32 Beauty Products (With Wow-Worthy Results) That Are All Treats, No Tricks
Deep cleaning pore strips, a stunning pigmented eyeliner, and long-lasting liquid glitter eyeshadow.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips remove dirt and oil from clogged pores. The satisfaction of peeling this off is incredible.
Promising review: "This deep-cleansing pore strips are amazing! I warm up my face with hot water and leave areas for application wet, then apply the strips! Having an acne prone skin this really removes all the blackheads!! I also take a face strip and cut it in half for chin and forehead." —kat12
Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $7.52.
2. Tower 28 Daily Rescue Facial Spray soothes dry skin and is perfect to keep handy in your bag every day. It's great for sensitive skin and doesn't contain alcohol, oil, or fragrance.
Tower 28 is small woman-owned business based in Los Angeles, California. The founder, Amy, started the brand after after working 15+ years in the beauty industry. The company works to create non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products that are perfect for any skin type.
Promising review: "I started to experience hormonal cystic acne at a time where I had to wear a mask for 40 hours a week. I stopped wearing makeup to work, took certain foods out of my diet, and I tried so many skincare products to help bring my acne to a stop and nothing worked. It was really messing with my self-esteem to the point where I stopped putting makeup on and lost my passion for a moment. It wasn’t until I added this spray to my skincare routine that I found some relief. This is one of the two products that truly helped me. I see a major difference." —bwilliams18
Get it from Sephora for $12+ (available in two sizes).
3. Fanola Purple Shampoo brightens and maintains blonde tresses without having to shell out big bucks for toning appointments at the salon. Invest in this shampoo, you won't be sorry.
Just don't use it for more than three minutes (once a week), because then your hair will turn lavender (unless you're into that, which some reviewers are!!!).
Promising review: "I never write reviews, but this shampoo is amazing. I always struggle with brassy tones almost immediately after getting highlights and I can never find a good no-yellow shampoo until now. My stylist recommended this and it did not disappoint. After leaving it on for about four minutes, my hair looks like I just got it done professionally again. It does still leave hair a bit dry, but not as dry as some other purple shampoos. I plan on using this once a week at least to help keep my perfect tone between highlights. 100% recommended to anyone who struggles with the brass!" —Kassandra
Get it from Amazon for $11.42 (available in three sizes).
For more info, check out "If You Color Your Hair Blonde, You Need This Purple Shampoo."
4. Grande Cosmetics' Lash Serum promotes lash growth so you can ditch the makeup since your lashes will already look bomb on their own.
Promising review: "I really wish I would have taken 'before' pics. My hairdresser told me about this stuff and said 'it works so good I had to stop using it every night.' I thought to myself 'Oh yeah, lashes too long, no such thing' but I on my second tube and I'm going to start using every other night. My lashes are so long, and it's like I have a double row of lashes. My bottom lashes are thicker too. I rarely write reviews but wanted to share because it really really works." —Asc
Get a three-month supply from Amazon for $65.
5. Hello Charcoal Teeth Whitening Paste provides a satisfyingly gross scrubbing on your teeth, but will have them whiter with each brush.
Promising review: "Love love love it! It made my mouth feel clean and fresh — and my teeth have been whitened!! I've tried the powder charcoal teeth whitener and I hated it. This product is amazing!" —Misty O'Brien-Barques
Get it from Amazon for $4.82.
6. Zombie Face Masks minimize enlarged pores and fine lines after just minutes on the skin (15 to be exact)! Invite your pals over for a summer slumber party and go face mask crazy. (Who's bringing the wine?)
Promising review: "I'm 27 and this is my second time purchasing these masks. I use these about once every other week or so. I have seen drastic improvements in my skin. After one use my skin was not nearly as dry and flaky. My face seemed a lot more supple and plump as well. After continued use, I have noticed my fine lines on my forehead are less noticeable and the overall texture of my skin is more smooth compared to bumpy looking. I also noticed I don't look as tired even though I'm exhausted lol. My uneven skin tone has improved and my face has brightened some. I live and work in the city and I think you can tell by my skin appearance but after using these my skin looks fresh, soft, and has a nice glow to it even after one use. I will continue to keep these masks stocked in my vanity." —Rachel
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $30.92.
7. L'Oreal Voluminous Primer Mascara goes on white and adds additional fibers to lengthen and thicken lashes so your new summer makeup routine will consist of lash primer and mascara...and nothing else. (If you've been saying you want lash extensions, this is your inexpensive solution.)
Over the years I've noticed my lashes falling out and they're not as voluminous and long as they once were (*cries*). This mascara primer has changed all of that. I use it in tandem with the Thrive Causemetics mascara for a dynamic duo that hasn't failed me yet. The primer base adds a noticeable amount of fibers to thicken my thin lashes, which gives me a full lash look.
Get it from Amazon for $6.74.
8. Maybelline Concealer supplies the illusion that you've gotten your beauty rest even if you are in fact on your third cup of coffee of the day and it's only 2 p.m... This brightens and covers dark circles so you'll look ~fresh~ throughout the day.
Promising review: "Best coverage for under-eye bags and dark circles! I have used a lot of expensive eye products in the past and this has them all beat. I have light to medium olive complexion and was perplexed as to what color to choose. I went with the Brightener and it was a perfect match. My daughter is darker olive and it also looks good on her. Looks and feels great and can't beat the price." —Ana R.
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $4.33 (available in 18 shades).
9. Purlisse BB Cream features SPF 30 to protect skin, while supplying a flawless, smooth finish that isn't too heavy. This is great for sensitive skin and it's also vegan and cruelty free.
Promising review: "The best BB cream I have ever used. I spent years trying to find something that protected my skin, went on smoothly, and looked good all day long. I even tried ones from other countries and thought that maybe my standards were too high until I found this. Even my husband says that this BB cream is the best he has ever seen on me (and he has seen a lot). If you want that wonderfully natural no-makeup makeup look then this is what you want to use." —Anthony Russell
Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in 11 shades).
10. Schick Facial and Eyebrow Razors help you keep on top of your brows between your waxing sessions or to forego them altogether. I love these for cleaning around my jawline and my upper lip!
I always utilize these with a facial serum or moisturizer to make hair removal on my sensitive skin less harsh. They're way more manageable to use than an actual razor and are incredibly satisfying to see how much peach fuzz comes off after each shave.
Promising review: "I love 💕 these little razors for all that peach 🍑 fuzz. My face looks so smooth now!!! They’re really easy to use. I had no idea there was such a product! My aesthetician used something similar on my face and I thought 💭 I can do that!! So glad I found it!" —Patti16
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $4.99.
11. Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon provides a rich layer of long-lasting color (up to eight hours to be exact), and it's smudge- and transfer-proof. Talk about a lippie staple.
Promising review: "Love this lipstick. I work in the operating room and in addition to wearing a masks during surgery, I am wearing one the moment I walk into work. Sometimes 12 plus hours. This lipstick goes on in the morning and it stays on. Why do I wear a lipstick under a mask? Because I do. It keeps my lips moist and beautiful and it doesn’t come off on the mask." —Daniela
Get it from Amazon for $6.64 (available in 31 shades).
12. Denman Hair Brush cuts down styling time and also helps brush through knotty post-shower hair without the pain. The evenly spaced bristles will keep curls nicely defined and bouncy.
This brush is great for 3c/b hair!
Promising review: "I love this brush! I ordered because I saw a YouTube video of a girl with curly hair using it, and her curls came out amazing! I always do wash-and-gos, and I usually would only brush/comb my hair in the shower style it once I was out, but sometimes if I waited a little longer to style it, my hair would get dry and frizzy. It would be almost impossible to get my curls defined without getting back in the shower. With this brush, now all I have to do it spray my hair with water, put product in it, and comb it through with this brush, and my curls are poppin'! My image shows before and after use of the brush about 30 minutes after getting out of the shower. The brush is also very sturdy and you can take rows out if you want a looser curl!" —Kirstie
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in three styles and eight colors).
13. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream infuses skin with shea butter and calms with oatmeal so any flaking skin can stop, well — flaking. This is thicker than your typical face cream in case that lightweight one you currently own just isn't cutting it.
Promising Review: "I absolutely LOVE this moisturizer. I’m a total beauty addict, and there isn’t much I haven’t tried in the way of skincare. This product really stands out! It has an amazing, thick texture and a lovely scent. I was blown away when I put this cream on my face. It felt so soothing and took away the redness! I can’t recommend this moisturizer enough to anyone who has sensitive skin, has a skin condition like eczema, or is like me and uses strong skincare products. Plus, it’s insanely moisturizing. That being said, it is not one of those moisturizers that you use and it instantly soaks right into the skin. This cream does actually feel like a cream, but I wouldn’t say that it feels greasy. I will always have a big tub of this stuff around for sure. It really does work wonders on dry skin!" —ilamarie10
Get it from Sephora for $16+ (available in three sizes).
14. Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 works to repair damaged hair to a ~like-new~ state. It starts at the cuticle to strengthen and smooth hair.
Promising review: "Magic, I swear this stuff is made from unicorns. I was doubtful, given that I have tried the gamut of hair-conditioning treatments (yes, yes, I know this is NOT a conditioner, but a bonder) and all I have to say is WOWZA! After some really harsh processing (got my hair from dark dark brown to very very blonde so I could add funky colors), my hair more closely resembled hay than it did actual hair and as the weeks went on, the breakage started getting worse. I tried this as my last feeble attempt to salvage my locks after a friend recommended it and I am BLOWN AWAY by the results! It really does work." —shel.b.phd
Get it from Amazon for $28.
15. Avarelle Acne Patches vanish breakouts overnight. We all know the feeling of stress breakouts (no thank you), so these will be your secret weapon.
They also blend into the skin so they can be worn throughout the day and not just at night!
Promising review: "I’ve been experimenting with these for the last month and a half, and I am in love. They are really thin and blend into my highly freckled face incredibly well...I have gone out in public twice with them on, because when I did my last second mirror check before I got out of the car, I didn’t notice I had them on! While they absolutely help clean out the skin underneath, the biggest thing it does for me is stops me from touching my face. When I'm stressed out, I will absentmindedly touch/run my hands along my face and jaw constantly. Now, when I notice I’m doing that, I run into the bathroom and put these on any spots I have. Since they are thin and stick really well, I am able to leave them alone and stop touching my face." —MelsBells
Get a box of 40 round patches for $8.49.
16. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner features a waterproof formula that doesn't budge even through sweaty workout sessions. A winged liner that lasts all day? Magic.
Promising review: "I literally just received this eyeliner in the mail, tried it on, and had to write a review! Awesome product, buy it now. Very dark, very easy to put on (nice sharp point), and I'm a very happy customer. After a one hour-long Body Combat class in the middle of summer in a crowded room with hardly any air-conditioning, I was VERY curious to see how this eyeliner would hold up. At the end of the class I checked it out and there was NO smudging or flaking. That is seriously impressive!" —Taylor Ross
Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in 12 colors).
17. Moroccanoil Cream defines and preserves curls so they stay intact and bouncy all day.
Promising review: "I love this stuff! It can be used alone and it will keep my curls soft and nice. If it's humid out I still use a small amount of gel to finish it off to keep it from frizzing out but I think this is my favorite curl cream by far. I use Moroccanoil to moisturize my curls first, then this, and then gel if needed based on weather. I highly recommend this!" —Erica Bruno
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two sizes and in a value set).
18. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder sets makeup for a long-lasting look that comes in both translucent and color shades. It can even be used on its own as a light-wear foundation.
The powder comes with a little puff for application.
Promising review: "This powder is my holy grail! I am very pale with oily skin and it was hard for me to find a face powder that would keep my foundation in tact. I'd heard so many reviews about this item and I was very skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a try and it has been my go-to powder ever since. The container itself is designed so nicely and has a lot of product in it. Super happy that I decided to give this a try." —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $5.72 (available in seven shades).
19. Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant gently exfoliates to minimize the look of pores while simultaneously soothing skin so it's less inflamed and irritated.
"Not my skin, but I 100% vouch for this liquid exfoliant's amazingness. It's helped to even out my skin tone and control the hormonal acne around my mouth. It's the only thing I feel like has actually helped start to slow down those breakouts, and for that, I'm forever thankful. I apply a thin layer in the morning and at night after cleansing and before moisturizing." —Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed Staff
Promising review: "I have every skin issue you can think of. I’ve spent probably thousands on a multitude of different products, trying to find one that would at least make a dent. I’ve had many procedures, many trips to the dermatologist. Nothing I’ve ever used, nothing I’ve ever done, has made such a profound difference in the appearance of my skin. Having rosacea, my face often felt hot, bumpy, and burned. While my complexion is naturally fair and pink, this has seriously covered all my bases in a gentle and effective way. I’ve been trying to turn my skin around for YEARS! This was the product that did it. If I could give it 100 stars I would. It has seriously changed my life!" —hc
Get it from Amazon for $10+ (available in three sizes).
20. Glossier Cloud Paint functions as both a blush and lip color for those of us who are lazy (guilty), but want something fuss-proof that looks natural.
Promising review: "I'm SO OBSESSED with these blushes! I use the colors 'Dusk' and 'Beam'. I love using 'Dusk' on an everyday basis. It compliments my warm, light to medium skin tone really well and makes my cheeks look so fresh and glowy. I like using 'Beam' when I want a more bright cheek look. I like to apply the blush using my fingers. It gives my cheeks the perfect amount of color. GET THIS BLUSH! You won't regret it." —bittersweetmich
Get it from Glossier for $18 (available in six shades).
Learn more about why cloud paint is a must-have cosmetic in "This Gel-Cream Blush Is A Lazy Girl's Dream And Here's Why."
21. Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow adds a glimmering sheen to the lids without all that nasty fallout that comes from loose glitters. These are easy to apply and stay put for the most glamorous of eyelooks.
Promising review: "I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS STUFF. Great glitter payout with little to no fallout if you do it correctly, and you don't have to worry about the mess of glitter glue and messy loose glitter. I have accidentally slept in this overnight, twice, and was able to rock the glitter eyeshadow to work the next day with no touchups, and I didn't even use an eyeshadow primer either time, although I did use a setting spray. Give this a go if you are looking for sparkly eyeshadow." —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in nine shades).
22. Saie Glowy Super Gel adds a shimmer anywhere your heart desires. Mix it in with foundation or tinted SPF for a glowing complexion or apply on legs and arms for some dewiness.
Saie is a woman-founded small business based in NYC that strives to create clean beauty for all. High-performance products with sustainable packaging and good, clean ingredients is their motto.
Promising review: "I have very sensitive skin, and I have to be really particular about the base products I use (no silicones or waxes, no powders). The ingredients in this are perfect; it's such a lightweight texture, and it just gives a beautiful natural sheen to the skin. I use it every day now, and I feel like the bottle will last me a long time, so it's also a great value!" —Sarah M.
Get it from Saie for $25 (available in two shades).
23. EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleaner removes old makeup from brushes, sponges, and applicators and is hypoallergenic and free from parabens. Lingering makeup on brushes can be detrimental to skin health by causing breakouts and irritated skin — so just, like, wash your brushes, OK?
Promising review: "This cleanser is great! It fully removes all makeup from the brushes without leaving them feeling beat up (I'm not the most gentle when it comes to cleaning brushes). I use a thick foundation that soaks heavily into the bristles, but this removed it all. At first I thought it was a bit thin, but after using it, a little bit goes a long way. It has a nice lather, but very nicely and easily rinses out." —Kryssy
Get it from Amazon for $5.76.
24. CND SolarOil conditions cuticles with almond oil and vitamin E so you can say goodbye to dry skin. This also helps strengthen nails especially if you've recently taken off a gel manicure that may or may not have weakened your nails a bit.
Promising review: "I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything. A friend recommended a nail strengthener they saw on QVC. It was quite pricey and I wanted to make sure it was worth it so I read the reviews. One of the comments said just buy SolarOil. Since it was much more affordable than the QVC stuff, I tried it. I bought it in February. This size bottle lasted a bit more than a month religiously applying it two to three times a day. I was really seeing great improvement so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out and my nails were getting stronger every day. I then bought the big 4-oz refill bottle because I never want to run out of it again! Cannot recommend this stuff enough!" —Diana
Get it from Amazon for $8.50.
25. John Frieda Hot Brush supplies salon-status hair without the hefty price tag you can get slammed with at the salon. This'll style dry *and* wet hair and its ~ionic technology~ tames frizz and adds shine at the same time.
It has two heat settings plus a cool setting, as well as nylon- and ball-tipped bristles to gently detangle while creating volume.
Promising review: "I am no professional hair stylist, nor do I have time to do my hair everyday (mommy of two) but I must say this blow-dryer curling brush makes getting ready so much easier. I like my hair to have a lot of volume (I have thin hair) and my layers to show so this look is easy to achieve. I just sectioned my hair in small pieces, used this tool from my roots to the tip, then from the tip curled up (inwards) and rolled the brush around and out to keep the curl. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a nice easy blowout!" —L
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two sizes).
To learn why a BuzzFeed editor recommends this, check out "Your Hair Struggles Are Over Thanks To This Magical Hot Air Brush."
26. Dry Shampoo Powder rejuvenates second and third day hair, especially if it's getting a bit greasy. Pop some of this in for taming.
Promising review: "It makes my bangs and roots look fresh again. And I love that this is a powder and not a stinky aerosol spray. That also means that this lasts MUCH longer. I use it every other day when I don't wash my hair since I have very oily roots. I've been using it for almost a month and barely any is missing out of the bottle. A little goes a long way." —Rachel G.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
27. Chai Latte Nail Polish glosses nails with a minimalist neutral you'll wear beyond the fall season. Neutrals never go out of style.
Palate Polish is a small biz that specializes in making small-batch nail polishes 10 free, vegan, and cruelty free.
Get it from Palate Polish for $14.
28. Makeup A Murder Water-Activated Cream Liner puts your current black liner to shame with its gorgeous bright hues. For a pastel fall vibe — the Out Of Control shade is ~iconic~.
Makeup A Murder is a small business whose brand is based around tying together a love for bold makeup and a passion for forensic science and crime investigation — the name says it all.
To use the liner, all you have to do is add a drop of water to the pigment pot, dip your fave liner brush in, and line away.
Get it from Makeup a Murder for $5.95.
29. Refy Gloss Highlighter makes cheekbones pop with a natural shine for a supermodel glow. To say I'm obsessed with this would be an understatement. You also don't have to worry about overapplying; a little goes a long way. Missing that summer glow? This will bring it back.
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Refy is a woman-owned small beauty brand based in the UK. It was founded by beauty influencer Jess Hunt.
Let me be the first to say that sleek, minimalist makeup packaging immediately sucks me in, BUT, when the product itself is dewy, not overpowering, and looks like "your skin but better" I'm all in. This gloss highlighter is exactly that. It does stay a bit wet once you apply it so keep that in mind if you have an oily complexion. I have combination skin so I use this highlighter depending on how my skin is that day. On drier days, this is my holy grail and it looks so effortlessly beautiful on the skin I can't get enough.
Get it from Refy for $26.
30. Alder New York Smoothing Face Mask contains hyaluronic acid and clay that'll gently exfoliate and nourish skin. It has a creamy gel texture and features activated charcoal for a deep pore clean so after a long day of baked on makeup, you won't have to worry about breaking out.
Alder New York is a queer, woman-owned business based out of Brooklyn, NY. Their cleansing body bar is one of my favorite soaps EVER.
Get it from Alder New York for $24.99.
31. Tower 28 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation blends seamlessly into the skin that feels lightweight and supplies much needed protection from harmful UV rays. This light coverage foundation doesn't hide your skin like other heavyweight foundations, it just evens it.
All 14 shades were formulated with celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty (who works with clients like Awkwafina and Tess Thompson). They have a lightweight finish without any oiliness.
Tower 28 is small woman-owned business based in Los Angeles, California. The founder, Amy, started the brand after after working 15+ years in the beauty industry. The company works to create non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products that are perfect for any skin type.
I have always been fearful of using tinted sunscreen products since anything with SPF has always made my skin breakout and feel greasy. I have combination skin that leans more on the drier side in the cooler seasons and I was recently sent this foundation to test out. I love how this foundation feels like I'm wearing nothing on my skin, and it layers well with my other makeup products like setting powder, cream contour, and eyeshadow. If you want the protection of SPF but have never loved how oily it feels on the skin, try this tinted moisturizer, you will be floored at how amazing it feels and looks.
Get it from Sephora for $30 (available in 14 shades).
Post slaying your beauty routine.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.