Allure Magazine's Innovative Best of Beauty 2014

Six beauty products that really raise the bar

They reviewed clinical studies. They consulted with dermatologists, hairstylists and makeup artists. And after 12 weeks of testing 37,000 products -- yes, 37 THOUSAND -- the dauntless team at Allure Magazine picked its Best of Beauty winners for 2014. Ask Beauty News Editor Catherine O'Neill for a half-dozen of her faves and she doesn't hesitate...

For Skin

What's good for the face is good for the bod -- for instance, BB Creams have become wildly popular for their tinted moisturizing ability to diminish fine lines and fade dark spots. Catherine says, "We'd always seen them for face, but we've never seen one for body." ...Until Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream arrived on the scene. Sure, it looks like a normal lotion, but it actually has tiny silicone particles that fill in skin's little gaps to mask fine lines, scars and wrinkles. And as a bonus? A tiny drop of self tanner that Catherine says "just helps even the tone and make everything look really beautiful and glowy."

As for the latest in self tanner, it comes all the way from St. Tropez -- St. Tropez Self Tan Express, that is. Catherine explains, "What's different about it than any other formula you've seen is that instead of taking seven or eight hours to develop, it actually takes one, thanks to a special enzyme that drives the DHA into the skin faster." Get a light tan in one hour, a medium tan in two and, for that deep I-just-baked-all-day glow, minus the damaging sun rays, it takes just three hours.

For Face

Yes, it looks like a big hairy toothbrush, but the MAC Masterclass Oval Brush is what's hot when it comes to the new design for makeup brushes this year. Catherine says, "It's a really great innovation in terms of applying your makeup because you use it off to the side of your face rather than right in front of your face, so it doesn't block your view when you're getting ready in the morning." Plus, soft dense bristles that really pick up the right amount of product every time make for a seamless foundation application.

For eyes, the Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner delivers eye-catching perfect cat-eyes, thanks to the gel liner's inventive design. Catherine loves this product, explaining, "The angled slant in the liner allows you to really get as close to your lash line as possible, and then draws it out in a perfect wing every single time."

For Hair

Curl girls, rejoice! You know making waves can be tricky, so Conair Curl Secret takes the guesswork out of it. "It's super easy to use," says Catherine, "You just hold it up to the root of your hair and it draws in a [section] about an inch thick, and...heats the hair inside the internal chamber for about eight seconds. And then you release it, and then it's the perfect curl." And if it's a little too perfect, just tug it, brush it, tousle it... The end result? Even, beautiful waves.

For Nails

One of Catherine's favorite products this year: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel. "This gives all the results of a gel manicure: it's shiny, it's long-lasting, it doesn't chip for two weeks," she says, "But what's different about it is you don't have to use a lamp; you don't have to have weird laborious steps." Removal is just as easy -- acetone polish remover will do the trick. How is this possible? Chemistry! While your gel manicure is drying, a compound in both the polish and the topcoat forms a really solid, strong layer. Catherine marvels, "We've tested it against a regular UV gel manicure and this one actually outlasted it by three to four days."

To see if your 2014 faves made the Allure Best of Beauty list -- and to choose other winners to make room for in your beauty arsenal -- visit allure.com or check out the mag's October issue on newsstands now.

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