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. 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.
3. Venus Visage Teeth Whitening Pens you easily apply and let sit a minute or two to dry. Buh-bye annoying strips and coffee stains.
You can use each pen ~20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten four to eight shades.
Promising review: "I have only used the two original pens that I purchased and can already see an improvement. I am older than 60 and drink coffee daily and red wine weekly." —vicki houska
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.95.
4. An exfoliating scrub mitt helps you part with excess dead skin and particles while you use it a couple of times a month (it's that good so you don't have to use it often!). Reviewers find it super helpful for removing self-tanner, addressing ingrown hairs, and increasing circulation.
Promising review: "I have very thin and light body hair, so any form of removal (shaving, waxing, etc) usually leaves me with a lot of ingrown hairs. I've tried body scrubs and washcloths and neither really do a great job. I saw this product recommended by a dermatologist on TikTok and thought I'd try it — it's amazing! I also have very sensitive skin, and this mitt doesn't leave my skin irritated at all. However, absolutely do not use this mitt on your face, neck, or other sensitive areas, it would be way too harsh.
I like to use this mitt first when I get in the shower, then use a body wash (a gentle chemical exfoliant) and follow up with body lotion for dry and sensitive skin. This whole routine is fragrance free and leaves my skin feeling very soft and moisturized." —Kat
Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (also available in a set of two).
5. And Evridwear's Exfoliating Gloves give you control of the level of exfoliation a little more precisely than a mitt. Hello to your Everything Shower's new BFF.
Evridwear is a small business that specializes in gloves for work, personal care, and weather use.
Promising review: "This is one of my favorite purchases. Not gonna lie, TikTok make me buy this. So I buy it and I’m still a little nervous because it’s literally a glove. But nah, I used it with liquid body soap and I’ve never felt so clean in my whole life. I got out of the shower feeling like a freshly birthed baby. My skin had never felt so clean and I questioned how I went 32 years without this." —Brittney
Get a pair from Amazon for $6.40+ (available in three textures, various colors, and as sets of two or three).
6. TruSkin Vitamin C Serum helps brighten, soften, and fade hyperpigmentation like luxury serums (according to reviewers). Plus, it's cruelty-free!
7. A pack of 24k-gold under-eye patches pamper and soothe your poor, tired peepers for a spa-like ritual.
Promising review: "Holy grail! This stuff gives instant results after just one use. It also has cooling feeling when you’re wearing them and I look forward to wearing these! These make such a difference and really lift the under-eye. Also, love that it comes with 20, so you really can’t beat that price, especially since it’s such a great product! Highly recommend!" —Lily Gurley
Get a pack for 20 pairs from Amazon for $13.47.
8. Meebak Cica Sheet Masks gently soothe sensitive, irritated skin thanks to ingredients like green tea, cherry blossom, damask rose, and, obviously, cica. Go ahead and slime it up. (But in a good, effective way.)
The sheet masks are made of natural lyocell and cotton cupra, resulting in its silky soft feel.
Meebak is a Korean woman-owned small biz with products that center around the ingredient cica, also known as centella asiatica, or tiger grass, a herbal plant that has natural healing properties and has been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy to calm and soothe skin.
Promising review: "Love this sheet mask! It's soaked with essence so it deeply hydrates but does not feel sticky or oily at all. My skin feels cool when I apply on my face. It has a sort of soothing effect. And what I love most is that I have sensitive skin but it didn't react at all and I didn't feel any irritation whatsoever!" —Jamie
Get a pack of five from Meebak for $5.97 or from Amazon for $5.98.
9. LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream — it's made to soften and freshen up your under-eyes...and according to reviews, can help lighten dark facial scars.
Promising review: "I have been using this daily for about eight months now. I am 60 years old. It reduced the puffiness and bags under my eyes. I am Sicilian and had dark circles. It has brightened up my eye area. I am very surprised as I have paid much more for eye creams that have done so much less. I recently had precancerous cells removed at the bridge of my nose. After healing, I was left with a dark scar. The dermatologist told me that it would heal over time. Since I began to apply this eye cream, the mark has almost disappeared entirely. I shop constantly from Amazon. This is the first time that I have taken the time to write a review. That's how impressed I am with this product. If you decide to purchase this, you won't be sorry." —Lynda M.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
10. Radha Rosehip Oil is an all-natural solution to a ton of skin problems. It helps hydrate skin, reduces the look of wrinkles and scars, and reviewers even say it helps their hair and nails.
Promising review: "This is LIFE-CHANGING! I'm 33 and have had dry skin my entire life. I decided to try this because the price was reasonable and the reviews were great. I was NOT disappointed. I cleaned my face the first night, applied a thick layer of rosehip oil, and went to bed. Eight hours later, I woke up to a new face. I have used this oil every night for about five weeks and it has completely changed my skin. My mom saw me one morning and remarked that my skin looked like it did when I was 8! I also love that you get a large quantity of oil for a super affordable price, and a little bit goes a long way. For the amount you get, it's SUCH a bargain." —TuffLuckCowgirl
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
11. 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).
12. Press-on nails that'll give you a gel-like mani in about five minutes for those times when you could use a mani but can't spare the time or coins. I can vouch because these are my hands and I've used about more than a dozen sets of them (including as a bridesmaid in a recent wedding)!
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. Multiple friends have seen me with the nails on and all have believed they're the real deal!
Get them from Amazon: marble/glitter set for $6.99 or similar red set for $6.99 (available in lots more styles)
13. Glossier Solution has chemical exfoliants perfect for babes with super sensitive skin to help lighten scarring, improve general skin tone, and slough off dead skin you no longer need. Say buh-bye to those physical exfoliants that leave you redder and more irritated.
Promising review: "I have spent years trying to find something that helps reduce the redness and bumps associated with rosacea. My skin is SO SENSITIVE, I had honestly given up even trying to use acne medicines as they just destroyed my skin. Even so, my skin looked terrible. It was so volatile, bumpy, and red. Makeup didn't hide it well, either. In January, I purchased Glossier's three-step cleansing and moisturizing system, and solution. My skin is amazing now. Honestly. I still get a few breakouts, but my once dead and dull, angry skin looks nice even without makeup! It's not fully recovered yet, but it's getting there. Thank you, Glossier!" —Kels 1.
Get it from Glossier for $26.
14. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream delivers major soothing capabilities to your dry, cracked skin in a fragrance-free formula.
Psst, many reviewers said this helped relieve their eczema symptoms!
Promising review: "I have struggled with very persistent eczema for years and this product has been a godsend. Prior to finding this brand, I had been devoted to the Cerave lotion lines but they were not really helping to heal my skin. Come to find out, I am highly allergic to several of the ingredients commonly found in Cerave and many other lotions and cheap skincare products. Vanicream is so great because it has less ingredients, and more sensitive ingredients than any other lotion brand I have come across. I have never had any irritation from this lotion and it has gone miles towards healing my rashes and open wounds. I have used this religiously for about two years now and I am never going back." —Lauren B.
Get it from Amazon for $13.56.
15. A Cocokind matcha-infused moisture stick glides on oh-so-smooth under your eyes and on your lips to help hydrate and reduce puffiness.
Check out a TikTok of the matcha stick in action. Cocokind is a San Francisco-based, woman-founded small business that specializes in botanical-forward skincare with an emphasis on both physical and mental health.
Promising review: "This is my first time using the MyMatcha stick and I looovvveee it! I have it on me pretty much all the time so I can dab a little bit on my dry spots as I need to. It softens up my dry areas and even decreases the swelling of my acne! I've used it as a moisture stick, an acne anti-inflammatory, and even a fly-away tamer. It's a great multitasking product." —alizza d.
16. 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).
17. A Neutrogena makeup eraser stick lets you do a quick touch-up on that eyeliner wing that you can't get right or you accidentally smeared before it was set. And it's small enough that you can throw it in your bag on the reg.
Promising review: "Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? For years, I’ve been using cotton swabs 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.
18. 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 it from Amazon for $16.
19. A faux puff extention youclip into your hair for a quick and easy 'do for when you've gotta look really cute, really quick.
20. Or INH Clip-In Messy Buns help 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).
21. And some clip-in hair extensions if, for some reason, you're going to need some extra length and volume at a moment's notice for some glamorous photo ops. Better to be prepared!
Promising review: "This was the best nine dollars I've spent in a long time! The color is a perfect match to my hair. The hair is very long — I cut at least 12 inches off. It stays in place very well. This is a fun addition to my going out look." —SBonert
Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six lengths and 40+ colors).
Find out more in my colleague's Reecho hair extensions deep dive!
22. Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave In Conditioning Spray treats your hair right and is made to annihilate frizz for up to 48 hours...something we could all use.
Briogeo is Black woman-founded brand! 🙌
Promising review: "Love this stuff. I don’t even have to blow dry my hair. Just spray this stuff on wet hair after you shower and let it air dry. When my hair dries it looks like I made an effort. It looks shiny and no frizz. Great stuff!" —Megan Cubias
Get it from Amazon for $24 or a mini size from Sephora for $12.
23. Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare Balm not only smells amazing, but will help your fresh ink heal to the best version of itself. And then you can keep using it long after it's healed. It's *also* great on making old tattoos look bright and refreshed!
I used this stuff and the brand's aftercare soap on a healing tattoo this summer to great success. Just a teeny tiny bit goes a long way so you'll get a lot of use out of one tub.
Promising review: "This stuff is good. It is easy to spread, has a light but good smell. Very moisturizing. I tested it on a tattoo that had faded from the sun some, and is at least 12 years old. Once I rubbed in the Hustle Butter it brightened it up like the ink was fresh. I also put it on a fresh tattoo that I just got almost two weeks ago and still going through the care stage. It has color in it and the Hustle Butter just made it look like I just got it done. Overall, this is going to be my go to for any tattoo needs from here on out. I am kicking the Aquaphor aftercare from now on. 👍🏻" —amanda barnes
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three sizes).
24. Maybelline's Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush, which reviewers compare to Glossier's cult-fave Cloud Paint. Might as well try out a more budget-friendly formula when you decide to board the lotion-like blush train.
My BuzzFeed Shopping colleague Emma Lord is a fan (as you can see!). Here's what she has to say:
"I'm a Glossier Cloud Paint stan so I'll continue to buy it, but I love this affordable similar item, 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: "LOVE this cream blush! Goes on smoothly and looks completely natural and I am in my 60s! WOW! WOW! WOW! I am amazed with this little tube! And the price cannot be beaten! Thank you!!!" —Renee A. Parker
Get it from Amazon for $5.98 (available in six shades).
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. Ebin New York 24-hour edge tamer helps you lay down your edges and adds shine — minus the flakes or weight. Even when you use it daily!
Just a note that you don't have to lay your edges, but this is great if you do!
Promising review: "Girl! This edge control is bomb. I have 4b/4c hair and this lays my edges no problem! It even survives the Caribbean heat. It didn’t turn white on me unless I packed too much on, but I just sprayed with some water before I applied and it worked out. It smells GREAT and it’ll last me ages. I bought it like, months ago and I still have about half left and I use it every day. GREAT bang for your buck." —Chelsea R.
Get it from Amazon from $6 (available in five sizes).
28. 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.
29. 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).
30. 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: "if you are thinking of buying this product or if you are the type of person to wear a lip tint daily under lipgloss or lip balm, I would definitely definitely recommend! I’ve had the Benefit Benetint and this product performed better for less than half the price. My Benetint would settle weirdly on my lips and sometimes the middle of my lips would be a different shade than the outside, plus it would settle in any little cracks and this product does not do that for me! so would totally prefer this and will be repurchasing." —jenny
Get it from Amazon for $6.40 (available in three shades and combo packs).
31. 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).
32. 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).
33. 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.
34. 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 $22+ (available in two sizes).
35. 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.
36. 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).
37. 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.
38. 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).
39. 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).
40. 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.
41. 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.
42. 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 $11.25.
43. 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.
44. 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).
45. 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.
46. 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).
47. 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.
48. 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).
49. 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).
50. 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.