We Tested Hundreds of Beauty Products This Year but Only These 25 Were Unanimous Favorites

As beauty director at REAL SIMPLE, I tried all the latest products out there—with the help of 125 RS superfans (ranging in age from 17-70) from around the country. These 25 skin, hair, makeup, and body products got the most glowing reviews. Now you can add to cart with confidence.

Best Glow-Getter: DIBS Lovebeam Perfector

Every single tester who tried this liquid highlighter (available in five shades) gave it a top ranking of “holy grail status.” Emily Wild, a 37-year-old stay-at-home mom from Pittsburgh, says, “This takes years off my face! It gives me a fresh, youthful glow, even on days when I just wear it with moisturizer. Under makeup, it adds a filter-like appearance.” To buy: $38 each; dibsbeauty.com

Best Blush: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush

This cream-to-powder blush with a fun, putty texture received dozens of oohs and aahs, including from Siobhán Quinlan, a 43-year-old hairstylist in West Hollywood, California. “It blurs, delivers a just-right flush, and lasts through long days at the salon,” she says. Choose from seven shades. To buy: $27 each; sephora.com

Best Lipstick: Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick

It looks like a lipstick, but it sure doesn’t feel like one, thanks to smoothing vitamin C and moisturizing sunflower seed oil. Even the lipstick haters in the group (me!) swooned over the nine buildable colors. To buy: $26; meritbeauty.com

Best Nail Treatment: ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment

A swipe of this clear coat, alone or under polish (even gel), helps repair weak nails. “I like to keep my natural nails looking good, but with frequent handwashing, it’s difficult. This makes them look much healthier,” says Erin Sachse, a 50-year-old mental health counselor in Valparaiso, Indiana. To buy: $20; ephd.com

Best Face Exfoliator: U Beauty Resurfacing Flash Peel

Laura Podesta, a 37-year-old public relations manager from New York City, says the peel gives her “glass skin” (think: smooth and flawless). “The mild tingling is worth it because of how bright and clear my skin looks. This is going to take my skin care routine to a new level.” To buy: $188; ubeauty.com

Best Innovation: BoldHue Starter Kit

Frustrated with foundations that don’t match your skin? This new tech is the solution. Scan your face with the (magic?) wand, insert the jar into the machine, and wait as colors are dispensed. Stir for your custom pigment. Say bye to awkward makeup lines and hello to a natural-looking foundation. To buy: $295; boldhue.com

Best Lip Treatment: BeautyStat C Lip Serum SPF 30

In baby pink or neutral peach, this stuff hydrates, plumps, and brightens. And it feels great, says Kaleena Brown, a 42-year-old analyst from West Bloomfield, Michigan. “It’s smooth and not greasy, but it’s definitely moisturizing.” It also smells like orange sherbet, and the SPF is a bonus. To buy: $15; beautystat.com

Best Mascara: Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Lengthening Mascara

Testers couldn’t get over the airy wax-in-water formula that creates length without clumping. (I got lots of “I love it!” comments.) Many women also liked the wand, saying it separates every lash, which makes for an overall cleaner appearance. To buy: $30; lancome-usa.com

Best Body Scrub: Iota Supermochi Body Exfoliator

This sweet rice scrub is a new fave for 55-year-old business and revenue consultant Emilie H. from Carlsbad, California. “It’s beaded perfectly—not so much that it feels like sand, not so little that it doesn’t make a difference. Amazing shower experience every time,” she says. To buy: $39; iotabody.com

Best Hair Mask: Dove Bond Strength 10-in-1 Serum Mask

That’s 10 benefits in one minute! And that’s what makes this strengthening, shine-boosting formula such a winner, says Laura Vivian, a 38-year-old marketing exec from Ballwin, Missouri. “My hair feels supersoft after using it. I’ve also noticed that my day-two hair is smoother than normal.” To buy: $10; target.com

Best Eye Cream: Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye

The vast majority of testers said they’d swap in this eye cream for their current one because of how well it targets fine lines and puffiness. “I love the dispenser, and it absorbs quickly,” says Heidi R., a 64-year-old retired college professor in Niantic, Connecticut. “A little goes a long way, and it doesn’t bother my reactive skin.” You can use it on your eyelids too! To buy: $48 each; innbeautyproject.com

Best Treatment for Thinning Hair: John Frieda Ultra Filler+ Hair Density Scalp Serum

Packed with biotin, peptides, and rosemary extract, this nongreasy serum helps amp up wimpy strands. Mary Kay Agnew, a 67-year-old retiree from Urbandale, Iowa, was instantly sold. “It helps with lifting and adding volume to my fine hair,” she says. To buy: $12; walmart.com

Best Concealer: Tarte Creaseless Creamy Full Coverage Concealer

Swipe right on this concealer that lives up to its name and comes in 34 shades. “I love how it doesn’t sit in my creases,” says Bonnie Payne, a 64-year-old teacher assistant from Chesapeake, Virginia. “It blends very easily too.” To buy: $30 each; tartecosmetics.com

Best Styling Cream: Divi Air Dry Cream

“I have fine, wavy hair that’s cut in a bob, and I usually have to blow-dry out the cowlicks and back part,” says Erin Powell, a 54-year-old content reviewer from Tallahassee, Florida. “So I was skeptical about trying a wash-and-go styling conditioner, but I am very impressed. A little scrunch makes my waves go, ‘Woo!’” To buy: $28; diviofficial.com

Best Body Wash: Credo Serenity Mineral-Rich Body Wash

Infused with sugar kelp and spirulina, this wash got reviews like “Whoa!” and “Lovely!” Consider buying the wash and the matching body serum and body cream for anyone who’s going through something. It feels kind to your body; you know you’re absorbing good stuff. To buy: $34 each; credobeauty.com

Best Eye Shadow: Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick

Available in 20 fun shades, these sticks pack an intense (but not too intense) wash of long-lasting color, with minimal fuss or blending needed. From Melanie McCluskey, a 50-year-old copywriter in Pittsburgh: “I love the lightweight pigments—especially the seafoam green—and the easy twist-up applicator.” To buy: $32 each; iliabeauty.com

Best Moisturizer: Olay Super Cream With Sunscreen

The multitasking powers of this moisturizer (it helps brighten, smooth, firm, and protect!) and reasonable price point won over testers like Laura Stoner, a 44-year-old customer service rep from Charlotte, North Carolina. “It’s the perfect consistency, and it has no weird smell to it.” To buy: $35; olay.com

Best Everyday Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50

“It’s helping with the redness I get on my cheeks and T-zone, and it doesn’t leave a white cast,” says Becky Meadows, a 62-year-old retiree from Denver. “My skin feels hydrated—not sticky—and has a nice glow.” To buy: $52; eltamd.com

Best Face Serum: Tula Skincare A+ Renewal Advanced Retinal & Peptides Serum

More than 85% of testers gave this serum the highest possible ranking. Emily Eusanio, a 42-year-old writer from Cincinnati, says, “I love how smooth this makes my skin. I’m sensitive, and most exfoliators cause irritation. This one does not!” To buy: $58; tula.com

Best Cleanser: Skinbetter Science Refining Foam Cleanser

I tested every product in this story (plus dozens that didn’t make the cut), and while choosing among them is like picking a favorite child, this one is…chef’s kiss. It foams like a cloud, melts off makeup, and leaves my 40-year-old skin sooo smooth. It actually makes me want to wash my face! To buy: $48; skinbetter.com

Best Shampoo & Conditioner: Ethique Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

This plastic-free bar and its matching conditioner got major points for being eco-friendly. They also lather up nicely and add legit shine. Extra credit: The company helps remove plastic bottles from coastal communities. To buy: $17 each; ethique.com

Best Neck Treatment: Alpyn Super Sculpt Serum for Face & Neck

After just a few weeks of using this prickly pear gel serum, Stephanie Metcalf, a 53-year-old in Jackson, Michigan, who’s out on disability, says her skin became tighter and less wrinkled. “I feel so much more confident!” To buy: $62; alpynbeauty.com

Best Skin Tint: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint

Testers begged me to resupply them with this skin tint (available in 15 shades) that lasts up to 12 hours and contains plumping hyaluronic acid. “It covers my rosacea,” says Rebecca Rose, a 38-year-old writer from Newburgh, New York. “It lasts all day and doesn’t come off—even when I get sweaty!” To buy: $36 each; milkmakeup.com

Best Hair Serum: Pureology Strength Cure Dream Healer Serum

With reviews such as “OMG!” and “It smells like bergamot and jasmine!” and “I’m adding this to my routine for eternity,” this was a clear winner. Its citric and amino acids help reduce breakage, and it doubles as a heat protectant. And unlike most other hair serums, this one doesn’t leave fine strands looking greasy. To buy: $48; pureology.com

Best Leave-In Conditioner: Color Wow Money Mist

This stuff convinced 100% of testers to ditch their old ways and make the swap. Marcia Truitt, a 72-year-old retiree from Pembroke Pines, Florida, says, “It tames frizz in a humid climate and makes my hair very soft and shiny.” Thanks, Marcia and all my other testers! To buy: $29; colorwowhair.com