The Best Makeup Products of 2026
This year, I had the honor of serving as a panelist for the Shop TODAY 2026 Beauty Awards, and let me tell you, going through hundreds of products to land on my top picks was no easy task. As a makeup artist with almost 15 years in the industry, I've tried more products than I can count, so when something truly earns a spot in my kit (and on this list), it means a lot.
Below are my award winning picks across categories, the exact products I reach for on myself, my clients, and in my everyday life. Every single one is linked so you can shop them directly.
You can also shop my full collection of picks here: Shop All My Picks
Best Illuminator: Saie Glowy Super Gel
This gel product gives me the most natural, lit-from-within glow without any glitter or grit. It looks like your skin, just better. I often start many of my makeup looks on clients with the Glowy Super Gel to achieve that glassy, glowy highlight without ever using a powder highlighter on top of the skin.
Best Concealer: Patrick Ta Major Skin Soft Blur Concealer
This concealer delivers medium, buildable coverage that applies and wears beautifully without ever looking cakey. It both brightens and blurs instead of just covering, so it looks like skin even hours after application.
Best Bronzer: Rhode Pocket Bronze Cream Bronzer
Although newer to the market, this cream bronzer has won me over. It melts right into the skin for that natural, sun-kissed warmth, no streaks, no muddiness. Plus the compact is super travel-friendly, and it comes in a great shade range.
Best Eyeshadow Palette: Patrick Ta Essential Artistry Edit
The way Patrick Ta Beauty eyeshadows blend is unlike any others, and as a pro makeup artist of almost 15 years, I've tried them all. The shade range works for every skin tone, and the formula truly blends like a dream, even beginners can create a soft, easy, luxe looking eye.
Best Lip Liner: Merit Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner
This is a unique lip liner that I'm obsessed with because it glides on and blurs into the lips instead of applying in a harsh way like many traditional pencil liners do. It's perfect for that blurred "your lips but better" look that's so popular right now.
Best Splurge Lipstick: YSL Lovenude Lip Blusher
Any and all YSL Beauty lip products are worth the splurge, but I've been loving the new Lovenude Kiss Blusher lipsticks. The formula is super unique, the pigment is buildable, and the finish feels luxe on the lips.
Best Glossy Lip Balm: Hourglass Phantom Glossy Lip Balm
This is one of my "stranded on a deserted island" products, I can't go without it in my purse or pro makeup kit. It gives that plumped, glassy finish without the sticky feeling a lot of glosses have. It's comfortable enough to wear all day, and comes in so many gorgeous shades for any and all skin tones.
Shop Hourglass Phantom Lip Balm
These are the products I trust with my own face and with every client who sits in my chair, so I hope this list helps take some of the guesswork out of your next beauty haul. As always, you can shop everything mentioned above (and more of my go-to favorites) at my ShopMy collection.
