We've tested hundreds, but these are the GLAMOUR editors' best beauty products of 2023
Every day, a steady stream of new launches lands on the GLAMOUR beauty desk. We've regularly spritzed, slathered and road-tested to sleuth out the best beauty products of 2023 – from the trusted essential you can always rely on to deliver, to the surprise new find and game-changer that will switch up your beauty routine from now on.
The past 12 months has seen plenty of innovation and new brands launching across skincare, makeup and hair – from Hailey Bieber's Rhode to Prada Beauty – making the beauty world a fun, but pretty crowded space.
Trying to narrow down our favourites to just one or two products has been hard, but these are what our editors love enough to use down to the last drop – and then rush off to repurchase…
Including the new Strawberry Glaze Peptide Lip Treatment.
The best beauty products of 2023
“The arrival of Prada beauty was a major beauty moment of 2023, with much excitement and anticipation surrounding the launch. Some of the range lived up to the hype more than other items, but for me the stand out was the lipstick collection – and whenever I pull it out, friends or acquaintances always ask, 'What is that lipstick?' With a softly diffused finish and moisturising feel of a balm, coupled with the strong colour pay-off of a matte lipstick, it's an easy-to-wear bright and I love the unusual pinky shade ‘Pourpre’. Better still, lipstick refills have just launched, which cuts back on excessive packaging and waste.” - Camilla Kay, GLAMOUR's European Beauty Director
“Foundation is a makeup staple for me and when I find a good one I’m a loyal fan, but I have to admit I am fussy about this staple. I like a glow but without shimmer, some coverage for imperfections without masking the skin texture or looking cakey. Skin-friendly ingredients are a major plus and a top up of sun protection is always reassuring. Shiseido’s serum-meets-foundation, the Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30, met my fussy brief. It's a thicker, richer texture than most foundations, but with skin actives niacinamide and fermented kefir (to aid barrier function), it feels nourishing on skin and it's nice to think it's also improving skin texture with every wear. And the glow is real! At £49, it may be more of a special occasion staple than an everyday one, but it's worth the splurge for when you want your skin to look epic. It's now a well-known beauty editor's secret!” - Camilla Kay, GLAMOUR's European Beauty Director
“If you like a cream that packs a skin nourishing punch like we do, YouthBomb Breakthrough Repair Cream is worth taking note of. Packed with skin-loving actives, it contains a roll call of skin ingredients to know – including peptides, niacinamide, bakuchiol, antioxidants and polyglutamic acid to name just a few. A heavy-duty cream in a lightweight texture, it suits most skin types (except the very dry) and you only need to look at the retail price of £175 (as opposed to the members price of £49) to know you are getting some serious skin science in this little pot.” - Camilla Kay, GLAMOUR's European Beauty Director
"For me, this is the lip balm of the fragrance world. Its scent is so addictive, I find myself habitually reapplying it throughout the day. It’s a wake-up call first thing in the morning and, despite its impressive life span, I won’t go anywhere without another spritz – hence a bottle sits on my desk at all times. It is said to conjure up the South of France with its fields of roses and warm sea breezes through fig trees. The scent is softly floral and fresh, yet also curiously salty, giving it a really warm, intimate feel. I’d go so far as to say that I’ve received more compliments on this perfume over the past six months than any other scent in my fragrance wardrobe." - Fiona Embleton, Acting Associate Beauty Director
“If you’re a retinol aficionado, you may have heard about HPR (hydroxypinacolone retinoate), the next-generation retinoid that is set to be everywhere in 2024. Elizabeth Arden is ahead of the curve, having already harnessed HPR for its Water Cream, making it a must-try for early adopters. The beauty of HPR is that even sensitive skins can tolerate it – something I can attest to as I was able to dive straight in without any gnarly side effects. Die-hard retinol fans won’t be disappointed, either, as the formula also contains pure retinol to dust off pigmentation and soften fine lines. The efficacy of this cream is only matched by my skin’s glow, and since this is Elizabeth Arden, there’s plenty of hydrating ceramides in the light-as-air formula – making it a genuine pleasure to use every day.” - Fiona Embleton, Acting Associate Beauty Director
“Rhode’s entry in the UK was arguably the most-hyped beauty launch of the year. Before even getting my hands on the products, I had mixed feelings about them. They definitely had a leg-up thanks to the reach of their famous founder, so they wouldn’t have to try very hard to earn clout. But, on the other hand, Hailey’s nerdiness around skincare is very well documented, and having been open about her skin struggles and her journey to find a routine that works for her, I instantly liked the simple, kind-to-skin approach. My favourite product by far is the Peptide Glazing Fluid. I love how the lightweight texture can supercharge skin with moisture without feeling suffocating. The ingredient cocktail is the skin’s idea of a good night in, too. Niacinamide multi-tasks, calming redness, brightening, improving cell turnover and strengthening the skin barrier. Peptides replump, adding bounce. Hyaluronic acid quenches dryness and lightweight marula oil softens skin. Overall, the product has more than earned its stripes… and a spot in my skincare routine.” - Elle Turner, GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor
“I feel guilty admitting this, but I rarely make it all the way to the bottom of a bottle of foundation. It’s my job to continually try new formulas, so I have an edit of half-used bottles that I rotate in with whatever newness I’m trying. That said, the B-listers have sat on my bedroom shelf all summer, ever since I got my hands on Makeup By Mario’s Surreal Skin Foundation. I’ve just made it to the end (and shaken out every last drop) because it really is that good. It has the finest glowy shimmer woven through the delicate formula for a beautifully luminous, healthy finish. There are over 30 carefully calibrated shades to work cohesively with all skin tones. It has a customisable formula that gives you very decent medium coverage that you can then build up if you wish. It’s dewy but not shiny, it’s long-wearing but it doesn’t feel heavy. It stays put, but it’s not drying. It really is a superhero formula. No other foundation has brought me in as many compliments. So, if you’re looking for a lightweight wash of liquid sunshine and silky coverage, this stuff ticks every box.” - Elle Turner, GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor
“I am such a sucker for a good, hydrating lip oil; every time one lands on my desk I have to swatch it. I have probably tried hundreds of lip oils in my time as a beauty journalist, but this one beat the odds and reigned supreme. It has a stocky doe foot wand, which is perfectly shaped and sized to contour lips in one swipe, making application extra easy – and the brush feels nice and fluffy to the touch. It truly elevates the experience and makes me want to apply it over and over again. Although labelled a lip oil, it goes on as a really fluid balm, and doubles up as a hydrating gloss. What caught me off guard was the plumpness it imparts – I've never seen my lips look so pillowy!” - Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR's Beauty Writer
“When it comes to ouds, the Initio Oud For Greatness EDP is the boss – I’ve never smelt anything like it. As soon as the candle version dropped, I knew I would be mesmerised. The scent seeps through the box even before you've opened it, or actually lit it. With heart notes of natural oud wood and agarwood oil, blended with bottom notes of patchouli and musk, it means you only have to burn it for a couple of hours for the scent to engulf your entire space. And that it did, in the most captivating, warm and rich way. It’s not a subtle scent, but it's the perfect burn for a date night in, or dinner party, for those who want to create a night to be remembered.” - Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR's Beauty Writer
“Now, if there’s one makeup product that I haven’t been able to put down this year, it’s the MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation. As someone who has dry skin, I’m always on the lookout for hydrating and skincare-infused formulas, and that’s exactly what MAC delivers with its latest foundation launch. I loved the weightless feel and the glowy, skin-like finish, as well as its buildable coverage. An easy 10/10.” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer
“As a firm gourmand lover, I tend to gravitate towards vanilla perfumes, but I always struggled to find one that ticks all the boxes. That is, until the new Parfums de Marly Althair eau de parfum landed on my desk. Since I started wearing it, it’s become one of my most-complimented perfumes of all time (and that’s saying something). Featuring notes of bourbon, cinnamon, orange blossom, praline and musk, this eau de parfum is perfect for anyone looking for a new signature scent for the winter months.” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
