The 2012 SHAPE Beauty Awards

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.

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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!

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)

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

No more excuses: This oil-free, water-resistant sunscreen can be applied before you towel off post-dip, and

it won’t rub off or leave a white cast on skin. ($10; drugstores)

Thick and creamy, it softens skin while you shower and leaves behind just a hint of sultry vanilla fragrance. ($4; drugstores)

This super-sudsy wash removes buildup as it nourishes strands with sheen-inducing vitamins and oils. ($5; drugstores)

Hello, volume! This light-as-air formula hydrates dry ends without dragging down roots. ($4; drugstores)

Calling all commitment-phobes: This hue-amping dye washes away gradually without telltale roots. Our hair color expert said it’s especially good for first-timers who want to blend away grays. ($9; drugstores)

Want humidity-resistant hold that doesn’t result in helmet head? This nonsticky spritz is your ticket. ($4.50; drugstores)

Unlike many dry shampoos, this one leaves no white residue, so extending blowouts is a breeze. Testers also gave the formula props for its fresh scent. ($4; drugstores)

When you’re after defined, bouncy curls without the crunch, reach for this effective, ultralight styler. ($25; fekkai.com)

This elixir boosts glossiness and combats frizz, keeping your style smooth no matter what Mother Nature has in store. ($3.50; drugstores)

Suited for even the finest hair, a few drops of this light, nongreasy serum will tame static and flyaways without deflating your ’do. ($10; drugstores)

Bulk up wimpy roots and help thin hair look more lush with a few mists of this daily treatment, which uses turmeric and ginseng to “energize” follicles. ($60; aveda.com)

It’s not just the price that blew us away—the powerful AC motor dries hair fast, and ion technology helps strands look sleek and shiny. ($35; drugstores)

Just one dollop builds touchable, Texas-size lift that lasts from morning coffee to happy-hour cocktails. ($4.50; drugstores)

Wetness won’t be a worry with this stick, which also contains odor absorbers that trap BO and release a clean scent. ($5; drugstores)

With this little wonder’s five blades and nifty built-in gel bars, you’re just a few swipes away from your closest shave ever. ($11; drugstores)

No need to squeeze in another dentist appointment: The extra-powerful peroxide in this mess-free, seven-day, at-home treatment delivers a star-quality smile. ($60; drugstores)

Smooth a layer of this conditioning cream around nail beds to quickly remedy dryness. ($8; drugstores)

Black pepper and patchouli give this fragrance a spicy yet sophisticated finish, making it the perfect accent whether he’s dressed to the nines— or wearing nothing at all. ($40; amazon.com)

This blend of crisp citrus and warm musk makes us feel as feminine and sexy as a curve-hugging dress. ($67; sephora.com)