In all my years of recommending products for work, I’ve received enough gear in the mail for three lifetimes. And sometimes I’ll try something great, but I don’t have a good place to tell people about it. Last year, I started receiving beauty boxes for our buying guide, and there were a few standout items from the dozens that I tested for that guide (and others) that needed an outlet. So here we are! These are the products that have stood out for being innovative, versatile, or just plain good.

Be sure to check out our related buying guides, including the Best Dry Shampoos, the Best Hair Masks, and the