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1. An Italia Deluxe lip liner set your pout (and your wallet) will sincerely thank you for. Twelve gorgeous colors for less than $10? Be still, my very broke heart.
2. A Coty translucent powder to set your makeup for a flawless finish — and one that will actually last.. Like, all day long! This is the perfect dupe for high-end products that also come with a high-end price tag (AKA way too high for my budget).
3. A Schick dermaplaning razor sent from heaven for people who are done with the pains of plucking and the expense of waxing. This rids stray brow hairs and unwanted peach fuzz, all while ridding your complexion of dead skin to reveal a smoother and brighter complexion.
4. A NYX setting spray to lock in your makeup, because it only took about three hours of blending to get it to look this way. So humidity, sweat, tears: it's all irrelevant when you've topped your foundation with this magic stuff, which works to mattify your makeup and prevent it from turning into a greasy mess (no small feat).
5. A Neutrogena clarifying shampoo because that ten pounds of dry shampoo you used two days ago is still trapped in your roots, but have no fear! This anti-residue wash deep cleans build-up that would otherwise lead to lack of body, excessive grease, and *gulp* stringiness.
6. Hydrocolloid, tea tree, and calendula oil Avarelle pimple patches you should slap on a zit to a) prevent picking, and b) speed up the ~draining~ process of said zit. Plus, these are transparent enough to wear while running errands without anyone in the world giving you a second glance.
7. A daily Cuccio oil you'll want to keep on hand if you're a gel manicure connoisseur (which, let's face it, destroys nail beds one acetone soak at a time). This blend of safflower, sunflower, and cotton seed oils works OT to strengthen your nails and hydrate your cuticles.
8. A silicone massage brush that works to *boost* the effectiveness of your daily cleanser by adding some gentle exfoliation with BPA-free bristles, which ensure your pores have been stripped of all "this will cause acne" remaining makeup.
9. A vegan Acure brightening scrub made with argan extract and chlorella gentle enough to exfoliate acne-prone skin without causing further inflammation or redness. It's also an absolute 🌟 superstar 🌟 at fading scars and brightening your skin.
10. A hibiscus- and coconut-scented Shea Moisture cream ideal for thicker hair, as this adds all-day hydration and shine without weighing down your 'do. It even works to tighten and define your curls in the process AKA Shirley Temple ringlets are in 👏 your 👏 future 👏.
11. A L'Oreal gel liner for beginners at the whole ~wing~ thing. Liquid eyeliner requires exact precision...but this brush applicator prevents you from picking up too much product, allowing for buildable shading you could smudge to perfection.
12. A vegan Malibu C treatment to prep your 'do for color application: Just leave this on for five minutes to remove color-blocking build-up, ~apply some dye~ within 24 hours, and voila! Your tresses are now a blank canvas that will allow for better color absorption and less fading after leaving the salon.
13. A buildable L'Oreal waterproof mascara that not only adds volume and length to your lashes, but it also does the unthinkable — and by unthinkable, I mean it won't smudge by mid-afternoon and create the dreaded ~panda eye~ effect. Like, I already have dark circles. I don't need mascara to enhance them.
14. An Essie polish available in a staple color that will never let you down: WICKED. This deep red hue is sure to become the ~little [almost] black dress~ of your manicure routine, with a high gloss finish that won't clash with whatever you're wearing. Ever.
15. A Maybelline eyebrow definer pencil with a dual-ended design that allows for natural-looking brows; just use one end for shading, and the opposite spoolie brush end for blending. The result? Facial caterpillars that look like twins (not sisters) with minimal effort/artistic skill required.
16. Bliss makeup wipes you'll want for those nights in which you are way too tired to cleanse, tone, and moisturize. These oil-free wipes contain aloe, chamomile, and marshmallow root to both cleanse *and* hydrate your face at the same darn time. (If you have sensitive skin, you'll want to try these ASAP.)
17. A Vivienne Sabó volumizing mascara with a clump-free, smudge-proof formula here to upgrade your lash game. One coat gives you the whole "your lashes but better" look, but two coats? Everyone will just assume you're wearing falsies. It's that good.
18. A deep pore-cleaning Aztec Secret clay mask with a powerful calcium bentonite clay to karate chop the crap out of cystic acne. Be sure to dilute this mask with either apple cider vinegar or water for the best results! AND! You can apply it with this golden facial mask brush.
19. A blending sponge to condense your many, many brushes into just one tool. This squishy BB can be used for everything from concealer to setting powder, all while providing a natural finish that is (*IMPORTANT*) not blotchy. It truly blends everything to perfection so that you don't have spots of cake-y, oompa loompa orange scatted across your cheekbones.
20. An OGX fade-defying oil that enlists the help of orchid extract and grape seed oil to give your ends some lightweight hydration while *also* providing protection against the ☀️. Consider this like a sunscreen for your haircare routine.
21. A formaldehyde-free Zoya polish designed with a wider brush, meaning you can disperse more polish onto your nail with just 👏 one 👏 stroke 👏. The brush also fans out a teeny bit, allowing for application onto the pesky corners of your nail.
22. Bioderma micellar water that tackles both makeup and excess oil in the laziest way possible: with just a few swipes of a cotton pad. Not only will this gentle formula leave your skin feeling refreshed, but it'll *also* prevent excess shine from creeping in mid-afternoon (at about the same time you're in desperate need of caffeine).
23. False lashes that aren't super dramatic, providing the perfect au naturale look for anyone who prefers that no-makeup makeup look.
24. A Hair Dance powder dry shampoo especially great at vacuuming up grease and adding volume sans any leftover chalky residue. Extending time between each hair wash is super important (excessive washing can lead to extra oil production, hair loss, color stripping, etcetera), and this is an easy way to avoid shampooing *without* feeling like a greaseball in the process.
25. A shampoo brush to increase the effectiveness of your shampoo by helping clear away built-up product in your scalp — the kind that would lead to dullness and lack of body. This little silicone tool also works to stimulate your scalp and improve circulation, which can lead to speedier hair growth!
26. An Ecotools makeup cleaner because YES, you need to deep clean your brushes. Not only are your makeup tools a breeding ground for bacteria (and a pimple apocalypse waiting to happen), but applying foundation with a brush covered in built-up foundation? Not ideal.
27. A Yes To cleansing stick you'll want to add to your morning routine, as this stuff works to ~wake up~ your skin as effectively as a cup of caffeine. This gentle scrub and cleanser efficiently gets rid of all icky impurities, while the coconut, avocado, and meadow foam seed oils work to leave your complexion feeling hydrated and supple.
28. A Maybelline highlighting stick that is the makeup equivalent of an entire pot of coffee. Just a few swipes on your cheekbones, cupid's bow, brow bone, and inner corner of your eyes will make the 🌎 of a difference.
29. A cruelty-free Milani lipstick infused with vitamins A and C to ensure that your pout doesn't feel drier than sandpaper whenever you wear it. Dare I say your lips will actually feel...nourished?!
30. A Garnier Fructis finishing spray that will become the ~pièce de résistance~ of your daily styling routine. This provides a non-sticky, light hold while texturizing every single layer to trick everyone into thinking your hair has body. If only they knew the (#thin, #flat, #boring) truth.
31. A ginger sugar overnight mask you apply before bed and voilà! You'll wake up to a nourished pout ready for even the most drying of matte formulas (because I'm just going to come out and say it...🗣️matte lipsticks look great, but they ARE drying as heck).
32. A TONYMOLY hydrating sheet mask capable of moisturizing even the most tired of skin, all while invigorating your senses with the scent of lavender — the kind of aroma that could lull you to sleep despite the fact that your upstairs neighbor feels the need to tap dance at 3 A.M.
33. A Maybelline foundation to answer your callout for medium-to-full coverage that looks both au naturale and has a matte finish to control even the greasiest of t-zones. It's also inexpensive!? Someone pinch me. I'm pretty sure I'm hallucinating.
34. An OGX shampoo to add a much-needed dose of moisture (AKA goodbye dry, itchy flakes on your scalp) and which contains the invigorating scent of peppermint to give you a jolt of energy even a 10th cup of coffee can’t deliver.
35. A coconut-scented, cream-to-powder Physicians Formula butter highlighter capable of giving your skin a luminous, "I drink a ton of water" glow. Sleep? You obviously got a ton of it last night.
36. NYX epic liner if you're tired of your liquid liner fading before your second cup of coffee (#rude). This stuff seriously will not budge and won't transfer/ruin your shadow if you have oily lids.
37. A Neutrogena foaming scrub guaranteed to make your complexion feel so minty fresh, you could consider it the skincare equivalent of a York Peppermint Patty. This glycerin-fueled exfoliating cleanser transitions from a gel formula into a bubbly foam, removing every trace of dirt, oil, and makeup as your continue to lather.
38. A L'Oréal two-step lipstick that guarantees no fading, no bleeding, no transfer, no need to reapply. How? One end contains color while the other contains a conditioning balm, designed to lock in color and prevent it from budging 👏 all 👏 day 👏 long 👏.
39. A paraben-free Bioderma moisturizing lipstick for long-lasting hydration that *won't* eventually dry out your lips even more. I know that you know what I'm talking about.
40. Pre-cut foil with cotton pads in the middle. Their use? To soak off your gel manicure — the one you've already had for three weeks and is starting to peel/catch in your hair when you shower. You haven't had time to make it to the salon before it closes and that is FINE, because you can just remove it yourself.
41. A coconut sugar Handmade Heroes lip scrub to prep your pout for bold lipstick. This will give you smooth, moisturized lips free of any flakes — and not the delicious, breakfast cereal kind.
42. A Maybelline concealer formulated with goji berry and Haloxyl because no one needs to know that you binged all of The Office yet again last night. Just a quick swipe of this and *poof* your dark circles are now a thing of the past.
43. A Mario Badescu facial spray infused with green tea, cucumber, and peppermint essential oil that can perk up even the most tired skin (goodbye dullness, hello to being enveloped in the heavenly scent of cucumber and peppermint). This formula is also super cooling, making it the perfect post-workout treat for your complexion.
44. Shadow shields to help you achieve a perfectly even smoky eye while avoiding the dreaded ~raccoon eye~ effect that comes from that grey shadow you love so much. These nifty little adhesives will collect all that fallout AKA you won't have subtle of smudges of shimmery brown sprinkled across your cheeks.
You, realizing you've been living a lie + paying WAY too much $$ subpar mascara:
Want more for your beauty routine? Check out these products for color-treated hair, this list of problem-solving products, products for an at-home manicure, or browse the rest of our beauty section for recommendations on everything from makeup to haircare.
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