The ranking
Every house we have scored
One rubric, five weighted criteria, no sponsored placements. A score describes the brand on its publication date — reformulations and price rises move it, and we say so when they do.
5Brands scored
8.0Mean score
1Rated 8.6+
#BrandBest forPrice bandScore
01
e.l.f. CosmeticsDrugstore & Value · Outstanding
Almost everything, if the price matters at all$3–$168.6/10Review 02
The INKEY ListDrugstore & Value · Strong
Buying a single active cheaply when you want to be told how to use it$9–$308.4/10Review 03
NYX Professional MakeupDrugstore & Value · Strong
Lip products and eyeliner, at prices that let you experiment$6–$207.9/10Review 04
Maybelline New YorkDrugstore & Value · Strong
Mascara, and foundation matched by undertone rather than guesswork$6–$187.8/10Review