There's such a thing as having too many choices.
Options are great. But too many of them can leave us puzzled and paralyzed. Especially when it comes to beauty, fragrance and skin care. Every week, we read about the latest and greatest product that's going to zap your wrinkles, eradicate dark spots, and give your under-eye bags the boot. But how to separate the hype from the truth?
Here to help is the year's definitive guide, Allure's Best of Beauty list. All the products that make the cut are evaluated, multiple times, and you can count on them to do what they promise.
"The Allure testing process is serious business. All of our editors are involved. We have five-person teams vetting thousands of products in dozens of categories for months and panels of 10 staffers with 10 different skin tones testing every lipstick shade," said Allure editor-in-chief Michelle Lee. "We also call on experts like cosmetic chemists and dermatologists for additional testing."
So what does Allure look for in a winner?
"Depending on the product, we're looking for long-wear, good texture, value, strong color, innovation— there's a lot of competition out there, so a product really needs to be phenomenal to stand out," she said.
From the best mascara to the best tinted sunscreen, read on for this year's winners!
Best Hair Products
Clairol Nice'n Easy Hair Color, Pack of 3, $24, Amazon
This award winner is free of PPD and PTD, two compounds that can cause major irritation.
Seed Phytonutrients Heavy Duty Conditioner, $24, Amazon
This new bath and body line comes from a small family farm, and it's bottled in paper.
TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hair Spray, $5, Walmart
Also sold at Ulta.
You get major hold, with lots of movement.
Best Eye Makeup
Maybelline TattooStudio Waterproof Eyebrow Gel, $8, Amazon
Get it at Ulta as well.
This is long-lasting, without being weirdly stiff.
Benefit Bad Gal Bang! Mascara, $25, Sephora
Ulta also sells this one and you can get a mini size at Nordstrom for $13.
Your lashes will look thick and feathery.
Best skin care
Olay Luminous Whip Light Face Moisturizer, $28, Amazon
It's also sold at Walmart.
This cream actually blurs pores.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass NightlyRe.Pair Mask, $48, Sephora
This calms your skin and reduces redness.
Caudelie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum, $49, Sephora
This baby tightens your pores and makes them less noticeable.
SK-II Overnight Miracle Mask, $105, Nordstrom
Sephora sells this as well.
Like magic, this energizes your skin while you sleep.
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $35, Amazon
Also sold at Dermstore.
This is one of the best sunscreens you'll ever use, full stop.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, $13, Amazon
This diminishes lines, and gives your skin a dose of moisture.
Best Foundation and Concealer
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $30, Macy's
You can get this at Ulta.
Keep this next to your desk, and any midday breakout disappear in a snap.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, $34, Sephora
The singer and style icon launched a beauty line that's all about inclusivity, with 40 foundation shades.
Best Lipsticks and Nail Polishes
Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor, HD Desert, $8, Walmart
This makes your pucker look moist and so full.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria, $34, Bergdorf Goodman
Rich, deep and sophisticated, this is basically the perfect lipstick.
Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Lip Gloss, $36, Nordstrom
You can also get this at Neiman Marcus.
Imagine a gloss that doesn't bleed or smudge. Here it is.
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color, $3, Ulta
This polish lasts seven days, and that's no joke.
Read on for celebrity beauty favorites:
Judith Light soaks in these $16 bath salts every night before going to sleep
How Rose Byrne tames her 'wild and uncontrollable' hair
'Suits' star Katherine Heigl keeps this $5 moisturizer in her shower
3 products Lady Gaga uses to get 'the most incredible skin in the business'