Skip to main content

Styling by Suzanna Campos/Plutino Group (www.plutinogroup.com).Natasha V/The Globe and Mail

The fashionista nail shades

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer, $35 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com)

"Runway watchers have been waiting for this collection and for good reason. It consists of 16 colours that each hit on a trend for fall – neutrals, saturated pinks and reds and deep jewel tones, to name a few– while delivering rich, even coverage." – Marilisa Racco

The super-luxe lip balm

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Mightiest Maraschino and Grandest Grape, $19 each at Clinique counters across Canada (visit www.clinique.com for locations)

"The ultimate in taxicab makeup, these chunky crayons have the same nourishing properties (shea butter and jojoba-seed oil) as the original Chubby but contain enough pigment to create a statement lip." – Ally Dean

The three-in-one lipstick

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain Rebel Nudes in 104 and 107, $36 each at Holt Renfrew, Hudson's Bay (www.thebay.com), Sephora (www.sephora.com) and Murale (www.murale.ca).

"Earning a beauty hat trick, this lip colour combines the shine of a gloss, opacity of a lipstick and lasting power of a stain. It wins additional points for a luminous pearl finish and a soft-bristled brush that makes for easy application." – AD

The most innovative bullet

Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy in 301 and 602, $38 each at Holt Renfrew, Hudson's Bay and Sephora.

"The creamy, gel-like formula of these semi-sheer lipsticks – which also happen to be the first CC lipsticks on the market – contains a Melting Cream complex to nourish lips the way a balm does while leaving behind subtle but fade-proof colour." – AD

The longest-lasting lacquer

CND Vinylux Colour Coat and Top Coat, $11.90 each at salons across Canada (visit www.cnd.com for retailers)

"This system promises high shine and a week's worth of wear thanks to its ProLight technology, which makes the colour and top coat toughen with exposure to natural light. A mere eight minutes of drying time gave me seven days of shiny, polished, chip-free digits." – MR

The most wearable lip gloss

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl in Truth or Dare, $34 at Sephora

"This juicy lip gloss gives a pop of colour with a high-shine finish that's smooth, not sticky. Added bonus: It smells like mint-chocolate ice cream." – AD

The best of the BBs

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau BB Cream, $54 through www.guerlain.com

"This isn't your typical BB cream for two reasons: One is silk and the other is linen. The formula contains fibres from both of these luxurious fabrics, giving it a delicate texture that seems to melt into the skin, and contains hyaluronic acid, which offers all-day hydration." – Bahar Niramwalla

The mystery spritz

Hermès Jour d'Hermès Eau de parfum spray, $165 for 85 ml through www.hermes.com

"Hermès won't divulge the exact notes that this mix contains, but the intrigue is only part of its cachet. Its uber-feminine bouquet of gardenia, white flowers and green notes (whatever they are) is easy to find yourself enamoured with." – AD

The colour protector

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Color Lustre, $50 at boutiques and salons across Canada (visit www.shuuemura.ca for retailers)

"My colour-treated hair got a much-needed kick from this silicone-free rinse-out treatment. Linseed oil revives and evens out a dye job, while rose-musk oil prevents oxidation and fading." – MR

The good-life blend

Boucheron Place Vendôme Eau de Parfum Spray, $115 for 100 ml at Hudson's Bay

"Named after the famous Paris locale where Frederic Boucheron opened his first jewellery store in 1893, this woody 'floriental' fragrance contains notes of pink pepper, jasmine, honey and cedarwood. A spritz on the wrist feels as luxe as a weighty gold cuff." – AD

The wave maker

Kérastase Spray à Porter, $36 through www.kerastase.ca

"The best product for achieving the season's urban-inspired waves, this lightweight spray combines xylose (a wood-derived sugar) with a water-based lotion and texturizing magnesium sulfate to nourish hair and create soft, never straw-like curls." – AD

The high-shine serum

Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine, $39.99 at salons across Canada (visit www.redken.ca for retailers)

"If you have dark, curly or wavy hair, you probably struggle with dullness. The blend of coriander, camelina and apricot oils in this serum is an excellent antidote. It'll strengthen and nourish locks, as well as give them sparkling shine." – MR

The contour king

Korres Magic Light Contouring Trio in Santorini, $36.50 at Sephora

"This cheek trio is ideal for achieving the sculpted look seen on the models at the Bottega Veneta fall/winter show. In champagne pink, rose gold and gilded bronze, its shades can be used on their own or combined and dusted all over to create a glamorous glow." – BN

The most natural-looking blush

Burberry Blush in Coral Pink, $54 at Holt Renfrew

"Channel the year's most-talked about Brit, the Duchess of Cambridge, by sweeping this soft pink blush on the apples of your cheeks for a natural-looking (and decidedly royal) flush." – AD

The richest hair masque

Kevin.Murphy Young.Again.Masque, $49 at select salons across Canada (visit www.kevinmurphy.com.au for retailers)

"My thick, naturally curly hair is subjected to three heated styling tools twice a week and this rich, amino-acid masque infused with baobab and lotus-flower oils is the only thing that saves it from breaking." – BN

The magic eraser

M.A.C Pro Conceal and Correct Palette in Medium, $48 at M.A.C stores (www.maccosmetics.com)

"Nearly as handy as an on-call makeup artist, this professional palette – which includes four concealers and two correctors, all enriched with an antioxidant formula – hides dark circles, erases blemishes and creates an overall flawless complexion." – AD

The tall drink of water

Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist, $69 at Chanel beauty counters across the country (visit www.chanel.com for locations)

"Enriched with vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, camellia alba and the antioxidant blue ginger, this luxurious, lightweight spray hydrates and can be spritzed on all throughout the day." – AD

The ultra-nourishing face mask

Fresh Cosmetics Crème Ancienne Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask, $150 at Sephora

"Honey is the star ingredient in this creamy product, but it's the antioxidant-rich echinacea that makes this mask a staple. It helps the epidermis fight off daily damage and leaves it with a lustrous glow. [At press time, the product was already on back order, but stock should be replenished by the end of the year.]" – BN

The shine-free anti-ager

Darphin Ideal Resource Micro-Refining Smoothing Fluid, $105 at Village Wellness Spas and salons across Canada (www.villagespas.com or visit www.darphin.com for additional retailers)

"This ultra-hydrating formula enhances radiance and combats lines and wrinkles by plumping up skin cells. What's more, it contains a matifying powder, making it an especially good choice for women with combination-to-oily skin." – MR

The most uplifting face scrub

Shiseido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser, $35 at Shiseido counters across Canada (visit www.shiseido.com for locations)

"This cleanser may target the 25-to-34 set, but the invigorating sensation that its little exfoliating granules produce – along with the smoothing and strenghtening effects of beet molasses and yuzu-seed extract – will appeal to facewashers of any age." – MR

The multitasking sunscreen

Prevage Triple Defense Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50, $95 at Elizabeth Arden counters (visit www.elizabetharden.com for locations)

"This matte-finish formula performs double duty: Antioxidants repair existing sun damage, while a blend of chemical screens such as octinoxate, oxybenzone and avobenzone block UVA, UVB and Infrared-A rays to minimize damage in the future." – AD

The stress fighter

Kiehl's Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator, $38 at Kiehl's (www.kiehls.ca)

"This lightweight moisturizer is a lifesaver for anyone whose fatigue or anxiety shows up in their skin. Rosa gallica and chamomile extract soothe and minimize inflammation, while glycerin and shea butter provide hydration." – MR

The curl master

Shu Uemura Eyelash S Curler, $27 at Holt Renfrew, Sephora and Hudson's Bay

"The latest version of the iconic Shu Uemura eyelash curler has been designed without sidebars, so it fits all types of eye shapes, from shallow to deep set. It's the perfect tool for creating everything from a demi-lift (when placed at the base of the lash line) to a Kardashianesque curl when used from base to tip."– AD

The artful liner

NARS Eye Paint The liner that lasts (and lasts), $29 at NARS counters across Canada (visit www.narscosmetics.ca for locations)

"High-impact pigment gives these little pots of eye paint amazing colour that lasts for up to 18 hours and won't smudge, making it the must-have product for fall's sexy cat-eye look." – MR

The ultimate eye-framer

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel in Light/ Medium and Medium/Deep, $26 each at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart (www.shoppersdrugmart.ca) and Murale

"Bold brows are a key accessory this season and the best way to achieve a prominent set is with this incredible smudgeproof fibre gel. Bonus: The tiny, tapered brush it comes with helps build up each hair for ample, stay-put arches." – BN

The high-drama mascara

Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara, $35 at Dior counters across Canada (visit www.dior.com for locations)

"Skip the falsies and use this polymer-based mascara that comes with a curved wand to create dramatic, clump-resistant doll-like lashes." – AD

The sophisticate' s shadows

Yves Saint Laurent Palette in City Drive Classy, $74 at Holt Renfrew and Hudson's Bay

"Sleek men's-wear-inspired looks ruled the women's runways this season, and this chic, understated palette of eye shadows makes a fitting match. All of its shades – brown, steel grey, tan and champagne – can be applied dry or wet for a luminous or deeply pigmented effect." – MR

The ultramodern liner

Lise Watier Smokey Kohl Velours in Violet, $20 at drugstores and mass-market retailers across Canada

"Whether you prefer a graphic cat eye or a smeared and smoky effect, the matte finish of this waterproof eyeliner (which also comes in black and brown) makes any makeup look feel current." – AD

The judges

Ally Dean is a freelance beauty and fashion writer and regular contributor to Globe Style.

Beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist Bahar Niramwalla has appeared on numerous TV shows and regularly answers Globe Style readers' beauty questions.

Marilisa Racco is a freelance beauty writer who pens Globe Style's Test Counter column.

Interact with The Globe