Beauty Awards 2017: Best Makeup Products Celebrities Love

From mascara to brow gel, check out the best products money can buy

By Alanah Joseph Dec 14, 2017 2:04 PMTags
Watch: How to Prep Skin Like a Celebrity

And the winners of the Best Makeup of 2017 go to...

Before we can get excited about the 2018 award season, we're looking back at the most beautiful moments in the world of celebrity. The 2017 E! Style Beauty Awards are finally here! We're honoring the products that transform (already beautiful) celebrities into the glam stars of the red carpet. We're revealing the makeup that truly make a difference, from mascara to lipstick to brow gel.

Of course, we can't forget that Hollywood's most talented makeup artists are behind our favorite looks, and many of them have contracts or agreements with beauty brands—that's how it works. 

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2017 Beauty Awards: Best Skin-Care Products

However, once we found out the new releases that celebs and their glam squads love, we put the products to the test, so you know which products truly have a claim to fame. Behold! The best, celeb-tested makeup launches of 2017!

Best Primer

Just imagine your pores under high-def cameras…scary thought, right? Luckily, celebs have this primer to minimize any imperfections. Unlike other options, this rich consistency allows it to actually blur, rather than just be a base for your makeup. Did we mention you can use it by itself as an illuminator? It has a subtle pearlescent effect that will make you looking dewy and so, so fresh.

SHOP: Dr. Brandt Pores No More Lumizer Primer, $38

Vanessa Hudgens

V. Hud can thank the primer—and makeup artist Allen Avendano—for the glow she showcased at the MTV Video Music Awards. The actress seemingly has perfect skin!

Best Foundation

When it comes to the red carpet—or just a day where you have to go from work to happy hour and beyond—this longwear formula puts in the work. Most full-coverage, matte foundations can cake, especially if you have dry skin, but this award-winning product does not, and it may have something to do with the oils bottled up in this baby. Upon application, you'll feel like you're generating a second skin. Scary? More like scary cool.

SHOP: Giorgio Armani Beauty Power Fabric Full Coverage Foundation, $64

Lily Aldridge

There's a reason why it's a go-to among A-listers. Check out photos of Lily Aldridge and Sarah Paulson at the Met Gala, Jennifer Aniston at the Oscars or Demi Lovato at the Grammys to see the product at work. It offers seamless coverage that doesn't look like it's caked on.

Best Concealer

In search of a concealer that's just as longwear as your foundation? This waterproof concealer (yes, it can withstand a Lifetime movie) will last. For a high-profile event, you need something that actually covers without taking out the natural textures away from your face. And this formula can cover the most bulbous zit without making you look, well, fake. Following up with a setting spray is recommended.

SHOP: Urban Decay All-Night Waterproof Full-Coverage Concealer, $29

Nicole Richie

Ruby Rose and Nicole may be the celeb faces of Urban Decay, but they have been using the concealer on major red carpets…with great effect. Do you spot any blemishes or pigmentation? Yes, exactly.

Best Powder

It's so gratifying to see the appearance enlarged pores or oily skin decrease as you move your powder brush. This sheer pressed powder is effective as a setting agent for concealer and foundation, as well as a purse must-have for makeup touch-ups throughout the day. Since it's lightweight, you can put on as much as you'd like without feeling like you're clogging your pores. 

SHOP: La Mer The New Sheer Pressed Powder, $95

Jenna Dewan-Tatum

Makeup artist Patrick Ta, who also works with Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively and Ariana Grande, used the La Mer product on Jenna Dewan-Tatum to set her makeup in preparation for the red carpet, where long-lasting makeup really matters.

Best Blush

There was no blush more talked about year more than Glossier's Cloud Paint. While the brand carried out a full-scale marketing campaign, doling out the product to the top makeup artists in the business for red carpet season, the product really lived up to the hype. The formula may look super pigmented, but it applies quite sheer, which is perfect because it's meant to be built. Using your fingers, you can instantly get a natural flush.

SHOP: Glossier Cloud Paint, $18

Taraji P. Henson

Remember the epic moment when Taraji, Rashida Jones and Chrissy Teigen all wore the liquid blush to the Oscars this year?

Best Contour Product

At first sight, the Contour Wand may look intimidating, especially if you have fair skin. The pigment looks way too dark, right? Wrong. It may glide on like a zebra streak, but it blends out sheer like every naked dress to hit a Hollywood red carpet. The best thing is that it's buildable—if you want a more dramatic contour, apply a powder bronzer over this base.

SHOP: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand, $38

Amal Clooney

Not that George Clooney's better half needs any enhancements, but her contour at the 2017 Venice Film Festival gave her the most subtle sculpt.

Best Bronzer

This bronzer is meant to be everything to everyone, which seemed impossible, until St. Tropez got really close. It comes in a large enough compact that you can can use one powder without accidentally mixing it with the others, or you can use all three. They are also buildable, meaning you easily customize the shade to match your skin tone, which is why both Kaley Cuoco and Taraji P. Henson have used it on the carpet.

SHOP: St. Tropez Tanning 3-in-1 Bronzing Powder, $28

Kaley Cuoco

Makeup artist Jamie Greenberg used the tanning product on Kaley for the 23rd SAG Awards, which occurred in January 2017. Although it was winter during the red carpet, the actress is radiant, as if it were spring or summer.

Best Highlighter

Now this one may have surprised you, especially since there are so many great highlights on the market. But for the budget-friendly price, you're getting mega-watt results. And we're not just talking about how the product comes in stick and liquid form—we're talking about how one easy, gentle swipe can net you a gorgeous beam. Almay wasn't kidding when they called it "instant glow." Admittedly, it's a little intense for church, but it'll last for all your more high-profile events.

SHOP: Almay Instant Glow Highlighting Duo, $11.99

Rashida Jones

The actress already has golden tan skin, but with the Instant Glow on top—as seen at this year's Emmys—she looked even more radiant (and not like a lighthouse).

Best Lip Product

It's often said to invest in quality skin care products and go a little more cheap on makeup cosmetics. Whomever said that hasn't tried Chanel's new lip crayons. It's one thing to have a beautiful range of colors,  but application and wear also matter. You don't want the formula to be too smooth or else the pigment won't last. You don't want it to be too hard either or else the product will tug at your lips. This crayon is the perfect balance—and wears like designer handbag.

SHOP: Chanel Le Rouge Crayon, $37

Jessica Biel

The Chanel lip crayon is as popular as its handbags! Ruth Negga, Jessica Biel, Noamie Harris, Sienna Miller and Kerri Russell wore the product to the Golden Globes. Bryce Dallas Howard, Kirsten Dunst and Sophia Bush sported it to the SAGs. It's official—this lip product is a red carpet staple.

Best Red Lip

Beyond impeccable packaging, this product promises to last through your dinners and cocktail events without needing to reapply—nothing worse than having red lipstick on your chin and not knowing, right? The applicator also allows for precision, so you can opt out of lip liner, if you chose. Plus, it's a hue that pops on all skin tones, making it a universal go-to.

SHOP: Fenty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color, $24

Rihanna

The Fenty beauty owner has way of making anything over-the-top look casual. Her red lip color does the same. It's as glam as the red carpet, but can also work as a day-to-day. The pop of color has a punch, but it won't be too much for someone that isn't lipstick-obsessed.

Best Lipliner

With liquid lipsticks and gloss so popular these days, who has time for lip liner anymore? The stars do! If you want a precise lip that doesn't bleed, you need a liner that will glide, not slip, draw, not drag and complement your lip color, not contrast against it. This is the holy grail of lip pencils because it does all that. Even if you have shaky hands, the velvet formula helps you paint it on like Picasso.

SHOP: Bite Beauty The Lip Pencil, $18

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa must know good beauty products, because the actress is featured on this list twice! The former High School Musical alum wore the pencil in shade 020 to the 2017 Golden Globes. With bold brows and a cat-eye, her neutral-but-precise lips were the perfect pairing. Not to mention, this is a look you can wear off the carpet, too!

Best Eye Shadow

There are three things you want out of eyeshadow: pigment, longevity and soft, fine powder. Elizabeth Ardren's Eye Shadow Trios have all three, as does the Urban Decay Heat and Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-conic palettes, which tied for second place. The trio packet comes with metallic-accented hues to give your eyes the va-va-voom necessary for the red carpet, as well more matte shadows for everyday makeup. The powders glide onto the lid easily, making blending a fast and easy process. Plus, you can buy the Little Black Compact to keep your two favorite trios in one place.

SHOP: Elizabeth Arden Eye Shadow Trio, $21.50

Reese Witherspoon

For the 2017 Met Gala, makeup artist Molly Stern used the "Something Blue" trio on Reese Witherspoon, to pair with her metallic blue gown and baby blue eyes. Since the product is highly pigmented, the makeup artist didn't need much eyeliner to make the star's eyes pop. 

Best Eyeliner

There's nothing worse than an eyeliner that feels like you're dragging a No. 2 pencil across your lid. That's why we welcome Marc Jacobs gel crayon with open arms. The gel formula feels like butter as you apply. Plus, if you aren't a cat-eye pro, the pencil isn't messy and can be applied and removed without worry. It's a beginner's dream, as well as the pro's must-have.

SHOP: Marc Jacobs Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon, $25

Selena Gomez

For Selena's 2017 Billboard Awards makeup, celeb makeup artist Hung Vanngo used the eyeliner to define the star's eyes. Her makeup is relatively light for the red carpet, playing up her natural features. The thin line added to the top lashline and layers of mascara add the perfect amount of drama for the natural look.

Best Brow Powder

This is for the person who has grown beyond the brow pencil. Yes, you're that pro. Using an angled brush, a little of this pomade goes a long way when it comes to defining your brows. The waxy consistency helps coat dull strands while the powder intensifies the color. Using this product takes a skilled hand, but when you have it, the payoff can be impressive.

Laura Mercier Sketch & Intensify Pomade and Brow Powder Duo$28

Margot Robbie

While this product is perfect for more natural-looking brows, it works for statement ones as well. Think: Hailee Steinfeld at the VMAs (courtesy of makeup artist Vincent Oquendo) or Priyanka Chopra at the Met Gala (courtesy of Pati Dubroff) or Margot at the Goodbye Christopher Robin premiere.

Best Brow Gel

What's the different between a brow pomade, powder and gel? Think of the latter as hairspray, the last step to hold everything in place. While this product adds natural-looking volume and texture, we love that it dries so fast! Call us lazy, but this product is for the girl who wants to spend 10 seconds on her brows.

Chantecaille Full Brow Perfecting Gel + Tint, $40

Tracee Ellis Ross

Of course, you can use it for more dramatic results. See: the Blackish star at the American Music Awards.  

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View More Photos From 2017 Beauty Award Winners: Makeup

ICYMI: The Best Skin-Care Products of the Year!

CHECK OUT: All the 2017 Beauty Awards winners here!

E! Style editors tried and rated hundreds of products, supplied by brands for testing. 

Model's clothing credits: Frilly

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