Judged by Consultants: The 9 Best Beauty Merchandise Cash Can Purchase
Welcome to Who What Wear UK’s Next in Beauty Awards 2026. Here, we’re crowning and celebrating the perfect in magnificence, from game-changing trade innovators to the tried-and-tested classics that stay mainstays in our rest room cupboards and make-up baggage. To assist us discover the worthy winners, we referred to as upon our esteemed panel of trade specialists, hard-to-please editors and in-the-know influencers, who put each product to the check. We enlisted our judges to doc and share their testing for each product they tried, so you’ll be able to see all of the winners in motion—in addition to these crucial before-and-after outcomes.
After a lot testing, swatching and reviewing, we have handpicked the perfect merchandise throughout our pores and skin, hair, make-up, physique and nail and perfume classes, in addition to another particular accolades. These are the crème de la crème from every class which have been awarded our prestigious Best in Class standing. Ahead, you may discover the highest 9 magnificence merchandise pioneering efficacy, innovation and actual outcomes. Join us in applauding our Best in Class winners of 2026.
Who What Wear UK Next in Beauty Awards 2026: Best in Class
Best in Class: Skin
When it involves skincare, we’re all the time on the lookout for manufacturers that mix efficacy with cutting-edge innovation. For us, that model is SkinCeuticals, and P-Tiox Cream is a stellar instance. This powerhouse moisturiser comprises a patent-pending system filled with peptides, niacinamide and lipo-hydroxy acid, and works to plump, easy and hydrate the pores and skin. No surprise our judges could not get sufficient.
“I used to be blown away by simply how a lot distinction this made to my pores and skin,” stated Eleanor Hartley, medical director at Hart Medical. “[I saw] impressively seen enhancements in pores and skin high quality, texture, pores and visual strains after solely per week of use. My pores and skin was recent and hydrated with out feeling heavy; the cream turns right into a watery gel and feels light-weight and invisible with no residue. The INCI listing is severely sturdy, with some main medical proof behind the person components and the formulation as a complete. It is glass pores and skin in a jar.”
Shop the Winner:
Skinceuticals
P-Tiox Cream
Best in Class: Makeup
There are so many make-up classes that selecting a Best in Class winner will be tough. But this yr, Chanel made it simple with its Les Beiges Serum Concealer. A real skincare/make-up hybrid filled with hyaluronic acid and white camellia extract, this serum-like system turns into one together with your complexion for radiant outcomes.
“If, like me, you love a no-makeup make-up look, then that is the concealer you completely should have in your radar,” says Who What Wear UK magnificence director Shannon Lawlor. “It leaves pores and skin trying wholesome and glowing, and delivers simply sufficient light-weight protection to make you feel and look alive. I by no means wish to be with out it.”
Shop the Winner:
Chanel
Les Beiges Serum Concealer
Best in Class: Hair
We all have completely different hair varieties, so discovering a product everybody loves isn’t any imply feat. However, I have never met anybody who hasn’t fallen in love with Hersheson’s Almost Everything Cream. Designed for moist or dry hair, it will probably situation, outline curls, increase shine, easy and extra.
“Ever since this product launched, I’ve refused to be with out it,” says Shannon. “It is the only most spectacular multi-tasker round—whether or not I need a slicked-back look, air-dried coolness, shiny curls or lived-in texture, this cream does all of it.”
Shop the Winner:
Hershesons
Almost Everything Cream
Best in Class: Fragrance
Fragrance is subjective; what smells good to at least one individual won’t scent good to a different. But if there’s one factor our professional judges agreed on, it was that Parfums de Marly Athénaïs smells superb. It’s no shock, actually, with a mix of bergamot, orange flower, jasmine sambac, vanilla and amber.
“As a fan of Parfums de Marly and the enduring Valaya perfume, I had excessive hopes for this,” says Who What Wear UK magnificence editor Eleanor Vousden. “It’s a spring-like scent and conjures the very color of the bottle. It’s vibrant, juicy and citrusy with an ambery-floral path.”
Shop the Winner:
Parfums de Marly
Athénaïs
Best in Class: Nails
(Image credit score: Rebecca Munroe)
This yr, we have seen an elevated demand for at-home nail merchandise that ship knowledgeable end, and on the subject of nail instruments, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with Navy Professional. If you are going to spend money on one factor from the model, make it the Doris Curved Manicure Pusher.
“I do know a number of manicurists who swear by Navy Professional, and this dual-ended device makes tidying your cuticles easy due to the curved edge that lightly lifts away lifeless pores and skin from the nail plate, making no matter nail color you are utilizing apply extra seamlessly and last more,” says Vousden. “Most nail instruments are an eyesore, however it is a lovely factor to have in your manicure equipment, and is a delight to make use of.”
Shop the Winner:
Navy Professional
Doris Curved Manicure Pusher
Best in Class: Body
2026 was undoubtedly the yr physique merchandise obtained a glow-up. Shower gels, lotions, deodorants… our whole bodycare routines have been elevated. The product that stood out probably the most? Dove’s Raspberry & Rose Whole Body Deodorant Spray. Designed for use wherever you want it (not simply underarms), it smells unbelievable and is appropriate for all pores and skin varieties, even delicate.
“Not solely does this scent nice, but it surely additionally performs higher than most different deodorants I’ve ever tried,” says Lawlor. “I’m a naturally sweaty individual, and these items has held my hand by one of many hottest summers on document.”
Shop the Winner:
Dove
Raspberry & Rose Whole Body Deodorant Spray
Innovation of the Year
Our Next in Beauty Awards champion innovation, and if there’s one model that blew our judges away in that area, it is clinic-born Japanese model Takami. More particularly, Takami’s Daily Renewing Soft Peel.
“Exfoliation will be tough for delicate pores and skin, however this light formulation implies that anybody can use it,” says Who What Wear UK magnificence contributor Perdita Nouril. “I used to be tremendous impressed with the way it dialled up my pores and skin’s brightness and labored to minimise the look of pores, all while protecting my pores and skin barrier pleased and hydrated.”
Shop the Winner:
TAKAMI
Daily Renewing Soft Peel
Breakout Brand
(Image credit score: Rebecca Munroe)
Speaking of thrilling and revolutionary manufacturers, our Breakout Brand award goes to Rocco.
Founded by broadcaster and inventive director Laura Jackson, this model is all about skincare that does good, however extra importantly, feels good. Rooted within the connection between your skincare and your temper, Jackson has created a easy line of merchandise which all characteristic Rocco’s mood-boosting scent, FaceFeels. The intention? To make skincare enjoyable once more.
Shop the Winner:
ROCCO Beauty
Soft Reset Foaming Cleanser
Social Media Sensation
There’s no denying the affect social media can have on trending magnificence merchandise, and this yr, our Social Media Sensation award goes to Trinny London’s Naked Ambition Azelaic Exosome + Vitamin C Serum. This revolutionary system combines slow-release vitamin C with azelaic acid exosomes for glowing outcomes.
“This product undoubtedly helps brighten the pores and skin, even pores and skin tone and is a straightforward addition to your routine,” says Who What Wear UK editor-in-chief, Jane McFarland. “I’ve been utilizing varied merchandise from Trinny’s vary and totally advocate this one.”
Shop the Winner:
Trinny London
Naked Ambition Azelaic Exosome + Vitamin C Serum
Industry Icon
(Image credit score: Hershesons)
Luke Hersheson has devoted his profession to redefining what nice hair seems to be like. His distinctive imaginative and prescient and creativity have knowledgeable each Who What Wear UK development report of the previous decade, and from his work behind the chair to his affect on trend, magnificence and superstar tradition, his influence goes far past the salon. That being stated, his influence on the salon global community has additionally modified the sport—introducing us to the idea of the tremendous salon, he has created magnificence utopias round London. He’s constructed a profession on difficult conventions while making nice hair really feel accessible for all together with his blowdry bars and lazy-girl-approved cuts, which is why he’s a worthy winner of our Next in Beauty 2026 Industry Icon award.
