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. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which became the internet's holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes so fast that everyone's old concealers are doing double takes. This lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference.
The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Monica T.
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades).
2. A buildable Electric Glow Stick lipstick with a sheer, subtle glitter and a unique rosy tint formulated with ~pH technology~ so it will adapt to your own personalized shade. Bonus: reviewers *love* this as a subtle, rosy blush — a cheaper alternative to expensive pH adaptive versions!
Check out a TikTok of the Electric Glow lipstick in action.
Promising review: "Beautiful color lipstick that looks great with my skin tone. Not too bright but a rosy color that I love." —Faloli
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
3. Essence's Lash Princess mascara, because TBH, we've all wasted too many years and too much money looking for the ~holy grail~ mascara. This one is less than $5, gives you instant length, and is DELIGHTFULLY sweatproof — reviewers call it out as an excellent comparison for Too Faced's "Better Than Sex" and Benefit's "They're Real."
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: "AWESOME. I’ve always bought overpriced mascara. I’m very picky and was extremely hesitant, but I saw some reviews saying how awesome this was. I’ll never go back to 'Better Than Sex' mascara because that’s what I always use, and I compare it to that. This is the best mascara!! I’ll never go back." —patrick hauk
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
4. Plus Essence's Volume Booster Lash Primer that is ~botanically infused~ with mango butter and acai oil to help thicken and moisturize lashes for that "POW!" level of volume. Your beloved falsies will be like, "Hey?? Remember ME???"
5. E.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer, a lightweight base primer that reviewers swear as a Tatcha Silk Primer alternative — this helps reduce the appearance of pores and lets you apply makeup more smoothly and evenly.
Promising review: "Finally able to get my hands on this and it absolutely lives up to the hype! This is an amazing primer and really visibly smoothens and blurs pores. I use my Beautyblender to apply it and a little goes a long way. It’s a perfect [alternative] for the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer at a fraction of the cost." —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in four styles).
6. A ~weightless~ liquid cream blush with some real Rare Beauty blush energy that's having a whole moment and a half on Amazon right now. Reviewers adore how high-pigmented and blendable the colors are and how soft and dewy the effect is on their skin.
Promising review: "Creamy and blendable. These are great blushes and have lots of pigmentation. Very creamy and has a smooth application on the skin! It is a great [alternative] to the Rare Beauty blush. It lasted me the whole day and did not melt off. It has a lot of coverage and does not need too much when applying." —Harsh Argawal
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 12 shades and in sets).
7. Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm, a game-changing makeup remover made with a blend of pearl barley and vitamin E that reviewers adore for getting that ✨ CLEAN clean✨ feeling — it's designed to leave zero residue or oiliness, *plus* brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Juno & Co. is a small business specializing in personal care and skincare products.
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! I found it on TikTok and OMG!! It works so well. I don't have to sit there and rub the crap out of my eyelashes to get the waterproof mascara off. I will admit, it doesn't take 100% of the makeup off but about 95% of my makeup comes off. It is not water-resistant, as emulsifying it with water helps take the makeup off. I have not found a better makeup remover, and yes that includes Micellar Water (which also works well but leaves my skin feeling oily). With this cleansing balm my face feels hydrated and smooth. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!! 1000/10 would recommend!!!" —Deetje Frederick
Get it from Amazon for $12.34.
8. L'Oreal Lumi Glotion designed to enhance your skin's natural glow ✨ — perfect for anyone who wants a lightweight alternative to foundation or just a lil' extra shimmer in their lives, and a heck of a lot cheaper than the viral Glossier or Drunk Elephant versions.
Promising review: "I can’t believe how long this has been around! I tried Glossier’s Futuredew and realized it felt sort of too oily (and too expensive) for me. This product is SUCH an amazing duplicate that is slightly better! It’s not oily but provides a lightweight shimmer that I mix with my sunscreen for extra sun protection with some highlight effects. I love this! Does not make my super sensitive skin break out or feel oily like the Futuredew did." —e_whospends_money
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four shades).
9. A bottle of Nyx matte setting spray for anyone who wants the all-day protection of Mac and Urban Decay's setting sprays without the price tag — this matte finish will lock your look in place in just a few seconds, even on days when the sun is trying to melt you like a Popsicle.
Promising review: "Expensive isn't always better. I tried this spray before spending the day outdoors in 90-degree heat at Disneyland, and the only place my makeup moved was on the tip of my nose because I have allergies and use a lot of Kleenex. But otherwise, it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on. I’ve used Mac and Urban Decay setting spray, and they never worked as well as this stuff. I am completely amazed. Definitely give it a try." —DH
Get it from Amazon for $9.37 (also available in dewy and radiant finishes, and a jumbo size).
10. Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Base to make anyone with oily skin REJOICE!! This formula rivals Too Faced and Urban Decay's version by genuinely locking eyeshadow in place to prevent the pigments from creasing or smudging (which is a very rude thing for your eyeshadow to do after you've worked so darn hard on it).
Promising review: "I'm so glad I tried this primer on a whim. I typically use either Urban Decay or Too Faced eyeshadow primers. This product works just as well as Urban Decay or Too Faced; in fact, I might even like it better. This goes on smoothly, there's no cake-iness, and my eyeshadow still looks perfect at the end of a long day. Highly recommend this product. On top of the wonderful performance, it's significantly cheaper than the name brands that I've been using." —Suzanne Gribble
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
11. The internet-famous Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller you simply swipe over your face like a magic wand that makes excess oil disappear — super convenient and *way* less wasteful than using blotting strips and time wasting than fancy powders that need a ton of blending work.
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. It was back-ordered, but then I got an email saying it was in stock, and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B.
Get it from Amazon for $10.87.
12. E.l.f. Power Grip Primer, an inexpensive alternative for Milk's Hydro Grip primer and a *godsend* for makeup lovers of all skin types, particularly those dealing with dry, flaky, or acne-prone skin. Once you apply this and let it set for 30 seconds, not only will it grip your makeup in place, but the hyaluronic acid will help moisturize and plump your skin to improve its texture over time.
Promising review: "I wanted to try this for the longest time and I finally got it and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend this product, especially if you have dry skin. This is my favorite primer to use now. Works so well and helps with making your makeup look almost flawless. Highly recommend it." —Megan Lindstrom
"I tried the Milk primer and it worked magic for my super oily skin. I came across this for a fraction of the cost. The milk primer was $34 this does the same job for way less. I am happy with my purchase." —Shenelle
Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in two styles).
13. Maybelline's Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil for an easy-to-use, subtle eyebrow filler just as effective as the ones triple its price — reviewers call it out as an excellent alternative to Benefit's Goof Proof and Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Wiz.
The tool comes with two ends, one a small eyebrow brush and the other a specially edged-eyebrow pencil.
Promising review: "I bought this because it looked like the Goof Proof brow pencil, and I was tired of spending ridiculous amounts on that! I actually like it better than Goof Proof (and for a quarter of the price)! I find it even creamier and easier to use. The tip is perfect if you have a good amount of brow to fill in." —Liza T.
Get it from Amazon for $8.54 (available in four shades).
14. 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 $6.85 (available in three shades and combo packs).
15. Freck Beauty Face Hack Cream Bronzing Stick, a beginner-friendly, delightfully blendable contouring option with a natural finish to subtly define and highlight your features. This one's definitely worth the splurge — it's compact, but highly-pigmented, so a little goes a loooong way.
Freck Beauty is a woman-owned, California-based makeup brand established in 2017 that specializes bold, clean beauty products.
Check out a TikTok of the bronzing stick in action.
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS CONTOUR STICK! It’s the perfect shade and the formula melts into my skin!! It has such a nice blendability that I really like. I also like the fact I can use it on my nose and actually get a nice straight line. If you’re looking for a beautiful bronzy shade that blends easily this is great! I also like the use of it being a stick. It’s a cute packaging component." —Sephora Customer
Get it from Sephora for $18 (available in six shades).
16. An internet-beloved set of makeup sponges for expert-level blending and coverage that reviewers say work just as well as (if not better than!) a BeautyBlender or Real Technique sponges. They work for foundation, BB cream, powder, *and* concealer, plus wet or dry, so basically, it's working harder than I have for *checks watch* my whole life.
Promising review: "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and I 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 $5.85.
17. And a set of triangle makeup puffs you've probably seen aaaallllll over TikTok by now — these are a great way to prevent creasing and lock in concealers, powders, and contours that might escape the blunt coverage of a larger, more traditional beauty sponge.
Check out a TikTok of the triangular makeup sponge in action.
Promising review: "If you came here to purchase them because a TikTok influencer told you to.....so did I. The rumors are true, these little puffs work wonders! I love that it has the pointed end to really get under the eye and around the nose. You can't beat the price and they help with a flawless powder application. Just buy them." —Tayler
Get a set of six from Amazon for $5.94 (available in a dozen different sets).
18. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, which unsurprisingly went just as TikTok viral as everyone's beloved Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask — the glowy balm has the same delightful flavors (including the iconic GUMMY BEAR!!) and hydrates lips with the *chef's kiss* lightweight, moisturizing blend that doesn't get all sticky and goopy like competitors.
Promising review: "Laneige lip balm lives up to the TikTok hype. The Gummy Bear scent is awesome. Don't need to constantly reapply because the formula is moisturizing. Definitely will order other scents." —Charlotte T.
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in four flavors, including Peach, Berry, Grapefruit, and Gummy Bear).
19. Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer, an inexpensive lightweight concealer for anyone who wants to quickly touch up before sweaty summer walks around the neighborhood, but doesn't want to commit to a whole layer of foundation. This also helps cover dark circles without caking and reduces puffiness.
TBH, a few years ago I started using this myself (although this is former BuzzFeeder Kayla Suazo's lovely human face above), and I am mad that I wasted time with other concealers for so long. I am a deeply impatient person who likes to look good and does not like to put in effort in any way, shape, or form, and Maybelline created this so that people like me could gracelessly slap it on in the morning and be like "OKAY, REFLECTION, YOU GOT THIS" before being on their merry way. It never cakes, I look way more awake than I have any right to, and I never struggle to blend it the way I do with other concealers. 11/10 subscribe.
Promising review: "Throughout high school I never knew how to do makeup. But then I heard this product was the absolute best on TikTok. And trust me, they were not lying. It has really good coverage and hides my 'raccoon eyes.' And the best part is that a little bit goes a long way. So if you’re starting out or want to try something new I definitely recommend you try this out." —Liela Lee
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 18 shades).
20. A six-piece (!!) set of high-performance matte lipsticks at a *fraction* of the price of its competitors that stays the heck put without drying or cracking your lips by the end of the day. (Seriously, reviewers are DRAGGING major brands in their comments, these are so cheap and effective.)
Promising review: "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
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three sets).
21. The Brow Glue, Nyx's ~extreme hold~ eyebrow gel that will hold up against ye olde elements, whether you're breaking a sweat on the dance floor or, like me, you're just sweating because it's Tuesday. Reviewers especially love that it doesn't get tacky or flaky like competitors, and is super easy to apply.
Here's what BuzzFeeder Chelsea Stuart has to say about it: "I wear very little makeup — especially on vacation — but there's something about doing my brows that makes me feel more put together. I recently went on a 12-day trip to the UK, Croatia, Montenegro, and Spain, and traveled carry-on only so I really had to pare down my toiletries — especially as the airports I traveled through made us condense all of our liquids into a single quart-size bag. This stuff is TINY but does the absolute most! I wouldn't say I have particularly thin or thick brows, but this really zhuzhed them up with next to no effort."
Promising review: "The Boy Brow from Glossier was my ride-or-die eyebrow product for years, but the tubes are so small, and they raised the price, so I could no longer justify it. This brow glue is the closest thing I’ve found to it, and it’s half the price! Will definitely repurchase." —Alex
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in six shades, including clear).
22. Wet n Wild's Megaglo Blushlighter, the ultimate in two-for-one deals — the luminous shades of this combined blush and highlighter are designed to perfectly complement each other, so you don't have to do any color calculating yourself.
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 $5.47 (available in three shade combos).
23. Live Tinted's Huestick Corrector, which is a 4-in-1 eye, lip, and cheek multistick designed to neutralize dark spots and circles to help even out your skin tone before you use concealer or foundation. You can also use it as a buildable blush or lip color because it is truly a beauty MVP.
Live Tinted is a small woman-owned business founded by entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala that specializes in clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products for all skin tones.
Promising reviews: "I'll admit, I was totally skeptical of these Huesticks. I am 34-years-old, of Sri Lankan descent (medium to deep tan skin) and I've NEVER been good at makeup. I was excited to try these Huesticks, made by and vouched for by a fellow South Asian, but was worried it would look like I was ACTUALLY wearing makeup. I was pleasantly surprised after using Rise under my eyes and around my mouth, blending with a BeautyBlender and then using my same amount of cc cream and powder foundation. You really still can't tell I'm wearing makeup." —Reviewer
Get it from Ulta for $26 (available in five shades).
24. A smudge-proof eyeliner stamp so you can finally get the perfect cat-eye on the first go without having to ~wing it~ (read: wasting eight cotton balls, half a bottle of eye makeup remover, and all of the minutes you were setting aside to make your morning coffee).
Psst — this tool is double sided, so you can choose the thickness of your wing, and comes with two stamp pens — one for each eye!
Promising review: "Best eyeliner ever! This item was a 'TikTok made me buy it' LOL but overall, I am truly happy with this purchase. Thank you! Your product is truly amazing!" —Samantha Lopez
Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in four styles).
25. Tower 28's SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen Foundation perfect for anyone looking for no-fuss, lightweight, protective coverage — this rocks some SPF 30, is easily buildable, and reviewers with sensitive and acne-prone skin *swear* by it.
Tower 28 is a vegan, cruelty-free small business that specializes in products for sensitive skin.
Promising review: "Needed a new tinted moisturizer and heard great things about this via TikTok. I got the shade PCH and it blends in so nicely into my skin. My typical shade is Fenty 290 or 10/11 but i am pretty pale so PCH is perfect! Not orange! " —KWally21
Get it from Sephora for $32 (available in 14 shades).
26. Supergoop's Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow — complete with SPF 30!! — to give your eyelids a subtle, natural shimmer you can apply lightly or build depending on the ~mood~. Reviewers especially appreciate how sweatproof and long-lasting it is compared to competitors.
Check out a TikTok of the Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow in action.
Promising review: "Effortlessly gorg and perfect for summer!! The texture/pigment of this shadow makes my eyes glow and ever so faintly shimmer. Need all colors!!" —katesykes
"I work outside so I love the idea of an eyeshadow with sunscreen. It is a gorgeous shade with a buildable pigment. After I do my eyes I pat the extra on my nose, cheekbones, and Cupid’s bow for a subtle glow." —mermaddie
Get it Sephora for $24 (available in four shades).
27. A rainbow eyeshadow palette that is basically like a fun playground for your face — these super long-lasting, blendable, high-pigmented shades give you all the WOW factor of the more expensive brand name versions without the OH NO factor of the price.
Promising review: "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m. and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." —Daniel T Adams
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
28. Nyx's delightfully loud Epic Wear Liquid Liner to announce your presence at a party before you even say "hello." These glide on easily for long-lasting, matte colors to remind you that your face is a canvas you get to play with for life, and it deserves a little 🌈🌈🌈 to celebrate!
Check out a TikTok of the Nyx Epic Wear Liquid Liner in action.
Here's what BuzzFeeder Amanda Davis, pictured above, has to say about it: "I'm wearing the blue liner there on the left, and the reviews are 100% right. This liner LASTS. I love to throw it on top of my usual black liner when I want an extra pop on a night out or am just feeling a little "adventurous." The liner's super thin tip glides nicely and makes it easy to be precise, too!"
Promising review: "Guys, I have hella hooded eyes, and any time I tried those expensive Sephora or Ulta eyeliners, they would smudge or fade INSTANTLY. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! The color pops, it's easy to use, and it NEVER SMUDGES, NEVER FLAKES, DOES NOT MOVE IN WATER!!! I fell asleep with it on, and it looked like I had just applied it when I woke up. ... Best eyeliner out there, take it from a girl who has tried ALL of those expensive eyeliners (Stila, Urban Decay, YOU NAME IT). I will never switch to anything else." —Jakjak
Get it from Amazon for $9+ (available in eight shades — including classic black!).
29. Glossier's Cloud Paint, which I personally love because it feels like fingerpainting your face. It's thick enough for a noticeable glow, but subtle enough that you don't have to be super precise about it — basically every time I complained about makeup being too hard, a friend rec'd it to me, and I've neeeever looked back.
Promising review: "I purchased Dusk first because I saw it on TikTok. It’s so creamy and easily blendable. Dusk is great for during the day. I purchased Storm second for at night or going out. I never thought I would like a cream blush. I have always been a powder girl. I may never go back!!!" —Felicia
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Glossier's Cloud Paint for more deets!
Get it from Glossier for $22 (available in 10 shades, as well as bronzer shades).
30. A standard set of colorful makeup brushes so affordable and reliable that TikTokers can't get enough of them, with a lot of reviewers saying they compare to high end versions. The brushes are made with soft synthetic bristles friendly for all skin types, with a texture that gives makeup a smooth, polished finish. Also even if none of those excellent things were true, LOOK HOW PRETTY!!!
Promising review: "TikTok made me buy it! So worth the money! Super cute and has every brush I could need! Soft, blends well!" —Faith Alexander
"I'm an experienced makeup user and have used all types of brushes. These brushes are so good. You’re able to pack on color, blend, or do whatever you want, and they work so well. I didn’t have super high hopes because of the price point but I think I’m going to buy more." —Norma
Get a set of 17 brushes from Amazon for $29.99 (available in four other styles).
31. The iconic Alleyoop Pen Pal, which features four quick, easy-to-use products in one tiny package. Each of the three pens comes with a curated color palette of four retractable colors to touch up brows, eyeliner, lips, and highlights, so you've got an entire quick makeup arsenal in the palm of your hand.
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business that specializes in functional makeup products.
Here's what former BuzzFeeder Jasmin Sandal has to say about it: "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 touchups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already-overflowing makeup bag!"
Get it from Alleyoop for $16 or Amazon for $20 (available in three shades).
32. Nyx's Fat Oil Lip Drop, a Dior alternative that is the new definition of "TikTok made me buy it" — this cult-fave product earned its hype by being a rare breed of lip oil that hydrates, glosses, and *doesn't* stick like a fly trap to your hair. It's also super versatile, since you can wear it bare or pair it with a fave lipstick for an extra *pop*.
Promising review: "I’m so amazed by this! I usually get the Dior lip oil but it’s way overpriced for the size so I figured I would give this a try, and I’m not disappointed at all. It’s moisturizing, it feels and looks exactly as Dior lip oil on my lips, and for the price it’s such a great deal. Definitely will purchasing again and trying different colors. It’s not too sticky." —Nouf
Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (available in eight shades).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.