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2026 Top Make Up Must Haves
48
items The Ultimate Makeup Must-Haves for 2026
From flawless foundations to standout eyes and lashes, this curated list features the top makeup essentials defining 2026. These picks blend performance, skin-loving formulas, and modern finishes—perfect for ev...
Sections
6
✨ Base & Complexion
🖌 Conceal, Set & Prep
👁️ Eye Essentials
💋 Lip & Cheek Favorites
✨ Glow & Highlight
🖌️ Make up Brushes & Cleaners
✨ Base & Complexion
Base & Complexion Essentials
The foundation of every great makeup look starts here. These base and complexion must-haves smooth, even, and enhance skin with breathable coverage and skin-loving formulas for a natural, polished finish.
Lightweight tinted foundation with SPF protection for a natural, skin-like finish.
SunnyDays™ Tinted SPF 30
Serum-like foundation that blurs imperfections while staying breathable.
The Foundation Drops with TFC8®
Sheer glow tint for radiant, dewy complexion (great for minimalist or “glass skin” looks).
4 Fair: Unreal Skin Foundation Stick | Charlotte Tilbury
A budget beauty fan favorite that delivers medium buildable coverage and a satiny finish all day long — excellent for beginners or daily wear.
e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation - 65 Rich Neutral - 1 fl oz
An ultra-budget foundation with a serum feel and medium coverage. It’s lightweight, blendable, and perfect for a natural “no-makeup” makeup look.
Serum Foundation - 1.0-ns - 30ml
A creamy stick foundation that doubles as concealer for quick touch-ups and an on-the-go base. Easy to blend and buildable coverage makes it versatile from light to medium coverage days.
Skin Rewind Blurring Foundation and Concealer Complexion Stick - ILIA | Sephora
Perfect for a minimal or natural makeup routine — this buildable stick foundation blends effortlessly and can double as concealer, giving a seamless, skin-like finish.
The Minimalist
A great mid-to-high-end pick with a serum-like texture and excellent blendability. It offers natural coverage with a smooth, skin-first finish that feels as good as it looks.
Complexion Perfecting Serum Foundation
A beloved 3-in-1 moisturizer + tint + SPF that delivers a healthy-looking glow while gently evening skin tone. Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration and the formula feels weightless, perfect for those who want a radiant, natural finish.
Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30 | bareMinerals
A serum-infused foundation that merges skincare benefits with medium buildable coverage. Packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it plumps, smooths, and brightens — giving skin a luminous, hydrated finish without heaviness.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
A cult-favorite CC cream with SPF 50+ that delivers full coverage and skin-loving benefits, perfect for everyday wear or polished looks.
Neutral Medium Mini CC+ Cream Foundation with SPF 50+ - IT Cosmetics | Ulta Beauty
🖌 Conceal, Set & Prep
Base & Complexion Essentials
The foundation of every great makeup look starts here. These base and complexion must-haves smooth, even, and enhance skin with breathable coverage and skin-loving formulas for a natural, polished finish.
An all-in-one set to prime and set your makeup for long wear.
Sephora Favorites Prep & Set Makeup And Skincare Value Set
Preps skin for makeup while boosting longevity and radiance.
Primers for Makeup, Face, & Foundation
Locks in makeup and adds natural sheen.
Setting Spray
High‑End Foundation
A truly iconic long‑wear foundation with 24‑hour staying power and a flawless matte finish that controls oil and shine while evening out skin tone — perfect for long days or special occasions. It’s beloved for its budge‑proof per...
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation (Original Formula)
Mid‑Range
A beauty‑editor favorite that delivers a lightweight, airbrushed finish with up to 24‑hour wear without looking heavy or cakey. It blurs pores, fine lines, redness, and uneven texture for a polished, natural look that feels breathable and ...
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation | Saks Fifth Avenue
Budget‑Friendly Foundation
A tinted serum‑foundation hybrid that brings hydration and coverage together at an affordable price. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it brightens, smooths, and evens skin tone while providing a luminous, radiant finish. It’s...
L'Oreal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Makeup Skincare Hybrid - 2-3 Light - 1 fl oz
This award-winning setting mist is a luxury favorite that hydrates, blurs imperfections, and locks makeup in place for up to 16 hours. Infused with aloe vera and Japanese green tea, it leaves skin feeling refreshed and comfortable while creating a po...
Travel-size Setting Spray - Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray | Charlotte Tilbury
This affordable everyday setting spray delivers excellent makeup hold and a beautiful finish without breaking the bank. It’s a cult-favorite in the drugstore category because it keeps makeup looking fresh for hours and works well in a range of climat...
Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray - 2.03oz
👁️ Eye Essentials
Everything you need to define, enhance, and elevate your eyes. These must-haves deliver effortless definition, blendable color, and long-lasting wear for everyday looks and standout moments.
Travel-friendly, blendable shades for everyday looks.
Haze Mini Eyeshadow Palette
High-End Mascara
This luxury mascara uses tubing technology that wraps each lash in tiny “tubes” of product for clump-free volume and dramatic length that lasts all day. The tubing formula makes it easy to remove without harsh eye makeup removers, w...
tartelette™ tubing mascara
Mid-Range Mascara
A best-selling classic that delivers bold volume and definition while remaining gentle on eyes. It’s ophthalmologist-tested and excellent if you have sensitive eyes but still want lash drama.
✔️ Deep, rich black pigment
✔️ Conditio...
Black High Impact Mascara Mini - Clinique | Ulta Beauty
Budget Mascara
A best-selling classic that delivers bold volume and definition while remaining gentle on eyes. It’s ophthalmologist-tested and excellent if you have sensitive eyes but still want lash drama.
✔️ Deep, rich black pigment
✔️ Conditions ...
Glossier Lash Slick Lift and Lengthen Tubing Mascara
High-End: Precision & Long Wear
A professional-favorite gel eyeliner that combines intense pigment with exceptional staying power. The creamy gel formula glides on smoothly for precise lines — from subtle definition to bold dramatic looks — and ...
Long-Wear Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Mid-Range: Everyday Versatility
This perennial favorite from Stila has earned rave reviews for its precise felt-tip applicator and waterproof formula that stays put from morning to night. It’s widely...
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Budget: Great Performance for Less
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Liner Stick
A top-rated budget pick that still delivers long-lasting pigment and waterproof wear — with up to 36 hours of color that stays vibrant. This stick liner is easy to appl...
Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner | NYX Professional Makeup
High‑End Splurge
A luxury eyeshadow experience with rich, multidimensional shades in velvet mattes and luminous metallics. Known for ultra‑blendable, high‑impact color and sophisticated finishes, this palette is ideal for creative or dramatic looks ...
Mothership X: Moonlit Seduction
Mid‑Range Favorite
A versatile 18‑shade palette with cool‑toned mattes, multi‑chromatic foils, and sparkly accents. It’s perfect for everything from subtle daytime looks to edgy, smoky eyes or bold looks inspired by current 2026 trends.
✨ Best for: ...
Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette
Best Budget Pick
An accessible but highly pigmented 6‑pan palette featuring soft pinks, beiges, and rose‑tinted hues that blend beautifully for both everyday glam or romantic looks. Lightweight and smooth, it’s a great entry‑level palette with a str...
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Rose Lens
💋 Lip & Cheek Favorites
The finishing touch that brings your whole look to life. These lip and cheek favorites add effortless color, fresh dimension, and a healthy flush that feels modern, wearable, and easy.
Cream blush stick for a healthy flush with minimal effort.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick Pinky Glow
Dewy, soft-focus blush that melts into skin.
Dew Blush™
Dual-texture blush combo for buildable color.
Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
Multipurpose tint with a fresh, buildable wash of color.
Cooling Water Jelly Tint
Affordable mousse for cheeks and lips in one.
Maybelline Cloudtopia Lip and Cheek Mousse Blush - Ethereal Rouge 2 - 0.17oz
A classic soft-matte lip cream that pairs perfectly with the 2026 “cloud lip” aesthetic (soft, diffused matte).
NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream Lightweight Liquid Lipstick, Berlin
✨ Glow & Highlight
Where radiance takes center stage. These glow-boosting favorites add light, dimension, and a lit-from-within finish that enhances skin without overpowering it.
Blurring balm powder that feels like skin and gives a subtle glow.
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed - Matte Color for Cheek & Lip - Danessa Myricks Beauty | Sep
Metallic highlighter with cool rose-chrome sheen.
Chasing Waterfalls Cooling Chromes Eye + Face Highlighter - about-face | Ulta Beauty
A cult-favorite liquid highlighter with a delicate pink-gold glow that melts seamlessly into skin. The lightweight formula blends easily and gives a natural, radiant finish — perfect for cheekbones, brow bones, or even eyelids. It adds a glow that lo...
Hollywood Beauty Light Wand: Rose Gold Liquid Highlighter | Charlotte Tilbury
This sophisticated liquid highlighter infuses skin with rose-gold luminosity that flatters all skin tones. Its blend of shimmering pearls and light-reflecting particles creates a refined sheen without looking overly sparkly — perfect for elevated day...
RoseGlow Liquid Highlighter
A budget-friendly glow stick with a buttery-soft texture that blends like a dream. It hydrates while adding a natural sheen, and you can even use it on the body for extra radiance.
Buttermelt Stix Glow Boosting Highlighter | NYX Cosmetics
🖌️ Make up Brushes & Cleaners
The essential tools that elevate every makeup look. From blending brushes and sponges that create flawless application to quality cleaners that keep tools fresh and hygienic, this curated collection ensures your products perform their best and last l...
A fun, 6‑piece brush set with versatile face and eye brushes plus a brush cleaning scrubby. Great starter kit for everyday looks and travel.
MŌDA® Neon Pink Tie Dye Kit with Scrubby
A complete 15‑piece face + eye brush collection that covers foundation, contour, blush, concealer, shadow, and blending brushes — perfect if you want all your tools in one kit.
Docolor 15-Piece Makeup Brush Set - Complete Face and Eye Kit with Travel Case
A massive 67‑piece kit including brushes, sponges, and accessories with a travel case — perfect if you want every tool imaginable and a portable option.
67 Pcs Pink Makeup Brushes Set, Professional Multi-Functional Makeup Tool Set with Leather Cosmetic Storage Bag, Facial Headband, Beauty Sponge, Powder Puffs, for Gifts
A curated kit with tools designed for prepping skin and applying makeup seamlessly, ideal if you want both brushes and sponge tools in one mid‑range set.
Flawless Skin & Makeup Prep Kit – Brush Set, XL Clean Face Towels & Konjac Sponge
The original and still one of the best makeup sponges for blending foundation, concealer, and cream products for a smooth, airbrushed finish. Award‑winning and widely loved by pros.
Beautyblender® Original Makeup Sponge
A versatile, budget‑friendly sponge with multiple surfaces to dab, stipple, or blend product — perfect for flawless base application on a budget
Real Techniques Sponge + Miracle Complexion Sponge - 1ct
A pro‑favorite deep‑cleaning brush cleaner that removes makeup buildup, oils, and impurities quickly with minimal effort. Great all‑around pick for weekly cleaning.
Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Pro Kit
A highly rated jumbo cleanser that works well on both brushes and sponges and leaves them feeling fresh and soft.
Jumbo Deep-Cleaning Brush and Sponge Shampoo - SEPHORA COLLECTION | Sephora