Miracle Beauty Products That Will Change Your Life

Jeffrey Westerbrook/Studio D

We tried them, we loved them, we fought over them. Here's the 2010 MC short list of standout products for face, body, and hair.

Jeffrey Westerbrook/Studio D

Face

1. OLAY REGENERIST DNA SUPERSTRUCTURE UV CREAM SPF 25, $24.99. Streamline your a.m. routine with this antiaging triple threat: antioxidants, peptides, plus a high SPF.

2. DR. BRANDT INTENSOLUTION, $35. Like Palmolive for your pores, this acne-blasting toner gets skin squeaky clean without over-stripping.

3. BIORÉ STEAM ACTIVATED CLEANSER, $7.99. Cooling mint wakes you up before your first cup of coffee.

4. CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER CLINICAL DARK SPOT CORRECTOR, $49.50. This potent discoloration eraser brightens like prescription hydroquinone, but without irritation.

5. KORRES QUERCETIN & OAK DAY CREAM NORMAL TO COMBINATION SKIN, $48. Finally, an antiaging treatment that won't clog oily, acne-prone complexions — and actually works against wrinkles, too.

6. PERRICONE MD COLD PLASMA, $150. Miraculously softens skin overnight while shrinking pores.

7. CHANEL HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE LIP CARE, $45. A worth-it splurge, this giant pot of superluxe balm makes soothing chapped lips a glamorous, everyday indulgence.

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Jeffrey Westerbrook/Studio D

Makeup

8. REVLON COLORBURST LIPSTICK IN FUCHSIA, $8.99. We've never seen such an exciting bright pink at the drugstore before. It'll perk up your spring wardrobe without breaking the bank.

9. MAC STUDIO SCULPT SPF 15 FOUNDATION, $28 EACH. No more obvious base face! This water-resistant formula stays put but still looks like real (albeit immaculate) skin.

10. FRESH TINTED SUGAR ROSÉ LIP TREATMENT SPF 15, $22.50. Intense moisture and a shot of sheer cherry-blossom color make your mouth look extra kissable.

11. L'ORÉAL PARIS EXTRA-INTENSE LIQUID PENCIL EYELINER, $8.49 EACH. The creamiest pencil ever slides over skin, effortlessly defining lashlines to create fuller-looking fringe and a wide-eyed effect.

12. MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH BIG MASCARA, $6.15. For thicker, clump-free fringe, this makeup artists' favorite has been reinvented with volumizing wax and a jumbo lash-building brush.

13. COVERGIRL & OLAY SIMPLY AGELESS CORRECTOR, $10.99. Get rid of your dark under-eye circles (for good) while covering them up instantly with this yellow-tinted treatment.

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Body

14. VASELINE SHEER INFUSION MINERAL RENEWAL BODY LOTION, $6.25. This surprisingly light, petrolatum-free formula soaks in fast and hydrates even the driest dead-of-winter skin.

15. SALLY HANSEN COMPLETE SALON MANICURE POLISH, $6.99 EACH. The genius contoured brush in this bottle makes at-home applications a cinch, even when you're in a rush.

16. HAWAIIAN TROPIC SHEER TOUCH CRÈME LOTION SPF 50, $9.99. This high-SPF sunscreen gives skin a sexy sheen and smells like paradise.

17. VENUS BIKINI TRIMMER, $4.99. As an alternative to (or in between) waxing, this smart shaver has a safety comb to ensure extra-delicate areas stay protected.

18. CREST 3D WHITE VIVID TOOTHPASTE, $3.75. No time for strips? This paste-gel brightens teeth in two weeks and is safe for sensitive types.

19. NEUTROGENA REVITALIZING RAINBATH, $8.99. This new take on the classic good-for-skin body wash energizes with a juicy, crushed-grapefruit scent.

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Hair

20. GOT2B FAT-TASTIC HAIRSPRAY, $5.99. For updos and other bombshell styles, this collagen-enriched plumping formula gives guts to limp strands just as well as pricier thickening sprays.

21. AVEENO NOURISH + VOLUMIZE CONDITIONER, $6.49. Packed with nourishing wheat proteins, this volumizing formula won't weigh down baby-fine strands.

22. PHYTO MATTE TEXTURIZING PASTE, $24. Adding the perfect bad-girl tousle is a no-brainer with this easy-to-use styling cream that also absorbs second-day grease.

23. NEXXUS THERMAL VOLUME MOUSSE, $10.55. Activated by a blowdryer, this heat-protecting body-builder adds Blake Lively bounce — and doubles as a leave-in conditioner.

24. PUREOLOGY SUPERSMOOTH SMOOTHING ELIXIR, $24. Able to transform the most damaged manes into silk, just a few drops of this magical serum make shiny blowouts a breeze.

25. GARNIER HERBASHINE HAIR COLOR, $7.99. Like a gloss treatment that also covers grays, this ammonia-free, 10-minute color can also lighten hair one level in tone.

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BONUS: Global Picks

1. LANCÔME GÉNIFIQUE CREAM SERUM, $89.50. Exfoliates and smooths skin without overdrying.

2. DIORSKIN NUDE NATURAL GLOW HYDRATING MAKEUP SPF 10, $45. Refreshes tired complexions with mineral technology.

3. YVES SAINT LAURENT TEINT RESIST FOUNDATION SPF 10, $55. Long-lasting makeup that won't settle in fine lines.

4. YVES ROCHER COULEURS NATURE SINGLE EYESHADOW, $15 EACH. Packed with botanicals, these sheer shades are naturally beautiful.

5. CAUDALÍE PREMIER CRU, $150. Supercharged antioxidant moisturizer plumps skin while you sleep.

6. SHISEIDO MAKEUP PERFECT ROUGE GLOWING MATTE LIPSTICK, $25. Translucent red pigments give lips a sheer blush.

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