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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.
They all work so well you won't be able to stop yourself from blabbering about 'em.
Promising review: "Let me start by saying this isn't my first cat-eye rodeo. I've tried the taping method, normal liquid liner, plastic winged stamping devices, stencils, all of it! Well, this gem arrived and I immediately had to try it out, all while laughing at how terrible this would probably turn out...but to my surprise I put the left cat-eye on first and it was perfect. I thought this was a fluke and did the right eye...again, it came out clean and perfect! I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN ABLE TO DO A CAT-EYE IN UNDER 10 MINUTES, LET ALONE THE TWO MINUTES THIS TOOK TO DO! There were no sloppy streaks that I had to touch up or anything you would expect. Just a clean crisp line. I can now do a cat-eye EVERY day and look/feel like a badass. Everyone can think I spend hours doing my makeup in the morning." —LadyMeow
Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.97 (available in two sizes and colors)
My coworker AnaMaria Glavan is passionate about this product. Here's what she had to say:
"Believe the hype: this magic bottle is proof that not all heroes wear capes. The creamy formula, which comes in blond, 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 what 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."
Get it from Glossier for $16 (available in five shades).
My fellow editor Emma Lord is a BIG fan of this mascara. She said:
"Hello, that is my face above, because I bought into the hype of over 35,000 positive 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 live long day (I spent all of this ridiculously hot pandemic summer wearing it, so I can speak to that), 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: "I have to be honest, for a 'cheap' three-pack mascara, I did NOT have high expectations. These, however, exceeded my expectations and went MUCH MUCH farther. I had been buying a certain $25/tube brand (rhymes with truepique) and I like these just as much!! I’m saving a TON of money and like my lashes just as much." —Liz
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
Promising review: "For the girls who love sparkly glam looks but hate the mess it usually causes, this is for you ;) I hate trying to wear glitter shadow and it ends up everywhere lol. This product is the perfect alternative, I can get a lovely glitter eye look and it stays put. Works well on its own or layered over other shadows." —hillarynreallife
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in 10 shades) or Sephora for $24 (available in 7 shades).
It's super buildable and is vegan and cruelty-free. BuzzFeed writer Ali Faccenda (shown above) tested this lippie and enjoyed it! She said:
"This is an amazing lip product for summer. It's hydrating and not sticky (which is, in my opinion, the worst thing about glosses). I love applying a light coat and then blending it in with my finger so it isn't too shiny but it looks great without blending too. I find that in the summertime, regular lipsticks and liquid lippies can be way too drying so this balm is the perfect hybrid between lipstick and gloss. It has a gorgeous sheen that looks natural and healthy. You can even apply it on the high points of your cheeks for some glow and a pop of color (no need for blush!)."
Get it from Glossier for $18 (available in nine shades).
BuzzFeed writer Marquaysa Battle has this palette and is a big fan! Here's what she had to say:
"So I'm all into makeup that helps me whip up a quick face without trying too hard. This blush palette helps me add a lil' flush to my face in just a couple of dabs. It's super buildable so you can go subtle the way I like to or get super glam with a deeper blush look. I also use this palette on my eyes and lips too. It's easy to use, the four colors can be layered to create a custom shade, and it lasts a LONG time. This will literally be the only blush you ever need. It's definitely one of my smartest cheap makeup grabs."
Get it from e.l.f. Cosmetics for $8.
I'm a diehard Kylie Cosmetics fan and their recent updates to all of their products to make sure they're cruelty-free and vegan has been a game changer. I could go on and on about how much I love pretty much every product Kylie and her team has put out, but my most recent obsession is this highlighter. I have a very pale complexion and never want to look like I've overdone it with my highlighter — that wasn't an issue at all with the Princess Kylighter. It's a nice, subtle pink but can definitely be layered for more opacity. I put it on as a finished touch to my usual makeup and loved how it added just *a bit* more glam to my look.
Get it from Kylie Cosmetics for $24 (and check out all of the other shades here).
I've been using this product for the last year and it has become one of my favorites. It's a brightening and lightweight moisturizer that really works! I like to use it in the morning for a fresh start to my day. The pretty pink hue and glass bottle also just looks gorgeous on my counter — no complaints!
Promising review: "Amazing! I haven’t been able to use a moisturizer for a couple of years without a breakout until I tried this. I had very dry, sensitive skin a few years ago, and then all of a sudden I had oily, acne-prone skin. I started using this because my skin was suffering without moisturizer and I was hopeful. It has not caused one breakout! It has helped heal the breakouts I had when I started using the product. This sits well under makeup, and causes no excess oil throughout the day." —Sephora Customer
Get it from Sephora for $39.
Promising review: "It's a miracle! I am 45 years old and have tried every product over the years — my mom used to put everything imaginable on my fingernails to keep them out of my mouth, my grandma tried to pay me to grow my fingernails out, but still, here I was at 45 with horrible nails. This has been a miracle. I can't describe the taste but will just say that it makes me not want my hands anywhere near my face. Yes, it is difficult to eat finger food with this on — I went to Florida recently and had to have my husband peel my shrimp for me. :-) But, it is a small price to pay to break this habit." —Laurie S.
Get it from Amazon for $15.50.
The mask is meant to work for all skin types and is vegan. In addition to making skincare products, Beauty Strike is a Black- and woman-owned business run by third-generation beauty enthusiast and esthetician, Emani Mone Jeter. Her studio offers monthly yoga and wellness classes, occasional book clubs, and skincare classes. The brand also has a recycling program that'll give you a 15% discount off your next order if you return one qualifying empty container and 25% off for two or more.
Get it from Beauty Strike for $24.
The concealer is paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free, as well as cruelty-free and vegan. BuzzFeed writer Elena Garcia (as seen above) knows a thing or two about why this product is great:
"I've used a bunch of different under-eye concealers (all cruelty-free, of course) to hide the disaster that lives under my big blue eyes, but none have worked nearly as amazing as It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer. It gives me perfectly matte, full coverage without clumping up into the wrinkles of my eyes. It's supposedly waterproof too, but since discovering this concealer, I never cry anymore, so I can't say I've ever tested it out."
Get it from Sephora for $28 (available in 24 shades).
For Elena's full review, head to "This Concealer Totally Makes Your Under-Eye Baggage Disappear."
BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd is a big fan of this lip balm:
"I love this lip balm because it's ~super~ moisturizing. The 'Green Dragon' shade goes on completely clear so it also makes a great base to wear under lipstick. It's ultra comfy to wear, nonsticky, and doesn't flake. Plus, the lid is magnetic and the overall packaging is really nice quality."
Get it from Sephora for $16 (available in five shades).
I'm a diehard Disney fan (a Disney adult, if you will) and was so excited when Ciaté London announced they'd be releasing a collection all about Edna Mode. I was gifted the entire set (squeeeeeeealing still!) but was the most impressed with this lip shadow. I had never tried a product like this (Ciaté London has an array of colors that aren't Disney-inspired) and right off the bat am extremely impressed. It's really easy to layer on the color and build it up so it's more pigmented, but I love that you can also go lighter with it and make it look like a subtle lip tint. It feels like air on my lips — like I don't have product on at all! This will 100% be my go-to travel lip product. You'll have a hard time convincing me that the brilliant Edna Mode didn't actually develop this herself.
Get it from Ciaté London for $20.
Promising review: "Obsessed with this multi-stick. It is light, dewy, and buildable. This stick ranks as one of the best cosmetic products I've ever purchased. My experience with this type of product is they usually go on way too strongly, and appear harshly, which is NOT the case here. For the cheeks, it is so incredibly natural looking and you have control over how pigmented you want it to look. The sheer and fresh finish is amazing. It also works great as a lip booster. It adds a subtle pop of lip color, and feels great too." —Helena M.
Get it from Ilia for $34 (available in eight shades).
I have this and am a big fan! It's very lightweight and is a pleasure to apply thanks to the fluffy brush!
Promising review: "I will never use a different bronzer than the Hoola bronzer. I have tried just about every brand but no one makes bronzer like Benefit! I buy the original color and I find it perfect for my light skin tone. It is not orange or patchy. Hoola bronzer will forever be my favorite." —Kate
Get it from Ulta for $30 (available in four shades).
Promising review: "This concealer makes me look like I got eight hours of sleep when I'm working on four. Where all other concealers have caked in the fine lines now appearing under my eyes — thanks, thirties — this stuff just glides over them and conceals them too. Total magic." —herhere
Get it from Glossier for $18 (available in 12 shades).
Promising review: "These masks are amazing!!! Having 'ice pick' scars left over from acne I was told that I'd have to pay for expensive laser therapy because the body can't produce enough collagen to heal deep scars. I've been using these masks for two months and I've seen SIGNIFICANT reduction in my scars. They are almost completely gone!" —Shaun
Read what another BuzzFeeder had to say about these collagen sheet masks!
Get them from Amazon for $11.99.
This spray has a matte formula, meaning it won't turn your makeup into a greasy or oily mess.
Promising review: "This spray is everything! Like, oh my gosh. I notice the difference if I forget to spray this on. I've walked through the humid city of New Orleans in the middle of July and my makeup stayed on from the time I got to work and was mostly still there by the time I got home, which was nine hours later. I can't rave enough about this, and I'm very picky when it comes to makeup." —missyj95
Get it from Amazon for $8.47.
As explained on their website, all of Everyday Humans' products are formulated without parabens, sulfates, pthalates, mineral oils, artificial colors, and synthetic fragrances. I've tried this product as well and really liked how soothing it felt on my lips — not sticky at all.
Get it from Ulta for $9 (available in two flavors).
I personally have Mary Jo and can attest to the fact it's a PERFECT red lip with an everlasting formula you won't need to reapply all day. The newest iteration is vegan and cruelty-free 🥰. Honestly, I have an embarrassing number of Kylie Lip Kits — convincing everyone they need to try it *at least once* is the hill I will forever die on. I've just been so impressed with the product since day one! I wore a Kylie Lip Kit on my wedding day and it did not budge. Heck, I've worn one to every wedding or major event I've ever attended! It is THE most reliable lip product I (and you) will ever own.
Promising review: "I love, love, love the lip kit, my absolute favorite! Stays on all day, doesn't dry out your lips, it does the opposite, makes your lips look smooth and hydrated! Also makes your lips look full as if you had fillers!" —Jaxs
Get it from Kylie Cosmetics for $29 (and check out all of the other shades here).
Promising review: "I have an extremely oily nose and no coverage left after a long day wearing a mask. This primer gripped my foundation so well that it stayed in place all day under my mask and I still looked flawless after a hot yoga class...with a mask...for an hour! Controls my oils too. I’m in love!" —Laurengirl
Get it from E.l.f Cosmetics for $3.20 (originally $8).
Promising review: "Honestly it took me a week and half to use these because THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. I couldn't even bring myself to dirty them with makeup. But then I finally did. AND THEY ARE AMAZING. HEAVENLY. Seriously they apply makeup so well it is insane. I have never experienced a brush this nice before and I own $100 brush sets. No joke. I expected these to be sub par since they were so inexpensive. I literally bought them just because they are pretty. TURNS OUT THEY ARE THE NICEST BRUSHES EVER. " —Amazon Customer
Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $7.99 (originally $10.99).
Promising review: "I was lucky enough to have clear skin in high school so I never understood how awful acne really is. When I was about 21–22 years old, I switched to a birth control implant, and that thing wreaked havoc on my entire life. I suddenly had horrible cystic acne. Not only did it make me self conscious and uncomfortable, but it was actually so painful — laying on my pillow hurt my face! To top it all off, my skin was also dry, and irritated. I tried every skincare line on the market for about two to three years, with no, or very little, results. Finally, I found La Roche-Posay's skincare products. Within four days, the inflammation decreased, the redness was fading, and my skin felt less dry. By two weeks, my skin was practically clear! I have been using this product for about four to five years now, and I haven't had a single outbreak, EXCEPT for the time I wanted to try a different product to save money. Huge mistake, one I will not make again." —LadyHawke
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Promising review: "These eye masks are absolutely amazing! I have hereditary dark circles under my eyes, as well as slight bags from being a mother of four. Eye creams do absolutely nothing for me, and I gave these a try just on a whim, not really expecting much. But they really work! The results aren't permanent, but I put these on for about an hour in the evening while I relax and watch TV, and my under eyes are much lighter and less puffy. I absolutely love these eye masks, and I will never be without them again." —Kate Johnson
Get a pack of 12 pairs from Amazon for $15.99 (originally $19.99).
Promising review: "The shine for the eyeshadow collection is amazing! The contrast of the colors goes on so smoothly and stays vibrant for the whole day! Highly recommend this product and I'm thinking about getting another for a friend." —Meaghan C.
Get it from BH Cosmetics for $6.75 (originally $27).
Promising review: "I'm not much of a makeup person, but saw this on Instagram and really wanted to try it. I've been mixing this every day with a very light tinted foundation and my skin now has the PRETTIEST glow. I actually get compliments when I go out which is nice. My cousin and two aunts bought a bottle after seeing my illuminated complexion. I use the color nova, it has just a tiny touch of bronze which allows me to use it all over my face with out looking like I'm wearing makeup. Good stuff! I'm absolutely loving my glow!" —Stephanie P.
Get it from Ilia Beauty for $42 (available in three shades).
BuzzFeed writer Nusrat Sultana is a big fan! She said:
"I have this in several colors and always love how it colors my lips and lasts all day without me having to reapply because of the stain effect. You don't need to worry if the color is there. If your lips feel dry, just rub some lip balm over them — the color stays! You can also build up the color for intensity or swipe it once and blot for a natural-looking gradient stain."
Promising review: "I've been looking for a good, long-lasting tint for a while now and have been disappointed nearly every single time. Most of the products would fade or go on really unevenly, causing me to have to reapply multiple times. Not these! These stay on through both food and drink (I've tested them with sandwiches, soup, soft drinks, water bottles, etc.) AND smooth over any dry areas on your lips to make them look really soft and not chapped at all. The applicator also makes it really easy to get the product exactly where you want it. I have long days from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and I usually only reapply once or twice — and even then, it's only necessary when I've been doing some hardcore stress eating. I've finally found my holy grail lip tint!" —Wendy K.
Get it from Amazon for $7.50 (originally $12; available in 12 shades. Find more shades here).
My sister and I have this fun lil' lip balm, and we love it! The flower inside is as pretty as the shade of pink it creates. I like minimal makeup, so this product has been a slam dunk for me.
Promising review: "The flower balm is my absolute favorite product from Winky Lux! It creates the perfect tinted lip and keeps them moisturized!" —Katie B.
Get it from Winky Lux for $16 (available in three flower colors).
My colleague Jessica Seib loves Cloud Paint (as does many other Buzzfeed employees, myself included). She said:
"I'll be the first to admit that Cloud Paint in 'Beam' is a heavenly STAPLE. If you can't tell from the photos, it's both lightweight and moisturizing. The shade is super subtle, but equally as flattering on both a bare and full face of makeup. My daily *lewk* is forever changed — you won't regret buying!"
Get it from Glossier for $18 (available in eight shades).
Promising review: "I have used multiple setting sprays in the past but this one is by far the best. The spray is not sticky and the mist is very fine and feels greats on my face. I would 10/10 recommend to anyone looking for a new setting spray and anyone who wants their makeup to last all day — even under a mask!" —KCris406
Get it from Sephora for $32.
I've been using this serum for a while now (in addition to the other products in the Glass Skin Discovery Kit). It's not super oily, feels really lightweight, and smells fantastic. It's infused with peach extract to help fill your skin with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to keep it looking fresher than ever.
Promising review: "I use the glass serum twice a day EVERY DAY. It brings a radiance and glow I've never found in other products; it hydrates well without becoming oily later in the day." –Nancy
Get it from Ulta for $39+ (available in two sizes).
This playful, punny palette is cruelty-free and vegan! Added bonus? It's from a small Black-owned business based in North Carolina.
Promising review: "This palette is amazing!!!!! It’s so pigmented. The colors pop extremely well. I can’t wait to see what other palettes this brand has to come." —Jasmine
Get it from Makeup Scientist Cosmetics for $45.
Pat McGrath Labs is a Black woman-owned brand. Not only does she make incredibly beautiful products, but she recently became the first makeup artist to received a damehood. Queen Elizabeth certainly does have good taste ;).
Promising review: "This is the absolutely the best lipgloss I've ever used. It lasts for about 6-7 hours before I need to reapply. It keeps my lips moisturized, and I like the sparkle. I'll definitely be trying other shades." —FawnRN
Get it from Sephora for $14 (originally $25; available in four shades).
Promising review: "My love affair for this lipstick started two years ago when I bought the wrong shade and it turned out to be a blessing. The texture is moisturizing but there’s a decent amount of staying power which I appreciate. I absolutely love the shade range so much I feel like you’ll be able to find a color you enjoy from the line. They also build very nicely. If you are looking for a high end lipstick that you won’t be disappointed in check these out!" —thebrittster
Get it from Sephora for $38 (available in 35 shades).
Promising review: "Best concealer of all time!! Just love the consistency. Can be worn without powder to give a more dewy look! Love the travel size. Medium to high coverage! Would definitely recommend!" —Mehwish K.
Get it from Tarte for $10 (available in 30 shades).
This was one of the very first products I ever added into my daily makeup routine — I've been using it for over a decade and likely will forever. It's very lightweight, doesn't feel cake-y at all, and is always my finishing touch to any makeup looks I put together.
Promising review: "I've been using the original foundation for years and it has NEVER disappointed. As soon as I put it on my complexion is near perfect, but still looks so natural. I get compliments on my skin when I wear it, because it really doesn't look like average, caked makeup — it looks like your skin. It's worth every penny and lasts quite a while. Give it a try! :)" —Rebecca2020
Get it from bareMinerals for $32 (available in 30 shades).
Promising review: "I am a makeup snob. I have stupidly high standards for cosmetic performance, and drugstore brands have let me down every single time I've given them a shot. So when I graduated from Covergirl to Sephora after college, I never looked back. My kit is full of Dior and YSL foundation, Armani concealer, Benefit brighteners, etc. But this thing is truly great. The sponge applicator is better than you think. Firstly, it's antimicrobial, so you don't have to worry about the hygiene aspect. Secondly, its ability to blend the product is outstanding. The concealer itself doubles as a highlighter, it looks good without primer, and it lasts so much longer than you'd expect." —Sarita
Get it from Amazon for $5.29+ (originally $9.99; available in 18 shades).
Check out our full review of Maybelline Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer.
Note: Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.