See the full winners of Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit.
Makeup can fake eight hours of sleep and bring instant life back to your face—but its real appeal is in how it lets you express yourself (with the added benefit of washing it all off at the end of the day). Still, not everything deserves a place in your routine—just ask anyone who’s dealt with the aftermath of a viral product gone wrong. So where do you start? We went straight to the source.
For Coveteur’s 2026 Beauty Awards, we asked top celebrity makeup artists like Ash K. Holm, Tobi Henney, and Aya Tariq to nominate the products they rely on day in and day out—the ones that hold up under unforgiving red carpet lighting and endure long, demanding shoot days without fail. The result is a tightly edited lineup of formulas that consistently deliver.
From mascaras that actually lengthen to lipsticks that feel more like balms, these are the products that earned their place in the kits of people who know exactly what works.
Best Foundation (full coverage):
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
An icon for a reason, this cult-favorite foundation is a mainstay in many of our favorite makeup artists’ kits. With 44 shades and a buildable finish that looks as natural as your own skin, the newly-enhanced version of this classic base has an exclusive blend of oils and fillers that creates a smooth-as-silk finish while two new pigments help better match olive and deep skin tones. “I’ve been using this Armani foundation for 15 years; it’s a staple in my kit and a go-to with my clients,” says celebrity makeup artist Ash K. Holm.
Best Foundation (medium coverage):
Dior Forever Skin Glow Liquid Foundation
A perfect fusing of makeup and skincare, Dior’s medium coverage liquid foundation bestows a dewy finish on the skin as it boasts both 24-hour wear and 48 hours of hydration. Featuring niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and SPF 25, it visually improves skin health after one week of wear. Available in 42 shades with six undertones, it helps blur imperfections as it delivers radiant, hydrated skin.
Best Foundation (MVP):
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
Since its launch in 2022, Haus Labs has been a mainstay in our makeup bags. And no other product is as raved about by makeup artists from Lady Gaga’s line as the Triclone Skin Tech Foundation. It’s an all-around star performer that is infused with fermented arnica and a host of skin-loving botanicals that delivers complexion-improving benefits as it evens out tone and texture. With 51 shades, the serum formula seamlessly blends into your complexion for a luminous look so natural, everyone will think you're genetically blessed in the complexion department. “It’s a foundation that delivers a glowy, skin-like texture,” says celebrity makeup artist Colby Smith. “The color range is also incredible.”
Best concealer (face):
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
An innovative formula helps make this cult classic concealer a must-have for your makeup routine. A staple in the kits of makeup artists Tobi Henney and Emily Cheng, the creamy consistency makes it incredibly easy to apply, while it addresses everything from hyperpigmentation to dark circles with high-tech powders that visually correct instead of covering them up. Crease and sweat-resistant, it delivers a luminous finish while skin-care ingredients like vitamin E and grapeseed extract hydrate and improve moisture retention.
Best Concealer (undereyes):
Kosas Revealer Concealer
Help revive your undereyes with this lush concealer from Kosas. It contains peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid to perk up tired eyes as its blendable texture visually brightens and plumps the undereye area. “I keep every shade of this concealer in my kit, it's so good,” says Holm. “The added caffeine helps with puffiness and dark circles, which is key for early mornings on set.”
Best Primer (mattifying):
Danessa Myricks Water Powder Serum
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin collection is GOATed for those with oily and acne-prone skin, according to makeup artist Loftjet. This liquid-to-powder mattifying primer is a prime (get it?) example of just why that is. It features hydrating botanicals like hyaluronic acid and tremella mushroom extract alongside oil-controlling powerhouses like kaolin clay. Skin is prepped to grab and hold onto the makeup that follows, or can be used alone to create a refined look, velvety texture, and a total lockdown on excess oil production.
Best Primer (hydrating):
Chanel La Base Illuminatrice
For a glow without the glitter, this luxurious primer from Chanel gives skin the luminosity of well-hydrated skin. The secret is a blend of hyaluronic acid, red algae, and blue micro-algae to smooth and plump, while a hint of pearlescent particles creates a subtle glow that seems to radiate from within. Cheng swears by it as the first step before applying foundation.
Best Tinted Moisturizer:
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
This feather-light tint is beloved by Cheng for everyday wear. It increases the hydration of your skin by 52 percent with a mix of hyaluronic acid, meadowfoam seed oil, and plant-based squalane. So light your skin feels bare, it provides just enough coverage to create a smooth appearance with the kind of healthy-looking radiance that makes it look like you eat right, exercise regularly, and sleep a full 8 hours—even if your lifestyle habits are more akin to a lazy raccoon with a nighttime doomscrolling addiction.
Best Mascara:
MAC In Extreme Dimension Mascara
A does-it-all mascara that actually does everything your lashes need. Henney swears by the whipped formula and blacker-than-black pigment that turns even the fairest fringe into bold, look-at-me lashes, while the giant injection-molded brush has over 538 bristles to help define every last lash. It curls, plumps, and lifts without feeling crunchy or clumpy—your lashes are left hydrated and soft to the touch.
Best Brow Pencil:
Anastasia ArchiBrow Microblade Pencil
Brows so good you look blessed with them, this new pencil from Anastasia delivers the most precise, hair-like strokes to fill in sparse spots for a naturally full appearance. The ultra-thin, bladed tip gives you that microbladed appearance without the hassle. “This pencil is a game changer for filling in brows,” says Holm. “It makes it super easy to do feather-light strokes for the most natural looking brows.”
Best Brow Gel:
KJH Nano Set Brow Gel
Some brow gels can leave your arches looking and feeling a bit crusty, but this definer from celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes allows you to lift, tame, and shape your brows without making them stiff or flaky. Whether you want a fluffed-up look or a slick, laminated effect, this versatile clear gel can be customized to create your ideal brows. “It doesn’t leave a cast, it defines the hair and gives the right amount of shine,” says makeup artist Aya Tariq. “You have play time with this one.”
Best Eyeshadow (matte):
Makeup by Mario Master Mattes The Neutrals
Craving that CBK style? This neutral palette by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic contains 12 matte shades in neutral tones that are somehow both understated and impactful. From almond to espresso, the updated take on a classic ‘90s color palette helps you shape and sculpt the eye area as it provides a soft-focus finish that’s as timeless as a plastic tortoiseshell headband.
Best Eyeshadow (shimmer):
Merit Solo Shadow Cream Eyeshadow
Glitter for grown-ups, this cream eyeshadow offers a sheer wash of color while being extremely buildable. Available in six shimmery finishes including soft plum, warm silver, and bronze, and with easy finger to product application, this product is fool-proof and fun to experiment with. Long-lasting, crease-resistant, smudge-resistant, and water-resistant for up to 12 hours, this is a product that you'll return to time and time again.
Best Eyeliner (pencil):
Prada Beauty Pradalines Eye Pencil
An eye pencil so creamy and long-wearing you might think it’s a liquid, Prada’s Pradalines eyeliner delivers vibrant pigment in just one swipe. From classic black to pastel lilac to gilded silver, each hue is waterproof, smudge-proof, and will not budge once you’ve drawn it on. Create sharp definition or blend it out for a smoked-out gaze—the smooth texture makes it easy to create and customize your liner look. “The lavender shade on the waterline is stunning,” says Smith.
Best Eyeliner (liquid):
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
A dual-ended liquid liner that lets you get creative with your drawing, this eye definer boasts the most precise application and smooth formula out there. With an ultra-fine calligraphy pen on one end and a brush on the other, you can customize your line to perfectly fit your eye shape and style. “Winged liner has become my signature, and this pen is my favorite way to do it,” says Holm. “The tip is so fine and precise, it’s so easy to do everything from a subtle flick to a bold wing.”
Best Lipstick (satin):
Louis Vuitton Satin Lipstick
Luxury meets performance in Louis Vuitton’s first foray into color cosmetics. Developed under the creative direction of Pat McGrath, the formula fuses intense, luminous pigment with an unexpectedly hydrating, skincare-forward base. The finish strikes that elusive balance between creamy and reflective, giving lips a plush, light-catching dimension without slipping or feathering. Housed in an heirloom-worthy case (refillable, naturally), it’s less about a single swipe of color and more about the ritual—one that feels unmistakably Vuitton.
Best Lipstick (matte):
Givenchy Le Rouge Velvet Matte Lipstick
Finding a matte lipstick that delivers a powdery soft, sueded finish without drying out your lips can seem a Sisyphean task. Fortunately for you, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. This blurring lip color from Givenchy contains both shea butter and a hyaluronic acid complex to hydrate skin as it imparts a natural matte look that won’t feather or crease as it delivers 12 hours of wear and skin smoothing. “It’s buildable and long-lasting, which is great for red carpets,” says Holm.
Best Tinted Lip Balm:
YSL Beauty Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick
A solid gloss balm that delivers a vinyl shine finish without the stickiness of traditional gloss, YSL Beauty’s gloss stick glazes the lips as it delivers hyaluronic acid and pomegranate acid to plump and hydrate your pout. A favorite of Henney and Holm’s, it’s a one-swipe product that delivers a tint of color, hydration and subtle juicy finish all in one.
Best Tinted Lip Product:
Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum
We never expected a lip balm to bring us such unbridled joy when applying. From the juicy hues to the bouncy silicone applicator, every aspect of this tinted lip serum is downright delightful. It uses argan ceramides to support the skin barrier, while polypeptides plump, and polyglutamic acid helps your skin attract and retain moisture. It’s the kind of lip hydrator that you want multiple tubes to stash in all your purses so you won’t ever be without it.
Best Lip Oil:
Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
A favorite of fashion girls and makeup artists since it first hit the scene, Dior's lip oil is pH-activated to customize the color for your individual pout. With cherry oil to nourish and hydrate, it’s now available in three new finishes that include Juicy, Sparkly, and Glaze. This was a unanimous winner among our makeup artist guest judges. “For a plump, juicy lip, this is all you need,” Holm says.
Best Lip Liner:
m.ph by Mary Phillips The Overliner Lip Liner Pencil
Celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips is famous for her overlining lip technique (among other genius sculpting tricks). This liner from her eponymous brand allows you to master that definition through a blurring effect that makes lips look plumper. It can be used to both line and fill in lips while a range of neutral hues actually match a wide variety of lip colors and skin tones for a truly natural look. “It’s not too slippery or too shiny or too matte—it’s just right,” says Tariq.
Best Powder:
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Set your makeup and soak up excess oils with this sublime setting powder by the legendary Charlotte Tilbury. It’s so ultra-fine and infused with subtle pearlescence that it creates a blurring effect on the skin, helping to mimic the look of a smooth, radiant complexion. Most impressively, it won’t cake or settle into fine lines thanks to a hydrating and smoothing complex of rose wax and almond oil. Expect your makeup to stay put and look flawless for up to 12 hours.
Best Blush:
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Blush
We’ve seen a lot of blush duos in our day, but none has captivated us quite like this cream-and-powder tag team from Patrick Ta. The perfectly coordinated colors help you create subtle or statement cheeks, while the dual textures allow you to customize your flush. Inspired by Ta’s signature cream over powder technique, you can wear each alone or layer them for a high-impact look. The patented biomimetic pigments mimic the skin’s ceramide structure, ensuring the colors adhere so flawlessly they are part of your complexion, instead of appearing to sit on top of the skin. “The cream gives a glowy plump smooth finish and the texture is unbeatable,” says Smith.
Best Highlighter (Cream):
Chanel Baume Essential
The MVP of your makeup bag, this shimmery solid stick from Chanel can be used all over the face to add a pearly glow. The creamy formula glides on as smooth as butter without leaving a greasy finish behind. Skin looks dewy, not glittery and the balm texture helps moisturize dry skin as it illuminates your complexion.
Best Highlighter (Powder):
Gucci Glow Illuminating Highlighter
Highlighter, but make it imperceptible—Gucci’s gel-powder formula is designed to melt into the skin rather than sit on top of it, creating that elusive “is it skincare or makeup?” sheen. The hybrid texture fuses the cushiony bounce of a gel with the blurring finish of a powder, resulting in a translucent, light-reflecting glow that never looks glittery or overdone. “It’s easy like a powder for application, but has a more gel-like finish,” says Smith. “It’s stunning on the eye as well.”
Best Contour:
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick
Gucci Westman created what is arguably the best contour product on the market back in 2018 and since its debut, no one has been able to come for the crown. This year, Westman added five new shades to the existing line, delivering the soft sculpt we know and love for a wider variety of skin tones. With oil-absorbing kaolin to keep the finish velvety, plus jojoba seed oil and raspberry leaf extract to hydrate and enhance its blendability, Face Trace is the contouring gold standard.
Best Bronzer:
Saie Beauty SuperSuede Radiant Baked Powder Bronzer
Who knew a baked powder bronzer could deliver a melt-into-the-skin, creamy texture better than a, well, cream? Saie’s updated take on the beauty classic provides eight hours of wear as it both sculpts the skin and bestows a blurred finish that perfects skin texture. A powder with a second-skin feel, it hydrates with squalane and glycerin to create a bronze so natural, you’ll have to keep reminding yourself you didn’t just get back from a beach vacation.
Best Makeup Brush:
Danessa Myricks Yummy Face 3.0 Brush
A makeup triple threat, Danessa Myrick’s 3.0 Brush helps you master detail work like a pro—which is why it’s a top recommendation from Loftjet. The soft brush can be used with cream, liquid, or powder formulas for application and blending. Its small, sloped shape means you can highlight, define, and sculpt with ease, while the tapered tip makes applying concealer a snap. The soft, vegan fibers thoroughly grab product, but dispense it evenly on the face, so you’re not left with more product in the brush than on your skin.
See the full winners of Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit.