After months of swatching, spritzing, slathering and styling hundreds of products, the Cosmopolitan beauty team has whittled down 2025’s best launches, down to the winners worthy of your hard-earned cash. From game-changing skincare heroes to the makeup must-haves redefining our routines, these are the buys that truly earned their place on our top shelf.
Modelled by the powerhouse DJs of Girls Don’t Sync, this year’s lineup celebrates innovation, inclusivity and pure joy in beauty – because looking (and feeling) your best should be fun, not fussy.
So, whether you’re after glowing skin, glossy hair, or the tech tools that take your routine to the next level, behold the 99 products to invest in for your best beauty year yet.
Everyone’s clicking on…SkinWhether you opt for a 7-step routine or you’re a ‘cleanse and go’ girlie, these products are perfect for winter-ravaged skin.
Light Moisturiser
Purifide Clearing Gel Moisturiser
This no-frills, no-fuss lightweight moisturiser gently kicks blemishes to the curb with rebalancing ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol. Dermatologically tested products FTW.
Rich Moisturiser
INNBEAUTY PROJECT Extreme Cream Refillable Moisturizer
Incredibly rich without being heavy, we love this cream that tackles it all; from dryness to fine lines and wrinkles.
Night Cream
Liz Earle Revitalise & Glow™ Radiance Reveal Night Cream
Beauty sleep, bottled. This rich, radiance-boosting night cream works while you snooze to reveal smoother, glowier skin by morning.
Eye Cream
Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Firming Eye Serum
Think of this as a gym membership for your eyes – firmer, smoother, brighter skin without breaking a sweat. Bonus: the metal tip cools on application.
Gel Cleanser
The Inkey List Glycerin Gentle Purifying Cleanser
Sensitive skin? This cleanser gets you. It purifies with zero fuss, leaving your face clean, calm, and totally unbothered. Glycerin, we love you…
Foam Cleanser
Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse
A thorough clean with a foaming wash can sometimes cause dryness, but this bi-phase formula is uber-gentle and suits all skin types.
Cleansing Balm
Glow For It Cleansing Balm
This balm doesn’t just remove makeup, it melts the day away, leaving skin supple, soft and above all, clean – sans-greasy residue. Mascara, you’ve met your match.
Cream Cleanser
Curél Hydrating Makeup Cleanser
Finally! A cleanser that respects your moisture barrier! Curél’s milky formula gently removes makeup without stripping your skin or your sanity.
Hydrating Serum
Glow Recipe Prickly Pear Peptide Mucin
If you love the idea of hydration from snail mucin but hate the idea of the actual mucin, Glow Recipe has mimicked the bouncy-soft finish.
Exfoliator
Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Facial Pads
Swipe your way to smoother skin with these pads. Chemical exfoliants and fruit enzymes gently remove dead skin cells without stripping moisture, making them perfect for daily use.
Overnight Mask
Beauty Pie Le Masque Micro-Caviar Overnight Moisture Mask
Caviar for under £50? Well, it’s actually 100,000 Omega-9 bubbles full of hydrating goodness perfect for dry skin – but still a bargain!
Youth-enhancing Serum
NIVEA Cellular Epigenetics Age Rewind Serum
15 years of research went into creating this innovative serum that targets 10 signs of ageing in just two weeks.
Youth-enhancing Cream
Medik8 Advanced Pro Collagen Peptide Cream
Cushiony, non-greasy and hella effective on fine lines – what more could you want from the last product that you put on before hitting the sack?
Retinol
U Beauty The SMOOTH Dynamic Wrinkle Defense Serum
A powerful combination of retinol and peptides make for an ultra-hydrating serum that firms, plumps and nourishes without causing retinol uglies.
Blemish Treatment
Murad Biome-Balancing Clear & Prevent Blemish Treatment Serum
This formula isn’t just for breakouts, it’s an all-over glow-up serum. Apply daily and watch skin get clearer, calmer, and more balanced.
Spot Stickers
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Pimple Patches
Now 20% Off
Tiny patches, big impact. These stickers flatten blemishes fast. Not to mention they’re sweat-proof and super thin, meaning you can wear them all day every day.
Face Mist
Nip+Fab Peptide Fix 2-in-1 Tone & Top-Up Mist 4% SPF50
UV protection and glow-enhancing skincare benefits in one. Meet the on-the-go spritz you’ll be using at your every convenience.
Essence
Not a toner and not a serum, but a thirst-quencher to stack in between your other steps to make the rest of your routine work smarter for better results.
Lip Exfoliator
The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum
Your lips deserve skincare too, and this targeted serum uses gentle exfoliating ingredients to smooth, soften, and prep your pout. Flaky lips, where?
Lip Mask
Drunk Elephant Plump-C Tripeptide Lippe Mask Press
Keep this by your bed for ample overnight hydration with tri-peptides to keep your lips pillow-y soft through winter.
Everyday SPF
E45 Sun Face Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF 50+
With a fast-absorbing formula and gentle ingredients, this white cast-free SPF gives you no excuses not to wear your sunscreen everyday!
Mineral SPF
The Organic Pharmacy Daily Mineral SPF 30 UV Protection
A makeup-friendly SPF, hallelujah! With skin-loving ingredients (hi, hyaluronic acid), this formula sits happily under other products, without feeling thick or greasy.
SPF Stick
Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Ultra-Sheer Priming Sun Stick SPF 30
Stay topped up (yes, even in the winter sun) with this completely invisible and weightless SPF from the OG Korean beauty brand.
Undereye Patches
Peter Thomas Roth Gold Hydra Gel Eye Mask
The silky texture of these patches provides a soothing effect as they hydrate, smooth and soften skin. The gold standard your under-eyes deserve.
Makeup Eye-opening formulas and next-level innovation, these are the makeup buys that wowed us this year.
Primer
Kate Somerville HydraKate Power Plumping Primer
Elevate dry, dull makeup with this powerhouse primer packed with hyaluronic acid. Pillowy and plumped is always the goal!
Matte Foundation
Benefit The POREfessional Smoothing & Blurring Foundation
Blurred, matte, and flawless; this foundation smooths pores and texture, and stays put all day (and night). No late-night dance floor touch-ups required.
Skin Tint
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops
Posh Spice, we’re coming for your glow with these drops that provide flexible coverage with a natural look and breathable feel. Your skin, but better.
Dewy Foundation
YSL All Hours Glow Foundation
YSL has nailed a glowy full coverage formula that doesn’t disappear within a few hours. Plus, it has skincare benefits to boot – namely hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Concealer
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24 Hour Concealer
Dark circles and redness? What dark circles and redness? This creamy concealer hides it all and somehow still looks like real skin. Winning!
Powder Blusher
Urban Decay Face Bond Blush Suede
These ‘lil pocket rockets might be small but they pack a punch. With seven richly-pigmented shades, you’re spoiled for choice for a believable flush.
Cream Blusher
Proof that reformulations aren’t always the worst, these reimagined sticks smooth onto the skin and can be blended with the pat of a finger, no tools required.
Liquid Bronzer
Catrice Melted Sun Liquid Bronzer
Whether you’re after a subtle warmth or a bold contour, this buildable coverage lets you tailor your look in two steps. Swipe and blend!
Powder Bronzer
Like golden hour in a compact, this bronzer gives a soft focus warmth that’s effortless, elegant and universally flattering.
Highlighter
No 7 Pro Artist Radiant Glow Powder Highlighter
Having your cheek bones glowing to the gods has never been easier thanks to this versatile powder that’s anything but chalky.
Brow Gel
Morphe Micro Manager Gripping Brow Gel
Bye-bye, badly behaved brows! This gel whips them into shape with a micro-precise brush and a hold that doesn’t flake under pressure.
Brow Pen
Brow Aid BROW BOOST Multi Stroke Marker
Think of this as microblading and lamination with no appointment faff. With this handy pen you’re just a couple of swipes away from perfect brows.
Eyeshadow
Byredo Bibliophilia Eyeshadow Palette
Party season loves to see you coming with these 18 richly pigmented shades. In one single stroke, you can achieve bold yet still wearable looks. No stress, just fun!
Mascara
Volume? Yep! Curl? No doubt! Clumps? Absolutely not. This mascara is a winner! And the removal is super easy, too – no scrubbing, the tubing formula comes off with ease.
Eyeliner
Hildun Beauty Silk to Set Kajal Liner Spiced Pecan by Hannah Martin
Of course a makeup artist co-created this perfect easy-glide, non-budge liner. Take our word, this’ll create the perfect chocolate-y eye look for the festive season.
Lipstick
Kiko 3D Hydra Lip Stylo
Now 25% Off
High pigment and shine, this satin lippy has you covered when it comes to dry winter lips. No crack detected, just a show-stopping pout.
Lip Plumper
L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition
Now 30% Off
Warning: May cause kiss envy! Plump Ambition is turning up the heat with instant volume and shine – no needles, no drama, just juicy lips that do all the talking.
Lip Balm
NYX Smushy Matte Lip Balm
Now 25% Off
The category is: Smushy soft lips! And this formula delivers a plush, blurred effect with a soft-focus matte finish.
Lip Oil
By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Oil Serum
Baume de Rose has been transformed into a sumptuous oil that gives up to 24 hours of hydration, smells beautiful and feels super soft.
Lip Tint
Too Faced Kissing Jelly Juicy Tint
In just one swipe, this hybrid hero delivers kiss-proof colour and lasting moisture, meaning no one is safe when mistletoe is around.
Lip Liner
MAC Lipglazer Glossy Liner
Meet your new favourite lip liner! Tug-free and glossy, MAC has nailed this satin finish, without compromising a fuller-looking pout.
Setting Spray
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte
A matte version of the brand’s iconic setting spray, this new iteration locks your makeup down like it’s got secrets to keep. Oily girls, stand.
Setting Powder
Saie Slip Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder
A pressed powder with no chalkiness is almost unheard of but Saie have slayed with a launch which gives a weightless soft-matte finish to your makeup.
BodyBody goals? To be fresh, hydrated, glowy and cosy all winter. Enter: our winners…
Body Lotion
Soap & Glory Vanilla-licious Body Lotion
Now 25% Off
This scent range is a twist on everyone’s nostalgic faves. Mouth-watering vanilla, smooth chocolate and a whisper of caramel make it smell good enough to eat.
Body Cream
A thick, buttery cream that’s like yoghurt for your skin – rich, smooth and deeply hydrating. Not to mention the irresistibly indulgent scent.
Body Scrub
Sanctuary Spa Aqua Serenity Body Scrub
Transport yourself to an oceanic oasis with a scrub that works to slough off dead cells and clean your skin without causing dryness.
Body Oil
The Body Shop Spa of the World Polynesian Body Oil
If you’re looking for a nourishing non-sticky oil, this rich formula sinks in within moments when massaged onto warm skin.
Spray Deodorant
Gem Skin-Loving Antiperspirant Deodorant
Who knew that your scent layering could start from your deo? We love a fragrance that’s good enough for your perfume stash but protects against sweat too!
Stick Deodorant
One swipe and you’re transported to a tropical paradise! But delicious scent aside, this formula keeps odour away without harsh ingredients.
Body Wash
Weleda Skin Food Shower Cream
Turn your shower into a spa with this creamy (yet still lathering), herbal-scented cleanser that leaves your skin soft, nourished, and squeaky-clean (in a good way).
Bath Soak
Imperial Leather Ultimate Moisture Bath Soak Cherry Blossom & Almond Oil
Attention! Your favourite new bath soak costs less than your daily flat white! Plus, the scent is so luxe and incredibly relaxing.
Hand Cream and Hand Wash Duo
Piglet in Bed Eternal Sun Wallow Bath & Body Gift Set
A gift indeed because your sink deserves a boujee upgrade and your hands need nourishing during hand-washing season.
Day Scent
Miu Miu Miutine 50ml
Now 20% Off
Light, fruity and floral, this scent is like ‘It girl’ magic in a bottle. Wear alone or carry in your tote for an on-the-go top up.
Evening Scent
Phlur Rose Whip 50ml, £99
Not your grandma’s rose. This perfume is soft, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet – like a flirt disguised as a floral.
Accessible Packaging
Rare Beauty Rare Perfume 50ml
Queen Selena thought of everything for this perfume. Yes, the gourmand juice is beautiful but the bottle for those with accessibility issues, is even better.
Floral Perfume
Musky and clean. Pretty and feminine. This is the scent you could wear in an office, at a family event or to an appointment. Basically, anywhere!
Citrus Perfume
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Capri in Love 50ml
A summer fling in a bottle; the zesty, sparkling notes make this perfume feel like a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Fruity Perfume
Marc Jacobs Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild Eau So Intense Women’s 50ml
You didn’t know you needed a scent with banana in it until now. It’s surprisingly warm and grown-up, promise.
Woody Perfume
Primark PS… Pro Blackcurrant and Violet Leaf 30ml
As this affordable scent dries, the violet leaf and smoky tea intermingle to create an air of warm, woody sophistication.
Sweet Perfume
Juliette Has A Gun Powder Love Eau De Parfum 50ml
The cotton candy and marshmallow in this make for a moreish spritz but with musk at the base it’s far from a sugary fad.
Oud Perfume
Kayali Oudgasm Milky Musk Oud 50ml
Soft, creamy and delicate – not normally oud descriptors but consider this your entry point to the warm and spicy note.
Body Mist
Sundae Hair & Body Mist Soft Serve 90ml
Now 33% Off
Delicious scent, minus the luxury price. This mist is a dreamy, dessert-inspired spritz that leaves you smelling great from head to toe.
Body Illuminator
Ciroa Beauty VANILLA -ICIOUS SHIMMER BODY OIL
Limbs looking lacklustre? This light vanilla-scented oil is packed with flecks of shimmer to inject some much-needed glow back into the skin this season.
Tan
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam One Hour Express Ultra Dar
Now 33% Off
This express formula gives you a golden, glowy, beachy tan in just one hour. No streaks, no regrets.
Body Acne Treatment
Byoma Blemish Clearing Body Wash
Clear skin, from head to toe, this wash fights blemishes with gentle exfoliating ingredients. Because your body breakouts deserve TLC, too.
Nail kit
Nails inc gelLED Manicure Starter Kit
Now 25% Off
If gel appointment admin is feeling too much amongst festive parties, this kit has everything you need for perfect talons to pose with your cosmo!
HairShiny, swishy and smooth hair is on the menu this season thanks to this innovative line up
Dry Shampoo
Color Wow Insta-Wow Advanced Dry Shampoo
Greasy third day hair has nothing on this talc-free formula that cleans your hair almost as well as a real wash day – no joke.
Clarifying Shampoo
Fenty Hair The Clear Thinker Clarifying Shampoo
Thank Riri for this gorgeously thick lather that removes all build-up without stripping even the driest tresses.
Bond Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
Fudge Professional Bond Builder Shampoo and Conditioner
Strengthened and shiny hair is guaranteed with this power duo, so style up for party season knowing you’re fully protected.
Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Act+Acre Daily Hydro™ Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
You can’t go wrong with trichologist-founded haircare and these heroes hydrate and clean your scalp at the same time.
Shine Shampoo & Conditioner
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Honey + ceramides = serious shine. This combo moisturises, strengthens, and leaves your hair so reflective that it could double as a mirror.
Colour Correcting Shampoo & Conditioner
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner
Say goodbye to faded colour because these products not only shield dyed hair but lock in vibrancy and shine. Salon-worthy results!
Textured Hair Shampoo and Conditioner
Cantu Weightless Smoothing Shampoo 400ml
Proof that textured hair doesn’t always need thick, heavy butters – this light duo cleanses and conditioners all curls types effectively.
Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Garnier Method For Curls Pre-Shampoo
Now 50% Off
Prep your curls for their best washday ever with a treatment that is pumped with hyaluronic acid for max moisture retention.
Hair Oil
L’Oreal Profesionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Bi-Phase Oil
Science lesson incoming! This haircare formula works at a molecular level to repair and rebuild damaged strands deep inside the cortex. Basically, it’s unrivalled.
Leave-In Conditioner
Living Proof Leave-In Conditioning Spray
One spray, endless benefits. This multitasker detangles, hydrates, protects from heat, and makes your hair feel like it’s been professionally pampered.
Spray Wax
Your slick back bun has never been easier. Spritz this wax into strands for strong hold and shine before styling and hello, your name is Bella Hadid.
Styling Spray
Hershesons Air Dry Spray UV
No stickiness or crunch, just an uber-fine mist that adds texture and movement to your hair and protects your colour if you’re heading for some winter sun.
Curl Definer
The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel
Now 33% Off
Shiny, bouncy curls are closer than you think. A little goes a long way with this gel for a hydrated, happy and importantly, frizz-free look.
Heat Protector
This heat-activated spray protects against damage up to 232°C, shielding strands right at the very core, while conditioning ingredients soften and detangle hair. Technology = unmatched.
Hair Mask
Olaplex Rich Hydration Hair Mask
Now 25% Off
Lock in hydration and strength with this ultra-nourishing mask. Use in place of conditioner and in one wash, you’re met with serious repair.
Hair Fragrance
Hair by Sam McKnight Fragrance with Benefits
This literally smells like a girl that has her life together and if that’s not enough to convince you, it shields against UVA/UVB rays.
Overnight Repair Product
Oribe Gold Lust Restorative Night Crème
Coat your hair overnight in a dollop of this cream and wake to strengthened and softened strands. All in a night’s work.
Repairing Serum
ghd Rehab Damaged Hair Repairer
Now 20% Off
Requiring no rinse or development time, simply apply the product to wet strands and dry with heat to activate. Healthy hair soon come!
Scalp Serum
rhute Density and Repair Scalp Serum
A neglected scalp doesn’t make for growing hair. rhute to the rescue with a derm-developed potent formula that actually helps hair density and reduces shedding.
Tools & Tech Amp your routines all the way up with these high tech tools, tried and tested by the pickiest beauty editors
Tech Face Mask
This futuristic mask combines 243 LED bulbs with 16 electrical muscle stimulation electrodes to gently lift, tone, and tighten – because skincare should work smarter, not harder.
At-home Facial
Partial to a pore-sucking, gunk-clearing clinic facial? Well, now you can replicate the clean, clear glow it gives at home with this clever and oh-so satisfying tool.
Microcurrent Tool
Both nanocurrent and microcurrent work in tandem to zap spots and blemishes super speedily. We are legit talking 2-4 days, people!
Hairdryer
Panasonic nanoe™ and Mineral Ions Hair Dryer EH-NA9N
Now 43% Off
Get yourself a hairdryer that does it all; deeply infuses moisture to reduce split ends, enhances shine, and protects against damage.
Air Styler
Remington Airvive 2-In-1 Air Styler
Shred your getting ready time in half! The ceramic plates keep hair looking shiny and the Airvive tech preserves your hair’s natural moisture all day.
Multi-styler
Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x™ multi-styler and dryer
Oh you thought we’d reached peak Airwrap? Wrong! This amped up version has better pressure and airflow for smoother and faster drying.
Curler
Big bouncy waves are easy and long lasting with this mammoth wand and its fancy curl responsible technology.
Styler
Revlon Easy Heat Precision Ceramic Curler 25mm
Good tech doesn’t have to cost the earth. This styler reaches temps of 220c degrees but the ceramic plates glide over hair for minimal damage.
Hair Brush
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle
The innovative and wide-spaced teeth pattern of this brush is designed to minimise hair breakage and fall out.
Makeup Brush
Summer Fridays Blush Brush
Save space in your makeup bag with this two-for-one double-ended brush. We’re streamlining our routines one buff at a time.
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