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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.
These all get 5 stars from us...
BuzzFeed Staff
BuzzFeed Contributor
I adore this blush. I purchased it after seeing someone use it in a makeup routine on TikTok and HAD to have it. I have the color raspberry which seems bold and bright, but a little dab goes a longgggg way. I know this stick will last me a while and the blush stays on all day. This is great for anyone with dry skin who wants the perfect flush but doesn't love that powders can emphasize dry patches on the skin. This is my fave wintertime blush.
Get it from Sephora for $28 (available in four shades).
Promising review: "I typically hate lip gloss, but this lip gloss is not sticky at all and is actually so smooth! The color pops nicely and it makes your lips appear fuller and smoother. It also lasts ever eating and drinking. I’m usually a huge matte lipstick person, but I fell in love with this gloss." —Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $12.60 (available in 31 shades).
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.
Promising review: "Amazing! Lasts forever on your clothes which I love. I would describe the smell as sexy and it has been my staple for years now. Black Opium can do no wrong in my eyes. Will definitely turn heads when you walk by and have them ask, 'What perfume are you wearing? You smell so good!'" —semxo
Get it from Sephora for $30+ (available in five sizes).
Promising review: "This is perfect if you like long-lasting matte lipstick. I wore it for my wedding: The lipstick lasted through hours with food, kissing, and heat without smudging or any change in how it looked. I have eaten fried chicken, burritos, pasta, and tons of other things while wearing this lipstick and it stayed on perfectly without needing any real touch ups. Seriously my holy grail liquid lipstick." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.98 (available in 42 colors).
Promising review: "I've been wanting a glow facial for a while now, but I didn't want to pay those expensive spa prices. I'm so grateful to have run across this amazing product. I can definitely see the difference after just one treatment! I'm so excited about my results. I will be ordering more." —Taquila Gordon
Get it from Amazon for $21.50.
Promising review: "These are amazing! I warm up my face with hot water and leave areas for application wet, then apply the strips! I have acne-prone skin and 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 $7.62.
The only time I have ever tried hair extensions before these was for prom in high school (which was 10 years ago...) and they did not look great on me. I recently saw these pop up on TikTok and had to give them a whirl, especially since they were under $20. These are super easy to apply and do a really great job of blending in with your hair. I will say it may take an order or two to figure out which color suits you best (I ordered two pairs and returned one). I am in love with using these for a volumized low pony, or a chunky side braid. They even look great mixed in with some beachy waves. If you have wanted to play around with longer hair, try these out!
Promising review: "I love how simple this is to put on. I think it's especially great if you're looking to add a few extra inches in length and/or volume/thickness to your hair! Just style your hair, throw this on, brush it out a bit, and go. Super easy! I have a lot shorter hair though (shoulder length) so it too a bit more work to style and blend but I think I mostly got there! It just looks like I have layers :) A ponytail or braid would blend it even better probably. Either way I think this is great. I love how easy it is to put it on or take it off and I don't have to deal with glue or clips." —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three lengths/styles and 39 colors).
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 $13.99+ (available in 11 shades).
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 $30.25+ (available in two sizes). If the rounder blow dry brush isn't cutting it, try this paddle brush option that reviewers with 3A–4C hair say works incredibly well!
Check out our John Frieda Hot Air Brush review to learn why a BuzzFeed editor recommends this.
BuzzFeed writer Marquaysa Battle has this palette and loves it:
"So I'm all into makeup that helps me whip up a quick face without trying too hard. This blush palette helps me add a lil' flush to my face in just a couple of dabs. It's super buildable so you can go subtle the way I like to or get super glam with a deeper blush look. I also use this palette on my eyes and lips too. It's easy to use, the four colors can be layered to create a custom shade, and it lasts a LONG time. This will literally be the only blush you ever need. It's definitely one of my smartest cheap makeup grabs."
Get it from E.l.f. Cosmetics for $8.
Promising review: "Even during this stay-at-home era, I continue to wear at least basic makeup to make ME feel good. This gloss is a perfect color and the price can’t be beat. Also appreciate that it’s both flavorless and fragrance free." —Karen Templeton
Get it from Amazon for $3 (available in six shades).
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 five shades).
Promising review: "Stila is the absolute best liquid eyeliner I have ever tried. It doesn't fade or crack and stays on through sleeping and tears. It's very smudge-proof and it does not flake AT ALL. It dries quickly and stays. It's also easy to clean off at the end of the day. No hard scrubbing to get it off — makeup wipes will take it off easily. It's amazing for creating perfect wings or drawing artfully for Halloween. It's perfect for everyday subtle looks and for getting more creative and wild. I can use this eyeliner for months at a time without having to repurchase." —Kyra
Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in eight colors).
Learn more about its power in our Stila Stay All Day eyeliner review. It also won best mid-priced liquid eyeliner.
This spray is vegan and cruelty-free.
Promising review: "Having been a 'tomboy' the majority of my life, learning to apply makeup without looking like a clown was my first hurdle. Thankfully, after a few years of practice and numerous YouTube tutorials later I'm halfway decent at my makeup. Well, I'm only as decent as long as my makeup lasts. With just a few sprays of this, my makeup stays exactly as it was applied and my face doesn't even get oily anymore. I haven't tested it but I'm pretty sure I could sleep in my makeup and wake up with it looking just as good. I definitely recommend this finishing spray and will be buying again when I'm out. (You'll see a day and night comparison in my photos.)" —FlamePrincess
Get it from Amazon for $6.73+ (available in matte or dewy finishes).
Don't forget the apple cider vinegar you'll need for mixing!
Promising review: "It's such a holy grail. I recommend this to everyone I know. Whenever my skin acts up and I get hormonal acne, I use this and it immediately calms down. I use it once a week in combination with apple cider vinegar, and it does wonders. The only downside is that it's such a pain to take off." —Neera
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
This mascara is gluten-free and cruelty-free!
Promising review: "This mascara is my holy grail mascara. I never knew a cheap mascara could be so good! Very decently priced. My eyelashes are barely existent without mascara. This darkens and thickens my eyelashes. I get so many compliments wearing this." —Emily
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
Check out our Essence Lash Princess mascara review for more deets!
Promising review: "I love how they call it 'potion' because it really works like magic! This primer is a must-have for anyone who loves makeup. It intensifies your eyeshadow color and never, ever does it let your eyeshadow crease. I've even worn it for more then 24 hours and my eye makeup will still be flawless. Application is easy — I like to start applying shadow when it's still a little wet to get a bolder, rich, intense color. I will forever use this eyeshadow primer." —tdotcat
Get it from Sephora for $13+ (available in two sizes).
Promising review: "This shadow is way more pigmented than I had expected. It's very easy to pick up color and it slides on effortlessly! I've tried the Naked palette and this compares almost the same! I'd say if you are on a budget and need a good shadow with multiple colors, LA Girl Nudes is your holy grail! It will be my go-to from here on out!" —Rachelle Mattei
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
Promising review: "If you have issues with acne (especially those nasty whiteheads) but can't afford all the fancy step-by-step treatments out there, you at least need to buy these. This truly worked at minimizing my pimples, sucking up the wound, and keeping big pimples from getting worse. It really does draw up the pus to the patch! I leave one on overnight and just slowly peel off and then wipe away any remaining pus. I even let my mom who was visiting try it on her pimple and she loved them, so I had to order more!" —Megan Meehan
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99.
Bathing Culture is a small business located in San Francisco that offers a range of skincare and bath products in the most aesthetically pleasing packaging imaginable. They're made from plants and minerals with no synthetic chemicals and zero plastic packaging.
Promising review: "This hydrosol has completely reinvigorated my skincare routine. The packaging could not be more aesthetically pleasing and the spritzer sprays the most perfect, gentle mist I've ever experienced from a facial spray. I have really sensitive, easily irritated skin and this hydrosol has worked wonders. My skin is soothed and refreshed with each spray." —kristen
Get it from Bathing Culture for $20 (Shop Pay is available).
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).
Promising review: "I have basically no eyelashes to begin with, but this mascara actually made it look like I have them! It goes on in sufficient amounts and really volumizes. I do not have to put on a billion coats to get the look I want. It's quick and easy and really is what the name states." —NataliaMatusz
Get it from Sephora for $15+ (available in two sizes).
Promising review: "I was definitely hesitant to buy this foundation at first because of all of the hype and because I had never bought a 'luxury' foundation before. But this exceeded all of my expectations! This is a nice medium coverage foundation, which means if you don’t want to look too heavy, you can just apply one layer and be good. But if you need to, you can build it up in areas you need more coverage and it doesn’t look cakey. At first, I was afraid this would be too matte and cling onto my dry patches. It doesn’t do that at all. It’s a nice soft matte and honestly feels like I’m wearing nothing. Plus, the shade range is perfect. I’ve never had a foundation that matches my skin as well as this one. I’ll definitely be repurchasing this as it is my new go-to foundation. It's for sure worth it. Thanks, Rihanna!" —NicComputer
Get it from Sephora for $15+ (available in 50 shades).
Check out our Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation review to learn more!
This micellar water works for all skin types and is paraben-, fragrance-, sulfate-, and silicone-free.
Promising review: "Holy grail of makeup remover! This stuff is ahh-mazing! Your dry skin will be no more. I have dry skin that it exacerbated by the dry, hot Texas summers and the cold, windy winters. Constant use of makeup wipes make my face dry and I don't like the feel of my skin after using them. Lately, I have been in love with liquid lipsticks. The use of the micellar water cuts my makeup removal time in half. My skin feels soft and my lips are kissable! You won't regret this purchase!" —Gr84lmom
Get it from Amazon for $6.39.
Check out our Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water review and see why it won best makeup remover!
Promising review: "I stumbled upon this product after searching for something to really ramp up my skincare routine. I wasn’t really expecting much, but to my surprise this has quickly become the holy grail product in my routine! The biggest impact I’ve seen is on my uneven skin tone. I’ve got some red patches around my cheeks (not sure if I’d call it rosacea) and after continuous use of this for about a week, I’ve seen a huge difference! Just ordered my second bottle!" —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
Thirsty for more info? Check out our TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C serum deep dive.
AJ Crimson is a BIPOC-owned small business founded by celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson. According to their site, “I felt like there was an absolute need to bring products to women of color that actually worked and didn’t oxidize or change."
Promising review: "The Ex-Factor shade is BEAUTIFUL for darker-skinned woman. OMG, this color gave me life when I put it on. At first, it seemed super dark; but then it was very nice on my lips. I loved so much that I wore it to the gym :-) and felt amazing during my workout." —Sandra D Troutman
Get them from AJ Crimson for $20 (available in a variety of shades).
Promising review: "I'm not one to leave reviews, but this product deserves it! Holy cow! I was going to go into the salon to brighten my hair up, but after discovering this product I cancelled my appointment. I'm totally in love! This shampoo is not drying at all and just after two washes I achieved my desired results! I can't recommend it enough!" —Rachael B.
Get it from Amazon for $9.70.
Ready to get your platinum back in action? Check out our Fanola No Yellow purple shampoo deep dive for more info.
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 $12 (available in nine shades).
Shape Tape's vegan formula includes shea butter to help retain skin elasticity, mango seed butter to moisturize, and licorice root oil to color correct and brighten.
Promising review: "I have severe dark circles under my eyes and this is the only concealer that I will ever use. Once I tried it I was hooked. It's the only full coverage concealer that stays on all day and doesn't look cakey once applied. It doesn't even matter if I use too much, because it blends so nicely." —Cara C
Get it from Tarte for $29 (available in 35 shades).
Learn more in our full Shape Tape review.
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).
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.
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.
This cleanser is oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, allergy tested, and dermatologist tested.
Promising review: "When I was about 21, I switched to a birth control implant, and that thing wreaked havoc on my entire life. I suddenly had horrible cystic acne. Not only did it make me self-conscious and uncomfortable, but it was actually so painful — laying on my pillow hurt my face! I tried every skincare line on the market for about three years with no, or very little, results. I tried essential oils, raw honey, all-natural soaps and salves, but nothing helped. Finally, I found La Roche-Posay's skincare products. Within four days, the inflammation decreased, the redness was fading, and my skin felt less dry. By two weeks, my skin was practically clear! I have been using this product for about five years now and I haven't had a single outbreak, EXCEPT for the time I wanted to try a different product to save money. Huge mistake — one I will not make again. I get compliments on my skin regularly, and I feel confident not wearing makeup. Give this system a chance!" —LadyHawke
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Promising review: "I have purchased three jars of this and can't go a day without putting it on morning and night. I used to having drooping eyelids and fine lines and textured skin. I started using this product three months ago. It's not an overnight fix, but with time and consistent use, I noticed a big difference. I have actually stopped having to wear heavy makeup everyday. Most days I just put this on with some mascara and lip color, and go. Life-changing." —Holly
Get it from Amazon for $24.95.
Learn more about why the people love this eye gel in our Baebody Eye Gel review.
The moisturizer works for all skin types and is oil-, phthalate-, paraben-, and sulfate-free.
Promising review: "Aqua Bomb moisturizer is easily my desert island skincare product. Although I have dry-leaning combination skin, I hate most moisturizers because creamy formulas feel heavy and just yucky to me, especially under makeup. Aqua Bomb's gel-like consistency absorbs like a dream. It's soothing to stressed out skin in the winter and cooling through the heat of summer. I recommend it to friends of all skin types because it gives your skin that bouncy hydration it craves without feeling oily in the slightest. I've put it on every night and most mornings for years and have no plans of stopping anytime soon!" —Rachel Dunkel
Get it from Sephora for $22+ (available in three sizes).
Touch in Sol is a POC-owned brand from South Korea whose mission is to put the fun back in makeup.
Promising review: "Even after only the first use, I was blown away by this primer. I honestly didn't think a primer could do what this one does. It went on very smoothly and didn't feel greasy whatsoever. All during my super-long day at work (12-hour shift), my makeup didn't budge and my face looked so smooth and satiny under my makeup. I have moderate to severe acne so my skin is generally fairly oily, but it's has also been very dry lately, and this primer made it so my makeup didn't crease at all or cling to dry patches on my skin. I can't emphasize enough how surprised I was every time I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror to see how smooth my makeup still looked." —MMkay13
Get it from Amazon for $15.50.
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 $6.99.
The set comes with a double-ended pen for each eye — one side with the wing stamp, and the other with a traditional liquid eyeliner tip.
Promising review: "Actual holy grail! This eyeliner has changed my life. I know that sounds suuuper dramatic (and it is), but it’s true! I have been doing cat eyeliner for the past six years and I’m somehow STILL horrible at it. I also recently had a baby, so my daily 10–20 minutes of attempting a passable cat eye was chucked out the window and replaced with a sad, under-five-minute routine. I ordered this on a whim thinking it might help and after the first application, I knew I had found my answer! This stuff is SO easy to apply and actually looks really good. Now I get to feel a little more like myself even if all I’m doing that day is changing diapers." —Katelyn
Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in three sizes).
Promising review: "My hair has been very dry and damaged from too much straightening and curling, and my ends were starting to look terrible. To be honest, I have thin hair, do not get haircuts often, and I blow-dry, straighten, or curl my hair almost every single day — my hair goes through a lot on a daily basis. I heard about this product from a relative who is a hairstylist and she said she uses it often and it is amazing. My hair was silky and soft with less visible damage and that was only after one use. I am very positive it will only get better the more I use it and the longer I keep in on my hair if it worked this well after only one 15-minute treatment." —Gina
Get it from Amazon for $28.
Read my colleague's Olaplex No. 3 review to learn more!
This palette is both cruelty-free and vegan!
Promising review: "WOW. I am blown away by this palette. I didn't have much hope in it at first. It is really cheap and I was unfamiliar with the brand. I am an African American with yellow undertones. Eyeshadow can be really hard to show up if not pigmented unless we go through hell to prime or find some cheat. NOT THE CASE WITH THIS SHADOW! It is beautifully pigmented and easily layered for more bold color. The palette is full of colors you can wear every day, night, season, and occasion. Some are matte and some are shimmery. Great selection. I recommended this to friends and family. Very pleased!" —M.Harrow
Get it from Amazon for $15.93 (available in two colorways).
Promising review: "I have been searching for something as effective as this for a long time now. I have extremely oily skin. I live in the Caribbean and whether I wear foundation or not, very early in the day my face is covered in oil, mostly over my T-zone. I tried this and it is excellent. It picks up the oil quickly, leaving my face naturally matte for hours. I am well-pleased with the light weight of the sheets. The pack fits perfectly in my purse or jeans pockets. I have no dislikes. I will stock up on it. Anyone with oily skin will find this as a must-have." —Melisa
Get a 100-pack from Amazon for $6.95 (available in three styles).
Learn more about who SO many people swear by these in our PleasingCare oil-blotting sheets deep dive.
Promising review: "I've had dry lips forever, and they tend to flake and crack. Any lip balm that I had used would work for maybe an hour before I need to reapply. This balm keeps my lips so hydrated and moisturized all day long! I even like to apply it at night as a 'lip mask' and I wake up with nicely hydrated lips. It's a little overpriced, it a little goes a long way. I'll never repurchase another brand of lip balm again." —ellen
Get it from Ulta for $16.95.
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).
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.