Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2025: The Hair & Nails Winners For Your Everyday Glam

Just as your most glam outfit is the pièce de résistance of your party 'fit, your hair 'do and nails serve as the finishing touch that adds that lil' dazzle to your whole look. Ever heard of the saying that the hairstyle pulls the outfit together? We're firm believers of it over at the Cosmo HQ, which is why we dedicated a lot of time testing products for the final list of winners!

Each product was tried on its own, in tandem with other products (to create a whole look, ofc!), and through shoot days and day-to-night events. We really put them through the wire!

From over 800 beauty products submitted and vetted during the testing period, we narrowed the winners' list down to 20 for the hair and nails category. These were the products that made our tresses shine a little more, our nails look bomb AF, and added a more confident bounce to our step.

Think of the keratin treatments you get at the salon. Then think about how you can get the same results at home. Powered by Amino-Keratin + Boosters, this hair mask will nourish your mane and tame any damage-based frizz—leaving you more time for the rest of your GRWM routine.

Why we love it: "With my dry, frizzy hair, this was a reviving savior."

Getting ready to go out is already an ordeal, but you can cut the time by starting your hairstyling in the shower. Yup, this peptide-powered conditioner technically gives you a two-for-one deal: It moisturizes your locks to repair any damage (which causes breakage, FYI), and does it all in under a minute.

Why we love it: "Dove doesn't miss when it comes to conditioning my bleached and color-treated tresses. It leaves my hair soft and smooth, without the sticky residue on my skin after rinsing."

If your mane needs a lil' extra help in taming any flyaways and needing more ✨shine✨, this hair oil-serum hybrid will be your bestie. Pumped full of plant-based oils and seed extracts, this hair serum coats your hair cuticles in much-needed nourishment without leaving behind any greasiness or added weight. Plus, it smells soooooo good too!

Why we love it: "It's nourishing and lightweight, I love how it doesn't weigh down my hair and keeps it looking shiny still!"

J-beauty doesn't play around, especially when it comes to hair care. This hair oil is one of the new-to-us discoveries we've been loving lately, because it doesn't leave your mane moisturized and shiny—it also acts as a heat protectant! It also imparts a nice floral fragrance with woody and sweet powdery notes, making it perfect for scent layering.

Why we love it: "I love Fino's hair oil because it doesn't weigh down my hair and gives it a shiny finish without feeling greasy!"

This one's for ladies with thinning hair: a shampoo packed with invigorating ingredients (like ginseng, ginger, caffeine, and Kopexil) but doesn't have a medical smell! This shampoo is also packed with amino acids that help address hair loss by sloughing away excess oil and rejuvenating the hair follicles and roots.

Why we love it: "This surprised me, the shampoo leaves a clean, soft, and light feeling on the scalp and hair. The scent is not too strong as well."

If you're one to experiment with your hair colors (and go through different hair eras), this at-home hair dye makes the experience go easier. You get a vibrant new hair color, but your tresses still feel soft thanks to the moisturizing combo of Royal Jelly extract and Hydrolized silk in its formula. Win-win!

Why we love it: "It's easy to use, even for beginners, and the results look salon-worthy TBH."

Never go a day without using hairstyling products like hair spray, leave-on conditioner, or mousse? Your dull-colored tresses may already be shouting a call for help to thoroughly remove the product residue clogging your scalp and hair cuticles. This clarifying shampoo does the job of lifting away heavy metals, hard water minerals, chlorine, pollutants, product buildup, and excess oil without stripping your locks of moisture.

Why we love it: "Whenever I get my hair styled multiple times in one week, this is a lifesaver. It resets my hair and gets rid of that over-ironed smell and the hairspray buildup."

Did you know that the coconut is one of the sources of the oldest hair care ingredients? Yup, coconut oils and creams have been widely documented as a staple in beauty routines for centuries. This shampoo is made with 100% natural coconut cream, which is known for its moisturizing properties.

Why we love it: "This has been my go-to shampoo since forever—I love how light, clean, and bouncy my hair looks and feels whenever I use it!"

Micellar has been a popular skincare ingredient since it gently lifts away any dirt from the surface without drying it out. This shampoo harnesses the same philosophy: It only removes impurities from the hair without stripping it of its moisture and color. It's definitely a must-have if you want to make your hair color last longer!

Why we love it: "I feel like it did keep my bleached hair from looking brassy, since the color still looks vibrant as when I first had it done! But it needs to be paired with a great conditioner so you get max results."

Formulated with jojoba oil and vegan biomimetic lipids that restore your hair's natural oils, this shampoo will be a staple in any Curly Girl hair care routine. It helps keep your curls defined and bouncy, while still effectively cleansing them of any leftover product or impurities. Plus, it also helps keep your scalp microbiome healthy and balanced.

Why we love it: "Love this shampoo!! Doesn't make my colored hair feel dry(er). It smells very nice and has salon vibes also, which I like."

Is a flaky and itchy scalp bringing your vibe down? We can't have that! This awards season wouldn't be complete without an anti-dandruff shampoo and we've found it in this shampoo (which won back-to-back as of this year!) And it's no wonder why: The combo of dandruff-busting selenium sulfide, moisturizing French honey, and soothing menthol makes it a treat for flaky scalp martyrs.

Why we love it: "It instantly calms my itchy scalp and leaves my hair smelling fresh and clean."

If you feel that your scalp really needs some extra TLC, this hair and scalp treatment is worth considering. They begin the session by looking at your scalp from a handheld microscope to determine its condition and what it really needs. Then comes the fun (and relaxing!) part: A head and scalp massage, scalp scrub, hair mask, and other targeted treatments that will leave your head literally feeling loads lighter.

Why we love it: "True to its name, SENSES is a treat for your senses. It starts off with a scalp analysis, followed by a dry head massage, aromatherapy, and a warm eye mask before they actually go in with the scalp scrub and hair mask. Then they treat you to an arm massage. Finally, the session is capped off with a free hairstyling sesh—worth it for the relaxation and treatment!"

You know the drill: Purple shampoo cancels out the yellow tones that make bleached hair look brassy. What makes this purple shampoo different is its lightweight texture and formula infused with the nourishing trio of vitamin E, shea butter, and sodium hyaluronate. The result: Your hair feels soft and looks super vibrant!

Why we love it: "Ever since I discovered it during last year's Cosmo Beauty Awards, I've never failed to repurchase it. I credit it for keeping my hair color looking as good as it did since I stepped out of the salon!"

Hair perfumes are having a moment, and this drugstore find has proven to be friendly for both your hair and your wallet. It's formulated with InstaFresh Technology that magics away any foul odor left on your hair. It's not just a nice smell and an affordable option—it doubles as a hair protectant thanks to the Anti-Bacterial Actives that counteract and protect your locks from odor-causing bacteria.

Why we love it: "A must-have if you always take Angkas or Move It to go anywhere like me. The scent is very fresh and also not nauseating (coming from someone with a v sensitive nose). It's also a must-have if you eat frequent hot pot or samgyup restos, lol!"

If you need a quick top-up in the hair shine department, keep this hair serum in your kikay kit. It's packed with keratin and glycerin, two ingredients that are known to deliver glossy shine upon application.

Why we love it: "I've been using Vitress' hair cuticle coat since I was in elementary, and I ended being v impressed with this one more! It's light, not greasy, adds ample shine, and makes my hair feel soooooo soft."

A hair brush that can gently detangle knotted hair and is made of sustainable materials? Yes please! This small but mighty tool has ultra-soft IntelliFlex bristles that gently loosen any knotted tresses, which, in turn, helps reduce hair damage. It comes in a variety of colors, and its compact size makes it easy to slip into your purse for quick touch-ups while you're on the move.

Why we love it: "My frizzy and fine hair is v prone to tangling regardless of the level of activity in my day, so this hair brush never leaves my bag since it tames my mane in a jiff."

Any nail girlie would know that her manicure isn't complete without applying a light coat of nail and cuticle oil! This nourishing option is formulated with jojoba oil and vitamin E that moisturize and pamper the thin skin around your nails, which helps keep them strong and healthy.

Why we love it: "Nail oil is such a staple for a nail girlie like me and this one is quickly becoming a HG!"

Love keeping your mani clean and in the nude realm of colors? This sheer nail polish is an affordable option that comes in flattering hues. Trust when we say each shade is giving old money vibes—but without the heavy price tag.

Why we love it: "I'm obsessed with the natural, your-nails-but-better look. If you're not going for clear nails, this is the next best thing—chic and classy for every day, but still elevated enough for special occasions. Plus, it’s buildable for that sheer-to-solid finish."

Don't want to commit to a certain nail length or design? These press-on nails will serve multiple options for any girlie who wants to switch up her regular manicure. They're easy to apply and come in so many designs!

Why we love it: "As someone who can't make up her mind about which nail design she wants to commit to for the next three-ish weeks, but also wants her mani to look great AF all the time, these press-ons offer the creativity and flexibility I crave! Love that you have options when it comes to the length and sizes too, since I have small nail beds, which make finding the right press-on size typically a trial."

If you want your nails to last through your day-to-day grind or simply want to do something special for an occasion, soft gel nail extensions are the key to getting all the compliments! Just show your nail art peg and the nail artist will do the rest.

Why we love it: "For a first-timer, the experience was great. The nail tech was v efficient and she was also able to replicate my peg. The nails also lasted surprisingly long despite my doing dishes and going about my life."

Every year, the Cosmo Beauty Awards is more than just a list—it's a reflection of what you actually use, love, and swear by. Here's how we put it all together:

1. We listen to you first.

We kicked things off with our annual reader survey to get to know what the Cosmo community is loving right now—from trending ingredients and beauty splurges to the products you actually repurchase. From your insights, we spot patterns, decode habits, and build a picture of what beauty means to Gen Z and millennial Filipinas today. That's how we land on a yearly theme that sets the tone for everything we create.

2. We open our callouts (and our vanities).

Once the theme is set, we invite brands to nominate their best products and services for consideration. Of course, we also include our own tried-and-true faves—whether it's something we've personally purchased (because yes, we're beauty girls too!) or a product or service we've experienced firsthand as editors throughout the year.

3. We test. Everything. And rate them based on a set criteria.

The Cosmo editors spend months trying out every single nomination—no skipping steps here. Each product is scored based on Quality, Value for Money, User Experience, Innovation & Lifestyle Fit, and Immediate Impact.

4. We added new voices this year.

For the first time ever, recommendations from our Cosmo Beauty Club members were factored in. Because real results deserve real-world feedback.

5. We compare notes (and debate passionately).

Scores are tallied, opinions are shared, and the team deliberates on which ones truly deserve the black-and-pink seal of approval. 😉

Executive Editor: Ida Aldana

Art Director: Ica Del Mundo, assisted by Marianna Compas

Photographer: Lyka Aluyen, assisted by Emelito Lansangan and Bernald Sabiniano

Set Design: Tipping Point Collective

Model: Chanel Dimaunahan
Hair and Makeup: Team Muriel Vega Perez

Producer: Alyana Olivar

Video: Cherrie Julian & Olan Pingco, assisted by Aaron Paul Quintos

Social Media: Aina Lizarondo, assisted by Maxine Atienza