If there’s one thing the past ten months have taught us, it’s to embrace whatever makes us feel good. Whether you went back to the basics and ditched everything but mascara or used the extra time spent at home to have fun with bold lip colours and graphic eyeliner looks, there were plenty of new makeup products to play with this year. But with so many innovative formulas to choose from, figuring out what really works (and what’s worth your $$$) is no small task.
From dewy foundations to fuss-free eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks that stay put under a mask, we sent our top picks to readers across Canada for their no-holds-barred feedback. Here, they share their thoughts on the best makeup products of the past year, at every price point.
“Just a small amount of this foundation is enough to make my skin look brighter and healthier. The dewy, medium- coverage formula feels like bare skin, with enough pigment to tackle dark spots.” —Monica Reyes, 39
$8, walmart.ca
“Available in 32 shades, this foundation provides even coverage and a smooth base for makeup. The long-lasting formula stays put from morning to night, keeping up with my hectic work schedule.” —Marie-Eve Aubry, 43
$58, sephora.ca
“I usually gravitate toward creamy products with a thicker consistency, but this liquid concealer does a great job of covering my dark circles without creasing or settling into fine lines.” —Andrea Bastos, 41
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
“This concealer is lightweight and provides a dewy coverage that lasts for hours. It makes my under-eye circles disappear without irritating my skin. I like the wide applicator, which makes it easy to cover large areas, like my cheeks and chin.” —Simone Castello, 35
$49, sephora.ca
“This surprisingly long-lasting formula rekindled my love for bold lip colours. Thanks to its hydrating core, this lipstick feels just like a balm, making it the perfect pick-me-up for the winter months.” —Nicole Keen, 39
$14, shoppersdrugmart.ca
“Although less pigmented than a traditional matte lipstick, this comfortable and lightweight formula gives me a bright, juicy pout that’s perfect for everyday wear.” —Roopa Cheema, 40
$26, sephora.ca
“This light-as-air blush looks intensely pigmented when it’s first squeezed out of the tube, but it goes on sheer for a natural-looking flush of colour that lasts all day.” —Sana Dastoor, 36
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
“While the pigment is subtle on my dark skin, this blush’s slight shimmer brightens up my complexion and gives me a radiant glow.” —Rose Pierre, 34
$33, maccosmetics.ca
“This eyeshadow palette is versatile and easy to use no matter your skill level. The shades are carefully laid out, making it easy to see which ones to combine for maximum impact. Each shade is buttery, pigmented and easy to blend.” —Carol-Ann Lamontagne-Poirier, 31
$17, shoppersdrugmart.ca
“The matte and shimmer shades included in this palette offer great colour payoff and smooth application. The best part? You can snap two palettes together to create your own custom compact.” —Trina Wylie, 50
$33, sephora.ca
“Thanks to its curved wand, this mascara defines and separates every last lash, even in hard-to-reach corners. It lasts all day without flaking but still comes off easily with my usual makeup remover.” —France Lapointe, 31
$10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
“This wand has a flat side and widely spaced bristles to lift each lash at the root without smudging. Just one coat is enough to add length and volume to my lashes, but the formula isn’t heavy, so it’s easy to build it up for extra definition.” —Victoria Nguyen, 30
$34, sephora.ca
“As someone who wears liquid liner daily, I need a product with serious staying power—and this one delivers. The formula glides on smoothly, with a slightly glossy finish that flatters all my go-to eye looks.” —Amanda Koyama, 41
$12, shoppersdrugmart.ca
“Whether you’re after a subtle flick or a graphic cat eye, this creamy pencil’s versatile tip does it all. I love that it comes with a small brush on one end, which I use to blend out smoky eyeliner looks or correct stray lines.” —Christelle Bellerose, 35
$29, sephora.ca
“Since this product comes in eight different shades, finding one that matches your brows is easy. It comes with all the tools you need to define your arches—I love that both the angled brush and spoolie slide right into the packaging!” —Karine Tremblay, 39
$14, nyxcosmetics.ca
“This pen’s unique three-pronged tip is great for filling in my eyebrows in a hurry. Each stroke yields three fine lines in a light ink that dries down to a matte powder finish for a natural look.” —Marie Buban, 47
$33, sephora.ca
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