InStyle Best Beauty Buys-2004

FACE
Liquid Foundation
Lancôme Rénergie Lift makeup
A drop of this silky liquid offers coverage that looks like you're not wearing anything. Best of all, it gives skin an instant glow. $36/1 oz.; macys.com


Inexpensive Foundation
Neutrogena Healthy Skin
It has a smooth texture—and staying power. L.A. makeup artist Brett Freedman thinks it works as well as the more expensive labels. $12/1.1 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Oil-Free Foundation
Chanel Multi-Vitamin Natural makeup
Makeup artist Nanette New likes how translucent this formula is. It blends well on dry skin but contains no pore-clogging oils. $40/1 oz.; at Bergdorf Goodman or macys.com

Concealer
Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Corrector
This concealer creates a soft focus. "I use it to create a subtle highlight," says makeup artist Matthew VanLeeuwen. $18/.21 oz.; nordstrom.com


Inexpensive Concealer
Cover Girl CG Smoothers
Billy B., a N.Y.C. and L.A. makeup artist who has worked with Scarlett Johansson, says, "It has great consistency for the price. And you only need a bit." $6/.14 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com

Blemish Concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
With six color palettes, it's easy to find one that matches your skin. N.Y.C. makeup artist Matin, who works with Naomi Watts, likes its oil-free formulation. $28/.26 oz.; neimanmarcus.com



loose powder
Shu Uemura
This powder's texture is so fine that Sephora makeup artist Mally Roncal, who works with Beyoncé, feels comfortable using it to set concealer under eyes. $30/.98 oz.; shuuemura.com


Shimmer Product
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick
How does Jennifer Garner's character on Alias get that glow? Makeup artist James MacKinnon brushes Shimmer Brick's five tones over her entire face. $35/.4 oz.; at Bloomingdale's or neimanmarcus.com


Inexpensive Bronzer
Revlon Skinlights
Makeup artist Karen Kawahara uses Skinlights Face Illuminator lotion in Golden Light on Sarah Wynter to create a bronze sheen. $14/1.5 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Cream Blush
Stila Convertible Color
This blush blends into skin so well, makeup artist Brett Freedman uses it on both Gwyneth Paltrow and her mom, Blythe Danner. $20/.15 oz.; 877-565-1299 or sephora.com
 

Pencil Eyeliner
MAC
"Firm enough to sharpen, soft enough to smudge," says makeup artist Genevieve. Makeup pros watch each new MAC collection for breakthrough hues. $11.50; 800-387-6707 or macys.com


Liquid Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner
Yes, it’s a gel, but, says New Jersey makeup artist Kymbra Callaghan, "it goes on like liquid, with the blendability of a pencil." $18/.1 oz.; at Bergdorf Goodman or nordstrom.com


Cream Eye Shadow
MAC Paints
Several of our experts say Paints are the only cream eye shadows they’ve found that truly don’t crease. Makeup artists love this line’s vibrant shades. $15/.23 oz.; 800-387-6707 or nordstrom.com


Inexpensive Eye Shadow
Revlon
The head of the makeup department at Six Feet Under, Donna-Lou Henderson, says, “Nice consistency, great colors, and small enough to be convenient.” $7/.12 oz.; drugstore.com


Overall Mascara
Lancôme Définicils
Définicils doesn't just talk the talk—it really does lengthen lashes, thanks to a patented brush that coats every lash evenly. $21/.23 oz.; at Bloomingdale’s or sephora.com



Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline Great Lash
"Not even tears take it off," says makeup artist Joanna Schlip. Others liked the colors: "The black is a true black," says makeup artist Eric Spearman. $6/.43 oz.; drugstore.com
 

Lipstick
Laura Mercier Lip Kisses
"They're very wearable, which makes them great for women who are shy about color," says Matin."I use Apricot Sorbet on Angelina Jolie." $19/.08 oz.; at Henri Bendel or nordstrom.com


overall lipstick
MAC
MAC offers 188 colors in all sorts of finishes, so it’s no surprise that several experts said they like to use MAC lip colors on most of their star clients. $14/.17 oz.; 800-387-6707 or nordstrom.com


Lip Gloss
MAC Lipglass
The women of Soul Food survive the week’s drama with glistening pouts intact. How? Makeup artist Beverly Jo Pryor credits Lipglass’s "high shine" and thick texture. $13.50/.17 oz.; nordstrom.com


Long-Wearing Lipstick
Max Factor Lipfinity
"You can’t kiss this stuff off," says Joanna Schlip of Lipfinity's intense color base and clear top coat. She uses it on Laura Linney for big events. $13/.06 & .07 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Facial Moisturizer for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Shiseido Future Solution
Vitamin C and chai hu extract lessen chances of sun damage. "I love how it makes my skin feel," says N.Y.C. derm Diane Berson. $225/1.8 oz.; 800-723-2889 or beautiful
perfumes.com


Facial Cleanser for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser
This rich gets the job done without irritation. "It contains effective antibacterial, but it's mild," says Manhattan derm Paul Jarrod Frank. $24/4.4 oz.; at Saks Fifth Avenue or macys.com


Toner for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Chanel Précision Gentle Hydrating lotion
This one got the thumbs-up for two reasons: It removes residue, and it contains soothing moisturizers like aloe vera. $35/6.8 oz.; at Bloomingdale’s or macys.com


Facial Moisturizer for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Olay Regenerist Perfecting cream
This cream contains the newest line reducers on the market. N.Y.C. derm Francesca Fusco recommends it to her patients who have sensitive skin. $19/1.7 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Moisturizing Facial Mask for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Lancôme Hydra-Intense
This five-minute gel mask has humectants that attract water to the skin and polymers that form a protective layer, trapping moisture inside. $27/3.4 oz.; 800-526-2663 or sephora.com

Heavy-Duty Moisturizer for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Lifting Creme
This cream holds more than 1,000 times its weight in water. "It prevents evaporation," says L.A. cosmetic surgeon R. Patrick Abergel. $250/1.7 oz.; esteelauder.com

Firming Serum for Normal/Combinatin Skin
Tracie Martyn Firming serum
Antioxidants, detoxifying peptides and epidermal growth factors make this one of the most sought-after antiaging potions. $165/1 oz.; traciemartyn.com


Facial Cleanser for Normal/Combination Skin
Cetaphil
Ultra-mild Cetaphil has been used by dermatologists for years, says Nicholas Lowe, M.D., who practices in London and L.A. "It's good for skin being treated with Retin A." $7/8 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com

Toner for Normal/Combination Skin
Lancôme Tonique Douceur
Several toner-wary experts came around for Tonique Douceur, praising its alcohol-free, glycerin-rich formulation. $20/6.8 oz.; 800-526-2663 or nordstrom.com

Moisturizer for Normal/Combination Skin
Aveeno Positively Smooth
Aveeno's combination of whole soy and soy extracts evens out skin tone, smooths fine lines and may also reduce facial-hair growth. $15/4 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com

Facial Mask for Normal/Combination Skin
Chanel Précision Instant Purifying
"Salicylic acid smooths the skin, and Kaolin and starch soak up impurities," says New Orleans dermatologist Nia Terezakis. $33/2.6 oz.; beautiful
perfumes.com

Facial Lotion for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Estée Lauder Day Wear Plus Multi-Protection Antioxidant lotion
"It's hard to find a moisturizer with sunscreen that works under makeup," says Debra Jaliman, M.D., of N.Y.C. $38/1.7 oz.; macys.com


Facial Cleanser for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Eucerin Pore Purifying Foaming wash
"It's light, lathers well, cleans pores, and has minimal fragrance," says UCLA associate derm professor Joshua Wieder. $7/6.8 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com

Toner for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Prescriptives Immediate Matte
Our experts like the instant mattifying effect of the silica contained in this gentle formula. It's also oil-free, so it won't clog pores. $19/6.7 oz.; at Bergdorf Goodman or nordstrom.com

Facial Moisturizer for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
DDF Ultra-Lite
Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew
"This moisturizer is very light. It leaves the skin hydrated but not at all oily," says New York City derm Rosemarie Ingleton. $30/1.7 oz.; at Bergdorf Goodman or sephora.com


Facial Mask for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Treatment
Our panel praised this mask's lightweight gel. "It unclogged the pores on my nose!" said one delighted derm. $7/2 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


At-Home Dental Whitening Kit
Crest Whitestrips
Nothing can beat professional lightening, but for a less expensive alternative, dentists like Crest Whitestrips. You'll see results after two weeks. $30/14-day supply; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Body Lotion
Eucerin Original
Mineral oil and glyceryl lanolate help prevent moisture from escaping skin. This fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula is safe for even sensitive skin. $11/16 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Hand Cream
L'Occitane shea butter
This rich cream contains moisturizing extracts such as almond and linseed oils. But the real muscle comes from shea butter. $8/1 oz.; sephora.com


Self-Tanner for Face
Clarins Tinted Self-Tanning face cream
Clarins got votes for easy application and a seamless, always even finish. The light scent and nongreasy formula only make it better. $27/1.7 oz.; at Saks Fifth Avenue or sephora.com


Oil-Free Sunscreen
Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Titanium Dioxide sunblock
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide pack double UVA/UVB protection, notes Virginia Beach, Va., derm David H. McDaniel. $36/4 oz.; 800-787-7546 or peter
thomasroth.com


HAIR
Overall Shampoo
Kérastase Bain Satin 1
This product is great for all hair types. "It gives real shine to the hair," says N.Y.C. stylist Keith Carpenter, who uses it on Sarah Jessica Parker. $24/8.5 oz.; 877-748-8357 for salons or drugstore.com


Inexpensive Overall Shampoo
Pantene Pro-V
Alan Tosler of N.Y.C.’s Tosler Davis salon calls this a "runaway favorite" of his clientele: "It leaves hair seriously silky. I use it on Stephanie Seymour." $4.79/13.5 oz.; drugstore.com


Shampoo
L'Oréal Série Expert
This shampoo line contains ceramides, emollients that help reduce frizz and enhance shine. N.Y.C. stylist Kim Lépine recommends it for dry hair. $13/8.45 oz.; 888-737-4304 or serieexpert
usa.com for salons


Overall Conditioner
Kérastase Lait Vital Protéiné
Pros love it because it's so lightweight. "It conditions without leaving heavy waxes," says L.A. hairstylist Ken Paves, who works with Jessica Simpson. $37/6.8 oz.; diamondbeauty.com

Inexpensive Overall Conditioner
Pantene Pro-V
This rich conditioner contains panthenol, a restorative ingredient that coats the hair shaft. "It's inexpensive—but it’s certainly effective," says N.Y.C. colorist Kyle White. $7.99/25.4 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com


Leave-In Conditioner
Infusium 23
This spray-on treatment makes combing out tangles a snap. "It softens and detangles without any residue," says Eve's hairstylist, Suzette Boozer. $6/16 oz.; at drugstores or drugstore.com

Styling Gel
Phyto Pro gel No. 8
Truly strong hold—with no flaking or stickiness, say our stylists. Alain Pinon of Salon AKS in N.Y.C. uses Phyto gel No. 8 to add thickness to roots. $17/5 oz.; 800-557-4986 or sephora.com


Styling Cream
Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom
Wheat proteins and amino acids make this cream tops for adding texture and shine. L.A. stylist Mark Townsend rubs it through the manes of Heather Graham. $30/8 oz.; neimanmarcus.com


Pomade/Wax
Murray's Superior Hair Dressing pomade
This old-school favorite is still the one. "It's got the best hold of any pomade," says Linda Cho of L.A.'s Art Luna Salon. $3/3 oz.; at drugstores or murrays
pomade.com


Styling Product
Aveda Light Elements line
Claudio Lazo, of the Allen Edwards salon in L.A. recommends these products to all his clients. Defining Whip (left) adds texture but not stickiness. $20–$23; 800-328-0849 for retailers