The 2012 SHAPE Beauty Awards

By Amber Kallor
August 21, 2012
From makeup to perfume, SHAPE awarded the best beauty products!
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We’re Hooked!

Shop All Beauty

We cast a wide net to find the best picks of the year—asking our staff, readers, and pros to slather, slick, and spritz their way through hundreds of products. Here, the ones that came out on top. Read on to discover the best makeup, lotions, nail polish, face treatments, and more.

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Bobbi Brown Brow Kit

You’ll find everything you need to achieve arch perfection—tiny tweezers, a brush, and two shades of powder—all tucked into this little package. ($45; bobbibrowncosmetics.com)

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La Prairie Anti-Aging Hydra Tint SPF 20

This luxe, creamy fluid offers sheer coverage and a moisture boost the moment you smooth it

on; over time, algae and white licorice firm and brighten skin. ($100; neimanmarcus.com)

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Essie Nail Polish in Olé Caliente

This coral-y shade flatters every skin tone, notes our nail pro, while the brush fans out perfectly for the most even application. ($8; essie.com)

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Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow

Apply this crease-proof silicone gel shadow with your fingertips for an effortless wash of vibrant color. ($36; chanel.com)

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Revlon ColorStay Aqua Mineral Finishing Powder

Using encapsulated-water technology, this featherweight formula hydrates and cools skin on contact. Not to mention, it takes down shine and sets foundation ($14; drugstores)

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Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance

In addition to giving makeup major staying power, this formula has pearlized mica to blur fine lines and add luminosity. ($30; lauramercier.com) Get your glow on!

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L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Le Gloss

Whether you layer one of the 16 juicy hues over lip color or wear alone, our pro says this nontacky formula imparts “an alluring but not-too-sparkly” sheen. ($8; drugstores)

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Sephora Smoothing & Brightening Concealer

Hyaluronic acid in this creamy cover-up plumps fine lines and prevents it from caking, while light-reflecting pigments quickly camouflage dark circles. Its tapered brush makes hiding blemishes a cinch. ($14; sephora.com)

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Lancôme Rouge in Love Lipcolor

Just one coat provides a shiny kick of intense, long-lasting color. (Available in 21 chic shades.) ($25; lancome-usa.com)

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Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Correcting Bronzer

Swirl the perfectly balanced mix of pink, yellow, and tawny shades together to look believably

sun-kissed in seconds. ($14; drugstores)

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Estée Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup

It’s the lightest base we’ve ever tried, yet it still managed to even out our skin tone. And with a wide range of 16 shades (from light to dark), everyone’s bound to find their perfect match. ($35; esteelauder.com)

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Dior Hydra Life BB Crème

This tinted beauty balm conceals imperfections while it softens, controls oil, and protects with SPF 30. ($56; sephora.com)

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Yves Saint Laurent Effet Faux Cils Shocking Felt-Tip Eyeliner Pen

The extra-fine tip of this easy-to-wield, marker-like liner marries the precision of a pencil with the intensity of a liquid ($29; yslbeautyus.com)

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Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush

Our makeup pro raved about the texture of this marshmallow-like blush, which blends into cheeks to create a natural-looking flush. ($8; drugstores)

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Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm

For a kissably soft pout, you can’t beat this fragrance-free blend of moisturizing marula oil and shea, cocoa, and kokum butters. ($4; drugstores)

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Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Saturated with aloe, cucumber, and green tea, these handy rounds take off everything from long-wearing liner to waterproof mascara in one clean sweep. ($8; drugstores)

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Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser

Thanks to soothing olive and green tea extracts, even the most sensitive faces felt refreshed—

not tight—after using this wash. ($39; sephora.com)

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CoverGirl Lashblast 24HR Mascara

An ultra-inky formula and supersized brush yield longer, fuller lashes. Even better, smudge-resistant resins make raccoon eyes a thing of the past. ($9; drugstores)

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RoC Multi Correxion Nourish Stress Repair Eye Cream

Proven anti-agers, like plant-derived peptides and alpha hydroxy acids, ease a host of eyesores—from crow’s feet and dark circles to puffiness and dry spots. ($25; drugstores)

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Glow by Dr. Brandt Overnight Resurfacing Serum

This time-released retinol formula won high marks from testers who quickly noticed smoother, more

radiant skin—sans redness or irritation. ($85; sephora.com)

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Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator

Loaded with aloe, red algae, and vitamin B6, this super-hydrating gel-cream is like a tall drink of water for thirsty skin.

($36; clinique.com)

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Elizabeth Arden Prevage Night Anti-aging Restorative Cream

Glycerin, lemon peel, Idebenone (a potent antioxidant), and a vitamin A blend work the p.m. shift, so you wake up to the complexion of your dreams. ($132; elizabetharden.com)

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Aveeno Positively Ageless Resurfacing Scrub

Gentle microbeads polish your face in a flash, leaving skin smooth—not stripped. ($10; drugstores)

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Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42

This fast-drying face shield dries to a matte finish, so makeup glides on smoothly and doesn’t slide off. ($30; shiseido.com)

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Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel

Ready, set, glow! The vitamin C and glycolic acid in this treatment render skin luminous after a mere 10 minutes. ($50; murad.com)

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Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Skin Tone Correcting Serum

See (dark) spots run with this supercharged cocktail of licorice root extract, essential oils, and free radical–fighting antioxidants like white peony. ($55; origins.com)

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Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Acne Protocol

Specifically created for adults, this three-step system—a salicylic acid cleanser, blemish-targeting treatment, and lightweight moisturizer—won’t over-dry skin like many adolescent zit zappers. ($42; drugstores)

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Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Cleansing System

This oscillating, dual-speed brush deep-cleans in 60 seconds, while its timer keeps you on track so your forehead, chin, and cheeks get equal amounts of attention. ($149; clarisonic.com)

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Nivea Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub

Feel better in the buff! This nonabrasive exfoliator gently sloughs away dry patches, leaving skin silky to the touch. ($6; drugstores)

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Vaseline Total Moisture Lotion

Talk about working around the clock—the oat extract in this rich formula calms itchy skin and hydrates for 24 hours. ($4; drugstores)

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EOS Berry BlossomHand Lotion

You can get back to typing and texting pronto with this fast-absorbing, subtly scented cream. Plus, the handy container is small and flat enough to tote everywhere—it even fits in a clutch. ($4; drugstores)

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OPI Manicure/Pedicure Massage in Chamomile Mint

Alligator-like heels, meet your match! This nongreasy hydrator contains a bevy of botanical extracts and vitamins to soothe extra-rough skin. ($8.50; opi.com for salons)

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Jergens Natural Glow & Protect SPF 20

Slather this lotion on every day to protect skin from the sun and gradually build a gorgeous, guilt-free glow. Love! ($9; drugstores)

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Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 45