Makeup

BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION

This dewy formula "has a beautiful finish with a bit of shimmer," says N.Y.C. makeup artist Wei Lang, who has worked with Rosario Dawson.Click to Buy the Look

$55; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

BEST PRIMER

The cosmetics equivalent of an airbrush machine, this silicone-based primer smooths out any bumps and fine lines on your skin.Click to Buy the Look

$36; smashbox.com

BEST TINTED MOISTURIZER

For luminous, lit-from-within skin, this creamy classic can’t be beat, says L.A. makeup artist Kayleen McAdams, who uses it on Elisha Cuthbert.Click to Buy the Look

$42; lauramercier.com

EDITORS' PICK

This foundation comes with a built-in brush that’s stiff enough to give you control, but soft enough to gently swoosh around the contours of the face.Click to Buy the Look

$52; yslbeautyus.com

BEST INEXPENSIVE FOUNDATION

Experts love this brand for its variety of shades (24!) in glass bottles that clearly show the color. And at this price, you can get one shade for summer and another for those winter months.Click to Buy the Look

$11; drugstore.com

BEST OIL-FREE FOUNDATION

Dewiness without shine-That’s what this delivers. “You don't need much powder on top of it,” says N.Y.C. makeup artist Kyra Panchenko, who uses it on Kim Cattrall. Apply it after moisturizer for excellent coverage.Click to Buy the Look

$42; lauramercier.com

BEST MINERAL FOUNDATION

Mineral makeups tend to be less irritating than conventional ones. "Brush it on lightly, or apply more for full coverage," says makeup artist Hillary Clark, whose clients include Teri Hatcher.Click to Buy the Look

$25; bareescentuals.com

BEST INEXPENSIVE POWDER

"Before my clients walk the red carpet, I dust this powder under their eyes to keep their eyeliner from drifting there," says Shiyena, Carmen Electra’s makeup artist.Click to Buy the Look

$4; drugstore.com

BEST INEXPENSIVE CONCEALER

Swipe this lipstick-shaped tip under the eyes, or use a brush to dot on blemishes. "It’s not too creamy and not too dry," says L.A. makeup artist Michele Burke, whose clients include Susan Sarandon and Renee Zellweger.Click to Buy the Look

$5; drugstore.com

BEST BLEMISH CONCEALER

Two color options ensure a perfect match every time. The yellow-based tone neutralizes redness, while the beige helps you blend the spot in.Click to Buy the Look

$28; lauramercier.com

BEST POWDER

With no pigment at all, this silky powder delivers a delicate, matte finish that sets makeup without changing the color of your blush or foundation.Click to Buy the Look

$34; lauramercier.com

EDITORS' PICK

Under-eye concealer usually involves a trade-off: good coverage, chalky finish-or mediocre coverage, nice finish. This one solves the cover-up conundrum and contains SPF 15.Click to Buy the Look

$22; prescriptives.com

BEST UNDEREYE CONCEALER

“If I were stranded on a desert island, this is the only makeup I would take with me,” says L.A. makeup artist Lizbeth Williamson, who uses it on Mary-Louise Parker. “It moisturizes and gives flawless coverage.”Click to Buy the Look

$68; paullabrecque.com

BEST CREAM BLUSH

It's super-versatile: "This is one of those all-you-need kind of products," says L.A. makeup artist Troy Jensen.Click to Buy the Look

$22; stilacosmetics.com

BEST BRONZER

This consistent favorite keeps your face looking subtly sun-kissed rather than overly baked.Click to Buy the Look

$48; sephora.com

BEST INEXPENSIVE POWDER BLUSH

"These 12 long-lasting shades are velvety, so you look like you are naturally blushing," says L.A. makeup artist Terri Apanasewicz, whose clients include Cindy Crawford.Click to Buy the Look

$11; drugstore.com

EDITORS' PICK

You can use this sheer liquid for a wash of shimmery color on cheeks or to highlight your brow bones, but we really love it on the décolleté.Click to Buy the Look

$23; clinique.com

BEST POWDER BLUSH

"I like it on everyone I work with, including Uma Thurman and Felicity Huffman," says N.Y.C. makeup artist Gita Bass of this blush.Click to Buy the Look

$25; narscosmetics.com

BEST LUMINIZER

Experts use this shimmering liquid in several ways: Some mix a squirt with foundation for a barely there sheen, while others dab it directly onto cheekbones as a highlighter.Click to Buy the Look

$22; stilacosmetics.com

BEST LONG-WEARING LIP COLOR

A favorite of makeup artists, this color-and-gloss combo is “very kissable!” adds L.A. makeup artist Lizbeth Williamson.Click to Buy the Look

$20; maccosmetics.com

EDITORS' PICK

Outfitted with a built-in mirror and internal light, this sheer, non-tacky gloss is the ultimate nightclub accessory.Click to Buy the Look

$19; golightonmylips.com

BEST INEXPENSIVE LIP GLOSS

Experts love the range of colors, which "work on a lot of different skin tones," says L.A. makeup artist Carola Gonzalez, who has glossed up Kerry Washington's beautiful lips.Click to Buy the Look

$8; drugstore.com

BEST INEXPENSIVE LIPSTICK

In addition to a whopping 72 shades, this line also offers serious quality at a great price.Click to Buy the Look

$8; drugstore.com

BEST LIP BALM

This non-sticky balm has pomegranate extract (a powerful antioxidant that combats sun damage on the lips), plus salicylic acid to help exfoliate.Click to Buy the Look

$16; murad.com

BEST LIPSTICK

Each of the 44 rich, creamy shades contains silicone for an easy glide-on and shea butter and canola oil to soften your pout.Click to Buy the Look

$30; chanel.com

The wand may be square, but the modern colors and innovative texture are anything but. “It’s not too sticky, and it has push and body,” VanLeeuwen says. Wear it solo for a glassy shine and a whisper of color, or layer it on top of your favorite stain. “It marries with other colors beautifully.”

BEST INEXPENSIVE EYE SHADOW

This line of deeply pigmented shadows features many tones. And "they show up on the skin exactly the same way they look in the container," says L.A. makeup artist Amy Chance.Click to Buy the Look

$7; drugstore.com

BEST CREAM EYE SHADOW

Unlike many other cream shadows, these don’t migrate to the crease of your lid after a few hours, plus the color stays true rather than fading or rubbing off.Click to Buy the Look

$21; narscosmetics.com

BEST POWDER EYE SHADOW

"The texture of these eye shadows is just heaven," says N.Y.C. makeup artist Susan Giordano, who has used them on "pretty much every celebrity I’ve ever done."Click to Buy the Look

$14; maccosmetics.com

BEST GEL EYELINER

This durable formula glides on like a liquid liner-it gives you the same bold definition, but won’t run when you tear up from a good laugh.Click to Buy the Look

$19; bobbibrowncosmetics.com

BEST EYE PENCIL

Perfectly pointed for drawing fine lines, these “are the longest-wearing eye pencils in the business,” says L.A. makeup artist Mark Payne, who works with Beyoncamp#233; and Heather Mills.Click to Buy the Look

$14; maccosmetics.com

BEST MASCARA

"In one stroke it accomplishes three goals: separating, lengthening and volumizing," says N.Y.C. makeup artist Yajaira Velazquez. “It makes lashes stand out."Click to Buy the Look

$28; chanel.com

BEST MASCARA

Find a lot of clumping with your waterproof mascara? This formula and brush are designed to ferret out smaller lashes and keep them lush.Click to Buy the Look

$7; walgreens.com

BEST MASCARA

“The brush creates thickness at the base and softly feathers off-but it never flakes,” says makeup artist Kellye Garner, who has used it on Jessica Biel.Click to Buy the Look

$24; sephora.com

BEST MASCARA

"This is the best brush-It separates and defines really well," says N.Y.C. makeup artist Margot Boccia, who has worked with Jennifer Lopez.Click to Buy the Look

$24; lancome-usa.com

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