We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Protein Treatment — it uses ceramides and collagen to magically bring your damaged hair back to life with all the body and silky softness you could possibly dream of!
It works great for all hair types!
Promising review: "I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it that it wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was very skeptical about this product because I have never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy was I wrong to doubt this product. It left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone natural or with curly hair." —Therese-Claire
Get it from Amazon for $7.75.
And check out a former BuzzFeeder's full review of the Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Protein Treatment for more deets!
2. Some Zombie Pack wash-off face masks with almost ~supernatural~ lifting, hydrating, brightening, and pore-tightening abilities. The results are so good, you won't even mind that wearing the wash-off face mask makes you slightly resemble...the undead.
Promising review: "I’ll be honest. I don’t write reviews very often. Today was especially a hard day working from home, not sleeping last night, an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old. I was feeling beat! My skin was sure showing the stress. I had LOW expectations — no way this could make me feel better but I decided to treat myself at least a little. Well, was I in for a BIG surprise! I was FaceTiming my mom, also my BFF, during the tightening. I sure was scared, we both thought this would be perfect for a Halloween night! LOL! But as soon as I rinsed it off... WOW! My mom was asking all about it! She will try it too! LOL! I will surely continue using it! Please leave this awesome product at this awesome price! Greatly appreciated by tired mommies like me!! Gracias!!" —TAYD3
Get a set of eight masks from Amazon for $16.95.
3. A painless mint-flavored Venus teeth-whitening pen designed to give you quick results with just 30 seconds (!) of painless daily use. Even *years* of stains from things like coffee, tea, wine, soda, and more are no match for this thing.
It has over 8,000 5-star ratings!
Promising review: "I really liked this product because it gave me significant results in just a few days. I have tried other whitening products but I definitely think this one is my favorite because it's not only easy to use but also works very well. There is also no weird aftertaste, and all I do is keep my mouth open wide for around 30 seconds. The whitening capabilities were also great, and I know this because my teeth were stained before but now they are not. Lastly, these pens were very easy to use because all you have to do is twist the dial at the bottom of the pen clockwise, and product comes out. So overall I would rate this pen a 10/10 and I am definitely planning on buying more in the future." —Roy Joseph
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (also available as a four-pack).
4. Or some reviewer-beloved professional-level Crest Whitestrips because they can remove 14 years of stains in under a month using the same enamel-safe whitening ingredient that dentists use. *Three* days is all it takes to see a whiter smile, and they even come with two bonus one-hour express treatments if you need same-day results!
It has over 56,000 5-star ratings!
Check out a TikTok of the Crest 3D Whitestrips in action.
Promising review: "I haven't used Crest White Strips in over five years. Since then my teeth have stayed really white and I frequently get compliments or questions on how I get my teeth so white. I decided to get a box to boost the whiteness of my teeth. Wow, I was shocked on how much these have improved! Before the strips were really flimsy, hard to remove from the package and were really hard to keep on your teeth — the old ones would slip or bunch up.
These are such an improvement! The new strips remove easily from the plastic they are on. The strips are REALLY adhesive! These will not budge! Since I've purchased I have only used about four times and I can already notice a difference. Other people have noticed too. I think these are well worth the money and work as good as a professional treatment. I have had friends who have done professional treatments and their teeth are not as white as mine. I highly recommend these to anyone who wants a brighter/whiter smile!" —Vanessa5o5
Get a pack of 22 from Amazon for $45.99.
5. A tube of Essence's Lash Princess mascara (over 215K 5-star ratings!) — it defines and separates lashes to give you the bold look you usually need ~falsies~ for. Not anymore! Plus, it'll last all day — even in hot weather — without clumping, flaking, fading, or wearing.
Here's what BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd has to say about these:
"As someone who isn't a big fan of false lashes (the glue irritates my eyes and I'm terrible at applying them) this budget-friendly holy grail does the trick for both lengthening and volumizing my lashes. After you've given it a minute to dry, it lasts all day long and doesn't smudge or fade. It seriously gives the effect of false lashes, without the discomfort."
Promising review: "I am so blown away. I put on ONE.COAT. One coat and my jaw dropped. One coat and it looked like I had on false eyelashes. I was super skeptical and I kept seeing ads for this everywhere and finally I decided to give it a try because the price is so good. I had no expectations at all and I am floored by how great this is. It took me a lot of years to find the mascara that I liked and I thought was good, but I think this had taken its place. The coverage is great, washes off easy, and no smudges. Holds up well for a day's wear. Would highly recommend" —Dana Bice
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
For more info and review pics, check out Kayla's full review of the Essence Lash Princess Mascara!
6. A creamy deep conditioner for anyone with 3a–4c hair looking for something that'll moisturize, add shine and smoothness, and leave curls feeling soft as a cloud!
Bread Beauty Supply is a Black woman-owned business that was founded by Maeva Heim in 2020.
Promising review: "LOVE this product! My hair is very dry and frizzy but this product made my hair so much more manageable and soft. I will definitely be getting more once I’m out!" —Nivedhitha
Get it from Sephora or Bread Beauty Supply for $28.
7. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel that's basically the equivalent of getting a pedicure in your own home. This stuff'll quickly get rid of YEARS worth of calluses that you thought were just part of your feet forever. Not anymore!
Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again. BUT please follow the directions...left it on my super-dry, thick-calloused heels for only three minutes and the callouses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." —Kiki
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
8. E.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer (over 27,000 5-star ratings!) because it'll give you a smoothing layer to help your makeup go on a whole lot more evenly. Simply apply a thin layer, wait 30 seconds for it to absorb, and apply your foundation!
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and thought I'd take a chance. I have sensitive skin and have to watch what I use. I LOVE this product! Goes on smooth and you don't need to use a lot. I put it on before I put on my foundation. Makes a huge difference. Highly recommend and will buy again!!" —Brooks Crim
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
9. A popular Bio-Oil that uses vitamins A and E, chamomile, and lavender to soothe cracked and dry skin, fade new *and* old scars, and moisturize without clogging up your pores. Reviewers who have been washing their hands a lot and ending up with painful dry skin say this really helps! No wonder it has over 67,000 5-star ratings.
Here's why BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord loves this:
"FWIW re: scars, this stuff really works. I had thyroid surgery a few years ago and Bio-Oil took me from looking like I'd stumbled out of the Red Wedding to virtually no detectable scar within a few months. All I did was apply it once in the morning and once at night."
Promising review: "This stuff is awesome. I get dry patches on my face in the winter and since using this, no more dry patches! I have pretty sensitive skin and I can't use most creamy moisturizers because I'll break out. Bio-Oil adds the moisture I need without breaking me out. It also helps to reduce old acne scars and evens out my skin tone. As an added benefit, the smell is light and clean!." —Lydia
Get it from Amazon for $8.92+ (available in three sizes and a pack of three).
10. A bottle of plant-powered vitamin C serum — it'll make your skin look radiant! It can help lighten dark spots, fight off wrinkles, prevent UV damage, and increase skin firmness and elasticity without resorting to harsh chemicals or synthetic colors.
Promising review: "I love love love this product! I’m nearing 30 and needed a good skin care regimen, as I’ve NEVER had one. I can’t believe my results! Not only has it taken away all dullness, it has reversed some sun damage! My before and after pictures are taken WITHOUT filters in the same lighting/same area of my bathroom. I’m highly satisfied!" —Heather C.
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two sizes).
11. Korean exfoliating mitts here to astound you with how much dried skin they'll banish from your body. Use these reviewer-loved mitts to unclog pores, remove spray tans, prevent ingrown hairs, and more in just four easy steps you can simply incorporate into your shower routine!
Promising review: "Right out of the box I could tell these mitts were going to be exactly what I needed. Excellent quality and easy to use! I’ve tried them twice already and my skin is now incredibly smooth! After I scrubbed my arm, I looked at the mitt and saw it was covered with dead skin cells. I’ll be buying more of these as gifts for girlfriends (in a fun spa gift basket)!" —Danielle Gill
Get it from Amazon for $5.23+ (available individually or as a pair).
12. A Blume acne oil helpful for anyone with acne-prone skin. It clears and soothes skin — all without leaving behind an oily or dry feeling. And not only does it reduce the look of acne scars, it also helps prevent future breakouts.
Blume is a WOC-founded business run by two sisters making period and skincare products for teens and adults alike.
Promising review: "Best oil for adult acne! My favorite acne treatment by far!! Everything else dried me out or would make my acne worse. Because my acne is hormonal, not teen acne, I reacted to all of the drying products that are so popular. This oil is super hydrating, doesn’t cause breakouts and actually helps heal my skin and improves clarity. I add a pump of it to my DIY clay face masks once a week too, and it works great in that combo. It also smells amaaaazing. Couldn’t believe my eyes!" —Sophia G.
Get it from Blume for $28.