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Makeup Must-Haves to Level Up Your Look in 2025

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Ever wonder how those influencers get their flawless, luminous glow? As a total beauty junkie, I've spent all year test-driving the newest makeup launches to find the true game-changers. This list is a breakdown of the best of the best—the products t...
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Best Makeup Prep Products

No matter how many fancy brushes you own or how much money you’ve shelled out for designer foundation, beautifully blended, long-lasting makeup starts with quality prep products for your skin type. Take it from us - we’ve made every rookie makeup mis...
We’re talking about going from cakey foundation meltdowns to oh-so-flawless “Wait, are those her real cheekbones?!” compliments in a single swipe. Consider this as your basic starter pack of makeup must-haves before reaching for any color makeup. Bec...

 
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This EltaMD toner is a game-changer for my skin's hydration. It feels incredibly lightweight but really helps to plump and moisturize my skin. It's a great addition to my routine and I've noticed a real difference in my skin's texture.
Best Toner | EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner
 
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I was skeptical about the price of the SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum, but it is absolutely worth it. My skin has never looked this good. I'm seeing fewer wrinkles, my skin feels firmer, and it has a healthy glow I haven't seen in years. This is a mu...
Best Serum | SkinMedica TNS® Advanced+ Serum
 
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This La Roche-Posay moisturizer is a game-changer. The formula with ceramides and niacinamide has made a noticeable difference in my skin's texture. It feels so gentle and calming, and my skin looks healthier than ever.
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

1. BEST PRIMER

Prime time for flawless beauty – discover this year’s ultimate lineup for your precious skin!
 Picture this: You've spent hours perfecting your makeup look, blending your foundation like a pro, and contouring your cheekbones to rival those of a Hollywood starlet. But then, disaster strikes. Your foundation starts to settle into fine lines, you...

 
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The Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer is totally worth the hype. While it is a bit on the pricier side, the way it makes my foundation look flawless and stay on all day is unbeatable. It gives my skin a healthy, dewy look and is a great base for my makeu...
BEST OVERALL | Hydro Grip Hydrating Face Primer
 
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I'm so impressed with the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer! For only $10, it makes my skin look so smooth and really blurs my pores. My makeup lasts all day, and I love that it feels lightweight on my skin. This is definitely my new go-to.
BEST BUDGET | e.l.f. Poreless Putty Face Primer
 
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I finally tried the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, and it lives up to the hype. It's a fantastic multitasker that hydrates my skin without feeling greasy. It's the best base for makeup I've ever used, helping everything stay put and look fresh all...
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Primer

2. BEST FOUNDATION

Flawless foundations for every unique you.
Finding the perfect foundation is like going on bad Tinder dates - sail through a bunch of duds before you find “the one”. And even after committing, you still wonder if there’s a better match out there. We feel your pain, ladies! We’ve all been vict...
Well, take heart! In this  section, we’ll serve up the makeup industry’s best-kept secrets to help you discover your foundation soulmate. The key is finding one tailored for your unique skin type – be it drier than the Sahara desert or so oily you could lubricate a door hinge.... 

 
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Finding the perfect shade is always a challenge, but Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation has an amazing range of 50 shades. I found my perfect match and the coverage is exactly what I was looking for. It's buildable, so I can go from a natura...
BEST OVERALL | Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
 
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I can't believe how good the L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation is for the price. It gives me medium-to-full coverage that looks flawless all day long. It rivals some of my high-end foundations, but without the high-end price tag. It’s a defini...
BEST DRUGSTORE | L'Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation | Ulta-Beauty
 
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While the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation gives amazing coverage, it's not for the faint of heart! It's very thick, so you have to be careful not to apply too much, or it can look cakey. I've also noticed it can accentuate some of my l...
BEST FULL-COVERAGE | Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

3. BEST SETTING SPRAY

Spray your way to a flawless future!
These little bottles of magic are the unsung heroes of the beauty world, the secret weapon in every makeup artist's kit.
But here's the thing – with so many setting sprays out there, how do you choose the right one? Do you need a mist that will keep your oily T-zone in check or one that will give your dry skin a dewy glow? Should you break the bank on a fancy setting s...
Don't worry; we've got you covered. 

 
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This Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is a lifesaver! I can go out for a full night and not have to worry about my makeup at all. It truly keeps everything in place for hours, even when I'm dancing. I love how it feels so light on my skin, and t...
BEST OVERALL | Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
 
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This e.l.f. setting spray is a game-changer! My makeup stays put all night, and the mist is so fine it's basically weightless. It's a fantastic, high-performing product at an unbeatable price.
BEST BUDGET SETTING SPRAY | e.l.f. Cosmetics Stay All Night Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist
 
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The Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist is great for refreshing my makeup and giving my skin a boost of hydration. It's a fantastic drugstore option, and I really like the ingredients. The only thing I'd note is that the spray nozzle can be a little inconsistent...
BEST DRUGSTORE | Pixi Beauty Makeup Fixing Mist

4. BEST SKIN TINT

Glow up, not melt down. Your summer skin saviors are here!
When it gets hot, the last thing you want on your face is a heavy foundation. So, that's what tinted moisturizers are for! They offer the perfect mix of coverage and hydration without feeling heavy.
New to the makeup game? No worries. Tinted moisturizers are easy to use. You can apply them with your fingers or a sponge for a natural look. They give your skin a dewy glow, perfect for a quick beauty fix. 

 
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The NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is fantastic for a natural, glowy look. I found it blended so smoothly and did a great job covering up minor imperfections. The shade I chose was a bit on the yellow side, but I can easily mix it with another ... 
An Amazon reviewer said: "I debated which NARS shade to get for a long while then decided to go for St. Moritz since it is now summer and I'll probably tan a shade up. Application is very smooth (I do wear moisturizer under this product, though). The...
BEST OVERALL | NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
 
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This is more than just a skin tint—it's a skincare-makeup hybrid! I've been using the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint, and I've noticed a real improvement in my skin's texture and hydration. The non-comedogenic formula is great for my sensitive skin, and ... 
An Amazon reviewer said: "This is the only thing I wear on my face for a light coverage. Have been using for a couple years, must be on my 6th or 7th bottle and I love it. Super light, glides over the skin and feels amazing and healthy on. No perfume...
BEST SKIN | ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
 
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I was looking for a new everyday base and this tinted hydrator is exactly what I needed. It's so lightweight and hydrating, and I can build up the coverage in areas where I have more redness. It gives my skin a healthy glow that I've been getting so ... 
An Amazon reviewer said: "As for look, feel, performance. Gotta love Wet n' Wild. This is indeed a tinted skin veil. It is for those that want a no make up look, but maybe to just ever so slightly even out some skin tone. IT CAN be built up a bit. I ...
BEST DRUGSTORE | Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator Tinted Skin Veil

5. BEST CONCEALER

If you take a look in your makeup bag, what is your most used, yet most under-rated product in there? I can tell you what it is. It's your concealer. Your concealer is your hardest working makeup product and your true base for your look. I mean witho...
A good full coverage concealer is the most versatile and your best bet because it will be able to be blended out and over any of your skin's issues. I require my full coverage concealers to be long-lasting and non-creasing. I mean, who wants their co...

 
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I can't figure out how L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer has this waterproof, transfer-resistant, and fade-resistant formula that delivers an astonishingly flawless matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours, effectively concealing imperfectio...
The 15mm Mega Jumbo HCP stock pack with a large doe-foot applicator ensures maximum coverage in a single stroke, while the creamy texture allows for seamless blending without creasing. Enriched with skin-friendly ingredients like glycerin and dimethi...
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer | Ulta Beauty
 
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The hype is real! The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer lives up to its reputation. I can use it to cover blemishes, highlight, and even contour. The formula is super creamy, and it stays put for hours without looking cakey. I highly recommend it!
Vanilla Radiant Creamy Concealer - NARS | Ulta Beauty
 
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I finally get the hype around Tarte Shape Tape! It’s a game-changer. The formula is so creamy and easy to blend, and it really does give you that "instant eye lift" effect. My skin looks so much smoother, and it doesn't settle into fine lines.
22N Light Neutral Shape Tape Concealer - Tarte | Ulta Beauty

6. BEST CREAM BLUSH

From creams to powders, soft pinks to vibrant corals, these are the blushes that are guaranteed to give you that coveted healthy glow. So get ready to enhance your natural beauty and achieve a luminous complexion with these all-star blushes!

 
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I'm obsessed with the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick! It blends so smoothly and gives me the most beautiful, natural-looking flush. I love that I can use it on my cheeks and lips for a coordinated, healthy glow. It's a bit of a splurge, but ...
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
 
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I'm so glad I tried the Saie Dew Blush. It's incredibly easy to use—I just dab a few dots on my cheeks and it blends out seamlessly with my fingers. I love the natural, dewy finish it gives me, and it never looks patchy.
Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Blush - Saie
 
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The Merit Flush Balm is a must-have in my makeup bag. I love the way the stick formula feels on my skin—it's super lightweight and hydrating. I use it on both my cheeks and lips for a cohesive look, and the formula always looks so natural. It's perfe...
Flush Balm Cream Blush

BEST POWDER BLUSH

A great blush isn’t about blending in; it’s about declaring your era. These shades don’t whisper; they speak your transformation. You wore them when you changed your number, when you selected yourself, when you learned that healing deserves to be see...

 
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I can't say enough good things about this Hourglass blush. The formula is so finely milled and feels luxurious on my skin. It gives me a beautiful pop of color with a subtle highlight, and I'm impressed with how well it lasts from morning to night.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder Blush
 
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You need to try the Patrick Ta blush duo. The color payoff is incredible, and the formula is easy to work with. It's the only blush I've used that gives me a radiant, glowing finish that lasts all day. Highly recommend!
Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo