Top 10 Makeup Brands Worth Trying This Year

Building a makeup bag that actually works can feel like guesswork. This list pulls together ten trusted picks covering eyes, skin, and hair, each one chosen for real results and easy everyday use. Whether you want a bold lash look or a quick glow fix, one of these is likely your next favorite.

1. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Maybelline’s Sky High Washable Mascara gives lashes serious lift without the usual clumping. The brush is shaped to reach every lash from root to tip, so you get volume, length, and a soft curl in one swipe. It builds up nicely if you want more drama, but a single coat already looks polished for daytime wear. Formulated to stay put through long days while still coming off easily with warm water and a gentle cleanser, it skips the harsh makeup remover routine. The Blackest Black shade adds real depth to any eye look, and the flexible wand makes it beginner friendly. Shoppers keep repurchasing it because it holds its shape without flaking by evening.

Ready to see the lift for yourself? Grab this mascara on Amazon today.

My Recommendation

If your current mascara clumps by noon, this one solves that problem fast. It works well for both natural and bold looks.

2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

This multi-use concealer targets dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines with a lightweight formula that blends right into skin. The doe-foot applicator makes it simple to dab, tap, and go, even on rushed mornings. It brightens the under-eye area without settling into creases later in the day, which is a common complaint with heavier concealers. Shade 110 suits fair to light skin tones and reads natural rather than chalky in photos. Because it doubles as a spot concealer and highlighter, one tube covers several steps in a routine, which saves both time and bathroom shelf space. Many buyers mention it holds up through office hours and video calls alike.

Want brighter, more awake looking eyes? Order it on Amazon now.

My Recommendation

Great pick for anyone who wants one product that handles dark circles and light contouring together.

3. L’Oreal Infallible Setting Spray

This microfine setting mist locks makeup in place for up to 36 hours, which matters most on long shifts, travel days, or events that run late. The clear formula sits weightlessly on top of foundation and powder without changing the finish underneath. A quick two spritzes from about eight inches away is enough to seal everything in place, and it dries fast so there is no waiting around before heading out the door. It also helps cut down on midday shine, which many reviewers say was their biggest frustration before switching. At 1.76 ounces, the bottle is compact enough to toss in a bag for touch-ups anywhere.

Tired of reapplying makeup by afternoon? Pick up this setting spray on Amazon.

My Recommendation

Ideal for humid climates or anyone with combination skin who battles shine by midday.

4. NYX Epic Ink Liquid Liner

This waterproof liquid liner delivers a true black line that stays crisp from morning to night. The felt-tip style applicator gives more control than a traditional brush, which helps both beginners and experienced users draw cleaner wings on the first try. It is vegan and free of harsh ingredients, so it works well for sensitive eyes too. Once it sets, it resists smudging, flaking, and transferring, even through sweat or light rain, which reviewers note as a major upgrade from drugstore liners that fade by lunch. A single stroke gives full opacity, so there is no need to go over the same line twice and risk a shaky edge.

Want a wing that lasts all day? Shop this eyeliner on Amazon right now.

My Recommendation

Solid choice for anyone chasing a sharp cat eye without constant touch-ups.

5. Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighter

This pressed powder highlighter delivers a soft, buildable glow rather than a harsh metallic shine, which makes it easy to wear during the day or amp up for evening. The Blossom Glow shade leans pink rose gold, flattering a wide range of skin tones on cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of the nose. The formula is finely milled, so it blends smoothly with a brush or fingertip without grabbing onto dry patches. It layers well over foundation or bare skin alike, and a little goes a long way, meaning the compact lasts through months of regular use. Fans often mention it photographs beautifully in both natural light and flash.

Craving that lit-from-within glow? Get this highlighter from Amazon today.

My Recommendation

Great starter highlighter for anyone new to strobing who wants a natural looking shimmer.

6. Vichy Mineral 89 Booster Serum

This lightweight serum combines hyaluronic acid with polyglutamic acid to hydrate skin while supporting the skin barrier, which helps with both plumpness and long-term resilience. It absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky or greasy residue, so it layers easily under moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup. Many users add it as a first step after cleansing to prep skin before the rest of their routine. Since it is oil-free, it works for oily and combination skin types as well as dry skin looking for an extra hydration boost. Regular use is linked to a smoother, more supple look over time, and the minimal ingredient list appeals to people avoiding heavy fragrances or fillers.

Ready for a hydration boost that actually absorbs? Find it on Amazon here.

My Recommendation

Works well as a daily prep step before makeup or as a standalone hydrating treatment at night.

7. Estura Atobarrier365 Ceramide Cream

This Korean-formulated moisturizer is built around ceramide capsules designed to repair and reinforce the skin barrier over time. It delivers up to 120 hours of lasting hydration according to its testing, which makes it a strong fit for dry or sensitive skin that struggles to hold moisture. The texture is rich but non-comedogenic, so it sinks in without clogging pores or leaving a heavy film. Many users notice less redness and fewer dry patches within the first few weeks of consistent use. At 80 mL, the jar is sized for daily application over several months, making it a practical addition to a barrier-focused skincare routine rather than a one-time trial product.

Struggling with a compromised skin barrier? Shop this cream on Amazon today.

My Recommendation

A strong pick for anyone dealing with persistent dryness or sensitivity that other creams have not fixed.

8. E.l.f. Holy Hydration Travel Kit

This travel-friendly set bundles a cleanser, balm, moisturizer, eye cream, and night cream into one compact hydration routine. It is designed for people who want an easy skincare system without piecing together five separate full-size products. Each item is vegan and cruelty-free, which fits well with cleaner beauty routines many shoppers are moving toward. The sizes are ideal for carry-on travel or simply trying a full line before committing to full-size versions. Reviewers often mention that the set noticeably softens rough patches and calms dry areas within the first week. Because everything is packaged together, it also makes a convenient gift for someone just starting a skincare routine.

Want a complete hydration routine in one box? Grab this kit on Amazon now.

My Recommendation

Perfect for travel or as an easy way to test a full skincare line before buying full sizes.

9. L’Oreal Sleek It Straightening Spray

This heat protectant spray is made specifically for flat ironing, helping hair glide smoothly while reducing frizz and flyaways. It creates a lightweight barrier against high heat, which helps limit damage from daily or frequent straightening. The formula does not weigh hair down, so strands stay sleek and shiny rather than flat or greasy by the end of the day. A few spritzes through damp or dry hair before styling is usually enough, and many users note their flat iron glides through hair faster afterward, cutting down actual styling time. At 5.7 ounces, one bottle lasts through months of regular straightening sessions for most hair lengths.

Ready for smoother, shinier straight hair? Order this spray on Amazon today.

My Recommendation

A must if you flat iron often and want to protect hair from repeated heat damage.

10. IGK Expensive Gloss and Repair Set

This duo pairs a clear gloss top coat with a leave-in repair serum, giving hair a shiny, salon-like finish while working on strand health underneath. The top coat adds shine and smooths the cuticle for a glassy look without extra weight, while the repair serum targets dryness and damage from heat or color treatments. Both formulas are vegan and cruelty-free, appealing to anyone building a cleaner hair care shelf. Used together, they leave hair feeling softer and looking noticeably glossier after just one application, according to many reviewers. The pack size, 4.2 ounces plus 1.7 ounces, makes it a practical set for several months of regular use rather than a quick sample.

Craving glossy, healthier looking hair? Pick up this set on Amazon right now.

My Recommendation

Great for anyone who color treats or heat styles often and wants extra shine without a salon visit.