The Best Beauty Tools of 2024

'Tis the season! No, not for that – for The Hypebae Beauty Awards. And this year, we're back with an exciting new category, celebrating the innovative tools and gadgets that have redefined beauty routines and sparked fresh, meaningful rituals across diverse communities.




But before we dive in, let’s talk about what makes the Hypebae Beauty Awards truly special. Every year, we honor emerging brands that break barriers, amplify underrepresented voices and embrace the rich diversity of beauty. From founders rewriting the narrative to products designed with authenticity at their core, we celebrate the creators shaping an industry where everyone can see themselves represented.



With millions of haircare, skincare, makeup and more options on the market – trust us, we adore plenty of them – our goal is to shine a spotlight on the brands pushing boundaries. These are the pioneers redefining originality, not just for the sake of trends, but to foster inclusivity, individuality and true connection through beauty.



Check back every day this week and next as we dive into a different category each day. We're starting here with tools, before honing in on skincare, haircare, makeup and fragrance. There's so much to look forward to. But without further ado, here are Hypebae’s picks for the best beauty tools of the year...

Kohl Kreatives’ Quickies Stickies Makeup Stencil

Who doesn’t want flawless eyeshadow each and every time? Kohl Kreative’s Quickie Stickies are the ultimate hack. The convenient adhesive stencils (which are made from soy ink and biodegradable seaweed adhesives, by the way) make eye makeup application quick and totally effortless. All you have to do is peel off the backing, apply the stencil to your eyelid, and layer eyeshadow before gently peeling them off. Voila! Each set includes 24 pairs of stencils in a range of styles, including classic liners for everyday looks and playful shapes like stars and hearts.

[shoppable brand="Kohl Kreatives" product="Quickies Stickes" link="https://www.kohlkreatives.com/shop/quickie-stickies" store="Kohl Kreatives" price="$12 USD"]

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What makes Kohl Kreatives stand out is how empowering – and inclusive – it is. The British brand was born out of a passion for accessibility, seeking to break down barriers and ensuring that beauty is something all of us can enjoy, whether you have reduced motor function or are visually impaired.




Founded by Trishna Daswaney, it was the brand’s ergonomic brushes put them on the beauty map. The adaptive makeup brushes are all designed for those who live with motor disabilities and diseases, and so are designed to stand, with easy-to-hold handles that won’t roll away when you put them down. Daswaney proves that beauty doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all approach. Proceeds from their sales also go towards their charity, Kohl Kares, which provides free workshops for different communities, including transgender and cancer care support, too.

ISAMAYA X FaceGym’s “Sculpt 01”

Only FaceGym and ISAMAYA's tool baby would look like this: Sculpt 01. This chiseling chrome instrument is, in truth, a reimagined gua sha, but the most fabulous version out there. This facial contouring tool is designed to refine and define your features, while boosting circulation, releasing tension, reducing puffiness and promoting lymphatic drainage. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it is also designed to be used on the scalp.

[shoppable brand="ISAMAYA" product="Sculpt O1" link="https://isamaya.com/products/sculpt-01" store="ISAMAYA" price="$60 USD"]

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Any beauty buff worth their hyaluronic acid will be familiar with both ISAMAYA and FaceGym. Isamaya Ffrench, the visionary makeup artist behind ISAMAYA, has long been celebrated behind the scenes for her work with fashion brands – and she’s worked with everyone, from Off-White to Vivienne Westwood, Thom Browne, Balmain and more. She’s also the brains behind those viral, phallic-shaped lipsticks (IYKYK).

Fusing her unapologetic, statement-making approach to beauty with FaceGym earlier this year was, frankly, inspired. Inge Theron’s popular facial workout brand has become a go-to for celebs before major events, which makes sense. FaceGym approaches facials like a workout, starting with a warm-up, cardio and cool-down, which drains, removes tension, sculpts and lifts muscles to turn your face into a perfect canvas.

Mane by Jen Atkin’s “It’s Giving Body” Medium Hot Round Brush

This all-in-one styling tool from Mane by Jen Atkin really can do it all. Voluminous roots? Check. Perfectly styled curtain bangs? Check. Frizz-free, shiny waves that last all day? You got it. The "It’s Giving Body" round brush has a vented, nano-coated ceramic barrel and anti-tangle bristles that provide even heat distribution for all hair types and textures, locking in moisture, boosting shine and reducing frizz for long-lasting, salon-quality results.

[shoppable brand="Hey Mane" product="“It’s Giving Body” Medium Hot Round Brush" link="https://heymane.com/products/1-75-inch-medium-hot-round-brush" store="Hey Mane" price="$98 USD"]

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Renowned celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin’s client list reads like a who’s who of hair idols: Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Chrissy Teigen – you get the picture. Nine years on from her haircare brand’s launch, 14-plus years of styling and “2,567,837 convos”, Atkin stepped in to answer the call for expertly designed, affordable and effective tools. “We’re here to put the ‘care’ in hair care...and get you out the door faster," in her own words.

Each of Mane by Jen Atkin’s tools are designed with those three things in mind. Every detail, down to the heat-conducting metals and advanced ceramic coatings, are carefully crafted to reduce styling time and minimize damage, ensuring salon-quality results at home every single time. Plus, with their durable materials and reusable packaging, they keep their environmental impact in mind, too.

Pattern Beauty’s Hair Steamer

Building on the success of Pattern Beauty’s hot tool launches – the blow dryer and curling iron – Tracee Ellis Ross’s latest tool definitely takes it up a notch. The Hair Steamer is a multifunctional, hand-held device that will transform wash days like few other products out there. Lightweight and easy to use, it comes with a diffuser and extra prong attachment to meet your hair’s needs. It provides a blast of steam that opens the hair cuticle for deeper product penetration, boosting hydration and deep conditioning to enhance curls, coils and textured hair.

[shoppable brand="Pattern Beauty" product="Hair Steamer" link="https://patternbeauty.com/products/hair-steamer" store="Pattern Beauty" price="$169 USD"]

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Pattern Beauty isn’t just a haircare line — it’s a movement. Inspired by Ross's own hair journey, the brand launched in 2019 with a bold mission: to empower everyone to celebrate their natural texture and wear it with unapologetic pride. At the root (pun intended) of the brand's success? The superior hydration that supports curl patterns.

Crafted with intention, Pattern’s products are formulated with high-quality, nourishing ingredients that go beyond the surface to define, hydrate and strengthen. From deeply moisturizing shampoos to curl-defining creams, every product is designed to support the unique needs of textured hair, offering both performance and luxury in each drop. Pattern stands out not just for its haircare excellence but its commitment to inclusivity, sustainability and clean beauty. This is a brand that’s redefining beauty standards—ensuring that every curl, coil and wave gets the love and attention it deserves.

Solawave’s 2-In-1 Skincare Mini

We all love a red light face mask, but practical they are not. Solawave’s 2-in-1 Skincare Mini solves that problem, and does one better by also providing a tool you can use on your face and body. The travel-size device is designed to help you incorporate red light (targeting redness, scars and fine lines) as well as near-infrared light therapy (which promotes tissue regeneration, healing and inflammation reduction) into your routine, regardless of where you are.

[shoppable brand="Solawave" product="2-In-1 Skincare Mini" link="https://www.solawave.co/products/radiant-renewal-2-in-1-skincare-mini?variant=48502857498792" store="Solawave" price="$89 USD"]

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Founded in 2020, Los Angeles-based skincare technology company Solawave has science and accessibility at its core. Their launch product, the 4-in-1 Skincare Wand, became an overnight Instagram hit. The pen-sized, razor-shaped device put otherwise spenny tech in the palm of people’s hands, both literally and figuratively. The wand went on to capture the hearts (and faces) of many celebs, too; Sydney Sweeney, Priyanka Chopra and Jennifer Coolidge among them.

Since then, Solawave has continued to scale their offering, continuing to transform dermatologist-grade technology into safe, portable skincare essentials. Their simple philosophy – that skincare should be a personal journey, enabled by high-quality tools that are readily available – has remained constant. In an industry that often promotes unattainable standards, Solawave stands apart by acknowledging that skincare shouldn’t be about disparagement.

Read more at Hypebae