The Best Luxury Makeup Products of 2023

I’ve mentioned how incredible this new concealer to at least six different people since trying it out, and I’ll continue to extoll its many virtues to whoever wants to hear about it. The brand claims it glides on like a serum yet has the buildable coverage of a great concealer, and for once the marketing copy is correct. The consistency is hydrating and smooth, and manages to feel more like skin care than cakey makeup, thanks to bouncy hyaluronic acid and reparative lysine. I find that all I need are a few dots under my eyes, on my lids, around my nose, and near my mouth to achieve a glowy, even basic face. Holy grail! —Perrie Samotin, digital director

Multitasking products will always be welcome in my (and likely anyone else’s) beauty bag, and nothing does it quite like this Jillian Dempsey Mixturizer. In a nutshell, it extends the life of any pigmented base product you have, all while functioning like a moisturizer. I use it to thin out my concealer and turn my foundation into more of a skin tint by squeezing a bit of it onto the back of my hand and blending it with my fingertips. It’s especially great for people (like me) who combine foundation pigments to match their skin tone; you can even wear it on its own, and it leaves a subtle luminous blurring effect. I tend to avoid makeup primers because they’re often thick, matte, and uncomfortable, but this is a truly special lightweight primer that functions like a grippy glass of water for your skin. —Shanna Shipin, contributor

I’m not much of a loose-powder girly, but this one won me over. Let me just say, the word melt in the product name should be bolded and underlined because it truly feels like it seeps into my skin like a liquid product rather than just sitting on top like some other powders. I also have to address the genius that is the packaging of this powder. Gone are the days of powder spills thanks to the handy click-top lid that seals the well of loose powder once you’re done using it. —Lisa DeSantis, contributor

I’ve never met a Pat McGrath blush I didn’t like, and the Glow Colour Balm did not disappoint. The formula provides the perfect kiss of color that’s buildable and nonsticky, making it perfect for warmer weather. Enhanced with skin care ingredients like squalane, passion fruit extract, and shea butter, the sticks are multiuse for the cheeks, lips, and eyes. I wore it nearly every day this summer, creating juicy monochromatic looks. —A.Y.

I love the added shimmer finish that the Rare Beauty highlighter adds on prime areas of my face, such as my cheekbones, the tip of my nose, and right under my brow bone. I use Exhilirate, which is a champagne-gold color that perfectly complements my darker skin tone. This highlighter is reminiscent of cult highlighter favorites but has been improved with vegan products and its long-lasting capabilities. I highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for something that will add just enough to a natural beat or soft glam look. —Monique Wilson, editorial assistant

I thought I wasn’t a bronzer beauty girlie…emphasis on the word thought. Kjaer Weis’s Cream Bronzer does things I didn’t know bronzer could do. It gives skin the most gorgeous, healthy, luminous glow without feeling heavy and cakey, or making it look as though I did my makeup in 2003. It glides on perfectly and blends so thoroughly, it looks as if you got some sun, nothing more. But the truth is, it’s impossible to wear this silky bronzer the “wrong” way—I’ve even started wearing mine in place of my previous highlighter since it’s so radiant. —Danielle Sinay, associate beauty editor

I absolutely adore makeup, but mascara has never been my desert-island product. Many are too clumpy, goopy, or severe for the look I prefer—subtly tinted brows that enhance my eyes as opposed to making them pop by surrounding them with spider-like lashes. The reason I love this mascara, from chic French brand Eisenberg, is because the slim and gently curved brush imparts just the right amount of product, while deepening and separating my lashes. It looks effortless (it’s French, after all!), but the mascara works overtime thanks to an exclusive vitamin-packed formula that promotes gentle lash growth and reduces damage. —P.S.

Tbh, most of the time I use clear brow gel (or even Vaseline) on my blonde brows. I only add color to them on special occasions, so the product needs to be really good—and really easy to use. This ultrathin pencil from Ami Colé lets me draw on hairlike strokes with controllable coverage (in other words: no Burt and Ernie situations). I also love that it’s infused with moisturizing banana seed oil and baobab seed oil to give my brows a little extra oomph. —Lindy Segal, interim deputy editor

If you’re a fan of the laminated brow look, make a permanent space in your beauty bag for the Milk Makeup Kush Brow Lamination Gel. What truly makes this brow gel outstanding is its remarkable ability to hold my brows without making them feel crusty or flaky. The nourishing formula gives a lasting, comfortable hold that leaves my brows looking sleek but still feeling soft to the touch. It’s the convenience and ease of application for me: The brush makes it a breeze to shape and define my brows without any fuss, and the formula doesn’t leave a sticky or stiff feeling. It’s dependable, long-lasting, and incredibly easy to use, making it a must-have for anyone who appreciates sleek, set brows in a swipe. —Leilani McQuay, commerce producer

“Your eyes are sisters, not twins,” a wise woman once said to me. But with my shaky hand, my eyes usually end up looking like estranged cousins. Buxom’s Power Line Eyeliner has a unique flat-edge tip that guides a steady line and allows for countless different eyelooks, from a precise wing to a smoky nighttime look. —Channing Smith, junior designer

The paintbrush-like packaging on these Urban Decay liners feels so ergonomic and balanced, giving you the control to paint your graphic liner like an artiste. The formula itself, which comes in a delightful variety of shades, also has surprising staying power and pigment. —Anastasia Sanger, senior manager, social video development

This palette is a dream. A great range of colors with just the right amount of sparkle and shimmer. The shadows are pigmented but extremely blendable. They last all day. It’s a must for an eyeshadow enthusiast. —Sam Barry, editor in chief

First thing I noticed is that the design of the bottle is impressive and feels heavy-duty. Overall it has a delightful scent, feels incredibly lightweight, and leaves my makeup looking flawless. Give it a good shake before you spritz for the perfect application. It’s one of the best setting sprays I've ever used. —Ru Wolle, senior projects editor

I’ve been a Tom Ford lipstick enthusiast for as long as I can remember, so it’s no surprise I love the Liquid Lip Luxe Matte as much as I do. Creamy, lightweight, luscious, and super long-lasting, it looks absolutely gorgeous on and stays bright, beaming, and radiant for hours and hours on end without even a hint of dryness. —D.S.

The jelly texture of this gloss-oil hybrid is truly unique. It has all the nourishing and hydrating effects of an oil with the same fun and glossy shine as regular lip gloss. Best of all, there’s zero stick. Zero. —A.Y.

Before I tried this, lip liners were optional in my makeup routine. Never again. This lip shaper is easy to apply, the colors are great, and it really lasts. It gives a whole new definition to my face when I’m getting ready for a night out. A new permanent fixture. —Natasha Pearlman, executive editor

I have high standards for my lip balms, and this one from Mara met them all. It’s thick, which is key, but didn’t feel sticky and left my lips feeling perfectly hydrated. I never had to reapply, which is one of my pet peeves. The most unique part of this balm is its scent: It smells like sea salt and seaweed, which sounds gross but is actually kind of amazing? I can’t wait to keep this on rotation during the dry and cold winter months in the city when my lips need it the most. Maybe it will help me visualize a warm beach? —Stephanie McNeal, senior editor

The brush for this polish is far and away the nicest I’ve ever used, and the formula is viscous enough for an easy, smooth application. Don’t forget a solid top coat to protect your manicure well. Overall an easy, beautiful formula! —Sam Reed, senior trending news & entertainment editor