Insiders' beauty-product finds of the year

Lasting Lipgloss

Lipsticks and stains have staying power, while gloss tends to fade faster. Until now. Thanks to special waxes and polymers, lip gloss has gone from fleeting to fantastic. Unlike other long-wear formulas that can feel clumpy, NYC New York Color City Proof 8HR Lip Gloss ($3) "went on smoothly" and never had to be reapplied. The "vibrancy" and stain-like finish of Maybelline New York SuperStay 10HR Stain Gloss ($9) impressed one tester. The formula lasted 8 hours, "even after lunch and an afternoon snack."

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Instant Highlights

Now you can use your flat iron to create highlights in less than 10 minutes or wash them away after one night. Spritz Marc Anthony Easy-Lites Instant Highlighting Spray ($7) onto the areas you want to highlight, then run your flat iron over them. "Be sure to do a few practice sprays to ensure even distribution," said a tester. Alterna 1 Night Highlights ($29) is "fun for a special occasion." Comb the mousse onto dry hair, wait 5 minutes and—volà—lighter streaks.

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Hair Smoothers

Superstar ingredients typically found only in salon treatments—Moroccan and avocado oils—now appear in products at your local drugstore for a fraction of the cost. Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy 14 Day Smoothing Treatment ($8) is "simple to apply": Spray onto nearly dry hair and expect "smoothness for 10 days." A drop of Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment ($6) left our user's hair "feeling soft" and frizz-free "for more than three weeks." But if you have fine hair, a little goes a long way.

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Lash Enhancers

The peptides found in lash-boosting serums give longer, plumper lashes—and some mascaras have them, too. Primer also enhances lashes by helping mascara adhere better. Mary Kay Lash Primer ($15) "glides on easily" and once a tester put on her mascara, she was sold. "My eyelashes look lusher than they ever have with mascara alone." One coat of Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara ($9) enhanced lashes, but any growth is "subtle at best."

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Gel Manis

A gel manicure will cost $50 to $75 at a salon, but DIY options are much cheaper. Typically sold with an LED light (to "set" the polish) or an adhesive base coat, at-home gels promise to last the standard 14 days and save you money in the long run. Nutra Nail Gel Perfect ($12) uses an activator base coat instead of an LED light to help create a shiny finish. This gel "dried within 5 minutes," but "it didn't last as long as a salon gel." SensatioNail By Nailene Invincible Gel Polish Starter Kit ($60) includes an LED light. The tester says: "This one lasted just as long as a salon treatment!"