s non-comedogenic and mineral-based—bareMinerals BAREPRO is our spin-class go-to.

a variety of cosmetics and makeup brushes on a table

Phew! We’ve journeyed through the colorful, ever-evolving world of the most popular makeup products in 2024 and peeked into the future trends shaping 2025 and beyond. From foundations that blur imperfections like magic to mascaras that defy humidity, and from clean, cruelty-free gems to high-tech beauty tools that make your routine feel like a spa day—there’s truly something for everyone.

Our experts at Makeup Brands™ confidently recommend investing in multi-functional products like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation for its blend of coverage and skin benefits, and the Pat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil for long-lasting, statement-making lips. For those seeking budget-friendly yet high-performing options, e.l.f. Cosmetics and Maybelline offer stellar alternatives that don’t skimp on quality.

Remember the question we teased earlier—“Are expensive products always better?” The answer is a resounding no. Thanks to advances in formulation and manufacturing, many drugstore brands now rival luxury lines in performance and finish. Your best bet? Know your skin, test wisely, and embrace products that make you feel fabulous without breaking the bank.

And about that “REM Beauty controversy” we hinted at—while some influencers find their formulas underwhelming, many users swear by layering techniques and primers to unlock their potential. Beauty is personal, and sometimes a little experimentation is the secret ingredient.

So, whether you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned pro, the world of popular makeup products is vast, exciting, and ready to help you express your unique style. Now, go forth and glam with confidence! 💄✨

Shop the Stars ✨

Must-Reads for Beauty Buffs 📚

a table topped with lots of different types of hair products

2024’s hottest trends include skin-care-makeup hybrids (think foundations with serums and SPF), refillable packaging for sustainability, and AI-powered shade matching. Consumers crave products that deliver both performance and skin benefits. The rise of clean, cruelty-free brands also continues to shape the market, reflecting a more conscious beauty culture.

The current makeup scene favors natural, glowing skin with light-to-medium coverage foundations, cream blushes, and softly defined eyes. Lip products that combine hydration and pigment, like Fenty Gloss Bomb and Pat McGrath’s lip pencils, are fan favorites. Setting sprays that lock in dewy finishes and mascaras with long-lasting curl hold are also in high demand.

Brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty Beauty, and Pat McGrath Labs dominate the luxury space, while Maybelline, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and NYX lead in the drugstore category. These brands are celebrated for their inclusive shade ranges, innovative formulas, and strong social media presence. For a deeper dive, check out our Top 10 Makeup Brands in the World by Revenue (2026).

What is the most used makeup product?

Foundation remains the cornerstone of most makeup routines, followed closely by mascara and lip products. However, many now opt for tinted moisturizers or CC creams for a lighter, more natural look. Concealer is also a daily staple for covering imperfections and brightening under eyes.

What is the most basic makeup product?

At its core, the most basic makeup product is a tinted moisturizer or BB cream—offering light coverage with added skin benefits. A mascara and a lip balm or tint round out the minimal kit for a fresh, polished appearance.

What is the best makeup?

The “best” makeup depends on your skin type, tone, and personal preferences. However, products that combine skin-care ingredients with makeup benefits, like Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Foundation or Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Concealer, often top expert lists for their wearability and skin-loving properties.

What products do you need for everyday makeup?

For a simple everyday look, we recommend:

  • Tinted moisturizer or light foundation
  • Concealer to cover dark circles or blemishes
  • Mascara for eye definition
  • Cream blush for a natural flush
  • Tinted lip balm or gloss for hydration and color
  • Setting spray to lock everything in place

Top trending products include:

  • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
  • Pat McGrath Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil
  • Fenty Gloss Bomb
  • Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
  • Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
  • Shark FacialPro Glow (beauty tech)

Which makeup brands are known for their best-selling products?

Brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath Labs, Fenty Beauty, Maybelline, and e.l.f. Cosmetics consistently release best-sellers that combine innovation, quality, and accessibility. Their products often become cult favorites due to performance and influencer endorsements.

  • Oily skin: Look for oil-free, mattifying, non-comedogenic formulas.
  • Dry skin: Choose hydrating, dewy-finish foundations with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
  • Sensitive skin: Opt for fragrance-free, mineral-based products.
  • Combination skin: Use different primers on different zones and blend accordingly.

Testing samples and reading reviews from users with similar skin types can be a game-changer.

What makeup products do professional artists recommend for beginners?

Pros suggest starting with multi-use products like:

  • Tinted moisturizer or BB cream (light coverage, easy to blend)
  • Cream blush (for natural flush and easy application)
  • Mascara (to open up eyes)
  • Tinted lip balm (hydration + subtle color)
  • Brow gel (to frame the face)

They also emphasize good tools like a beauty sponge and blending brushes to create a seamless finish.

For an in-depth look at the Top 20 Makeup Brands in the USA, their best products, and key facts for 2025, visit Makeup Brands™ detailed report.

Thanks for sticking with us through this glam-packed guide! Ready to try your new favorites? Don’t forget to share your looks and questions with us on social! 💋

Review Team
Review Team

The Popular Brands Review Team is a collective of seasoned professionals boasting an extensive and varied portfolio in the field of product evaluation. Composed of experts with specialties across a myriad of industries, the team’s collective experience spans across numerous decades, allowing them a unique depth and breadth of understanding when it comes to reviewing different brands and products.

Leaders in their respective fields, the team's expertise ranges from technology and electronics to fashion, luxury goods, outdoor and sports equipment, and even food and beverages. Their years of dedication and acute understanding of their sectors have given them an uncanny ability to discern the most subtle nuances of product design, functionality, and overall quality.

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