ELLE’s 2024 Future of Beauty Awards

Neuraé, a new brand from the Sisley Paris family, tasked their scientists who specialize in neuroactive compounds with finding the best ingredients to stimulate a positive emotional response. This research inspired Neuraé’s unique formulas. In this serum, a mix of calming botanicals locks in moisture and reduces the signs of stress and irritation on the skin, while woodsy notes of palo santo create a calming spa-like experience. Our tester says that the serum left her skin feeling soft and balanced, and the scent felt reminiscent of time spent at a luxury wellness resort.

For Clarins’s newest iteration of the classic Double Serum, the brand conducted a study on 66 genetically identical twins, and concluded that different lifestyle and environmental factors could affect signs of aging. In one instance, a twin who lived in a city with pollution appeared to be aging faster than another who lived in the countryside. The brand set out to make a formula that wouldn’t just target chronological aging, but also may help address environmental and lifestyle aging (and presumably, both twins). With 22 technologically advanced botanicals (six of which are patented), it comes in a two-phase formula that mimics the skin’s natural barrier. Our tester found that the serum immediately made her skin feel moisturized, and helped smooth and plump with continued use.

Even if you’ve never had a peel, you might be scared off by the memory of Samantha’s face in that infamous episode of Sex and the City. This isn’t like that. The formula works two-fold: Alpha hydroxy acids work to gently lift dead skin while vitamin B5, oat extract, and the brand’s proprietary Siren capsules (which contain stable retinol, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids) nourish. It’s a delicate balance of taking and giving that delivers glowy skin. Our tester reported that within five minutes, her skin felt as soft and smooth as a baby’s.

In case it hasn’t been hammered into your head yet, sunscreen is the most important part of your skin care routine. Not only is this sunscreen made with 60 percent skin care ingredients, like licorice root (which can help curb breakouts), but it’s also impressively high-tech. While most formulas become less effective when they come into contact with heat, water, or sweat, Shiseido’s proprietary SynchroShieldRepair technology isn’t as fazed by the elements. This new sunscreen also has a super-viscous formula that doesn’t get rubbed off easily, thanks to its emulsifying ingredients. Our tester reported that this sunscreen plays well with makeup and skin care without pilling or looking greasy. It’s ideal for even the fairest, most sunburn-prone skin.

Olay is making skin care fun with these disappearing cleansing melts. This innovative cleanser starts as a dry square the size of your fingertip and melts into a rich, silky foam once it’s activated with water. Its creamy texture creates a lather that is gentle enough to soothe the skin but powerful enough to provide a deep, refreshing cleanse. Our tester confirmed that the cleanser left her skin feeling clean but not dry or tight—and loved that the small squares are perfect for travel.

Sometimes an entire sheet mask feels like too much work. These patches are like mini masks, designed to treat a targeted area. Their creamy, occlusive effect moisturizes dry areas without clogging pores. Our tester tried these out during a flight and really liked how they worked to soothe and hydrate her cheeks. Her skin looked noticeably less red and irritated afterward.

La Mer’s newest innovation is a night cream that mixes the brand’s signature Miracle Broth—a fermented blend of sea kelp, vitamins, and nutrients—with a new marine-derived retinol alternative called MRA-3. It’s made with sea fennel and brown algae, which help renew the skin without irritation. Our tester reported that the formula absorbed easily and left skin feeling soft and smooth overnight. She also found that unlike many retinol products, which can lead to flaky skin or require an adjustment period, this one was gentle, but still brightening.

These patches use a microcone delivery system inspired by surgical technology that helps the active ingredients (including 0.1 percent retinol) penetrate the skin by 0.35mm, allowing for optimal absorption. The result is a hyper-targeted wrinkle treatment. Our tester reported that after wearing these patches overnight, the wrinkles on her forehead and at the corners of her eyebrows were noticeably less prominent.

This hardworking serum helps achieve the anti-wrinkle effects of neurotoxin injections without the use of a needle for “glass skin” results. Its blend of peptides, along with actives like polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and niacinamide, works to gently exfoliate and tone skin. Our tester noted that her skin looked brighter and more radiant after just one use, and even extended the effects of her recent Botox injection.

Amid the sea of lip balms and glosses, this one has several qualities that make it special. The balm is thick, nourishing, and silky, and comes in pretty tints that last, even after eating. The sleek steel applicator is a nice bonus—it’s cool and soothing to the touch, offering the user a pleasurable experience.

To combat fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness around your eyes, you need a potent formula, such as this one, which combines three different serums to target the eye area. Its innovative package design uses separate chambers for each serum that then blend together as you press down on the pump. One serum has hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump and hydrate; the second has vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten; and the third has vitamin E for deep moisture. Our tester reported that her eye area was hydrated and less puffy after use.

This retinol serum blends three different types of retinoids (retinol, retinal, and retinyl ester) that are highly effective, yet gentle on the skin. The blend of glycerin and blackberry extract (an antioxidant) also makes the serum ideal for those with acne-prone or textured skin. Our tester liked that this serum didn’t cause any peeling or redness of her skin and worked nicely to treat her hormonal acne.

You might have tried overnight masks for your face, but what about for your hands? After all, they endure more wear and tear than most parts of the body, but often get the least love. This overnight treatment is like swaddling your hands in a cashmere blanket before you go to sleep. It’s formulated with retinol to retexturize and smooth; lactic acid to exfoliate; and colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, and panthenol to moisturize. Housed in a butter-yellow, refillable vessel that wouldn’t look out of place in a modern art museum, it’s the perfect new accessory for your nightstand. Our tester noted that the airless pump was easy to use, and her hands felt softer and more moisturized the next morning.

Whole body deodorants are the trend du jour, and this is one of the best. It can be used on underarms, on feet, in intimate areas, and anywhere else that is prone to sweat. Offering up to 72-hour odor protection, it’s made without aluminum, baking soda, synthetic dyes, parabens, or phthalates, instead relying on ingredients like lactic acid to curb odor-causing bacteria. The cream formula allows for a precise, targeted application. Our tester noted that this deodorant went on easily, blended into skin without residue, and kept odor at bay.

Our tester said she has “puffy eyes, especially in the morning,” so she was particularly excited to try this cooling and hydrating overnight eye mask. She really enjoyed the texture, calling it “very light, smooth, and airy, with a barely detectable scent.” She added, “I do think it helps the skin under my eyes to stay moisturized and look refreshed.”

This eye serum’s formula contains platelet-derived exosomes, seaweed extract, and coffee arabica extract to thoroughly moisturize the undereye area and help reduce the look of dark circles and puffiness. Our tester really liked the slanted stainless steel applicator, and noted that the skin under her eyes felt nourished and looked less puffy after using.

Our tester rated this product a 10 for living up to its name and delivering long-lasting, supple, and soft skin. She noted that the product was absorbed really quickly, but still felt lightweight and neither sticky nor oily. It contains a strong dose of antioxidants, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, lipids, and peptides to create a well-balanced, moisturizing formula.

How do you prefer your matcha? With oat milk? Vanilla syrup? Or maybe in your face wash? Tatcha is making a case for the third option with its pore-purifying cleanser. Rooted in Japanese home remedies, this cleanser uses antioxidant-rich ingredients like matcha and Japanese mugwort to clarify and balance the skin without stripping it of its essential oils, and is suitable for all skin types. Our tester noted that the cleanser felt gentle and luxurious on the skin but was still powerful enough to remove stubborn eye makeup.

After two years of development and 59 revisions, Orveda’s Youth Glove Protocol (which includes the Intense Serum Hand Mask, Filler Hand Cream, and Reusable Silicone Gloves) finally came to fruition. This isn’t your typical hand cream—the serum and cream duo targets thinning skin due to age and sun exposure. The serum adds plumpness and works to conceal visible veins, while the cream helps brighten skin and boost collagen production. The silicone gloves that help seal in the moisture are the cherry on top. Our tester found that her hands immediately felt softer, and stayed soft after each use.

This lip serum harnesses the power of liposomes, vesicles that can transport tiny molecules into the body. It’s infused with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid and nutrient-rich Japanese Shirakaba water, which help repair lips. Our tester found this product to be extremely hydrating and said that it worked well to restore moisture overnight.

One of the prettiest new lip balms on the market, this ginseng antioxidant-infused product soothes flaky lips while also making them look subtly more plump. Our tester said, “The packaging is so perfect and fun, and the balm has a light and clean feeling. A lot of lip balms end up rolling or pilling after a while, but this one keeps its consistency.”

If you’d rather condense two steps into one, you can skip moisturizing after your shower, thanks to this body wash. A healthy dose of hyaluronic acid and squalane is infused into the formula to create a hydrating feel. Our reviewer liked that this produced a fluffy, foamy lather and softened her dry skin, even in the depths of winter.

Sometimes doing your skin care routine can feel like a chore, but indulging in the texture of a sudsy foaming cleanser can make the process more enjoyable. This cleanser is formulated with a patented complex of three amino acids (taurine, arginine, and glycine) to repair and rehydrate. Additional ingredients like ginger root extract help reduce redness and irritation, resulting in calm, balanced skin. Our tester confirms that she was able to use this cleanser on her dry and sensitive skin without feeling stripped of moisture. She also notes that she was able to easily remove makeup and was left with soft, relaxed skin.

When you think of a skin care essential, the last thing that comes to mind is probably a phone case. But this one has been spotted all over social media, with its convenient carrier, shaped to house the Rhode Peptide Lip Tint and Treatment products. This case makes a statement—and you never have to worry about rummaging through your bag for your gloss.

This serum contains a stabilized form of vitamin C and a mix of enzymes and acids that help even skin tone and reduce spots. The formula has a silky texture that is quickly absorbed without leaving a greasy residue. Our tester confirmed that it felt soft and light on the skin and was easy to incorporate into her routine to alleviate hyperpigmentation.

If we were to dream up the perfect dry shampoo, it would make hair appear freshly washed and actually leave the scalp feeling and smelling clean. It’s hard to find a product that satisfies this trifecta, but K18’s AirWash comes pretty close. The brand’s new molecule, OdorBIND, is designed to target and eliminate odors, and the translucent microbeads absorb oil without leaving residue. The result is an utopian-seeming dry shampoo—a nonaerosol liquid that works well even on bangs. Our tester reported that her hair felt and looked clean, even after sweaty workouts, and loved that the formula didn’t add a white cast to her dark hair.

These azure-blue circular shampoo tablets sit in an aluminum tin that resembles a fancy chocolate box. Fashion hairstylist James Pecis, an avid surfer, was inspired to create this elegant, plastic-free solution to minimize waste. When you crush a tablet in your hands under running water, it turns into a luxurious, creamy shampoo chock-full of skin-loving ingredients, such as niacinamide and spirulina extract. Our tester loved how clean and soft this shampoo made her hair feel, and the moisturizing effects lingered even after a few days. The tablets also make this a perfect, space-efficient option for traveling.

If it’s good enough for the brand’s founder, Beyoncé, it’s good enough for us. A 13-African-oil formula, including watermelon seed, jojoba, and argan oils, helps nourish strands, protecting them from environmental stressors like pollution and wind damage. Unlike many oils that simply seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture, this oil actively works to prevent damage. The formula is lightweight and has a subtle oud scent with notes of sandalwood, jasmine, and vetiver. Our tester used the oil to add shine and bounce to her natural curls, and even used it on extensions. She confirms that it left her hair feeling soft and manageable without any greasiness or residue.

When you think of hair spray, your mind probably goes to an aerosol formula that leaves hair feeling stiff and dry. This spray from Crown Affair couldn’t be further from the rigid products of yesteryear—it’s a nonaerosol, alcohol-free mist that provides flexible hold, with no crunchy residue. Our tester noted that this hair spray kept her hair in place without sacrificing movement, brushed out easily, and smelled as good as a luxe perfume—thanks to ingredients like bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass.

This essence uses vitamin B5, a well-loved skin care ingredient, to help strengthen and nourish hair. Pantene’s scientists found that this vitamin has a high absorption rate and can help to rebuild bonds in the hair’s protein structure. The essence’s light formula allows it to sink deeply into hair, without leaving a heavy residue. Our tester reported that her hair felt stronger and less brittle.

Nexxus’s shampoo and conditioner are both rich in amino acids, the building blocks of hair. These hero ingredients work to protect and restore damaged hair, incorporating patent-pending bond-building technology. Our tester, who frequently colors her hair, noted that her hair felt noticeably softer and smoother after she tried this shampoo/conditioner duo, even after just one use.

While slicked-back hairstyles are a one-way ticket to looking put-together, they can also harm your hair because of the tension they put on your scalp, which can cause breakage. This styling stick helps to safely ease hair into place, since its glideable formula doesn’t rely on animal waxes or silicones, which are often drying and may cause hair damage. Our tester noted that the stick slides easily, holds hair well, and leaves a glossy finish.

It’s hard to tame frizz. But Ouai’s Anti-Frizz Crème stands out—it’s lightweight, provides frizz control for up to 72 hours, and protects hair from heat, so you can apply it before you use a hot tool. It contains nourishing ingredients like squalane and upcycled jackfruit. Our tester said, “My curly-wavy hair felt more defined and smoother than usual after just one use.”

Sometimes we wish there was a magic potion that could quickly repair damaged hair. This leave-in serum, made with the brand’s Rootbiomic Ferment, comes pretty close. Rootbiomic Ferment promotes healthy hair from root to tip with a blend of fermented proteins, mushrooms, and botanicals. Peptides and vitamin C also strengthen and repair the hair and increase shine for frizz-free, healthy strands. Our tester reported, “When I used this on its own, I noticed that my hair looked shinier and stronger. I was also able to combine it with curl cream or anti-frizz cream and get very good results as well.”

This nourishing hair mask contains citric acid for strengthening and squalane to soften and smooth. Our tester liked the mask’s serum-like liquid consistency, and said that after using it, her hair “was shiny, smooth, and very soft.”

Whether you wear your hair in braids, twists, or locs, you should never have to compromise on shine. This moisturizing shine spray features a blend of rosemary and mint to nourish the scalp and thicken hair. Wearing protective styles is great for curly and coiled textures to minimize manipulation that can lead to breakage, but it’s important to keep your hair hydrated even when it’s tucked away in braids and twists. This formula is infused with biotin to strengthen strands, and honey to add moisture (plus a sweet scent). Our tester said the spray left her scalp feeling fresh, and the invigorating fragrance was a welcome bonus.

Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or coily, it’s nearly impossible to escape frizz and flyaways. While many serums designed to tame the hair can leave it feeling greasy, TRESemmé’s featherlight formula smooths your strands for shiny results, minus the oily residue. This serum also boasts heat protection (up to 450 degrees) and offers three days of silky, frizz-free hair. Our tester noted that the serum felt lightweight on her natural type 4B hair, and she was able to easily straighten her coils.

You could go to the salon for a hair gloss, or you could pop on this hair treatment the next time you’re in the shower. Use it in lieu of conditioner, or leave it on for hair that absolutely gleams. It’s made with plant-based humectants and conditioners that work together to smooth the cuticle, as well as a hydration complex that helps hair retain moisture. Our tester reported that even though she has thick, tangle-prone hair, using this left her hair manageable and much shinier than usual.

Thanks to a range of textures and patterns, no one head of curls is exactly like another. While everybody’s curls are unique, tighter textures are often drier and more prone to breakage than looser hair types because of the curves and bends in the strands. This leave-in hair treatment uses Redken’s curl bond technology, which contains a blend of proteins, acids, and hydrating ingredients, like urea, to moisturize and balance the hair. The silicone-free formula penetrates the hair shaft without weighing down strands, giving you airy, bouncy curls. Our tester confirmed that it left her with defined, soft, and hydrated curls after styling.

If you don’t want to give up your favorite styling tools, protecting your hair is key to avoiding dryness and damage—and standard conditioners and moisturizers won’t always cut it. This mask gets to the root of your hair ailments by penetrating the cuticle and nourishing strands on a molecular level. Formulated with peptides and amino acids, this intensive repair mask helps revive dull, brittle strands, leaving your hair looking and feeling stronger. Our tester said that after one use, her hair felt manageable and soft.

Pound Cake strives to make truly universally flattering lip products—and the brand does so by using color theory. Yellow and violet sit opposite each other on the color wheel, with one color neutralizing the other—which is why these lip oils come in just those two shades, as they work to address different lip tone discolorations. The formula blurs lines and treats hyperpigmentation, with the yellow gloss working to offset dark spots, while the plum color counterbalances two-toned lips. Our tester found that the yellow tint really worked—it helped even out her lip color and made dark spots less noticeable, all while appearing and feeling like cushiony clear lip gloss.

Pro makeup artists know that the secret to perfectly concealing a pimple is to do proper color correction first. Celebrity makeup artist Quinn Murphy created a duo concealer and color corrector compact to smoothly camouflage pimples, undereye circles, and other blemishes. The talc-free formula helps the powder to feel light and look seamless. Our tester appreciated that this product took the guesswork out of pairing the right color corrector with a concealer. The powder didn’t settle into lines, and worked well to do pinpoint-like spot correction, without looking cakey.

True to its name, this gel will stiffen brow hairs, so that you can sweep and mold them in your preferred direction. Think of it as a strong-hold hair gel for your brows, without any white residue. Its strength and lack of stickiness make it a standout in the brow gel category.

When it comes to creating a seamless makeup look, makeup artists often say that fingers work better than any tool. That’s why Real Techniques created a sponge that mimics the texture of your fingers with a unique “fingerprint film.” It not only helps your makeup blend in smoothly, but also allows you to use less makeup, as it absorbs very little product. Our tester’s experience: “This sponge has a very interesting texture that actually does feel like your fingertips. I really love this sponge—it helps me use less product on my face for a more natural look.”

Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge worked for years to create a luxury refillable lipstick in a mono-material case. Made entirely of aluminum, the refill component can be recycled as easily as a soda can. The lipstick itself has an unusual formula that includes gel, oil, and cream. Our tester liked the weighty feel of the case, and said the lip color was incredibly smooth, with a pretty satin finish.

Charlotte Tilbury is known for her filter-like skin formulas—her Airbrush Flawless Foundation has long been a go-to on red carpets. This foundation stick takes a different approach from the brand’s typically high-coverage products, offering glowy, sheer coverage instead. It uses Light Mapping Mesh Tech to create a sculpted, ring-light-like glow and also features Collageneer, a firming ingredient that stimulates collagen production and comes in 20 “stretchable” shades. Our tester reported that she has never gotten so many compliments on her skin before, thanks to this foundation’s ultimate no-makeup-makeup effect.

This liner is made with shea butter and vitamin E to moisturize and nourish, while Marula oil ensures a rich pigment and creamy application. With five curated shades, this long-lasting formula adds depth to any lip combination, whether you prefer a’90s era lined glossy lip or want the perfect companion for your favorite lipstick shade. Our tester loved the smooth application and hydrating formula, which lasted through a night of dinner and dancing without needed to be reapplied.

What if we told you that there’s a product that can create a pink lip shade that’s unique to you? This powder-blue lip balm has a color-changing formula that transforms, when applied, into a flush of color that is unique to every person. Using the brand’s Micro-Blushing technology, the nourishing formula adapts to your body’s pH to give you a one-of-a-kind pink lip shade. The refillable balm also moisturizes the lips with botanicals like jojoba and passion fruit oil for all-day hydration. Our tester noted that the balm was lightweight and gave her a rosy flush that looked like it was made for her.

Highlighters are great for when you want a dramatic, glowy effect. But for a subtle look, there are “lowlighters,” a subdued, nonsparkly option. This tinted balm melts into skin to add a natural radiance that looks like you’re glowing from within. The balm-to-powder formula uses the skin-blurring ingredient upsalite, which helps create a soft-focus finish. Our tester reported, “It’s very easy to apply with my fingertips, and gave my skin a soft shimmer. In the right light, this can even look slightly holographic. It comes in very pretty colors and is perfect for my cheeks and eyes.”

It’s often said that French women have perfected the art of looking perfectly undone. One French beauty trend is a blurred-out lip that looks like the result of a good make-out session, which this product makes easy to duplicate. Its unique formula combines lip balm with lipstick, with a nourishing outer jelly layer wrapped around a tinted core to enhance and hydrate lips while giving a sheer wash of color. Our tester noted that this lipstick helped her achieve an effortless-looking red lip that could be applied without peering in a mirror.

This serum-based blush formula is made with 70 percent skin care ingredients, like squalane to nourish the skin and arnica to reduce redness and irritation. It melts easily into skin and delivers high-impact, glossy color, while still looking subtle. Our tester said, “Love! So easy to use and easy to blend, and it comes in an array of beautiful colors. I would buy the other six shades, too! I really like the packaging and just found myself wanting to reach for it over and over. I also like that the color isn’t too intense, which can be hard to work with.”

Guerlain’s classic lipstick and its legendary secret double-mirror case were both reimagined this year to create a more eco-oriented design. Its lipstick formula is now 89 percent skin care-based, with beneficial ingredients like natural-origin waxes and sweet almond oil. The new case, created via a manufacturing process that reduces CO₂ emissions by 30 percent, is also 20 percent lighter in weight. Our tester said, “I love this lipstick—and the packaging, too. It stays on really well, doesn’t smudge, and doesn’t make my lips look dry.”

These products were designed to give the look of professional nail art, minus the high price tag, lengthy UV curing time, or messy pigments. The special effects collection mixes holographic and light-reflecting pearls for a chrome effect, and our tester appreciated the polishes’ ease of application and flattering shades. “I love these colors so much!” she said.

Another product with a 10 rating, this eyeliner comes in an array of vivid colors, like cobalt-blue shimmer and hot pink. Our tester found that this waterproof eyeliner was truly smudge-resistant and lasted for up to 24 hours, calling it “a perfectly pigmented eyeliner with a sublime precision brush.”

Many cosmetics are colored with petrochemicals, synthetics, or minerals, but Le Rouge Français takes a decidedly different approach. All of the colors used in the brand’s products are extracted from plants, such as indigo, damask rose, and chestnut. Our tester loved the sheer wash of color from this tinted lip balm, and found it to be super hydrating and easy to blend.

Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian describes this new collection of perfumes, inspired by the brand’s classic fragrances, as “pumping up the volume.” Much like how a chef reduces a sauce to enhance flavors, he did the same with key ingredients from original perfumes to create newly minimalist, yet amplified versions. Our tester loved the original Oud Ispahan, and found that the new iteration felt like hearing a favorite song being played live—a little louder, a little more surprising.

Infiniment Coty Paris’s new eau de parfum collection deftly blends the artistry of fragrance with science. Boasting an up to 30-hour wear time thanks to a patent-pending technology known as molecular aura, these 14 scents can tell a story from morning to evening. Trying out Soleil D’Ikosim, our tester found that the perfume lasted throughout the day, and it was a sunny, warm ode to orange blossoms that felt like golden hour on vacation.

This concentrated laundry detergent is designed to optimize your sleep experience. A special enzyme blend helps brighten bedding and nightclothes while treating stains, dirt, and oil. Its perfumer-developed relaxing scent, including notes of night-blooming jasmine, bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, and amber, is formulated to linger for up to seven days. Our tester loved the soothing smell and noticed that it made her white bedsheets brighter. The scent also lasted until it was time to do another load.

From its unique composition to its chic matte black bottle, this fragrance is far from your run-of-the-mill woodsy scent. Genetic Bliss is made with a blend of vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, along with molecular captives like moxalone and belambre, which provide fruity musk and amber notes. The brand is one of the first to use akigalawood, a fragrance molecule extracted from patchouli essential oil, which gives the scent a subtle woodsy oud smell. Our tester reported that the scent was long-lasting and loved the sleek, elegant vessel.

This fragrance brand is always creating boundary-pushing perfumes, but the backstory behind Gateau Blackout is even more intriguing than most. The scent is created from D.S. & Durga’s streaming series, Perfume Quest!, in which cofounder and perfumer David Seth Moltz creates scents based on ideas from his favorite artists. This scent is the perfect interpretation of Black Forest cake, with notes like black cherry, cocoa, vanilla, and fireplace. Our tester loved how unique this perfume was and how long it lasted.