Cosmo Beauty Awards 2025: The Makeup Winners That Work Harder Than Any Filter

Makeup isn't just about looking good—it's about feeling like your most confident, camera-ready self. Whether you're going for full glam or just faking eight hours of sleep, the right product can make all the difference. And in the era of unfiltered beauty, we're all about makeup that enhances what's real—not masks it.

For this year's Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2025, the Cosmo team swatched, blended, and swiped their way through over 800 beauty products (yes, really!) to find the true game-changers.

Each winner earned its spot not just because it looked good in flat lays—but because it performed beautifully IRL. You know the drill: We tested everything through heat, humidity, and back-to-back deadlines. From longwear liners to juicy tints, these makeup must-haves didn't just pass the test—they made us fall in love (and earn their rightful spot in our makeup kits).

This lip tint delivers that just-bitten look we can't get enough of. It boasts Air Soft Flex Film for a transfer-proof finish and MOIST-HA Tech to keep your lips from drying out. The formula glides on smoothly and leaves a natural-looking stain that looks good even after a few hours post-application.

Why we love it: "What I like about it is that it's easy to use, pretty comfortable on the lips, and long-lasting."

This brow gel means business, fr. Enriched with peptides to nourish your brows while you style them, it locks each hair in place for a lifted finish that lasts all day. It has two brow combs hidden inside the component to help spread the product evenly and give you that clean, laminated look.

Why we love it: "Worth the hype it gets on TikTok! It holds my brows in place and doesn't make them feel crunchy. 10/10."

Packed with squalane, panthenol, and sweet almond oil, this lip stain has a serum formula that hydrates while delivering a soft, high-shine tint that lasts for a few good hours. It's buildable, wearable, and easy enough to apply without checking a mirror.

Why we love it: "I love the slight cooling sensation when applied. Plus, it also leaves a good stain that actually stays."

Hydrating? Check. Pigmented? Double check. This tinted balm is infused with lanolin for lips that stay soft and smooth all day. It delivers the perfect wash of color with a hint of sheen, making it your new go-to for those no-makeup makeup days.

Why we love it: "More than being a good tinted lip balm, I like the fact that I can hang it off my bag because of the keyring attachment. Super cute!"

If your goal is separated, anime-style lashes, then it's time to add this mascara to your cart rn. It has a steel wand that separates, lengthens, and lifts every lash, while the waterproof formula stays smudge-free from day to night.

Why we love it: "I initially thought it was very gimmicky, but the steel wand actually works super well in separating and combing through my lashes. It deposits just the right amount and it doesn't smudge throughout the day."

One swipe of this liner and you'll understand the hype. Its ultra-creamy, highly pigmented formula glides effortlessly across the lash line sans tugging, setting in seconds, and lasting you all day. It's rich, precise, and perfect for tighlining, a sultry wing, or a baby cat-eye.

Why we love it: "I like gel liners because they're a bit more forgiving (read: beginner-friendly) than liquid ones. I like this one because it's easy to use, doesn't tug on the lids, and is perfect for creating baby wings."

Infused with shea butter, vitamin E, and argan oil, this lip oil nourishes and plumps while leaving a glassy finish that’s never sticky. The pigment payoff is subtle but buildable, giving your lips that healthy, "just-bitten" glow. It's the kind of product you'll keep reapplying—just because it feels that good. The shea butter scent can be a little strong for some, but if you don't mind it, you'll love how hydrating this feels on the lips.

Why we love it: "True to its claim, it delivers the tint while still giving a glossy finish. It makes my lips look naturally plump and healthy—perfect for low-maintenance, no-makeup days."

With a blendable, balmy texture and skin-loving ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, this cream-to-powder blush melts into your cheeks for a natural, dewy flush. The pigment is buildable but never patchy, giving you that lit-from-within radiance within seconds. Plus, the heart packaging is just too cute!

Why we love it: "It's blendable, buildable, and blurs seamlessly even with my occasionally dry skin. It's an easy go-to for that fresh, natural flush."

If filters were a foundation, they'd look like this. This lightweight skin tint evens out tone with a blurred, soft-focus matte finish. With ceramides, vitamin E, and SPF 15 protection, it's hydrating but never greasy, giving you that smooth, photo-ready glow every time.

Why we love it: "My go-to skin tint nowadays. It's super lightweight with enough blurring coverage to even out my skin tone without that heavy makeup feel."

This skin tint feels like skincare but acts like makeup. Infused with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates, brightens, and evens out your complexion while never feeling heavy. It blends seamlessly and sets to a natural, demi-matte finish that lasts all day. It's no surprise this went viral—it's as good as everyone says!

Why we love it: "It's usually hard to find shades for olive undertones, but I found my perfect shade match here (Coron). The formula is also oily skin-friendly and hulas-proof. Yung tipong mas gumaganda din the longer it sits on your skin."

If you have a hard time applying falsies, consider replacing them with cluster lashes. The ones from Dorolab come in a variety of styles, so whether you're going for a natural everyday MOTD or a more glam, night out look, you're sure to find one for you. The hairs are lightweight, and the bands won't feel like anything is applied on your lashes—it's great for beginners and MUAs alike.

Why we love it: "As someone who hates the feeling of falsies on my lashes, this one surprisingly didn't feel like I was wearing anything—as long as you apply them properly, lol. I like that they offer a bunch of styles, too."

Meet your new holy grail concealer. This full-coverage formula hides dark circles, blemishes, and uneven tone without caking or creasing. It's enriched with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and centella asiatica extract, so it takes care of your skin as it lies on your complexion. One swipe and you'll get the hype!

Why we love it: "Love this corrector! It lasts long, doesn't separate, and adds ample coverage."

This is proof that good brows don't have to break the bank. This brow gel tames, shapes, and defines with a soft, flexible hold that lasts all day. The formula is lightweight and non-crunchy, keeping brows fluffy and natural. It's affordable, reliable, and basically foolproof.

Why we love it: "My eyebrows are stubborn AF and tend to droop downward throughout the day, but this ensured that they stayed up all day. No crunchy feeling to be found either. Love!"

This setting powder does it all. It blurs, sets, and smooths without ever feeling heavy or cakey. And the best part is it never looks too matte or too made-up—it's just your skin, but better.

Why we love it: "I love that the powder is so finely milled. It doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my skin whenever I apply it. It's also a v good product for the girlies with oily skin."

Hulas who? This setting spray keeps your makeup intact from the moment you put your beat on until it’s time to take it off. It mattifies without killing your glow, and the fine mist ensures an even, weightless application. Once it sets, your makeup isn't going anywhere—trust! The only downside? The nozzle could use a little upgrade for a more even spritz, but the formula itself is a total winner.

Why we love it: "It's super mattifying and it really does set my makeup in place. It's for those heavy makeup days that you need it in lock."

This is the secret to that coveted glass-skin finish. Infused with film-forming polymers and hyaluronic acid, it sets your makeup in place while keeping your face hydrated, leaving you with a subtle, healthy sheen. It's like a face mist and setting spray in one—perfect for reviving your look mid-day.

Why we love it: "The nozzle disperses the product in a very fine mist that doesn't make me feel like I took a bath in setting spray, which is a good thing! It does the job of melting my creams and powders together, so I'm not mad about reaching for it more than I expected!"

When you need a liner that won't budge, this is the one. The ultra-fine brush tip glides effortlessly, creating crisp lines and dramatic wings that last through sweat, tears, and late-night bonding sessions. The formula is waterproof, smudge-proof, and basically life-proof.

Why we love it: "Super love this eyeliner! It's long-lasting and great for daily wear. The thin brush is nice for a defined look, and it makes it easy to build the wing style you want."

Want to look like you used the Instagram "Paris" filter IRL? Add this setting powder from Huda Beauty to your rotation, stat. It sets your makeup, minimizes texture, and brightens your under-eyes without flashback. The finish is soft, velvety, and surprisingly lightweight—it feels like nothing as you wear it throughout the day.

Why we love it: "I never used to get the hype with expensive setting powders, but I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this one from Huda Beauty. For someone with oily AF skin like me, it does a great job in setting my makeup look and minimizing shine."

Say goodbye to overdrawn brows. This liner pen uses a fine brush tip to mimic real hair strokes, giving your brows soft, natural definition that lasts all day. The formula is waterproof, sweat-proof, and smudge-resistant. It's basically microblading in a pen—minus the commitment!

Why we love it: "I already have a good set of eyebrows, but they have some sparse areas, so I'm constantly looking for a good brow pen. This one does the job well, and I like that it's not super pigmented because it makes for a more subtle, hair-like finish."

This blush gives your cheeks that soft-focus, natural-looking flush. The buildable formula blends effortlessly and leaves a velvety finish that just melts into your skin. It's lightweight, long-lasting, and its shade range flatters all complexions.

Why we love it: "I've been into desaturated blush looks lately, and I like that this one from blk delivers just that."

For the girlies who are constantly on the go, this blush will save you so much time. The silky, blendable formula adds a flattering wash of color to your cheeks, eyes, and lips—perfect for easy monochromatic looks. The best part? It lasts up to eight hours and can withstand sweat, humidity, and oils.

Why we love it: "I don't like bringing a lot of makeup products with me, so the fact that I can use this blush on my lips, cheeks, and eyes is a big plus. It's also long-wearing!"

If you love makeup that still lets your skin look like, well, skin—this one's for you. This serum-foundation hybrid glides on smoothly, hydrates with hyaluronic acid, and gives you that lit-from-within glow that looks natural AF. The dropper can get a little messy (a side effect of its serum texture!), but it just proves how lightweight and skin-like the formula really is.

Why we love it: "It's my go-to for no-makeup makeup days and works so well on my dry skin. It evens out my complexion without feeling heavy or cakey, and it gives that healthy, hydrated finish. Perfect for when I want coverage that looks effortless and real."

Hydrating like a balm and shiny like a gloss, this lip serum gives you the best of both worlds. It enhances your natural lip color with a soft tint and gives that high-shine, glazed look that just looks like your lips, but better.

Why we love it: "As expected from Laneige, this lip serum is sooo hydrating and it really does leave a sheer wash of color on the lips. Plus, the donut-shaped applicator is so fun to use!"

Think of this as your skin's secret weapon. The formula melts in seamlessly, brightening under-eyes and concealing blemishes with a soft, natural finish. Thanks to ingredients that hydrate, firm, and smooth, it wears comfortably all day—no creasing or caking to be found.

Why we love it: "This concealer lives up to its name—it does feel weightless, especially on the undereyes where I use it the most."

This nostalgic fave is still as fun—and flattering—as ever. The color-changing formula reacts to your lips' natural pH to create your custom pink shade. It's packed with moisturizing oils that keep your lips soft and shiny. You'll love reapplying it throughout the day!

Why we love it: "My fave color-changing lip balm. The tint lasts long and is very moisturizing."

If you want to feel confident ASAP, just give your lips a slash of this lippie from MAC. It's an iconic fiery red-orange shade that will instantly elevate any makeup look or outfit. The formula is creamy, non-drying, and stays put through everything from coffee runs to dinner dates.

Why we love it: "It lasts long (as expected from MAC lippies) and the formula is creamy but not drying."

Part primer, part skin tint, this multitasker blurs and evens out your skin with just one product. The watery texture melts into the skin instantly, leaving a smooth, hydrated finish that lasts all day. It’s perfect for low-maintenance days when you just want a hint of coverage—or as a luminous, skin-like base for your full beat. Just make sure to lock it in with a good setting powder and spray for maximum wear!

Why we love it: "I get the hype! The runny formula makes it super easy to apply and blend, and the coverage is immaculate. It gives me that glowy, my-skin-but-better look without feeling heavy."

As its name implies, this brow pen will give you that microbladed look sans the needles. It's a dual-ended pen that has a single brush tip on one end and a dual prong on the other side that will make filling in your brows so, so easy. The formula is waterproof and sweat-resistant, so your brows won't budge no matter what.

Why we love it: "This makes it super easy to fill in brows! Plus, it just looks very natural. Love it!"

This palette is an on-the-go girl's dream. It includes a blush, bronzer, and highlighter that blend seamlessly for a sculpted, glowing look—even when you only have five minutes to get ready. Formula-wise, the powders are buttery, buildable, and universally flattering, making it a foolproof pick for both newbies and pros. Each trio even comes cleverly named for the occasion it suits best (think: office day, first date), and the large mirror makes touch-ups so easy wherever you are.

Why we love it: "It's beginner-friendly, compact, and thoughtfully designed for real life. The shades blend like a dream and make contouring or adding color super effortless."

This lip liner defines, shapes, and stays put—all without drying out your lips. The creamy texture glides on effortlessly, making it perfect for contouring or an all-over lip look. It pairs beautifully with any lipstick (or gloss) and can last through meals, kisses (*wink*), and everything in between.

Why we love it: "I used to not be a believer in lip liners, but this one changed my mind. It's perfect if you just want to slightly define your lips and make them look more pouty."

This lip oil stick feels like a little luxury you can wear every day. It glides on smoothly, giving your lips a sheer wash of color and a glassy shine—minus the sticky feel. Infused with nourishing oils, it keeps your lips soft, hydrated, and plump-looking, making it the perfect balance between a balm and a gloss.

Why we love it: "I know satin finishes aren't usually the top pick for lippies, but this one won me over, I fear. The dark hue is super buildable—I can wear it sheer with pastel outfits or layer it for my all-black fits. Plus, it's hydrating for my already dry lips."

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