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. Ownest Cosmetics eyebrow soap, a must-have for anyone (like myself) with unruly brows that seem to have a mind of their own. This will add the texture and thickness you've been looking for.
Promising review: "The product works well and gives you a defined and natural-looking brow. Easy to shape and design my eyebrows. Sets the brows in place! It's not sticky and doesn't dry hard. I can't live without it anymore and will repurchase again!" —Trevor gorman
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99.
2. E.l.f Cosmetics Mint Melt Cooling Face Primer, complete with hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and a soothing gel texture you'll love because it'll keep your makeup in place while also delivering a cooling sensation — perfect for those hot summer days.
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 $8
3. Ilia Beauty liquid highlighter to make it seem like you've spent the *perfect* amount of time baking in the golden sun (except we both know you haven't seen daylight in a week).
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).
4. Elizabeth Mott waterproof eyeshadow primer to keep your carefully blended eyeshadow in place — you'll be thanking me for this one later, trust me.
Promising review: "So let me start by saying I have used nearly every eyeshadow primer available. From high end to low...they don't hold a candle to Thank Me Later. I have very oily skin. Using this primer, shadow lasts a full eight hours or more. I could get maybe five or six out of the other brands if I was 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 $13.48.
5. Etude House mineral powder that'll help anyone with oily skin get through the day without feeling like they have to blot at their face sporadically to keep their makeup in place.
Promising review: "I have SUPER oily skin. I have tried many, many things from diet changes to new skincare regimens, and am consistently left with skin that still feels quite greasy by the end of the day. I absolutely LOVE this powder. It is lightweight, super sheer, and works very well at keeping a matte appearance on my face. I generally only need to reapply once, halfway through the day, after a quick refresher with a wipe. I haven't noticed it causing any breakouts (unlike some other powders I've tried before), and it doesn't leave an ashy look to my complexion, even when I accidentally over powder an area. I am going to order some more!" —Dawn
Get it from Amazon for $5.93.
6. Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Super Setter spray you can use to both secure your makeup *and* help blur your pores for up to 16 hours.
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.
7. Or NYX matte finish setting spray that'll make sure the hour you spent perfectly applying primer, concealer, and highlighter doesn't go to waste.
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 $7.
8. A set of five Kulfi Beauty highly-pigmented eyeliners featuring an ultra-creamy formula (I see you aloe vera extract and vitamin E) that'll stay in place for the entire eye. Anyone feel like applying a cat eye right about meow?
Kulfi Beauty, named after a type of South Asian ice cream, is a South Asian-owned business that makes products that celebrate and empower the diverse needs of their communities.
Promising review: "These are just what I have searched a decade for. I've never had an eyeliner go on so smooth or effortlessly before. The color stays vibrant all day, not sinking into my skin or transferring elsewhere. I am in love with this product." —Andrea J
Get them from Kulfi Beauty for $85.
9. Vivienne Sabó Paris clump-free mascara with a lightweight and long-lasting formula that'll have people asking if you recently got eyelash extensions. Joke's on them!
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE this mascara. I have very sensitive eyes and am highly devoted to my trusted brands. When a friend suggested this mascara I was curious, as she loved it. For the price point and how good it looked on her eyes, I thought why not. Holy moly. I'm in love. It makes my lashes longer — looks like I'm natural but better — and has a thinner formula so it looks like I have a billion gorgeous lashes, and looks the same all day long. I cannot recommend this enough. It doesn't rub during the day and give me that black-eye look. It's wonderful. Must buy." —Katherine Ochsman
Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (available in three colors).
10. Or Essence Lash Princess mascara, a must-have for anyone with a flair for the *dramatics* in both their day-to-day life and their makeup.
Promising review: "After using Lights, Camera, Lashes by Tarte for the past year, I got tired of breaking the bank over mascara. My sister suggested Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect and I IMMEDIATELY fell in love. It provides dramatic length and great volume. I can honestly say I can’t stop looking at my eyelashes in the mirror every single day because of how awesome they look. Also, it is very long-wearing. I go from an eight-hour work day right to the gym and sweat like crazy...and this stuff doesn’t budge! I love it!!" —Carrie E Miller
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
11. Ilia Beauty Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint you'll surely be amazed by as it goes on as a liquid but dries as a powder, leaving you with flawless eye makeup.
12. Fluide's Otherworldly Pride Collection, which contains an eight-pan makeup palette starring an array of sparkly colors, a T-shirt, a set of face gems, and a coppery gloss you can use on your lips, lids, or face.
10% of all sales of this collection will be donated to mutual aid platform For Our Sibs. Fluide is a queer-owned small business based in Brooklyn, NY that sells gorgeous makeup.
Get it from Fluide for $50 (shirt available in unisex sizes S–3XL).
13. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer to brighten your under-eyes and help you disguise the fact your Sunday Scaries kept you up way past your bedtime.
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 $5.86+ (available in 18 shades).
Check out our full review of Maybelline Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer.
14. Lovoir winged eyeliner stamp if you obsess over makeup tutorials but haven't been able to nail liquid eyeliner just yet.
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)
15. A playful BH Cosmetics eyeshadow palette you can use to create so many ~groovy~ looks you won't know where to start! It includes an array of matte finishes and shimmers to mix and match.
Promising review: "Very good pigmentation and loved the colors!" —Stephanie F.
Get it from BH Cosmetics for $12.
16. Winky Lux flower balm you'll find simply magical when it goes on clear, then blossoms into the perfect shade of pink as it combines with your natural pH level. In addition to its lovely color, it'll keep you lips feeling fresh and hydrated.
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. My lips are *always* chapped (also I tend to chew on them, so that's on me) and this has been a solid solution to keeping them hydrated and looking cute.
Promising review: "This is the best for moisturizing your lips and it gives you a little hint of color. It has the prettiest flower 🌹 inside the lipstick itself. I really appreciate the look. It’s not overwhelming in terms of tint and it really doesn’t have an overpowering scent. I will definitely buy again." —MC Joseph
Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in three flower colors).
17. Or AJ Crimson metallic lipstick in a sultry wine color, in case you're looking for a way to add a bold pop of color into your look.
AJ Crimson is a Black-owned small business that sells vegan, cruelty-free makeup.
Get it from AJ Crimson for $22.
18. A revolutionary Ciaté London lip shadow starring the iconic Edna Mode you'll be able to build up into the pigment you prefer most while appreciating it's lighter-than-air formula.
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.
19. KKW Beauty crème lipstick or subtle blush that'll convince everyone you have a glam squad just like Kris, Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall, and Kylie.
I'd consider myself a connoisseur of Kardashian products (truly, you don't want to know how much makeup I've bought between KKW Beauty and Kylie Cosmetics) so I can *promise* your pal won't be disappointed by anything you snag from the brand. I personally love Kim's blushes and lipsticks as they're always nice neutral colors that can be used all year long.
Get the lipstick from Ulta for $18 (available in six shades) and the blush from KKW Beauty for $18 (available in three shades).
20. Sacha setting powder to provide you with shine-free coverage allllllll day long and keep that makeup you carefully applied lookin' flawless.
Promising review: "As a YouTube beauty-channels addict, I've learned to use Sacha Buttercup powder by packing on the product using a mini BeautyBlender on all the areas where I get super oily: under my eyes down to my cheeks, on my forehead between my brows, on the bridge of my nose, and on the front of my chin. I let it sit for about five minutes and then I dust it off with a large fluffy foundation brush. That is the process that I use and based on my experience, I give the product five stars. I have MAJOR oily skin and my makeup lasts all day without melting off (it used to literally slide off before I met Sacha Buttercup). I can blot during the day with sheets when I start feeling oily (despite the fact I don't look oily) and it still functions." —Islas Virgenes
Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in two colors).
21. Latorice dip powder kit you can use to save TONS of dollars on fancy manis without giving up the joy you feel after getting a long lasting, high-quality manicure.
It comes with a base coat, an activator, a top coat, five color powders, a nail file, a brush, and instructions.
Promising review: "This product is great! As someone who is CONSTANTLY getting their nails done (dipping powder) at salons, it has been hard to do so because of COVID-19. I was looking for an inexpensive kit with neutral colors that I could use. This starter kit has been an absolute lifesaver during these unprecedented times. It is so easy to use! I finished off my nails with a gel top coat and cured it under the UV light that I had from a while ago (I attached a photo on the right). Overall it's an amazing product — very satisfied!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.98.
22. Glossier Cloud Paint, which will add a touch of color to your cheeks with a quick swipe of lotionlike formula. Powdered blush? IDK her.
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 nine shades).
23. Coloured Raine Smoke Show Palette, perfect for anyone who prefers to pretend it's autumn all year long (ahem, me) and believes warm tones are simply superior.
Coloured raine is a Black woman-owned small business based out of Orange County, California that sells 100% cruelty-free, vegan and paraben- and gluten-free makeup.
Promising review: "This six pan palette is a great essential palette. Start your day with a soft work look. Then use it to transition into an evening out smokey or dramatic eye. The formula is pigmented and long lasting." —Kristi R.
Get it from Coloured Raine for $25.
24. Juno & Co. velvet blending sponges to replace the one with caked-on concealer you've likely never cleaned / have been using for FAR too long.
These lil' brushes can be used wet or dry and have three different surfaces. Your friend will love you forever after giving one a try.
Promising review: "Whoa! This sponge is revolutionary. I’m a sponge snob and will never go back to any other sponge. Let’s just say, with my old brand, it would take a full pump of foundation to cover my car wrecked face. With this sponge, I tried my full pump and ended up being covered in more layers of foundation than I could count. Learned my lesson and only have to use one quarter of a pump with this sponge, because it doesn’t soak your foundation up like other brands." —Lexi
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two styles).
25. And Ecotools makeup brush shampoo, because — shocker — you need to clean those!
After reading about how necessary it is to actually clean your makeup brushes (I know, I KNOW, I should’ve been doing this for years) I was super grossed out and motivated to order the right supplies to do the job. I’ve heard good things about Ecotools makeup brush cleansing shampoo so I figured I’d start there. The Amazon listing also suggested buying a silicone makeup brush cleaning pad to go with it so I figured... why not? Well, now I’m patting myself on the back because ordering these two items was a GAME-CHANGER!
I could not believe how much residue came off my brushes in just one cleaning. You only need to use a little dab of the shampoo, so one bottle will definitely last a long time. The silicone pad made it super easy to thoroughly lather the brushes without leaving my bathroom sink in shambles. I also loved how each section was labeled with which brush should be cleaned in each area. My brushes look brand new! Don’t hesitate like I did — buy both the shampoo and the mat ASAP.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
26. Pacifica translucent powder that'll give your already flawless face a natural matte finish.
The key ingredients in this neutralizing mattifier are lotus powder extract, coconut water, and vitamin E. Sign me UP.
Promising review: "Received mine intact. Having used Chanel and Dior powders for years, I was skeptical about Pacifica powders. So glad I tried this makeup brand. I no longer have to pay $55 for a powder. This powder is the darker one which I use alone, and the lighter one they have I use over their foundation. Love them:)" —dianedivine
Get it from Amazon for $12.
27. Haus Laboratories tinted lip gloss with creative names like "angel tears" and "violet disco" that would likely convince you to snag a few even if they didn't leave your lips looking flawless.
I had the pleasure of testing these before they came out (!!!) and can confirm they are, like Gaga herself, fabulous. I couldn't possibly need every shade from the collection, so I shared them with my cousins pediatric emergency room hospital unit who *also* all fell in love with the lippies!
Promising review: "Obsessed. I love Gaga and support all her endeavors so I bought it first to support. However when I got it I actually fell in love with it. The packaging. The container. The product itself. Amazing. Can’t wait for her to come out with more!" —Britt Crudele
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in 31 colors).
28. Everyday Humans Wonder Salve that'll hydrate your pout, leave your lips looking more kissable than ever, and come jam-packed with carefully sourced ingredients.
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).
29. Olive and June's seven-free nail polish, a must-have for anyone who doesn't want to commit to the semi-permanency of a gel or powder but would benefit from owning all the tools for the making of a flawless at-home mani.
Olive & June is my go-to nail polish brand! It's a small business co-owned by two incredible women who clearly know what they're doing when it comes to manicures. The polish stays on for over a week and when you purchase the full kit you'll also find yourself equipped with tools to pull off a flawless mani. The Mani System comes with a clean-up brush, a polish remover pot, a nail clipper, a nail file, a nail buffer, The Poppy (used to hold bottles more comfortably), a glossy top coat, a cuticle serum, and one nail polish of your choice. My favorite tool is the little brush, designed to help you clean up your cuticles after inevitably getting polish all over 'em. Treat yourself, you won't be disappointed.
Get the Mani System from Olive & June for $50+ (also available with up to six polish colors or the entire summer collection).
Check out our full review on Olive & June.
30. And a Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat that'll add a gleaming shine to your at-home mani and help it dry faster so you can get back to doing important things... like scrolling Instagram without accidentally smudging your handiwork.
31. Makeup Scientist Cosmetics science-themed eyeshadow palette called "Sodium Fine" (hehehe) you'll find yourself *experimenting* with so often you'll probably have to order another.
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.
32. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil you can use on your lash line, lid, or corners of your eyes for an easy pop of color. Just like *that* you'll be able to take your look from day to night!
Promising review: "I am lazy and hate doing my makeup, especially after a morning workout on a weekday. I wanted something I could throw in my bag and smear around my eyes in a couple of seconds, and to just add a little color without the fussiness. This fits the bill perfectly. It gives my eyes a little definition, but isn't super noticeable. The slight shimmer also makes me look awake on days where I'm dragging. It is not intensely shiny, though, which is important to me — I'm not a disco ball! It just reflects light and looks luminescent, not glittery. Because this is so easy to use, non-irritating, and is the exact color I was looking for, I expect that I will keep ordering it as long as it's available." —Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $4.50+ (available in 13 shades).
33. Thrive Causemetics Triple Threat Color Stick that'll probably become the most important thing in your makeup bag — it can be used on your lips, face, and body!
For every product purchased Thrive Causemetics donates to help a woman *thrive*.
Promising review: "This is honestly the best product. I use it on my eyes and lips and cheeks and it literally doesn't budge as eyeshadow. By the end of a 14-hour day it's still bright and beautiful. I mean it LASTS. I haven't found an eyeshadow that isn't gone by the end of the day or smudge. And it gives a beautiful glow to cheeks. WORTH IT!!" —Marcella C.
Get it from Thrive Causemetics for $36 (available in two shades).
How I imagine we're all feeling emerging from our homes with makeup on for the first time in forever:
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