GirlStyle Beauty Awards 2026 (I): Best Makeup Products On The Rise

Listen up, ladies! The GirlStyle Beauty Awards is back with a fun new twist this year, and we're putting the spotlight on the makeup products that are quickly rising through the ranks and earning a permanent spot in our beauty routines. From complexion-perfecting primers and glow-boosting blushes to lippies everyone can't stop talking about, these are the rising stars that have impressed us with their reliable formulas, versatility, and overall popularity.

Scroll on to see our top makeup must-haves in 2026—who knows, you may just discover your next holy grail product among these rising beauty gems!

Best Overall Makeup Brand: YSL Beauty - Readers' Vote

Photo from YSL Beauty

Coming in first place in our readers' poll, YSL Beauty won hearts with its perfect blend of luxury, performance, and timeless appeal. From iconic lip products and complexion favourites to beautifully designed packaging that's instantly recognisable, YSL Beauty is known for creating makeup that looks effortlessly chic and feels just as luxurious to wear.

Get it at YSL Beauty’s online store.

Best Primer: Huda Beauty Easy Blur Silicon-Free Smoothing Primer

Photo from Huda Beauty

Wait… it’s pink?! That was our first reaction too, but don’t worry because it certainly isn’t going to get in the way of this primer’s work in making a smooth, airbrushed base out of your skin. Unlike traditional silicone-heavy primers, its lightweight pink jelly formula feels fresh and breathable on the skin while helping makeup apply seamlessly and stay put for hours. Minimising the look of pores and texture, this primer creates a soft-focus finish that makes skin look naturally filtered from every angle.

Get it on Sephora for $52.

Best Cushion Foundation: JUNGSAEMMOOL Essential Skin Nuder Cushion

Photo from JUNGSAEMMOOL

A viral K-beauty favourite for good reason, this glow-boosting cushion delivers that coveted Korean glass-skin finish. The JUNGSAEMMOOL Essential Skin Nuder Cushion boasts a lightweight formula that provides buildable coverage and conceals redness and imperfections. The dewy, second-skin finish has made it a favourite among makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike, while its compact, refillable packaging makes touch-ups effortless.

Get it on yesstyle for $31.46. 

Best Liquid Foundation: Clarins Double Serum Foundation

Photo from Clarins

Want your foundation to do more than just cover? The Clarins Double Serum Foundation combines makeup and skincare in one efficient, complexion-perfecting formula. Inspired by the brand's iconic Double Serum, this lightweight foundation is infused with potent skincare ingredients to hydrate, smooth, and boost radiance while delivering buildable, natural-looking coverage. Most importantly, its silky texture melts seamlessly into the skin, evening out tone and blurring imperfections without ever feeling heavy or cakey.

Get it on Clarins' online store for $98. 

Best Powder: Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder Abloom

Photo from Canmake

Cute, compact, and wallet-friendly, the Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder Abloom has been a longtime favourite for creating a soft, blurred complexion. The lightweight powder controls excess shine while smoothing the look of pores without leaving skin looking flat or powdery. Its signature marshmallow-soft finish gives the complexion a naturally flawless look, while the portable compact makes touch-ups easy wherever you are.

Get it at Watsons for $24.30. 

Best Concealer: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating Concealer

Photo from Haus Labs

The Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating Concealer proves that full coverage doesn't have to feel heavy. Infused with skincare ingredients like fermented arnica, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, it brightens, conceals, and smooths without settling into fine lines. The creamy, flexible formula blends effortlessly for a natural, second-skin finish, making it a favourite for anyone who wants long-lasting coverage that still looks fresh and radiant.

Get it on Sephora for $80. 

Best Blush: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Palette

Photo from Charlotte Tilbury

Blush and highlighter are the ultimate power couple, and Charlotte Tilbury brings them together in one gorgeous compact. Inspired by the brand's iconic Pillow Talk collection, this limited-edition duo pairs a silky blush with a luminous highlighter to create a fresh, romantic glow in seconds. The finely milled powders blend seamlessly into the skin for a healthy flush, while the stunning heart-shaped packaging is way too pretty to keep tucked away in your makeup bag!

Get it on Sephora for $90. 

Best Contour: Judydoll 2 IN 1 Highlighter Contour Palette

Photo from Judydoll

Wow, it’s almost like this category was made for the Judydoll 2 IN 1 Highlighter Contour Palette (it’s not, really)! Most fans of this legendary contour palette swear by it, realise they can’t live without it, and hit pan on it before it expires—not necessarily in that order. Featuring two variations, one with cool-toned contour shades and the other with warm-toned ones, this beginner-friendly palette is a pro at creating natural-looking shadows that never turn muddy or orange, making it especially flattering on Asian skin tones.

Get it on Shopee for $22.79.

Best Highlighter: MilleFée Idol Highlighter Palette

Photo from MilleFée

Just like its name suggests, the MilleFée Idol Highlighter Palette comes fully equipped to help you recreate the soft, ethereal glow of your favourite K-pop idols’ makeup looks. Featuring four luminous shades in different tones and finishes, this versatile pick lets you customise your glow for every makeup look. The ultra-fine shimmer melts seamlessly into the skin without looking glittery or emphasising texture.

Get it on yesstyle for $23.91.

Best Eyeshadow Palette: Dasique Mood Shadow Palette

Photo from Dasique

Sometimes bigger really is better, and this eyeshadow palette series is proof of that—after all,there's a reason it’s a staple in so many Korean makeup routines. Packed with an impressive selection of matte, shimmer, and glitter shades in one thoughtfully curated colour story, these palettes have everything you need to create endless eye looks. Best of all, Dasique’s buttery shadow formula blends like a dream and applies with minimal fallout!

Get it at Guardian for $39.65.

Best Eyeliner: KISSME Heroine Make Prime Liquid Eyeliner Rich Keep

Photo from Heroine Make

Finding an eyeliner that survives sweat, tears, humidity, and oily lids is no easy feat, but this one does it all. Loved for its ultra-fine brush tip and intensely pigmented formula, it glides on effortlessly for precise, flick-worthy lines that stay put all day without smudging. Better yet, it comes in flattering shades beyond classic black, making it easy to create softer, everyday eye looks.

Get it at Watsons for $16.72.

Best Eyebrow Pencil: Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil

Photo from Benefit

Good brows can make all the difference, and Benefit's iconic brow pencil is certainly the top dog in this category. Its ultra-fine tip mimics natural brow hairs with incredible precision, making it easy to fill sparse areas and define your shape without looking harsh. Available in a wide range of shades, this long-wearing pencil creates naturally fuller brows that last from morning to night.

Get it on Sephora for $48.

Best Mascara: JOOCYEE Dual-Ended Lash Lifting & Lengthening Mascara

Photo from JOOCYEE

Sky-high lashes don't have to come with clumps and smudges. The JOOCYEE Lash Lifting & Lengthening Mascara does double duty with its two applicators: one detail brush for precise application, and a shaped brush for full-lash coverage. Its lightweight formula lengthens, lifts, and defines every lash with ease, creating a clean, fluttery effect that is especially perfect for straight, stubborn Asian lashes.

Get it on Shopee for $27.80.

Best Setting Spray: SKINTIFIC Lock The Look Setting Spray

Photo from SKINTIFIC

In Singapore's heat and humidity, a reliable setting spray is a quick and easy way to keep your makeup from budging or creasing for much longer. The SKINTIFIC Lock The Look Setting Spray keeps makeup looking freshly applied for hours with its ultra-fine mist that locks everything into place without feeling sticky or heavy. The lightweight formula also helps control excess oil and minimise transfer, making it a favourite for long days and special occasions alike.

Get it on Guardian for $14.40.

Best Lip Colour: TimePhoria Stellar Dust Lip Stain

Photo from TimePhoria

One thing’s for sure: lip stains aren’t going anywhere. This lightweight formula is comfortable, beautifully pigmented, and glides on smoothly before setting into a long-lasting stain that stays vibrant without feeling dry or patchy. From soft gradient lips to bold full coverage, it delivers beautiful colour that lasts long after the shine fades.

Get it on Guardian for $14.70.

Best Lip Gloss: MilkTouch Prism Pearl Shine Lip Gloss

Photo from MilkTouch

Glassy lips get an upgrade with the TikTok-viral MilkTouch lip gloss. Best known for its adorable ornament-like star shape, this formula is infused with delicate pearl pigments and gives lips a juicy, multidimensional shine that catches the light beautifully without feeling sticky. Wear it on its own for a naturally plump look or layer it over your favourite lip colour for extra sparkle and dimension.

Get it on MilkTouch's online store for $19.90.

Best Lip Plumper: Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lip Gloss

Photo from Kiko Milano

The Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lip Gloss has earned its cult following for making lips look fuller, smoother, and irresistibly glossy in just one swipe. It gives lips a '3D' plumping effect, while delivering a mirror-like shine and keeping lips hydrated and comfortable throughout the day. With a wide selection of shades and finishes, it's the kind of lip plumper you'll find yourself reaching for again and again.

Get it on Amazon.sg for $21.45.

Stay tuned for more of GirlStyle Beauty Awards 2026 to find out the winning haircare, bodycare, health and wellness products!