For a broader range of my all-time favorite formulas and products: Best Blushes, Best Highlighters, Best Eyeshadows, Best Eyeshadow Palettes, Best Lipsticks, Best Lipglosses, Best Eye Brushes, Best Face Brushes.

Sephora’s holiday shopping event kicks off November 1st for Rouges, who have early access to the event.  Rouges can save 20% off all purchases online and in-store with code HOLIDAYSAVE.  Starting on November 7th, VIBs can save 15% off and Insiders can save 10% off with the same code, HOLIDAYSAVE.  The event ends November 11th for all tiers.

Also, for those at 10% off and 15% off, always cross-reference the brands/products you have your eye on to see if they’re likely to go on sale for 15-25% off in the next few weeks.  Many brands participate in Black Friday/Cyber Monday offerings at least better than 10%.

If you’re curious about all of the limited edition holiday products and sets, in total, check out our Best of Holiday 2019 Palettes & Gifts, which automatically updates the rankings as new reviews go live.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... Flesh & Fantasy (506)Kink & Kisses (504)Lines & Last Night (502)Lush & Libido (500)Night Fever & Hot Stuff (508)

According to the brand, Air Blush is supposed to offer buildable coverage with a “luminous finish” that wears for “24-hours.” Each shade consists of a lighter and deeper shade, designed to be used together (each section of product is quite narrow, so it’s not feasible to use a blush or highlighting brush to get a single color). Read more...

Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color - Blush

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... B110B200B202B204B206B208B210B212B216B218B302B304B306B308B314B316B402B500

The formula is supposed to have "intense color payoff" with a "long-lasting finish." The range is split into three types--Highlighters, Sculpting Powders, and Blushes--that is easy to determine by the first letter of the shade name (H for Highlighter, S for Sculpting, and B for Blush). Read more...

Milk Makeup Flex Highlighter

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... BlitzedGlazedIcedLit

The formula is supposed to apply "seamlessly" to skin and hydrate skin with a "weightless pearlescent base" that gives "next-level glow." There's no specific description about coverage, but the promotional swatches showed all shades as opaque. The formula is as smooth and as silky as described; it felt like a thinner, powdery cream than it felt like a true powder. Read more...

Natasha Denona Biba

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Natasha Denona Biba 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features three Metallic eyeshadows, four... Read full review.

Huda Beauty Neon Orange

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Huda Beauty Neon Orange Neon Obsessions Palette ($29.00 for 0.45 oz.) includes a mix of mattes and shimmers across deep yellow to tangerine to deep... Read full review.

Kaja Orange Blossom

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Kaja Orange Blossom Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio ($21.00 for 0.09 oz.) includes three, ultra-sparkly "cream-powder" eyeshadows that are... Read full review.

Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction

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Pat McGrath Bronze Seduction Mothership Eyeshadow Palette ($125.00 for 0.47 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that contains an assortment of... Read full review.

Natasha Denona Sunrise

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Natasha Denona Sunrise 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) is a new, permanent palette designed to complement the original Sunset... Read full review.

Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... After DuskAfter GlowAlien MoonAltered StateAmber AuraAmethyst NoirAmnesiaAntique Gold 002Aquarian DreamArt of the SwoonAstral Amethyst AllureAstral Amethyst MoonAstral Ghost OrchidAstral Gilded AuraAstral Gold AllureAstral Gold LustAstral Lilac AuraAstral Luna GoldAstral Pink FetishAstral Pink MoonAstral Rose OrchidAstral SolsticeAstral Venusian OrchidAstral WhiteAstro LimeAuburn AllureBare VenusBarely VeiledBeige BlissBeyond Bronze 003Binary SunsetBlack MetalBlitz AmethystBlitz AquamarineBlitz BlueBlitz BordeauxBlitz BrownBlitz Crimson EcstasyBlitz EmeraldBlitz FlameBlitz PurpleBlitz SextremeBlitz VenusBlitz Violet OrchidBlood Moon 005Blooming SiennaBlue BloodBronzeBronze 005Bronze BlazeBronze CircuitBronze DesireBronze DevotionBronze EclipseBronze FantasyBronze Gold 003Bronze IllusionBronze InfatuationBronze NebulaBronze NovaBronze Rose 005Bronze Solaris 005Bronze StruckBronzed MinkBurning DesireBurning Desire (Sublime Seduction)Burnished HoneyCandlelight AffairCelestialCelestial CeladonChampagne DesireCitrine EnvyCopperCopper DawnCopper TonedCopperizedCoral BlitzCoral KissCoral NectarCorrupt CopperCorruptionCosmic BloomCosmic ChampagneCosmic GarnetCosmiKCrimson FireCyber BronzeCyborg RelationsDaring DandyDaring DesireDarkDark DestinyDark MatterDark ParadiseDawn DivinityDawn FawntasiaDeep ShadeDeep SpaceDeep VelvetDepthDesert DivinityDiamond's DesireDisobedientDivine DahliaDivine DuskDivine MinkDragonflyDuchess DivinityEarthly DelightElectriqueElectronEleganzaEmerald EclipseEnamouredEnchanted BronzeEndearmentEnigmaEnrapturedEnticeEntrapmentEternal AmourEternal BronzeEternal LoveEternal OpulenceEuphoriaFabulosityFawn FantasiaFlame FataleFleurever AdoredFleurever NudeForbidden AmourForbidden FruitForce SensitiveForever CharmedFuchsia FlameFuchsia ShockGalactic ConquestGalactic GlowGalactic GoldGigabyteGilt TripGilty OpulenceGilty PleasureGlowing DesireGold EtiquetteGold FortuneGold GalaxyGold Lust 001Gold NectarGold RushGold StandardGolden AngelicaGolden AuroraGolden HoneyGolden PolarisHeavenly BodyHeavenly BronzeHedonisticHedonistic RoseHoney LustreHoney NectarHuetopiaHypnotic BronzeHypnotiqueIconicIconic IngenueIllicitImperialIncandescent Gold 003InfernoInterstellarIridescent OrchidIridescent Pink 003JubileeLa Vie en NoirLapis LuxuryLavendaringLavender BlueLazarusLe SinLife on MarsLilac DuskLiquid SunLotus LuxeLotus ParadiseLove LaceLove MatchLunar ChampagneLunar HazeLunar LavenderLunar LegendLunar LuxuryMahogany AngelMajor MahoganyMauve MystiqueMegabyteMercurial RoseMerlot MystiqueMetallurgyMetropolisMidas MystiqueMidnight CherryMidnight IrisMidnight MinkMink DuskMink MirageMink NoirMoon PhaseMoonlight LiaisonMustafar HeatMythic MajestyNaked BlushNaked BronzeNaked SunsetNeptunian OrchidNight CreatureNightfallNirvanaNocturnal NavyNocturneNoir MoonNoir NebulaNude MoonNude RoseOdysseyOpalescent MoonstoneOptic FuchsiaPale AmethystPale FirePale Gold 002PalladiumParadisoParanormalPeach DuskPeach PersuasionPetallic PassionPink ChampagnePink MystiquePlatinizePlatinum DivinityPlatinum DuskPlatinum MoonlightPlatinum RosewaterPlum CabaretPlum EclipsePlum NocturnePlum ProvocateurPlum RegaliaProsperityProvocatrixPurple ReignRefined Gold 002RefinementRegency BlueRegency RomanceRitualisticRose DuskRose Fire NectarRose FireglowRose Gold 005Rose NocturneRose Quartz 005Rose RebellionRose RisqueRose SeductionRose VenusRosewood RomantiqueRuby NoirSable BronzeSable SeductionSaturn SunsetSaturnaliaScandalousSecret BlueprintSecret EdenSerene SiennaSextrovertShockwaveSienna MoonlightSienna MystiqueSienna RoseSinfulSkinshow Divine GlowSkinshow FeverSkinshow GlowSkinshow Moon GlowSkinshow NudeSkinshow Nude XtasySkinshow Pink DawnSkinshow Rose OpalSkintense GlowSkintense RadianceSmoke and MirrorsSmoked AmethystSmouldering BronzeSolar FlareStar GarnetStarlit ChampagneStarlit CopperStatuesqueSterlingSubstanceSuede SiennaSun-kissed RoseSunrose AmberSunset BronzeSupernovaSyntheticaTabooTatooineTelepathic TaupeTemptationThrowing ShadeTranquilityTwilight BronzeTwilight TaupeUltimate TaupeUltraviolet MessengerUnderworldVelouriaVenomous VoidVenusian OrchidVenusian PeonyVermillion VenomViolet VixenViolet VoidVoluptuous RoseVR EmeraldVR Fire OpalVR NectarVR PinkVR Rose VenusVR SextasyVR SextraterrestrialVR VioletWicked EnvyXtreme AubergineXtreme Aubergine #2Xtreme BlackXtreme BurgundyXtreme DuskXtreme MahoganyXtreme NocturneXtreme Plum NoirXtreme Vermillion Dusk

Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described. Read more...

Marc Jacobs Beauty See-quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... Blitz GlitzCopperaziFlashlightGlam NoirGlamethystGleam GirlGlitter RockPop RoxSmash GlitzStar DustTopaz Flash

The formula is supposed to add a "super-shimmering dimension to any look" with a "demi-pressed process" that has "high-impact dazzle with smooth glide and bold color." Per the brand, it can be "packed on for intense glitter or blended for a soft wash of sparkle." They recommend packing it on with a fingertip or using a flat, synthetic brush in a "gentle pressing motion." Read more...

Sephora Rouge Lacquer

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... Be Proud (43)Be the Boss (12)CEO (13)Dare to Be (28)Dream Bigger (42)Empowered (04)Excellence (07)Fearless (25)Get Ready (37)Girl Crush (16)Girl Gang (36)Girl to Know (29)Go Girl (22)Goddess (30)Hear Me Roar (08)High Heels (41)I Want It All (35)I'm a Legend (44)Inspire (23)Love Letter (11)Love Wins (09)Me First (38)My Rules (34)No Limit (32)No Regrets (21)Not Your Baby (15)Power Suit (01)Reckless (31)Riot Girl (26)Rise Above (17)Rise Up (03)Slay (18)Squad Goals (20)Strong as Helle (27)Stronger (19)Success Story (33)Survivor (10)To the Left (24)Visionary (14)What's My Secret (05)Wicked Smart (02)

The lipstick is supposed to have a "silky smooth melting formula" that yields "intense long-lasting color and high-shine" with "instant hydration." Most shades were creamy without being so slippery that they felt that way or went on unevenly. They do melt quickly, though, so if they are left in a warmer area (with all my photography lights running) and applied, they feel substantially creamier than at room temperature (about 72 degrees). Read more...

Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... Botan (206)Bullet Train (202)Code Red (221)Coral Pop (217)Cyber Beige (201)Firecracker (219)Future Shock (215)Ginza Red (222)High Rise (225)Incense (209)J-Pop (210)Lantern Red (220)Neon Buzz (213)Night Rose (203)Noble Plum (224)Pink Dynasty (207)Pink Flash (214)Pixel Pink (205)Rose Muse (211)Scarlet Rush (204)Shizuka Red (223)Sleeping DragonSleeping Dragon (227)Streaming Mauve (208)Volcanic (218)Vortex (216)WoodblockWoodblock (212)

The formula is supposed to have "high levels of pigment" for "cushiony, comfortable, weightless color" that lasts for "six hours." They had rich color coverage in a single stroke, just as promised, and they were creamy and emollient, which made them comfortable and easy to apply on my lips. Read more...

Pat McGrath LuxeTrance Lipstick

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... 35MMAnarkissedApricultAttitudeBeautiful CreatureBeauty JunkieDonatellaExxoticaLaBeijaLavishLeatheretteLust AngelesMadame GreigeMajor RedMcGrath MuseParadise GaragePink UltranessProfumoPsycho CandyRealnessSeditionSextrologyShe's HeavenShe's So DeepSorry Not SorryStrangeTropicaliaUnfaithfulUnnatural NaturalValettaWrecked

The formula is supposed to have a "intense color payoff" with "comfort" and "rich hydration" that has a "satiny sheen." Of the shades I've tried, they are richly pigmented, long-wearing, incredibly comfortable to wear from start to finish, hydrating, and generally flattering on the lips. Read more...

Sephora Lipstories Lipstick

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... 5-0 Grind (56)A Little Magic (22)Adventuring (63)After Hours (23)All Washed Up (26)Aquarius (87)Aries (89)Autumn Blaze (76)Backstage (60)Berry-licious (32)Brunch Date (01)But First Coffee (58)Cancer (92)Capricorn (98)Cash Money (47)Celebrate (12)City Beat (45)Coconut Grove (13)Deep Water Bay (24)Desert Dreaming (73)Desert Trip (39)Festival Lights (51)Fire Side (11)First Class (25)Gemini (91)Golden Gate (31)Hong Kong by Night (27)Hot in Havana (37)Ice Breaker (46)In the Clouds (43)It's Electric (57)Just Add Tinsel (48)Labyrinth City (09)Landing In Shanghai (2)Leo (93)Libra (95)Love Is Love (27)Love Love (07)Malt Shake (29)Margs (70)Matinee (30)No Cell Service (42)Off the Grid (74)Off-Limits (38)Offshore (66)Ouch (49)Oui (03)Palm Street (62)Pineapple Express (21)Pisces (88)Polar Lights (78)Popsicle Lips (28)Primal Instinct (77)Sagittarius (97)Sandblasted (72)Scorpio (96)Sink or Swim (67)Snuggle Weather (61)Somewhere in Spain (04)Spark (68)Spiked (65)Spring Break (36)Take a Bite (35)Take a Spin (41)Tan Lines (06)Taurus (90)Treat Yo Self (71)Trippin (50)Twolips (14)Undisturbed (75)Vacation Goals (59)Virgo (94)Wanderlust (33)Werk It (69)Woof (44)Yum Yum (10)

The formula is supposed to be "lightweight" with "full-coverage color in one swipe." The majority of shades were pigmented with semi-opaque to full color payoff in a single layer, as described. The more shimmery shades tended to be a bit sheerer overall, while the mattes and creams were usually closer to opaque in coverage. Read more...

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... AquariusAriesAtlantaBeetrootBerry RougeBlack TruffleBronzeCancerCapricornCavaCayenneChaiChicagoCotton CandyCreminiCrushed ChiliDallasDateDragonfruitEggplantEnokiFigFlag RedGazpachoGemini (Left)Gemini (Right)Gin FizzGingersnapGoldGTAHoneycombHot HarissaJamKaleKimchiLavender JamLeoLibraLiquoriceLit TurmericLos AngelesMapleMauvember 2016Mellan's LuckMeringueMiamiMistletoeMolassesNearly Neon BlueNearly Neon FuchsiaNearly Neon OrangeNearly Neon PeachNearly Neon PinkNearly Neon PurpleNew YorkNoriOpalPepperPersimmonPickled GingerPink SaltPiscesPorciniPortobelloRadishRhubarbRose GoldRouge BerrySaffron FireSagittariusSakeSan FranciscoSangriaScorpioSmoked Za'atarSorbetSouffleSour CherrySpiced PlumSpritzerSquid InkStar AniseSugarcaneSupervixenSweet CreamTanninTaroTaurusThistleToasted CardamomTorontoVerbenaVirgoWhiskey

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is supposed to have “bold, creamy color” with “extreme moisture, soft texture, and creamy wear.” The majority of the range is very pigmented–typically opaque with one pass–with a few shades being semi-opaque but usually buildable. Read more...

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer

Read Reviews View Swatches View a shade... Baby BrutCake ShakeChamp Stamp FantasyCheekyConfettiDiamond MilkFenty Glow (Universal)Fenty Glow FantasyFu$$yHot ChocolitHot Chocolit FantasyPretty PleaseRiRiRuby MilkSweet MouthTaffy TeaseTrophy Wife

The formula is supposed to have a “peach-vanilla” scent (I’d agree–sweet, lightly fruity) and be “conditioning.” It was designed to be worn alone or layered over other lip products. The consistency was very smooth, light-to-medium in weight, non-sticky, and comfortable to wear. It had a plusher consistency that helped it stay out of most of my lip lines. The shimmer was moderate but noticeable, and it distributed evenly across the lips. They last about three hours on my lips but are hydrating.