Top Beauty Products of 2023: Winners of the Shape Beauty Awards

We, as a team, have chosen to prioritize health and well-being. We view our fitness, nutrition, and beauty regimens as integral parts of a whole strategy aimed at improving our physical and mental health. The distinction between 'wellness' and 'beauty' has become ambiguous as we understand that what we consume has the same significance as what we apply to our skin. Yes, true beauty comes from within, but being beauty enthusiasts, we are convinced that our chosen products outdo the competition and have multiple uses.

This year, for our Beauty Awards, we adjusted our approach and personally evaluated every product over several weeks. There's a unique reason why each item on this list is deserving of a special spot on your vanity and as a part of your lifestyle.

To uncover which products ranked highest in this year's Shape Beauty Awards, check each personal story.

We've come to realize that beauty products don’t simply enhance your appearance. It's clear that your lifestyle choices, such as your diet and body care routine actually influence your looks and how you feel. True beauty is feeling good, and we have the best supplements (like probiotics) in our arsenal, along with effective tools and technology that multitask.

With the right product line and tools, every day can be a good hair day. Whether it's about stimulating hair growth, achieving cleanliness, or creating a specific look, we have solutions. Thinning hair shampoo, bond builder, and a multipurpose hair dryer, curling iron, and airbrush - we have it all.

Efficiency is important, particularly for those who want to get the most out of their skincare routine and products. We select products that provide added skincare benefits besides their main function.

Want a mascara for luscious eyelashes that also promotes growth and shine? Or perhaps a skin tint enriched with vitamin C antioxidant? Get more from your products and discover which ones will offer extended benefits.

The number of skincare products on the market can be overwhelming. That's why we conduct thorough tests and rely on trusted dermatologists for top recommendations on facial cleansers, serums, lotions, and more. Remember, skin is the largest organ, and deserving of care and attention. And, we've got top recommendations for deodorant, antiperspirant, and body lotion.

Professional beauty treatments have proven to be effective at achieving a radiant, balanced complexion. Trying the latest cosmetic injectables, muscle-stimulating procedures, and prescription-only acne solutions, is something our testing team considers.

This year, our team combined the expertise of our wellness and beauty editors with results from Dotdash Meredith's testing lab and real-world product evaluations to find the best in beauty. Here's more information on our testing process.

Our Lab in New York City is a 5,500 square-foot space used to test everything from treadmills to sports bras and mascaras. During each trial, we document the process through photos, videos, and write-ups detailing the product's performance.

Our editors, writers, and producers test products under professional supervision, following standard protocols. For example, when testing lash growth serums, 26 volunteers switched to these products for a 10-week period. Detailed reviews were recorded and custom images were captured to highlight the pros and cons of each product. This provided us with a diverse range of feedback and allowed us to provide comprehensive facts you need to make an informed decision for your skincare regimen.

Plus, with our in-house testing, we go the extra mile. For moisturizers, we used a moisture reader device to measure the moisture level of the skin before and after product application. For antiperspirants, we instructed testers to hit the treadmill for 15 minutes after application to perform an initial smell test and had each person wear the deodorant for at least 24 hours without showering. You want to know if the product works, so we’ve thought of every which way to test it.

A product may work wonders in a controlled setting like a lab or in a clinical setting, but the true test of a product is whether or not it works in a real-life setting. Does a moisturizer or serum naturally become a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine? Do you find yourself looking forward to a specific part of your makeup ritual? We enlist the help of real-world testers, including editors, writers, and subject matter experts to take the product (literally) into their own hands, at home, and run it through a methodical testing process similar to what we do in the lab. 

At-home, or “real-world,” testing typically involves longer time periods (AKA at least 8 to 10 weeks) to get a feel for the product. Testers fill out surveys rating each product for key attributes, provide helpful insights on each product, and capture photos and videos of how the products perform in a real-world setting. They can be honest to report whether they love —or hate— the product, and why.

At Shape, our goal is to equip you with the best, most comprehensive, unbiased information you need to feel (and look) like your best self (whatever that means to you). We take our product recommendations seriously — which is why Shape has a robust, standardized process for every product we test and ultimately recommend. 

Whether we're taste-testing the best protein powders on the market in our cutting-edge lab, pounding the pavement in the latest running shoes (check out our 2023 Sneaker Awards), or analyzing the difference between the most popular lululemon leggings, our product reviews are grounded in the expertise of our testers and editors. Think of us as the trusted voice you need to make informed purchasing decisions while taking charge of your health, beauty, and fitness journey. Learn more about our policies and processes surrounding product recommendations here. 

In addition to testing hundreds of the newest, most innovative beauty products for the 2023 Beauty Awards, our editors are health, wellness, and fitness enthusiasts who have been in the industry for years and bring unique, experience-driven perspectives to our skin product recommendations.