Photographed by: Arrow Radisch; Set Design: Sarah PossamaiSave this storySave this story
Technically speaking, a tool is a device for accomplishing a task, but sometimes it can be so much more than a means to an end. Take, for example, the most indulgent-feeling blush brush to ever grace your cheeks. Or a hand-painted hair clip designed to look like a ribbon. Or a waver that makes achieving beachy styles quick and easy, and saves your biceps for that Hyrox class. In these instances, a tool becomes a part of our routine that we love using every bit as much as we relish its results—and that’s saying a lot.
The 27 makeup brushes, hot tools, and hair accessories that have won this year’s Allure Best of Beauty Awards in our Tools category are the kind of hard workers that simplify, streamline, and optimize your routine. There’s an eye shadow brush with bristles that blend powders so expertly, we almost feel superfluous, and a hot round brush that warms just enough to make hair look as polished as a professional blowout, with less risk of crispy ends. And have you ever met a diffuser shaped like an hourglass? Well, let us introduce you. Its curvy, compact design dries curls quickly and painlessly (it’s every bit as fast as more cumbersome blow-dryer attachments, if not speedier).
With these over-performing beauty tools, our foundation, blush, curls, and waves have never had it so good.
Scroll to discover our 27 Allure Best of Beauty Tools winners.
Best of Beauty Awards 2026: Tools
Shop your favorite category or keep scrolling for the year's very best hot tools, makeup brushes, and hair accessories.
See our winners:LargeChevron
- Best Makeup Brushes
- Best Makeup Sponge
- Best Tweezers
- Best Lash Curler
- Best Hot Tools for Hair
- Best Hairbrushes
- Best Hair Accessories
Best Makeup Brushes
Best Foundation Brush: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush
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Best Foundation Brush
Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush
Amazon
Social media manager Bianca Richards applies the Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush.
Bianca Richards
Why It Won: Soft but sturdy, exacting but diffuse, Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush is a study in contradictions, and our foundation looks all the more airbrushed for it. The synthetic bristles feel silky and are densely packed, buffing easily without gobbling up base or streaking. But what really sets this brush apart—and makes it unusually versatile—is the domed teardrop shape, which lets you access contours of the face that can be difficult to get into with other foundation brushes. Say you’re smack-dab in the middle of pollen season or want to cover dark undereye circles (in any season): After you’re done angling this brush around the nose and under the lashline, you’d never know you had allergies or the sleep habits of a college kid during finals.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"My issue with a lot of foundation brushes is they tend to leave streaks and I would have to use a wet sponge to evenly blend it out. That's not the case with this foundation brush. Let's just say that when it comes to base application, I've abandoned my pink sponge for the Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush. I am so serious!" —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Best Concealer Makeup Brush: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 3.0 All Over Concealer Brush
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Best Concealer Brush
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 3.0 All Over Concealer Brush
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Sephora
Contributor Kara McGrath applies the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 3.0 All Over Concealer Brush.
Kara McGrath
Why It Won: This small, fluffy brush can work all the angles! Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 3.0 All Over Concealer Brush is a miniature feat of engineering, with a curved side, a sloped side, and a pointed tip where the two meet. It lets you be meticulous about placement and gives you control over how you stipple and diffuse your concealer, hugging corners, reaching under the lash line, and blending across delicate undereye skin without tugging.
Tester feedback from contributor Kara McGrath
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"I love this little brush! It's soft and fluffy, but just stiff enough that it actually packs on concealer rather than just spreading it around. The size is a bit bigger than others I've tried, but the tapered tip means it's still easy to get all the way into the corners of my eyes. I recommend using the priming method with this brush: Put a bit of concealer on the back of your hand, then repeatedly dab the brush into the pool of product before applying it to your face. This packs the brush with concealer and makes for a more even application." —Kara McGrath, contributor
Best Powder Makeup Brush: Saie The All-Over Powder Brush
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Best Powder Brush
Saie The All-Over Powder Brush
Amazon
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor uses the Saie The All-Over Powder Brush.
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why It Won: The fine print says this brush’s synthetic bristles are made of triangular fibers—we’re not totally sure what that means, but we do know this: When we sweep Saie The All-Over Powder Brush over a compact or loose powder, this tapered tool picks up just the right amount of makeup, and then lays it down with a light hand, setting and mattifying to perfection.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"A light dusting of powder is the last step in my makeup routine, but it’s also the one that can undo all the hard work I put into my look. My brush needs to glide over carefully applied creams, liquids, and powders without disturbing them—and this one from Saie does exactly that. Its ultra-fluffy bristles gently sweep powder across my skin. The result is a smooth, diffused finish." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Best Contour Makeup Brush: M.Ph Underpainting Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush
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Best Contour Brush
M.Ph Underpainting Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush
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Sephora
Why It Won: This dual-ended brush lets you lay down contour powder or cream exactly where you want it, and its fluffy synthetic bristles ensure you get soft, realistic shadows. M.Ph Underpainting Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush was created by makeup artist Mary Phillips, who has defined some of Hollywood’s most famous cheekbones, including Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, and Hailey Bieber—and you don’t get to that level of makeup artistry without being detail-oriented. In fact, the small, flat end of this brush is the best we’ve found for precision work around the nose and lips.
Tester feedback from senior shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"This brush makes me feel like an absolute artist, despite not having any formal makeup training—or, let’s be honest, an ounce of artistry in my bones. It has two ends: a wider, fluffier side for buffing and blending out product, and a denser, flatter, precision end for perfect placement. I use it daily because, although I’m addicted to the M.Ph Underpainting Face Palette, this brush does the best job of placing product exactly where I want it, no matter what I use. It's particularly good for carving out my nose and up into the hollows of my inner eye. The bristles are firm yet soft, and the color and shape make for a tool that's equal parts elegant and cool—and not unlike a Holly Golightly or (okay, yes) Cruella de Vil cigarette holder." —Shanna Shipin, senior shopping director
Best Bronzer Makeup Brush: Rēphr LC 02 Synthetic Petit Complexion Brush
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Best Bronzer Brush
Rēphr LC 02 Synthetic Petit Complexion Brush
Amazon
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor uses the Rēphr LC 02 Synthetic Petit Complexion Brush.
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why It Won: Smaller than the usual bronzer brush, Rēphr LC 02 Synthetic Petit Complexion Brush paints on liquids and creams as seamlessly as if they were watercolors—no splotches, no streaks, just beautifully blended, sheered-out color. It’s great for careful placement of bronzer across the high points of the face, where the sun would naturally hit, or as contour.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"The buttery-soft bristles spread and buff liquid and cream products without leaving streaks. I use it daily for my liquid blush because it doesn’t absorb too much product and leaves me with a seamless finish." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Best Blush Makeup Brush: Rose and Ben Beauty C41 Blush Brush
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Best Blush Brush
Rose and Ben Beauty C41 Blush Brush
Amazon
Why It Won: If you’ll excuse us for a second, this brush feels so amazing, we’re going to put on blush right now just so we can use it…. That it also makes soft rosy glows and youthful peachy flushes a cinch is almost secondary to how incredible it feels—almost. Rose and Ben Beauty C41 Blush Brush’s uniquely angled bristles, which are more densely packed in the center than around the perimeter, do most of the blending, diffusing color around the edges so you never get obvious lines that scream, “Blush!” In keeping with the natural theme, it sweeps on fine layers of powder that you can build up gradually—a whisper-light flush, a wash of berry color, bolder coral cheeks, it’s up to you.
Tester feedback from former Best of Beauty editorial assistant Edward Horgan
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"Got blush blindness? Then this brush is about to be your best friend. With a unique wide-tapered shape that can cover the entire cheek, and a chic sage-green handle and woody finish, it's my go-to for a full cheek flush." —Edward Horgan, former Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Best Eye Shadow Makeup Brush: Ilia Blending Brush
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Best Eye Shadow Brush
Ilia Blending Brush
Nordstrom
Revolve
Former Best of Beauty editorial assistant Edward Horgan uses the Ilia Blending Brush.
Edward Horgan
Why It Won: Makeup artists are masters of blending eye shadow “up and out” for the most smoldering, most polished looks. Ilia Blending Brush puts that technique within reach for us amateurs, too, making it easy to place powders and, in a few quick swipes, turn a bit of eye shadow into gorgeous, well-blended gradience. The brush’s light touch is also great for sweeping color through the crease (no harsh brown lines here!), dusting highlighter onto the tops of cheeks, and turning smoky, glittery, or colorful looks into full-blown works of art.
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
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"This brush is the hardest-working tool in my makeup bag, by far. Powder or cream, I use it to buff out eye shadow, blend concealer, strategically apply highlighter and setting powder, or effortlessly diffuse the edges of blush or bronzer." —Sophie Panych, content director
Best Makeup Sponge
Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
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Best Makeup Sponge
Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
Amazon
Beauty director Sarah Kinonen blends her concealer with the Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge.
Sarah Kinonen
Why It Won: For more than two decades, this latex-free, hot pink, egg-shaped wonder has been so unbeatable, its icon status basically makes it the Cher of the beauty world. Once you try this small, squishy sponge—no bigger than an actual egg—you’ll 100% get it. Dampen the Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge with water, press your base—be it foundation, tinted moisturizer, blush, bronzer, or highlighter—into skin, and watch as the two seem to become one. Its precise tip expertly reaches every last inch, so your foundation can look as good around the corners of your nose and mouth as anywhere else on the face. It’s a little pricier than standard sponges, but the one-of-a-kind foam dabs on makeup without soaking up even one precious iota of your favorite formulas.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"Often replicated, never duplicated, the Beautyblender is, and will always be, the OG, the GOAT, and my FAVE in my makeup routine. Apologies for all the acronyms, but with a makeup sponge so well-loved for its ability to flawlessly blend and diffuse base products without mess or fuss, it deserves some extra exclamation, don't you think? I can't tell you how many sponges I've gone through in my beauty life, but I'd reckon it's somewhere far out in the double digits—and each and every one was this one from Beautyblender. When damp, its egg-shaped design makes it easy to blend in large areas on my face using the wider base end, while it fits into every nook and cranny (around the eyes and nose) with its pointed top. I have one in every makeup bag in my apartment, office desk, and I'm sure even my gym bag. It's the best!" —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Best Tweezers
Tweezerman Slant Tweezers
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Best Tweezers
Tweezerman Slant Tweezer
Amazon
Why It Won: Why reinvent the wheel? The OG Tweezerman Slant Tweezer is still the best at grabbing every hair, no matter how fine or stubby, that you’d like to yank out. It gets the job done swiftly, while still enabling you to shape and clean brows with the care and precision of a true artisan. Even when you’re in a rush, you can pluck out errant hairs as fast as you can spot them, because this tweezer’s grip never falters.
Tester feedback from senior news editor James Manso
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"I know they're tweezers, but I do think of them as a Swiss Army Knife—from stray brows to splinters and everything in between, the humble Tweezerman Slant Tweezer is easily the most versatile (and overlooked) tool on my vanity. The sharp edge is angled just so, the tip comes to a perfect point for those really pesky (read: fine) stray hairs, and the tines close fully onto each other so whatever you grab doesn't elude your grasp." —James Manso, senior news editor
Best Lash Curler
Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler
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Best Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler
Amazon
Why It Won: This beloved silver wand has done more lifting and curling than Dwayne Johnson—and its career is just as prolific. The brand’s famous lash curler was launched by legendary makeup artist Shu Uemura, and we’d bet that it’s been put to work behind the scenes for 99.99% of red carpet and runway appearances ever since. If you are willing to hold a tool centimeters from your eyeball (it’s not for the faint of heart), there’s just no beating Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler: It fits most eye shapes, doesn’t pinch, and presses down on lashes ever-so-gently for a natural, long-lasting curl, and nary a broken lash in sight.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"The Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler is a staple in my makeup routine. On days when I wear very little or no makeup, I'll give a quick squeeze to my lashes and instantly look more awake." —Kassidy Silva, social director
Best Hot Tools for Hair
Best Blow-Dryer: FHI Heat AeroMax Style Dryer
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Best Blow-Dryer
FHI Heat AeroMax Style Dryer
Shop
Managing editor Alessandra Foresto dries her hair with the FHI Heat AeroMax Style Dryer.
Alessandra Foresto
Why It Won: We like blow-drying our hair, and we like going on vacation. FHI Heat AeroMax Style Dryer gets it. This flamingo pink ionic dryer folds in half so you can conveniently stash it in your suitcase or under your sink—genius! And the cool design doesn't sacrifice on speed. This dryer is one powerful smoothing machine, which is great because we also like getting out of our hotel room quickly on vacation.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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“If you have long, thick hair as I do, you know that blow-drying your hair can be an unexpected 30-minute arm workout. If you overheat pretty easily, like I do, you know that being under a hot blow-dryer for more than a few minutes leads to needing another shower. Luckily, this hair dryer is lightweight (for the sake of your arm muscles) and will shorten your dry time with its powerful airflow, so you don't sweat it out. It has three settings for airflow and four for temperature, including one for cool air. It's also pretty quiet. But one of my favorite features is the foldable design, because who has space for a giant hairdryer in a New York City apartment? This one fits perfectly in a basket in the cabinet under my bathroom sink (when folded, even with the concentrator nozzle on) and adds virtually no weight to my carry-on when traveling.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Best Diffuser: Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL Curly Hair Dryer
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Best Diffuser
Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL Curly Hair Dryer
Amazon
Senior shopping director Shanna Shipin uses the Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL Curly Hair Dryer.
Why It Won: It's shaped like an hourglass, the top half of which is actually an extra-large diffuser bowl for drying curls quickly. Where the hourglass curves inward, that's where you hold it, making the Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL Curly Hair Dryer easier to maneuver than bulkier dryers' diffuser attachments (which have a way of popping off). It's also super-convenient, taking up less space in a bathroom cabinet or suitcase. The customizable heat and airflow settings include an ultra-gentle option (for dry, color-treated, permed, and delicate type 4 curls), and the diffuser's 12 prongs (plus over a hundred teeny holes that release the uniform airflow) create volumized, bouncy curls in a fraction of the usual time.
Tester feedback from senior shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"Holy life-changing product! This diffuser gives me the juiciest, most volumized, and simply snatched curls of my life. Yes, it must be used in conjunction with a bang-on styling product (and nothing comes close to Chris McMillan's The Mousse for me), but this diffuser sends your flat, lifeless curls into the stratosphere. Talk about volume! It's lightweight, and very easy to hold;. The hourglass shape is nice and ergonomic, which is important if your hair takes a long time to dry. The large bowl is so necessary for anyone with shoulder-length or longer hair—no more second-thought attachments with too-small bowls! It's great for travel, as it's a streamlined, diffuser-only blow-dryer that's easier to store than standard L-shaped dryers. It also comes with a pretty little carrying bag to keep things tidy." —Shanna Shipin, senior shopping director
Best Blow-Dry Brush: Revlon One-Step Multi-Styler
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Best Blow-Dry Brush
Revlon One-Step Multi-Styler
Amazon
Former social intern Leasjah Johnson dries and styles her hair with the Revlon One-Step Multi-Styler.
Leasjah Johnson
Why It Won: Doing your hair is as easy as 1, 2, 3! The Revlon One-Step Multi-Styler comes with three attachments for styling as you dry. There’s a large round brush for building glossy volume, a smaller one for shaping waves and curls, and a paddle brush for smoothing and taming frizz.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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"With three attachments, this Revlon multi-styler really does it all. The paddle brush is great for smoothing damp hair and prepping it for your blowout. Fans of the original Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus will love the larger oval barrel brush, but I’ve been the most excited to use the smaller barrel attachment. It effortlessly glides through my hair without tugging or snagging and leaves my long layers with bouncy ends. It also pumps out a ton of air, so my blowouts are done quickly and efficiently." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
Best Hot Brush: Mane It's Giving Body Jumbo Hot Round Brush (60MM)
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Best Hot Brush
Mane It's Giving Body Jumbo Hot Round Brush (60MM)
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Sephora
Senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino styles her hair with the Mane It’s Giving Body Jumbo Hot Round Brush (60MM).
Elizabeth Gulino
Why It Won: You don’t need a hairstylist’s skills or an extra set of hands to get bouncy, smooth blowouts. All you need is Mane It's Giving Body Jumbo Hot Round Brush (60MM), which is the most efficient way we’ve found to add body and shine to hair once it’s dry, or you can get loose waves just by wrapping sections of hair around the barrel and its gentle bristles. Unlike a blow-dryer, it doesn't blast hot air, so it's more comfortable to run it through face-framing sections or roots. Best of all, you don't need to juggle a brush and blow-dryer to get the look of a round-brush blowout: Just run this through dry hair, and it delivers bouncy, less frizzy volume, with polished, curled ends.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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"I already own Mane's smaller heated brush and I love it, so getting my hands on the larger version felt like a natural next step. It's so easy to use and doesn't snag my hair when I'm styling it, which is a major plus. The brush doesn't flatten my hair either, and gives me bounce and body—exactly what I want from a blowout." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
Best Flat Iron: Bio Ionic 10X Styling Iron
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Best Flatiron
Bio Ionic 10X Styling Iron
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why It Won: Slippery but in a good way, the Bio Ionic 10X Styling Iron’s plates were designed to glide across hair as smoothly as Alysa Liu lands a triple axel, helping minimize friction and eliminate creases from flatironing. The rounded edges let you start closer to the roots, the adjustable temperature feature comes with a guide (in the instruction manual) to help you choose the right amount of heat for your particular hair, and the lightweight tool smooths frizz in just one or two passes over each section. So you get sleek, shiny hair with less effort, not to mention less heat exposure.
Tester feedback from director of programming & development Logan Tsugita
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"The name of the game when it comes to doing my hair is efficiency. Sometimes I only leave myself 10 minutes to style my hair in the morning, so I need my hot tools to heat up quickly and work with very few passes. Bio Ionic 10X Styling Iron definitely delivers on that front, and it always leaves my hair looking shiny and sleek all day. I really love how the barrel is slightly curved and has a thumb rest so I can get precise styling whether I choose to straighten, curl, or just add a little flip at the end on my bob." —Logan Tsugita, director, programming & development
Best Curling Iron: GHD Chronos Curve Grand Iron
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Best Curling Iron
GHD Chronos Curve Grand Iron
Amazon
Content production director Noel Jean curls her hair with the GHD Chronos Curve Grand Iron.
Noel Jean
Why It Won: Proving that we most certainly don’t have to sacrifice speed for accuracy (in this area of our lives, at least), the GHD Chronos Curve Grand Iron heats up in a mere 25 seconds, and shapes and sets loose waves and voluminous curls in three to five seconds per section—wow! And just to throw one more number at you, the large 1.25-inch barrel is ideally sized for cascading curls.
Tester feedback from content production director
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"If you're a person on the go, this is the styling tool for you! The Chronos Curve Grand Iron screams luxury with its sleek, modern packaging. There was absolutely no learning curve, all I had to do was switch on the iron and start curling. I curled each section of hair for three to five seconds. There's no need to adjust heat settings; the wand does all of the work for you! I love the bounciness of my curls, but do wish the wand was just a little bit longer. Overall, though, I'm very impressed, and it's now one of my favorite hair-styling tools." —Noel Jean, director, content production director
Best Waver: GHD Wave
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Best Waver
GHD Wave
Amazon
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor waves her hair with the GHD Wave.
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why It Won: With its triple-barrel design, the GHD Wave makes creating a loose, beachy texture as easy as opening and closing a pair of kitchen tongs. The three barrels are extra-wide and extra-curvy for undulating waves without any creases, and all it takes is a few quick presses of the iron down the length of your hair. With strands this tousled, you will never have to wrestle with a curling iron again.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"Because my medium-coarse hair is long and frizzy with an inconsistent wave pattern, I hit it with a flatiron before reaching for the Wave. Then I section my hair so I could heat-style from the bottom to the top of my head. I position the Wave close to my scalp and release the spring-loaded crimper around the sections I'm working with. I keep it in place for about five or six seconds, and the effect is always a shiny, intact wave without any smell of singed strands. The result is undeniably cool. It's giving Y2K and makes me want to reach for my baby tee and butterfly clips." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Best Multitasker: Shark Beauty Shark Glam 5-in-1 Air Styler & Dryer
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Best Multitasking Hot Tool
Shark Beauty Shark Glam 5-in-1 Air Styler & Dryer
Amazon
Why It Won: Blow-dry your hair on Wednesday, touch it up with a flatiron or hot round brush on Thursday, add some waves for the weekend—you can do it all with this one frizz-smoothing, ceramic, air-powered tool. Shark Beauty Shark Glam 5-in-1 Air Styler & Dryer comes with five easy-to-swap attachments: heated round brush, air straightener, auto-wrap curlers, plus two others, depending on your tool version (Straight & Wavy or Curly/Coily). You can mix things up and choose how you want to wear your hair each day.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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"What can’t this thing do? My most-used attachment with a hair-styling tool is the round brush, and the Shark Glam’s version effortlessly skims through my hair with each pass. Shout-out to the curling attachments, too, that work so fast I was able to do my whole head from wet to perfectly blown-out in under 30 minutes." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
Best Hairbrushes and Combs
Best Paddle Hairbrush: Emi Jay Bamboo Paddle Brush
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Best Paddle Brush
Emi Jay Bamboo Paddle Brush
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Sephora
Senior director of creative programming and development Natalie Campbell brushes her hair with the Emi Jay Bamboo Paddle Brush.
Natalie Campbell
Why It Won: If you are on a mission to cut down on the number of plastic items you buy, we’ve got an aesthetically pleasing option to show you with the Emi Jay Bamboo Paddle Brush. It is one of the prettiest brushes around, with three core designs: pink pearl that’s swirly, shiny, and a bit like an oyster shell; marbly, iridescent baby blue; and tortoiseshell, featuring a chic blend of amber and black. The brush is made of bamboo—including the bristles—and the handle and back are coated in cellulose acetate, a semi-synthetic material derived from plant cellulose, making this an excellent alternative to plastic for detangling and brushing. In case you were wondering, those bamboo bristles do get the job done, and gently.
Tester feedback from senior director of creative programming and development Natalie Campbell
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"The Emi Jay paddle brush is a must-have! Its bamboo bristles glide through my hair easily without pulling or causing any irritation. My hair is prone to tangling, and this brush removes knots seamlessly without pain. After using it, my hair always feels softer and doesn’t frizz, which is the true win. The brush itself is lightweight and the colorways are adorable!" —Natalie Campbell, senior director, creative programming and development
Best Round Hairbrush: British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush
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Best Round Brush
British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush
Amazon
Social director Kassidy Silva blows out her hair with the British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush.
Kassidy Silva
Why It Won: Everything about the British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush is easy! The nylon bristles glide smoothly through hair, and because this is not a hot brush, you can also use it to smooth damp hair as you blow-dry. Plus, it’s got just enough grip to keep hair twirled around the brush without slipping, and the ceramic barrel heats evenly all the way around to help speed up drying.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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"A round brush should be two things: lightweight and easy to work through hair. Luckily, the British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush has both of those attributes and more. Not only does it provide the perfect amount of tension to create a bouncy blowout, but its vented barrel gets hot quickly and redistributes that heat evenly, cutting down blow-drying time." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
Best Detangling Hairbrush: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle
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Best Detangler Brush
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle
Amazon
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor brushes her hair with the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle Brush.
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why It Won: If it weren’t for the Tangle Teezer, sweater and scarf season would be a nightmare, with some of us spending half the morning chasing kids around with a brush, and some of us tempted to just snip a knot out of our own hair. We shudder to think what detangling would look like (and, my goodness, how long it would take!) without this beloved tool, whose bendy plastic bristles glide through knots to loosen them without any elbow grease or wincing. The Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle has similarly forgiving bristles but fewer of them, spaced farther apart on the edges, so there’s less pulling when getting out knots, even in fragile hair.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"My long, thick hair has been thinning, and I’ve been doing what I can to limit unnecessary tension. I trust my Tangle Teezer brushes—particularly this one—to move through my strands without causing added fallout. The bristles are flexible and widely spaced, which help to gently detangle and smooth my waves. I find that it minimally snags, and if it does, it's easy to maneuver out of my hair, reset, and unravel any knots." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Best Hair Accessories
Best Hair Towel: Crown Affair The Hair Towel
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Best Hair Towel
Crown Affair The Hair Towel
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Sephora
Senior shopping director Shanna Shipin wraps her hair up in the Crown Affair The Hair Towel.
Shanna Shipin
Why It Won: Sure, we could dry our hair without a bath towel—we could also cook food over a firepit and cut it with stone. Crown Affair The Hair Towel’s waffle-knit microfiber design is as soft as a cloud, absorbing water quickly and gently. And once our hair is wrapped inside, it really stays put, leaving us free to do our makeup, get dressed, you name it. (Twist the towel around your hair, and you can tuck its loose end into a built-in elastic band to keep it up.)
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
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"I swear by using a hair towel both for the benefits (less frizz, faster drying) and the comfort (I hate the way a big, bulky bath towel feels and pulls), and Crown Affair's is hands-down my favorite. Not only does it coddle my hair and speed up drying time (regardless of whether I air-dry or use a blow-dryer), but the larger-than-average size is perfect for my long hair, which at this point sits somewhere between my shoulder blades and waist. The towel's Scandinavian, hygge vibe (thanks to the waffle knit) only makes it more covetable, IMO." —Sophie Panych, content director
Best Hair Bonnet: Yanibest 6A Mulberry Silk Bonnet with Tie Band
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Best Hair Bonnet
Yanibest 6A Mulberry Silk Bonnet with Tie Band
Amazon
Why It Won: Too many bonnets stretch out and pill over time, or we wake up to find them just sitting on the pillow, leaving our hair static-y or knotted. Yanibest 6A Mulberry Silk Bonnet with Tie Band is the rare high-quality silk version that hardly slips off, has an adjustable band, and a supercomfortable, customizable fit. For example, you can make the bonnet bigger or smaller depending on whether you're wearing your curls up, down, or braided. And the stretchy tie band minimizes tugging, going extra gentle on hairlines that are prone to breakage.
Tester feedback from former associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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"I love this bonnet! It's the fanciest one I've ever owned. My daughter has a bonnet from the same brand, and the silk just feels so nice. And I love how feminine it looks; it makes me not mind wearing it around the house. Plus, the tie band helps it stay put through the night." —Annie Blay-Tettey, former associate beauty editor
Best Accessories Set: Arachne L'uovo The Everywhere Essentials Egg
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Best Accessories Set
Arachne L'uovo The Everywhere Essentials Egg
Shop
Urban Outfitters
Why It Won: Like an Easter egg for grownups, Arachne L'uovo The Everywhere Essentials Egg is a clear plastic oval stuffed with no-snag hair ties, smaller rubber-like bands, mini claw clips, and bobby pins. It keeps hair accessories together and organized, so you don’t have to fish around in the bottom of your bag when you want to put your hair up. Each egg comes in a color theme of your choice, with multiple shades of brown, blonde, black, red, or gray.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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"I’m going to file this product under things I wish I had created. Recently, I started taking ballet classes again, and this little plastic egg packed with hair ties, bobby pins, mini claw clips, and snap clips is the perfect, ready-made dance bag companion. I used to have a bulky pouch full of pins and elastics when I was a kid, but now I just clip the L’Uovo to the carabiner keychain holder inside my bag, and everything I need to put my hair up in a ballerina bun is always accessible. If, like me, you tend to lose bobby pins and hair ties after a few uses, don’t worry, you can buy refills in 10 different colors." —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Best Hair Ties/Best Hair Elastics: L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Tube
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Best Hair Ties
L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Tube
Amazon
Beauty director Sarah Kinonen pulls back her hair with the L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Tube.
Sarah Kinonen
Why It Won: If you ever thought a ponytail is just a ponytail is just a ponytail, L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Tube will give you new appreciation for the classic. These woven hair ties are a simple upgrade with a raffia vibe. The sturdy elastic core can keep fine to thick hair up all day, and each set of 8 or 15 ties comes in a gradient of colors, including neutrals and fun shades. Black Metallic, for example, is a set of textured black, white, and silver woven together for a herringbone effect. Toffee features rich browns and bronzes. Corsica’s blues have an oceanic élan, and Think Pink is a sweet mix of rose and cream. Each elastic has a snag-free design (instead of a visible seam, there’s a smooth bead), and the woven texture helps cut down on creasing, all while looking super cute.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"No matter what material it's made of—silk, nylon, and even phone-cord plastic—if it's in the shape of a hair tie, there's a 99.9% chance I've tried to wrap my hair with it. These braided elastics, though, were new to me this year. (Emphasis on were.) I've been using them for every activity—Barry's workouts, important meetings, bedrotting—since I got my hands on them. They keep my fine, thin hair up and out of my face without any tugging, pulling, or ripping, and the tube makes it handy to store in my tiny Brooklyn apartment." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Best Claw Clip: Solar Eclipse Claw Hair Clips
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Best Claw Clip
Solar Eclipse Claw Hair Clips
Nordstrom
Why It Won: These hand-painted butterfly claw clips come in an array of artful, whimsical designs. You can pull your hair back using one that looks like a piece of sushi, a bottle cap, or a monarch butterfly. There’s a massive catalog of Solar Eclipse Claw Hair Clips to choose from, ranging from the adorable (teddy bear, puppy, horse, kitten) to the delicious (pizza box, hot dog, cherries, soda can), quirky (octopus, Tokyo taxi, cowboy boot, evil eye), to downright beautiful and sculpted, like a red bow in the hair.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"These are, hands down, easily the cutest hair clips I've ever worn! Each hand-painted, intricately designed shape and style, like the red ribbon or the black-and-orange monarch butterfly, instantly adds a touch of elevated whimsy to my updo. And, most importantly, they hold up my fine, straight hair with ease." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Best Claw Clip: The Hair Edit Gilded Ellipse Flat Lay Claw Clip
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Best Hair Clip
The Hair Edit Gilded Ellipse Flat Lay Claw Clip
Ulta Beauty
Nordstrom Rack
Why It Won: We can’t decide what we love more, the way The Hair Edit Gilded Ellipse Flat Lay Claw Clip looks in our hair or all the things we can do when it’s in place. The golden oval shape only looks more chic than practical; because of the way it lays flat while keeping our hair up and out of our face, it lets us comfortably rest our head for hours while driving, reading, or lounging.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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"While testing hair accessories for Best of Beauty, I consistently got compliments every time I would wear this claw clip. It’s super-sturdy and holds my long, thick hair without a problem. Plus, it’s comfortable and doesn’t snag my hair. It's become one of my favorites, and has earned a permanent spot on my desk for moments when I get overstimulated and need to pull my hair up quickly. You know what I mean." —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Written by Elizabeth Siegel
How does Allure test tools for Best of Beauty?
We test hot tools, brushes, and hair accessories over months of real-world use to evaluate performance, ease, comfort, and durability. When we test hair tools, we look at heat distribution, styling results, frizz control, and damage protection. As for makeup brushes, we assess grip, softness, blendability, and how well they work with different product textures. And for hair accessories, are they cute? Do they hold up all of our editors' hair?
Are the winning hair tools safe for damaged or color-treated hair?
Yes, many of the award-winning blow-dryers, flatirons, and curling irons use advanced heat control technology to prevent damage. Look for features like ceramic plates, ionic airflow, and customizable temperature settings that help protect fragile, chemically treated, or color-treated hair.
Are these Best of Beauty-winning makeup brushes good for beginners or everyday use?
Absolutely. We awarded brushes that blend easily, feel soft on the skin, and work with a variety of products and textures (powders, creams, and liquids). Whether you're building a basic brush kit or upgrading your tools, these winners are user-friendly, high-performing staples.
What kinds of tools are included in the Best of Beauty awards?
This category includes blow-dryers, flatirons, curling irons, diffusers, hot brushes, and styling accessories, as well as makeup tools like powder brushes, foundation brushes, contouring brushes, and makeup sponges. We test for control, comfort, and finish on a range of hair textures and skin tones and types.
How do I clean and care for my brushes and tools?
We recommend washing makeup brushes weekly using a gentle cleanser or brush soap, and letting them dry completely before using again. For hair tools, unplug and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust and/or product buildup. Clean tools always perform better!
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