15 Best Makeup Brands for Every Budget and Style
The world of makeup can be overwhelming, with countless brands, products, shades and formulas to choose from. Whether you‘re a minimalist who prefers the no-makeup makeup look, or a glamazon who wants a full beat every day, there‘s a perfect makeup brand out there for you.
To help you navigate the beauty aisle, we‘ve rounded up the 15 best makeup brands that are loved by makeup artists, beauty editors, influencers and customers alike. From affordable drugstore gems to luxury splurges, clean beauty champions to inclusive shade ranges, these brands offer something for every budget, skin type and aesthetic.
1. Pat McGrath Labs
Founded by legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, this luxury brand is the ultimate indulgence for beauty lovers. The Mother of Makeup‘s richly pigmented eyeshadows, lipsticks, highlighters and foundations are favorites among celebrities and models for their ultra-glam, editorial-worthy finishes.
While Pat McGrath Labs products are definitely a splurge (a 10-shade eyeshadow palette will set you back $125), the buttery formulas, opulent packaging and major color payoff are worth it for special occasions or adding to your collection. The brand is cruelty-free and offers an inclusive selection of 36 foundation shades.
2. Jones Road
Celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown‘s newest venture is all about enhancing your natural beauty. Jones Road offers a tight edit of clean, high-performance makeup essentials for busy people who want to look fresh and polished with minimal effort.
The brand‘s hero product is the Miracle Balm, a creamy, light-reflecting formula that adds a wash of dewy color to lips, cheeks and eyelids. Jones Road is cruelty-free, excludes over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients and comes in sustainable, reusable packaging. Prices are reasonable for a prestige brand, ranging from $26-$38.
3. Charlotte Tilbury
For the vintage vixen on a modern schedule, Charlotte Tilbury‘s luxurious lineup makes it easy to channel your inner Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe. The British makeup artist‘s bestsellers include universally-flattering nude lipsticks, brown and gold eyeshadow quads, and glowy highlighting wands inspired by the gorgeous skin of her celebrity clients.
While the brand is on the pricier end (a lipstick is $34), the chic rose gold and crimson packaging looks beautiful on any vanity. Most of the products are formulated with skincare ingredients and come in fool-proof sets for different looks, from "Natural Beauty" to "Red Carpet Ready."
4. One/Size
YouTuber Patrick Starrr‘s makeup brand One/Size proclaims "Makeup is a one-size-fits-all!" The inclusive, joyful brand offers high-performance color cosmetics and pro-level tools to help anyone be their own makeup artist.
One/Size focuses on perfecting and setting your base with award-winning products like the Turn Up the Base Versatile Powder Foundation, Turn Up the Volume Mascara, and Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder. Cruelty-free and vegan, the brand offers shades for all skin tones at mid-tier pricing ($22-$36).
5. Rituel de Fille
This ethereal indie brand looks like it was plucked from a fairytale forest. Founded by three sisters, Rituel de Fille handcrafts small-batch, natural color cosmetics using the finest ingredients from around the world. The brand‘s enchanting aesthetic draws inspiration from ancient ceremonial and mystical practices.
Bestsellers include the Rare Light Luminizer (which uses real ruby powder), Ash and Ember Eye Soots (a cross between an eyeshadow and eyeliner), and Enchanted Lip Sheers in dark, moody hues. Rituel de Fille is cruelty-free and donates a portion of proceeds to environmental causes. Prices range from $24-$38.
6. Hourglass
Hourglass merges luxury, science and integrity to create cutting-edge makeup and skincare. The brand is best known for its complexion products, including primers, foundations, concealers, powders and blushes that blur imperfections and impart a healthy glow.
All Hourglass products are formulated without harmful ingredients and tested by dermatologists to be safe for sensitive skin. The brand leads the industry in cruelty-free innovation, pledging to be fully vegan by 2023. Prices are mid to high, with most products falling between $36-$56.
7. Maybelline New York
No drugstore makeup roundup is complete without Maybelline, one of the top mass beauty brands worldwide. For over a century, Maybelline has offered affordable, accessible and on-trend makeup for the girl next door.
Maybelline is a one-stop shop for all your beauty basics, from the iconic Great Lash Mascara and Fit Me! Foundation to Color Sensational Lipsticks and Age Rewind Concealer. The brand excels at wearable, easy-to-use makeup in an inclusive array of shades, with most products under $15. While not all products are clean, Maybelline offers some vegan formulas.
8. Dior
Dior makeup is the epitome of French glamour. The luxury fashion house‘s beauty line offers decadent formulas, weighty packaging and sophisticated shades straight from the runways of Paris.
Known for its high coverage, long-wearing foundations and romantic lip colors, Dior also offers eyeshadow quints, brow pencils, and nail lacquers to complete your look. While definitely a splurge brand (lipsticks start at $38), Dior makeup delivers professional results that make you feel expensive. Some products are formulated with clean, natural ingredients.
9. Clinique
For over 50 years, Clinique has been the go-to brand for simple, gentle and effective makeup and skincare. Developed by a dermatologist, Clinique pioneered the 3-Step System of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing to create a healthy skin foundation before makeup.
Today, Clinique offers a full range of makeup for all skin types and concerns, including foundations, concealers, mascaras and lipsticks in natural, wearable shades. All products are allergy-tested, fragrance-free and formulated without parabens, phthalates and other irritants. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $20 for a lipstick to $30 for a foundation.
10. Fenty Beauty
When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017 with an unprecedented 40 shades of foundation, she changed the beauty industry forever. Today, Fenty offers 50 foundation shades, along with a full range of color cosmetics designed to flatter all skin tones.
Fenty‘s Pro Filt‘r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Killawatt Freestyle Highlighters, and Stunna Lip Paints are loved by beauty junkies and novices alike for their high-impact color, long wear and lightweight texture. The brand is cruelty-free and uses clean ingredients in its skincare products. Prices are luxury-adjacent, with most products falling between $25-$36.
11. MAC Cosmetics
A staple in every professional makeup artist‘s kit, MAC Cosmetics offers an unrivaled selection of high-performance color cosmetics. Known for its inclusive campaigns featuring celebrities and drag queens, MAC is the OG artistry brand for self-expression.
Choose from over 100 foundation shades, dozens of lipstick and eyeshadow finishes, and an endless array of pro-level tools and applicators. While MAC products are priced on the steeper side ($19 for a lipstick), the brand often partners with celebrities on limited-edition collections that sell out instantly.
12. L‘Oreal Paris
As the world‘s largest cosmetics company, L‘Oreal Paris offers something for everyone at accessible price points. The French drugstore brand is a favorite among makeup artists and influencers for its high quality, on-trend and easy-to-use products.
L‘Oreal‘s Voluminous Original Mascara, Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation, and Colour Riche Lipcolour are considered drugstore dupes for high-end favorites. The brand has also taken steps towards sustainability, like the launch of its first paper-based cosmetics tubes. Most L‘Oreal products range from $9-$15.
13. NARS
Known for its iconic Orgasm Blush, NARS offers a complete range of chic and modern makeup with a slightly edgy vibe. Founded by prolific makeup artist François Nars, the brand is beloved by beauty insiders for its unique shade range and effortlessly sexy aesthetic.
NARS foundations are a favorite among makeup artists for their longevity and skin-like finish, while the brand‘s lip and cheek tints offer glowy, natural-looking pops of color. Most products fall in the $30-$45 price range and are cruelty-free. NARS also offers refillable packaging on some products.
14. Yves Saint Laurent
Luxury beauty doesn‘t get more iconic than Yves Saint Laurent. The Parisian fashion house‘s beauty range is designed to make every woman feel like her most confident self with a wardrobe of timeless makeup essentials.
YSL is famous for its Rouge Volupte Lipsticks, Touche Eclat All-Over Brightening Pens, and oil-infused foundations that drench the skin in moisture. The brand‘s sleek golden packaging and intoxicating fragrance are all part of the experience. Prices are definitely high-end, with lipsticks retailing for $39.
15. Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder is the grande dame of American beauty brands. For over 75 years, the company has been a leader in skincare and makeup innovation, offering luxurious and high-performance products for women of all ages.
Estée Lauder‘s number one product is the Advanced Night Repair Serum, but the brand‘s foundations, mascaras, and lipsticks also have legions of loyal fans. Most makeup products are designed to work synergistically with the brand‘s skincare to create a flawless, radiant complexion. Prices range from $30-$45 for most items.
How to Choose the Best Makeup Brand for You
With so many amazing makeup brands to choose from, finding your perfect match can still be a challenge. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for makeup:
Your skin type: If you have dry, mature or sensitive skin, look for makeup brands that offer hydrating, non-irritating formulas with skincare benefits. For oily or acne-prone skin, opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic and long-wearing products.
Your skin tone: Look for brands that offer a wide and inclusive range of foundation and concealer shades to find your perfect match. Many brands now offer shade-matching tools online and in-store.
Coverage and finish: Do you prefer a natural, barely-there look or a full-coverage, airbrushed finish? Choose base products that align with your desired level of coverage and finish (dewy, satin or matte).
Ingredients: If clean beauty is a priority for you, look for makeup brands that are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and other potentially harmful ingredients. Vegan and cruelty-free brands are also great options.
Price point: Makeup brands range from affordable drugstore prices to luxury splurges. Determine your budget and look for the best quality products in your desired price range. Remember, expensive doesn‘t always mean better!
Packaging and aesthetic: While it‘s what‘s on the inside that counts, makeup packaging and branding can definitely enhance the experience. Choose makeup that speaks to your personal style and sparks joy when you use it.
No matter your preferences, there‘s a perfect makeup brand out there for you. We hope this guide has helped you discover some new favorites to add to your beauty routine!
