27 Makeup Products For People Who Just *Can't* Today
Eyeliner stamps, multitasking bronzer and blush sticks, makeup erasers, and other exceptional options for anyone experiencing a "no bones" day.
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. Ilia's Multi-Stick was made for on-the-go use so you can swipe on a bit of lip and cheek color whether you're in an Uber, on the subway, or walking to brunch. While you can use a dense brush for application, your finger works just as well so you don't need to carry any extras if you're traveling light.
Promising review: "I love the way this glides onto cheekbones melting right in and is super easy to blend with fingers. Buildable color. Got Dreamer color and it’s great on both cheeks and lips." —Michelle B.
Get it from Ilia (available in eight shades) or Amazon (available in six shades) for $34.
2. Freck Beauty's Slimelight Highlighter blends with ease and lasts a longggg time so you can apply it once and not have to dedicate even 10 more seconds to touching up your look later on in the day.
Remi Brixton is the founder of OG faux freckle cosmetic company, Freck Beauty. Her small brand is a clean, vegan makeup line based in Los Angeles, California. Remi, along with the team behind Freck Beauty, are known for creating an attitude: products made for anyone who cares about ingredients, respects the process, but doesn’t care about the rules.
My BuzzFeed colleague Jasmin Sandal is a fan. Here's what she has to say:
"I consider myself *blessed* to have been able to try out this powerful, feels-so-good-on-the-skin beauty product. It comes in three highly-pigmented shades that complement different skin tones. And depending on the occasion, all three really do work for my darker complexion. Big Bang features a green/gold shimmer, Beam Machine a bronze/pink, and Space Face has a voilet/purple hue. I like to think Beam Machine is perfect for an everyday glow, Big Bang for a fancy dinner party, and Space Face for when I know I'm going out out."
Get it from Sephora for $28 (available in three shades).
3. Glossier Cloud Paint touts itself as the "most user-friendly blush under the sun" and you know what? I'm not about to argue against it. The sheer formula is made to be layered so you can build pigment to your desired level. Plus, all you have to do is dab it on with your finger — no makeup sponges or brushes necessary.
Our Deputy Editorial Director Maitland Quitmeyer uses this and says:
"Cloud Paint might be the easiest-to-apply blush of all time. I am (as you can see) incredibly pale, and a lot of blushes get full Haunted Victorian Doll really quick. Two dabs of this and a quick blend, and the natural pink flush is there — and any excess product I just pop on my eyelids for a cute matchy look. It adds some hydrated dimension to an otherwise-matte face of foundation, feels SUPER comfortable on, and lasts (on me at least) all day! There is a little bit of a learning curve when squeeeeezing the product out (it can be easy at first to waste some), but once you're used to it, squeezin's a breeze. The good news is you only need a teeeeensy tad, so the tube lasts (The Sandlot voice) FOR-E-VER!"
Promising review: "I am such a minimalist when it comes to makeup. I used to never use blush or bronzer. A simple tinted moisturizer with some concealer and whatever. BUT CLOUD PAINT CHANGED THAT. I absolutely love the color and glow it adds to my face. And it only takes three seconds to put it on. Perfect for a makeup minimalist like me." —Jennifer T
Get it from Glossier for $18.
4. Lovoir's Flick Stick was made for those who LOVE the look of winged liner, but can't help but shake like a leaf when attempting to paint them on. Now, you can stamp 'em on and call it a day.
This set comes with two stamps — one for your right eye and one for your left. Once you apply the wing, flip the pen over to find a fine tip applicator so you can finish off your look.
Promising review: "This thing is amaaaazing! I pretty much gave up on winged eyeliner because I just couldn’t get it right. Didn’t even know stamps existed and randomly came across this and it had good reviews so I gave it a chance. Got it in the mail and tried it right away and was sooo excited that I used the left stamp for both sides and it looked a little crooked. Then I remembered there’s a right and a left. Tried it again and it turned out beautifully. There’s just something about winged eyeliner that’s so fly. Ohhh and another thing. It’s pretty darn sturdy! I took a nap and caught myself rubbing my eye a little and thought 'dang I messed up my eyeliner' and when I got up and checked it was still in tact! It def lasts all day." —Chrissy
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in three sizes).
5. NYX's Concealer Color Correcting Palette has everything you need for a lil' touch up whether you're concerned about neutralizing red spots, erasing dark circles, or addressing dullness. This way, no one has to know you were up until 3 a.m. rewatching Temptation Island.
The palette features six shades which are light and medium (to camouflage spots that aren't too dark), yellow and peach (to conceal dullness and dark circles), green (to cover redness), and purple and pink (to brighten). The concealers have a creamy, hydrating formula. Apply the color that will conceal the spot that you want to cover and then put your foundation on top of it as usual. NO, you won't have a purple spot or green spot of concealer sitting on your face. Once you apply your foundation, it won't be detectable at all. Happy blending! BTW, NYX is cruelty-free!
Promising review: "I use this every morning on my darker 'age spots' at the outer corners of my eyes and also apply a bit on darker under-eye circles. The mixture of yellow with a bit of the apricot color works wonders for the eye area! And stays ALL DAY without setting powder/spray. A light coat of the green is great for any redness- wear it under your concealer or foundation for a more polished look. (The green can be a little chalky, so apply sparingly and in good lighting). I am impressed how beautifully this product applies and blends. Totally replaced the need for under-eye concealer for me." —NYX Customer
6. LKE Shadow Patches are a makeup bag essential for anyone whose day can easily be ruined by eyeshadow fallout. Forget smudges and smears and perfect your one-and-done application with these smart bbs.
Promising review: "I don’t know how I've done my eye makeup without these my whole life! They help so much with eyeshadow fallout it’s wild! There are two stickers on them, but I only do the small top ones since I like to do my foundation before eyeshadow! They’re very sticky and sometimes take off some of my foundation but I’ve found if you first tape it on your hand then onto your face it helps!" —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $12.39 (comes with 100 pieces).
7. Touch In Sol's No Poreblem Primer smoothes out pores and uneven textures so your foundation goes on without a hitch. With green tea extract, the formula also energizes your skin while it's at it. 🍵
Touch in Sol is a small, POC-owned brand from South Korea that aims to make makeup fun and exciting!
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 satin-y 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.
8. Neutrogena's Moisturesmooth Color Stick keeps your lips moisturized and lookin' alive for the long haul. With a twist-up design, you never have to worry about sharpening it, either.
Promising review: "The BEST lipstick, lip balm, and lip gloss replacement. I am IN LOVE with these!!! They are SO moisturizing and yummy! They work great as a light lipstick or lip gloss and also as a blush (do a cross on your cheeks and blend it out) and eye shadow. They provide just enough color to look natural and pretty! I don't have to use any other ChapStick or lip balm when I wear these and they're especially perfect for summer as thy won't melt. I cannot recommend these enough!" —Linda J.
Get it from Amazon for $6.89+ (available in seven shades).
9. Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer erases dark circles, redness, and acne. If a full face of makeup isn't for you, but you would like a lil' bit of convenient, easy-to-use coverage, check it out.
TBH, at the start of the pandemic I started using this myself (although this is BuzzFeed editor Kayla Suazo's lovely human face above), and I am mad that I wasted time with other concealers for so long. I am a deeply impatient person who likes to look good and does not like to put in effort in any way, shape, or form, and Maybelline created this so that people like me could gracelessly slap it on in the morning and be like "OKAY, REFLECTION, YOU GOT THIS" before being on their merry way. It never cakes, I look way more awake than I have any right to, and I never struggle to blend it the way I do with other concealers. 11/10 subscribe.
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.
Get it from Amazon for $5.41+ (available in 18 shades).
Want more? Check out a BuzzFeeder's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer.
10. Alleyoop's Pen Pal is ‼️ four ‼️ products in one and it's all packed into a super nostalgic applicator that resembles a BIC ballpoint. The tiny but mighty gadget has everything you need to touch up your eyes, lips, brows, and highpoints so you can carry just a quarter of what you'd normally need to get the job done.
My BuzzFeed shopping colleague Jasmin Sandal has this and loves it. She says:
"I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my twenties that had the ability to transport me back to a piece of stationery I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multi-tool pen... for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already-overflowing makeup bag!"
Get it from Alleyoop for $25 (available in three shades).
11. Youthforia's BYO Blush Oil provides a unique glow with every application as the color-changing formula reacts to your skin’s natural pH level. Since it's blendable and buildable, you can swipe on as little or as much as you like.
It's also packed with 20 plant-based antioxidant-dense oils so just in case you *gasp* sleep in it, you'll still wake up with clear skin! It's suitable for all skin types, fragrance-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Youthforia is an Asian- and woman-owned small biz that aims to make makeup that's so good for your skin you can sleep in it. The founder, Fiona Co Chan, even tested the blush by sleeping in it for two months! They are passionate about being environmentally-friendly and not using fossil fuels or gross toxins in their products.
Promising review: "Dewy and glowy. I tried it over makeup and it appeared as a strong pink shade but settled to a flushed, glow-y color. I had my little sister try it too because I wanted to see the color change again and it lasted a really long time on her. The texture was smooth and it was easy to rub in and blend out." —Summer
Get it from Youthforia $36.
12. Neutrogena's Makeup Remover Eraser Stick makes it easy to clean up mistakes so if you're having one heck of a morning, fixing up your failed cat-eye will at least be easier than ever.
Promising review: "Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? For years, I’ve been using Q-tips dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must-buy product!!" —Katherine Riordan
Get it from Amazon for $7.97.
13. Anvirtue's 6-in-1 Silicone Eyeshadow Stencil is just the thing for you if you have ZERO patience when it comes to cutting the perfect crease. Various attachments allow for doe-eyed, almond, and wing effects no matter your eye shape.
Promising review: "YES IT WORKS. This set allows you to slip on and off the shape you prefer. They're soft to touch. Just wash to clean. No sticky tape needed. At first, after the application I really didn't see anything special. I continued to blend my makeup and took a selfie before applying mascara. WOW! The look was amazing. Like I had a professional application of eye makeup. I recommend this product if you struggle with eye makeup application." —Butterfly 🦋
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
14. Nudies Matte Blush and Bronze Stick multitasks like no other with a brush on one side and a colorful balm on the other. Swipe it on your eyes, cheeks, and/or lips for a bit of pigmented glow.
Promising review: "If you haven't been wearing as much makeup lately because #lockdownlife but you want something to elevate your quarantine look, this is ITTTT. So easily blendable and buildable on top of a light layer of moisturizer or tinted moisturizer... Not in love with the brush? I use my own so NBD" —ECacciave
Get it from Sephora for $34 (available in eight shades).
15. Fluide's Universal Crayon will have your whole face shimmering and hydrated with its nourishing (and non-smudge) shea butter formula. Lids, lips, cheekbones, noses — go ahead and apply it wherever you'd like a lil' bit of oomph.
Fluide is a queer-owned and woman-owned business specializing in vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free cosmetics.
Promising review: "I'm a huge fan of quick and easy enhancements and it doesn't get any easier than this. Drag across your eyelids, lips, rub into your cheeks and nose for a fabulous rosy shimmer." —Teneca Kennedy
Get it from Fluide or Amazon for $12 (available in four colors).
16. Peripera's Ink Velvet Lip Tint is just the ticket for days when you want to put in as little effort as possible. Swipe on the long-lasting emollient formula and go about your day as usual — no sipping through a straw or eating your salad like a Kardashian — because it's that dang durable.
Promising review: "My go-to lip stain forever. I will never buy another stain product. This is the best formula I have ever used and the colors are highly pigmented." —Tracie Higgins
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in seven shades).
17. E.l.f.'s Eye Tape helps you achieve an ultra-defined liner no matter how shaky your nondominant hand or how little gas you have in the tank.
Promising review: "These give me a sharp edge to my eyeshadow and help keep that eyeshadow liner tidy and perfect! If you need any kind of shadow shield or liner assist, these are exactly what you need. They don't pull on the skin around your eyes and keep all the powders off your nice clean skin. For $3, what a deal." —Galaxygirl
Get a pack of 40 from E.l.f. Cosmetics for $3 or a pack of 80 from Amazon for $8.06.
18. Pholk Beauty's Honeysuckle Rose Hydrating Mist detoxifies and hydrates skin so you always look fresh as a daisy. Just spritz some directly on your face or apply it with a cotton pad as you would toner.
Pholk Beauty is a a Black-owned and woman-owned business founded by Niambi Cacchioli.
Promising review: "I used this for the first time in 2019 and I can always feel the difference in my skin when I use it consistently. My skin is hydrated, supple, and I always get compliments. I also use it to melt any powder products into my skin when I use makeup. It's a great multiuse product." —Pholk Beauty Customer
Get it from Pholk Beauty for $20.
19. Laneige's Glowy Makeup Serum not only gives you an incredible glow when applied before your foundation, but it also keeps oil in check so you don't look like you rolled around in Vaseline 15 minutes after you leave the house.
Promising review: "This is super hydrating and makes my skin super glowy without looking too shiny. I live in a desert climate so I need as much hydration as possible and this gets layered on with two other serums under my moisturizer. Really am pleasantly surprised!" —bklynmakeup
Get it from Sephora for $32.
20. Isle of Paradise's Self-Tanning Drops lend your complexion a natural glow so you don't have to bother with BB creams or foundation. If the bottom half of your face is a different shade from months of mask wearing, mix a couple drops in with your moisturizer to even things out.
Promising review: "Sun-kissed glow is right! Nothing but compliments the first time I tried it! I used two drops with my moisturizer and it went on smoothly, and washed off of my hands leaving no streaks. I have already recommended to several friends and family! I like that the ‘light’ drops don’t make my face look orange. Just enough that I can wash my face, and it doesn’t completely fade and I can build from there each time I moisturize. I use two to four drops at a time, and it works great!" —LLHains
Get it from Sephora for $29 (available in three shades).
21. Revlon's Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller works just like your go-to oil-blotting sheets but it doesn't create any extra waste. Just roll the mattifying stick all over your T-zone (or anywhere else that gets greasy) and soak up excess oil.
In case you're wondering — no, the volcanic roller doesn't mess up your makeup. And once you've given your face a quick touch-up, just twist off the top of the roller to release the stone and give it a wash before your next use.
Promising review: "This rolling device is like pure magic. You simply roll it around your oily areas and BOOM the oil magically vanishes into the ball never to be seen again! This is an item that #tiktokmademebuy for sure! I saw a video on TikTok and immediately went on the hunt only to be disappointed that this item was sold out everywhere! I eventually got added to a waiting list her on Amazon and once they had it in stock again, they charged my card and sent it my way! If you have the chance to purchase this and you have oily skin, get yourself on the waiting list if you need to and just kick it until it shows up. You will be pleased. Thank me later. ;)" —Veronica Cooper
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
22. Glossier's Futuredew moisturizes skin and leaves you radiant with or without makeup. Just swipe on two pumps of the hybrid serum/oil after applying your regular moisturizer, serums, and sunscreen and you're all done.
23. Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel sets and defines your eyebrows for all-day wear whether you're hitting the park or window shopping. With a chamomile and hyaluronic acid formula, it also hydrates and conditions your hairs so they look on-point even when you go au naturel.
Promising review: "The best brow gel I’ve ever used! I’ve tried so many different products to try fluffing up my brows and shape them how I want that will actually make them STAY, and this is the first product that has allowed me to do all of those things. I put this brow gel on in the afternoon around 4 p.m., and my brows were still perfectly intact at 2 a.m./until I washed my face — it HOLDS. I got the clear gel since I already have darker brows and It doesn’t look glossy/ sticky like many other brows gels I’ve tried before. It dries well and looks natural without feeling like you have crusty glue on your brows, too. Seriously, no complaints with this — if you’re considering GET IT. Save your money on getting your brows laminated and get yourself this gel!!" —CatheRH
Get it from Sephora or Amazon for $22 (available in eight shades).
24. Vera Mona x Sephora's Color Switch Brush Cleaner allows you to jump between eye shadow palettes without having to pull out a new brush. Just take the one you're using and give it a little swipe on the sponge to remove any leftover pigment.
The dry brush cleaner is completely reusable — just wash it with warm soap and water once you're done and give it a quick spritz with makeup brush cleaner.
Promising review: "This is a time-saver! I really love how I can use one brush and just quickly remove the pigment with this sponge. I do think this is overpriced, however, it does get the job done. This has made me able to deep clean my brushes more often and alternate them since I use one or two brushes for an eyeshadow look. Highly recommend. This is kinda bulky but still well sized to take on trips. I plan to do so when I can actually travel again. At least I can look pretty while I mow the lawn or watch Netflix." —Dantinia
Get it from Sephora for $18.
25. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint speaks to those who love a chill, no-makeup makeup look. The light-coverage mineral formula utilizes hyaluronic acids, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide to lock in your skin's natural moisture and it's topped off with SPF 40 to shield you from UVA, UVB, UVC, blue light, and infrared rays. 😎
Promising review: "I’m almost excited to put it on. It leaves my skin looking so healthy and I’m able to skip a lot of steps in my skincare which is great for when I’m in a rush. I’m planning to keep this in stock for as long as I can!" —Aggie Y.
Get it from Ilia or Amazon for $48 (available in 30 shades).
26. Similarly, bareMinerals' Loose Powder Foundation not only gives wearers lightweight and luminous coverage, but also SPF15 to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. So, if you're constantly "forgetting" to apply sunscreen before you leave the house, this will help.
Promising review: "I bought this since it has limited ingredients and I have been having trouble with deep, painful pimples. Within two weeks, my skin was almost totally cleared! I used the shade finder tool and was able to get the perfect shade. My advice is start with a little and build and blend, blend, blend. I have combination skin and this stays on all day, doesn’t look powdery or too dewy, and doesn’t rub off on my mask." —Ceecee555
Get it from bareMinerals for $32 (available in 30 shades).
27. And — at the end of the night — the Original Makeup Eraser lets you wipe away the day even if you've already climbed into bed for the night. Trust me, your skin will thank you!
The cloth has a gentle side for makeup remover and a side with longer fibers that are great for exfoliation. Before use, simply soak it in warm water.
Promising review: "I purchased this based on some positive reviews, and they can't even touch how amazing this product is. This product seriously does what it says — it erases makeup! I could not believe the way it removed my makeup the first time I used it! You use it for a week, toss it in the wash, and use it again. I was wondering how it would clean up in the laundry, and it looked brand new — no mascara was left after it went through the wash. It is amazing and if you're considering purchasing it — do it! No more chemicals to remove that makeup!" —StaceyB
Get it from Amazon for $20.
Me after applying using one pen to apply my eyeliner, highlighter, eyeshadow, and brows:
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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