2020 GEMS

The Beauty Products Allure Editors Fell in Love With This Year

In a year with few bright spots, we managed to find a little fun, relaxation, and, of course, beauty in what these new launches brought to our routines.
Our Editors' Favorite New Beauty Products of 2020

This year took us on one helluva rollercoaster ride — and at times, it felt like it would never end. (Anyone relate?) But between worrying about the COVID-19 pandemic and stressing over the widespread political and social unrest, we, like so many others, found comfort in the things we know and love, like testing out beauty products and sharing our favorite discoveries with all of you. Now, since 2021 is finally in arms' reach, we figured it would be the perfect time to round up our favorite finds of the year.

These are the products we used to the very last drop, the ones we shed a tear for when they were gone, and the ones we can see ourselves purchasing for years to come — not to mention the tools we pick up every day. Throughout this tumultuous time, these were the makeup, skin care, and hair products that brought us joy and solace amid everything going on in the world. So, of course, we had to share them with you, our dear readers, because we'd simply be remiss not to.

So here you have it, folks: our top favorite beauty products of 2020. And no, no it was not easy to narrow it down.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Renee Rouleau Mint Renewal Cleanser on white background
    Courtesy of brand
    1/15

    Renee Rouleau Mint Renewal Cleanser

    "Maybe I've been stuck inside my house for too long, but I get genuinely giddy every time I use Renee Rouleau's Mint Renewal Cleanser to wash my face. It smells incredible, and the jojoba beads offer gentle exfoliation that makes my skin look brighter. It also contains moisturizing panthenol, which helps prevent that 'stripped' feeling some exfoliating cleansers can cause." — Kara McGrath, deputy editor

    $38 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    2/15

    Ranavat Royal Tonique Hydrating Jasmine Mist

    "A cornerstone of my 2020 wellness routine has become 'Princess Hour,' where I lay down and listen to a podcast while misting my face like a princess. Ranavat's 'Royal Tonique,' which is French for expensive face mist, is gently hydrating and anti-inflammatory. But the sensation of using it, which feels like sticking your head briefly into a humid, far-flung jasmine patch, is a priceless way to experience public radio." — Brennan Kilbane, senior writer

    $45 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    3/15

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen

    "I have tried just about every single brow pen that exists, and this is one of the only ones that has just the right balance of pigment, flexibility, and durability. Hands down, freaking perfect." — Nicola Dall'Asen, staff writer

    $22 (Shop Now)

  • 4/15

    Base Butter Radiate Face Jelly

    "When we started working from home, my complexion went ballistic — maskne, dullness, dryness, stress breakouts, dark circles. My face was a veritable SEO goldmine for skin issues. I ordered Base Butter's Radiate Face Jelly at a friend's recommendation. I'm now on my third jar and still completely obsessed. And at just $21, I feel great recommending it to all my friends and family, regardless of their budgets." — Sam Escobar, digital editor director

    $21 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    5/15

    Mara Sea Vitamin C Serum

    "After months of using Mara’s Sea Vitamin C Serum, an oil-based brightening treatment made with 15 percent THD ascorbate, with zero sensitivity and multiple compliments from coworkers on how "glowy" my skin looks during Zoom meetings, I'm never going back to traditional vitamin C serums. I've been super impressed with how easy Sea Vitamin C Serum is to wear bare-faced or layer under the occasional work-from-home makeup moment, and how much brighter it makes my look. That being said, I’m in need of a second bottle!" — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director

    $96 (Shop Now)

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  • Courtesy of brand
    6/15

    Em Cosmetics Daydream Cushion

    "I was really into cushion compacts about two years ago and then essentially abandoned them, cold-turkey. I simply didn’t find a formula I liked more than my trusty liquid foundations. That changed with the launch of Em Cosmetics' Daydream Cushion. It seemingly sinks into my skin, making application lightning-fast, while lending me the medium (but buildable) coverage I’m looking for. I’m also obsessed with the naturally luminous and glowy finish it leaves." — Sarah Han, senior commerce writer

    $48 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    7/15

    Augustinus Bader The Essence Exfoliating Toner

    "My skin-care routine has ebbed and flowed this year (some days I found myself doing 10-step facials during my WFH "lunch hour," other times I struggled to find the energy to apply the bare minimum), but one of few constants through it all has been Augustinus Bader The Essence Exfoliating Toner, which has made my skin remarkably softer, smoother, and less redness-prone." — Dianna Mazzone, senior beauty editor

    $166 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    8/15

    Priori UnveiLED Mask

    "I have always loved using face masks, but this high-tech LED device has taken my masking routine to an entirely new level. Though you only leave it on for 10 minutes, the lightweight silicone design rests directly on the skin (unlike other LED masks that hover above your face), so the red and infrared treatment goes deeper and is even more effective. Since using it consistently while working from home, my skin looks brighter and significantly more even. And with no plug, I can multi-task while wearing the portable mask, but it is also a nice daily reminder to pause and take time for myself. There's no mess, no cleanup, and no downtime — just glowing skin." — Paige Stables, beauty editor

    $395 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    9/15

    Hanskin Vitamin C Glow Powder Cleanser

    "Typically, I don't wash my face in the morning and feel too lazy to do so, but maskne has made it necessary to do so to prevent and heal breakouts. This powder cleanser makes the experience a little more fun. You just sprinkle some of the granules in your hand with a couple drops of water to froth it up into a foam. It gently cleanses skin and easily washes away without taking all the good oils on your skin with it." — Devon Abelman, beauty editor

    $28 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    10/15

    Topicals Faded

    "This doesn't have the most pleasant smell, but in my opinion, that means it works. This treatment diminishes all my hyperpigmentation without lightening my skin. It's founded by a Black woman who knew what she was doing when she formulated it. This stuff just works." — Angela Trakoshis, commerce writer

    $36 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    11/15

    Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash'd Mascara

    "The only makeup I consistently wear these days is mascara, and Marc Jacobs Beauty's At Lash'd is the only one I reach for. With just one coat, it beefs up every little hair, curls them, and extends them so well, I swear you could mistake my lashes for falsies or extensions. Even on days when I stay up until 4 a.m. reading romance novels, a couple sweeps open up my tired eyes and make me look like I got a full 12-hours of sleep." — Devon Abelman

    $27 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    12/15

    Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron

    "I didn't think I needed another curling iron in my collection, but apparently I was wrong. I'm especially into the three-pronged attachment in this set. It makes giving my hair a beachy wave ridiculously simple, which means it's become my go-to style for any Zoom calls where I need to fake having my life together." — Kara McGrath

    $199 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand 
    13/15

    Miss Jessie's Honey Curls

    "When you have curly hair, you basically spend your whole life trying to track down the perfect product regimen to keep ringlets right and tight. Well, my search is over at the ripe old age of 29 because Miss Jessie's Honey Curls packs everything I need in a styling gel. The slightly sticky goop defines and softens my curls for so many days on end that I don't have to wash my hair for much longer than I care to admit." — Devon Abelman

    $19 (Shop Now)

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  • Courtesy of brand
    14/15

    Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Color Drip Lip Cream

    "Considering how much I loved the first iteration of the Gloss Bomb I assumed I'd love the cream version, too. Luckily, it lived up to (and perhaps exceeded) my expectations, thanks to its super pigmented, highly moisturizing formula." — Kara McGrath

    $19 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    15/15

    Aprilskin Carrotene Blemish Clear Vita Pads

    "Thanks to a special package my friend Minnie sent me from Seoul, I've become obsessed with this K-beauty brand's entire carrot-spiked line for keeping my skin zit-free. These pre-soaked pads have been the most effective, though. They gently exfoliate without any stinging or irritation with PHA (polyhydroxy acids), carrot, and wintergreen leaf extract, which is a natural source of salicylic acid." — Devon Abelman

    $25 (Shop Now)

Keywordseditor favoritesbeauty productsfavorite productsskin caremakeuphair careRenee RouleauMarc Jacobs Beautyk-beautyAugustinus BaderFenty BeautyDrybarMiss Jessie'shanskinEm CosmeticsAnastasia Beverly Hillspriori