Every year, ELLE India sets out on the path of picking the best of beauty; with categories encompassing skincare, hair, makeup, body care and fragrances. This year, we tried and tested a dynamic set of nominees – both from well-known international names and homegrown darlings. The jury included prominent industry names like Namrata Soni, Natasha Naegamvala, Arpita Mehta and Dr Jaishree Sharad. The results are finally out – swipe through to check them out!
Skincare
1. Best Skin Serum - Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
An already established cult fave of K-beauty lovers, the innovative formula of this serum is coveted for being a great starter serum to prep the skin for the products that follow.
An already established cult fave of K-beauty lovers, the innovative formula of this serum is coveted for being a great starter serum to prep the skin for the products that follow.
2. Best Cleanser - Daughter Earth AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Cleanser
The gentle yet effective exfoliating cleanser from the homegrown darling is winning hearts for its action-oriented approach to a cleansing routine.
The gentle yet effective exfoliating cleanser from the homegrown darling is winning hearts for its action-oriented approach to a cleansing routine.
3. Best Face Mask - Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask
Formulated with ingredients sourced from the homeland, this Korean formulation’s claim to fame lies in effectively detoxifying the skin without drying it out. Imagine that!
Formulated with ingredients sourced from the homeland, this Korean formulation’s claim to fame lies in effectively detoxifying the skin without drying it out. Imagine that!
4. Best Toner - Kiehl's Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner
Settling the debate on toners, the LHA-infused formula offers light exfoliation in addition to offering expert care for your pores.
Settling the debate on toners, the LHA-infused formula offers light exfoliation in addition to offering expert care for your pores.
5. Best Under Eye Treatment - Quench Mama Cica Dark Circle Fading Under Eye Cream
Formulated with the skin-soothing centella asiatica, and including a rollerball applicator, this botanical eye treatment is a sight for sore eyes - literally!
Formulated with the skin-soothing centella asiatica, and including a rollerball applicator, this botanical eye treatment is a sight for sore eyes - literally!
6. Best Moisturiser - Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting And Firming Cream Enriched
A silky cream that offers a luxurious experience on application, this dermat-fave rightfully boasts expert skin renewal.
7. Best Lip Balm - Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask [Berry]
A cult product in its own league, you can find many skincare enthusiasts stocking up on this lip balm for their monthly beauty haul.
A cult product in its own league, you can find many skincare enthusiasts stocking up on this lip balm for their monthly beauty haul.
8. Best Sunscreen - Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Made with an innovative formula that strengthens when it comes in contact with heat or water, this ocean-friendly pick is a favourite among clean beauty fanatics.
Made with an innovative formula that strengthens when it comes in contact with heat or water, this ocean-friendly pick is a favourite among clean beauty fanatics.
Hair Care
1. Best Hair Oil - Arata Nourishing Hempocado Oil
The lightweight formula clubs 2022’s favourite ingredient, hemp seed oil, with an already established hair health hero - avocado oil.
The lightweight formula clubs 2022’s favourite ingredient, hemp seed oil, with an already established hair health hero - avocado oil.
2. Best Shampoo - Sebastian Professional Dark Oil Lightweight Shampoo
A hit among salon professionals and hairstylists, the lightweight shampoo is formulated with natural oils.
3. Best Hair Mask - Wella Professionals Elements Renewing Mask
The lightweight mask taps into the goodness of naturally-derived ingredients to enhance hair health from within.
The lightweight mask taps into the goodness of naturally-derived ingredients to enhance hair health from within.
4. Best Hair Serum - L'Oreal Professionnel Liss Unlimited Serum
Infused with evening primrose oil, the smoothing serum is already a household name.
Infused with evening primrose oil, the smoothing serum is already a household name.
5. Best Hair Styling Product - System Professional Hydrate Quenching Mist
The hydrating mist promises nourishing, frizz-free and manageable hair in 5 seconds!
The hydrating mist promises nourishing, frizz-free and manageable hair in 5 seconds!
6. Best Hair Styling Gadget - Dyson Corrale™ Hair Straightener
Offering expert styling but with lesser heat - and thus lesser damage - the easy-to-use expert styler is a hairstyling game changer.
Offering expert styling but with lesser heat - and thus lesser damage - the easy-to-use expert styler is a hairstyling game changer.
Makeup
1. Best Primer - DIOR Forever Skin Veil SPF 20
Infused with illuminating oils, the luxurious, brightening, hydrating and correcting primer is an MUA-fave and definitely worth the splurge.
Infused with illuminating oils, the luxurious, brightening, hydrating and correcting primer is an MUA-fave and definitely worth the splurge.
2. Best Concealer - Clinique Even Better™ All-Over Concealer
Infused with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and caffeine - the skin health-boosting concealer has been spotted on many celebrity vanities already
Infused with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and caffeine - the skin health-boosting concealer has been spotted on many celebrity vanities already
3. Best Foundation - Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Wear Hydra Foundation
A longwear pick that stands the test of time - even under bright lights - the oil-free foundation offers the otherwise tricky to achieve natural, matte finish look.
A longwear pick that stands the test of time - even under bright lights - the oil-free foundation offers the otherwise tricky to achieve natural, matte finish look.
4. Best Blush/Highlighter - Smashbox The Cali Contour Palette
The multipurpose blush-bronzer-highlighter palette features both matte and iridescent pressed powders. The all-in-one palette is a blessing for makeup novices, and an essential for seasoned beauty girls - it’s that versatile.
The multipurpose blush-bronzer-highlighter palette features both matte and iridescent pressed powders. The all-in-one palette is a blessing for makeup novices, and an essential for seasoned beauty girls - it’s that versatile.
5. Best Setting Powder -SUGAR COSMETICS Set The Tone Tinted Powder
A powder to bake, highlight or just quickly mattify the skin over makeup; the finely-milled and lightweight powder is suited for a diverse set of skin tones.
6. Best Eye Shadow - Anastasia Beverly Hills Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette
A mix of matte, satin and metallic finishes, the eyeshadow palette features highly pigmented but easily blendable soft neutrals and bright, gleaming tints.
A mix of matte, satin and metallic finishes, the eyeshadow palette features highly pigmented but easily blendable soft neutrals and bright, gleaming tints.
7. Best Kajal/Eyeliner - Kiko Milano Lasting Precision Automatic Eyeliner And Khôl
The slender liner offers an intense colour payoff for the lash line and waterline and comes with an in-built smudger to soften up the look whenever needed.
The slender liner offers an intense colour payoff for the lash line and waterline and comes with an in-built smudger to soften up the look whenever needed.
8. Best Lip Colour - Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick - Gula-Bae
The lippie made waves on its launch for being targeted towards Indian skin tones. The formula stays put for long hours without turning crusty. Talk about a win-win!
The lippie made waves on its launch for being targeted towards Indian skin tones. The formula stays put for long hours without turning crusty. Talk about a win-win!
9. Best Mascara - Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
True to its name (we stand by that comment!), the cult-favourite mascara has been putting false lashes ‘almost’ out of business since its launch.
True to its name (we stand by that comment!), the cult-favourite mascara has been putting false lashes ‘almost’ out of business since its launch.
10. Best Brow Product - Colorbar Browful Shaping And Defining Kit
An all-in-one kit with applicator brushes and tweezers involved, the travel-friendly brow kit perfectly pairs convenience with expert brow grooming.
An all-in-one kit with applicator brushes and tweezers involved, the travel-friendly brow kit perfectly pairs convenience with expert brow grooming.
11. Best Nail Colour - O.P.I Nail Polish Mini
Delivering equally glam tips but now in a more compact size, the O.P.I mini nail lacquer finally allows stocking up multiple polishes without feeling buyer’s remorse.
Delivering equally glam tips but now in a more compact size, the O.P.I mini nail lacquer finally allows stocking up multiple polishes without feeling buyer’s remorse.
Body Care
1. Best Body Cleanser - Mantra Indian Rose Hydrating Body Wash
Infused with the trendy scent of the season - rose - the antioxidant-rich herbal formula is anchored in Ayurvedic beauty secrets.
Infused with the trendy scent of the season - rose - the antioxidant-rich herbal formula is anchored in Ayurvedic beauty secrets.
2. Best Body Moisturiser - L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate
Seeped in French beauty ideals, the creamy and silky body moisturiser is more than a beauty essential - it is an experience.
Seeped in French beauty ideals, the creamy and silky body moisturiser is more than a beauty essential - it is an experience.
Fragrance
Best Fragrance - Versace Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise Eau De Toilette
Launched in 2020, the fresh scent embodies youthfulness and a charming sensuality that effortlessly complements the modern, free-spirited woman
Launched in 2020, the fresh scent embodies youthfulness and a charming sensuality that effortlessly complements the modern, free-spirited woman
