What Makeup Artists Think of Your Top 9 Readers’ Choice Award 2026 Picks

08.06.2026, 18:00 allure.com

When it comes to beauty pros, the average beauty lover arguably has the most in common with makeup artists. Think about it: You may be applying skin-care products, but you’re not administering high-tech treatments like a dermatologist does daily; you may give yourself twice-weekly blowouts and even occasionally trim your bangs, but you’re not crafting cuts and mixing color like a hairstylist does every day. But on a daily basis, you are your own makeup artist. The products you pick over and over are crucial to your look, just like the products makeup artists keep in their kits have proven themselves to be the best for their clients and themselves.

And it turns out that a lot of the makeup you love—enough to win 2026 Allure Readers’ Choice Awards—overlap quite a bit with professional makeup artists’ favorites.

We chatted with Vincent Oquendo, Jamie Greenberg, and Kelsey Deenihan—whose gorgeous makeup mastery you’ve seen on celebrities like Jenna Ortega, Rashida Jones, and Hilary Duff, respectively—to find out which of this year’s Readers’ Choice Award winners they would have voted for, too. These are the nine that you have in common with the pros.

Click through to see if your favorite skin, hair, makeup, and body products were voted most-loved in the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards. Then, read their reviews.

Tool

Amazon

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

It should come as no surprise that a lot of makeup artists are true to the original Beautyblend sponge, including Jamie Greenberg, makeup artist and founder of Jamie Makeup. The Beautyblender changed makeup application forever,” she tells Allure. “I still use it constantly because nothing presses foundation into the skin in a way that looks as natural and skin-like. It gives you that expensive-looking finish where you can’t tell where the makeup ends and the skin begins.”

Foundation

Sephora

Kohl's

Speaking of foundation, you’ll often find Greenberg using Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation because it photographs flawlessly and wears beautifully on mature skin. “This foundation is gorgeous because it gives coverage without killing the life of the skin,” she says of the buildable, arnica-infused formula. “It has that modern finish people want right now—polished but still breathable and real.”

Clean Foundation

Sephora

Merit

When she isn’t using it on clients who want their skin to look like skin, makeup artist and Tinge artistry advisor Kelsey Deenihan is using Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick on herself. “It’s such an easy product for creating fresh, natural-looking skin,” she says, raving about its ability to even out the complexion while still letting natural texture and dimension come through. “I rarely swipe it directly all over the face. I like to apply it strategically around redness, the center of the face, or anywhere that needs evening out, then blend with fingers or a dense brush for the most natural finish.”

Concealer

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

“It’s been a longtime favorite for a reason,” Deenihan says, pointing out Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer’s luminous skin-like coverage and layerability sans heaviness or dryness. “Less is usually more,” she tells Allure. “I like placing it more toward the inner corner and around areas of discoloration rather than doing a huge triangle under the eyes.” Another pro tip: Let it sit for a few seconds before blending to get a little extra coverage without needing more product.

Clean Concealer

Amazon

Nordstrom

Sephora

Kosas Revealer Concealer earned a spot in the Readers’ Choice Awards Hall of Fame this year, but it’s been in Greenberg’s kit for a while. “Kosas really nailed the balance between makeup and skincare, and this concealer embodies that,” she says. “It brightens without looking heavy, dry, or cakey—the dream—and I especially love it for undereyes because it doesn't settle.”

Eye Shadow

Sephora

Kohl's

Makeup artist Vincent Oquendo says he can create any kind of look with Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Neutrals, and Deenihan seconds that. “It’s one of those palettes I reach for constantly because the tones are so balanced and wearable, she says. “It’s a staple for everything from soft everyday glam to more sculpted, editorial looks.”

While Deenihan loves to use the lighter matte shades to softly contour the eyes, Oquendo regularly uses the velvety powders as a liner. “One of my favorite tricks with this product is wetting the darkest colors and pushing it into the lash line to blend any false lashes or to create a subtle eyeliner look without committing to a winged eyeliner,” Oquendo says.

Eyeliner

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Walmart

It’s not just pricy products that makeup artists lean on for their favorite looks. Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Eyeliner has become one of Oquendo’s red carpet staples. “It doesn’t set right away, so you can perfect your shape, but once it’s set, it does not move,” he tells Allure. He would even recommend it for a bridal look because it’s waterproof, and you can rely on it not smudging or smearing throughout the day.

Blush

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

“This blush woke up the entire beauty industry,” Greenberg says about Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. “Suddenly, everybody was obsessed with high-pigment blush again.” And why wouldn’t they after experiencing any of the 16 stunning shades? “Yes, the pigment is intense, but it's in the best way if you know how to use it. One dot goes a long way, and it melts into the skin beautifully instead of just sitting on top of makeup.”

Lipstick

Nordstrom

Sephora

YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick is a new favorite for Oquendo after recently discovering not only how beautiful the 23 colors are but how luxurious and non-sticky it feels, smoothing lips no matter how dry. “One of my favorite tips for using this product is to use your favorite lip liner and soften the edges, but leave the center of your lips without product,” he says. Then use the Lip Oil Stick over it to create a soft, pouty look.

See all of the skin, hair, makeup, and body products readers voted as their favorites in the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards. Then, read their reviews.

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