22 Beauty Products That Are Great For People Who Know Nothing About Makeup And Skin Care

I adhere religiously to my beauty regimen of doing basically nothing.

1. A genius water- and smudge-proof double-sided eyeliner stamp more capable of giving you wings than Red Bull will ever be.

amazon.com, Amazon

One end is a stamp to help even the most makeup-challenged folks get a perfect cat eye, and the other is a classic eyeliner pen!

Promising review: "I love this stamp eyeliner. I've never been able to get my wings the way I wanted, and now it's very easy to do. The tip on the eyeliner side is just the right size, and you can adjust the thickness of the liner based on the pressure you use. Plus, my eyeliner stays on all day without smudging. I've had this for more than two months and it still has plenty of product." —danielle

Get it from Amazon for $9.96.

2. Maybelline's The Falsies Washable Mascara, a formula beloved by over 1,000 reviewers. It just might be THE mascara you can finally put on without making clumps.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Your mascara search is over. This is it. This is the one you want. This Maybelline formula is drugstore priced, but high-end quality. I love the application wand. It's curved at the end, which gives your lashes a lot of curve, ideal for people who like to skip the eyelash curler in the morning. The formula is, in a word, DREAMY. It goes on easily. A few swipes of the wand and your lashes, like the name claims, WILL look almost like falsies. It coats the lashes without feeling thick or heavy, and it's shockingly hard to create clumps (with the amount of volume you get with this product, you'd expect MUCH more clumping). The length is like nothing I've ever experienced with other mascara brands. When I use this, my eyelashes literally brush my browbone. Every SINGLE time I wear it, I get endless compliment on my eyelashes, and at least one person asks me what mascara I use." —Kayla

Get it from Amazon for $5.24+ (available in six colors).

3. And a metal eyelash comb to correct the clumps you do make as you work your way towards mascara mastery.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "I have thin and short eyelashes, so almost all mascaras clump in my lashes. The shape of this comb makes it easy to smooth out almost all of my lashes at once. The metal bristles push through the clumping to separate and give more length to my lashes, but my favorite thing about this is that it actually curls my lashes. It's a great time-saver for me!" —CSells

Get it from Amazon for $3.99.

4. Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick, a deeply pigmented cult fave with a small bullet that makes it super easy to apply without smudging it all over your face.

Katy Herman/BuzzFeed, instagram.com

Why is it that most lipsticks are the same width or larger than your actual lips? Wouldn't it make more sense to have a bullet that's smaller than your lips, so you don't color outside the lines and can fill in your lips more precisely? Well, not unlike wearing pool slides as ~fashion~ and actually listening to Calvin Harris, we needed Queen Rihanna to get us to do this. I usually don't wear any makeup, the exception being a bold lip here and there. I wear the awesome lilac shade "One of the Boys" with an otherwise bare face and always get tons of compliments. Unlike with my other fave bold lippies, I barely have to spend time cleaning up the mistakes I made when I was swiping it on. And did I mention it's cruelty-free? Thank you, Riri!

This is BuzzFeed Reviews' pick for the best mid-price matte lipstick!

Get it from Sephora for $18 (available in 24 colors).

5. An aww-worthy headband that'll make unruly hair one less struggle on your quest for the purr-fect beauty and skin routine.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I'M SO HAPPY WITH THIS HEADBAND! I'm new to the skin care game and I've been trying to make myself get into a regimen. I have really long hair and I hate tying it up because of the creasing, and my other headbands fall down, don't hold my hair back, or start to hurt after a while. This headband is cheap, cute, stays in place, doesn't damage your hair, is thick enough to keep bangs/long hair out of your face, and DOESN'T HURT. It's literally one of the best things I've bought from Amazon." —Taylor

Get it from Amazon for $5.79.

6. e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil, a cruelty-free clear liner that locks your lipstick in place so you can kiss smudging and feathering goodbye. Everyone will be so impressed, they'll never guess you're a beauty rookie.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought a beautiful, creamy red lipstick that I just loved, but it feathered like you wouldn't believe. I ended up not being able to wear it because I couldn't keep it on my mouth. Then I discovered this stuff. It's amazing. I can trace my lips with this pencil in the morning, wear my buttery lipstick for five or six hours, then repeat the process after lunch and not have any feathering or traveling. It's a game changer if you're into bold lip color." —Rachel

Get it from Amazon for $7.09/a>.

7. Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later eyeshadow primer, a waterproof base to keep your shadows from creasing and to really make colors pop. And trust me, you will be thanking it later when your look is still perfect after hours of wear.

Amazon, amazon.com

Plus, it's cruelty-free! Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this primer.

Promising review: "I don't really know anything about makeup, but I attended a wedding and I felt like it was appropriate for me to wear a little. My problem was that my eyes are hooded and eyeshadow pigments always end up along my hidden crease, creating a huge mess. My sister, a makeup lover, told me that all I need was a good eye primer that would hold the pigments in place. I don't really know how to blend, but with this, my drugstore eyeshadow pigment stayed on my lids for eight hours with very slight fading. This definitely gets five stars." —Rei

Get it from Amazon for $13.06.

8. Shea Moisture African Black Soap, which over 1,000 reviewers swear by for clearing up things like acne, eczema, and psoriasis and may have the power to turn your nightly face wash into a majorly effective skin treatment.

amazon.com

It's cruelty-free and made with moisturizing shea butter. In addition to moisturizing, it can also help absorb oil and exfoliate. Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this amazing soap.

Promising review: "This soap is absolutely incredible. I've used so many scrubs, deep pore cleansers, pore refiners, moisturizers, and skin care systems to no avail. I still suffered from acne. I'm in my late 20s and I've suffered with acne for a good chunk of my life and never found anything that worked, until now. After the first use, my face was smoother. After a few days, I could tell my existing acne was healing and I wasn't getting any new blemishes. After a week, my skin was clear. After two weeks, my face is completely smooth, with no new breakouts, and I'm happier than ever. Not only is my skin clear, by my confidence is boosted. I work in sales so I'm face-to-face with people all day, and I finally feel like, for the first time in my life, people aren't just staring at my breakouts. This soap is AWESOME! The left set of pictures are from about two months ago. The others are from this afternoon. I wash my face twice a day with this soap and it doesn't dry my face out at all. I don't use anything else with it." —Dana Cammarata

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.98.

9. Game-changing mascara guard cards so you can swipe away without worrying about getting smudges all over your lids — aka, get perfect mascara without batting an eye.

Amazon

The cards are made from recycled paper but are coated, so you can clean and use them a few times!

Promising review: "I love, love, LOVE these! I'd been using halves of business cards or torn bits of paper to help with smooth mascara application for years before I discovered these. They're great! You hold one behind your lashes and apply the mascara, pushing the wand against the card. This works for both upper and lower lashes. Using this technique, you get perfectly separated, expertly applied mascara. I would never go without these in my makeup bag!" —Words and Beauty

Get four packs of 10 from Amazon for $15.

10. Or some even sturdier reusable mascara guards with a handle so you can really get a ~grip~ on that cool new look you've been wanting to try.

Amazon

They come with a carrying case so you can take them on the go!

Promising review: "This is the best beauty item I've ever bought. It allows for a perfect application every time. You can get your brush through your lashes really thoroughly, helping to eliminate clumping. I'm so glad I bought this! My lashes look bigger and better than ever" —Annette Leverich Heidenreich

Get a set of two from Amazon for $10.99.

11. A 60-second shower face mask for anyone who loves the idea of pampering themselves but also wonders, "Who the heck has time???"

Walmart

This stuff's cleansing and exfoliating powers are activated by steam, further confirming your theory that a nice hot shower makes everything better.

Promising review: "I've struggled with bad, bad acne for around three to four years now. NO face washes ever helped, so I went to the dermatologist and got some stuff that works pretty well! Alongside the dermatologist stuff, I would wash my face with water, as any other face washes made my skin oiler, flaky, or very raw. Clearly, my skin is pretty sensitive. I saw this in the skincare aisle and was intrigued by the fact that it's a mask you use in the shower. I'd never heard of such a thing! I bought it and tried it that night. It felt awesome during and after, but I didn't see much of a result with my acne. I decided to give it another day to see if it worked any magic. And, shockingly, it did! I use this every day with my dermatologist stuff, and my skin is gorgeous! It feels wonderful and your skin just feels so clean afterwards. I recommend this product to absolutely everyone!" —sydthekid

Get it from Walmart for $4.97.

12. Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum with SPF 30, an odorless, paraben-free, and cruelty-free formula that's as busy as you are. It works as a sunscreen, moisturizer, and anti-aging serum, because having to reach for several different skin care products in the morning is so not something you have time for.

Sephora

Promising review: "I might be the most minimalist Sephora shopper ever. In the morning I like to wash my face, then use one product. I'm looking for as many benefits in one bottle as possible, and this product delivers a lot in one package. I used the same lotion for years, but now that I'm headed toward the big 4-0, my skin has changed a ton. I've always had combination skin, but the dryness has increased and the oil and blackheads have decreased. This lotion isn't greasy. In about a month, I've seen an improvement in my overall skin tone and fine lines. I will buy again!" —skingvta

Get it from Amazon or Sephora for $42.

13. Amazing nail art stickers you can apply to any length nails and file down to fit, then prepare to amaze your friends as they marvel at how you became a manicure master overnight.

Amazon, Incoco

Get two sheets of 14 "Starry Night" stickers from Amazon for $4.39 or 16 of the glitter stickers, which are made of real nail polish, from Ulta for $7.99 (available in 22 designs).

14. An exfoliating and moisturizing lip scrub that won't just keep your lips looking healthy when they're bare, but may also help lip colors look better and last longer!

amazon.com

It's made with exfoliating raw sugar, plus wax and essential oils that moisturize just like lip balm.

Promising review: "I love this stuff! My lips are always dry and chapped, so when I put lipstick or gloss on it always looks cakey! This stuff is great! It exfoliates my lips as well as hydrates them, and it makes my lipstick go on much better! I had to use it about three times before I started to notice a difference, but now I use about once or twice a week depending on dryness!" —JLDL

Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in five scents).

15. Glossier Boy Brow, a brow filler, fluffer, and shaper all rolled into one so you can get an easy, natural look without having to pencil in time to master the art of drawing in your brows.

AnaMaria Glavan/BuzzFeed

It's also cruelty-free!

Promising review: "The precision that is required to literally draw in an eyebrow is a feat of da Vinci proportions — and no, I’m not being overdramatic. I have tried to use pencil brow liners and it looked like a three-year-old drew on my face. But when I put on my foundation, I feel like my eyebrows blend into my skin. I needed an eyebrow filler that would very lightly enhance my eyebrows (I prefer a natural-looking makeup routine), act like gel for all the unruly hairs that live above my eyes, and have a brush applicator that would make the ordeal an easy one. No pencils. Enter Glossier Boy Brow. 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. One coat was more than enough! The finish looks natural, which is exactly what I wanted." —AnaMaria Glavan (check out her full review here, #5)

Get it from Glossier for $16 (available in four shades).

16. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with aloe, herbs, and rosewater, a fan-favorite formula that'll keep your skin looking and feeling fresh with just a simple spritz.

Amazon, amazon.com

It's cruelty-free and has over 3,500 positive reviews. People love it for everything from hydrating their skin to setting their makeup to dealing with frizzy hair and flyaways to using as a toner. Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this spray.

Promising review: "I always use this spray as a setting spray for makeup or after putting on a moisturizer and toner. It makes my skin glow, it feels light, and it moisturizes. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants an all-in-one face spray and isn’t into having too many steps in their beauty regimen. This is one of my faves, and that's coming from a person who isn’t into doing 10,000 beauty steps." —Anna O

Get it from Amazon for $7.

17. A peel-off nail barrier polish so you can make like a politician and deny your mistakes ever happened.

amazon.com

Paint some of this magical stuff around your nails before an at-home mani or pedi, let it dry for a couple minutes, then start painting your nails with your fave shade — this base will let you peel any excess polish you get on it right off your cuticles.

Promising review: "This product is great. I wish I'd known about it sooner. It would've saved me so much money on manicures. I'm horrible at painting nails and always get polish everywhere, which is why I've always paid for manicures. I bought this and it works awesome. If I get anything anywhere besides the nail, I can just peel it off. It's a little liquidy, so you have to experiment with how much you need, but once you get the hang of it, it's great." —Brittany N.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

18. A Bioré pore strips combo pack, because why should this popular blackhead remover just be for your nose? Now the rest of your face can get in on the super satisfying, pore-clearing action, too.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Just apply one of these to damp skin, wait 10 minutes, then peel it off for the most satisfying sight ever — all the dirt and blackheads it's extracted from your skin! Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on Bioré pore strips.

Promising review: "I love these pore strips. They don't take forever to dry, don’t irritate my skin, and they actually pull out my nasty pore gunk. I love the nose strips, and the other strips that are included are also very helpful for my chin and forehead. My daughter sneaks into my bathroom and steals some because she loves using them as well. They're a great product and worth the money." —Amazon Customer

Get a box of 24 (12 nose strips and 12 face strips) from Amazon for $13.69.

19. Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinsticks — fun, multipurpose makeup sticks that force us to ask the tough questions, like why have a bunch of beauty products when you can have one that does everything????

Christina Lan/BuzzFeed

Promising review: "First of all, THEY'RE MAGNETIC!!!!! They're all homies that feel separation anxiety when they're not together...hence the need to buy every single color. I only have three of them right now, sadly, but will very soon be adding to the collection. Although they are petite-sized, they pack a punch when it comes to pigmentation. Honestly, I broke up with all my other highlighters, eyeshadows, and blushes when I bought these, because I can wear them all over my face. YES, you heard that right. I can put the Sinamon shade on my lids or on my cheeks as bronzer, and similarly I can put the Yacht Lyfe shade on my cheeks and lips. They're the chameleons of makeup. However you wear it, you'll look bodaciously radiant (and feel closer to Rihanna, which is honestly the most important part)." —Christina Lan (check out her full review here)

Get it from Sephora for $25 (available in 10 colors, also check out matte shades here).

20. Adhesive eyeshadow shields you can simply use under your eyes to prevent yourself from making a mess, or cut into shapes to guide you when trying a more advanced eye ~lewk~.

Amazon, amazon.com

When you purchase a box, you'll also get access to a beauty e-book for free!

Promising review: "I LOVE these! I've shared them with my friends and everyone has come back with positive feedback. They're perfect for either protecting your cheeks/face from eyeshadow fallout and/or serving as a stencil if you're looking to create a sharp cat eye with eyeliner or shadow. I was also surprised at how many pieces you get for the price." —HMS Hogland

Get a box of 100 from Amazon for $9.90.

21. A major assortment of collagen and vitamin E sheet masks each with different additional skin-superhero ingredients, so you can mix up you skin routine while still keeping things low-key.

Amazon, amazon.com

Some of the masks include green tea, cucumber, and charcoal!

Promising review: "I absolutely love these face sheets. They're an incredible steal. You can't beat this price, and the pack will last you a long time. I love all of the sheets for different reasons. I love that it comes in a variety pack so you can revitalize your skin in different ways depending on which sheet you use. Normally, I'd wash off my face after a face mask, but with these sheets you should just simply dab off the excess. This way, your skin will soak up the collagen and whatever added vitamins/ingredients are in that particular sheet. They leave your skin looking radiant throughout the day." —LW

Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two combinations).

22. And a tube of Burt's Bees 100% Natural Tinted Lip Balm, which is just as easy as Chapstick but with ~luxurious~ shea butter and just the right amount of color!

amazon.com, Amazon

It claims to keep your pout moisturized for up to eight hours!

Promising review: "I really love this product. As someone who has never mastered the art of lipstick, this is perfect. I tend to be more of a minimalist with makeup and this is so easy to just slide on before going out. You'll have to reapply during the day/night, but the application is very quick." —Cornelius

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.48+ (available in five colors).

Want more beauty routine help? Check out one of these lists:

23 Products For People Who Love Makeup, But Suck At Putting It On

31 Lazy Ways To Improve Your Skin

29 Products Under $10 That'll Change Your Skin Care Game

18 Simple But Amazing Products You Should Add To Your Skincare Routine

30 Easy Skincare Tips You'll Wish You'd Known About Sooner

31 Little Makeup Tricks That Make A Big Difference

Mastering your beauty routine like:

Disney

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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