These 10 Beauty Products Are So Good, We Gave Them An Award This Year

Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick has stood the test of time and remained an iconic makeup staple for many, myself included. I have always found that it's the perfect, low-maintenance daily lip product for a little slick of color and hydration. The nostalgia factor, combined with the nourishing formula and timelessly romantic hue that looks good on everyone, has earned it legions of devotees. “My favorite part about the Almost Lipstick is how comfortable it feels on the lips,” said senior shopping writer Tessa Flores.

Part of what makes it so special is the "Almost Lipstick" formula. It's technically an emollient-rich and ultra-moisturizing tinted balm that deposits a sheer, buildable kiss of color. It's more hydrating than a traditional lipstick thanks to seed oils that give it a perfect sheen without the sticky feel of a gloss. There are three different "Almost Lipstick" shades, but Black Honey is the enduring star, perhaps due to the brand’s claim that it has a “chameleon-like ability to flatter all skin tones yet look different on everyone.” Apparently, Clinique sells seven tubes every minute!

While Black Honey never really went away, there has been a cultural resurgence of late thanks to social media. It's all over TikTok, and not only do influencers love it, but so do beauty editors, and that includes the HuffPost shopping team. Black Honey's enduring popularity and resiliency has earned it a top spot on the HuffPost Shopping Awards list of beauty must-haves.

This reviewer-beloved shampoo from indie hair care brand Maple Holistics might look unassuming, but it has earned a highly coveted spot on this year's HuffPost Shopping Awards list. The biotin-infused, sulfate-free and color-safe formula works with other ingredients like rosemary, tea tree oil, vitamin E and argan oil to give the appearance of thicker, more nourished hair while supporting overall scalp and hair health.

In previous reporting, dermatologists and trichologists have noted that some studies indicate that many of the active ingredients (like rosemary oil) used in this shampoo have been proven to support healthy hair growth. Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York City, said that rosemary oil conditions and strengthens hair while helping to reduce damage and breakage, which can contribute to a stronger hair appearance. “Research has also indicated that rosemary oil can potentially accelerate hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, which stimulates hair follicles,” Garshick added.

Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a lot of substantial evidence to support that biotin plays a meaningful role in hair growth, but Garshick noted that ingredients like evening primrose oil and jojoba can address dryness and brittleness. Naturally antifungal tea tree oil can help suppress dandruff and other scalp conditions caused by fungi or bacteria, which acording to some studies, can affect hair growth and retention. Antioxidant vitamin E and argan oil may be able to support healthier hair and scalp while adding moisture and shine to strands.

Whether you’re struggling with a condition like rosacea or are simply prone to irritation, there’s one item that doubles as both skin care and makeup with legions of devoted fans (both online and in the HuffPost newsroom) that is formulated to correct even the ruddiest complexion, and it is worth every penny.

The critical mass of positive testimony from our colleagues here at HuffPost made it a no-brainer when it came to including it in this year's HuffPost Shopping awards. HuffPost senior reporter Lydia O’Connor called it “a miracle product.” She came across it while searching for something to counter her skin’s redness and blotchiness, saying, "It’s very your-skin-but-better and just sort of blurs everything while cutting down on red undertones.” She uses it by itself on her “no makeup days” but finds that it’s great under foundation and concealer as well.

HuffPost senior reporter Carly Ledbetter said, “As someone with rosacea, it is the only ‘green’ product that makes my skin look normal.” Senior reporter Jessica Schulberg chimed in, saying, “I’ve influenced every single one of my friends to try it, it’s literally the only makeup I wear now. It’s magical.”

The finish is lighter than I expected from such a transformative product, so even those with dry skin or who are acne-prone can enjoy it. It is also worth noting that this product is best suited for those with lighter skin tones who are prone to redness. Those with more melanated skin may find that it leaves a white cast.

Sometimes a lipstick is so excellent that it rises to the top of a very saturated market. Both beauty enthusiasts and casual users alike are declaring this Violette_Fr lip product a must-have, and that includes HuffPost editorial director Kristen Aiken and me. We are both obsessed with everything about this lipstick, from the beautiful assortment of shades to the texture and finish. Not only does Aiken own every color, but she also purchases multiples of her favorite shades so she can have them in different purses at all times.

What makes this “holy grail” lipstick a standout is its sheer-matte formulation, which creates a soft blurring effect as if you’ve just been smooched. The balm is buildable, so you can decide how much of a color payoff you want on any given day. The brand calls this style “bouche mordue” — the just-bitten lips look.

“I’ve honestly stopped buying any other lipsticks since I found Bisou Balm. My lips are asymmetrical and most lipsticks just draw attention to that, but this stuff has a blurring effect that mattifies the texture and makes it look almost like you’ve been airbrushed, erasing any need for precision when applying it (which is great, because I’m rarely even looking in a mirror when I put it on),” Aiken said.

The extremely unique finish, the various gorgeous colorways, the ease of use and nourishing ingredients have made this an absolute standout in the lipstick category, and very worthy of a spot in the HuffPost Awards beauty lineup. Everyone needs one of these ready to go in their bag — it's a truly unique and innovative makeup item that has not yet been successfully replicated by copycats.

The internet's love for these restorative drops recently piqued our interest, especially once reviewers started referring to it as “heaven in a bottle” and “magic” for thinning hair. But it was managing editor Marquaysa Battle's glowing review of the hair serum that cemented its status as a HuffPost Shopping Award winner.

She said, "I was starting to see the verrrry beginnings of stress trying to eat away at my hairline. Randomly, I saw GUYS mentioning how Cécred hair drops was helping theirs so I bought some for prevention. To my surprise, it not only halted hair loss in its tracks but it restored my hairline's fullness. Bonus: It didn't irritate my ultra-sensitive skin like a lot of other drops do."

Formulated for all hair types and textures, this serum claims to be able to improve hair density, giving you fuller, healthier-looking hair. It sells out often and has a cult-following online, with impressed reviews and before-and-after photos and videos of their hair growth popping up on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.

There's something extra special about Merit's Lip Duo. My mom, who’s in her mid-60s, is the one who introduced me to it, and the pencil-and-gloss combo looks just as fabulous on her as it does on my 41-year-old lips (and TikTokers in their early 20s). Within minutes of trying her products, I ordered the duo for myself — and within hours of its arrival at my house, my wife had co-opted it as well.

The lip pencil is shockingly hydrating and goes on smoothly and evenly, depositing sheer, buildable color, so it can be used really lightly for a subtle look or layer it on for a more dramatic effect. The unique gel formula has a balm-like finish that is truly comfy to wear all day, and is uniquely suited for mature skin. My mother likes it because it doesn’t tug on her lips or settle into wrinkles, saying, “The lip liner glides like a dream.” Both of us like to wear it two ways — all over the lips on its own or as a liner with the gloss. You really can’t mess this up.

Best of all, the lip pencil is infused with antioxidant-rich ingredients like pomegranate and a jojoba complex that can strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and help to keep it soft and hydrated. Like the liner, the gloss is also intensely nourishing thanks to shea butter, omega-3 fatty acids, rosehip oil and grapeseed oils that work their magic to deeply condition lips while jojoba oil creates a protective barrier. Merit even claims that repeated usage can help to maintain the lips’ natural moisture level over time.

This gloss has a soft, featherlight texture that is a combination of a lip oil and a stain. True to its name, the lip gloss adds a nice slick of color that is juicy and gives the illusion of plumping. My mother also loves the texture. She said, “The gloss is very comfortable, not sticky, greasy or thick. It adds a nice shimmer without being overly glossy, which is the perfect combo. Also, it’s easy to reapply without a mirror.”

You can pick between eight liner colors and 12 lip oil hues. This combo is an easy way to look put together without a lot of effort while still feeling like yourself. The quality of ingredients and the beautiful, versatile looks it creates have made this combo a must-have among HuffPost readers and deserving of its place on this list.

Red light therapy is rising in popularity, and recently, people have turned their attentions to their hair and scalps, with some claiming that red light therapy can help with hair loss. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp (among other experts) previously commented on the effectiveness of red light therapy on hair growth. According to him, "low-level light therapy (LLLT) makes use of the biological effect of light on hair follicles," and this impact on the mitochondria inside hair follicles can ultimately lead to increased cellular energy and protein production.

Based on this knowledge, we've previously covered the iRestore treatment helmet, an FDA-cleared laser system that uses 282 lasers and LED lights to stimulate hair follicles for new growth. According to the brand, this hands-free device uses an optical wavelength, can be used to maximize the results of other hair loss treatments like minoxidil (if you choose to use it) and can be useful for conditions like alopecia, receding hairlines, pattern baldness and thinning hair.

HuffPost readers are enthusiastic about products that can help slow down and prevent hair loss, and while this luxury device is pricy, the reviews and potential efficacy helped to earn its spot on this list. It's not for everyone, but if you're in the market for this kind of investment, then you've come to the right place. As one reviewer said, "I'm calling this money well spent. I even bought a couple of hair pieces to wear before this, but now I won't be needing them anymore, which is SO liberating!"

Through April 19, HuffPost readers can get $705 off the iRestore Professional with code HUFFPOST.

Lancôme's Lash Idôle has a lightweight, long-lasting formula that's infused with white tea extract for conditioning your lashes as it coats them. It helps fan your lashes out and give them a whole lot of fluttery oomph without smudging. “Goes on smoothly,” user me q. wrote. “I am 68 years old and my lashes look like lashes of a 20-year-old. I won’t be using anything else.”

The inner curve has smaller bristles for building volume, and the exterior of the curve has longer ones for helping lengthen and separate your lashes. Reviewers can't get enough. “It really does lift and separate the lashes, giving a wide-eyed look without clumps,” A’Ville Triathlon said. “The brush grabs every lash, even the tiny ones and builds nice volume without making them feel heavy or sticky."

L’Oréal's Voluminous mascara is a platonic ideal and beloved by editors, at a fraction of the price. In previous reporting, HuffPost shopping reporter Tessa Flores said, "There’s something about the consistency of this mascara and the fluffy barrel brush that makes my lashes appear longer and noticeably volumized, without looking weighed down or spidery. It’s almost a wispy effect that’s the perfect combination of natural meets perceptibly accentuated and very eye-opening."

She goes on to mention that this mascara glides smoothly onto her lashes every time, even when she wants to add a few more layers for extra oomph. "This kind of buttery viscosity, in my opinion, makes it much easier to control where I want to concentrate the product (usually on the outer corners for me) and where I want it to apply more sparsely," she added.

A great toiletry case can make or break a travel experience, and this ridiculously roomy Bagsmart kit is so perfectly designed that it warranted a spot among this year's selection of top-notch beauty products. After all, your precious goodies need a special home to keep them safe.

Contributor Shawna Hudson first tipped us off to this "Mary Poppins" bag – she found that you could fit “everything but the kitchen sink” into its four roomy compartments, and she loved that the “puffer-like” water resistant material could repel the residual wetness that tends to linger on the bathroom sink.

One of the bag’s greatest strength is its interior organization — specifically the extra-spacious side pockets that accommodate full-sized toiletries in a standing position, which, as one reviewer pointed out, can significantly minimize potential messes from product that might tip over and leak in transit. According to Hudson and many reviewers, it’s so meticulously divided that it semi-eliminates the need to unpack — all of your products remain lined up and accessible when you unzip it at your destination.

Hudson was happy to report that in lieu of packing multiple smaller bags for her makeup and toiletries, she’s now able to travel with just the Crush toiletry kit. Some reviewers are even using it to store crafting supplies. It’s clearly a problem-solving purchase with a lot of uses, so snap up this award-winner before your favorite color sells out (as Hudson pointed out, it’s often low on stock.)

HuffPost readers can get 20% off the kit at Bagsmart with code HP20OFF.