Every year, we sift through the best beauty launches from around the world to find the standouts. It sounds like a dream task, but also a little daunting, no? Thankfully, the 26 journalists we enlisted as judges were more than diligent in their skincare, haircare, and makeup testing. Among the many products that debuted in 2017, these winners impressed our esteemed panel of beauty experts from around the globe. Think of these hall of famers as your spring beauty shopping list.
Dream Cream
Sisley-Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream
Sisley-Paris’ original Black Rose face oil is already a cult classic, and this sister product—a decadent moisturizer infused with the same floral superstar—is equally deserving of fanfare. It combines multiple types of black rose extract for skin-plumping benefits, and the soft formula has an invigorating scent.
Jury Notes: “The incredible texture is refreshing and leaves skin feeling bouncy.” “The cream leaves skin velvety, smooth, and plumped, thanks to the black rose.” “The delightfully fragranced formula leaves skin dewy and supple.”
Texture Award
Biotherm Skin Fitness Firming Recovery Body Emulsion, Life Plankton Sensitive Emulsion, Aquasource Everplump Night, Blue Therapy Cream-in-Oil
When it comes to head-to-toe results, the Biotherm range delivers. The lightweight Life Plankton emulsion refreshes skin with a nutrient-rich plankton infusion; Blue Therapy cream-oil nourishes with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; and the night cream replenishes skin while you sleep. For body, a post-workout massage with Skin Fitness leaves limbs firmed and hydrated.
Jury Notes: “Biotherm’s magic is its use of thermal water and a proprietary thermal plankton to improve skin.” “The line offers a variety of very effective, invigorating treatments for skin.”
Clinique High Impact Lash Elevating Mascara
Think of this as an eyelash curler in a bottle: The mousse-like formula lifts up strands with curling polymers so it holds the shape throughout the day. Another bonus: It’s made with mamey oil, which is rich in vitamins B6 and C, so it’s conditioning, too.
Jury Notes: “It’s perfect for both a dramatic, cat-eye effect or a more minimalist look.” “This mascara makes your eyelashes look amazing, all day long.” “This is the best mascara I’ve used in years: volume, zero clumps, and perfectly curled. It’s my new go-to!”
Healthiest Hair Day
Kérastase Paris Aura Botanica line
A haircare line free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens; formulated with sustainably sourced ingredients; and presented in such beautiful, luxe packaging is something to celebrate. Responsibly harvested Samoan coconut oil and Moroccan argan oil soften strands and prevent frizz. Plus, it is all produced in the company’s carbon-neutral plant. The result: a good hair day for everyone.
Jury Notes: “The products won’t destroy your hair or the planet. I love the gorgeous, woodsy scent and the clean feel my hair has after I use these.” “It’s great that these ingredients are 96 percent natural. The shampoo lathers well and rinses easily, leaving behind shiny, healthy strands.”
Best Foundation
Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25
There’s a lot to live up to when a product name starts with power, but this foundation does the job. The silky, oil-infused base slips over skin, and the formula’s “pigment suspension” technology provides coverage that lasts without feeling heavy. On top of all that, there’s UVA and UVB protection with SPF 25. Powerful stuff, indeed.
Jury Notes: “It gives you just the right amount of coverage but still looks invisible. I’m in love!” “The liquid formula feels lightweight on skin and is natural looking.” “Giorgio Armani is the foundation expert. This one covers redness and blemishes, and leaves a long-lasting matte finish. I’ll use it to the last drop.”
Freshest Skincare
Shiseido Waso line
It’s a Millennially minded collection: chic minimalistic packaging, innovative textures, and lots of natural ingredients. And there’s serious science behind these formulas. The Clear Mega-Hydrating Cream is not only moisturizing, but uses peony-root extract and peptides to minimize the look of pores and imperfections; the Color-Smart Day Moisturizer adapts to and enhances your natural skin tone; and oil absorbers and loquat extract in the Quick Matte Moisturizer help reduce sebum production. So Instagram-worthy.
Jury Notes: “No-fuss with a luxurious feel.” “These simple and playful products are a major success: Refined formulas and sleek packaging make this a modern approach to skincare.”
Special Jury Winner
Dior Addict Lip Tattoo, Rouge Dior Double Rouge Lipstick, Diorshow Pump’N’Volume, Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose, Hydra Life Fresh Hydration Sorbet Crème
The skincare and makeup products Dior launched this year are worthy of real estate on your vanity—or in your medicine cabinet and makeup bag. The lip stain won’t quit, the lipstick lays down intense pigment in one swipe, and the mascara goes the extra mile. On the skincare front, the novel textures of the Hydra Life (a sorbet-like gel-cream) and La Micro-Huile de Rose (a jelly-like serum with micro pearls of oil) are almost as exciting as their hydrating results. Instant classics, all around.
Jury Notes: “Dior scores this year with a mascara in a flexible tube that makes it easy to pump, a high-tech micro-oil, and the chic, gorgeous Hydra Life moisturizer.” “These luxurious products are extraordinary: the lipcolors, the texture of the skincare, and an oil with rose extracts from the garden of Mr. Christian Dior.”
U.S. Winners
Major Lash Maker
Getting separation, length, and volume in one swipe is the mascara holy grail—this more than succeeds. The formula has a velvety glide, and the bristle-loaded brush coats each strand evenly.
Trendsetting Lipcolor
Two of the major looks in makeup right now are matte lips and metallics. This lipstick hits both with its brushed-metal finish. (Here’s how: The mattified formula is gilded with a very subtle shimmer.) And the creamy stick glides on for an effortless application.
High-Tech Hydrator
If you want heavy-duty moisture sans the thicker finish of a rich cream, this milky-light emulsion is your new best friend. On top of the hydration boost, you also get protection from environmental damage: Each bottle is loaded with 150 green-tea leaves’ worth of antioxidants.
Most Moisturizing Makeup
Hyaluronic acid—the wonder moisturizer of the beauty world—is a perfect addition to foundation: It plumps your complexion so the pigment is less likely to creep into fine lines, and it treats the skin underneath for all-day hydration.
This story appears in the May issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands now.