The 2011 Spring Makeup O-wards: The Best New Beauty Products
Introducing the 30 winners of our fourth annual contest.
Juiciest Color for Spring
We have a prediction. One day very soon, you will wear orange. On your face. Here's why: These oranges aren't the heavy shades of the pumpkin patch; they're from the citrus grove—zesty, sheer, and fresh.
Three Custom Color Specialists Eye Shadow in Amped ($23;
threecustom.com)
OPI Nail Lacquer in Y'All Come Back Ya Hear? ($8.50;
opi.com for salons)
Top right:
Givenchy Rouge Interdit Lipstick in Candide Tangerine ($29;
sephora.com)
Bottom right:
Estée Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Melon ($24;
esteelauder.com)
Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss in Cheerful ($9;
target.com)
Shiseido Smoothing Lip Pencil in Tangelo ($20;
sephora.com)
Mehron Cheek Cream blush in Tech-Orange ($6;
mehron.com)
The Eye Makeup-Made-Easy Award
Do you buy whole eyeshadow palettes only to hollow out one shade—the taupe, right?—and leave the others untouched? Then try these two DIY stars: They show you how to combine colors to eye-opening effect.
Top: Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner ($9; drugstores)
Each palette includes four eyeshadows and one eyeliner; a numbered diagram on the back shows you exactly where each color goes.
Bottom: L'Oréal Paris The One Sweep Eye Shadow ($10; drugstores)
Swipe the curved, lid-shaped applicator over the three coordinated shades, then brush it across your lids (with the darkest color closest to your lashline). Done!
Most Revolutionary Mascara
Dior Diorshow 360 ($36;
dior.com)
If you love dramatic lashes, you'll want to take this mascara for a spin—literally. Twist the silver band on the cap and the wand slowly rotates, wrapping each lash in inky color, in just one coat.
Most Impressive Staying Power
Josie Maran Magic Marker Argan Liquid Liner ($22;
sephora.com)
Some eyeliners disappear with your morning coffee, but this one's in it for the long haul. Glide the fine marker along your lashline (the formula, infused with argan oil, won't skip or pull) and enjoy smudge-resistant, fadeproof color all day.
Striking New Classics
Pinks are lovely, and ivory's always elegant, but this season we challenge you to trade your standby shades for these fresh, wear-with-everything additions to the nailcolor canon.
From top:
Chanel Le Vernis in Black Pearl ($25;
chanel.com)
Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel in Cloud ($6; drugstores)
Essie Nail Polish in Coat Azure ($8;
essie.com)
Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Oyster Cult ($19;
nordstrom.com)
Orly Nail Lacquer in Sapphire Silk ($7.50;
orlybeauty.com)
Most Comprehensive Shade Range
Some foundation collections come in colors from very light to light to still-rather-light. Two new ones address the full spectrum of skin tones—beautifully.
Left:
CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation ($12; drugstores)
All 14 shades contain cucumber and jojoba for a silky feel and full coverage.
Right:
Mary Kay TimeWise Liquid Foundation ($20;
marykay.com)
Choose one of 23 shades, then decide if you prefer the matte or luminous version.
Freshest Way to Look Sun-Kissed
Laura Geller Air Whipped Bronzer in Coco Beach ($30;
qvc.com)
This springy, cool-to-the-touch mousse makes bronzer a no-brainer. Dab it along your cheekbones, or blend it all over—either way, the result will be airbrushed, transparent, and natural.
Best New Team of Undercover Agents
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($32;
bobbibrown.com)
If dark circles are your beauty bugaboo, slip this tiny compact into your makeup kit. On one side, a yellow-toned concealer (choose from 14 shades) seamlessly covers shadows; on the other, a sheer pressed powder keeps the ruse from fading.
All-Around Best Cheek Color
Yves Saint Laurent Crème de Blush ($38;
yslbeautyus.com)
These silky cream blushes glide over your skin, then dry to a light powdery finish that stays put. Use your finger to create a sheer wash of color (keep adding layers for a more dramatic effect).
Niftiest New Way to Blush
Looking for some good clean fun? Just squeeze (Givenchy) or click (Hourglass) a few drops of vibrant color into a pillowy sponge applicator and dab it on the apples of your cheeks. Blend out, then count the compliments on your rosy glow.
Top:
Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain ($45;
sephora.com)
Bottom:
Givenchy Blush Gelée in Candide Pink ($33;
sephora.com)
Most Beautiful Garden of Color
Monet had nothing on the
O beauty department after we laid out every last one of the season's new lipstick shades. Our four favorites:
1. The Pink Dahlia Distinction:
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Le Rouge in Perennial Pink ($10; drugstores)
2. The Fuchsia Peony Prize:
Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour in Dollface ($22;
lauramercier.com)
3. The Red Rose Ribbon:
Lancôme L'Absolu Nu in Red Chiffon ($29;
lancome-usa.com)
Top background: The Peach Tulip Trophy:
Clarins Rouge Hydra Nude in 02 ($24;
us.clarins.com)
Best Split Personalities
Sometimes a little indecision can be very attractive. Take these two winners—they're not sure if they want to be softening balms or color-rich glosses. So they settled in between, leaving lips supple and kissed with color.
4.
CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm ($6; drugstores)
5.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm ($7; drugstores)
Most Luscious Texture
Bottom background:
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine ($32;
chanel.com)
Chanel always turns out glamorous-looking lipsticks. Their latest is also terrifically hydrating, perfectly luminous—and sure to convert the last of you "gloss only" holdouts. Choose from among 18 shades, beige to berry.
More Winning Makeup: 10 amazing beauty products to try this spring
From the
April 2011 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
