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. A time-saving waterproof eyeliner stamp as a hack for applying an expert wing perfectly on the first try, because even the pros admit they need help getting this notoriously tricky look right.
One side is the curved wing stamp, and the other is a regular fine tip liner for defining the rest of the eye. It comes in a pack of two, one for each eye.
Promising review: "I can’t even with the 🎉awesomeness🎊 of this product! I live in Florida with the humidity and this DOES NOT BUDGE!!! Easiest eye EVER and perfect for those who have a hard time with this look! Even we makeup artists (I personally have over 20 years experience) will take an easy way out!! Why make it hard when it doesn’t have to be?! That is what I teach in my makeup classes and this will be a STAPLE in my classes!!! Love this so much!!!" —Natalee Goehrig
The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty.
Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in three sizes and a combo pack).
2. A popular, non-aerosol dry shampoo powder with black ginseng and biotin to help soak up grease, so your hair will look fresh even if you've been too busy for a proper shower. Best of all, it works without toxic ingredients like benzene. 💪
Promising review: "Best dry shampoo ever. I have been literally obsessed with finding the perfect affordable dry shampoo. I have tried plenty of sprays, none of them really do the job. I happened upon this product. Let me tell you…changed my world. I washed Wednesday. Used it Thursday, Friday and was blown away. My hair wasn’t greasy. The powder gives your hair a texture so you can get some good lift if you want. Also, I could have gone a third day no wash if I wanted. I am 100% percent happy with this." —Kristina Boddie
Get it from Amazon for $16 (also available in packs of two and three).
3. An oil-free, microfine Urban Decay makeup setting spray that'll have your makeup looking as perfect at the end of the day as it did when you applied it that morning, because you're not gonna have any time for touchups. It promises to extend makeup wear to 16 hours, though reviewers say it works for even longer — and lasts through sleep, sobbing, swimming, and more.
Promising review: "I fell face first into ocean water and my makeup still looked amazing. Literally expected my makeup to be completely gone by the time I got to my car because of how completely soaked I was. NOPE! And I still got my makeup complimented after! Lives up to the hype! Ocean: 0, Urban Decay Finishing Spray: 1." —Darlyn
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes).
4. And an eye primer to make sure your eyeshadow will hold up for hours on end without creasing or smudging. If you don't use primers for your eye makeup yet, trust me, it's game changing — especially if you have oily eyelids like I do.
Promising review: "I am very happy with this purchase! The primer lasted on my client for 14 hours, including 10 hours of on-camera work and running around doing interviews. Pleased as punch! This is what I needed to hear! Finding a good shadow primer is like the holy grail in the life of a makeup artist. I have used many products and wasted a lot of money and I believe I found a winner with Elizabeth Mott’s product! I am thankful and impressed!" —Miss Lilly
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
5. A prescription-strength Differin retinoid gel you can apply a few nights a week to promote cell turnover, reduce inflammation, and help clear breakouts. Retinoids are essentially the gold standard of skincare, so this is THE product to bother with for anyone wanting to upgrade their routine.
Promising reviews: "Has completely transformed my skin. I used to get hormonal acne every single month, I still get it now but far less often and severely. Differin has really made a big difference on my quality of life. I have sensitive skin, so I only use it a couple of times a week and always over a light layer of lotion. When I first started using it, my acne did get worse for about a month and then magically one day my skin looked amazing. It's worth a try for sure!" —Britt
"I have literally struggled with acne since I was in fourth grade. Often I'd get really deep painful cystic acne which left terrible scars, but other times I'd get tons of smaller pimples that left their mark long after the pimple was gone. It was nonstop and I tried nearly everything. I’ve had one blemish appear in the five months since I started Differin, and amazingly it was gone in a day, and didn’t leave a scar!! FYI I have sensitive, combination skin that likes to alternate between being brittle dry and baby oil slick." —Angelique
Get it from Amazon for $13.47+ (available as a tube or pump, and in 30-, 60-, 90-, and 180- day quantities).
6. A luxurious, lightweight L'Oreal rinse-out moisturizing hair treatment that utilizes amino acids to repair damage and restore shine — in eight seconds.
It's activated by water, so you can apply it after shampoo but before conditioner to let it work its magic! Recommended usage is 2–3 times a week. Reviewers say it works on all hair types, including straight hair and curl types 3a–4c.
Promising reviews: "I have 3c type hair and struggle with a lot a breakage, unmanageability, and moisture. When my mom mentioned this product to me, I didn’t take her seriously because of the simple fact that we have two completely different hair textures. I never would have thought this brand would work on my hair...I have never in my 22 years felt my hair like this. I feel like I have a completely different head of hair. This product is so amazing and I will FOREVER be using this product in my hair regimen." —Theressa Hailey
"This stuff works. My hair was so dry and brittle, I tried a hair mask, deep conditioned it three times, etc., and nothing worked. I tried this the day I bought it and now my hair is soooo luxurious, soft, and bouncy. This stuff is magical." —@___.Fuego ig
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
7. A pack of multipurpose dermaplaning razors for quickly shaping eyebrows and removing peach fuzz on cheeks and the upper lip area in case you don't have time for tweezing (much less a waxing appointment). Plus, it'll help your foundation and blush apply *extra* smoothly.
Promising review: "I'm a makeup artist and kept hearing from others about how face shaving (derma-planing) makes makeup look better and makes skin glowy, and decided why not, let's try it! And I'm so impressed! I wish I had a picture of how much white peach fuzz came off in small strokes as I was using this! I loved it as an eyebrow tool, too. It's important to properly cleanse before using as you will be opening up your pores in the process for exfoliating, some of the reviews said they broke out and I imagine it's because they didn't properly cleanse. From research, they recommend not wearing makeup the day you use this and applying moisturizer after. I dipped the blade in rubbing alcohol to sanitize after using, too. I don't know how some reviews said they cut theirselves with this tool, I was nervous to try this because of those reviews but honestly no. Hold the tool at a 45 degree angle, make small strokes downward and hold the skin taut on the area you are shaving, and you'll be fine. Give it a try!" —dl
Get a three-count from Amazon for $5.94 (also available as a pack of nine).
8. An easy-to-use L'Oreal root concealing spray that covers roots in literally seconds if there's no way you're gonna have time for a salon trip this month. BTW, this video of Eva Longoria demonstrating how to use it is truly one for the books.
That said, gray hair is gorgeous, so let those silvery strands shine! At the end of the day, it's whatever makes YOU feel best.
Promising review: "This product is terrific for hiding the pesky gray hairs that start to emerge 1–2 weeks after coloring my hair. I have dark hair, and a lot of gray around my forehead and temple areas, so any gray hairs are beyond obvious. Once they start to peek out, I use this product and I can last another couple of weeks before coloring." —Carissa K
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in eight colors and in packs of two).
9. A vegan, reviewer-approved Maybelline Dark Circles treatment concealer for when you've been running around all day and all night and now have to do it all over again, preferably while looking somewhat put-together. It's medium coverage and wears for up to 12 hours (while simultaneously moisturizing your skin)!
It has an antimicrobial cushion applicator so you can dispense concealer and immediately apply it without a mess.
Promising review: "As a makeup artist using everything under the sun product-wise, I am extremely impressed by this concealer! I use this personally on myself and don't even have to touch the product with my fingers! Blends like a dream and is very light, does not cake in the creases AT ALL, and wears all day perfectly. Totally recommend this to everyone!" —Bioya Shopper
Get it from Amazon for $6.60+ (available in 16 shades).
10. The cult-famous Essence Lash Princess mascara that gives quick and truly dramatic length without clumping or flaking. It's cruelty-free, has over *200,000* 5-star ratings, and is less than $5. Now you won't need to block hours off for a lash appointment to get the perfect fluttery look.
Promising review: "I am a makeup artist. This mascara outperforms nearly every other mascara I have used, and I am 55 and have purchased and used an innumerable amount of drugstore and specialty mascaras. All the high priced ones are SUPPOSED to do what this very quiet, low marketed very black mascara does; coats every lash, thickens, and lengthens every time and for this price?!?! Sssshhh, don't tell anyone, lol." —Laura Price
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
And check out our full Essence Lash Princess Mascara review for more details.
11. Some dentist-recommended Crest whitening strips you can wear for 30 minutes at a time to remove up to 20 years of stains if you feel self-conscious about your yellow teeth. With no-slip grip and advanced seal technology that molds the strip comfortably to your teeth, these truly are the comfiest and most effective strips on the market.
The pack comes with twenty 30 minute treatments, and two hourlong treatments. The strips are also enamel-safe!
Folks, these are not the gloppy whitening strips of your childhood that slid all around your mouth and had you spitting out globs of product every few minutes so you wouldn't swallow it. I know this because I grew up using those exact strips to treat my hereditarily naturally-kinda-yellow teeth. I eventually swore off whitening strips because they were so awful and uncomfortable. 10 years later, I decided to give at-home whitening another try since I now drink like a million cups of coffee a day, which obviously did nothing to help my yellow teeth lol. Long story short, I was FLOORED when I tried these strips. They may or may not be the best beauty development of the 21st century. These things stay put with literally zero gloppy residue, no spitting or readjusting required. They work so well, I'm almost resentful ~kids these days~ won't experience how absurd at-home whiteners used to be lol. Anyway, they're so comfortable that the 30 minutes or an hour you have them on zips by, so that by the time you're through, your teeth look whiter with virtually zero effort on your part. Can I nominate this for some sort of award??
BTW: If your teeth feel sensitive while you're using the strips (mine did), just take a break for a few days before starting them again.
Get a 22-count pack from Amazon for $45.99.
12. A luminous cream blush inspired by the colors of the Santa Monica sunset and infused with skin-loving green tea and aloe vera extracts. Creamy and pigmented yet buildable, the shades are designed for use on cheeks, lips, *and* eyelids so you won't need to fiddle with a bunch of different products to get that beautiful sun-kissed look.
I'm obsessed with these these blushes. They're the whole package: beautifully glow-y, pigmented and creamy, yet so buildable that it's basically impossible to mess up applying them. They've made me lose interest in all the other blushes I own lol — they're just phenomenal, and I really think no collection is complete without at least one.
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned business designed for sensitive skin. Their products are free of any sensitivity-causing ingredients, and are vegan and cruelty-free.
Get it from Amazon for $19 or from Sephora or Tower 28 for $20 (available in up to seven shades).
13. A Neutrogena makeup-correcting stick so you can easily clean up your smudged eyeliner and over-drawn lipstick if you're rushing through your morning routine. It's more sanitary than using your fingers to wipe off smudges and more eco-friendly than using cotton swabs.
14. A stainless-steel blackhead removing tool to de-gunk clogged pores in minutes using high-frequency vibrations. It'll help your skin absorb products better for maximum results — for a fraction of the price (and time) of a regular facial.
See it in action on TikTok here.
I finally caved and bought this during Black Friday, and wow, I am SO glad I did. Blackheads are less of an issue for me than cystic acne, and it worked beautifully for both, and somehow very gently, too. The first time I used it, I could see all the stubborn gunk in my skin being extracted — gunk that was still there despite having just showered and regularly adhering to a pretty strict skincare regimen (!). I used the Blume Nourishing Face Oil to keep my skin moist while using it, which worked well for me (they recommend using a toner, water, or some other moisturizing agent). After using it, my skin felt softer than it's felt in years, and super clean without being at all tight. In short, a great product and definitely a staple for me.
Promising review: "Don't doubt it, a staple in skincare. I got this little device from a TikTok and decided to give it a try. I never knew I needed it until the first time I tried it. The vibrations magically bring up all the stubborn blackheads you can’t reach with just your fingers, especially if you have acrylics like me." —Paige Chaney
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors and a multipack).
15. A lip-plumping gloss set that'll make your lips so luscious and full, you'll feel like you got fillers — without the time and money required to actually inject anything into your bod.
You'll get one lip plumper and one minty sleeping mask for your lips.
Promising reviews: "I loved this stuff, it was magic. The evening moisturizer was fabulous. It is the first plumper that actually works for me. Will be buying more for gifts!!!!!" —Alexandra
"I love this duo!!! I am a makeup artist so I've tried almost every lip plumper on the market! This is a great value since you get two different products for lower than the cost of one tube by other brands. Keeps my lips hydrated as I live in dry Arizona. I'm so excited I came across this!" —Mandy Burden
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
16. Alcohol-free micellar water infused with rose water and glycerin to gently cleanse skin, hydrate, and remove makeup, with no rinsing required. On days when you just don't have the energy for the whole double cleansing thing, reach for this — it'll do the trick with less effort and in less time.
I've used this micellar water for several years and *love* it for my sensitive skin! It's especially great for days when I don't have the energy to drag myself to the bathroom to properly wash my face. I keep a bottle of this by my bed and just soak a cotton pad with micellar water to clean my face.
Promising review: "Best makeup remover EVER!! I am head over heels in love with this product! I have used it as my go-to cleanser for years. It's very gentle and even cooling to your skin — a very light lovely scent. Don't saturate the cotton ball or pad too much, or you will get make-up and residue sloshing into your eyes as someone described above. A little goes a long way, and your makeup almost disappears like magic. Note: If you do get it in your eyes, it does not burn. No harsh chemicals to worry about. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!" —Babsie
Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (also available in a pack of two).
17. A smudge-proof Maybelline matte liquid lipstick so easy to apply, you won't feel like you're even putting on a matte lip — until it's been on your lips a full day after you first applied it, like it was for this makeup artist.
Promising review: "Wow! Very happy and need to order in more colors. I’m a makeup artist and I test longevity of wear on all my makeup. I literally still had lipstick on the following day after putting it on at 3 p.m. the day before. It is matte so if you have dry lips I suggest you exfoliate prior to use. Definitely buy!" —S.S.
Check out BuzzFeed's Maybelline liquid lipstick review for more.
Get it from Amazon for $6.98+ (available in 34 colors).
18. A hair-smoothing stick with a unique mascara-like brush applicator to easily get rid of any flyaways, frizz, or cowlicks in a pinch.
I have 2c/3a hair that is prone to frizz, especially if I wear it in a ponytail or buns. I'm very low-effort when it comes to haircare, and this was such an unexpectedly great find for me. It smooths my hair immediately and holds for hours with natural, minimal ingredients, which has given back my confidence in my sometimes unruly mane. It's easy to wash out too without buildup. A must-try!
Promising review: "We’ve tried so many different products to try and smooth my daughter's flyaways. This product smooths her hair without being greasy or crunchy, and it lasts all day! The wand makes it very easy to apply, mess-free, and perfect for travel." —Allison H
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a pack of two).
19. Or a humidity-resistant edge control gel to help quickly lay edges and baby hairs without flaking or appearing greasy.
BUT we want to add that no one should feel pressure to lay their edges, unless they want to!
Promising review: "Hands-down! The best edge control I have ever used and I have used a lot of them. Stayed all day! No flakes and nongreasy! And this one is not even the strongest in the line. Love this product!" —Mrs.Washington
Get it from Amazon for $4.97+ (available in five sizes and a pack of three).
20. A pack of reusable and DEEPLY satisfying exfoliating washcloths for scrubbing the dead skin off your body while you let your conditioner sink in during your shower, revealing the ~baby-soft~ skin underneath (and allowing you to knock out multiple tasks at once 💪). Reviewers attest: This product does not come to play.
I use these about once a week, and they are *chef's kiss*. Stay in the shower or bath for five or 10 minutes with moderately hot water before using, which will soften up your skin so that when you start scrubbing; dead skin will basically roll straight off your body. Your skin will look and feel as good as new after, and SUPER soft. One of my favorite shower products, and worth every penny.
Promising reviews: "I stumbled upon these from watching a TikTok and I’m so glad I did! Definitely look into how to use them before you start so you do it efficiently and find what works best for you. I use them after being in a hot shower for at least five minutes then I start with long strokes in one direction. These got lots of gunk off my body and left my skin feeling so soft and smooth!" —Mariah C.
"Okay, these things are AWESOME! I watched a TikTok about this gal using them and I figured why not try them. They weren’t expensive and I spend $5 on useless crap all the time. This, my friends, is NOT useless crap. This gets so much gunk off my body it’s disgusting. How can I have so much dead skin on my body!? I don’t know, but this gets it all off and leaves my skin so soft! Just throw some baby oil on your skin after using it and you are good to go!" —Emilee Brinker
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $7.70.
21. A set of satin pillowcases that'll work while you sleep to help prevent split ends, tangled hair, and irritated, creased skin — that's less time you have to spend dealing with ~all of that~ the next day.
Oh, and you'll also feel like royalty laying your head on smooth, soft satin every night. PS: They also keep your pillow cool if you sleep hot, which will help you sleep more comfortably.
I finally took the plunge and bought some satin pillowcases, and OMG, I wish it hadn't taken me so long! I have 2c-3a curly hair, and for years I'd go to sleep with intact curls and wake up to a nest of frizzy hair that was basically the ghost of curls past. For the first time ever, my curls now survive the night. Is this a *miracle*? No — you're likely to experience *some* frizz in the morning no matter what, if you're like me and toss and turn a lot at night. But there's truly a night-and-day difference in my hair when I do and don't use my satin cases. BTW, I haven't experienced any creasing on my face since I've made the switch, which is kinda unbelievable. And I honestly do feel a bit like a princess resting my head on cool, smooth satin after a long day.
Promising review: "These pillowcases are lovely! They're so silky soft that they're a dream to sleep on. I definitely see less of those pesky 'morning pillow wrinkles' and my hair also seems softer and less static-y. The folding, stitching, etc. also seems a bit more luxurious than the other satin pillowcases I've seen. Not only does it help with wrinkles and your hair, I feel like it pulls out less moisture from my skin during my sleep because my skin feels slightly more moisturized in the morning (despite no change to my skincare products/routine)." —Kristi
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 27 colors and four sizes).
22. A pack of 40 acne patches to heal blemishes using hydrocolloid *plus* tea tree oil and calendula to soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. They're extra thin without sacrificing any effectiveness, so you can confidently wear them on the go — and treat and conceal pimples while you rush about your day.
I recently tried Avarelle pimple patches, because *yes* I love a good hydrocolloid patch like little else. I wasn't sure whether these would be any different from the patches I already had from another brand, but I was so wrong. The Avarelle patches drew out gunk more effectively from my blemishes and gently sped up the healing process (I think because of the calendula, tea tree, and cica). My sensitive, reactive skin loves this stuff. I also could tell immediately that the patches were in fact thinner and more transparent than others I've had, which especially given how well they work is quite a feat. Will be a repurchase for me for sure.
Promising review: "Overall great experience, was pleasantly surprised. I'm a makeup artist and use this for emergency blemish coverage with brides and grooms." —Mavis Kirk
Avarelle is a small business that aims to make the best skincare that's also honest and affordable. All their products are vegan and cruelty-free!
Get a 40-pack of the small patches from Amazon for $8.49 (also available as a pack of 80).
23. An antioxidant-rich Supergoop broad-spectrum SPF 40 sunscreen, because if there's ONE product you should take the time to apply, it's sunscreen. This one goes on completely clear so you won't have to spend endless time blending out a white cast. (Plus, it primes makeup, blurs pores, and protects skin from blue light emitted by tech devices — this one really does it all.)
This sunscreen is my holy grail, full stop. I love how smooth it leaves my skin, and it applies practically invisible. This is one of those products I've purchased again and again and again. And since I love applying it, it actually makes me wear sunscreen more — which is the real win.
Promising review: "This is the most luxurious sunscreen I've ever used. It feels so nice on, it makes my skin feel so soft and I think it blurs my pores! It doesn't leave a white cast and it won't cause any other skincare to pill. I let my mother use some and she was blown away by the quality of this sunscreen too! If you aren't sure if you want to buy this, at least buy the mini version just to try it, although you'll probably end up purchasing the full size immediately after you try it! It's that good! You won't regret it!" —SoTru
Get it from Amazon for $18+ or from Sephora for $22+ (available in three sizes).
24. A 10-in-1 leave-in spray that detangles, smoothes frizz, protects from heat, hydrates, and more using a unique form of cannabis sativa seed oil, effectively eliminating the need for the other hair-perfecting products in your arsenal and getting you out the door that much faster.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly swears by this. She writes: "I have a very thick head of naturally curly hair and have put it through just about everything for you dear readers. Lots of products have either straight-up failed, been meh enough for me to not recommend, or fantastic but so costly that I feel guilty recommending them. But THIS STUFF. This stuff has become my go-to for spraying on my wet hair and then blow-drying. Normally I'd apply a heat protector and an oil treatment or leave-in conditioner before blow-drying. But most of the time when I use it, I don't even need to finish off my hair with hair oil. It's really that good! My hair comes out feeling softer, looking shinier and healthier, and stays looking good for days — which is especially great news because I wash my hair about every four days."
You can check out Elizabeth Lilly's full Mane Club One Hit Wonder review for more deets!
Mane Club is a small business specializing in cruelty-free, vegan hair products.
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in a pack of two).
25. A blurring setting powder to give you smooth, pore-less, sweat-free skin for up to 14 hours, because who has time to reapply powder these days? BTW, you know it's the real deal when a makeup artist is using it on THEMSELVES.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jordan Grigsby owns this and swears by it. She writes "I love love love this stufffff, omg. My skin is oily oily (gotta say it twice for emphasis) and I have spent my entire teen/adult life looking for products that'll make me matte and KEEP me matte. I've tried so many setting powders and literally none can compete with this one. This powder is a serious bad B. I mean, pores? Nonexistent. Oily shiny face? Not up in here. BTW I am a brown-skinned woman and the translucent shade works perfect for me. No caking, no flashback, nothing. Looks just like my skin!!
One/Size is a queer, Filipino-owned business founded by makeup guru Patrick Starr to ensure that makeup is really one size fits all.
Promising review: "A friend told me this powder was amazing, and WOW, I cannot say enough good things about it! It smoothes my pores and fine lines flawlessly. I’ve been using it on myself but as an MUA I cannot wait to use this on my clients! Definitely recommends" —chloest
Get it from Sephora for $18+ (available in two sizes and finishes).
26. A creamy dual-sided lip liner — each side features a complementary shade so you can define your lips *and* create a quick and easy ombre effect without having to use a bunch of different products (and still being unsatisfied with the outcome).
PS! Every lip liner corresponds with one of their beloved matte lipsticks.
Promising review: "Obsessed! This liner is incredible!! I usually have a hard time with pencil liners, they usually feel drying on my lips. But this one glides on so smoothly and looks amazing every time! I love that it's dual ended so I can do different effects. It's perfect!" —Courtney
Treslúce Beauty is a cruelty-free beauty brand founded by singer and actress Becky G. Their consciously formulated products are inspired by her Mexican heritage and seek to celebrate Latine heritage and culture.
Get it from Ulta or Treslúce Beauty for $12 (available in six shades).
27. A pack of mini disposable pre-pasted travel toothbrushes for freshening up unbrushed breath in a pinch. They're sugar-free and don't require any water or rinsing.
They're also great for freshening up after meals and for folks with braces.
Promising reviews: "These are amazing for when you’re on the go and can’t stop to brush your teeth. They get your mouth really clean and make your breath smell really fresh. They’re also good if you’re ill and don’t feel well enough to get out of bed to brush your teeth. You can keep them by the bedside." —Byrds
"I have an autoimmune disorder whose primary symptom for me is extreme dryness in the mouth — in simple terms, I don’t produce much spit! What this means is that almost anything I eat ends up sticking to my teeth. When I am at home it’s not too much of a problem since I can just go back and brush my teeth. However, that option isn’t available to me when I am out. These are a game-changer for me and I have a supply in the glove compartment of both cars as well as in my handbags. Even if you aren’t starting with an autoimmune disorder, you will find that these brushes will make your mouth feel fresher even if you don’t have access to your regular toothbrush and the privacy of your own bathroom." —Leigh Hill
Get a four-pack (with 24 brushes each) from Amazon for $17.08.
28. A bottle of popular Tower 28's SOS Daily Rescue spray so effective at soothing irritated skin that it may just replace many of your products and cut your routine in half — and your skin would be better for it. It uses hypochlorous acid, a groundbreaking ingredient found naturally in our white blood cells that strengthens the skin barrier, boosts healing, and minimizes inflammation. If I could, I would *literally* bathe in this stuff.
I finally bought a bottle of this, and I'm so glad I did. It soothes my parched skin, and I can tell it's calming irritation, too — I recently noticed an incoming perioral dermatitis breakout (an acne-rosacea hybrid that's notoriously difficult to treat), and after a few days of using this, the bumps and redness on my face were completely gone. It saved me from needing to scramble for an expensive treatment, which is kind of unbelievable. It also makes my skin feel more hydrated and more balanced. This thing is understated but mighty, and has a permanent place in my skincare collection.
Promising review: "This is a must-have in both my professional kit and my personal kit. Tower 28 doesn’t disappoint with any of their products and this is no exception. Amazing for prepping your skin before makeup application, helpful in reducing redness and keeping your skin hydrated so makeup looks flawless. Your skin feels instantly refreshed and dewy." —jlopez2397
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned business designed for sensitive skin. Their products are free of any sensitivity-causing ingredients, and are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Get it from Tower 28 or from Sephora for $12+ (available in three sizes).
29. Reviewer-beloved Maybelline Lip Lifter gloss to quickly complete your look with glossy, tinted shine while simultaneously nourishing with hyaluronic acid.
Promising review: "As a pro makeup artist I find myself reaching for these more than any of my lux brand lip products. Literally every shade is gorgeous. The large applicator applies the product smoothly and quickly. I cannot say enough good things about this product. An amazing value. Every client I have introduced these to has reached out to me and told me how much they loved the gloss and immediately purchased additional shades. You will not be disappointed." —Justin Case
Get it from Amazon for $6.98+ (available in 12 shades).
30. A classic, cult-fave Aztec Secret healing clay mask with 100% calcium bentonite clay to deep clean pores and help fade hyperpigmentation in minutes, with only once-a-week use — just how perfectionists running low on time need it.
People also love it for clarifying their hair and body!
Promising reviews: "A staple in my home. This is the best 'pulling' mask that I've ever come across. You can use it with water or with apple cider vinegar (ACV). I use ACV because it makes the mask more intense and pulls more stuff out of my pores. If you have blackheads, get this now! It will pull that stuff out. It will make your face red for a little while afterward but my redness goes away in an hour or so. But keep in mind, it's 'pulling' so it's going to be drawing blood to the surface. It doesn't necessarily mean you're allergic to the product or too sensitive to use it. I hope you find it to be the excellent product that I do." —Heather Newsome
"I used this product as a 'shampoo' mask for my natural, type 4 hair. (I mix it with water and apple cider vinegar.) It removes all of my product build-up while also giving me definition. It’s now one of my go-to products." —lynn brashears
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
Learn more about the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay in our deep dive!
31. A lightweight yet sturdy eyelash comb to clean up your mascara so your lashes will be neat, clump-free, and look fuller.
It's a *major* improvement over using tweezers, bobby pins, or (god forbid) pins to separate your lashes.
The metal on the comb is anti-rust and easy to clean, and comes with a protective cover for maximum hygiene.
Promising reviews: "As a pro makeup artist, this is an excellent tool to have in my kit. Excellent for removing mascara clumps." —Lady Marina
"One of the best-kept makeup artist secrets." —Karln Savitz
Get it from Amazon for $4.49.
32. Quick-acting Nizoral dandruff shampoo that's clinically proven to relieve dandruff by getting rid of the fungus that causes it, instead of just masking the symptoms. Just apply it in the shower like your normal 'poo; you can see results within 1–2 uses.
I get dandruff from time to time, and when I do the flakes are stubborn and hard to get rid of. Nizoral is a godsend and the only thing I will use for getting rid of it. Because it's antifungal, it actually gets at the root of the problem so you get fast relief. I make sure I never run out — it's the only thing that'll take care of my dandruff effectively and quickly.
Promising review: "MIRACLE PRODUCT! If you have a flaky scalp from dandruff, BUY THIS. I was about to go to the dermatologist if this stuff didn’t work. Thank goodness I saved myself hundreds of dollars by giving this product a shot. I used it four of five times (over a month) and it cleared my scalp almost completely. One more use and my scalp will be 120% healed! This stuff blew my mind. Totally worth it." —chris
Get it from Amazon for $15.47.
33. A versatile Urban Decay Naked palette filled with rose-hued neutrals that can put together quick, pretty looks, so you don't have to waste time shuffling through various palettes looking for shades that'll play nicely together. Save yourself time and stress — this'll take you anywhere you need to go.
It contains 12 shades, with matte, shimmer, and metallic options. It's also cruelty-free.
Promising reviews: "Beautiful colors! I'm a professional makeup artist and this is my favorite palette. I actually love the brush that comes with it, too." —makeupdiva12001
"All the brides I've had always ask me for looks that this palette holds. Goes well with a lot of natural looks, whether meeting your mother-in-law for the first time or a midday brunch. Looks amazing on older clients, too. Highly recommend this to all makeup artists, folks with lots of brunch dates and people over 50 that want to look radiant and fresh! Love love love!" —BeautifulEden
Get it from Sephora for $59.
34. And some eyeshadow patches to catch any eyeshadow that might fall while you're applying it, so you don't ruin the rest of your makeup and have to start all over again. Pros also love it for making eyeliner and shadow lines sharp as heck.
These babies have adhesive on back so nothing moves around in the process.
Promising reviews: "My prayers were finally answered. I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. It keeps eye shadow from getting on the cheeks, which tends to happen every time I apply eye shadow. These strips catch all the falling eye makeup. I’m glad I found them. Highly recommend." —Frequent shopper
"I am a makeup artist and I love these for sharp lines. I will say the adhesive is very strong so my tip is to stick it in the back of your hand twice first and get some of the strong adhesive worn down." —Leila VonSleichter
Get a 120-pack from Amazon for $6.99.
35. A cult-fave Denman hairbrush with evenly spaced bristles to quickly define and shape curls so you won't have to spend an hour plopping and scrunching — all for your curls to still look flat and misshapen.
It'll also spare your arm from getting sore while styling, which is forever a win.
I finally treated myself to a Denman brush over the holidays, mainly because I'd finally had enough of trying different "Curly Girl Method" styling strategies that my low-porosity, dense 2c–3a hair would simply laugh at and instead dry into a ball of frizz. The first time I used the Denman, I remember distinctly thinking, "Oh, this is what all the hype's about." It easily defined my curls with its spaced-out bristles, accentuating the spirals and making them pop. It's not a detangler, so you'll still want a regular comb or brush to detangle post-shower, but it's the best low-key styling step possible, IMO.
Promising review: "In my younger teen years I had CURLY hair, but as I hit my 20s and started highlighting my hair, somewhere along the way the curls became a very limp wavy frizz. Thanks to TikTok I thought I should give this a try to retrain my curls. And while I’m only a month or so in, this brush definitely puts a clean spiral wave back into my hair making it more shapely than the alternative frizz I had grown accustomed to." —The Belfis
Get it from Amazon for $20.45+ (available in three sizes and seven color sets).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.