Let’s be real here: I love a lot of the best makeup products. Having such a robust, ever-evolving beauty marketplace means that great products launch regularly—which I’d say is both a pro and a con. The positive side being, of course, there are dozens of excellent cosmetics to enjoy at a variety of price points and ingredient-conscious levels—taking inspiration from global makeup philosophies and your favorite makeup tastemakers. And the con? Whittling down such an impressive category into a list for you today. Seriously, spotlighting the best makeup products of 2024 is quite the feat—and not just from a beauty editor’s POV. So, to help out a bit, I turned to my trusted Vogue colleagues—editors, writers, and creatives who put out some incredible work and always look good doing it. Maybe I’m selfishly asking them for their secrets (hoping to steal a beauty tip or two), but at least I’m sharing their picks with you in the process right? Read on to learn more.
Vogue’s Favorite Makeup Products
- The Tinted Lip Balms: Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola Tinted Lip Balm Trio, $100
- The Setting Powder: Kosas Cloud Set, $36
- The Blush: Rhode Pocket Blush, $24
- The Mascara: Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara, $45
- The Lightweight Foundation: Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation, $34
- The Tinted Moisturizer: Saie Slip Tint, $36
- The Eyeshadow: Chanel Ombre Première Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow, $38
Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara
For a while, I stopped wearing mascara altogether because I always felt it looked too heavy and unnatural. That was until I was recommended to ditch the inky jet black pigments for softer brown instead. I have since reintroduced that step in my makeup routine for nights out and special occasions for an understated yet still enhanced lash look. —Madeline Fass, senior shopping market editor
Thick, fluttery, Bambi-like lashes aren’t for me. I much prefer a clean sweep of mascara. Westman Atelier’s coats just enough to lift, separate, and subtly curl. I’ll usually do a few coats when I want more emphasis, the black wears quite light, so it’s buildable. —Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
Rhode Pocket Blush
Ever since Margaux Anbouba told me to try the Rhode pocket blush I’ve been swiping it across my cheeks every morning, it doesn’t actually fit in a pocket but it does fit in a pocketbook and I keep it with me often. —Chloe Malle, editor of Vogue.com
This year I fell (back) in love with blush thanks to Rhode’s pocket blush in Toasted Teddy. It’s turned into the multi-purpose stick I throw into my bag and use for anything and everything, from adding some glow to my cheeks to a little bit of color to my lips. —Taylor Lashley, social media manager
Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation
Glossier’s Stretch Fluid Foundation is wildly underrated. In expected Glossier fashion, this achieves a natural luminousity without being overly dewy; due in part to its 89% skincare ingredient composition: squalane, glycerin, wild rose berry, plankton extract, and amino acids to name a few. It’s a true light coverage foundation, buildable to medium if you’d like, that feels undetectable on the skin. My go-to when I want that tinted gel cream sort of wear. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Chanel Ombre Première Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow
Powders intimidate me, but I love a lustrous metallic liquid for the evening. In quartz rose, Chanel’s take imparts a light shimmer that can be patted easily with fingertips for a soft-focus effect. I have the gold (#22) as well. —Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola Tinted Lip Balm Trio
Ever since Arden introduced me to the Sofia Coppola x Augustinus Bader lip balms, I have been utterly obsessed. I think I now have one in every purse. They feel like a dream, and are, just the perfect trio of shades. My two-year-old daughter stole one and painted her face with it; she knows a good thing when she finds it. I’m convinced there isn’t a better balm out there—and who doesn’t want to copy a lip color from Sofia Coppola? —Chloe Schama, senior editor
Byredo Ultra Definer Brow Pencil
Byredo’s newest venture into beauty isn’t just fluff with chic packaging. In fact, I used the Ultra Definer Brow pencil in slate to create hyper-realistic extra bushy brows for my Liam Gallagher costume—now knowing that it can pass the text for faking my brows look 4xs bigger than they are with the micro thin pencil, it’s a no brainer to continue to use this product.—Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Mat Matte Lipstick
Consider this the umpteenth time I’ve waxed poetic on this Gucci lipstick, but it’s the only shade of lipstick I wear, and I want to never stop wearing it. Swipe it on for the perfect red-red—no bluish undertones here! —Lilah Ramzi, editor
Merit Flush Balm
Merit’s Flush Balm cream blush (in the shade Cheeky) is my favorite quick yet effective makeup product. When I’m in a rush, I simply swipe it across my cheeks and nose, blend it with my fingers, and run out the door. It effortlessly brightens any makeup look and lasts all day long! —Alexandra Ditch, associate commerce producter
Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder
A good setting powder is a must if you want that filtered, airbrushed finish. As this is my desired finish on most occasions, I’d say I love setting powder more than the average person. Few have impressed me as much as the Kosas Cloud Set. I was initially intrigued by its clean composition, but it’s maintained a lasting spot on my vanity (seriously. I broke the lid off of it, and leave it open, on display at all times) because it diffuses and blurs without weightiness or cakiness, particularly under the eye. Use it on its own as a setting powder or atop a loose powder. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Saie Slip Tint Radiant Concealer
I am a tried and true “no makeup” makeup girl and as of late, Saie’s Slip Tint Radiant concealer is one of the only products I put on my face before I step out for the day. I hate the feeling of having too much product on and this concealer is lightweight but has amazing coverage and doesn’t feel cake-y after a long day in the office or a night out. —Taylor Lashley, social media manager
L’Oréal Telescopic Original Lengthening Mascara
How is it that a $9 mascara is so good. As someone who has worked adjacent to beauty editors for going on a decade, I have had access to some of the most expensive wands out there. And the one that has remained a staple? This humble L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Lengthening Mascara. Some people don’t leave the house with SPF; I don’t leave without mascara. As a makeup artist once told me, you get more from an inexpensive mascara that you change often than an expensive one you keep too long. Wise words. —Chloe Schama, senior editor
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick
Westman Atelier’s Face Trace Contour Stick understood the assignment of an ashy base for a naturally sculpted look rather than a glowing bronze (and I have a round baby face, so I’m definitely looking to sculpt out my cheekbones). As a tip for my fellow round face girlies—apply this to the high points of your cheek and blend up for best application. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
I switched over to tubing mascara a little over a year ago and I’m never going back. I have yet to find a product as effective as Maybelline’s Sky High mascara. The fact that it’s budget-friendly just happens to be a great bonus! —Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Since I have rosacea, I try to limit what I put on my face. I’ve all but ditched foundation since I started using Dr. Jart+’s color corrector. I especially love that it has SPF built in, so I know I’m getting sun protection, too. —Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
Saie Slip Tint
I rarely step outside without the Saie Slip Tint on. Not only is it SPF 35, but the coverage is so buildable that it’s perfect for every occasion from a Saturday morning stroll to a wedding. —Florence O’Connor, associate content manager
Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm
Nothing makes me feel more glamorous than the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm—it’s glossy, pigmented, and lasts all night long! —Florence O’Connor, associate content manager
Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm is truly that girl, and I have it in 5 different shares… need I say more? I love a dramatic lip, but my favorite part about this product in particular is that as you wear it, it gently fades without smudging lip liner or causing any unflattering creasing. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick Foundation
In a year that launched dozens of foundation sticks, I tried them all—and this is the best. I know I look good when my coworker Elise tells me I look pretty, and those days always correlated with when I used this product as the foundation of my look —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editor
Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 50
My colleague Irene texted me after a morning meeting, “are you wearing highlighter? credits!” I was not. I was wearing Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 50, which I wear every day as a combo of lotion, sunscreen, and foundation. It’s the first step of my routine and the most important! —Chloe Malle, editor of Vogue.com
Refy Brow Sculpt
Not a day goes by where I don’t brush up my brows. Even on those bare-faced, no-makeup days (which on the weekend happens very often) I will never leave the house without a brushed brow. Heading to the gym, I’ll brush my brows, late for lunch, it’ll go in my bag (or I’ll go back for it, which has happened before.) Like adding jewelry to an outfit, brushing my brows somehow always makes me feel done, dressed, and ready. Confidence in a bottle! —Libby Page, executive shopping director
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Hydrating Setting Spray
This dewy setting spray is my obsession. There’s nothing like adding a poppy blush to your cheeks and then spraying this on, enhancing the hue—making it look glossy and freshly especially during the winter! —Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer
Ami Colé Hydrating Lip Treatment
As far as lip glosses go, i haven’t strayed from Ami Colé since her launch. The glosses stay on all day, during meals, and after sipping matcha through a straw. But the best part is how nourishing they are thanks to rich oils!”—Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer
At this point, I’m just stocking up on these lip treatments for safe keeping. I simply cannot imagine living without it. Gentle and conditioning to the lips, these go on without stickiness. I often reach for the mauve or brown hues, but the limited-edition sparkle versions—one gold, one silver—have already garnered me numerous compliments. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Merit Signature Lip Matte Lipstick
My coworker and best friend Maya Layne and I share most of our lip products and Merit’s signature lip in the shade in Maison is so good that we actually have two of them so that we each have our own when we aren’t going out together. I will be using this lipstick until the day I die and should Merit ever discontinue the shade I will need an advanced notice so I can buy the product out before it disappears from shelves forever. —Irene Kim, production and editorial coordinator
Make Up For Ever Lip Liner
As someone who frequents Sephora merely for fun, narrowing down my favorite makeup product is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. But, if I were to leave the house with only one child, it would be my lip liner. My most recent go-to is Makeup Forever in color 608 Limitless Brown. I think lipliner is the quickest way to look put together with the least amount of effort involved. —Molly Barstein, audience development associate manager
Long live Make Up For Ever’s lip liner in 608 Limitless Brown! It’s truly one of those versatile makeup must haves that work on a range of skin tones. I started using it to line my lips (I simply cannot live without a chocolatey liner), but realized you can use it around the face as well—it’s creamier and more buildable than you’d expect. When in a pinch, I use it for contour, eyeliner, and lip color in one go. I do not leave home without it. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Freck The Original Freckle
Freck’s viral freckle pen is one of my favorite products to put my individuality back into my beauty routine. Once I’m done with my full glam, I use the freckle pen to re-emphasize the many beauty marks on my face. There’s something about defining my beauty marks that brings life into my overall makeup look, making everything pop just a bit more. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Ribbon True Velvet Lip Color
Velvet Ribbon, Lisa Eldridge’s perfect blue tone red. So so vibrant right off the bullet, I find it to be really the best red. —Aurelie Pellissier Roman, global design director
Sisley Paris Phyto-Lip Balm
Sisley introduced the Phyto Lip Balm earlier this year in three shades—the sheer one has been my favorite and go-to since I started using it. I thought I had found the holy grail in its Nutritive Lip Balm, but you can’t beat the convenience of a traditional stick. No tacky fingers! I’ll apply it whenever my lips feel dry, which is often. No wonder it’s practically finished! —Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
And because, as I said, it’s too hard for me to choose just one, I’m also going to mention Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter. This is without a doubt the product that I’ve been using the longest out of everything in my makeup bag. No matter how many foundations I try, I keep coming back to it for its lightweight coverage and dewy finish. —Molly Barstein, audience development associate manager
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick
Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix is the only contour stick that matters! Especially for us brown-skinned girls who need deep hues that match our undertones. I like to contour the cheekbones, emphasize the jawline, and warm up the forehead with this bad boy. Whenever I’m without it, I miss it desperately. Now, I keep a full-size at home and a travel size at work for those beauty closet GRWMs. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
This mascara is the truth. It adds length, volume, and just enough drama. It’s also easy to remove, which is very important to me. —Leah Faye-Cooper, digital style director
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
Applying Dior’s Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer with a damp Beautyblender is usually the first step of my makeup routine! I love that it provides full yet natural coverage, for days when I want to skip foundation altogether. —Alexandra Ditch, associate commerce producer
MAC Cosmetics Brushstroke Liquid Eyeliner
Trust me, brown liquid eyeliner will change your life. It gives the same sexy, cat-eye effect without the harsh intensity of black—plus, if things don’t exactly match, it’s not quite as obvious. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editor
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
Simply the greatest lip gloss. I put on a tiny bit of liner around my cupid’s bow then tap tap tap this on top. Lips are instantly juicy and all of the shades are just a pinch of color, so pretty. I have one in every single work bag. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editor
Saie Hydrabeam Concealer
I don’t wear much makeup anymore, but when I do, concealer is the first thing I apply. I’ve been loyal to Saie’s Hydrabeam for a long time. It brightens, doesn’t pill, and works as a spot concealer when needed. Easy does it. —Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
Serge Lutens Fard à Lèvres Lipstick
I’m always after a natural lipstick to tone down the redness of my lips—this has been the only shade that works as a cool nude. With mauvish-grey undertones that beautifully offset the red. I also love the refillable metallic tube—it’s discreet touch ups on the subway when on school run. —Aurelie Pellissier Roman, global design director
Tom Ford Lip Color Matte Lipstick
I love this Tom Ford lipstick so much that I wrote a thousand-word ode to it on this very website. Need I say more? —Elise Taylor, senior living writer
Anastasia Beverly Hills Smudge-Proof Matte Liquid Lipstick
A bold lip can do wonders for your look—and on some days, your mood. My favorite is Anastasia Beverly Hills liquid lipstick in American Doll. Just trust me. —Leah Faye-Cooper, digital style director
RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Concealer
I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but RMS Un Cover-Up concealer is an always for me—it’s a clean concealer with buildable coverage that doesn’t cake or pill, and has a slight illuminating effect (without looking shiny). A colleague once remarked how a little under my eyes (mid-fashion week car share) made me look like I had just taken a 12-hour nap—if that isn’t an endorsement, I’m not sure what is. —Daisy Shaw-Ellis, jewelry director
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
This, to me, is the holy grail of setting powders! I love the transparent shade because it’s easy to apply, incredibly lightweight, and blends in effortlessly. My favorite part is the staying power—my look stays in place all day and still looks fresh into the night. —Clarissa Schmidt, marketing & production manager
Youthforia BYO Blush
I wear Youthforia’s blush oil all over my face—cheeks, eyes, lips—to make me look fully alive when I’m half awake (the formula is supposedly skin-friendly enough to actually sleep in). It’s pH-reactive, kind of adjusting like a mood ring, and turns into a really dewy pink that smooshes around transparently without hard lines. —Arden Fanning Andrews, Beauty Editor-at-Large