We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A cruelty-free lengthening mascara that enhances your beautiful lashes with its cone-shaped fiber brush — so you don't need extensions or falsies. The best part, the formula is clump-free! Reviewers say it has the same (if not better) results as name-brand mascaras for less than $5 AND it has over 247,000 5-star ratings!
Promising review: "I make a lot of purchases, but I don't usually write a review; this is the exception. This mascara is AWSOME, and I love it. The product performs exactly as advertised, if not better. I have very sparse eyelashes and actually contemplated using fake lashes, but with this mascara, I don't have to. It is wonderful!" —Jane Dove
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
2. A lightweight oily skin primer so you can prep the canvas that is your face. It'll hydrate your skin with its green tea extract and collagen formula *and* also helps to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles (not that you need it, 'cuz ya perfect).
Promising review: "I feel compelled to review this item. I have tried Smashbox, Laura Mercier, Hourglass, E.l.f., and another few primers over the years, but I really think this one is superior and does what it’s advertised for. It goes on smoothly and smells good, blurs pores and fine lines, and grips my It Cosmetics CC cream nicely. Stays on all day and doesn’t make me shiny/greasy, which tends to happen especially in warm weather. I am so satisfied that I’m thinking of trying out the foundation of this same brand. So far it’s my holy grail primer!" —catherine
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two colors and multipacks).
3. Or the TikTok-famous Poreless Putty primer that glides onto your skin and blurs your pores, giving you the perfect base layer for your makeup to grip onto. Its squalane formula keeps your skin hydrated while looking matte. It's *quite* similar to Tatcha's Silk Canvas primer and other big name brands — without the $$$.
Promising review: "I bought this to blur some of the large pores and textured areas on my face. Basically, my nose and chin and a few other spots. It's silky and spreads easily. Mainly just dab it on after the mineral sunscreen sets, and it does what it says. It's also invisible under my foundation. Nice product. I've tried a dozen other primers, but this is the only one I like enough to actually use because it's so simple." —PatriciaD2284
Get it from Amazon for $10.
4. A Nyx liquid eyeliner for drawing on a precise, sharp wing because it glides on ~effortlessly~. Plus it's waterproof so it'll last for a while, and you'll look glammed up even when you cry!
Promising review: "I put this eyeliner on around noon, went on several walks, got very sweaty throughout the day, and even took a shower, and the only reason it smudged was because I was rubbing my eyes. The shower water itself did nothing to this eyeliner. I'd say it does what's advertised, and I highly recommend it and would buy it again." —Zoe Stigon
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in black and brown).
5. Or an eyeliner stamp that creates a perfect wing — because if you're like me and usually have to redo your eyeliner a bajillion times, this is SO worth it. With this, you won't waste any eyeliner; all it takes is one stamp and DONE!
The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty.
Promising review: "Does exactly what it says it does, and I've shaved probably 30 minutes of time daily trying to free hand symmetrical wings, not to mention savings in therapy lol." —Angela S.
Get two from Amazon for $14.97 (available in three sizes).
6. A Dr. Jart color-correcting treatment to help neutralize redness, even skin tone, *and* moisturize skin. Plus it'll give your face mineral SPF 30 protection — talk about benefits on top of benefits!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly loves this cream:
"I use this every single day, and to demonstrate just how well it works, I put it on half of my face in the pic. Seriously, the color-canceling prowess is impressive. Also, it took me nearly a year to go through the full-size jar. So, if the price has you feeling iffy, you can try out a travel version. I'm forever indebted to this stuff."
Promising review: "I purchased this after having a lot of redness from allergy season, and I have very sensitive skin. I do not like a lot of makeup as a result of such skin sensitivity. I actually just use a little bit of this to even out my skin tone and provide more sunscreen protection. I do not wear a foundation — just this stuff and a light concealer. It really helps me have a natural look rather than perhaps big pink allergy eyes." —MsMandyK
Get it from Sephora for $54.
7. An extreme hold eyebrow gel that'll sculpt your arches to give you your desired shape, volume, and texture. From natural to feathered brows, you can achieve anything with this baby.
Promising reviews: "It works as advertised. This is the first product that I’ve found, other than a wax, that holds my eyebrows in place. I will definitely buy again. It’s a bit pricey, but it works for me." —Maybe-yes
"I would use hairspray to hold my eyebrows, and throughout the day, I would sweat through it, and it wouldn’t last. I tried this because the price was great, and I’m glad I did. This product is awesome. I’ve had it on my brows for a nine-hour shift, and they are still in place! It doesn’t dry and get flakey, nor does it feel uncomfortable on the skin. Lastly, I use brow powder, and this does NOT affect the look of the powder nor does it smudge it. I will FOREVER buy this product." —Shelby
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in five shades).
8. Or a soap brows kit to add thickness, volume, and texture to your natural hairs. Just dip the spoolie into the soap and start brushing to make your eyebrows as nice as Cara Delevingne's — #onfleek.
Promising review: "Great product! Just as advertised." —Rabbits And Rainbows
"I was looking for a good soap for soap brows for so long! I have super dark brow hair, and the problem I have with most bar soap is it will get each throughout the day or super sudsy and white. This product did not! It was amazing and left my brows in whatever direction I wanted!!!" —Savannah
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
9. A shea butter–infused cream-to-powder E.l.f. multi-stick for on-the-go touchups because this lil thing *triples* as blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow. (Say what!?) It's perfect to get that natural glow but you can also layer it on for a more ~dramatic~ look.
Promising review: "I love the color; it’s very sheer and has a silky texture which goes on easily with no harsh lines. A blush of color or more depending on how much you put on. Just as advertised, pretty on cheeks, lips, or a touch on the eyelids. Lightweight. I’m going to buy more." —Sky
Get it from Amazon for $5 (available in seven shades).
10. A hydrating lip balm because all the other products you've tried just end up drying your pout out. If you feel like your lips are permanently chapped (same bestie), this bb will do the trick. This magical solution combines all the best ingredients — beeswax, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and 1% hydrocortisone — to heal and nourish extremely dry and cracked lips.
Promising reviews: "Works as advertised. Better than the prescription my dermatologist gave me. She recommended this as a long-term solution, and she is absolutely correct. Used twice a day, it keeps my lips free from eczema and cold sores." —Amazon Customer
"As advertised. Great lip balm. I've been using it since I was on medication that dried my lips out badly. Works very well. Used about 4x a day while on the medication. Since off the medication, I use after I wash my face in am and pm, and I have soft lips. My old lip balm required me to use MANY times a day to keep lips soft." —paco
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $17.99.
11. A Maybelline concealer that provides medium coverage and lasts for up to 12 hours (and keeps your skin moisturized!). It's perfect for when you "accidentally" stayed up until 6 a.m. watching Succession but you can't have your boss knowing.
Promising review: "This product does what it advertises. It is nearly full coverage, though I sometimes have to reapply on really red areas. I would not call it a moisturizer, but it does not dry out my skin as much as some other cosmetics. The way the applicator is designed makes it easy to apply without having to use my fingers or a sponge." —Maria Coker
Get it from Amazon for $7.72+ (available in several shades).
Check out my colleague's Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer review and learn why it's her favorite.
12. An illuminating L'Oréal lotion so you can enhance your skin's natural glow with its shimmering color tint. This will help you achieve that sunkissed look that you so desire. Reviewers say it's just like the Drunk Elephant bronzing drops — psst, maybe even better!
Promising review: "Got compliments on my skin the first day I used this product. It's wonderful, lightweight, and stays on all day yet washes off easily. Does not settle into small lines like other makeup does. Gives face a dewy glow. Love this product." —Christina
Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in four shades).
13. A triangle powder puff to blend your foundation, concealer, and everything else effortlessly. It'll make your skin look flawless because your products won't crease or end up cakey.
Promising review: "These powder puffs came exactly as advertised. They are extremely soft and have a good thickness. I love how snug they are on my fingers. They are perfect for applying powder to the under eye area. I will definitely be purchasing again!" —Brittany M.
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in 18 color combinations).
14. A cruelty-free Nyx matte lipstick that'll give your lips a ~pop~ of color while preventing them from drying out. This will take you one step closer to achieving that iconic T. Swift look.
Promising review: "I love lipsticks and have a lot, but I hate paying high prices. This lipstick does exactly what it says and is inexpensive, so I can buy a ton of them!" —Sharon Hope
Get it from Amazon for $8.10+ (available in 35 shades)
15. An Etude House drying powder to help ward off the spring humidity from your face. It'll keep your skin from looking greasy because of its sugar polymer formula, which controls extra oil production.
Some reviewers apply it before their makeup while others find it works best on top of their foundation. You may need to experiment to find the right order for you.
Promising review: "Does what it says. I have excessively oily skin, and working in an office 10+ hours a day does not help. Little bit of this powder and no more oil, glare, etc., just matte skin and corrected makeup. I do not use the little puff it comes with, I use a powder brush and only use it with this powder." —LittleKrissy
Get it from Amazon for $7.50+ (available in two styles).
16. A splurge-worthy and dermatologist-recommended Elta MD clear sunscreen that'll easily blend into your skin without leaving a white cast (win!). It's SPF 46 and doesn't have a greasy finish, perfect for oily and sensitive skin. (Another win!)
Promising review: "Does just what it says! My dermatologist suggested this to me. I have tried tons of sunscreen...TONS at all price points and all brands. I prefer physical blockers, but they never mesh with my makeup, make me so greasy (and I'm already oily/combo), or leave a ghostly white cast on my deep brown skin. This absorbs easily, has no strong fragrance, plays well with makeup and moisturizers, is still effective in Houston summer heat and humidity, and doesn't trigger my adult acne. I haven't had issues with the pump, I like that I can pump out a lot or a little, but it is not clear — it does leave a slight white cast on my skin; however, it does dissipate, and I always use at least powder to make my skin more even and absorb the oilies." —AseaNoe
Get it on Amazon for $43.
17. Or a Tower 28 tinted moisturizer to both help protect your skin from harmful UV rays with SPF 30 and provide buildable coverage (with a natural finish). It's perfect for all types of skin — yes, even sensitive skin — and evens out skin tones. A 2-in-1? Yes please!
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned beauty brand started by Amy Liu.
Promising review: "Finally found a product that TRULY does what it says. Protects from the sun, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and gives very minimal coverage but leaves you looking AMAZING!!!! I love this because it doesn’t cling to dry patches and doesn’t break me out. It leaves me looking radiant and feeling beautiful." —rockysheba123
Get it from Sephora (available in 17 shades) or Amazon (available in 14 shades) for $32.
18. OR! A sun milk because it's not only a sunscreen — drumroll please 🥁... it's also a primer! It has SPF 50+ and a double layer UV-blocking formula so water and sweat will be no match for your skin and makeup.
In the progression photos above, you can see a reviewer before applying the sun milk, after applying the sun milk, and then the sun milk under makeup.
Promising review: "I bought this sunscreen because it advertises itself as a non-greasy, hypoallergenic sunscreen...and it actually does just that! Being allergic to sunscreen and zinc-based formulas drying out my skin, I was ready to try anything. This sunscreen does dry your skin out a little, but using a heavy duty moisturizer underneath has worked well! It doesn’t burn my skin, is super soft and dry to the touch, and it doesn’t make me a ghost like zinc-based sunscreens. If you have dry skin...be cautious, but normal to oily, this is great with a solid moisturizing routine!" —Sarah
Get it from Amazon for $19.38.
19. A crème to powder waterproof eyeshadow stick that doesn't require a brush to apply because it has a built-in smudger on one side of the stick! The other side is a highly pigmented eyeshadow that won't fade or crease so your fab makeup will stay intact all day.
Promising reviews: "This product does what it says; super easy and long lasting...no creases. I have owned every kind of eye shadow out there. This is beyond the best ever. It is definitely 101 eye makeup. So easy to use and actually lasts all day. Have bought three different colors. Wonderful product, will buy more. Makes your eyes look like a professional has done them." —Floyd Dunham
"This does exactly what it says it does. Applies smoothly. Wait a couple of seconds, and it’s on for the day! Or, change before it sets. Goes well as eyeliner, too. I’m 70. My eyes are wrinkled, and I had given up on eyeshadow and pencil. This is so easy to apply. No pulling, it just glides on." —BamaNana
Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in 53 shades).
20. A magical makeup-correcting stick so you can erase any smudged makeup while keeping the rest intact. It's perfect for when you want to do your own winged liner and don't want cotton swabs piled high in your trash can.
Promising reviews: "What a great idea this is! It does exactly what it says and doesn't smear, just wipes away any extra liner that is out if whack." —Wendykaye
"Teen daughter approved! I bought this for my teen who loves doing the winged eyeliner look but complains that she can't always get it perfectly straight. She says it works as advertised to clean up any little mistakes she makes. I'll be buying one for myself now as well." —AAMoo
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
21. A cruelty-free and vegan Milani baked blush that comes in so many different shades, so you'll def find the perfect one that matches your skin tone. It'll give your cheeks an adorable rosy glow with shimmer and matte options!
It also comes with a mini brush!
Promising review: "I was a little skeptical at first that this would work as advertised. First time took a little getting used to as it was so different than the blush I had used for years. But I got so many compliments that I use it every day. Love it." —SLD
Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in 23 shades).
22. Or a Glossier cream blush to give your cheeks a dewy glow. It is SO pigmented, a few drops of this gel blush will give you the perfect amount of color to add to your glowing smile.
Check out a reviewer testing Cloud Paint out on TikTok here!
Promising review: "Wow. It is absolutely wonderful. It feels amazing on my cheeks and adds so much dimension without me having to try. Haze has a pretty rich pigment, so a little goes a really long way! It also works with Skin Tint really well. It blends seamlessly as advertised and feels weightless. I can't wait to buy the rest of the colors!!" —Kc
Get it from Glossier (available in 10 shades) or Sephora (available in eight shades) for $22.
23. A eyelash comb so you can separate your lashes when your mascara clumps up after applying. Just brush this through a few times and you're good to go!
Promising review: "This product was exactly what it was advertised to be and exactly what I wanted. I bought it because I was having problems with my mascara clumping my eyelashes together and making my eyes look atrocious. This product fixes that problem every time I use it." —Rebecca Snyder
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
24. A magical, TikTok-famous cleansing balm to gently remove makeup, sunscreen — basically anything and everything you put on your face. The Japanese pearl barley formula will leave your skin nourished and hydrated afterwards!
Promising review: "I've been seeing this product on TikTok for a while now. Decided to try it out. It's always hit or miss when you see something online if it will work as well as advertised. This product is sooooo worth the hype! It smells great, works fabulously, and left my face feeling incredibly soft and smooth. Literally melted my waterproof eyeliner and mascara right off. My face has never felt so clean." —MRC
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
25. Or a super soft MakeUp Eraser that removes ALL makeup (yes, even waterproof makeup) with just water. WATER. The other side exfoliates your face and afterwards you can just toss it into the laundry with everything else.
Promising review: "Does exactly what is says it does. Great discovery I came across watching beauty YouTube videos. Never heard of them before. They truly are like magic. I use this first to take off makeup by adding just water. Incredible how much makeup comes off. I then follow up with my other cleansers and just wash face with hands. Wow!" —Sharon Nathan
Get it from Amazon for $20+ (available in eight colors).
Read my colleague's MakeUp Eraser review as well as our deep dive into the best makeup remover (the MakeUp Eraser won as our mid-price pick).
You, when you have the L'Oréal glow enhancing lotion on:
