Redbook Announces 2012 Most Valuable Beauty Products

REDBOOK assembled a crack team of industry pro and busy moms to test and select the year’s best new beauty products. From lipstick to blushes from blow-dryers to leave-in conditioner. Actress and author Ali Wentworth joined the magazine’s editors and 22 judges, including makeup artist Sonia Kashuk; Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare spas; Lisa Price, founder and president of Carol’s Daughter; Dr. Amy Wechsler and other top dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists and hairstylists, to pick the winners, which are featured in the May issue and online.

For the 2012 MVP Awards,

“Once again, we’ve wrangled the industry’s leading experts to help seek out our MVP award winners,” said Jill Herzig. “This year’s panel included renowned hair, beauty and skincare pros; a group of super-busy moms who are always on the lookout for products that work as hard as they do. After putting hundreds of products to the test, we can’t wait to share their verdict.”

Here is the list Redbook put together for the best beauty products MVP’s of 2012.

MAKEUP: 

Best Eye Shadow: Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Longwear Luminous Cream Eyeshadow, $36

Best Eyeliner: Physicans Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner Trio, $10.95

Best Mascara: Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara, $30

Best Lipstick: Shiseido Shimmer Rouge Lipstick, $25

Best Lip Gloss: MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Lipglass. $19.50

Best Lip Balm: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy (regular), $25, and Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter (tinted), $7.49

Best Blush: Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Cream Blush, $7.99

Best Primer: La Roche-Posay Anthelios daily anti-aging primer with SPF 50, $39.50

Best Concealer: Almay Clear Complexion Concealer + Treatment Gel, $9.99

Best Powder: Koh Gen Do Snowy Pink Powder, $42

Best Foundation: Clinque Repairwear Laser Focus All-Smooth Makeup, $32.50

Best Bronzer: Josie Maran Argan Brightening Bronzer, $30

Best Tinted Moisturizer: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++, $42

Best Highlighter: Tarte Maracuja Blush & Glow, $32

Best Bright Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color in Heart to Heart, $4.95

Best Neutral Nail Polish: Essie Nail Polish in Brooch the Subject, $8

SKIN, BODY, AND FRAGRANCE: 

Best Face Wash: Yes to Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser, $8.99

Best Day Moisturizer: Cetaphil DermaControl Moisturizer SPF 30, $15.99

Best Eye Cream: Aveeno Positively Radiant Eye Illuminator, $14.99

Best Exfoliator: Simple Smoothing Face Scrub, $7.99

Best Anti-aging Serum: PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment, $106

Best Acne Treatment System: Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Acne Protocol, $42

Best Anti-aging Cream: Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Wrinkle Revolution Complex, $24.99

Best Sunscreen for Face: Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 30, $10.49

Best Body Lotion: güd by Burt’s Bees Natural Body Lotion, $7

Best Body Wash: güd by Burt’s Bees Natural Body Wash in Orange Petalooza, $7

Best Body Scrub: H2O+ Sea Moss Black Sand Body Scrub, $18.50

Best Sunscreen for Body: Alba Botanica Natural Sunscreen Sport Spray SPF 40, $10.99

Best Hand Cream: The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream, $18.50

Best Scent for Day: Chloé L’Eau de Chloé eau de toilette, $85

Best Scent for Night: Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial eau de parfum, $85

HAIR: 

Best Shampoo & Conditioner: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, $7.99 each

Best Leave-in Conditioner: For fine hair: Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Weightless Conditioning Shake, $5.99; for normal or thick hair: L’Oréal Paris EverCrème Nourishing Leave-in Spray, $8.99

Best Deep Treatment: Alterna Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Rehab Deep Hydration Masque, $24

Best Hairspray: Garnier Fructis Style UV Color Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray, $4.29

Best Volumizer: Oribe Hair Care Maximista Thickening Spray, $26

Best De-frizzer: Joico Smooth Cure Leave-in Rescue Treatment, $19.95

Best Curl Definer: For fine or normal hair: L’Oréal Paris EverStyle Curl Defining Gel, $6.99; for coarse or ethnic hair: Mizani True Textures Curl Soft Moisturizing Leave-in Crème, $18.99

Best Shine Booster: Dove Style+Care Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum, $3.76

Best Heat-protecting Spray: John Frieda Full Repair Style Revival spray, $8.99

Best Curling Iron: Sultra Bombshell 3/4-inch Rod Curling Iron, $130

Best Blow Dryer: Solano 3300 Xtralite Dryer, $159

Best Flat Iron: Corioliss Straight 2 Curl Professional Titanium Styling Iron, $195