I work in the editorial space, majorly on the beauty beat, so I have a full repertoire of lotions, potions and the like waiting for me in my bathroom vanity and makeup drawer. Make that drawers.
With each buzzy new body lotion launch or newly minted nude lipstick, I’m always the first to slather and lather, try and apply. Now, the ultimate edit of the best Amazon beauty products we reviewed has landed — and I’ve recruited some editors at Post Wanted to share their favorites, too.
Below, find the swoon-worthy smorgasbord of the best haircare, skincare, makeup and more to shimmy into your Amazon cart. Whether you’re eying e.l.f. Cosmetics or Sol de Janeiro, consider this your treat-yourself purchase. Or purchases.
Best Amazon Haircare Products We Reviewed
Keranique 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution
Pros:
- The precision nozzle makes it easy to spot treat thinning areas
- Non-sticky formula
Cons:
- It takes about 4 months of consistent use to see results
According to Cleveland Clinic, 30 million women experience hair loss at some point. If you’re part of this group, there are options, including Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment. The 2% formula is gentler than the 5%, and its long nozzle makes it easier to target hard to reach spots on the back of the head.
“I have telogen effluvium, a condition brought on by stress,” Holly J. Coley, commerce updates editor, shared. “It makes your hair thin and fall out — obviously, very stressful! I tried this 5% minoxidil foam product, and it works. Unfortunately, it caused my scalp to itch and flake, so I had to stop using it. When my hair began thinning again (minoxidil is a lifelong beauty commitment), my dermatologist said I could try a 2% solution to see if it would be less irritating.”
Coley went with Keranique’s because one, it was on sale at the time, and two, she didn’t love how drying the foam was. “I was experiencing the most hair loss around my temples, and some sections of my part, so I liked how the long applicator made it easier to target those sections,” she added. “It was also less messy than the foam.”
It’s recommended to use every day, but since Coley already had some regrowth from when she was using the foam, she only applied the spray a few times a week. “Recently, I noticed that when I put my hair up, I couldn’t see as much of my scalp, which is huge,” she added. “I also use the shampoo and conditioner, which I like, but I’m fairly certain the spray is where all the magic is. I need to be more diligent with it, but there’s a definite improvement.”
I reviewed all of amika, and this multi-purpose heat protectant and hair-smoother is worth every penny.
$32.00
Ranked as the best sulfate-free shampoo I tested, this gold-infused, luxury shampoo has a sweet smell and is packed with good-for-you ingredients.
$48.00
To help combat frizz and help reverse the feel of dry hair, this oil blend is the ultimate trifecta.
$30.00
Help reduce oil and replenish your scalp’s microbiome with this regal-feeling shampoo that suds like a dream.
$52.00
To hit the reset button on your hair, use a clarifying shampoo about once every two weeks. This Odele formulation is budget-friendly and amazing.
$11.99
“Miracle” is in its name, and it’s truly a miracle. Named one of the best Korean skincare products I tested, you’ll instantly feel a silky shine once rinsed out.
$30.00
For a replenishing feel on the tips of your hair, this hair mask is hydrating without weighing down the hair.
$38.00
For bouncy body, I never hesitate to reach for this Drybar styler, one of the best blow-dryer brushes I reviewed.
$155.00
What’s great about this heat protectant spray is its ability to shield your strands when it’s dry. I love using it before curling or straightening my hair.
$36.00
It’s a splurge but this is one of my all-time favorite clean beauty products for helping to create healthy, salon-like hair after my blowout.
$48.00
Commerce writer/reporter Emma Sutton-Williams swears by COLORWOW. “It’s basically purchasing a 2-for-1 deal, she said. “Plus, it adds shine if you use it properly.”
$28.00
I’ve tested more than 100 shampoos in the past four years, and this Kérastase shampoo is my all-time favorite, especially for hair growth.
$44.00
Best Amazon Makeup Products We Reviewed
Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick
Pros:
- Contains anti-aging ingredients vitamins C and E
- No brush required
Cons:
- Eyeshadow stick is prone to breaking, so use with care
Eyeshadow sticks have been all the rage lately, and what better way to try out the latest trend than with Julep’s Eyeshado 101 stick? The now-$16 swiper is available in nearly every color under the sun and leaves a beautiful finish on your lids.
The Julep Eyeshadow Sticks are ones you should definitely not skip out on. When I’m in a hurry to catch the morning bus for work, I always reach for all of these because you can literally swipe them on — that’s it! There’s no creasing throughout the day like some powder eyeshadows I typically resort to in my palettes, making it an extremely practical buy. For the price, grab yourself a champagne color, a light brown shade, and then thank me later.
As one of the best brow products I reviewed, this Anastasia Beverly Hills wand is hydrating and locks my hairs in place.
$22.00
$17.60
Since middle school, I’ve been reaching for the bareMinerals lip gloss and it’s the most flattering for a shimmery, nourished and glossy pout.
$20.98
You can’t beat the OG makeup sponge, the beautyblender. It’s phenomenal for targeting your under-eyes with concealer, especially.
$20.00
Lightweight with the dreamiest coverage, this Hourglass skin tint is one of the best foundations for dry skin I reviewed.
$49.00
Shop this two-pack of my all-time favorite makeup remover I’ve tried from Garnier. It gently exfoliates, too, and is safe on my sensitive skin.
$23.88
$17.94
If you have fair skin and are looking for the perfect red lip product, I can’t recommend ILIA’s Lip Oil in the shade “Saint” enough. It complements other skin tones, too.
$26.00
I reviewed the lion’s share of e.l.f. Cosmetics and can’t believe this eyeliner pencil is only $5 — and creates the ideal line.
$5.00
While $50 may seem steep for a foundation brush, this dual-ended, soft-bristled edition from IT Cosmetics is one I’ve been resorting to for years, so fully worth it.
$50.00
For a lightweight yet buildable concealer, shop this Laura Mercier fomulation for one you’ll want to use for brightening and spot-correcting.
$33.00
Best Amazon Skincare Products We Reviewed
COSRX Advanced 96% Snail Mucin Power Essence
Pros:
- Offers a glass skin effect instantaneously
- Impressive on dry skin types
- Excellent value for the money
Cons:
- May be too goopy and watery for some, though it’s buildable
For years, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin 96% Power Essence has been a must-have of mine for the sole reason that it’s replenishing, safe on my sensitive skin and creates that naturally dewy “glass skin” look that Korean skincare is best known for.
Don’t only take my word for it, either. More than 80,000 shoppers purchased this product on Amazon in the past month and it holds nearly the same amount of gleaming reviews. Not many people slot in an essence into their skincare routine (after all, using a face wash, moisturizer and SPF is the most basic routine a dermatologist would recommend), though this COSRX Snail Mucin arguably doubles as your best cleanser. It’s deeply hydrating, cleanses away impurities and is ideal to use both day and night.
This product is some kind of miracle in a bottle, and I don’t say that lightly. If there’s anything you pick up from this list, let it be this product. It’s nourishing serum-like qualities make it great for dabbing on after your cleanser. It’s also the most direct-hitting glass skin product I’ve tried from the brand at large.
How I use it: Following my COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, I apply one to two pumps and blend it throughout my face, as you would a moisturizer. I focus extra on the apples of my cheeks and the tip of my nose — the areas where pores tend to be more noticeable on my skin. I use the product twice daily.
If you’ve been following my beauty reviews for a while, you know I’m all about Alpyn Beauty, and this cream is heaven-sent for dry skin.
$62.00
This is a versatile product to add to your skincare routine, per commerce writer/reporter Angela Tricarico. “I’ve found that a spritz in the morning and a spritz in the evening has my skin looking more even, less red on my cheeks, and I’m less prone to breakouts,” she said.
$28.00
Your glowy facial SPF, found. “It makes my skin look plump and radiant, and I love that it has a high SPF,” Coley shared. “It’s the best sunscreen meets moisturizer meets highlighter. I can’t be without it.”
$21.99
As the best hyaluronic acid products I tested, this ultra-hydrant is a product I can’t live without. After reviewing all of Drunk Elephant, it’s a prized item from the brand at large, too.
$50.00
The best eye cream I tested, after reviewing 50+, is the Sunday Riley Auto Correct, no doubt. It moisturizes, brightens, smooths lines and is the investment-worthy multi-tasker.
$65.00
$61.75
Each time I’m at the near-end of my Mario Badescu body butter, I have an at-home freakout. It feels like a tropical island on my skin (but my sensitive skin loves it) and is less than $20 for an affordable buy.
$17.00
$16.15
My jaw dropped the first time I used this TIRTIR cream. It’s another A+ Korean skincare product that feels like a velveteen cloud when dolloped onto my face. Plus, it absorbs quickly and is extremely versatile.
$25.00
After reviewing basically all of Sol de Janeiro, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Beija Flor cream is the brand’s best. It’s lightweight, smooths and is ultra-nourishing for after the shower.
$48.00
$45.60
“I’ve definitely gone overboard testing every balm out there to find one that will keep my often dry and cracked lips nice and smooth,” Tricarico noted. “The lip sleeping mask from LANEIGE is thicker than a typical daytime balm, but it works absolute wonders.”
$24.00
If you have a whitehead or pesky hormonal acne, the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch is the quick fix to place on top of your blemish overnight and wake up to all that satisfying gunk on your hydrocolloid circle.
$21.97
$19.77
How we tested
I’ve been using the best beauty products I can get my hands on for years — even before I became a full-time commerce reporter. I’m well-versed in how to assess if a product *truly* works, so I abide by the skincare patch test, checking in hour-by-hour for makeup longevity and reading up on the best ingredients for certain hair concerns.
That said, I recruited some members of the Post Wanted team to share their favorites, too (after all, product recommendations live on our Slack channel and are already apart of our office banter). Here’s how we tested:
- Formulation: Whether it’s a haircare, makeup or skincare product, we looked into the ingredients of each product, how it applied and if the overall end formulation was effective and worth a purchase.
- Versatility: Some products are multi-taskers (think: heat protectants and frizz reducers). This versatility, if a product exhibited any, was taken into account.
- Comparative notes: Of course, we know a product is really good if it exceeds the results of others we have tried in the past. Throughout this guide — and infused within our other beauty reviews — are characteristics that stand out above the rest.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
Meet the experts behind this article: Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, and P.J. McCormick, New York Post Commerce Deals Writer & Reporter. Victoria and P.J. combine for 7 years of experience writing shopping content for The Post, specializing in finding the very best products and deals to save readers money every day, but especially during major sale events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. In an oversaturated shopping market, let them do the work for you. Not only do they scour the internet to confirm that our deals are really worth it, but they spend countless hours testing best-selling products first-hand to find the ones we actually recommend buying. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.