Beauty

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NYLON’s Beauty Hit List Winners Are Here.

by NYLON STAFF

Drumroll, please... After a summer full of rigorous testing, we’re happy to announce that NYLON’s very first digital Beauty Hit List is here, honoring the best of the best from this past year’s launches.

For the past few months, we have put product after product to the test, narrowing down the thousands—yes, thousands—of launches that made their way to our office. Each product—whether a formula, a collection, or an industry-revolutionizing product—launched between August 2017 and, well, today. We tested items within a cool 81 different categories, including skin care, hair care, makeup, and nails.

And while our medicine cabinets, makeup drawers, shower caddies, and storage closets may now be overflowing with products, we can’t say we’re complaining. We got to try some of the very best in the game, after all. We spot masked, we contoured, we highlighted, and we wore an excessive amount of eye shadow, all for the sake of beauty. (I know, pretty tough work being an editor, right?)

And now, the results are in. Here are our picks for the best beauty products of the year.

Beauty Hit List

NYLON uses affiliate links and may earn a commission if you purchase something through those links, but every product chosen is selected independently.

BODY

The latest products to do a body good.

Chanel is wearing a Baserange two piece swimsuit and knit shorts and Lady Grey earrings. Jasmin is wearing an Araks bodysuit, Jennifer Fisher earrings, and Lady Grey rings. Emmy is wearing a Jeremy Scott top and Alix bodysuit.
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Best Body Wash

Le Labo, Mandarin/Argan Shower Oil; Available at Le Labo

“I wish everything in my life smelled this good.”—Gabrielle Korn, Editor-in-Chief

Best Body Scrub

Frank Body, Express-o Scrub; Available at Frank Body

Best Body Cream

Oribe, Oribe Côte d’Azur Restorative Body Crème; Available at Oribe

“In addition to feeling luxurious and hydrating on the skin, this cream smells divine.”—Irina Grechko, Managing Editor

Best Body Oil

Paul & Joe, Body Oil; Available at Amazon

Best Shave Product

EOS, Dry Skin Shave Cream; Available at JET.com

Best Bath Product

Goop, Bath Soaks; Available at Goop

Best Hand Cream

Oribe, Côte d’Azur Nourishing Hand Crème; Available at Oribe

Best Deodorant

The Takesumi Detox, Black Oak + Bourbon Deodorant; Available at Amazon

FRAGRANCE

Our picks for the top 15 fragrances of the past year.

Pritika is wearing an Alix bodysuit, a Milly skirt, and Lady Grey earrings. Chanel is wearing an Acne shirt and dress and Bonheur earrings.
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Gucci, Bloom Acqua Di Fiori, $112, available at Gucci.

“This scent transports me to my favorite days of summer, spent on the beach inhaling the scent of the sea, the wind blowing through my hair.”—Irina Grechko, Managing Editor

Prada, Candy Sugar Pop, $122, available at Sephora.

Maison Margiela, Replica Sailing Day, $126, available at Nordstrom.

“This has become my go-to summer scent, it’s one part floral, one part beachy.”—Jenna Igneri, Associate Fashion & Beauty Editor

Byredo, Velvet Haze, $250, available at Byredo.

Chanel, Gabrielle Chanel, $80, available at Chanel.

Floraïku, In The Rain, $350, available at Floraïku.

Kilian, Love The Way You Taste, $250, available at Kilian.

Christian Dior, Rose Gipsy, $220, available at Christian Dior.

Ex Nihilo, Viper Green, $325, available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

goop, Eau De Parfum: Edition 04 - Orchard, $55, available at goop.

Miu Miu, L'eau Rosée, $105, available at Sephora.

Glossier, Glossier You, $60, available at Glossier.

Commodity, Bois, $105, available at Commodity.

Diptyque, Fleur De Peau, $122, available at Diptyque.

Proenza Schouler, Arizona, $100, available at Proenza Schouler.

LIPS

The year’s best for all things pout-related.

Jasmin is wearing a 3.1 Phillip Lim dress and Jennifer Fisher earrings.
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Best Lipstick

Fenty Beauty, Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Liquid Lipstick, $18, available at Fenty Beauty.

“I love this lipstick collection! Somehow, each shade in this wild spectrum is flattering in its own way.”—Sarah Lutkenhaus, Design Director

Best Liquid Lipstick

Lawless, Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick, $25, available at Lawless.

Best Lipgloss

Marc Jacobs Beauty, Cream And Sugar Collection Enamored Lip Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer, $28, available at Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Best Lip Liner

M.A.C, Liptensity Lip Pencil, $21, available at M.A.C.

Best Lip Balm

Paul & Joe Beaute, Treatment Lipstick, $15, available at B-Glowing.

“Aside from the adorable packaging, this lip balm hydrates really well without leaving your lips feeling overly oily or sticky. I also love how it doesn’t have an overpowering taste or scent, which can be pretty hard when trying to find the perfect lip balm.”—Nicole DeGregoris, Integrated Marketing Manager

EYES

From brows and lashes to shadows and palettes, the best new launches to showcase those peepers.

Sarah is wearing a Maryam Nassir Zadeh jacket and top.
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Best Brow Pencil

NARS, Brow Perfector, $24, available at NARS.

Best Brow Tint

M.A.C, Shape + Shade Brow Tint, $21, available at M.A.C.

Best Brow Gel

Milk Makeup, Kush Fiber Brow Gel, $18, available at Milk Makeup.

Best Pencil Liner

Elizabeth Arden High Drama Eyeliner, $22, available at Elizabeth Arden.

Best Liquid Liner

Pat McGrath Labs, Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner, $28, available at Sephora.

“I’ve gone through the vast majority of liquid liners—drugstore, high-end, you name it—over the years, but this is definitely my new staple. It goes on super-smooth, gives me that perfect, thick, black line, and stays forever—even in NYC’s humidity! I’m obsessed.”—Sandra Song, Senior Entertainment Editor

Best Mascara

Milk Makeup, Kush High Volume Mascara, $24, available at Milk Makeup.

“This isn’t just the best mascara of the year, it’s maybe the best mascara I’ve ever used. Now that I’ve tried it I literally don’t want to wear anything else!”—Gabrielle Korn, Editor-in-Chief

Best False Lashes

Beauty Garde, False Lashes, $18, available at Beauty Garde (used with: Beauty Garde, Eyelash Glue, $7, available at Beauty Garde).

Best Eyeshadow Palette

Marc Jacobs Beauty, Fantascene Eye-Conic Palette, $49, available at Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Best Powder Eyeshadow

ColourPop Super Shock Shadow, $5, available at ColourPop.

Best Cream Eyeshadow

Tarte, Chrome Paint Shadow Pot, $24, available at Tarte.

Best Liquid Eye Shadow

Stila, Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, $24, available at Stila.

SKIN

From serums to SPF, the best of this year’s complexion perfectors.

Pritika is wearing Jennifer Fisher earrings. Jasmin is wearing Bonheur earrings.
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Best Face Mask

Ole Henriksen, Cold Plunge Pore Mask, $36, available at Ole Henriksen.

Best Sheet Mask

Beauty Pie, Advanced Serum-Infusion Biocellulose Sheet Mask, $70 ($16.09 for members), available at Beauty Pie.

“I love this mask! The physical sheet is thick, gel-y, and has the perfect amount of serum on it (whereas many have way too much extra product in the package). After I peeled it off, my skin looked super hydrated, bright, and smooth—the results totally beat the rest. Bonus: it comes in a 5-pack!” Maura Gaughan, Video Producer

Best Overnight Treatment

Perricone MD, Essential FX Intensive Overnight Moisturizer, $179, available at Perricone MD.

Best Cleanser:

Drunk Elephant, Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, $34, available at Drunk Elephant.

Best Oil Cleanser

Chanel, L’Huile Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil, $45, available at Chanel.

Best Exfoliating Scrub

Huxley, Secret Of Sahara Sweet Therapy Scrub Mask, $36, available at Revolve.

Best Chemical Exfoliator

Lancôme, Absolue Precious Cells Rose Drop Night Skin Peel Concentrate, $110, available at Lancôme.

“The Lancome Rose Drop Night Peeling Concentrate has a nice light floral smell. I loved the layer of oils which helped prevent the dryness typically associated with a chemical peel, and putting it on at night before bed made it really easy to use and integrate into a routine. Overall, it’s a gentle and easy to use formula that made my skin look great!” – Charlotte Prager, Senior Video Editor

Best Acne/Spot Treatment

Glossier, Solution, $24, available at Glossier.

Best Face Mist

Mario Badescu, Facial Spray With Aloe, Chamomile, and Lavender, $12, available at Mario Badescu.

Best Toner

Chanel, Le Tonique Anti-Pollution Invigorating Toner, $45, available at Chanel.

Best Facial Oil

Milèo, Maroc D’Azur Elixir Oud, $175, available at Milèo.

Best Serum

Tata Harper, Resurfacing Serum, $88, available at Tata Harper.

Best Face Cream

Herbivore, Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Creme, $48, available at Herbivore.

Best Eye Cream

Drunk Elephant, C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, $64, available at Drunk Elephant.

Best SPF

Biossance, Squalane + Mineral SPF 45, $39, available at Biossance.

Best Makeup Remover

M.A.C, Gently Off Eye And Lip Makeup Remover, $22, available at M.A.C.

NAILS

The latest and greatest in nail technology.

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Best Treatment

CND, Cuticle Eraser Gentle Exfoliator, $5.50, available at Amazon.

Best Remover

Orly, Genius Remover, $9, available at Orly.

“I guess I’ve just been living my life under a rock, because I’ve been using 99-cent, acetone-based nail polish remover for as long as I can remember. This is a serious game changer! It’s quick-acting, hasn’t dried out my nails, and doesn’t smell like a chemical plant.”—Ali DiEmidio, Senior Manager of Integrated Marketing

Best Press-Ons

Static Nails, Reusable Press-On Nails, $14 to $20, available at Static Nails.

“I was never really big on the idea of press-on nails until I discovered these. Not only do these nails look professionally done, but they also actually stay on for days on end.”—Jenna Igneri, Associate Fashion & Beauty Editor

FACE

From highlight to contour, these are the products that’ll keep you looking flawless.

Emmy is wearing Nora Kogan rings.
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Best Primer

Col-Lab, The Fundamental Smoothing Primer, $12.99, available at Col-Lab.

Best Foundation

Laura Mercier, Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation, $48, available at Laura Mercier.

Best Pressed Powder:

Perricone MD, No Makeup Instant Blur, $55, available at Perricone MD.

Best Tinted Moisturizer

Lancôme, Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint SPF 23, $35, available at Lancôme.

Best Concealer

Laura Mercier, Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer, $28, available at Laura Mercier.

Best Bronzer

Becca, Gradient Sunlit Bronzer, $38, available at Becca.

“Bless this bronzer! Not only does it leave you with the perfect shade of sun-kissed bronze, but the palette also includes shades that act as a blush and highlighter as well. Three birds, one stone, happy me.”—Ali DiEmidio, Senior Manager of Integrated Marketing

Best Contour

Tarte, Park Ave Princess Chisel Palette, $46, available at Tarte.

Best Powder Blush

BareMinerals, Gen Nude Powder Blush, $24, available at BareMinerals.

Best Cream Blush

Too Cool For School, Jelly Blusher, $20, available at Ulta.

Best Makeup Setter

Urban Decay, AllNighter Pollution Protection Environmental Defense Makeup Setting Spray, $34, available at Urban Decay.

Best Powder Highlighter

Physicians Formula, Butter Highlighter, $10.95, available at Physicians Formula.

Best Cream/Liquid Highlighter

Fenty Beauty, Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick, $25, available at Fenty Beauty.

“These highlighters are shimmery without being glittery, giving you a true glow from within!”—Erin Parker, Associate Social Media Editor

Best Highlighter Palette

Huda Beauty, Bronze Sands 3D Highlighter Palette, $45, available at Huda Beauty.

HAIR

The best in hair care, from shampoos and conditioners to texturizers and volumizers.

Chanel is wearing a Vivetta dress and Baublebar earrings.
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Best Shampoo

Oribe, Serene Scalp Shampoo, $44, available at Oribe.

Best Conditioner

Oribe, Serene Scalp Conditioner, $46, available at Oribe.

Best Damage Shampoo

Briogeo, Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo, $36, available at Briogeo.

“After bleaching my hair for three years straight, I was in need of some serious help. This shampoo is revolutionary. It leaves my hair feeling clean, but never dry or greasy.”—Jenna Igneri, Associate Fashion & Beauty Editor

Best Damage Conditioner

Wella, Fusionplex Conditioner, $22, available at Wella.

Best Dry Shampoo

IGK, First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo, $27, available at IGK.

Best Leave-In Treatment

Alterna, Caviar Anti-Aging Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter, $34, available at Sephora.

Best Hair Mask

Coco & Eve, Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque, $44.90, available at Coco & Eve.

Best Texture Styling Product

Alterna, Caviar Resort Breeze Air-Dry Styling Balm, $28, available at Sephora.

Best Hold Styling Product

Oribe, Flash Form Finishing Spray Wax, $42, available at Oribe.

Best Volume Styling Product

Amika, Vandal Matte Volume Powder, $25, available at Amika.

Best Natural/Curly Hair Shampoo

Carol's Daughter, Coco Crème Sulfate-Free Shampoo, $9, available at Carol’s Daughter.

Best Natural/Curly Hair Conditioner

DevaCurl, Leave-In Decadence Ultra Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner, $26, available at DevaCurl.

Best Natural/Curly Hair Styling Product

Amika, Curl Corps Defining Cream, $25, available at Amika.

“A styling cream that leaves curly hair both defined and soft is a rarity in the beauty space, but somehow Amika has managed to do just that. Use the cream along with the gel, and you’ll have curls worth showing off way past wash day.”—Taylor Bryant, Web Editor

Best Natural/Curly Hair Treatment

Carol's Daughter, Coco Crème Velvet Cream Hair Mask, $12.60, available at Carol’s Daughter.

TOOLS

The best beauty tools of the year, from space age skin-care innovations to New Age crystal facial tools.

Emmy is wearing Calvin Klein Jeans jacket, turtleneck, and jeans. Jasmin is wearing a Jeremy Scott sweater.
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Best Blow Dryer

Paul Mitchell, Neuro Halo Dryer With Neuro Prime, $255, available at Paul Mitchell.

Best Curling Iron

Amika, The Chameleon, $300, available at Amika.

Best Straightener

Chi, Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron, $127.99, available at Ulta.

Best Skin Tech

Dermaflash, Dermaflash 2.0 Luxe, $189, available at Dermaflash.

“This is the easiest facial exfoliator and peach fuzz remover I’ve ever used! My face feels so smooth and is super-luminous after using.”—Lindsay Hattrick, Design Assistant

Best Crystal Facial Tool

Aquarian Soul, Rose Quartz Facial Tool, $18, available at Aquarian Soul.

Best Razor

Billie, Razor, $9 (for starter kit), available at Billie.

“Come for the convenience factor (this razor works on a subscription model; you’ll be sent new razor blades according to how often you shave), and stay for the incredibly close shave. Seriously: My legs were silky smooth for a full two days after using it. Plus, the magnetic holder is the best way of storing a razor I’ve ever seen, and is weirdly fun to use?”—Kristin Iversen, Executive Editor

Best Makeup Sponge

Fenty Beauty, Precision Makeup Sponge, $16, available at Fenty Beauty.

Innovator Awards

This year, for the first time ever, the NYLON Beauty Hit List expands beyond products and brands to celebrate beauty’s most innovative people. These visionaries have made strides in everything from product development and the business of beauty to the fitness and wellness space. Check out our honorees, below.

WINNERS

Jessica Alba, Founder of The Honest Company & Honest Beauty

Sarah Levey, Founder of Y7 Yoga

Cyndi Ramirez, Founder of Chillhouse

Mallory Blair, Co-Founder of Small Girls PR

Dianna Ruth, Co-Founder of Milk Makeup

Katherine, Caroline & Michelle Ramos, Co-Founders of Rituel de Fille

Arnaud Plas, CEO & Founder of Prose

Nancy Twine, CEO & Founder of Briogeo Haircare

Julia Wills, Founder of Herbivore Botanicals

Amanda Chantal Bacon, Founder of Moon Juice

Tati Westbrook, YouTube Star & CEO of Halo Beauty

CREDITS