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. Essence's Lash Princess mascara to take your lashes to new ~heights~ and make people think you're wearing falsies, when in fact, all you did was swipe on some mascara.
Promising review: "Love, love, love this mascara. I'm blessed with decent long lashes (they are super light blonde) and so mos' mascaras work fine for me, but OMG this one was by far the best. It almost looks like I have false eyelashes. It's thick makes my lashes much longer and my eyes pop and super easy getting it off. I'm in the public eye from time to time, and it's important that my eyes are expressive, so this is great. I've recommended it to many colleagues of mine." —Lois B.
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
2. A set of makeup sponges that cost a fraction of all the other well-known brands on the market. And these sponges hold up and work just as well (or even better) than any other. They work overtime to give you expert-level blending and coverage when applying foundation, BB cream, powder, and even concealer. Pro tip: try using them while wet for even smoother coverage.
Promising review: "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years, and I bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and 'bouncy.' I wash mine between each use, and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. I'm very happy with my purchase and the price. I will definitely continue to buy." —chris
Get a set of five from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight color combinations).
3. A eyeshadow primer so your beautiful smokey eye looks just as good at the end of the night as it does when you spent all that time perfecting it. Touch-ups who?
Promising review: "This eye primer is amazing!!! I have super oily eyelids and was getting to the point that I would rarely bother with eyeshadow because even with expensive primers it would be smudged and creased within an hour. So glad I don't need to shell out for Urban Decay or Mac Paint Pot anymore; they don't hold a candle to this and it's so much cheaper. Game-changer." —Chloe
Get it from Amazon for $11.19.
4. Glossier's Cloud Paint — a multipurpose product you can use on both your cheeks and eyes for a nice subtle glow that will make you feel like a beauty star because of how easy it is to apply.
Promising review: "I purchased Dusk first because I saw it on TikTok. It’s so creamy and easily blendable. Dusk is great for during the day. I purchased Storm second for at night or going out. I never thought I would like a cream blush. I have always been a powder girl. I may never go back!!!" —Felicia
Get it from Glossier for $22 (available in 10 blush shades and five bronzer shades).
Read our full review of Glossier's Cloudpaint.
5. Or Maybelline's Cheek Heat gel-cream blush reviewers have compared to the previous product. 👀 This has a water-based formula and will give you a nice touch of color on your cheeks when you apply a dot or two. And nobody will be able to tell the difference.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "I'm a Glossier Cloud Paint stan, so I'll continue to buy it, but I love this affordable alternative, too! It spreads on super easily and can either go on sheer or build for a bolder effect. I got the Rose Flush shade and enjoy it for ~everyday wear~ since it's so easy to squirt a bit on my fingers, swirl it into my cheeks, and be on my merry way. It lasts all day and looks super natural to boot!"
Promising review: "I heard about this from an Influencer on TikTok. Sheer and the color is great. And the price can't be beat. Thank you, Maybelline!" —Kaye Ralene White-Hancock
Get it from Amazon for $5.98+ (available in six shades).
6. A crème to powder waterproof eyeshadow stick designed so anyone can easily add some shimmer and shine to their eyelids. One end is the eyeshadow and the other is a built-in smudger, meaning you don't need to pick up a brush at all. Plus, the formula is made to stay 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. I 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 46 shades).
7. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer with a sponge on the end, meaning you can swipe it under your eyes in seconds — nobody will know that you couldn't fall asleep for hours last night. And as a bonus — you can ditch your "designer" concealer for good.
Promising review: "I remember using this in high school, but I started seeing this all over Tiktok, so I decided to try it again. For a cheap drugstore concealer, this is AMAZING. It's so moisturizing and easy to blend! The coverage was way better than I expected, too. After applying an even layer and blending it out with a beauty blender, I set it with pressed power, and it lasted pretty well throughout a 10-hour day. Creasing is natural and virtually unavoidable, however, the creasing with this product is minimal compared to some other drug store concealers I've used." —Jade Kim
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 40 shades).
And check out our Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer review for more deets!
8. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm that may just become your new go-to because not only will it help hydrate your lips and leave them feeling soft, but you'll also get to enjoy one of the amazing flavors everyone won't stop raving about. Looking @ you Gummy Bear!
Promising review: "I adore this gloss in all flavors. The feel is wonderful. It's not sticky or greasy. The scents are all lovely and it gives the perfect amount of sheen. It's my go-to!" —Marci Jones
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in four scents).
9. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray you can spritz all over your face in the morning to keep your makeup in place, no matter what you do the rest of the day. It's said to help fading and smudging for up to 16 hours. It's essentially witchcraft, if you ask me.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes says: "I first put this setting spray to the test for a wedding that involved taking several trains in and out of Manhattan on a hot day and being in crowded rooms where airflow was ~limited~. As such, I was sweating up a storm, but my makeup looked *flawless* by the time I got home that night — all thanks to this Urban Decay setting spray that I knew after one use I'd be repurchasing. I'm new to setting sprays, so it felt weird at first to spray something *on top* of my carefully crafted makeup look, but it dried in no time without messing anything up. It also didn't feel heavy or sticky on my face — it didn't feel like anything at all, actually — and my makeup looked better than it ever has after hours of wear. (For reference, I have dry, sensitive skin, and it caused me no issues.)
Soon after that event, I put it to an even bigger task: surviving sweat, tears, and 12 hours of wear for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour. My makeup look (pictured above) was done by 2 p.m., and thanks to my now highly trusted Urban Decay spray, it stayed completely intact (minus the lipstick I purposefully wiped off while scarfing down post-concert pizza) until the time I got home just after 2 a.m. Here's what it endured during that timespan: multi-leg public transportation to and from the venue, waiting in lines under the blaring sun to get in, several meals and drinks, jumping, screaming, and literally full-on crying a number of times during the show. My liquid eyeliner, eyeshadow, non-waterproof mascara, foundation, blush, and even glitter (for the most part) were unfazed, and I owe it all to this setting spray."
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two sizes).
10. Or a bottle of NYX setting spray if you want a more affordable option that doesn't skimp on its formula. Reviewers say one spray, and their faces look and feel fresh and dewy for hours.
Promising review: "I’ve been using the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray forever, and this is a great replacement. I usually spray it on before foundation and then after foundation, and it will not move. Keeps my makeup looking fresh and dewy all day. I also have very acne-prone sensitive skin, and this spray doesn’t irritate my skin at all. For the price, you can’t go wrong." —Sara
Get it from Amazon for $9.34.
11. A Merit Day Glow highlighting balm that's essentially like a big crayon you can color your face with to add a bit of sparkle and glow. It's super easy to use, especially if you've never really applied highlighter before and don't know where to start.
I've been using this highlighter for years now, and I still love it so much. The balm makes it super easy to apply. I just do a couple of swipes around my eyes and on my forehead and blend only a little with my fingers, and I'm good to go. It's super smooth and lightweight but seriously adds a nice glow and shine. I highly recommend it, especially if you want something quick and easy to add a little bit more to your makeup look.
Promising review: "I am in looooove with this product! It’s so creamy and glides on the skin so easily. It lasts all day and gives me the prettiest glow that’s not too much or too sparkly. I’m never going to use any other highlighter. 10/10." —Alexis H.
Get it from Merit for $32 (available in three shades).
12. Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask you can swipe on before you go to bed (or even before you finish your makeup), and the vitamin C- and antioxidant-packed formula will leave your lips feeling super soft and moisturized.
Promising review: "I bought this product after seeing it on TikTok, and I can say that it lives up to the hype. I have used it overnight and before my makeup, and it works great either way. It makes my lips feel so soft and hydrated." —annadova
Get it from Amazon (available in five scents) or Sephora (available in five scents) for $24.
13. Or a trio of lip sleeping masks formulated with berry extract and vitamin C to help target dry and cracked lips. You can either use them all yourself or even split them up between friends.
Promising review: "This is the most moisturizing lip treatment in the market. When my lips started getting dry I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it’s soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product." —Riya
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in six combos).
14. A Lovoir Winged Eyeliner Stamp because nothing, and I mean nothing, can stop you from having an amazing day when you create the perfect cat-eye in less than a minute. What's that? Oh yeah, that's just Marvel on the phone to get you to be the next star now that you have an amazing superpower.
See it in action on TikTok here!
Promising review: "Someone recommended this product for me on TikTok, I was unsure of the quality because it was such a cheap price. I have cried and swam, and this stuff doesn’t come off easy! It’s great. Not to mention it lasts a long time! I am happy with this brand." —Shay Lastowski
Get it from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in four sizes and styles).
15. An illuminating moisturizer perfect for those days when you don't want to wear foundation but still want a little something on your face. This moisturizer has a tint to it, so you'll get a nice light coverage while keeping your skin oh-so hydrated.
Promising review: "Didn’t need this but bought this due to watching a TikTok. Pleasantly surprised by the magical erasing powers. This product has magic dust. Gives you a great glow with the thinnest layer." —Kim Wilmot
Get it from Amazon for $13.15 (available in four shades).
16. An Onset soap eyebrow kit here to help you achieve that fully full brow look that's all the rage right now. The clear setting product will help add thickness, volume, and texture to your brows with just a couple of swipes. Just be careful because your friends may try to ~swipe~ this from you when they see how great it makes your brows look.
17. A foundation brush with the power to blend both liquid and powder makeup for a flawless finish. The bristles on the brush are dense but do not absorb the product, so it all goes right on your face.
Plus, it comes with a case!
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok. I’m a middle aged woman, so it’s difficult for me to admit that. I. LOVE. IT! It gives a flawless finish with little product. I have a compact foundation that comes with its own applicator sponge. I almost threw it out because I didn’t like the coverage. I tried this brush with it, and it’s perfect! It also comes in a plastic case, which is great because I travel a lot with my work and my other brushes get damaged sometimes." —Thayel M. Caison
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 13 colors).
18. A set of matte lipsticks about to put every other lipstick you've ever tried to shame (just read some of the reviews dragging more expensive brands). This lipstick goes on easy and stays on — even through eating a cupcake *and* a whole night out, as one reviewer confirms.
Promising review: "What can I say, I saw a TikTok about this lipstick and for $10 had to try it! The reviews are right, for some reason this lipstick is better than even $20 name brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but dries in under a minute and survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out, no smudging and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!" —Claire
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three color sets).
19. E.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer made to be lightweight so you barely feel it when you apply it before the rest of your makeup. But it will make a big difference in ensuring your foundation goes on even and smooth and stays in place all day long.
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and thought I'd take a chance. I have sensitive skin and have to watch what I use. I LOVE this product! It goes on smooth, and you don't need to use a lot. I put it on before I put on my foundation. It makes a huge difference. Highly recommend and will buy again!!" —Brooks Crim
Get it from Amazon for $10.
20. A set of iridescent mermaid makeup brushes you'll want to be ~part of your world~ because these beautiful brushes are also super practical. Reviewers say the soft and dense bristles help make makeup application easy.
Promising review: "Not only are these really pretty to use and fun, but they work very well and they are very soft. I like that the bristles are packed tightly so there’s no gaping. Very user-friendly and easy to use — the brushes do what they are designed to do. They blend, they pick up product. I love them. I’m very happy with them!" —Makeupby_laurenjade
Get a set of ten from Amazon for $7.99.
21. NYX The Brow Glue that'll basically work overtime to keep your eyebrow hairs in place exactly how you want them. It's formulated to be non-sticky and transparent, so it'll basically transform your eyebrows without leaving a trace behind!
22. Rare Beauty liquid blush available in both matte and dewy finish to give your face a little ~glow~. And it doesn't take much to achieve the look. Just put a dot or two on your cheekbones, and then blend it with a brush (or even your finger), and you'll be good to go.
Promising review: "I hope this never gets discontinued because it will take me forever to go through the bottle, but I love it. The color LOVE is so perfect, and I imagine will be great on so many skin tones. So pigmented. Honestly really fun to use. It seems overwhelming and like a lot of pigment, but it blends so well. TikTok make me buy it, and I definitely don’t regret it and will probably end up buying other colors." —AlexaX
Get it from Sephora for $23 (available in nine radiant shades and four matte shades).
23. A highly pigmented eyeshadow palette that comes with 40 matte, shimmer, and metallic shades, meaning you can essentially ~paint with all the colors of the wind~ when you do your eye makeup. This pallet is loved by everyone — from makeup newbies to professionals and everyone in between. It's a great palette at an incredible price for anyone who isn't afraid of a little color. Go for it!
Promising reviews: "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even-4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m. and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." —Daniel T Adams
"Best palette I've owned and you can't beat this price! The colors are beautiful and vibrant. They are also extremely pigmented, especially the shimmery colors, and they all seem to blend well. I'm happy to have every color I could ever want in an eyeshadow in the palm of my hands and I've been experimenting with colors I've never worn before!!" —Mary Diamond
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two color schemes).
24. Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High mascara because the ~sky's the limit~ when it comes to your lashes, and this mascara will help you get there. The formula is made with a mix of bamboo extract and fibers to help build the length of your lashes without clumping or weighing them down.
Promising review: "I bought this mascara after seeing it go viral on TikTok. This stuff is incredible. I've been using this mascara for two months, and it's still performing very well. I admit that I am not a fan of the packaging (it feels clunky, cheap, and plasticy), but it's the inside that counts, right? The formula builds well. The brush is the perfect length to grip and coat all of my lashes. It lengthens my short eyelashes after just one coat! I tested this against my more expensive mascaras, and it performed better than most!" —Gizelle Cade
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in three shades).
25. A Rhode peptide lip treatment that'll help restore and replenish dry lips and make them feel softer — without leaving a sticky residue behind. This tube may be a bit pricy for the size, but one BuzzFeed-er says it's absolutely worth it and may just become a product you use every single day (making your cost per wear basically nothing!!!)
BuzzFeeder Lara Parker says: "I, probably like many of you, have seen Hailey Bieber's line of 'peptide lip treatment' alllll over my TikTok and Instagram. And if there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I am both a sucker for buying lip-specific products, but I am also VERY picky about said lip products. So when I placed an order for the three-pack variety of Rhode's peptide lip treatments, my expectations were low. I thought, at best, it would feel nice on my lips and have a nice shine, and I would use it occasionally. However, as soon as they arrived, I knew that this would be something I used every single day. And since I placed that order a month ago, that is exactly what has happened without fail. The treatment (which I have tried in vanilla, unscented, and watermelon slice) has never made my lips peel, crack, or feel too sticky. It leaves them feeling slightly plump and luscious without a lasting residue that leaves its mark on every (reusable) straw I use. And the shine is nice! It's subtle but lovely. It makes me feel fancy, even when I put it on before bed. At $16 PER a little bottle, I was surprised by how small the size was, but I love it too much to not buy more at this point. BTW, my favorite is unscented or vanilla."
Get it from Rhode for $16 (available in four flavors).
26. A NYX mechanical eyeliner built with a creamy formula that makes it super easy to apply — it glides on and dries almost instantly, leaving you with the perfect look that will last all day long (no matter how hot and humid it is outside).
Promising review: "I'm HORRIBLE at applying eyeliner, so this was a godsend. It's creamy, so it doesn't snag on your eyelid when you apply it, but it dries out in a minute or so, so it actually lasts all day. If I want a darker look, I put on black or navy eyeliner and then apply this on top — it smooths over the shakiness of the dark eyeliner and looks a whole lot more interesting (like I actually put work into it, when I really didn't). I used to use a different liquid eyeshadow, but I found this and it works so much better — it stays on for a lot longer, doesn't fade, and actually reaches the lid line. Even though it stays on for a while (all day — 10+ hours), it comes off really easily with a wipe or micellar water. It's great for covering mistakes or simply as a stand-in so you don't have to project to the world that you have no clue what you're doing with eyeliner." — Anonymous 1
Get it from Amazon for $7.54+ (available in 13 colors).
27. Alleyoop's pen pal you may think is one of those super-cool multicolored pens you used in grade school, but is actually a 4-in-1 makeup tool. You'll have eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and a highlighter right at your fingertips. Doing your makeup in the morning has never been easier!
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business creating compact and multi-functional makeup products!
Promising review: "This pen is amazing. I travel a lot for work, and it's so nice to just have to grab this rather than four different pieces of makeup. The less things I have to remember, the better!" —Rachel B.
Get it from Alleyoop for $20 (available in three shades).
28. Stila stay all day waterproof liquid eye liner that won't budge even if your boyfriend takes you out to dinner where you think he's going to propose, but he dumps you instead.
Don't worry, this eyeliner will look just as good when you graduate from Harvard Law School as valedictorian and he graduates with no job offers. 💁♀️
Promising review: "At first I was skeptical as to why this eyeliner is 'so great,' but then one day, I decided to cry three times with this product on my eyes...let me just say, IT DID NOT BUDGE!! I have tried other felt-tip eyeliners, and they were really similar to this product, but this one has the absolute BEST staying power. For real. You will not regret buying this!" —Jay
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in eight colors).
And read our full review of the Stila Stay All Day liquid eyeliner here.
30. A sun milk about to be your new BFF because it's basically the only thing you need to apply to your face first because it acts as a sunscreen *and* primer. It also works to help even your skin tone and create a smooth base for makeup. Plus, it has a double-layer UV-blocking system that can last through sweat and water. WOW!
In the photos above, the reviewer shows their skin before applying, after applying, and then with a layer of makeup on top.
Promising review: "For me, this goes on almost like a primer, which I really like when I have to apply makeup to my already oily skin during the hot, humid Texas summers. I can reapply later on top of what's already on my face, and it still looks and feels matte and slightly moisturized with the sun protection I want." —christine
Get it from Amazon for $19.50.
31. Glossier Boy Brow to thicken, shape, and groom your eyebrows in seconds and give them a new life — one that you'll be obsessed with.
Promising review: "Boy Brow is the best brow product I have ever tried. I have been using it for years, and it has never been surpassed. I have quite thin brow hairs, and they aren't very full, and Boy Brow fills them out just enough to enhance what is naturally there. And they stay in place through anything! I usually just use a little bit of Boy Brow and the Like lipstick and it is just enough to bring out your features. It is also great if you double up the application for more of a thicker brow look." —katherine
Get it from Glossier for $20 (available in seven shades).
And read one BuzzFeed editor's full review of Boy Brow here (#5).
32. A lip-plumping gloss set made with a mix of vitamin E and collagen to help make your lips look fuller without having to shell out a bunch of $$$$ for filler. It comes with two tubes — one that you apply at night and one for daytime use that will help give your lips a little plump.
You'll get one lip plumper and one minty sleeping mask for your lips.
Promising reviews: "I loved this stuff, it was magic. The evening moisturizer was fabulous. It is the first plumper that actually works for me. Will be buying more for gifts!!!!!" —Alexandra
"I discovered this product from TikTok, and I had to give it a try. I tried the day lip plumper and within a few seconds, there was a subtle tingling/burning that lasted for a few minutes but as it occurred, the plumping started to happen! It made a noticeable difference and made my lips look like I had filler! I'm obsessed!! —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
33. L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Powder Foundation because it's bound to be your new favorite foundation as soon as you try it. It's a full-coverage powder that blurs redness and acne, has a matte finish, and stays put all day. Yes, the foundation can basically do it all!
Promising review: "I have purchased this three times in the color Sienna, and it is perfect! It's totally worth all the hype on TikTok. This is a very emollient powder that sticks to the skin. I prep with sunscreen then use this. The fragrance dissipates quickly. I noticed the actual powder is bouncy to the touch. I have not used the pelican or sponge it comes with. I like to use a powder brush. It gives me full coverage, and I look flawless all day. I also don’t need to blot. And I am very oily. I will certainly continue to repurchase. This is the best powder I have tried since Mac Studio Fix." —Maria Webba
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in seven shades).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.