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, which is a cult-fave because of its 1) astounding results (like, extensions-level results) and 2) surprisingly cheap price.
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 ALL the livelong day 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. Elizabeth Mott's Thank Me Later Eye Primer keeps that complicated smoky eye look you copied from an MUA's TikTok intact long into the night. Because the last thing you want is to look back at professional photographer's pics from your cousin's wedding and see your eye makeup a mess. (Though we can't say the same for your dancefloor moves.)
Promising review: "So let me start by saying I have used nearly every eyeshadow primer available. From high-end to low — MAC, Lorac, Urban Decay...they don't hold a candle to Thank Me Later. I have very oily skin. I use this primer and my shadow lasts a full eight hours or more. I could get maybe five or six out of the other brands, if I'm lucky. I got this as a sample in my Ipsy bag, and I had to buy the full-size product straight away! I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thank you Elizabeth Mott for finally making a primer that lasts! I love this stuff!" —Melissa Mae
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
3. A volcanic stone face roller removes oil and shine from your face without disrupting your makeup. And unlike oil-blotting sheets, the ball can be popped out and washed so you can use this over and over and over again.
4. E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, a TikTok-famous lightweight base primer with TONS of amazing reviews because it helps to reduce the appearance of pores and make your makeup apply like buttah.
Promising review: "Okay so first nothing will make you 'poreless' but this stuff is amazing. Will even out fine lines and help with super porous areas; my T-zone [has really visible] pores and this definitely gave me a boost in confidence. I would highly recommend. Especially to those not to familiar with makeup, this is a game changer. Honestly it works better than my $30 primer from Urban Decay and lasts all day. I am oily so I usually blot some powder on later in the day but if you have dry skin this could be the ultimate game changer!" —Olivia
Get it from Amazon for $9.50.
5. A rave-worthy set of makeup sponges reviewers say are a great swap for pricier sponges by Beauty Blender and Real Techniques. They do an amazing job helping you blend BB creams, foundation, concealer, and powder.
Promising review: "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and 'bouncy.' I wash mine between each use and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy." —chris
Get a set of five from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 10 sets).
6. 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).
7. BestLand high-performance matte lipsticks come out to less than $2 a piece but wear like luxury brand lippies, according to reviewers. After all, we have better things to do than constantly touch up lip color.
Promising reviews: "What can I say, I saw a TikTok about this lipstick and for $10 had to try it! The reviews are right, for some reason this lipstick is better than even $20 name brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but dries in under a minute and survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out, no smudging and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!" —Claire
"Beautiful and soooo worth the money! Usually I always purchase either Stila Cosmetics or Kylie Jenner but both of those are very pricey and expensive, so I looked up matte lip glosses on Amazon and saw this and thought I would give it a try. I absolutely love it. Very easy to put on does not smudge, beautiful colors, very very happy about the size of it! I went and purchased set B now because I love this product!" —Vickyy
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three shades).
8. 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).
9. 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).
10. 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.
11. 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).
12. Glimmer Glow Stick lipstick is a sheer, buildable color with some shimmer in it. If you're wondering about how the color will look on you, no fret. It's formulated with pH technology to give you the perfect-for-you rosy hue.
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.
13. Alleyoop Pen Pal combines four products in one at the click of a button — eyeliner, lip liner, brow filler, an highlighter pop out of a pen-like contraption reminiscent of that rainbow pen you begged your mom to buy back in fifth grade. Reviewers especially love it for cutting down on toiletries while traveling.
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 20s that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool 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 Amazon or Alleyoop for $25 (available in three shades).
14. ETUDE House Zero Sebum Drying Powder made for oily skin that you can easily take on the go to keep your T-zone looking like matte perfection despite every other factor.
15. Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation was developed with the Fitzpatrick Scale to better help your foundation look perfect while reacting to the sun. Um, why don't ALL foundations' formulations take that into account?
Uoma Beauty is a small business founded by makeup guru and Nigerian-born Sharon Chuter, who aims to create a wide variety of makeup products for all skin tones.
Promising review: "I bought this foundation to wear for my wedding. (I saw someone use it on TikTok) I've been testing it out and it's become my favorite foundation I've ever use. The blend, the color match, the stay, everything is just perfect. Wow, wow, wow." —Makenna S.
Get it from Uoma Beauty for $39 (available in 51 shades).
16. 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 sometimes use it 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).
17. Or Stila One Step, Color Correcting Facial Serum works as a makeup primer that's a step above the rest for anyone looking to create an even-tone canvas for foundation... or find a color-correcting solution that'd leave you makeup-free.
This reviewer ^ used it to cover up a bad sunburn!
Promising review: "I have rosacea all over my face, especially in my cheeks, sensitive skin with enlarged pores, and my T-zone is usually oily (I know, I have everything!). You have to apply one pump of the product on the back of your hand and mix it (it will turn green and don't be scared the color will disappear after it settles) and then you apply it all over your face, let it sit for one minute and you will see the difference. It's magic! For those of us with rosacea, we need to apply foundation as well, but this primer alone creates a nice canvas. The texture is weightless and it blends imperceptibly into your skin and won't clog pores or settle into fine lines." —UGdg
Get it from Amazon for $36.
18. 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.
19. Wunderbrow, which is a super-long-lasting eyebrow gel that's waterproof so you won't have to worry about your brow filler sweating down your beautiful visage.
Promising review: "I love this stuff! I’m one of those people who over-plucked in the past and now can’t get the thick eyebrows I once hated back. It does take practice and a little trial and error to get the perfect brow. I usually keep a cotton swab handy and sometimes have to reshape after I apply. It is waterproof and lasts a few days. I am careful in the shower when washing my face to wash around the brows. Photos are me out for a jog without anything on my brows, second is after delivering my baby — yes. After my water broke, I took a shower and applied my Wunderbrow! Lasted through 12 hours of labor and three days in the hospital. =)" —Tiffany Haney
Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in five colors).
20. Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer gives you a smooth finish that'll stay that way for so much longer.
Promising review: "This product works!! I have extremely oily skin which means my face is super shiny within minutes of applying foundation. The second photo is without primer, a few hours after applying foundation….you can see all the shine on my forehead. The first photo is with primer 6 hrs after applying foundation….hardly any shine! I believe in the product so much that I gave a tube to my friend who also has oily skin and she absolutely loved it and uses it now! For the price, you can beat it compared to the expensive brands that are way more expensive and only a fraction of the size." —S. Rodriguez
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
21. 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.
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 $10.99+ (available in 19 shades).
Want more? Check out a former BuzzFeeder's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer.
22. Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen Foundation gives ya' SPF 30 (the bare minimum of SPF you need, folks!) and helps even out your complexion...perhaps even replacing several products in your makeup bag. (The DREAM.)
Tower 28 is a small biz whose founder, Amy Liu, has struggled with eczema for years. The brand specializes in products for sensitive skin, and everything is also vegan and cruelty-free.
Promising review: "I’ve been looking for a tinted sunscreen for so long and have been through so many brands. After reading an article about this product, I went ahead and purchased. This is what I’ve tirelessly been looking for! Covers just enough, makes me dewy, and provided SPF 30 protection. I will be a lifetime consumer!" —KWally21
Get it from Sephora for $32 (available in 14 shades).
23. KimChi Chic Drama Queen highlighters are super vibrant but oh-so-blendable whether you're dusting them on your cheekbones or blending them in as eyeshadow.
I have this palette in my arsenal and when I tried it for the first time I thought "Hmm, I'll use the pink on my cheekbones for just a slight little pink hue." Well dear readers, that pink delivered. It was VIBRANT. Not really the look I was going for, but I was super pleased with this color payoff (I wouldn't want anything less from a drag star's makeup line). A lot of times I stick to the champagne or whiter hue for highlighting my cheekbones and play around with the rest for my eyes. If you own this, you likely need no other highlighters at your disposal!
Get them from KimChi Chic for $19.
24. Exa High Fidelity Foundation gives a soft satin finish with anti-pollution ingredients that work OT to protect your skin.
Credo Beauty is a woman-owned small biz marketplace founded by two beauty industry veterans and curated to meet their strict Credo Clean Standard.
Promising review: "I have tried a few clean beauty foundations and this was the best next to another brand that isn't sold at Credo. I actually have two matches!! Anyhow, the shade/undertone range, wear and feel of this foundation and primer (got the set) is by far commendable!!!" —T156 T.
Get it from Credo Beauty for $38 (available in 43 shades).
25. Maybelline New York Sky High Mascara does MAJOR work (as you can see below) thickening and lengthening your lashes — minus all the tell-tale clumps.
Promising review: "I’m weird with mascara. I have very light eyelashes so I require multiple coats to fully cover them. Usually when layering mascara it starts to make my eyelashes clump together and it gets flakey. This stuff literally covers all of my eyelashes, including the very short corner ones. It is easy to remove. And it doesn’t flake. It’s buildable and long lasting." —Libby
Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in seven varieties).
26. 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).
27. Kulfi Beauty Main Match Concealer leaves you with zero caking or creasing — just the stuff you want on your face zhuzhed a little more zhuzhed.
Kulfi Beauty is a South-Asian, woman-owned small biz.
Promising review: "I have dark circles that I've just lived with for years because I couldn't find a concealer that looked natural. Trust me when I tell you I've used the best-selling concealers, but they all looked cakey and/or clownish.
Kulfi's concealer is a miracle product. First, the doe-foot applicator is the softest thing in the world other than a chinchilla. Seriously. I dab a few tiny dots of this product, which is the PERFECT MATCH for my skin and tap it on with my finger just where there's discoloration. If I'm feeling fancy, I use a concealer brush. I do NOT use a setting powder. It doesn't crease or cake. And I don't have reverse-panda-eyes.
FYI, I have hazel eyes, brunette hair, light skin tone, combination skin. My concealer match is Coco Crush." —Judie
Get it from Kulfi Beauty for $26 (available in 21 shades).
28. Wet n Wild Megaglo Blushlighter is a two-fer with complementary shades to make you ~glow~.
Promising review: "For the price, this is an amazing highlighter. I heard about it on TikTok and I decided to try it out. I love it! Definitely recommend for an alternative highlighter if you’re not trying to spend a lot of money." —Salina
Get it from Amazon for $5.49 (available in three shade combos).
29. MSQ Eyelash Separator Comb helps make mascara clumps disappear by gently separating your lashes while your mascara's still wet. I've been using one of these for a few months and it makes a HUGE difference.
It also comes with a cap to cover the comb end for travel and storage.
Promising review: "The handiest tool you didn't know you needed! This inexpensive little tool is perfect for creating natural-looking eyelashes! Even expensive mascaras can look cheap if they clump up on your lashes. This tool acts like a comb to gently separate your lashes and keep them from sticking together. It has been so quick and easy to incorporate into my makeup routine, and the results are much nicer than a cotton swab." —Saved1
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in five colors).
30. NYX Matte Finish Makeup Setting spray locks in your makeup (on the cheap!) to help avoid touchups throughout the day.
I've tried tons of different setting sprays and keep going back to this one because it's affordable and works nearly as well as any luxury version I've tried.
Promising review: "Love this finishing spray! My makeup looks fresh all day long. I had never used a product to set my foundation before this one and I will never be without it again. If you like a soft matte finish, you will really like this product. Highly recommended." —BeBe Benz
Get it from Amazon for $6.73+ (available in three kinds and jumbo sizes; vegan).
31. Or a Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder in case sprays aren't your thing but you need something to keep the sweat off the beautiful masterpiece of your face.
I own, use, and love this. Plus, it's in a HUGE container and lasts for what feels like forever.
Promising review: "Great for baking (setting) under eye concealer (or concealer anywhere). Also, if I start sweating during my foundation application, I lightly dust this powder on my skin and the sweating not only stops then, but it will pretty much keep it at bay for the rest of the day.
The powder does have a slight scent to it which doesn’t bother me however no one has told me that I smell like something different or powdery since I’ve been wearing it." —jillianmaxmillian
Get it from Amazon for $4.49+ (available in six shades).
32. 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).
33. 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.
34. 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).
35. And if your aim is to attempt a neutral at-home mani, LONDONTOWN Illuminating Nail Concealer can give 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).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.