From bulletproof lipstick to hairspray that locks everything in, these pro kit essentials deserve a golden statue all their own in InStyle’s first-ever Red Carpet Beauty Awards.

These pro kit essentials deserve a golden statue all their own.

and Kara Jillian Brown

Welcome to InStyle’s first-ever Red Carpet Beauty Awards! Much like the biggest award shows of the season recognize excellence in film, TV, and music, we’re honoring the standout beauty products that brought the most show-stopping moments to life.

After reporting on every major show from the Emmys through the Oscars, we chose our absolute favorite looks of the season, interviewed hundreds of artists about the products and tools they used, and curated 24 winners across skincare, makeup, hair, and nails.

While, no, we can’t all be Hollywood stars, we can enjoy the fruits of a bulletproof matte lipstick, an airbrush-like finishing powder, or a hairspray strong enough to lock even the most gravity-defying style (we’re looking at you, Miley Cyrus) into place. We’re talking tried-and-true products and cutting-edge launches that artists depend on in the face of hot flashbulbs and take-no-prisoners HD cameras.

Without further ado (*tears open envelope*), InStyle’s Red Carpet Beauty Awards go to…

Skin Care

Best Moisturizer: Chanel Sublimage La Crème Texture Universelle Ultimate Cream

Skin care sets the tone for a gorgeous makeup look—and throughout the season, Chanel’s silky Sublimage La Crème Texture Universelle Ultimate Cream created the perfect canvas for many major moments, from Margot Robbie at the Golden Globes to Greta Lee at the SAG Awards. “It has a very light and airy consistency, which is perfect for makeup application since it doesn’t leave the skin looking too oily,” explains makeup artist Yasmin Istanbouli, who used it to prep Lee’s no-makeup makeup glow. “After applying it, the skin feels supple and bouncy, which helps when layering a thin layer of foundation over it, since it gives the skin a glowy effect from within.”

Buy Now $455

Best Primer: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer

Benefit’s beloved POREfessional Primer is a go-to for mattifying and smoothing skin for a glides-right-on makeup application and a shine-free finish. “It was important to keep the skin fresh and not weighed down,” says makeup artist Dana Delaney of crafting Ayo Edebiri’s gorgeous complexion for the Golden Globes. “Using the primer on the areas where there is typically shine, like the center of the face, allows me to use less powder and let the skin shine through.”

Buy Now $35

Best Mask: Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask

Throughout award season, stars like Emily Blunt and Lily Gladstone have sported bright, healthy complexions thanks to The Face Cream Mask by Augustinus Bader, which features the brand’s proprietary  TFC8®, Chinese root extracts, and vitamin C. “It provides a cooling touch and instant hydration while relieving the skin from the appearance of stress and fatigue for a rested, energized glow,” explains celebrity facialist Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine, who gave Blunt and Gladstone his signature treatment this season. His pro tip: Apply a thin layer to the skin and then massage it in using two cryo sticks to help tighten and fortify the skin before finishing with some time under an LED light therapy mask. “Skin is soft, bouncy, lifted, and ready for makeup,” he says.

Buy Now $205

Best Tool: Currentbody LED Light Therapy Face Mask

Over the past few years, LED light therapy has become a skin prep staple. This season, stars like Cillian Murphy and Lily Gladstone couldn’t get enough of Currentbody’s cult-beloved Skin LED Light Therapy face mask. “It increases the circulation and plumps the skin, creating a perfect canvas for makeup,” says makeup artist Fiona Stiles. “I wanted there to be minimal makeup with lovely glowy skin as the focus,” she adds of crafting Gladstone’s skin-centric look for the SAGs. “It was about keeping the features soft and pretty.”

Buy Now $380

Makeup

Best Lipstick: Dior Rouge

A classic that just received a fresh update, Dior’s iconic Rouge Dior lipstick got major play this award season, from Jenna Ortega to Ali Wong to Rachel Brosnahan. “Whether it’s the more subtle pink shade (#100 Nude Look Velvet), a classic Hollywood red (like #999,) or a deep berry shade, the color payoff is exceptional,” says makeup artist Lisa Ahron, who crafted Brosnahan’s pretty nude lip at the SAGs. “The intense pigmentation ensures a bold and striking look, while the formula is amazing for its longevity,” she continues, adding that she loves the velvet-textured matte for a bulletproof red carpet lip.

Buy Now $49

Best Foundation: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear

“This foundation has a natural matte finish that reduces shine, making it a perfect choice when faced with the glare of flashbulbs,” says Lisa Eldridge, who used the lightweight, full-coverage matte foundation on Lily Collins for the BAFTAs, teaming her gorgeous complexion with a dramatic dark lip. And if you’ve basked in Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s glow all award season, just know that her makeup artist Sheila Daley called the foundation her “favorite” product of the season. “I don’t have to worry about it breaking down during the day, and it lasts all night,” says Daley. “Da’Vine has done after-parties and after-after-parties, and when I see the pictures [later], she looks flawless. It’s a lifesaver in my kit.”

Buy Now $57

Best Concealer: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk

With its impressive range of shades, Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk continues to be a go-to for countless makeup artists for brightening the undereyes and covering up imperfections. “What I love most about it is that it mimics skin and provides optimal coverage that is also buildable without looking heavy,” says makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez, who used it on The White Lotus star Beatrice Grannó at the Emmys to achieve a flawless finish.

Buy Now $42

Best Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Finish

“It’s a go-to for me when I need to create a photo-ready finish that needs to last all night,” says makeup artist Rachel Goodwin of Charlotte Tilbury’s lightweight Flawless Finish powder. She used it on Emma Stone at the Golden Globes for a “radiant, lit-from-within [complexion] that doesn’t look overly made up.” What makes it a standout? “It’s just so easy to layer and provides great coverage while still allowing the natural skin to shine through,” says Goodwin. The powder was also used by Gina Kane for Phoebe Dynevor’s BAFTA look, and by Kristofer Buckle for Jessica Chastain’s Emmy look.

Phoebe Dynevor, whose skin looked flawless at the 2024 BAFTAs.

Buy Now $48

Best Eyeliner: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel

At the Grammys, makeup artist Keita Moore used L’Oréal Paris’s Infallible Grip Gel Liner to give Janelle Monáe a cat eye so sharp it could cut glass. “It’s extremely pigmented, which can be hard to find,” says makeup artist Keita Moore of the long-wear, jet-black gel formula, adding, “For my clients, it’s super important the look lasts all night, and I know using this specific product will and with minimal touch-ups.” It was also the secret behind major eyeliner looks on Aja Naomi King at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Helen Mirren at the Golden Globes, and Eva Longoria at the Oscars.

Buy Now $11

Best Mascara: Sisley-Paris So Intense

These days on the red carpet, there’s an emphasis on long, voluminous lashes with a natural finish. A stunning example is Greta Lee’s full fringe at the Golden Globes, achieved with Sisley-Paris’s So Intense Mascara. “This mascara made it so easy to create flawless lashes for the red carpet with its innovative applicator, which perfectly distributes product for quick and easy application,” explains her makeup artist Naoko Scintu. “It’s especially [important] when time is of the essence and speed is key.”

Buy Now $80

Best Blush: Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour Balm

From Julianne Moore at the Golden Globes to Tyla and Miley Cyrus at the Grammys, the new Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour balm was a star of the season, supplying soft, yet juicy color with a dewy, luminous finish. “It livens [any] makeup look by creating a freshness and realness,” explains makeup artist James Kaliardos, who built a sheer wash of color on Cyrus at the Grammys, applying it to her cheekbones with his fingertips for that “healthy, glowy” finish.

Buy Now $29

Best False Eyelashes: KISS The New Natural

Both on herself and her clients, makeup artist Karina Milan can’t get enough of the KISS The New Natural falsies, especially for the red carpet. “They’re so wispy and beautiful,” says Milan, adding, “They’re the perfect half-size to add to the outer corners for a subtle eye look.” For proof, look no further than Ice Spice at the Grammys, where her “Bronx Baddie” glam was completed with a set of fluttery falsies.

Buy Now $13

Hair

Best Flatiron: ghd Chronos Styler

From Ali Wong’s Old Hollywood waves at the Emmys to Taraji P. Henson’s slicked-back ponytail at the Golden Globes, sleek and shiny hair was everywhere — thanks in no small part to the ghd Chronos Styler. “Whether I was doing a silk press or creating soft curls, its fast-styling [technology] led to amazing results in less time,” explains Tym Wallace, the stylist for Henson’s look. It was also a life-saver for Clayton Hawkins, the hair pro behind Wong’s waves. “We had an unusually rainy and humid awards season, so knowing that the curls would last was a huge relief,” he explains. “Usually, I cringe before I look at after-party pictures because the hair has normally fallen or deflated, but that hair lasted all night long.”

Buy Now $329

Best Hairspray: Nexxus XXL Volume 

For Bob Recine, the wizard behind Miley Cyrus’s iconic Barbarella-inspired Grammys look, this medium-hold hairspray was a must. Anyone using this spray “will immediately recognize its ability to create amazing volume and holding power,” says Recine. Plus, he loves how gentle it is — it’s flexible enough that you change up the style, and it washes out like a dream. Even if you aren’t going for Cyrus’ level of va-va-volume, the spray still works wonders. Kathleen Riley used it to perfect Sophia Richie Grange’s sleek Grammys bun. “It’s amazing at holding styles without feeling sticky or crunchy,” says Riley.

Buy Now $18

Best Blow Dryer: Dyson Supersonic Professional Edition

The Dyson Supersonic has cemented itself as a new classic. This season, the supercharged Pro version was used on stars like Selena Gomez, SZA, and America Ferrera. “It cuts the styling time in half, if not more,” says Aviva Jansen Perea, who styled Ferrera’s flipped-out bob at the Golden Globes. Devante Turnbull also used the Supersonic (alongside the brand’s Airstraight and Corrale) to craft a silky-straight moment for SZA at the Grammys. “The dress SZA wore is a piece of art, so I wanted to create a hair-do that wouldn’t overpower the dress,” says Turnbull. “The look was sleek and clean and did just what it needed.”

Buy Now $500

Best Heat Protectant: TPH by Taraji P. Henson Hot Commodity

With all the heat styling that goes into red carpet looks, a heat protectant is crucial. The TPH by Taraji P. Henson Hot Commodity spray was used for looks on Niecy Nash-Betts and Quinta Brunson this season. “TPH is not just another celebrity hair-care line — it’s one formulated to nourish, moisturize, heal, and restore hair,” says Alexander Armand, who used the brand to style Brunson. The spray shields hair from high heat while coating strands in a nourishing blend of proteins, argan oil, kukui nut, and shea butter. Davontae Washington also loved using it to create a show-stopping look on Nash-Betts at the Emmy Awards. “Using TPH by Taraji products was crucial to me because there’s a special significance in two exceptional Black women uplifting each other,” says Washington.

Buy Now $14

Best Hair Extensions: Bellami Silk Seam

When styling a dramatic look, sprays, brushes, and pins can only take you so far. Sometimes, you just need more hair. And the go-to extension line for this season was Bellami. Stars like Rachel Brosnahan, Juno Temple, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ali Wong sported the seamless clip-ins. “As far as I’m concerned, hair can always be a little thicker and a little longer,” says Hawkins, who used them to create Wong’s SAG ponytail. “It was 26 inches of heaven,” he says of her look. “Not every extension company has hair as long as Bellami — they’re my go-to for extra-long length!”

Buy Now $540

Best Root Spray: Rōz Root Lift 

Mara Rozak, founder of Rōz, created her Root Lift Spray to deliver buildable volume for her A-list clientele and beyond. “It dries into the hair beautifully and never feels sticky, offering touchable soft movement and lift,” says Rozak, who used the spray on Emma Stone’s Globes flipped bob and ethereal BAFTAs braid, as well as Juno Temple’s fluffy mane of disco curls at the SAGs. The multitasking spray, which is laced with rice water, radish root, and mushroom root extract, can be used throughout the styling process to add lift and body each step of the way.

Buy Now $42

Best Edge Control: Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls + Flaxseed

When it comes to textured hair, your edges can completely change the vibe of your look. Leave them au natural for an effortless, lived-in style, or slick them down for a super-sleek finish. This edge control from Maui Moisture — loaded with hydrating aloe vera, flaxseed, and coconut oil — dominated the red carpet. Hairstylist Nikki Nelms used it to create Janelle Monáe’s stunning Josephine Baker-eque swoops at the Grammys. “Janelle’s look was all things chic, sleek, and shiny,” says Nelms. Miles Jeffries also used it on Ayo Edebiri this season, applying it to her damp hairline, adding control as he blow-dried and styled.

Buy Now $11

Best Sheen Product: Virtue Healing Oil

Hair oils can give strands a gorgeous, lustrous shine. But use one that’s too thick, and you’re left with greasy, limp, and lifeless locks. That’s why Adir Abergel turned to Virtue’s Healing Oil when styling Riley Keough, Anne Hathaway, and Florence Pugh this season. “I’ve never felt a hair oil that is so silky and luxurious,” says Abergel. “It has an extremely lightweight, non-greasy formula that completely melts into hair for a reflective, healthy finish. I use it for every single style I create either as a foundation product when hair is damp or as a beautiful finisher on dry hair.”

Buy Now $45

Nails

Best Gel Polish: OPI GelColor

Olivia Rodrigo. Victoria Monét. Emma Stone. Coco Jones. Ariana Greenblatt. Madison Beer. All of these stars rocked OPI GelColor this awards season. “The polishes are smooth yet highly pigmented, making thin layers possible, which creates a more elegant look,” says Emi Kudo, who used a blend of Funny Bunny and Samoan Sand to create a custom creamy peach shade for Stone’s Critics’ Choice mani. Fellow nail pro Sreynin Peng created Jones’s Grammy look with a combination of the shades Samoan Sand, $elf Made, *Verified*, Snatch’d Silver, and Gliterally Shimmer. “The spring collection from OPI was a perfect fit for Coco’s nail look, as it brought out the warmth of her outfit’s blue-green hue,” says Peng.

Buy Now $20

Best Laquer: Essie Gel Couture

Although gel polish is a go-to for red carpet looks, traditional lacquers also made an appearance this season. One of Hollywood’s go-to nail artists Tom Bachik turned to the essie gel couture collection in the berry-pink shade V.I.Please to give Selena Gomez a SAGs manicure that was both long-lasting and easy to remove. “I love the rich, high-gloss consistency the gel couture line of colors gives me. Plus, this polish doesn’t require a base coat, which “not only saves time in the application but also the dry time — a must when time is a factor.”

Buy Now $13

Best Gel Extensions: Aprés Gel-X Tips

For a long nail that serves up major drama, the Aprés Gel-X Tips are the perfect choice. “I love Gel-X, especially for the various shapes and lengths,” says Eri Ishizu, who created Laverne Cox’s crimson-tipped Emmys mani using the Sculpted Almond Long Tips. Nail artist Saccia went with the Sculpted Square Long Tips to create Doja Cat’s Grammys mani, too. “The Gel-X system is as easy as 1, 2, 3,” she says.

Buy Now $30

Best Tool: Tweezerman x Tom Bachik Nail Care Travel Set

From Gomez to Camila Cabello, Bachik used his very own seven-piece nail care set (a collaboration with Tweezerman) to manicure his clients to perfection. “I always create a flawless canvas before polish,” says Bachik of the set, which includes a fingernail clipper, cuticle nipper, and dual-sided file and buffer. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a natural or a glam look, short or long nail — every great nail look must start with perfection.”

Buy Now $29

Credits

• Designer:
• Kaitlyn Collins
• Photo Editor:
• Amanda Lauro
• Lead Animation:
• Ricky Boncy