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Home • Beauty

Best In Beauty Awards 2025: Makeup

When we think of timeless makeup, we envision staples like sultry lip liners, a great pop of blush and the perfect red lipstick. Below, be prepared to find new classics to enhance your natural beauty.
Best In Beauty Awards 2025: Makeup
Vanessa Granda for ESSENCE
By Akili King, India Espy-Jones, Danielle Wright, Mecca Pryor · Updated March 31, 2025

01
01 Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara
Emphasize your eyes: This mascara gives the illusion of multiplied, fanned-out lashes. Available at charlottetilbury.com
29 Shop Now
02
02 Wyn Beauty by Serena Williams ­Acceptance Speech Shimmering ­Hydrating Lip Gloss
Don’t forget to thank your nonsticky, micro-pearl lip gloss at your next award acceptance. Available at wynbeauty.com
20 Shop Now
03
03 Ami Colé Soft Shape Lip Liner
Define your kisser with a perfect-match lip tone, enriched with shea butter, marula oil and vitamin E. Available at amicole.com
18 Shop Now
04
04 Javon Ford Beauty Cheek Stain
Let a color-adaptive, melt-onto-your-cheeks blush be your shade-matching solution. Available at javonfordbeauty.com
32 Shop Now
05
05 Pear Nova Nova Noir Liquid Eyeliner
Add precision to your look thanks to this sleek and refined eyeliner applicator. Available at pearnova.com
19 Shop Now
06
06 EADEM Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm
A cult fave lip treatment with exfoliation, moisture and shine capabilities is a must-have in every beauty bag. Available at eadem.co
24 Shop Now
07
07 Lys Beauty Higher Standards Cream Glow Blush Stick
Upgrade the appearance of your cheeks with a triangle-shaped blush stick rich in creamy pigment. Available at lysbeauty.com
20 Shop Now
08
08 MAC Cosmetics M.A.Cximal Sleek Satin Lipstick
Level up your image with a richer, creamier, sleeker and artist-approved lip finish. Available at maccosmetics.com
25 Shop Now
09
09 Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Powder
Avoid the dreaded under-eye flashback with this camera-ready blurring powder. Available at patmcgrath.com
35 Shop Now
10
10 KJH.Brand Hyper Shine Lite Pigment
Overhauling your cosmetics bag? Let a multiuse highlighter for the face and body be your top addition. Available at kjhbrand.com
26 Shop Now
11
11 Milk Makeup Hydro Grip + Glow Primer
Illuminate your makeup with a pearlescent 12-hour grip primer. Available at milkmakeup.com
30 Shop Now
12
12 Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow & Kohl Liner
Bring back the polished-grunge looks of the 1990s with this dual-ended eye shadow and liner stick. Available at bobbibrowncosmetics.com
39 Shop Now
13
13 Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
Feather and lift your brows with an extreme-hold styling wax, sans the stiff, flaky finish. Available at anastasiabeverlyhills.com
26 Shop Now
14
14 Danessa Myricks Beauty Lightwork VI The Freedom Palette
Cream and slick chromes meet soft, satin mattes in this ultimate all-over face ­palette. Available at sephora.co.uk
128 Shop Now

MALI Magic’s Timeless Picks

Makeup pro Mali Boykin’s guide to achieving an enchanting glow

Best In Beauty Awards 2025: Makeup
Courtesy of Ron Hill

“The key to keeping your makeup timeless is finding products that truly complement your skin tone—and taking inspiration from the greats,” says Boykin. “Emphasize impeccable skin paired with statement eyes and lips. Start with proper skin prep, using products that love your skin. Focus on blending your makeup seamlessly, and you’ll have a look that’s elegant and effortlessly stunning.”

01
01 Saie Glowy Super Gel
Available at saiehello.com
28 Shop Now
02
02 Maybelline Express Brow Duo 2-in-1 Pencil and Powder
Available at maybelline.com
10 Shop Now
03
03 Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation
Available at anastasiabeverlyhills.com
42 Shop Now
04
04 Bobbi Brown Skin Corrector Stick
Available at bobbibrowncosmetics.com
35 Shop Now

Photo production credits:
Product photos: Courtesy of brands
Models: Amina Hassan at AMR Agency, Lluvia Cortés at New Icon, Nyaguach Pal at New Icon, Rhaya Jacobs at Divide NY, Roo Saintine at Supreme Management, Sarah Gony at Crawford Models, Wife Erath at APM.
Hair: LaMesha Mosley using Bumble and Bumble; Makeup: Raisa Flowers at E.D.M.A. Nails: Arlene Hinckson using CND at The Only Agency
Set Design: Jenny Correa at Walter Schupfer Management
Casting Director: Trevor Swain at The Wall Group
Photography Assistants: Ashley Markle & Allison Brooks
Digital Technician: Isobel Rae
Fashion Assistant: Morgan Smith; Hair Assistants: Kashmere Samuel & Jataina Ames Makeup Assistants: Joshua Hilario & Desiree Easton; Nail Assistants: Reiana Maynard & Safiya Levers
Set Assistant: Alejandro Benito; Production by The Morrison Group
Associate Producer: Vince Barrucco; Production Assistants: Maian Tran & Kiernan Francis
Shot at Splashlight Studios

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