Hello there! Every year, Cosmopolitan Philippines' editors test hundreds of beauty and wellness products in order to find the best ones for Pinays—and this 2022, we're back! This year's theme is none other than ~*revenge beauty*~. As we re-enter the world outside our homes, we're ready to switch up our routines and play around with our looks again—and we know we're not alone. ;)
Without further ado, here are the best skincare, makeup, body care, hair care, wellness, and beauty gadgets that deserve a spot in your regimen:
Cosmopolitan Philippines Beauty Awards 2022 Winners
Best cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
When you want a basic and gentle cleanser to wash off dirt from your skin, trust this soap-free facial wash to do the trick.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, P538
Best toner: Oxecure Blackhead Clearing BHA PHA Toner
Stubborn blackheads and zits? They won’t be your problem anymore once you include this chemical exfoliant toner in your routine.
Oxecure Blackhead Clearing BHA PHA Toner, P499
Best toner-essence: MadeCera Cream Double Essence Toner
Give this bottle a quick shake to take advantage of its gentle hydrating properties. It has madecassoside to soothe the skin and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier. Best believe that daily use of this essence-toner will reveal smoother, radiant skin. (Yes, even if you have dry or oily skin.)
MadeCera Cream Double Essence Toner, P1,356
Best ampoules: Bioten Vitamin C Brightening And Anti-Ageing Ampoules
Vitamin C in skincare is vital for restoring the youthful glow of the complexion. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it also evens out pigmentation (dark spots and acne marks) on the skin. This ampoule has five percent vitamin C and amino acids which adds an intense boost of brightening to your skin.
Bioten Vitamin C Brightening And Anti-Ageing Ampoules, P799
Best hydrating serum: Pond's Watermelon Hydrating Serum
This serum has four kinds of hyaluronic acid that will give your face light hydration that never feels sticky or heavy. You might get tempted to take makeup-free selfies after using this serum because your skin will look seriously glowing!
Pond's Watermelon Hydrating Serum
Best retinol serum: Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule
You can now take advantage of the benefits of retinol without worrying about it irritating your skin. This serum’s retinol component passed the hypoallergenic, skin irritation, and non-comedogenic tests. You can say hello to a smoother, more even-toned complexion. What we love about this ampoule is that it is also enriched with cica, a well-known ingredient that can soothe inflamed or tired skin.
Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule, P1,950
Best eye cream: Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Retinol Eye Cream For Face
Isn’t it obvious that we’re big fans of retinol here? This eye cream has retinol content that will improve the appearance of wrinkles and textured skin. It’s so good that fans of this product use this all over their faces.
Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Retinol Eye Cream For Face, P3,750
Best moisturizer: Olay Niacinamide + AHA Moisturizer
We can vouch for this moisturizer’s glow-boosting abilities, thanks to the powerful combo of brightening niacinamide and gently exfoliating AHA.
Olay Niacinamide + AHA Moisturizer, P1,499
Best tinted sunscreen: Celeteque Skin Defense Tinted Face Stick With SPF50
Perfect for "no-makeup" makeup days, this tinted face stick can cover up dark circles, redness, and mild blemishes while protecting your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. This moisturizing stick is non-comodegonic, too!
Celeteque Skin Defense Tinted Face Stick With SPF50, P399
Best sunscreen: Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
If you’re looking for a sunscreen product that never feels sticky, then you’ll love Anessa’s sunscreen gel. It even delivers a hydrated finish that helps your makeup stay on for hours! The UVA and UVB protection is superb, too.
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Gel SPF 50+ PA++++, P1,490
Best acne spot treatment: Y.O.U. Beauty Triple Action Spot Care
Calm and shrink angry zits overnight with this spot treatment that's formulated with two acne-fighting ingredients: Cica and niacinamide.
Y.O.U. Beauty Triple Action Spot Care, P299
Best sheet mask for acne-prone skin: Ever Organics Cica Skin Repair Face Mask
We’re not sure if you’ve noticed but cica is another favorite skincare ingredient. It can calm down the skin and treat breakouts so it’s perfect for all skin types. Make this a part of your weekly self-care routine to have a healthy glowing complexion.
Ever Organics Serum Repair Sheet Mask Cica Skin Repair, P36.75
Best face oil: Pili Ani Self-Care Night Recovery Oil
We’re telling you, local skincare is stepping up! This facial oil is made from pili oil that is packed with antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental aggressors. And although it’s an oil formula, it never leaves the skin feeling greasy—only fresh and dewy.
Pili Ani Self-Care Night Recovery Oil, P3,200
Face
Best primer for oily skin: Spotlight Cosmetics Mattifying Primer
Keep your makeup from sliding off your face with this mattifying primer from Spotlight Cosmetics. It's formulated with tea tree oil and kaolin clay to control oil, minimize redness, and blur out pores.
Spotlight Cosmetics Mattifying Primer, P495
Best cushion compact: The Face Shop Ink Lasting Cushion SPF 30 PA++
A few taps of this cushion compact will help you score a fresh and radiant base. It feels completely ~weightless~ on the skin!
The Face Shop Ink Lasting Cushion SPF 30 PA++, P1,395
Best liquid foundation: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation
This oil-free liquid foundation has a buildable medium coverage that still looks like your skin but better!
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation, P3,000
Best powder foundation: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation
If your skin tends to get *oily* hours after doing your makeup, we recommend setting your base with this iconic powder foundation from MAC Cosmetics. It provides a seamless matte finish and it has a buildable formula that doesn't get cakey!
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation, P2,100
Best concealer: Issy & Co. Active Concealer
This sweldo-friendly concealer with medium-to-full coverage is perfect for concealing tired eyes, thanks to its hydrating and lightweight formula.
Issy & Co. Active Concealer, P399
Best tint: Pretty Secret Tint Up and Glow Up 2-in-1 Lip & Cheek Tint
You can count on this water tint to give your cheeks a healthy, ~natural~ flush that will stay on for hours. Sweep it on your lips and lids for an easy, monochromatic look!
Pretty Secret Tint Up and Glow Up 2-in-1 Lip & Cheek Tint, P89
Best contour product: Careline Contour Stick
Creamy, blendable, and buildable, this contour stick makes sculpting the cheekbones a breeze—whether you're a makeup pro or not!
Careline Contour Stick, P199
Best highlighter: Ever Bilena Glow Out Highlighter in Strobe
The color payoff and shine of this highlighter are A+. One sweep is enough to make your cheekbones pop!
Ever Bilena Glow Out Highlighter in Strobe, P275
Lips
Best tinted lip balm: Sunnies Face Lip Treat
You'll love reapplying this tinted lip balm because it leaves the lips looking plump and shiny. It comes in seven sheer shades (five of which are MLBBs!)—you'll find it hard to pick a favorite.
Sunnies Face Lip Treat, P395
Best lipstick for dry lips: Mary Kay Supreme Hydrating Lipstick
This lippie feels like a lip balm, lipstick, and lip gloss combined. We love how its creamy, buttery formula smoothens out fine lines!
Mary Kay Supreme Hydrating Lipstick, P799
Best liquid lipstick: BYS Han So Hee for BYS Lip Nectar in Tulip
If you're looking for a liquid lipstick that won't dry your pout out, this one by K-Drama star Han So Hee won't disappoint! Its velvety texture melts into the lips *without* cracking.
BYS Han So Hee for BYS Lip Nectar in Tulip, P499
Best lip oil: Vice Cosmetics Perfect Kizz Lip Oil
Hate wearing lip gloss? This nourishing lip oil delivers a glossy finish sans the stickiness. We love the "Kendi Glaze" shade because it leaves behind a pretty pinkish tint, too!
Vice Cosmetics Perfect Kizz Lip Oil, P195
Eyes
Best neutral eyeshadow: Dazzle Me POV Eyeshadow
Don't let its price fool you—this budget-friendly eyeshadow is well-pigmented and it blends easily. The "Charm" shade makes for a great all-over everyday lid color. You can use it on its own or blend it with other shadows!
Dazzle Me POV Eyeshadow, P89
Best colorful eyeshadow: Shiseido POP PowderGel Eye Shadow Ombre
The unique cream-powder formula of this single eyeshadow is perfect for delivering a pop of color (and shimmer!) to the lids. It's available in 17 playful and muted shades.
Shiseido POP PowderGel Eye Shadow Ombre, P1,450
Best mascara: Heroine Make Long Up Mascara Super Waterproof
Japan is known for selling the best mascaras, and this one from Heroine Make is no exception. Once it sets, it'll stay on the *entire* day. It's party-proof!
KISSME Heroine Make Long Up Mascara Super Waterproof, P750
Best eyebrow pencil: Spotlight Cosmetics Megahit Eyebrow Pencil With Spoolie
The triangle tip of this brow pencil makes it easy to fill in sparse areas of the kilay. Plus, it glides on smoothly.
Spotlight Cosmetics Megahit Eyebrow Pencil With Spoolie, P325
Best eyebrow gel: Vice Cosmetics Gandoll Flexi Brow Shaper
This clear brow gel has a small spoolie wand, which helps you brush up every brow hair to achieve the ~bushy~ kilay of your dreams.
Vice Cosmetics Gandoll Flexi Brow Shaper, P245
Best eyeliner: Careline Graph-Ink Liner
Creating a cat eye has never been easier, thanks to this waterproof eyeliner's felt tip that creates precise lines. It can be subtle or intense, depending on the vibe you're going for!
Careline Graph-Ink Liner, P220
Best brightening body lotion: Dr. Wong Lightening Lotion with UV Protection
We swear by this lightweight and non-greasy body lotion's brightening formula—it can fade tan lines!
Dr. Wong Lightening Lotion with UV Protection, P169
Best scented body lotion: Jergens Essential Oil Lotion
If you're an essential oil fan, you'll love getting a whiff of these scented lotions, especially before heading to bed. They contain a blend of shea, coconut, and mango butter that work together to deeply nourish the skin.
Jergens Essential Oil Lotion, P330
Best body soap: SNAILWHITE Whipp Soap Gold
This bar soap is incredibly moisturizing. It comes with a delicate mesh pouch that helps create a foamy lather to lift off excess oil and dirt. It's also formulated with niacinamide and 24K Gold to even out the skin.
SNAILWHITE Whipp Soap Gold, P545
Best body wash: Safeguard Gentle Micellar Face & Body Cleanser Coconut Peach
If you're looking for a gentle but effective body wash, this one from Safeguard is worth a try. It has micellar technology that draws out dirt, oil, and other impurities without being harsh on the skin.
Safeguard Gentle Micellar Face & Body Cleanser Coconut Peach, P219
Best body scrub: SNAILWHITE Glow Jelly Mask Scrub
For a glowing complexion from head to toe, exfoliate your body at least twice a week with this jelly mask-slash-scrub that has a mix of chemical exfoliants (pomegranate extract and AHAs) and physical exfoliants (tiny bio beads.)
SNAILWHITE Glow Jelly Mask Scrub, P314
Best multi-tasking beauty oil: Hello Glow Sunflower Multiuse Beauty Oil
You can apply this multi-purpose beauty oil to your knees, elbows, and other rough parts of the body to soothe and heal the skin.
Hello Glow Sunflower Multiuse Beauty Oil, P220
Best deodorant: Rexona Dry Serum Advanced Brightening +Anti Stain
This brightening serum deodorant is perfect for girls who love wearing sleeveless tops. It contains sunflower seed oil, which helps make the skin more resilient to underarm hair removal. Plus, it doesn't stain clothes!
Rexona Dry Serum Advanced Brightening +Anti Stain, P149.50
Best feminine wash for red days: Gynepro Ultra Protection Feminine Wash
This OB-GYN-approved feminine wash was especially formulated to use during your red days. It effectively kills the bacteria that cause unpleasant odors and itchiness down there.
Gynepro Ultra Protection Feminine Wash, P170
Best daily feminine wash: Lactacyd Pro Sensitive
For a feminine wash that you can use every day, you'll love Lactacyd's Pro Sensitive because of how mild and gentle it is. This hypoallergenic formula helps ~soothe~ the intimate area, keeping dryness and itchiness at bay.
Lactacyd Pro Sensitive, P175
Best whitening toothpaste: Luxe Organix Perfect Smile Premium Whitening Toothpaste
Are you someone who can't start the day without coffee? This toothpaste can effectively lift off unwanted stains while preventing plaque buildup for whiter teeth and healthier gums.
Luxe Organix Perfect Smile Premium Whitening Toothpaste, P199
Best everyday nail polish: Nami Toxin-Free Water-Based Nail Polish
What makes this nail polish stand out is its toxin-free, water-based formula that's chip-resistant. What's more, it doesn't have a harsh odor!
Nami Toxin-Free Water-Based Nail Polish, P349
Best perfume: Perfume Dessert Hennessey Fragrance Playlist Eau de Parfum
Still looking for your signature perfume? This chic box is packed with 14 different fruity scents that you can try, including Peony and Apples, Neroli and Grapefruit, Grey Tea and Cucumber, and more. They come in travel-friendly sizes so you can throw one into your everyday bag!
Perfume Dessert Hennessey Fragrance Playlist, P2,350
Best cologne (everyday scent): Fresh Vanilla Milkshake Fragrance Mist
Here's a light scent that you can wear every day: Fresh's Vanilla Milkshake Fragrance Mist is a delicious warm vanilla cologne with notes of soft cocoa and sandalwood.
Fresh Vanilla Milkshake Fragrance Mist, P129
Best tanning product: Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion
Got a beach trip coming up? Apply this moisturizing tanning lotion all over your body after putting on your sunblock to achieve a gorgeous sun-kissed glow.
Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion, P1,998
Best non-drying alcohol: Casino Ethyl Alcohol Dual Moisturizer
One con of always sanitizing the hands? Dry skin. Thankfully, this alcohol’s formula moisturizes and keeps our hands soft.
Casino Ethyl Alcohol Dual Moisturizer, P91.75
Best overall shampoo: Dove Keratin Tri-Silk Serum Straight & Silky Shampoo
If you want your hair to be smooth and manageable every day, this keratin-enriched shampoo has got your back!
Dove Keratin Tri-Silk Serum Straight & Silky Shampoo, P298
Best shampoo for damaged hair: Sunsilk Damage Reconstruction Shampoo with Keratin, Almond Oil, & Vitamin C
If you constantly heat-style your tresses, this affordable shampoo that's infused with almond oil, vitamin C, and keratin will be your BFF.
Sunsilk Damage Reconstruction Shampoo with Keratin, Almond Oil, & Vitamin C, P121
Best shampoo for colored hair: TRESemmé Color Radiance Anti-Fade Color Shampoo
Keep your dream dye job looking ~vibrant~ with this affordable shampoo fromTRESemmé. It has anti-fade technology and jojoba oil that deeply nourishes chemically-treated hair.
TRESemmé Color Radiance Anti-Fade Color Shampoo
Best conditioner for hair fall: Pantene 3-Minute Miracle Biotin Strength Intensive Serum Conditioner
Biotin is known for being a dietary supplement that can strengthen your hair and nails. It's the star ingredient of this conditioner from Pantene. Combined with Vitamin B5, it nourishes damaged strands to reduce hair fall.
Pantene 3-Minute Miracle Biotin Strength Intensive Serum Conditioner, P309
Best hair dye kit: Liese Creamy Bubble Color
This Japanese hair dye kit is so easy to use. You can apply its foamy formula to your hair even without any tool. (Just don't forget to wear gloves!) It *evenly* distributes color to the tresses, and it has a unique range of shades, from mint ash, dark rose, to milk tea brown.
Liese Creamy Bubble Color, P314.40
Best hair mask: Ichikami Premium Hair Treatment Mask
Another J-Beauty find, this hair mask from works wonders in making damaged hair feel super soft, thanks to its high concentration of rice brand pure lipid, perilla oil, safflower oil, and other Japanese herbs and oils. It's sulfate-free, too!
Ichikami Premium Hair Treatment Mask, P670.50
Best hairspray: Fuwarie Hair Styling Mist for Curl Rose and White Floral
Unlike traditional hairsprays, this argan oil-infused hair styling mist won't leave your curls looking and feeling stiff. It protects your tresses from heat damage, too!
Fuwarie Hair Styling Mist for Curl Rose and White Floral, P495
Best pomade: Bench Barbers by Fix Professional Pomade High Shine, Heavy Hold
Say goodbye to flyaways with this OG pomade. Perfect for sleek hairstyles, it smoothens the hair while adding shine to the tresses.
Bench Barbers by Fix Professional Pomade High Shine, Heavy Hold, P132
Best hair oil: Mise-en-scene Perfect Serum
This popular Korean hair serum will save you on bad hair days. Loaded with the best hair-repairing ingredients, such as argan, marula, olive, jojoba, camelia, apricot oil, and coconut, it does a great job of taming frizz and flyaways.
Mise-en-scene Perfect Serum Original, P645
Best supplement for overall health: Fortima Vitamins
Boost your immunity and care for your skin with this supplement that has vitamins C and E, plus zinc.
Fortima Vitamins, P350
Best beauty supplement: Puritan's Pride Hair, Skin & Nails Formula Vitamin Supplement
This supplement has everything you need in a beauty pill: Vitamin A, C, E, b-complex, collagen, and biotin. Say goodbye to brittle nails, weak hair, and dull skin when you take this every day.
Puritan's Pride Hair, Skin & Nails Formula Vitamin Supplement, P503 to P629
Best melatonin supplement: Sleepasil Minerals with Melatonin & Herb Extracts Food Supplement Capsule
Melatonin will help your slow down before bedtime so you can have deeper sleep. Sleepasil, a trusted brand for many years, has melatonin and other natural ingredients to help you achieve better quality sleep. It’s non-addictive so you can take this nightly.
Sleepasil Minerals with Melatonin & Herb Extracts Food Supplement Capsule, P960/60 capsules
Best hair removal device: Aivee LHR+
In-clinic hair removal procedures are expensive. You can save money by investing in this at-home device to zap unwanted body hair.
Aivee LHR+, P10,799
Best electric toothbrush: Sparkle Ultra Active Pro Deep Clean Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are life-changing. This one from Sparkle makes sure it gets all the stuck debris in between the teeth and polishes the teeth’s surface.
Sparkle Ultra Active Sonic Electronic Toothbrush, P1,199 to P1,990
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PRODUCED BY: Ira Nopuente and Patricia Melliza
ART DIRECTION BY: Pau Moyano
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: RG Medestomas
SET & PRODUCT STYLING BY: Lady Badoy