Category: ENERGY

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

Wavy hair is that girl—effortlessly cool, perfectly undone, and full of personality. But finding the best products for wavy hair can take some serious trial and error. Many of the more popular options on the market cater to straight-up curls or pin-straight hair, giving less love to the in-between. And while it might seem low-maintenance at first glance, waves have their challenges. Without the right formulas, they can lose their bounce, become lackluster, or get tangly and unmanageable. Overly heavy products, and your waves fall flat; too light, and frizz takes over.

To strike the perfect balance, we tested countless products and asked hairstylists for their expertise and recommendations for wave-enhancing products that keep your hair soft, defined, and full of life, whether you air-dry regularly or are in a committed relationship with your hair dryer. Scroll on for favorites from editors and stylists for your most amazing waves yet.

Our Top Wavy Hair Products

• Best Overall: Ouai Wave Spray, $30
• Best for Frizz Control: Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion, $38
• Best Hold: Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray, $30
• Best for Dry Styling: Sachajuan Styling Cream, $39
• Best for Air-Drying: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream, $26
• Best for Volume: IGK Beach Club Texture Spray, $36
• Best Serum: Roz Milk Hair Serum, $52

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How do I enhance my wavy hair?
• How do I make my wavy hair less frizzy?
• Should you oil wavy hair?
• Meet the Experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Whether you’re a wash-and-go minimalist or love the polished finish of a heat tool, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, discover expert-approved products for wavy hair that will define, hydrate, and celebrate your natural look in all its glory.

Best Overall: Ouai Wave Spray

Ouai

Wave Spray

$30

Amazon

$30

Ulta Beauty

$30

Revolve

Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai using the Ouai Wave Spray

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: Ouai’s Wave Spray offers effortless, lived-in waves every time—minus the crunch or dryness of your average salt texturizer. It’s a weightless mist that uses a blend of rice protein and coconut water to enhances your natural wave pattern and create a just-out-of-the-ocean vibe. It’s versatile, too: sSpritz it on damp hair for soft waves, refresh dry strands with a light mist, or spray and braid your hair before bed and wake up to tousled perfection.

Pai before using the Ouai Wave Spray

Deanna Pai

Pai after using the Ouai Wave Spray

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I've been using this for the better part of a decade—it's just that good. While it doesn't have great frizz control, it's unmatched at giving me defined waves and lots of bounce. I consider it a worthwhile tradeoff, especially on days when it's not humid.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: rice protein, coconut water
• What you'll notice: enhancing texture and soft, natural waves

Best for Frizz: Cecred Moisture Sealing Lotion

Cécred

Moisture Sealing Lotion

$38

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion

Jesa Marie Calaor

Why we love it: This creamy-as-heck Cecred Moisture Sealing Lotion comes straight from the mind of Béyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles. It’s part styler, part leave-in, though cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski calls it “standard conditioner with a different name.” Expect reduced frizz, a surge of moisture, and softly defined waves that carry you from desk to dusk. Apply it to damp hair and air-dry or style with heat. Keep in mind that this isn’t a heat protectant, so pair it with something to keep your strands safe during straightening or blow-drying.

Calaor before applying the Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion

Jesa Marie Calaor

Calaor after applying the Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion

Jesa Marie Calaor

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Two or three quarter-size dollops of this emollient lotion help smooth my frizz and define my waves. I dispense it onto my hands, massage it into my poofy waves (dry or wet), and loosely tie my hair into a loose, low bun. Whenever I release it, it looks way smoother—staying that way for the rest of the day. It smells amazing, too. I get comments like, ‘What fragrance are you wearing?’ on the woody, clean scent whenever I wear my hair down.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, shea butter, olive oil
• What you’ll notice: sleeker, easier to brush hair

Best Hold: Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray

Dae

Hibiscus Wave Spray

$30

Amazon

$30

Sephora

Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray

Alessandra Foresto

Why we love it: Hibiscus leads the charge in Dae’s Wave Spray, moisturizing, softening, and styling waves like a breeze. The light hold helps your style last way longer than it would sans spray, and the buildable formula means you can go subtle or pile it on for a more textured look. Alongside elasticity-boosting hibiscus, you’ll find conditioning prickly pear oil and restorative moringa seed oil. The scent? Fruity, fresh, and more than welcome.

Foresto before applying the Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray

Alessandra Foresto

Foresto after applying the Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray

Alessandra Foresto

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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”My hair has gotten straighter and straighter as the years go by, and while I used to be able to air-dry and get perfect S waves without any product help, that's no longer the case. To get a more evenly distributed set of waves nowadays, I need a little hold, but I hate feeling like my hair is crunchy or too oily, so I prefer to stay away from mousses and gels. Instead, I like the buildable properties (and delicious tropical smell) of this creamy spray. I use a few spritzes on damp hair and braid my hair into pigtails or space buns after washing it for beachy waves. On day 2, I use a tiny, tiny bit more on dry hair and use a flatiron to give my waves more definition without making them feel sticky (and finish things up with an oil for extra shine and frizz control). If I'm stretching into day 3, I spray again and scrunch my hair up to go back to messy waves.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hibiscus, prickly pear oil, moringa oil
• What you’ll notice: style-extending, softening

Best for Dry Styling: Sachajuan Styling Cream

Sachajuan

Styling Cream

$39

Dermstore

$39

Revolve

Allure contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman applying the Sachajuan Styling Cream

Annie Blackman

Why we love it: The Sachajuan Styling Cream is a multitasker that turns 'meh' hair days into actually good ones. Packed with the brand’s signature Ocean Silk Technology, it smooths, defines, and adds shine without heaviness or stickiness. Whether you leave your waves to air-dry naturally or straighten them for a sleek finish, this formula keeps hair soft, manageable, and protected from heat damage. With continued use, you can expect boosted strand strength and less breakage. Wins all around.

Blackman before applying the Sachajuan Styling Cream

Annie Blackman

Blackman after applying the Sachajuan Styling Cream

Annie Blackman

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman

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“I really like Sachajuan’s Styling Cream for its not-too-soft-not-too-strong hold and salon-esque scent. If I’m working with dry hair, I mist it with my spray bottle, scrunch the product into the ends of my hair, and then diffuse it with my Dyson Supersonic. The result is a nice amount of texture and wave.” —Annie Blackman, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hydrolyzed wheat protein, red algae extract, panthenol
• What you'll notice: heat-protected styling and silky smooth definition

Best for Air-Drying: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream

Briogeo

Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream

$26

Amazon

$26

Nordstrom

$26

Revolve

Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream

Jennifer Hussein

Why we love it: If soft, heat-free hair is your dream, Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream is about to be your go-to. The creamy yet lightweight formula smooths and hydrates, enhancing your natural waves while reducing frizz for lively, touchable strands that feel as good as they look. It’s perfect for those wash-and-wear days when you want effortless, polished hair. Yuzu extract protects against environmental stressors, while plum oil delivers a dose of moisture to leave hair looking soft, healthy, and ready for compliments.

Hussein before applying the Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream

Jennifer Hussein

Hussein after applying the Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream

Jennifer Hussein

Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein

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“Briogeo's air-dry cream is one of the few wave enhancers I've tried that doesn't leave my hair with a crunchy feel. In fact, it leaves my usually -frizzy strands with a soft, smooth texture that I love running my hands through. This cream turns into a weightless oil as I scrunch it in, so I can pack on product without a greasy texture forming.” —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: yuzu extract, plum oil, super B-complex
• What you'll notice: frizz-free air-dried styles with a soft, natural finish

Best for Volume: IGK Beach Club Texture Spray

IGK

Beach Club Texture Spray

$36 $32 (11% off)

Amazon

$36

Nordstrom

$36

Revolve

Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying the IGK Beach Club Texture Spray

Angela Trakoshis

Why we love it: If you live miles from the ocean but still crave a touch of beachiness to your hair, IGK’s Beach Club Texture Spray is the next best thing. It delivers effortless volume and tousled waves with zero crunch or dryness. This salt-free formula adds buildable texture and gentle grit while locking in moisture, making it perfect for achieving that effortless, tousled look. Think soft, touchable hair with all the body and bounce of a day spent oceanside, minus the saltwater.

Trakoshis before applying the IGK Beach Club Texture Spray

Angela Trakoshis

Trakoshis after applying the IGK Beach Club Texture Spray

Angela Trakoshis

Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis

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“Meet beach hair in a bottle, zero effort required. Spray, scrunch, and boom—this gives you instant beach waves without even leaving the house.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, hydrolyzed wheat protein
• What you'll notice: tousled, beachy volume and texture sans dryness

Best Serum: Roz Milk Hair Serum

RŌZ

Milk Hair Serum

$52

Amazon

$52

Nordstrom

$52

Revolve

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Roz Milk Hair Serum

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: If you’re craving versatility, turn to Roz Milk Hair Serum. This 3-in-1 leave-in treatment detangles, smooths, and enhances definition—whether air-drying, blow-drying, or just refreshing. “You’re ultimately looking for a product that helps your hair air-dry nicely, with just enough hydration without weighing it down. This formula is an all-around perfect product, and I always recommend it for my clients looking to enhance their natural waves,” says LA-based hairstylist Richard Grant. It’s lightweight, nourishing, and leaves hair soft, frizz-free, and manageable, regardless of how you style it.

Pai before applying the Roz Milk Hair Serum

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the Roz Milk Hair Serum

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from Pai

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“While I love Ouai's Wave Spray, my hair sometimes needs more moisture—especially when the weather is dry, cold, or both. I reach for this hair serum and scrunch it in with my hands to get a softer, more lived-in look. It does a bang-up job of controlling flyaways and staticky hairs, and I love that my hair always feels touchable and healthy.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: BotaniComplex, red algae extract, panthenol
• What you'll notice: frizz-free air dries, smooth blowouts, and effortless refreshes.

More products for wavy hair we love:

• Looking for that effortlessly cool, lived-in vibe? Oribe Matte Waves Texture creates a tousled, piecey effect reminiscent of a salt spray, evoking breezy beach days. This lightweight lotion enhances natural texture while adding grip for styling and a matte finish. “Since it leaves a little grit, I suggest starting with a small amount on damp hair and then using a diffuser to lock it in,” says hairstylist Joseph Chase.
• When wavy hair meets humidity, frizz often follows, but it doesn’t have to. Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel provides smooth, defined waves with a flexible, crunch-free hold—which might be why it won a 2025 Best of Beauty Award. “For wavy hair, lighter products like gels and lightweight creams are perfect for enhancing your natural texture without weighing strands down,” says L.A.-based hairstylist Cheryl Bergamy.
• Meet the modern-day mousse that’s your newfound secret to touchable, flexible hold. Rahua’s Aloe Vera Hair Mousse locks in flexible, medium hold while delivering volume, body, and shine. The plant-powered formula smooths and hydrates with organic aloe vera, sugarcane provides definition and long-lasting hold, and guayusa protects from damage while promoting healthy growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enhance my wavy hair?

“Enhancing your waves always starts with the correct products,” says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Sophie Rose. She suggests using a light moisturizer to detangle wet hair, followed by a mousse or light gel. “Scrunch the product into the hair using your fingers as a diffuser, and flip your head over while scrunching for more volume,” she adds.

For refreshing waves, Grant recommends skipping the rewash and trying this little hack instead: “Mix a leave-in conditioner with water and lightly spritz it onto your hair,” he says. “Then, do a quick diffuse to redefine your waves.” This simple method revives your natural texture while keeping your routine fuss-free.

How do I make my wavy hair less frizzy?

Keeping wavy hair frizz-free comes down to hydration and the right styling techniques. “In theory, the more the hair is hydrated, the less frizz you'll have, so it’s about finding that balance between a leave-in and an oil, depending on the density of your hair,” says Grant. Rose emphasizes the importance of letting your hair dry completely before touching it. “Try not to touch the wave until it’s 100% dry,” she says. “How your hair looks when it’s wet is generally how it will look when it’s dry. Whether you use a diffuser on low heat or let it air-dry, the wave pattern needs to set.” For best results, apply a leave-in conditioner for hydration and follow with a product that offers hold to keep frizz at bay.

Should you oil wavy hair?

Oil on wavy hair can be beneficial, but it’s all about balance and application. “I don’t recommend using too much oil on wavy hair, but you can use a light oil on the ends if you have heat or chemical damage,” says Rose. “Just avoid the roots because they will weigh down the hair.” Grant agrees that oil can play a helpful role in hydration. “I wouldn’t apply oil to the roots but focus more on the mid-shaft to the ends.” When used conservatively, oil can be a great way to address dryness and frizz while maintaining the bounce and lightness of your waves.

Meet the experts

• Sophie Rose, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist
• Richard Grant, a Los Angeles-based hair stylist
• Joseph Chase, a bi-coastal hair stylist
• Cheryl Bergamy, a Los Angeles-based hair stylist
• Perry Romanowski, a Chicago-based cosmetic chemist

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

For our review of the best products for wavy hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and dermatologists to find the most hydrating, strand-softening formulas out there. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Allure editorsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

I've been perfecting my false-lash technique since high school, when I discovered that the right lash glue could make strip lashes survive eight-hour school days. Eventually, I graduated to professional lash extensions, but after months of upkeep, damaged lashes, and the mounting costs, I couldn’t justify the expense anymore. Going back to strips gave me convenience, but not the customization I wanted. That all changed when I discovered lash clusters, which allowed me to experiment with length and volume in my makeup looks in a way I never could with strips.

But clusters alone aren't magic. The real game-changer is the eyelash glue. Without the right adhesive, even the most fluttery DIY cluster falls flat (or off completely). Over time, I’ve narrowed my favorites down to four lash glues that cover every scenario: formulas strong enough to hold overnight or through a weeklong vacation. Of course, technique matters too. Both your glue application and lash removal can make or break both their longevity and your natural lash health, so I tapped a makeup artist to share pro tips on maximizing hold without causing damage.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: uCoolMe Lash Bond and Seal, $18
• Best for Strip Lashes: Ardell Duo Striplash Adhesive, $7
• Best for Lash Clusters: Lashify Whisper Light Bond, $34
• Best Drugstore: Kiss Falscara False Eyelash Bond & Seal, $10

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What's the best way to apply and remove lashes to maximize hold and minimize damage?
• Is there a certain glue that's better for strips versus clusters?
• Should you be cleaning your lashes if wearing them for extended periods?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

From quick-dry formulas perfect for beginners to long-lasting bond-and-seal systems built for days of wear, these are the best eyelash glues worth adding to your makeup kit.

Best Overall: uCoolMe Lash Bond and Seal

uCoolMe

Lash Bond and Seal

$18

Amazon

Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the uCoolMe Lash Bond and Seal

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: False lashes don't stand a chance without the right glue holding them in place, which is why the uCoolMe Bond & Seal Lash Glue is my number-one pick. Designed with a 2-in-1 bond and seal system, this lash glue provides a staggering 150 hours of wear. Despite the strong hold, the formula is hypoallergenic and non-irritating, making it ideal for sensitive skin and eyes while still delivering the kind of staying power you’d expect from pro eyelash extensions. Plus, the eyelash adhesive is fast-drying, waterproof, and sleep-safe. The dual brush design makes application a breeze: the black bond acts like mascara for even coverage, while the white seal locks everything in place and protects against dust, clumping, and flaking.

Taylor before applying the uCoolMe Lash Bond and Seal

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the uCoolMe Lash Bond and Seal

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

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“I reach for the uCoolMe Lash Bond and Seal whenever I need serious longevity. It’s hands down my favorite glue for long wear. It’s the one I trust on vacations or when I’m crunched for time because once it’s on, it doesn’t budge for over five days. The hold is intense, which means I usually can’t reuse my lashes after, but honestly, I don’t mind since it feels more sanitary that way. I will say this glue requires some experience with application as it’s not as forgiving once the cluster makes contact with the lash cluster, and you should only be putting the glue at the base as opposed to raking it through the lash. Doing this can cause the lashes to clump and not last as long.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Color: black, white
• Hold: strong

Best for Strip Lashes: Ardell Duo Striplash Adhesive

Ardell

Duo Striplash Adhesive

$7 $6 (14% off)

Amazon

$7

Ulta Beauty

Taylor applying the Ardell Duo Striplash Adhesive

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: This is the OG lash glue—the one you grabbed before a girls’ night out, tossed in your bag, and knew would keep your strip lashes intact until morning. DUO Striplash Adhesive formula is designed for all-day wear, applies white and dries clear, and keeps both strip and individual lashes firmly in place. Once it dries, the glue peels off your falsies without a mess, making them easy to reuse. If your first placement isn’t perfect, it gives you just enough flexibility to adjust without needing more glue. Unlike some lash adhesives, DUO is applied directly to the lash band with the applicator. A thin line from the squeeze tube is all it takes, and after a quick, 30-second drying time, lashes press into place and stay secure for hours.

Taylor before applying the Ardell Duo Striplash Adhesive

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Ardell Duo Striplash Adhesive

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from Taylor

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"I’ve been using Ardell Duo Striplash Adhesive since high school (over ten years), so it’ll always have a place in my heart (and vanity). I can run into my local Ulta and grab a tube anytime, and it’s under $10 and a little goes a long way. Plus, one tube lasts forever. It’s beginner-friendly since you apply it directly to the lash strip as opposed to your lashes, and if you don’t nail the placement on the first try, it’s forgiving enough to let you adjust without starting over or damaging your natural lashes.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Color: black, white
• Hold: light to medium

Best for Clusters: Lashify Whisper Light Bond

Lashify

Whisper Light Bond

$34

Lashify

Taylor applying the Lashify Whisper Light Bond

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: Lashify is my go-to brand for a high-quality cluster lash experience at home. The brand offers individual cluster lashes in a wide range of styles and lengths, which are unbelievably natural and lightweight. The glue, specifically the Whisper Light Bond, ensures they stay put without compromising comfort. Its dual-sided design makes the application intuitive. The black or clear micro-mascara brush evenly sweeps the clear formula through each lash for grip and definition, while the precision clear seal tip targets the base to seal it all in for a seamless finish and natural look.

Taylor before applying the Lashify Whisper Light Bond

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Lashify Whisper Light Bond

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from Taylor

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“The whole Lashify experience feels luxurious from start to finish, and the Whisper Light Bond is a big part of that. The lashes are so lightweight and natural-looking, and the glue itself applies smoothly and feels like nothing once it’s on. I like that you can coat from root to tip without stressing over precision, then layer the bond on top for that frosted effect that dries down clear. The hold is strong but still comfortable, lasting me up to three days at a time.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Color: black, clear
• Hold: medium to strong

Best for Drugstore: Kiss Falscara False Eyelash Bond & Seal

Kiss

Falscara False Eyelash Bond & Seal

$10 $9 (10% off)

Amazon

$10

Ulta Beauty

Taylor applying the Kiss Falscara False Eyelash Bond & Seal

Jailynn Taylor

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a lash look that competes with the salons, look no further than Kiss’s Falscara Bond & Seal. This dual-ended tube makes at-home lash extensions foolproof, priming and prepping your natural lashes on one side and locking wisps in place with the other. The bond is infused with biotin to nourish while gripping lash clusters securely, and the seal is enriched with vitamin E to eliminate tacky residue and keep everything looking seamless. They offer a customizable wear that can hold for 24-hour wear or up to 10 days when paired with the brand’s Overnighter Falscara Bond & Seal.

Taylor before applying the Kiss Falscara False Eyelash Bond & Seal

Jailynn Taylors

Taylor after applying the Kiss Falscara False Eyelash Bond & Seal

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from Taylor

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“Kiss Falscara was my introduction to lash clusters and bond-and-seal systems, which prolong the length of wear of cluster lashes as opposed to the 24-hour wear of regular lash glues. The application is super beginner-friendly. You just swipe on the bond, place your clusters, and seal them in. I love that it gives me a hold that lasts for days but still comes off easily when I’m ready to remove it. Because the glue isn’t harsh, I can actually reuse the lashes, which makes the system even more practical.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Color: black
• Hold: medium to strong

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to apply and remove lashes to maximize hold and minimize damage?

Makeup artist Dominique Gordon emphasizes starting with fit. “When applying a strip lash, you always want to measure and trim the lashes to suit your eyes,” she says. This step prevents lifting at the corners and makes wear more comfortable. She also notes that the glue and application matter. “Allow 5–10 seconds for the glue to set and apply in the center of the eye directly along the lash line. Tuck in the outer and inner corners using tweezers or index/thumb fingers.” Using a brush-on formula gives more control and reduces mess.

When it’s time to take them off, Gordon advises working from the outer corner inward and placing the strip back in its case. “You can also refresh/clean them by using a few Q-tips and micellar water,” she adds, a step that helps maintain their shape for multiple wears.

Is there a certain glue that's better for strips versus clusters?

“A standard lash glue is suitable for strip lashes, as they are typically for short-term wear,” says Gordon. Clusters, on the other hand, need “a bond and seal dual-ended glue [to] ensure their longevity for 10–14 days.”

Should you be cleaning your lashes if wearing them for extended periods?

Yes, hygiene directly impacts both eye health and wear time. “Lash extensions should be washed daily with an oil-free wash and a Q-tip,” Gordon says, who warns that neglecting this step allows buildup to accumulate. “Your lashes harbor dirt, oil, and bacteria that can cause infection or minimize the longevity of the application,” she explains. And don’t forget to use a gentle eye-makeup remover to cleanse your eyes.

Meet the experts

• Dominique Gordon, a makeup artist based in Cleveland, OH

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but mascaras are another story. While some can be used across different lash lengths, thicknesses, shape, colors, and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers’ experience. For instance, a new, innovative mascara may feature an industry-leading formula, but if the wand still needs some tweaking to prevent clumps and webbing, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.

For our review of the best lash glues, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and experts you interviewed for the piece—who all have different lash concerns, desired outcome (i.e., want length over volume), and whether one product was tested across varying lash types. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Allure editors

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

Not quite a balm and not quite a gloss, the best lip oils are the ideal in-between, offering hydration, shine, and often, your-lips-but-better tint. Because they’re formulated with an oil base, they deliver the juicy, decadent finish of a lip gloss or sheer lip tint with the moisturizing benefits of a lip balm—ideal for people with dry lips. But unlike glosses, lip oils swap surface-level stickiness for formulas that sink into your lips. In fact, most are loaded with conditioning ingredients you’ll recognize from your skin-care routine, like peptides, antioxidants, and botanical oils, because, ICYMI, your lips deserve the same TLC as the rest of your face. Scroll on to give your gloss a break and welcome a nourishing lip oil into the spotlight.

Our Top Lip Oils:

• Best Overall: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil, $26
• Best Budget: E.L.F. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil, $9
• Best Plumping: YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss, $40
• Glossiest Finish: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss, $22
• Best Sheer: Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil, $27
• Subtlest Shimmer: Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil, $28
• Best for Dry Lips: RMS Beauty Legendary Lip Oil, $25

Firework content

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How are lip oils different from lip balms?
• Which ingredients are commonly found in lip oils?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil

Summer Fridays

Dream Lip Oil

$26

Sephora

$26

Revolve

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Soft Mauve.

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: Summer Fridays' Dream Lip Oil is a hit among our editors for its velvety, high-shine finish and moisturizing feel. Packed with softening vitamin E and nine botanically derived oils (hi, rose oil and apricot oil), it strikes the perfect balance between a milky wash of color and buildable pigment power, minus the slick or sticky feel. It has just enough slip for comfortable wear, and its sheer shine lasts all day, thanks to those oils that give the formula its long-lasting, glossy finish.

Han before applying Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Soft Mauve.

Sarah Han

Han after applying Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Soft Mauve.

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han

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"I have about a million and one lip balms and oils lying around my apartment and various bags, but Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil—'quiet luxury' in a tube, as I like to call it—is the one I reach for the most. I love wearing it on its own on no-makeup days or as a hydration-boosting prep step before applying lipstick or lip tint (my perpetually dry lips drink it up). And as an aficionado of colorful lips, I much prefer the hint of tint this formula leaves behind over a clear oil any day."—Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

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"Right off the bat, I loved how big the applicator is. I have fairly big lips, so I appreciate that I only had to do one swipe on each lip to get the job done. The tint is really pretty and sheer; it doesn't pack on too much color, but just enough that you get the effect."—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: apricot oil, rose oil, jojoba oil, squalane, shea butter, shea oil
• Shades: 8

Best Budget: E.L.F. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil

E.L.F. Cosmetics

Glow Reviver

$9

E.L.F.

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the E.L.F. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Jam Session.

Sarah Hoffmann

Why it's worth it: E.L.F. Cosmetics’s Glow Reviver Lip Oil is a little minty, a lot pigmented, and always ready to offer a mid-morning, mid-afternoon, mid-evening—or mid-mid-evening—perk-up. After months of Best of Beauty testing, our editors crowned it one of the most pigmented options around, delivering bold color without sacrificing hydration (or excessive coins). Infused with luscious apricot, avocado, jojoba, and pomegranate oils, this oil locks in moisture for the long run, and the shade options are chef’s kiss. Our top picks? Succulent Red Delicious, a juicy, sheer watermelon, and Jam Session, a scrumptious black cherry hue.

Hoffmann before applying the E.L.F. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil.

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after applying the E.L.F. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Jam Session.

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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"Two things about me: I love a fat doe-foot applicator and sheer berry anything. E.L.F. Cosmetics' Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Jam Session hands me both in one sub-$10 package. My lips are very, very pale naturally, so I do like applying it over a bit of a lip tint or liner to help the color along, but this lip oil is truly the black cherry on top of a solid chunk of my lip combos. The thick and luxe texture gives $40 lip oil vibes, so it feels like a lucky break that it's only $9."—Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: apricot oil, jojoba oil, pomegranate oil, avocado oil, squalane
• Shades: 10

Best Plumping: YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

YSL Beauty

Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

$40

Nordstrom

$40

Sephora

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss in Lucky Moonstone.

Lily Wohlner

Why it’s worth it: A gloss, an oil, and a plumper all in one, YSL’s Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss had our testers swooning during Best of Beauty Testing (earning it the 2025 award for best plumping gloss). The why behind the win? In addition to drenching lips with moisture (thanks to vitamin E and hyaluronic acid), Loveshine makes them appear fuller à la a subtly tingling mix of ginger and pepper oils. The result: lips so juicy and plush, don’t be surprised if someone asks if you’ve had “a little something done.”

Wohlner before applying the YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss.

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner after applying the YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss in Lucky Moonstone.

Lily Wohlner

Tester feedback from Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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“I’m not usually a lip plumper person, but this one makes my lips look juicy without that lingering sting. It’s definitely tingly—more refreshing than burning—which I actually look forward to when I apply it. The shades are gorgeous, and the formula feels creamy and silky going on. If we’re talking luxury, this one takes the cake—it’s earned a spot in every one of my purses.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

Tester feedback from Allure social media manager Bianca Richards

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“This plumping gloss gives a subtle tingle that's not overwhelming. It has just the right amount of spice to make lips look fuller and more defined while delivering that signature high-shine payoff. My go-to shade is 44 Nude Lavallière, which is the perfect sheer pink for pairing with any lip combo." —Bianca Richards, social media manager

More to know

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• Key ingredients: vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, ginger root oil, pepper oil
• Shades: 10

Glossiest Finish: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss

Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Bare on her lips.

Angela Trakoshis

Why it’s worth it: The hyaluronic acid and evening primrose oil infused in the Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss hydrate and adorn lips with a vinyl-like glow, without any stickiness. Even as the formula wears throughout the day, you can still feel its smoothing effects. We love it so much that it has two Best of Beauty Clean Awards (2023 and 2025). In terms of shade range, there's everything from a nudey Bare (which is what Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis is using above) to a cherry popsicle-like Jaw.

Trakoshis before applying Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Bare on her lips.

Angela Trakoshis

Trakoshis after applying Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Bare on her lips.

Angela Trakoshis

Tester Feedback from Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis

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"The Kosas Wet Lip Oil is literally skin care for your lips—hello, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and avocado oil. It leaves my lips looking glass-like—as if I just used a luxurious lip gloss—and plump like I just got them filled."—Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, avocado oil
• Available Shades: 11

Best Sheer: Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil

Clinique

Pop Lip + Cheek Oil

$27 $23 (15% off)

Amazon

$27

Nordstrom

Allure designer Briana Rengifo before applying the Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey to her lips and cheeks.

Briana Rengifo

Why it’s worth it: Gen Z may have made Clinique’s iconic Black Honey hue go viral, but it’s long been an everyday essential. Once exclusive to the brand’s Almost Lipstick, Black Honey lives on in Clinique’s Pop Lip + Cheek Oil (a 2025 Best of Beauty winner). The formula is what keeps us hooked: a plush, glassy, and nourishing blend of safflower, jojoba, olive, sunflower seed, and castor oils that add a subtle yet slightly punchy wash of color. While the original Black Honey (a sheer mauve) won our hearts, the lineup also includes the equally flattering Pink Honey (a sheer pink) and Nude Honey (an apricot-not-too-warm, not-too-pink dream). Dab it on the lips for a sheer, juicy tint and the cheeks for a dewy flush while you’re at it.

Rengifo before applying the Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey to her lips and cheeks.

Briana Rengifo

Rengifo after applying the Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey to her lips and cheeks.

Briana Rengifo

Tester feedback from Allure designer Briana Rengifo

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“Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey has been one of my favorites to use when I’m in a rush and want something I can use in a multitude of ways. The color makes my lips look perfectly flush and adds a beautiful sheer tint to my cheeks!”—Briana Rengifo, designer

Tester feedback from Allure editor-in-chief Jessica Cruel

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"I'll be honest: I missed the Clinique Black Honey craze the first time around. But we all love a comeback! Although my signature is a matte red lip, I like something weightless and silky for every day. I find myself reaching for this lip oil before every Zoom call so my mouth doesn't look bare (or ashy) on camera. The color is barely there but the glossy finish let's everyone know my lips are properly moisturized."—Jessica Cruel, editor-in-chief

More to know

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• Key ingredients: safflower, jojoba, olive, sunflower seed, and castor oils
• Shades: 3

Subtlest Shimmer: Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil

Gisou

Honey Infused Lip Oil

$28

Amazon

$28

Sephora

Allure contributor Annie Blackman applying the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil in Mango on her lips

Annie Blackman

Why it's worth it: In addition to our ol’ faithful hyaluronic acid and a blend of oils like buriti and blueberry seed oil, both rich in antioxidants like omega 3, 6, and 9, Gisou’s Honey Infused Lip Oil contains the brand's proprietary Mirsalehi bee garden oil, harvested from founder Negin Mirsaheli's family garden to deeply condition and smooth lips. On top of its intensively hydrating formulation, Each shade leaves behind a glossy, light-catching finish (yes, there are real shimmer flecks in there) that somehow doesn’t feel sticky or heavy. Not into sparkle? Don’t worry—the brand makes non-shimmery versions too.

Blackman before applying the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil in Mango onto her lips

Annie Blackman

Blackman after applying the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil in Mango onto her lips

Annie Blackman

Tester feedback from Allure contributor Annie Blackman

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"The Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil perfectly bridges the gap between gloss and oil: It's shiny without being sticky, pigmented without being too much, and the bottle is so chic. I like to layer it on top of lipsticks or stains, or wear it alone."—Annie Blackman, contributor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: honey, hyaluronic acid, omega 3, 6, and 9
• Shades: 4

Best for Dry Lips: RMS Beauty Legendary Lip Oil

RMS Beauty

Legendary Lip Oil

$25

Amazon

$25

Nordstrom

$25

Dermstore

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying RMS Beauty’s Legendary Lip Oil in Lucia to her lips.

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: Lush, plush, conditioning, and perfectly pigmented, RMS Beauty's Legendary Lip Oil brings all of the hydration. Like skin care for your lips, it’s formulated with ingredients like jojoba oil and RMS’s Adaptogenic Herbal Blend—infused with mineral sea water, wildcrafted buriti oil, and cherry seed oil to condition. It lasts from morning coffee to lunch break to keep super dry lips feeling hydrated, unlike some oils we tried that seem to slip off the lips after just a few minutes. The oil is also scented and flavored with vanilla extract to add to its deliciousness. The jumbo doe-foot applicator distributes product evenly every time, resulting in softer, fuller-looking lips that strike that just-right balance between everything and nothing.

Pai before applying RMS Beauty’s Legendary Lip Oil in Lucia to her lips.

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying RMS Beauty’s Legendary Lip Oil in Lucia to her lips.

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"I usually prefer the utility of a tinted lip balm—swipe and go, no mirror needed—but this lip oil converted me. It's everything you could want in a lip oil: a non-sticky feel, sheer color, satin finish, and all the moisture I could possibly need, thanks to jojoba and cherry oils. It delivers my-lips-but-better coverage and has become a daily staple.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: vanilla extract, cherry seed oil, jojoba oil
• Shades: 8

More lip Oils We Love:

Best Splurge: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil

Dior

Lip Glow Oil

$42

Nordstrom

$42

Ulta Beauty

Why It's Worth It: When it comes to Dior's Addict Lip Glow Oil, there's more than meets the applicator. Despite the seemingly finite shades of this Best of Beauty-winning, TikTok-loved oil, each hue shifts into a custom hue based on your pH, thanks to a nifty ingredient called D&C Red 27. The eight shades of purples, pinks, and oranges are also packed with cherry oil, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that protects lips from environmental aggressors. New York City-based makeup artist and creator Delina Medhin is a fan of the formula for her clients and herself because “[the shades are]sheer and [the formula] feels comfy."

Tester feedback from Allure former digital editor Jihan Forbes

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"The entire experience of applying Dior Lip Glow is satisfying. Its doe-foot applicator has a chubby, rounded tip that comes out of the tube with a lovely squish. Gliding it on feels extra smooth, and it leaves my lips looking juicy. When the shine inevitably fades—or is rubbed off by my sips of tea or snacking—the pink hue persists, leaving my lips looking healthy and moisturized."—Jihan Forbes, former digital editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: cherry oil
• Shades: 8

Best Refillable: KraveBeauty Plumptuous Lip Jelly

KraveBeauty

Plumptuous Lip Jelly

$20

Amazon

$20

KraveBeauty

Why it’s worth it: The buildable, sheer KraveBeauty Plumptuous Lip Jelly stands out for its sumptuous sheen and refillable tube—because trust us, you’ll be eager to re-up. Formulated with ingredients that mimic your lips’ natural hydration process, it’s packed with upcycled plum oil, the plumping MaxiLip compound (peptides abound), and triolein, a triglyceride found in oily fats. And when it’s time for a refresh? Just pop out the inner compartment and swap in a new one—saving a bit of plastic and four bucks in the process.

Tester feedback from Han

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“KraveBeauty’s first makeup launch hits all the marks and is just as thoughtfully formulated and designed as its skin-care siblings. The metal applicator is innovative and feels extra refreshing/cooling on the lips, and the formula itself actually feels like it sinks into my lips and deeply hydrates—rather than superficially sitting on top. My favorite shade is Cherry Cola (a brown-leaning cherry red), which former Allure editor Devon Abelman helped create!"—Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: plum oil, triolein, MaxiLip
• Shades: 4

Frequently Asked Questions

How are lip oils different from lip balms?

"Lip balms often contain humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredients, working to help boost moisture in the lips, while lip oils provide an occlusive layer to the lips to help seal moisture in," says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "Lip balms tend to be best suited for those who experience dry and dehydrated lips, but can also be layered and used in combination with lip oil."

In other words, we like to think of lip oils as the intersection between lip balms and glosses. As the skinification of makeup products becomes more popular, the demand for lip oils has risen for their subtle tints and moisture-replenishing properties. Besides the sheer tints that make them so lovable, lip oils also double as nourishing treatments without feeling greasy, heavy, or sticky.

Which ingredients are commonly found in lip oils?

Many lip oils are formulated with lightweight emollients like jojoba, grapeseed, squalane, avocado, or rosehip oil, notes Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York City. However, Dr. Camp adds: “Some [lip oils] contain nourishing ingredients like peptides, which may encourage collagen production, ceramides, which help fortify the skin barrier, vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that protects skin from oxidative stress, and hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant that helps skin retain moisture.” Whatever the case, lip oils are ideal for anyone experiencing dry, cracked, and dull-colored lips.

Meet the experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Delina Medhin, a makeup artist and content creator in New York City
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best lip oils, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and board-certified dermatologists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Photographed by: Giancarlos Kunhardt; Prop styling: Briana Rengifo

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

By now, you know that the Allure Best of Beauty Awards bestow that instantly recognizable seal on the products that editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and dermatologists agree are the cream (and serum) of the crop. Spotting that red circle while shopping feels like getting an instant and highly enthusiastic recommendation from your most beauty-savvy, ingredient-literate friend.

We've been bestowing Best of Beauty Awards for nearly three decades now, so repeat winners are inevitable, not because there's a lack of competition in certain categories—trust us, there are plenty of amazing new launches that give more familiar products a run for their money. It's just that some winners somehow manage to remain untouchable. And that's why we've decided to salute them with a Hall of Fame—a designation given only to products that have won three or more Best of Beauty Awards.

Does it mean that you shouldn't even bother trying other products? Of course not—something else may work really well for you. But does it mean you must try them at least once if you haven't already because hello, they are clearly awesome? Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.

Okay, so none of these products have won Best of Beauty Awards a thousand times, but that's only because we didn't get started until 1996. The fact that some of these tools and formulas have won three, four, even double-digit times is still incredibly impressive— even more so when you consider how many have won Readers' Choice Awards, too.

The products below are only some of the Best of Beauty Award Hall of Famers—yes, there are even more habitual winners—so check them out and then find out for yourself why they keep conquering their categories.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub

Best Physical Body Scrub

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub

$11 $8 (27% off)

Amazon

Senior audience development director Lexi Herrick using the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Moroccan Rose.

Lexi Herrick

There’s truly a Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub scent for every imaginable mood—social media manager Bianca Richards is currently obsessed with the freesia, sandalwood, and vanilla combo of Exotic Bloom—but no matter which fragrance floats your boat, the results are always stunning, soft, glowing skin. “I always find myself coming back to this tried-and-true favorite,” Richards says. “The sugar granules are just right for gently exfoliating dead skin, leaving it feeling smooth and refreshed,” which may explain why it’s been bestowed with its third Best of Beauty Award.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Oral-B iO Series 5 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

Best Toothbrush

Oral-B iO Series 5 Electric Toothbrush

$100 $90 (10% off)

Amazon

Not everyone gets excited about brushing their teeth, and those unenthusiastic people are the ones who haven’t tried the Oral-B iO Series 5 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush yet. We, on the other hand, have been using it for years, and it keeps coming out on top of our electric toothbrush picks. Editor in chief Jessica Cruel has been using this rechargeable, round-brush wonder for years and really appreciates the sensitivity sensor, and her dentist has even noticed a difference.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

Best Powder Highlighter

Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

$27

Sephora

Senior art director Ingrid Fowler applies the Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter.

To love the look of a liquid highlighter but prefer a powder format is to find yourself with few options that really deliver that gorgeously glassy look, so, of course, we keep coming back to Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter. Winning each year since its launch in 2022, this magical little mound of radiance never looks cakey or costume-y. “It’s so light and fine that it feels like you're applying air,” says senior art director Ingrid Fowler. “You only need a little bit to get a glimmery, shimmery—but not too shimmery—payoff.”

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel

Best Monthly Peel

Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel

$125

Amazon

Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel gives you the opportunity to play esthetician at home with a two-step, brush-on framework that feels straight out of a spa. Starting with an exfoliating combo of lactic, glycolic, and mandelic acids and ending with a clay mask, it delivers fast, noticeable results that have earned it three Best of Beauty Awards. "I feel so fancy every time I use this peel," says associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey. "The two-step system makes it seem more thorough than most acid-based peels, and the glowy results prove it actually is."

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Lush Bath Bomb

Best Bath Bomb

Lush Bath Bomb

$8

Lush

Senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen drops a Lush Bath Bomb into her tub.

Ask 10 people to describe a Lush Bath Bomb, and you’ll get 10 different answers. That’s because, even though it’s the quintessential bath bomb that so many of us picture when we think of bath bombs, it comes in seemingly countless shapes, colors, and scents. Watching it become one with your bath water and then immersing yourself will never not be whimsical. Bonus: “They never fail to leave soothed, soft skin in their wake,” says senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Best Skin-Care Steals

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

$15 $13 (13% off)

Amazon

Editor in chief Jessica Cruel, who has access to pretty much any cleanser you can imagine, keeps a reserved parking space for Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser in her shower. Like so many of us who have made it a part of our routines over the years—it has double-digits Best of Beauty Awards, so that really is so many of us—she knows that sometimes you just want clean skin without frothy fanfare and potentially irritating active ingredients. Ultimately, this hydrating formula is kind to both sensitive skin and sensitive bank accounts, and that earns it Hall of Fame status.

Best of Beauty Awards: 11

Jones Road The Blush Brush

Best Blush Brush

Jones Road The Blush Brush

$36

Jones Road

Managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying blush with the Jones Road The Blush Brush.

The true test of a makeup brush’s brilliance: making an uncoordinated person seem like a pro with its foolproof application. “Even when I think I've added too much product, Jones Road’s The Blush Brush proves me wrong as I watch it blend out with ease,” says contributing editor Marci Robin. This ease of use and reliability are only part of what makes it a repeat red-seal recipient; it also boasts soft, thick bristles that feel as fantastic as they perform.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Tweezerman Slant Tweezer

Best Tweezers

Tweezerman Slant Tweezers

$25

Amazon

Sometimes we forget that tweezers weren’t named after the name Tweezerman—that’s how gold-standard (or perhaps stainless-steel-standard)—the brand’s plucking tools are. And that’s especially true of the Slant Tweezer, which is the winningest Best of Beauty Award recipient in the honor’s history with 26 red seals. You can always rely on it—and boy, have we—to grab even the finest and most stubborn hair.

Best of Beauty Awards: 26

Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer

Best Mattifying Primer

Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer

$34 $29 (15% off)

Amazon

Lily Wohlner

Although there was quite a gap between the 2009 and 2025 Best of Beauty Awards bestowed upon The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer, this Smashbox classic has always been That Girl. Social director Kassidy Silva—who loves the lightweight, oil-free, even matte base it creates with its transparent formula—keeps finding herself making a U-turn back to the smooth, transparent formula on her long road of trying new primers. “If you also subscribe to the ‘apply in the morning and hope it stays all day’ makeup routine, this is the primer for you.”

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Homecourt Room Deodorant

Best Room Spray

Homecourt Cece Room Deodorant

$45

Revolve

$45

Bluemercury

Once you can admit that your home may be stinky beyond the help of a scented candle, it’s time to look to something that can actually solve the problem, and we’ve found, over and over, that Homecourt Room Deodorant does the job with odor-neutralizing zinc, yeast ferment, and charcoal. We’re especially big fans of the smoky-meets-sweet scent, Cece.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Best Color Pencil Eyeliner

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil

$23

Amazon

Senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen creates a purple liner look with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil.

Nicola Dall’Asen

You know a product is iconic when, every few years, Allure editors are like, “There really is nothing quite like this in the category.” Such is the case with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, which has undeniably served as the inspiration for countless eyeliners that have come after it. Now, accepting its third Best of Beauty Award—following wins in 2009 and 2015—it has several staffers contending that it’s the G.O.A.T. because of its incredible opacity, durability, and shade range, which includes both everyday and experimental colors, like the matte dark brown Demolition and the sparkling hot pink Woodstock, respectively.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash

Best Liquid Body Wash

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash

$11

Amazon

The definition of affordable luxury, Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash is such an indulgently hydrating cleansing experience that it feels like you must have made a financially regrettable decision every time you take a shower. Thankfully, you can get suspiciously soft skin without overspending with this long-loved formula, which is welcoming its ninth instantly recognizable seal to its own instantly recognizable bottle.

Best of Beauty Awards: 9

Nars Powder Blush

Nars

Powder Blush

$34

Nordstrom

$34

Bluemercury

Senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor brushes the Nars Powder Blush onto her cheekbones.

Don't call it a comeback! OK, call it a comeback. Nars Powder Blush has racked up numerous Best of Beauty Awards since the turn of the century, but its winning streak slowed in recent years as the blush competition thickened. We're not saying that's what prompted the brand to reformulate what is arguably its most famous product (even your grandma knows about Orgasm), but we were so impressed with 2024’s talc-free, even more blendable, and conveniently refillable reimagining of Nars Blush that we couldn't deny it its eighth red seal. "The new formula feels ever-so-slightly more velvety and deposits even more color with each swipe," says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor.

Best of Beauty Awards: 8

CND Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat

CND Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat

$12

Amazon

Your favorite nail polish color may change from week to week, but when it comes to that last clear layer, it's hard to stray from a formula as fantastic as the CND Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat. It helps any color from any brand (it doesn't discriminate) look shinier and last longer, acting as a force field against annoying chips. In other words, your favorite color may need to stay your favorite color for longer than a week because it’s going to stick around beyond seven days with this level of protection on top.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Patrick Ta Beauty Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo

Patrick Ta

Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo

$40

Sephora

Size matters, especially when it comes to your go-to sculpting product. "I put contour and bronzer on every single day. It's a product you just use more, and in more places, so I didn't want it to run out quickly," makeup artist Patrick Ta previously told Allure of his Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo. As its name suggests, this winner actually gets you two products—and plenty of 'em—and their textures are so incredibly blendable that it feels like the makeup artist's mastery was one of the ingredients. And it’s no wonder that it applies perfectly with Patrick Ta’s new addition to the Hall of Fame, Major Sculpt Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush.

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

ghd Platinum+ Styler

GHD

Platinum+ Styler

$319 $239 (25% off)

Amazon

$279

Revolve

$289

Dermstore

Contributor Paige Stables straightens her hair with the ghd Platinum+ Styler.

Is it a flatiron? Sure, technically. But what's earned the ghd Platinum+ Styler the "styler" designation—and four Best of Beauty Awards—is its so-much-more-than-a-flatiron flair. In addition to easy-peasy straightening, it allows you to create waves and curls with its rounded barrel and no-snag plates, which never deviate from 365 degrees—the perfect temperature for styling without singeing. No matter how high-maintenance your bangs may be, this tool makes sleek child’s play of them.

Best of Beauty Awards: 4

eSalon Custom Hair Color Set

eSalon

Custom Hair Color Set

$33

eSalon

Some say the eSalon Custom Hair Color Set is the next best thing to going to the salon, but we have the audacity to say it may be—wait for it—just as good. That's because eSalon puts just as much care and expertise into crafting the single-process shade you want—based on your hair's texture, history, and more—as a live-and-in-person colorist The kit comes with more components than the average at-home hair dye (like a professional-style applicator brush and a stain guard gel for applying around your hairline), but it's not the least bit intimidating to use. (In fact, it's arguably easier—just one of the reasons it keeps getting Best of Beauty Awards.) "The finished result was so flattering and natural, it was like the shade was made for me—because it was," says contributor Liana Schaffner.

Best of Beauty Awards: 10

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge

Beautyblender

Original Makeup Sponge

$20

Amazon

$20

Nordstrom

$20

Revolve

Contributor Hunter Lacey blends in concealer using the Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge.

There have been many—oh, so many—imitators, but nothing will ever replace the original Beautyblender. Shaped like a pointy egg, the makeup-kit staple is now a 14-time Best of Beauty Award winner. "I wanted a tool that gave you an airbrushed look without having to actually use an airbrush machine," founder Rea Ann Silva previously told Allure, and that's achieved by how foundation sits atop the Beautyblender once it's wet, not to mention the way its suede-like texture and edge-free shape blends it out gorgeously and into every tiny angle and contour of the face.

Best of Beauty Awards: 14

Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara

Maybelline New York

Great Lash Mascara

$10 $7 (30% off)

Amazon (2-Pack)

Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara has been winning Allure awards—both Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice—since before some of our current staff members were born. The pink and green packaging may be instantly recognizable, but it's what's inside the tube that makes it the most iconic everyday mascara on the market. We've seen it reimagined as a waterproof formula and in different colors, but we'll always keep coming back to the original for its simple yet effective lengthening and separating results.

Best of Beauty Awards: 5

Tangle Teezer The Original

Tangle Teezer

The Original

$15

Amazon

The original Tangle Teezer completely changed not only the way we treat our hair when it's wet, but the way we view hairbrushes. Turns out that a giant, plastic jelly bean is exactly what so many of us needed to get through our knotty hair—straight, curly, or in-between—without any discomfort. "It fits perfectly into your palm, which allows for less of the tugging that makes hair snap," hairstylist Tommy Buckett has told Allure of the four-time Best of Beauty winner. And while it may not look (or for that matter, be) as expensive as some other pro-loved hairbrushes on the market, you have to admit, the huge array of colors it comes in (and the adorable fact that the brand now makes Tangle Teezers for our furry friends) just adds to how delightful it is to use.

Best of Beauty Awards: 4

Touchland

Touchland

Power Mist

$30

Amazon (3-Pack)

Features director Dianna Mazzone Singh cleanses her hands in a pinch with the Touchland hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizer isn't fun… said someone who has yet to be introduced to Touchland. The recipient of multiple Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Awards, this germ-killing mist lures you in with its colorful, chic packaging and has you coming back for more with its unexpectedly lovely scents, like Beach Coco, Citrus Grove, and Pure Lavender. It's easy to forget that it serves such a practical purpose, but even easier to remember to use it because you'll actually want to.

Best of Beauty Awards: 5

Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler

Kevyn Aucoin

The Eyelash Curler

$26

Bluemercury

$26

Dermstore

This eyelash curler won its first Best of Beauty Award more than 20 years ago, if you can believe it—and you should definitely believe it because it's absolutely worth making it the one in your makeup bag. The Kevyn Aucoin classic may not be one of the color-cosmetics products the brand is so celebrated for, but the fact that this tool has been around (and winning awards) for so long shows just how iconic it is. We especially appreciate how its bright red pad makes it almost impossible to pinch yourself when you go in for the curl.

Best of Beauty Awards: 7

St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse

St. Tropez

Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse

$46 $32 (30% off)

Amazon

Nearly every self-tanner on Earth does its darkening with dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the sugar that reacts with amino acids on your skin to prompt a faux golden glow. But somehow, St. Tropez has managed to make the customizable results of its Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse the most convincingly un-faux—to the point that your staunchly pro-sunscreen friends might scold you for lying out in the sun. A three-time Best of Beauty winner, this advanced formula even wows scientists with its ability to provide a customized level of color depending on how long you leave it on. "What's really impressive about this technology is that they've been able to show that every time you wash it off after an hour, you'll get a light, even tan, and so on for the rest of the shades," cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer previously told Allure. "From a chemistry perspective, this sort of consistency is a real achievement. And for people at home, being able to pick three shades from one bottle? That's a first."

Best of Beauty Awards: 3

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Self-Tanner

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

$12 $10 (17% off)

Amazon

$10

Walmart

If the bronze bottle of Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer looks a bit trophy-esque, perhaps that's because it's surrounded by multiple Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Awards. The long-time go-to self-tanner for people who are nervous to use self-tanner, the formula promises the kind of gradual build-up of color that doesn't feel as overwhelming as the prospect of a full-blown tan in a matter of minutes. "And just like the color is more subtle than that of the self-tanners you may be used to, so is the scent," says contributing editor Marci Robin. "Sure, brands have come a long way in masking that telltale DHA smell, but Jergens mastered that long before the rest, and it's only gotten more pleasant to use and smell in recent years."

Best of Beauty Awards: 9

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit

Neutrogena

Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit

$38 $29 (24% off)

Amazon (3-Pack)

$10

Target

For so many people, Neutrogena Body Clear Body Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit was the first product that we ever used to address backne and other body breakouts; and for so many people, it's still what we turn to when things get bumpy below the neck. Its salicylic acid makes it a no-brainer, especially in the summer or after workouts, and its grapefruit scent has always been the ideal amount of citrusy-but-not-too-sweet. No wonder it's won a nice handful of Best of Beauty Awards.

Best of Beauty Awards: 5

Olive & June Polish Remover Pot

Olive & June

Polish Remover Pot

$10

Olive & June

Senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen removes her red nail polish with the Olive & June Polish Remover Pot.

You think it's humiliating to be terrible at painting your own nails? Try being a klutz at removing that nail polish—knocking over the bottle, getting remnants of cotton stuck to your nails, etc. The worst. And that's why we've been so thankful—to the tune of four Best of Beauty Awards—for the Olive & June Polish Remover Pot. The sponge inside is saturated in a gentle non-acetone formula, so after a couple twists of the fingertip, your nail is totally clean, free of both polish and fuzz. And you're ready to give painting your nails another good-faith try.

Best of Beauty Awards: 4

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Aveeno

Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

$25 $18 (28% off)

Amazon

We should all be applying sunscreen every day—yes, even if we're just sitting inside near a window—the way we apply moisturizer every day. Aveeno makes multitasking super easy and (clearly, from the Best of Beauty Awards it has racked up) effective with its Positively Radiant Daily Face Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This drugstore favorite goes beyond hydrating to provide broad-spectrum protection that lessens the likelihood of sun damage, like discoloration. All the while, it addresses existing dark spots with its proprietary tone correcting soy formula.

Best of Beauty Awards: 5

RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner

RevitaBrow

RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner

$60

Amazon

$60

Nordstrom

$60

Dermstore

While other brow conditioners and serums promise miracles, RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner has long delivered on exactly what we're hoping to see: healthier-looking, less brittle, and, yes, seemingly fuller eyebrows. "I graduated from high school in 1994. I think you can imagine what my poor brows endured during that dark, dark decade for the human eyebrow. By the time I arrived at Allure in my 20s, they were still shadows of their former selves," says executive beauty director Jenny Bailly. "A strict hands-off policy certainly helped with regrowth, but I saw the most improvement after I started using RevitaBrow pretty much as soon as it came out. I've tried other brow conditioners over the years, but always come back to this one and use it consistently every day (which I can't say for many other beauty products)."

Best of Beauty Awards: 13

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

BareMinerals

Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

$39 $27 (31% off)

Amazon

$39

Nordstrom

$39

Revolve

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer isn't just an Allure editor and beauty expert favorite. In addition to its four Best of Beauty Awards, it has also impressed shoppers enough to win multiple Readers' Choice Awards. (We like to think that means you're listening. Thanks!) Ever so much lighter than foundation but just as transformative, it blends beautifully into your complexion (there are 20 flexible, glow-imparting shades), hydrates like the dickens, and even provides SPF 30 broad-spectrum sun protection.

Best of Beauty Awards: 4

Color Wow Root Cover Up

Color Wow

Root Cover Up

$34 $26 (24% off)

Amazon

$35

Revolve

$35

Ulta Beauty

At first glance, if you didn't know what Color Wow Root Cover Up is, you might think it's an eye shadow or brow powder. But inside the easily portable compact is actually a multiple Best of Beauty award-winning gray-hair concealer like no other. "It's a pressed powder—in eight shades, from platinum to black—that comes with a small brush so I can pinpoint my grays and avoid my fancy salon highlights better than I can with a spray or loose powder," says Bailly, who adds that its finish is like real hair, so it never turns dull or stiff the way some sprays and hair mascaras do.

Best of Beauty Awards: 9

L'Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder

L'Oréal Paris

True Match Super-Blendable Powder

$13 $9 (31% off)

Amazon

L'Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder's Best of Beauty wins date back all the way to 2005, and it's still impressing drugstore beauty shoppers nearly 20 years later. (Just think of how many other foundations have come and gone in that time.) It keeps wowing us with how strangely un-powdery (read: undetectable) it is, and if redness is one of your biggest frustrations, this pressed formula will become one of your biggest allies.

Best of Beauty Awards: 7

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinish Loose Powder

Make Up For Ever

HD Microfinish Powder

$39

Sephora

We're devastated every time a few of Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinish Loose Powder’s super airy particles land anywhere other than our faces because that's a tiny bit of blurring, light-diffusing magic that our skin is missing out on. This loose powder visibly minimizes pores and lines while somehow remaining invisible itself. It has won several Best of Beauty Awards since its first in 2008, and we're just grateful that Make Up For Ever has never messed with this magic.

Best of Beauty Awards: 6

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A good tan makes me feel like a brand-new woman (IYKYK). So, when Friday rolls around, the best self-tanning mousses hate to see me coming. I’ve been a self-tan lover for years—my mainstays being bronzing drops and body lotions—but I’d never tried a mousse until testing them for this story. Fast forward two months, and they’ve officially stolen my heart. Yes, they’re a bit more labor-intensive—you need a deep exfoliation beforehand and a mitt to apply them—but the payoff is worth it: less streaking, deeper color, longer-lasting glow, and friends asking if I got a spray tan (even though the reality is I was leg-up-on-the-wall in my bathroom shower).

After trying 12 Allure team favorites and bestsellers, I’ve officially become a self-tanning mousse pro. So, let me break down what makes one worthy of a spot on my list: It should last at least five days; offer an even, sunkissed glow, sans orange streaks; give my skin a hydrating boost; and smell like a tropical island (not a chemical experiment).

Top 5 Self Tanning Mousses I Tested

• Best Overall: Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse, $49
• Best Express: Loving Tan Platinum Express 2 Hour Mousse, $45
• Best Gradual: Lux Unfiltered N°36 Tanning Mousse, $48
• Most Customizable: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse, $46
• Best For Dry Skin: Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse, $49

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How do I prep my skin for tanning mousses?
• What should you look for in the best tanning mousses?
• How do I get an even, streak-free tan?
• Can I fix mistakes or remove self-tanner from my hands?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

During testing, I patch-tested each mousse on one arm for comparison, then left it on to see how long it developed and how long my tan lasted. After months of trial and error, I’ve rounded up the absolute best mousses for an effortless glow.

Best Overall: Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse

Dolce Glow

Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse

$49

Nordstrom

$49

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: Dolce Glow’s Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse was the first one I tried on my testing journey, and it blew me away right out of the gate (I mean, it is a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, after all!). Even after testing 11 more formulas, I kept comparing everything back to this one, which is why it ultimately snagged my top spot.

The lightweight formula glides on effortlessly, blending like a dream with zero streaks. It also skips the dreaded tanner stench, replaced by a subtle, fresh scent, so you can easily wear it out of the house while it develops. As the color soaked in, my skin felt soft and nourished—not dry and begging for moisture—thanks to aloe vera, jojoba oil, and Australian macadamia oil. Just keep in mind that the shade continues to deepen for over four hours, so you might look extra bronzy before rinsing.

I tested this mousse twice, leaving it on for six to seven hours each time (per the brand’s rec for a deep tan), and the result was pure island-vacay glow. If you’re after something subtler, you can rinse after two to four hours—this customizability is why the brand offers just one shade.

The real wow moment came after washing it off—it looked exactly like a professional spray tan. No streaks, no patchiness, just an even, airbrushed finish. I even used it on my face (a risky move, I know), and it didn’t cling or turn too dark around my nose and mouth. Instead, my skin looked hydrated, glowy, and bronzed, with zero orange undertones. The color lasted a full seven days on my body (my face wore off faster, since I wash it more often), outperforming nearly every other formula I tested, and faded flawlessly. Although it takes a while to develop, I’ll take it for its week-long staying power.

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner before and after applying the Dolce Glow Lusso Self-Tanning Mousse

Lily Wohlner

More to know

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• Key ingredients: aloe vera, jojoba oil, Australian macadamia oil, vitamin E
• Shades: 1
• Development time: 2 to 8 hours for full color
• Fragrance: fresh and light
• Lasts up to: 7 days

Other great tanning mousses to consider:

Best Express: Loving Tan Platinum Express 2 Hour Mousse

Loving Tan

Platinum Express 2 Hour Mousse

$45

Amazon

$45

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: After testing this mousse, it’s no surprise it snagged a 2024 Best of Beauty award. At first, I was skeptical: It goes on dark (like, can’t-leave-the-house dark) and I’ll admit, a little streaky at first—especially on my face, where I looked like I’d applied a mud mask. However, it dries down fast and doesn’t move once it’s on, so you can fix any harsh spots before it sets. After the easy, two-hour wait and a rinse, it gave me one of the best-looking tans of the mousses I tried (phew!). And, the quick development makes it perfect for last-minute plans.

I tested Maximum Tan, the deepest of the four shades. Even as a naturally pale girl, it didn’t look fake—just perfectly olive-y and bronzed, with zero streaks. My skin felt hydrated, too, thanks to an aloe vera base. And, the formula includes caffeine, which is known to reduce puffiness in body-care products. The color keeps developing over the next 24 hours, so it’s definitely deeper the next day, but not unwearably so. Pro tip: Apply a very light layer to your face to avoid looking a little too dramatically dark.

I noticed the color starting to fade around day five—which makes sense, since I’d only left it on for two hours, so I didn’t expect it to last as long as some of the gradual tanners I tried. It came off a bit patchy on my hands, wrists, and ankles, but everywhere else faded evenly. I’ll take it for the two-hour wait time!

Wohlner applying the Loving Tan Platinum Express 2 Hour Mousse

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner before and after applying the Loving Tan Platinum Express 2 Hour Mousse

Lily Wohlner

More to know

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• Key ingredients: aloe vera, caffeine, pomegranate
• Shades: 4
• Development time: 2 hours
• Fragrance: None
• Lasts up to: 5 days

Best Gradual: Lux Unfiltered N°36 Tanning Mousse

Lux Unfiltered

N°36 Tanning Mousse

$48

Amazon

$48

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: +Lux Unfiltered’s N°36 Supernatural Tanning Mousse may require a full eight hours to achieve your darkest tan, but trust me—it’s worth the wait. It lasts a full week and is packed with skin-loving ingredients like moisturizing sunflower and jojoba seed extracts, brightening vitamin C, antioxidant-rich papaya extract and cocoa seed extract, and hydrating hyaluronic acid, making it one of the richest formulas on this list. Plus, it smells like fresh blood orange, so there’s no classic self-tanner stink while it develops. It also comes in two shades (medium and deep), so it’s a bit more customizable than formulas like Dolce Glow or St. Tropez, which are only available in one shade.

You could let this sit for four hours for a lighter glow, but I like to max it out (can you tell I hate looking pasty?). I usually sleep in it, then rinse it off in the morning for an even, bright, streak-free finish. Since it soaks in for so long, the tan lasts a full seven days. And, when it does fade, it’s smooth and natural, with zero patchiness.

Wohlner applying the Lux Unfiltered N°36 Tanning Mousse

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner before and after applying Lux Unfiltered N°36 Tanning Mousse

Lily Wohlner

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sunflower extract, jojoba seed extract, vitamin C papaya extract, cocoa seed extract, and hyaluronic acid
• Shades: 2
• Development time: up to 8 hours for full color
• Fragrance: citrus
• Lasts up to: 7 days

Most Customizable: St. Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse

St. Tropez

Self Tan Express Mousse

$46 $32 (30% off)

Amazon

$46

Nordstrom

$46

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: Customize your glow with St. Tropez’s Self Tan Express Mousse, which can be left on from one to three hours. One hour gives you a natural glow and three gives a deep, dark tan, so you get the exact color you want. I love that the max three-hour window is all you need for a rich, island-ready bronze. And speaking of islands, it smells like one, too (hi, coconut, vanilla, and Tahitian gardenia).

This formula glides on like silk without streaks, thanks to hydrating aloe in the formula. Plus, it dried down in seconds and didn’t transfer onto my clothes, which I appreciated. I left this formula on for the full three hours and got a rich, realistic tan that lasted five days before starting to fade. While I wish it had stuck around a bit longer, it faded evenly, so I didn’t have to worry about scrubbing any patchy spots off with a removal mitt.

Wohlner applying the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner before and after applying the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse

Lily Wohlner

More to know

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• Key ingredients: aloe vera, glycerin
• Shades: 1
• Development time: up to 3 hours for full color
• Fragrance: tropical
• Lasts up to: 5 days

Best For Dry Skin: Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse

Tan Luxe

Hydra Mousse

$49

Amazon

$54

Sephora

$49

Bluemercury

Why it’s worth it: Dry skin and self-tanning mousse don't jive, since the color won't stick as smoothly. So if that’s a concern, opt for the most hydrating formula possible—and that is the Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse. Formulated with a nourishing blend of vitamins B, C, and E, plus raspberry oil and the classic aloe vera, this foam not only glides onto your skin like a dream, but feels hydrating while it soaks in, making it an actual enjoyable experience rather than something that feels stripping or drying (trust, I’ve tested my fair share of these that did not make it onto the final list).

As you can see, this mousse is totally clear, so unlike every other formula on this list, you can’t see where you applied it, whether you buy the light/medium or medium/dark shade. One one hand, it’s nice because you can wear it out of the house without worrying like you look like a crazy person out in public, but on the other hand I found it took more time for me to apply, as I had to go over every area of my body to ensure each section was covered since I had no guidelines.

I opted for the medium/dark shade, this tan develops in four to six hours, which I find to be the average for most self tanners. Four hour is a lighter more natural tan, and six gives you a darker color. I did find that the final color wasn’t as dark as other tanners I tried (cue Dolce Glow or St. Tropez), making it a solid option for paler people or those who want something for the chillier months where you don’t want to look too dark. I tested this one during a long beach weekend, so I found that it faded quicker than others I tried due to chlorine and salt water, but I’m confident it would have lasted longer in my usual NYC environment.

Wohlner applying the Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner before and after applying the Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse

Lily Wohlner

More to know

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• Key ingredients: aloe vera
• Shades: 2
• Development time: up to 6 hours for full color
• Fragrance: None
• Lasts up to: 5 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prep my skin for tanning mousses?

Before applying any self-tanner, take care of treatments like waxing, shaving, manicures, or hair color touch-ups. "All of those treatments can remove self-tanner," spray tanner Anna Stankiewicz previously told Allure. Once that’s done, it’s time to prep. Self-tanner can sink into dry skin, leaving dark patches behind that look unnatural. Slough away any flakes with a scrub—focusing on rough spots like the knees, elbows, ankles, and heels—or a cleanser with glycolic or salicylic acids to remove dead, dull skin, Stankiewicz says. I also love an exfoliating mitt (a lot of self tanner brands like Dolce Glow and St. Tropez sell them), which removes any leftover tanner, leaving behind a fresh base for your next round.

What should you look for in the best tanning mousses?

When I’m shopping for a self-tanning mousse, I look for skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or vitamin E to keep my skin hydrated while the tan develops—because who wants dry, stripped skin (even if it is bronzed)? Most self-tanners rely on DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a sugar that reacts with amino acids in the top layer of skin to create a gradual glow. The tricky part? DHA can be hard to stabilize, which is why some tans turn tangerine, cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller told Allure. The best formulas add stabilizing sugars like erythrulose; encapsulation technology to lock in a smooth, streak-free finish; and moisturizing emollients—all of which also neutralize that yeasty self-tanner smell we dread.

How do I get an even, streak-free tan?

Start with exfoliated, completely dry skin (emphasis on dry—oils “could interfere with the binding of DHA to the stratum corneum and cause uneven development,” says NYC-based dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD). Spot-moisturize only the tricky areas—knees, elbows, and ankles—to prevent them from going too dark. If you’re a beginner, stick to lighter formulas to minimize streaks and patchiness, then level up to darker shades once you’re confident. When applying, work from the legs up, using any leftover product on your feet, and finish with your hands. Afterward, give yourself extra drying time. “If the directions say five minutes, wait 10,” Stankiewicz advises. For bonus insurance, dust a talc-free powder all over to prevent transfer, she adds. Then, it’s hands off: no showering or sweating for six to eight hours until it’s time to rinse.

Can I fix mistakes or remove self-tanner from my hands?

Yes! If you notice streaks or patches after the tan has developed, exfoliating mitts on wet skin work wonders for lifting unwanted color away, according to Evans. You can also use a baby wipe to dab away excess or misplaced product as you're self-tanning. To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.

Meet the experts

• Anna Stankiewicz, a spray tan artist
• Randy Schueller, a cosmetic chemist
• Shari Marchbein, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City

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Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best tanning mousses, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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Ever since Hilary Duff announced earlier this month that she'd be releasing new music for the first time in a decade, all eyes have been on the former Disney darling turned multi-hyphenate mom. And Duff clearly knows everyone's watching. Not that she even needed a glow-up—the woman is chronically gorgeous—but her front-row-seat sighting at the Fendi show at Milan Fashion Week has everyone talking about how next-level stunning she looks. It's nearly impossible to narrow down the look to one favorite feature, but perhaps the most fun and copyable element is her amazing manicure.

Duff attended the Fendi Spring/Summer 2026 show on Tuesday, September 24, along with a number of other fashion-loving celebrities like Naomi Watts and Shailene Woodley, both of whom wore muted colors and barely-there nail polishes. Duff, on the other hand, seems to have said, “French manicure, please, and don't do any of the usual stuff,” to her as-yet-unidentified nail artist.

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Each one of the Duff's ballerina-shaped nails has a different unexpected color combo with an especially thick tip: shimmering gold with a terracotta tip, silver with a white tip, rosy rust with a darker burgundy tip, the palest of silvery lavenders with a pastel green tip, and so on. The manicure is complemented by a big, blue Fendi statement ring.

Photo: Getty Images

Although her outfit didn't perfectly match the colors in her manicure, it echoed the playful “color theory be damned” spirit. She paired a satiny, pale green pencil skirt with a bright red, oversized top, and a bubblegum pink straw bag.

The rest of her glam was on the more subtle side, but it still wowed big-time. Hairstylist Rio Sreedharan gave Duff voluminous, loose waves that framed her glowing, brown-toned makeup by Nikki Wolff.

As much as I wish I could wake up with those waves tomorrow, more realistically, I cannot wait to start pairing random colors together and throw the rules out the window when it comes to how thick or thin a French tip needs to be, and I thank Hilary Duff for what will be endless inspiration this fall.