I Tested More Than 500 Beauty Products in 2024, but These 10 Were the Best Overall

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:PeopleAsa shopping writerwith an affinity for beauty, I’ve accumulated, well, a lot of products this year.I’m baring my soul on the internet to admit that I’m a full-on beauty hoarder. I have several drawers, a rolling cart, and half a medicine cabinet overflowing with new makeup, skincare, haircare, and nail products I bought in 2024. Now that the year has come to a close, I get to dish on which ones earned solid spaces in my beauty routine.From the bronzy tinted moisturizer that bothHelen Mirren and Martha Stewart useto aPEOPLE Tested-approved shampoothat significantly sped up my hair growth, these werethe best beauty products of 2024that deserve a spot in your 2025 regimen.Best Beauty Products of 2024, According to a Product TesterL’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, $14 (orig. $17);amazon.comDrmtlgy Soothe and Recovery Moisturizer, $39;amazon.comChillhouse Chill Tips Signatures Press-On Nails Kit, $14 with coupon (orig. $16);amazon.comMerit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, $38;sephora.comPaula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $35;amazon.comVegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo, $48;amazon.comTarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening Powder, $36;sephora.comNudestix Nudies All Over Face Matte Blush, $35;target.comNars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick, $32;sephora.comCharlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Tanning Drops, $50;charlottetilbury.comL’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi GlotionAmazon$17$14 at AmazonWith an ever-growing list of celebrity users (Kendall JennerandEva LongoriajoinedMartha Stewartin the fan club this year), I knew I had to give this drugstoretinted moisturizera shot. Not only was it gentle on my sensitive skin, but its shea butter-infused formula gave me a realistic bronze, lit-from-within glow and didn’t cause breakouts. It’s officially my year-round makeup base, though it’s a total skin-perfector on its own.Drmtlgy Soothe and Recovery MoisturizerAmazon$39 at AmazonMy mom stocks her bathroom with Drmtlgy products, so when I visited home with angry, dry skin after testing a new brand, I relied on her go-to moisturizer to restore my skin barrier. This acne- and rosacea-safe, anti-aging formula is safe for all skin types and melts quickly into the skin, leaving your face plump and ready for sunscreen, makeup, or bed.Chillhouse Chill Tips Signatures Press-On Nails Kit, $14 with couponAmazon$16$14 at AmazonAs a DIY beauty fanatic, I am constantly applying press-on nails — and these Chill Tips from Chillhouse are so great that theyearned a spot on Oprah’s 2024 Favorite Things list. I was able to get a week and a half of wear time out of these nails, which surpasses most press-ons’ typical one-week lifespan (and I’m hard on my nails). Plus, there are so many designs and nail shapes to choose from.Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion StickSephora$38 at SephoraAnother celebrity favorite that I fell for this year is Merit Beauty’s Complexion Stick: a foundation-and-concealer hybrid thatLily CollinsandMartha Stewarthave used to achieve red carpet-worthy skin. I keep one of these sticks on my makeup display for spot-correcting and another in my purse for touch-ups because of its pigmented, ultra-creamy formula that blends like a dream with a brush or your fingertips.Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ExfoliantAmazon$35 at AmazonBecause I have sensitive skin, liquid exfoliants are usually more of a source of fear than an essential skincare step. However, thisgentle, pore-minimizing formula that PEOPLE testedhas completely changed my opinion this year. It’s effectively reduced the blemishes that pop up after testing multitudes of products and soothed my rosacea-induced redness with its green tea-infused elixir.Vegamour Gro Revitalizing ShampooAmazon$48 at AmazonI chopped my hair to a jawline-skimming bob earlier this year, and this shampoo ensured that the short length didn’t last very long. Thehair growth shampoo that PEOPLE testers raved aboutinvigorates your hair from the roots, eliminating scalp buildup and encouraging more abundant growth, no matter your hair type — plus, it makes your hair extra-shiny. Though I typically have fast-growing hair, this shampoo put my locks on super speed.Tarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening PowderSephora$36 at SephoraI’ve tested severalsetting powdersover the years, but the one that has stayed in my routine since the summer is this new offering from Tarte. My first wear was atChappell Roan’s crowded Lollapalooza setunder the August sun, and though the rest of my face was soaked in sweat, my under-eye concealer remained. This long-wearing powder comes in a smattering of shades that compliment fair to deep skin (lavender being my go-to for my fair, olive-toned complexion), and after some of the most extreme testing, I can confidently say that it lives up to its namesake claims.Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Matte BlushTarget$35 at TargetSofia Richie-Grainge’s anything-but “quiet” luxury weddingwas the talk of 2023, but it wasn’t until this year that I got to trythe blush that the new mom usedto achieve her nuptial glow. This blush stick in the fiery-orange shade “Picante” gives both the star and I a light, coral flush that blends seamlessly into bronzer — offering a natural rosiness that made me forget about the bubblegum pink blushes I used before.Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow StickSephora$32 at SephoraSometimes, all I have is five minutes to get ready in the morning, and this eyeshadow stick has become my 30-second secret to elevated eyes. A few swipes of this cream eyeshadow in any of its seven shades and a quick blend with my finger or brush delivers a subtly-smoky eye that can be easily layered up or sheered out — no skill or bulky palettes required.Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Tanning DropsCharlotte Tilbury$50 at Charlottetilbury.comLiving in New York City, it’s hard to find a beach to tan at (or a way to get enough vitamin D in the cold East Coast weather), so theseself-tanning dropsfrom Charlotte Tilbury have been integral to my bedless-tanning regimen this year. Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a gradual tanning complex, your glow can be customized depending on the amount of drops you add to your favorite moisturizer. (I find three to six drops to be the best recipe for a natural bronze.)

Photo:People

People

Asa shopping writerwith an affinity for beauty, I’ve accumulated, well, a lot of products this year.I’m baring my soul on the internet to admit that I’m a full-on beauty hoarder. I have several drawers, a rolling cart, and half a medicine cabinet overflowing with new makeup, skincare, haircare, and nail products I bought in 2024. Now that the year has come to a close, I get to dish on which ones earned solid spaces in my beauty routine.From the bronzy tinted moisturizer that bothHelen Mirren and Martha Stewart useto aPEOPLE Tested-approved shampoothat significantly sped up my hair growth, these werethe best beauty products of 2024that deserve a spot in your 2025 regimen.Best Beauty Products of 2024, According to a Product TesterL’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, $14 (orig. $17);amazon.comDrmtlgy Soothe and Recovery Moisturizer, $39;amazon.comChillhouse Chill Tips Signatures Press-On Nails Kit, $14 with coupon (orig. $16);amazon.comMerit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, $38;sephora.comPaula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $35;amazon.comVegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo, $48;amazon.comTarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening Powder, $36;sephora.comNudestix Nudies All Over Face Matte Blush, $35;target.comNars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick, $32;sephora.comCharlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Tanning Drops, $50;charlottetilbury.comL’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi GlotionAmazon$17$14 at AmazonWith an ever-growing list of celebrity users (Kendall JennerandEva LongoriajoinedMartha Stewartin the fan club this year), I knew I had to give this drugstoretinted moisturizera shot. Not only was it gentle on my sensitive skin, but its shea butter-infused formula gave me a realistic bronze, lit-from-within glow and didn’t cause breakouts. It’s officially my year-round makeup base, though it’s a total skin-perfector on its own.Drmtlgy Soothe and Recovery MoisturizerAmazon$39 at AmazonMy mom stocks her bathroom with Drmtlgy products, so when I visited home with angry, dry skin after testing a new brand, I relied on her go-to moisturizer to restore my skin barrier. This acne- and rosacea-safe, anti-aging formula is safe for all skin types and melts quickly into the skin, leaving your face plump and ready for sunscreen, makeup, or bed.Chillhouse Chill Tips Signatures Press-On Nails Kit, $14 with couponAmazon$16$14 at AmazonAs a DIY beauty fanatic, I am constantly applying press-on nails — and these Chill Tips from Chillhouse are so great that theyearned a spot on Oprah’s 2024 Favorite Things list. I was able to get a week and a half of wear time out of these nails, which surpasses most press-ons’ typical one-week lifespan (and I’m hard on my nails). Plus, there are so many designs and nail shapes to choose from.Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion StickSephora$38 at SephoraAnother celebrity favorite that I fell for this year is Merit Beauty’s Complexion Stick: a foundation-and-concealer hybrid thatLily CollinsandMartha Stewarthave used to achieve red carpet-worthy skin. I keep one of these sticks on my makeup display for spot-correcting and another in my purse for touch-ups because of its pigmented, ultra-creamy formula that blends like a dream with a brush or your fingertips.Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ExfoliantAmazon$35 at AmazonBecause I have sensitive skin, liquid exfoliants are usually more of a source of fear than an essential skincare step. However, thisgentle, pore-minimizing formula that PEOPLE testedhas completely changed my opinion this year. It’s effectively reduced the blemishes that pop up after testing multitudes of products and soothed my rosacea-induced redness with its green tea-infused elixir.Vegamour Gro Revitalizing ShampooAmazon$48 at AmazonI chopped my hair to a jawline-skimming bob earlier this year, and this shampoo ensured that the short length didn’t last very long. Thehair growth shampoo that PEOPLE testers raved aboutinvigorates your hair from the roots, eliminating scalp buildup and encouraging more abundant growth, no matter your hair type — plus, it makes your hair extra-shiny. Though I typically have fast-growing hair, this shampoo put my locks on super speed.Tarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening PowderSephora$36 at SephoraI’ve tested severalsetting powdersover the years, but the one that has stayed in my routine since the summer is this new offering from Tarte. My first wear was atChappell Roan’s crowded Lollapalooza setunder the August sun, and though the rest of my face was soaked in sweat, my under-eye concealer remained. This long-wearing powder comes in a smattering of shades that compliment fair to deep skin (lavender being my go-to for my fair, olive-toned complexion), and after some of the most extreme testing, I can confidently say that it lives up to its namesake claims.Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Matte BlushTarget$35 at TargetSofia Richie-Grainge’s anything-but “quiet” luxury weddingwas the talk of 2023, but it wasn’t until this year that I got to trythe blush that the new mom usedto achieve her nuptial glow. This blush stick in the fiery-orange shade “Picante” gives both the star and I a light, coral flush that blends seamlessly into bronzer — offering a natural rosiness that made me forget about the bubblegum pink blushes I used before.Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow StickSephora$32 at SephoraSometimes, all I have is five minutes to get ready in the morning, and this eyeshadow stick has become my 30-second secret to elevated eyes. A few swipes of this cream eyeshadow in any of its seven shades and a quick blend with my finger or brush delivers a subtly-smoky eye that can be easily layered up or sheered out — no skill or bulky palettes required.Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Tanning DropsCharlotte Tilbury$50 at Charlottetilbury.comLiving in New York City, it’s hard to find a beach to tan at (or a way to get enough vitamin D in the cold East Coast weather), so theseself-tanning dropsfrom Charlotte Tilbury have been integral to my bedless-tanning regimen this year. Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a gradual tanning complex, your glow can be customized depending on the amount of drops you add to your favorite moisturizer. (I find three to six drops to be the best recipe for a natural bronze.)

Asa shopping writerwith an affinity for beauty, I’ve accumulated, well, a lot of products this year.

I’m baring my soul on the internet to admit that I’m a full-on beauty hoarder. I have several drawers, a rolling cart, and half a medicine cabinet overflowing with new makeup, skincare, haircare, and nail products I bought in 2024. Now that the year has come to a close, I get to dish on which ones earned solid spaces in my beauty routine.

From the bronzy tinted moisturizer that bothHelen Mirren and Martha Stewart useto aPEOPLE Tested-approved shampoothat significantly sped up my hair growth, these werethe best beauty products of 2024that deserve a spot in your 2025 regimen.

Best Beauty Products of 2024, According to a Product Tester

L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion

Amazon

$17$14 at Amazon

With an ever-growing list of celebrity users (Kendall JennerandEva LongoriajoinedMartha Stewartin the fan club this year), I knew I had to give this drugstoretinted moisturizera shot. Not only was it gentle on my sensitive skin, but its shea butter-infused formula gave me a realistic bronze, lit-from-within glow and didn’t cause breakouts. It’s officially my year-round makeup base, though it’s a total skin-perfector on its own.

Drmtlgy Soothe and Recovery Moisturizer

$39 at Amazon

My mom stocks her bathroom with Drmtlgy products, so when I visited home with angry, dry skin after testing a new brand, I relied on her go-to moisturizer to restore my skin barrier. This acne- and rosacea-safe, anti-aging formula is safe for all skin types and melts quickly into the skin, leaving your face plump and ready for sunscreen, makeup, or bed.

Chillhouse Chill Tips Signatures Press-On Nails Kit, $14 with coupon

$16$14 at Amazon

As a DIY beauty fanatic, I am constantly applying press-on nails — and these Chill Tips from Chillhouse are so great that theyearned a spot on Oprah’s 2024 Favorite Things list. I was able to get a week and a half of wear time out of these nails, which surpasses most press-ons’ typical one-week lifespan (and I’m hard on my nails). Plus, there are so many designs and nail shapes to choose from.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Sephora

$38 at Sephora

Another celebrity favorite that I fell for this year is Merit Beauty’s Complexion Stick: a foundation-and-concealer hybrid thatLily CollinsandMartha Stewarthave used to achieve red carpet-worthy skin. I keep one of these sticks on my makeup display for spot-correcting and another in my purse for touch-ups because of its pigmented, ultra-creamy formula that blends like a dream with a brush or your fingertips.

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

$35 at Amazon

Because I have sensitive skin, liquid exfoliants are usually more of a source of fear than an essential skincare step. However, thisgentle, pore-minimizing formula that PEOPLE testedhas completely changed my opinion this year. It’s effectively reduced the blemishes that pop up after testing multitudes of products and soothed my rosacea-induced redness with its green tea-infused elixir.

Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo

$48 at Amazon

I chopped my hair to a jawline-skimming bob earlier this year, and this shampoo ensured that the short length didn’t last very long. Thehair growth shampoo that PEOPLE testers raved aboutinvigorates your hair from the roots, eliminating scalp buildup and encouraging more abundant growth, no matter your hair type — plus, it makes your hair extra-shiny. Though I typically have fast-growing hair, this shampoo put my locks on super speed.

Tarte Creaseless Setting and Brightening Powder

$36 at Sephora

I’ve tested severalsetting powdersover the years, but the one that has stayed in my routine since the summer is this new offering from Tarte. My first wear was atChappell Roan’s crowded Lollapalooza setunder the August sun, and though the rest of my face was soaked in sweat, my under-eye concealer remained. This long-wearing powder comes in a smattering of shades that compliment fair to deep skin (lavender being my go-to for my fair, olive-toned complexion), and after some of the most extreme testing, I can confidently say that it lives up to its namesake claims.

Nudestix Nudies All Over Face Matte Blush

Target

$35 at Target

Sofia Richie-Grainge’s anything-but “quiet” luxury weddingwas the talk of 2023, but it wasn’t until this year that I got to trythe blush that the new mom usedto achieve her nuptial glow. This blush stick in the fiery-orange shade “Picante” gives both the star and I a light, coral flush that blends seamlessly into bronzer — offering a natural rosiness that made me forget about the bubblegum pink blushes I used before.

Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick

$32 at Sephora

Sometimes, all I have is five minutes to get ready in the morning, and this eyeshadow stick has become my 30-second secret to elevated eyes. A few swipes of this cream eyeshadow in any of its seven shades and a quick blend with my finger or brush delivers a subtly-smoky eye that can be easily layered up or sheered out — no skill or bulky palettes required.

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Tanning Drops

Charlotte Tilbury

$50 at Charlottetilbury.com

Living in New York City, it’s hard to find a beach to tan at (or a way to get enough vitamin D in the cold East Coast weather), so theseself-tanning dropsfrom Charlotte Tilbury have been integral to my bedless-tanning regimen this year. Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a gradual tanning complex, your glow can be customized depending on the amount of drops you add to your favorite moisturizer. (I find three to six drops to be the best recipe for a natural bronze.)

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See More from PEOPLE Shopping

The 50 Best Amazon Deals Happening This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend — Starting at $7Katie Holmes Can’t Stop Wearing Wide-Leg Jeans — Copy Her Latest Look from $30Amazon’s Fashion Outlet Is Packed with Pretty Celeb-Inspired Dresses Ideal for a Spring Wedding

The 50 Best Amazon Deals Happening This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend — Starting at $7

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Amazon’s Fashion Outlet Is Packed with Pretty Celeb-Inspired Dresses Ideal for a Spring Wedding

source: people.com