Allure 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards

 

Allure is one of the most famous magazines and beauty websites.

We amassed the favorites of Allure readers and distilled their picks down to the year’s ultimate winners. Full list clink here.

Skin Facial Cleanser

Drugstores, discount stores – Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash $7.29

This cleanser shows zits no mercy, scaring them off in just a few days with salicylic acid. But it also has a compassionate side, so it leaves skin fresh.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser $32/16 oz

The creamy formula melts away makeup and clears pores while rosewood, sandalwood, and sage oils calm prickly skin.

Skin – Facial Scrub

Drugstores, discount stores – St. Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub $4.29

All-natural exfoliants clarify skin without scratching.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula $19.5

There’s no need to take a day off from this gentle scrub—its smooth buffing beads are encased in a creamy base that quenches as it cleans.

Skin – Facial Moisturizer

Drugstores, discount stores – Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer SPF 15 Normal $10.99

 

Spiked with SPF but so lightweight it feels like nothing at all, this is one of the best-loved moisturizers out there. And it’s refreshingly inexpensive.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion $25/4.2 fl oz/125ml

 

Don’t look to this lightweight hydrator for bells and whistles (no anti-agers or SPF). But it plays nicely with others, so you can layer it under makeup and sunscreen with no fear of pilling.

Skin – Anti-Aging product

Drugstores, discount stores – Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream $22.39

 

With hyaluronic acid to plump skin (immediately) and amino acids to tighten it (over time), this cream is an anti-aging twofer.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate $100/1.7 fl oz/50ml

 

It takes just two weeks of diligent application for this Wellsian serum to time-travel skin back to its original vigor.

Skin – Eye Cream

Drugstores, discount stores – Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum $17.59

 

Amino acids trick the skin into making more line-smoothing collagen while antioxidants, depuffers, and light reflectors fool you (and everyone else) into thinking you’re five years younger.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Clinique All About Eyes $30/0.5 oz/15g

 

Until it becomes acceptable to wear our giant, dark-circle-hiding Jackie O. sunglasses indoors, sign us up for a steady supply of this tightening, hydrating, and brightening eye cream.

Makeup – Lipstick

Drugstores, discount stores – Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Softsilver Rose $8.99

Lilac and a shimmery finish give this mauve a bit of an edge.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – M.A.C. Lipstick in Snob $15

Without a trace of little-girl glitter or gloss, this bubblegum pink is all woman.

Makeup – Lip Gloss

Drugstores, discount stores – L’Oréal Paris Infallible 8 HR Le Gloss in Bloom $8.49

 

Swipe on this dewy rose gloss, then resist the urge to lick or rub lips together until the pigment sets (about 15 seconds). It returns the favor by staying shiny for hours.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – M.A.C. Tinted Lipglass in Oh Baby $15

 

Worn alone, this glitter-flecked bronze makes lips look fuller; layered over lipstick, it adds a warm, shiny finish that flickers like candlelight.

Makeup – Blush

Drugstores, discount stores – CoverGirl Classic Color Blush in Soft Mink $5.75

 

Whether your skin is fair or dark, you could apply this subtle peachy gold powder blindfolded and look polished, not clownish.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Nars Blush in Orgasm $28

 

The multiyear winner gives a certain glow usually earned between the sheets (needless to say, the shimmery peachy pink looks good on everybody).

Makeup – Eye Shadow

Drugstores, discount stores – Maybelline New York Color Tattoo by EyeStudio 24HR Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze $7.25

This coppery bronze glides on smoothly, sets in a jiffy, then clings to lids without creasing all day long.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – M.A.C. Eye Shadow in All That Glitters $15

 

Pop the bubbly! A swipe of this effervescent champagne-colored shadow lights up the eyes.

Makeup – Eyeliner

Drugstores, discount stores – Maybelline New York Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx $6.25

 

This waterproof pencil draws a rich black line that’s smudgeable until it sets. Then it stays put through mugginess, rain—even Lifetime movie specials.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – M.A.C. Technakohl Liner in Graphblack $15

 

It glides on without tugging, leaves an intensely inky line, and won’t dissolve into a watery mess.

Makeup – Mascara

Drugstores, discount stores – Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara in Very Black $6.25

Readers can’t get enough of this classic pink-and-green tube. The reliable black mascara lengthens and defines lashes without the slightest bit of flaking or clumping.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons– Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara in Black $26

 

This lengthening formula sits lightly on lashes, so you won’t get that dreaded spidery look.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Dior Diorshow Buildable Volume Mascara in Black $25

The fat, bristly wand and lash-thickening mascara work together to create exaggerated fringe.

Makeup – Concealer

Drugstores, discount stores – Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer $4.99

Toss one of these lipstick-like tubes in your purse: It’s ideal for erasing zits at a moment’s notice (no blending necessary).

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – M.A.C. Select Moisturecover $18

This ultralight, skin-quenching liquid concealer transforms tired eyes without settling into fine lines.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Benefit Boi-Ing Industrial-Strength Concealer $20

Watch color theory in action as yellow undertones in this full-coverage formula cancel out ghoulish purple undereye circles.

Makeup – Foundation

Drugstores, discount stores – Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation $7.94

Full-coverage matte foundation is usually code for “cakey,” but this air-whipped base deftly conceals dark circles and spots while looking completely natural.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation $27

A powder foundation for women who normally avoid the stuff, it veils imperfections and gives skin a pretty glow, but it’s so weightless that you’ll forget you’re wearing it.

Hair – Shampoo

Drugstores, discount stores – Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Flat to Volume Shampoo $5.25

This formula has thickening polymers for a significant body boost that lasts until the next shampoo.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo $18/8.5 fl oz/250ml

Gentle organic botanicals cleanse hair without sapping the life from your color; wintergreen and cinnamon-bark oil protect strands from the fading effects of UV rays.

Hair – Conditioner

Drugstores, discount stores – Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Flat to Volume Conditioner $5.25

Kudos to this conditioner for adding softness and swinginess without dragging fine hair down. (Even the citrus-floral scent is peppy.)

 

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Redken Color Extend Conditioner $35/33.8 fl oz

Leave the unpredictable hair colors to Nicki Minaj. Broad-spectrum UV filters stop your highlights from turning brassy or ashy; cranberry oil keeps them rich and glossy.

Hair – Volumizer

Drugstores, discount stores – John Frieda Luxurious Volume Blow-Dry Lotion Root Booster $6.49

A few alcohol-free squirts bolster listless roots, with no hair hangover (i.e., crispiness, stickiness).

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Aveda Volumizing Tonic $17/3.4 fl oz/100ml

Organic aloe and wheat amino acids are like health food for your hair. When zhuzhed into the roots, the results are head-turning body and reflecting-pool shine.

Hair – Defrizzer

Drugstores, discount stores – John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Original Formula $7.49

Without this classic frizz tamer, many women we know might just have shaved their head by now. A dime-size amount raked through damp strands works hair-smoothing wonders.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Moroccanoil Oil Treatment $40/3.4 fl oz/100ml

A dab of this orange-blossom-scented oil thwarts puffiness, which makes all the difference between posting your tropical vacation photos on Facebook and keeping them very well hidden from your friends.

Hair – Home hair color

L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color and Shine System $8.99

This ultrasimple kit, which delivers a rich hue, also includes a tube of UV-protective, antioxidant-packed conditioner to maintain shine for up to eight weeks.

Body – Body Scrub

Drugstores, discount stores – St. Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub $4.29

Readers have relied on this natural scrub since scrunchies and Saved by the Bell were popular—because it actually works.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint Smoothing Body Scrub $13/11 oz

We love anything with the words “stress” and “relief” in the name. If it smooths our rough patches, we love it all the more.

Body – Body lotion

Drugstores, discount stores –  Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion $9.19

Gentle and safe, it works for everyone. It’s the Switzerland of moisturizers.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Bath & Body Works Signature Body Lotion in Paris Amour $11/8 oz/236ml

With notes of jasmine, sandalwood, and vanilla in the air, you could almost confuse your bathroom with the Tuileries. Almost.

Body – Deodorant

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant/Deodorant $9.99

Bring on your silkiest white dress—this superstrong antiperspirant is like a force field between armpits and anything they’re touching.

Body – Teeth whitener

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips $40.99/20 ct

In less than three weeks, these tidy no-slip strips erase years’ worth of stains from chugging your morning coffee and sipping your happy-hour red wine.

Body – Pale nail polish

Drugstores, discount stores – Essie nail polish in Mademoiselle $8.25

This makes a half-dozen wins (three Best of Beauty Awards, three Readers’ Choice Awards) for the pink shade that (obviously) looks great on everyone.

Drugstores, discount stores– Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Shell We Dance? $8.38

What looks basic in the bottle is actually a basecoat, topcoat, strengthener, and sleek pink—all in one.

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath $8.5

This pretty, sheer pink looks as fresh and clean on fair or dark skin as it does on every tone in between.

Body – Bright nail polish

Drugstores, discount stores – Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Rapid Red $5.75

This old-Hollywood red is as classic as it comes, with a high-tech twist (it dries in just one minute).

Department stores, specialty stores, spas, salons – OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red $8.5

The perfect shade of glossy red—timeless enough for a black-tie event and trendy enough for Bonnaroo.

Body – Classic fragrance

Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum $98/1.7 oz $130/3.4 oz

With notes of jasmine, rose, and iris, this powdery floral is a perennial favorite, winning a Readers’ Choice Award every year since 1996. (It probably would’ve won since its launch in 1921, but we weren’t keeping tabs.)

Body – New fragrance

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum Spray $70/1.7 oz $90/3.4 oz

The mix of berries, honeysuckle, and mandarin orange is sweet without verging on cloying. Really.

Body – Men’s fragrance

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò for Men Eau de Toilette $60/1.7 oz $75/3.4 oz

One spritz of this crisp, woodsy, and extremely genial scent can actually cure a dude’s cologne phobia. (Trust us, we’ve seen it happen.)