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 makes for a super dramatic before and after. Prepare to get grilled about where you got your eyelash extensions. And lucky for them, you have a list at the ready because you've been trolling Yelp reviews to find the perfect spot to get said extensions.
My colleague Emma Lord is all about this mascara. Here's what she has to say: "Hello, that is my face above, because I bought into the hype of all the 5-star reviews and now I will never look back!! Putting it on is like giving my eyelashes butterfly wings. It doesn't get clumpy, it stays put no matter how much you sweat, and you can apply it on very lightly if you don't want it to look so dramatic, or continue applying for longer lashes each time."
Promising review: "Saw this product on TikTok and thought it would be expensive looking at the results they got. I am beyond amazed with how my lashes look after about two coats. For around $5 you couldn’t ask for a better mascara! I will be buying this same one when I run out. I was not expecting to like it as much as I do! No complaints." —Kd
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
2. LONDONTOWN Illuminating Nail Concealer gives you a no-mani mani that you can quickly brush on before an event.
Promising review: "As much as I would love to have nice, manicured nails, i don’t spend money on manicures. Gels are damaging and regular manicures last a couple of days before peeling. I get regular pedicures bc they last but my hands have looked pretty unkempt for much of my adult life. Until now.
I was definitely skeptical that this polish could be any different from one of the countless neutral Essie shades out there that I’ve tried since the '90s — Ballet Slippers, Light as Linen, etc., — but I decided to give the milky shade a try and I’m so glad I did!!! My nails look incredible. I’m not even sure how to describe why but they look very natural and clean. It’s been a week of wearing two coats and there isn’t one bubble or lift forming on the edges. One coat actually looks great also. I am sold on this stuff. Hopefully it will never be discontinued. So so happy." —Jann
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in four colors).
3. Plus, a necessary bottle of drying drops gets you on with your post-painting life much faster thanks to a single drop for each freshly polished nail.
Promising review: "These 'drip dry' finishing drops are a total game-changer. A couple of years ago I broke the lifelong habit of biting my nails, and I did it by painting them a new color every time I got that nervous impulse. The only drawback to painting them so often is that it can be a serious time suck, and involve a lot of do-overs — especially if you're anything like me, and usually multitasking, and/or still getting the hang of DIY manicures. Enter these drops. They really do work immediately — and it really only takes a single drop on each nail. In under a minute, they're totally dry to the touch and impervious to dings or smudges. Gone are the days of flapping your hands and blowing on your fingers for 10–20 minutes at a time. Thanks, science!" —Katie B.
Get it from Amazon for $13.50+ (available in two sizes).
4. The SAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to depuff your tired under eyes. Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing.
Promising review: "I have always had serious dark circles and bags under my eyes and this has really changed this for me. The results are incredible. The puffiness is gone. The dark circles are hardly noticeable. My sensitive skin has not broken out. I never write reviews, but this was so good that I had to write a review. This actually works." —Ben
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
5. Glimmer Glow Stick lipstick has a buildable formula you won't need any lip liner to wear. It's sheer and has a wee bit of glitter in it to find your perfect rosy tint thanks to pH technology.
Check out a TikTok of the Glimmer Glow lipstick in action.
Promising review: "This is such a pretty pH color lipstick, viral for a reason — it's very pretty to look at, it's not sticky at all, and the more you layer it, the darker the pink shows up. The only thing I don't like is the scent in it, I can almost taste it a bit. It's nice to have in my purse if I need a quick color while I'm out in case of sudden dinner plans or a meeting, because you can control the color saturation to how light or bold it is." —Kristina Bumbelow
Get it from Amazon for $3.99.
6. A Revlon volcanic stone face roller removes oil and shine from your face. And unlike oil-blotting sheets, the ball can be popped out and washed so you can use this over and over and over again.
Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. Not only is it affordable, but it's also washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful. It felt like the holy grail had been delivered to my front doorstep. After my first use, I was in love. Now, it doesn't pick up everything but it does make it more matte and gives you a natural look. I am so excited this product exists and I already feel more confident." —Kelsey B.
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
7. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo immediately tackles greasy roots without the aerosol formula. I've been packing this for flights where I carry on only and this little puff is EFFECTIVE. Like, I went to New Orleans recently in late May with a blowout I was trying to make last. This kept my oily roots matte again! It's LEGIT.
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa
Get two from Amazon for $25.
8. A hair finishing stick in case you're going for that sleek look for your quite dirty hair you're rocking in a high pony for the day. This stuff is basically just a mascara wand you use to brush natural plant oils onto your hair to smooth down everything.
Promising review: "I have super fine hair with lots of breakage. No matter how I put my hair up I have bad flyaways. This stuff is great! So easy and it stays better and looks smoother than stiff hair spray." —Jill Stilfield
Get it from Amazon for $7.98.
9. La Pure Waterproof Eyeliner Stamp I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend it to you because practicing a cat-eye flick is HARD.
Perhaps you're like me and don't feel done up until you have an eyeliner flick. This'll help!
Promising review: "I am not one to write reviews often, but this product has exceeded my expectations! I normally use liquid liners such as Kat Von D Tattoo, but this has drastically reduced the time it takes for me to create a winged look! I personally prefer a longer wing, but this stamp provides a template to work with and reduces the amount of time to create ‘sister’ wings — they’re pretty much twins now! The eyeliner pen itself it’s a bit broad for me, but the pigment is great!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $11.95 (available in two sizes).
10. OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Air Dry Cream is a great, affordable scrunch-and-go option with legions of fans to back up that claim. This'll provide more time for hammock reading than hair styling. Win-win.
Promising review: "I put some in my hair for the first time today and I'm impressed! I towel dried my hair and then put about a quarter size in my palm and spread throughout my hair, scrunched my hair, and then let it air dry. I think it did a good job at defining my waves and eliminating the serious frizz." —ninjamommy
Get it from Amazon for $6.97.
11. An ultra-fine continuous water mister refreshes your hair in the morning after you've slept on it. Let's keep that air-dry style looking fresh instead of using more time, water, and hair products on a whole wash!
Promising review: "Used for wetting my 2-year-old's hair. Could have used it for crafts, could have used it for misting plants, so many things. It’s super durable, I know because she dropped it a million times. You don’t need to refill it every day, it doesn’t use a lot of water in each spritz but it does feel like it. Incredibly smooth. Would buy again (and I will because I left it at my sister's while traveling)." —Savannah
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four sizes).
12. L'Oreal Paris root cover-up spray helps bridge the gap between your *real* roots and the time between colorings.
Plus, it's water-resistant!
Promising review: "My hair grows somewhat fast so I find myself coloring my roots at minimum every two weeks, which I think is bad for my hair. This product has been a lifesaver in allowing me to extend that time frame some. I wish I had found it sooner!" —Mmandkcs
Get it from Amazon for $8.19+ (available in eight colors).
13. BYO Blush Oil, which is criminally easy to ease. You just tap on a few dots and then blend with your fingers or a brush. It's green in the bottle and then turns *your* perfect shade of pink on your skin thanks to a pH reaction. Oh, and it's on a skincare list because it's packed full of good-for-you ingredients and you can even sleep in it (if you want).
Youthforia is an Asian woman–owned small business established in 2020 that specializes in environmentally friendly, cruelty-free makeup made with at least 90% renewable ingredients.
Fun fact: All of Youthforia's makeup is designed with ingredients that make it A-OK for your skin to sleep with it on!
Promising review: "Dewy and glowy. I tried it over makeup and it appeared as a strong pink shade but settled to a flushed, glowy 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
14. A foot file quickly scrapes away those unsightly, crusty heels that applying foot cream just isn't helping. If you've gotta wear sandals to or go barefoot at the function, this'll make your old dogs look a lot better in a few mere minutes.
Promising review: "This thing is pretty amazing. I was skeptical for sure, since I've tried all kinds of lotions, balms, and stone-based products — none of which helped my heels whatsoever. I've worn socks to bed for years because if I don't, the sheets hardly last a week before they have holes rubbed through them. My wife ordered this thing that looks like a mini cheese grater and after two minutes — two minutes! — of rubbing it on my heel, it's a complete 180. I never would've believed it until I tried it myself. This is well worth double what it costs." —LBK
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (also available in a two-pack).
15. Ellis Brooklyn Fully Booked Rollerball Perfume Gift set gives you five options for quick roll-on-and-go fragrance because just smelling nice can make up for a whole bunch of other things, like not wearing your go-to mascara or arriving somewhere in a sweatshirt you may have picked up from your bedroom floor.
I own this set and love it! I'd heard other writers who cover beauty products rave about the brand and picked up this set at a very luxe drugstore in my neighborhood that, frankly, I avoid because it's basically my dream and I don't trust myself in there. For me, I never feel fully ready to leave my apartment until I put on a scent. These are super quick and easy to roll on, and throw in your bag because the roller balls are so small. Plus! The founder Bee Shapiro covered beauty for The New York Times for years and created the brand after having trouble finding fragrance with ingredient transparency. The brand debuted in June 2015.
Get it from Sephora for $48.
16. A set of 10 quick-dry nail polishes so your at-home manis dry in a flash. These are designed to last for several days and you can easily peel off the color once you're ready to swap to something else.
Promising review: "The set comes in various colors and they are all beautiful. The polish has a big brush that covers the nail easily. The polish is opaque but I did two coats. It didn't stain my nails or has a strong smell. The polish dried up quickly. I cook and clean, so it started to wear off on the fourth day. But I can repaint because of the easy application and fast drying." —perksofbeautyblog
Get 10 bottles from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five color combinations).
17. A Vaseline balm stick you can use all over BUT as one derm on IG points out, is great for slugging your cuticles.
Get it from Walmart for $5.92.
18. Press-on nails give you a gel-like mani in about five minutes. I can vouch because these are my hands and I've been using them for years instead of getting regular manis.
I'm quite adept at painting my own nails (the only time I get a professional manicure is when I want gel before going on vacation), but these press-on nails have me feeling super lazy about painting my nails because they're so easy to use! And that's OK! Each set costs you less than 10 bucks and rather than fool with a bottle of nail glue that ends up anywhere but the nails, each nail has a peel-off plastic that reveals a super sticky surface you press onto your real nail. I find that all the nails stay on about three days when I do stuff like hand-wash my dishes, pet glorious dogs, and scratch many layers of dry shampoo on my scalp. You'll get 30 nails with each set, which helps you find the right sizes BUT I've also found comes in handy when a pointer or middle finger nail pops off (those are the first to go in my experience) so I end up getting about a week's use of wear out of each nail set. Friends have seen me with the nails on and all have believed they're the real deal!
Get them from Target: marble/glitter set for $8.59 or similar red set for $8.59 (available in lots more styles)
19. Plus a set of press-on toenails look like you got a pedi...except for less than $10. I've tried these and they're SO convincing!
Promising review: "No need for a nail shop anymore. I love how lightweight these are and they literally melt into your actual toenails, they look just like I got gel on my toes and look so natural. Also I’ve had them on almost two weeks haven’t lost one!" —Bunz
Get them from Amazon for $8.99 (available in a variety of colors and designs).
20. Glow Recipe Redness Relief Serum is formulated with ceramides to help reduce redness and irritation, while antioxidant-rich avocado works to deeply nourish your skin.
Promising review: "This product works really well for me. It feels very hydrating and it reduces redness a lot. I had red patches in various places all over my face and even some flaking skin due to mask wearing and almost all of that is gone after three weeks of use." –Leighlivie
Get it from Sephora for $45.
21. Or if you're looking for some SPF too, Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment goes on cooling and smooth, is easy to blend in, and will make you look in the mirror five minutes later wondering where all that redness went! I use it daily as a moisturizer under my foundation and some reviewers even use it as a CC cream. It's *that* good. And it has SPF 30!
Like I said up there ^, I use this every single day and to demonstrate just how well it works, I put it on half of my face in the pic on the left. Seriously, the color-cancelling prowess is impressive. Also it took me nearly a year to go through the full-size jar. So if the price has you feeling iffy, you can try out a travel version. Seriously, I'm forever indebted to this stuff.
Promising review: "I have rosacea on both my cheeks and a bit on chin and also have a couple of acne spots on my chin as well and I’ve tried so many foundations to cover up my cheeks and no matter how full coverage my cheeks will still show through. So I decided to try this and I love it!!!! I use this after primer and moisturizer and then use a foundation (because I fake tan and my face is paler than my body) and my skin looks amazing!!! I’m so impressed! I love makeup but I could never really use a lot of face products because I was embarrassed. Definitely recommend if you have rosacea and want to wear full coverage foundation or even as a BB cream." —elyse1518
Get it from Sephora for $21+ (available in two sizes).
22. Living proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray *gently* amps up the volume when your locks could use a pick-me-up. No more crunchy roots from hairspray.
Promising review: "My hair is flat and lifeless in the winter and this is the first thing that’s actually fixed that. I just use a little on wash days once my hair is dry and I have volume for days. Love it so much!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $35 (silicone-, phthalate-, sulfate-, paraben-, and formaldehyde-free).
23. Naked Sundays SPF50 Glow + Go Lip Oil swipes on so quick and easy — whether or not you wear it solo or layer on top of lip liner.
This is my current go-to lip product. When I have an extra minute to get ready, I love to layer it on top of Catrice plumping lip liner I've used to fill in my lips. (BTW, the lip liner is made to be transfer-proof and it sticks to its claims!)
Get it from Naked Sundays for $22 (available in more tints/flavors).
24. INH Clip-In Messy Buns helps you skip the heat styling in the pursuit of a pic-worthy hairstyle without looking like you just clipped in some hair pieces.
INH Hair is a woman-owned small biz based in Los Angeles. They aim to get you the best quality and trendiest styles and boost your confidence. Their buns are made of vegan synthetic fiber from Japan. Make sure to read their tips on styling and care!
Promising review (for the messy bun): "My bun game has gone to a new level! Very easy to apply and the feel is very realistic, it doesn’t feel like a synthetic hair! The color match was to a tee. I have quite fine hair so my usual buns look very odd (like a round pot handle vibe) but with the Sammy, I feel so confident and put together. The application was super easy and unlike some of the ponies that make you feel weighted, there was no issues with feeling tightened or restricted on my scalp." —Jia
Get them from INH Hair: the messy bun for $45 and the space buns for $54 (both available in a variety of colors).
25. A faux puff extention clips into your hair for a quick and easy 'do for when you've gotta look really cute, really quick.
26. COVERGIRL TruBlend Undercover Concealer targets most anything you'd like to cover up on your beautiful visage. Psst, you can totally get away with skipping foundation thanks to this super blendable stuff.
Promising review: "Not only is the packaging of this concealer cute and classic, but it also provides really great coverage. You only need to use a little bit to get great coverage, the applicator is great, and I don't have any problems with creasing (although I don't have any fine lines either). If you're wanting a concealer similar to expensive brands but at a drugstore price, you'll like this!" —Kayla Williams
Get it from Amazon for $6.50+ (available in 30 shades). Vegan and cruelty-free.
27. Onset Eyebrow Soap Kit sets brow hairs in place and can be used solo or with some brow pencil to really amp up those arches.
And! This consists of a mild, nonirritating formula that's organic and won't foam or leave any residue.
Promising review: "I have the kind of eyebrows that look very full with brushing, but can quickly look like one has 'collapsed' once my hair or something else touches it. I’ve used nearly every product from Anastasia BH, but never had luck keeping my brows in place. Well, let me tell you, this stuff is no joke. I had to scrub my eyebrows clean tonight to get them to move. If you need some help holding your fluff, this will be your new favorite product. Also, I was able to ditch the eyebrow pencil since this this stuff holds every hair in the place you brush it." —Bailey M, Deacon
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
28. JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream defines and lifts curls. But don't take it from me, take it from all the reviewers with fine hair who've previously had trouble finding products that do just that! Oh, and it helps protect hair from UV damage.
JVN is a hair care line from Jonathan Van Ness (yes, of Queer Eye and other wonderful things on the Internet!) created to help drive change in the beauty industry and celebrate each person's unique beauty. Cheers to that!
Promising review: "Leaves my wavy slightly graying hair soft, less frizzy and not weighed down. Great for my low maintenance wash and air dry ways. Love the packaging too." —megawf
Get it from Sephora or JVN for $26 (vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging).
29. A set of Goody hair spin pins take care of the hard work in creating the *perfect* bun. You simply put your hair in a pony, wrap your hair around the base of said pony, and then secure with one pin on top of the bun and one pin on the bottom.
Promising review: "I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spend way too much time on getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke so I did it again, and then again. I just ordered two more packs because I know if I lose one of these, I'd have to tear the house down looking for it. I have hair to my mid back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." —Tina
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in a three pack).
30. A heatless curling rod headband — with a bit of planning beforehand — gives you a blowout-like effect while you get in your beauty rest. You simply wrap your hair before and then take it out while getting ready for your day. (Or night, like, if you're a vampire or something.)
Each set comes with a curling rod, two hair scrunchies, a claw hair clip, and two duckbill hair clips to set it in place. These work best if you roll them with damp hair.
Promising review: "Before purchasing, I’d seen a lot of reviews and tutorials on TikTok showing the results. My hair is thick, coarse, and naturally wavy, so I figured this might be a good alternative to rollers that are time-consuming to put in, difficult to sleep in, and ultimately not worth it. And MAN was I right to be hopeful. Wrap pieces of damp hair around it before bed, the tighter the wrap, the tighter the curl. Easy to sleep in since there’s nothing on the back of your head, and my curls are BOUNCY the next morning. My only complaint is that it doesn’t help give any top-volume, but nothing some teasing can’t fix. 10/10. I’ll never go back to a curling iron." —Mariah
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors).
If you already have curls/coils and want a heat-free styler, check out these foam curling rods ($11.99 on Amazon) that reviewers with everything from 3a–4c hair love.
31. A pair of hair claws with fun prints to give your fourth-day hair a chic little twist.
32. European Wax Center Coconut Shimmer Body Oil is a gorgeous, gorgeous body treatment that soaks in quickly but leaves your skin looking all shimmery and moisturized. So if your outfit shows quite a bit of skin, this is a super easy way to quickly look put together without looking like you spent a lot of time getting ready. (Accurate!)
I went through a bottle of this stuff this summer and LOVE it. I personally go back and forth on body oil because I've tried enough I didn't like and didn't soak in to feel meh about it. But I adore this one.
Get it from European Wax Center for $10.
33. But if you shy away from glitter: Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion gives you a lit-from-within sheen, thanks to royal jelly. IMO, it makes your skin look a little better and more even like you can get with self-tanner. Just without the color (and therefore, maintenance).
I've used this lotion for YEARS. I, an extremely pale person, fully embrace my natural pallor after some streaky experimentation with self-tanner as a teenager. I really like to put this on my legs because it gives you a your-skin-but-better look while moisturizing.
Get one bottle from Walmart for $9.89 or a three-pack from Amazon for $29.39.
34. DevaCurl Dry No-Poo Moisturizing Dry Shampoo gives you the twistable option of either blasting just your roots or your mid-lengths to ends because your roots always need a little bit more. This way you can get enough refreshment without making the bottom half of your hair look *too* dry.
Plus, it's made to reduce frizz up to 72 hours! This is currently in my bathroom and I've tried just about all the dry shampoos on the market. My hair is naturally curly but I blow dry it pretty often. In the past few weeks there've been some days that the humidity really brought out my natural curl but I wanted to put off shampooing another day. This has come in handy and I see it as a go-to for when I want to spray other parts of my hair with dry shampoo besides the roots.
Get it from Amazon for $34.
35. A six-pack of scarf scrunchies gives you a one-and-done task of putting up your hair and adding a glam touch even if you have to do some REAL math to figure out the last time you washed it. Tomorrow is never promised. Put off a wash and blow-dry session when you can!
Promising review: "I wear ponytails a lot as I transition to a natural gray with my curly hair. Using 'unique' hair accessories helps with making a plain, boring, and simple haircare routine way more interesting, and the material is a welcomed safety to help reduce breakage when wearing ponytail scrunchies. I plan on ordering other colors in the near future. You can't go wrong with this purchase!" —Tru
Get them from Amazon for $9.99.
36. A Kitsch hybrid scrunchie towel helps your hair dry faster in case you're someone whose neck can't stand the mere thought of balancing a wet towel or turban on your head. And with this, you can get away with leaving the house with wet hair without being obvious.
Promising review: "Best scrunchie ever. I would give this 11/10. I want them in every color." —Rose D.
"I ordered this because I was sick of keeping a towel on my head for so long while my hair dried, and if I didn't have a towel, my shirt was soaking wet from my hair after a shower. For reference, I had very long, thick hair and it takes a while to air-dry — and I'm so happy I found this scrunchie! It's a lot bigger in person than it looks in the image, which is great because it covers more of your hair to help dry it. No more heavy towels on my head or tight towel wraps." —Meghan
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.19+ (available in eight colors and designs).
37. Bomba Curls Dominican Forbidden Volumizer Oil helps you embrace your natural hair texture and air dry while moisturizing and leaving the most divine scent on your locks. A little goes a very long way, so it's always the hair product I pack for vacation when I'd rather not clock precious time blow drying my hair. Below I'm on a February trip to Iceland where I knew I'd be wearing a winter hat so I used it to let the little bit of my hair I could see shine in its natural texture.
Bomba Curls is a WOC-owned business founded by Lulu Cordero and inspired by her Afro-Dominicana roots. The products are meant to help curly-haired folks naturally boost growth and achieve maximum length retention. This formula is infused with pure coffee seed and castor oil mean to moisturize your hair and scalp, while promoting hair growth and making your strands look glossier.
Yep, that's me in awe of merely *existing* in the frigid wonderland of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. Anytime I was outside in Iceland I wore a bucket hat AND had my hood pulled over it. It was that chilly! And don't even get me started on the wind. So I knew that my skin and hair were going to need some major moisture. Enter the Bomba Curls hair oil. I used this as a leave-in treatment and styler on wet hair, and then let my natural hair texture do its thing. It was an excellent call as it helps curls form so beautifully and ended up being especially moisturizing for my post–Blue Lagoon dry hair. (I had to wash my hair FOUR TIMES post-Lagoon because of all the minerals in the water.) In case you're wondering, I also pack this for hot, humid trips when I embrace my natural hair texture.
Get it from Target for $21.99.
38. Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint, which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well!
Promising review: "While I haven't tried the Benefit Lip Tint, I saw this on TikTok and appreciated the lower price point. I am SO glad I gave this a chance! I only have the Cherry color, but it is the perfect bit of natural color, and can be deepened as desired upon application. There is no sticky residue and it is not drying or irritating at all. Looks great alone but even better with gloss on top. Love!" —Mollie
Get it from Amazon for $6.40 (available in three shades and combo packs).
39. Or if you want a similar effect with more color options, Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint easily builds to saturated hues and stays put for the long haul...perfect for your iced coffee (even when it's cold!) habit.
Promising review: "OMG the velvet perfection. This product applies like an opaque cream velvet lipstick, buttery smooth, not at all drying, and pigmented. The doe-foot is pointed for precision around your cupid's bow and holds enough product for full lips in one swipe. Looks great without any blotting. Transfer-proof and mask approved! Great for a long-wear look, as the stain is lasting. I like to wear this product as opaque velvet lipstick in the morning and by the end of the day it's a beautiful natural rosy stain that I can apply balm over for a natural no-makeup glam baddie look. I use a shea butter-based balm but haven't tested if other balms smudge or move the stain. Stain is mostly removable with regular cleansing balm and completely removable with a gentle lip scrub. Seriously impressed with this product, and amazing price point for under 10. This is the PERFECT lip product imho." —Kenzie Scout
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in 21 shades).
40. Glossier Boy Brow is the perfect brow-grooming medium if you want to enhance what you've got but don't want to look like you completely drew on your brows. It fills and shapes with its handy little brush and leaves you looking like you wake up with perfect brows every morn.
BuzzFeed contributor AnaMaria Glavan loves this stuff and tell us: "This magic bottle is proof that not all heroes wear capes. The creamy formula, which comes in blonde, black, clear, and brown (which is what I used!), goes on smoothly and doesn’t require a lot of product to do the job. I used the wand to brush baby hairs in the beginning/middle of my brow upwards, and then brushed the longer, toddler-like hairs at the end of my eyebrows, sideways. And one coat was more than enough! Boy Brow does exactly what the Glossier brand claims to do; it gives me a filled-in eyebrow that doesn’t look filled in. The finish looks natural, which is exactly what I wanted — my facial caterpillars have never looked better."
Yep, and it's cruelty-free!
Get it from Glossier for $18 (available in five shades).
41. Maybelline Cheek Heat gel-cream blush in case you're on the prowl for a cheaper alternative to Glossier Cloud Paint because very opinionated reviews say it's a super easy-to-use cheek color formula — like, it's REALLY hard to mess up.
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: "This is a great, cheap alternative to Glossier Cloud Paint. It’s less pigmented and blends more easily, so it looks very natural." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.98+ (available in six shades).
42. Broadway long-lasting clear lip gloss set comes in a set of three and often gets compared to the likes of MAC and Kylie Cosmetics in the review section.
It comes with three different formulas: mint oil that creates a refreshing cooling sensation (perfect for soothing a cracked lip), rosehip oil for reducing fine lines, and coconut oil for deeply hydrating and locking in moisture.
Promising review: "I have tried so many lip glosses from MAC to Kylie to Shea Moisture and Kiehls and I have to say this is by far THE best lip gloss. It is sooo smooth and glossy and doesn’t have that normal stickiness to it, which is absolutely amazing!" —Paige
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $4.49.
43. CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30 is a sheer formula to make you you glow without feeling like you put on an extra layer. Because sometimes you forgo SPF because it doesn't blend in so great. Enter: this.
Promising review: "Provides great protection. Doesn't feel heavy or greasy. Makes my skin feel really moisturized and supple. I use prescription skin creams and am very photosensitive, so I take my sunscreen seriously. This Cerave sunscreen feels better than many high end creams. It'll be my go-to sunscreen from now on. Highly recommend you give it a try." —David L.
Get it from Amazon for $13.42 (paraben- and fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic).
44. LONDONTOWN Kur Instant Smudge Fix, something I wish I knew about eons ago because I'm forever smudging my at-home AND salon manis when I decide to actually put in a lil' bit of effort.
45. Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm with SPF 15 I can personally vouch for. It's easy to put on without a mirror, is super moisturizing, and has color that tints your lips for the day. If you're afraid of lipstick, this is a safe bet. I keep not one, but two(!) in my purse at all times.
Even on days when I'm feeling sick or have to pull myself out of my bed because I *do* have to earn a living,
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in five shades).
46. Joah Crystal Glow Tinted Luminizer wears like foundation, and can be used as a highlighter, or to mask undereye circles. It's super creamy and stays put!
Plus that brush on the other end makes it even easier to blend in. I've been using this stick for several weeks as straight-up foundation for days when I have to be on video calls but not in public. Check out the pic of me in #3 for context on how much coverage I need. (Plus, my rosacea is acting up more lately bc pandemic stress!) It's SO quick to put on, plus does a fine job of covering up any dark circles. I normally require a lot of coverage so I'd likely not wear this to a dinner date or to the office (y'all, I wear foundation to the gym!) but it'll do for WFH needs, and would likely be super helpful for people with lighter-duty coverage needs!
Get it from Joah for $13.99 (available in six shades; cruelty-free).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.