7 Life-Changing Beauty Products You Need To Try ASAP

Tried, tested, and loved by BuzzFeed writers and editors!

BuzzFeed

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.

1. Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity starts off as a solid sherbet-y balm that melts down to a clear gel once you rub it in with your hands — then it's game over for any and all makeup you have on.

Sarah Han / BuzzFeed

Taking off your makeup at the end of the day is neither exciting nor particularly enjoyable, but you've gotta do it. I’ve tried quite a few cleansing balms and oils but I always come back to Banila Co’s Clean It Zero. It’s one of the first K-beauty products I was introduced to — and for good reason, because this shit works. I've used the original version (which is more popular, as evidenced by its ~700 Amazon reviews) without any problems (no breakouts or general itchiness/irritation!), but I just feel more ~at ease~ with this sensitive-skin version. The less *potentially* aggravating, the better!

I also love how this balm melts into my hands before I slather it on my face. There's something very calming about the process; it's a nice way to signify an official unwinding after a long day. I’ll start with my cheeks and forehead before moving on to my eyes, which I tend to spend the most time on (aka I rub it around until I have legit panda eyes), and then end with my lips.

It gets rid of *everything* (it's the only product that 100% removes waterproof eyeliner and mascara for me) WITHOUT stripping my skin bone-dry. Even after my follow-up cleanser (see next review), my face doesn't feel starved for moisture! Of course, I follow up with toner, essence, and moisturizer anyway. TL;DR: Attention all other makeup removers! You have a lot to live up to if you're ever gonna take Clean It Zero's regular spot in my routine. —Sarah Han

Get it from Amazon for $18.

2. Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder is a powder-to-foam cleanser with gentle exfoliating properties that will leave your skin so freaking smooth and baby-soft.

Sarah Han / BuzzFeed, Bea Park / BuzzFeed

After I use the Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, I go in with Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder to make sure I've really gotten all the day's gunk off my face. I seriously love this stuff — so much that I actually look forward to using it and cleansing my face. (That just never happens, okay?) My face feels soft and plump like a baby's butt afterwards and I'm obsessed.

Tatcha is also simply an amazing brand (with TO-DIE-FOR packaging) that incorporates centuries-old beauty secrets and rituals of Japanese geishas. You know how the water turns milky after you rinse a bunch of rice for the first time? Apparently geishas would use that water for light exfoliation and to get a clean, smooth canvas for their performance makeup. Um, if I can achieve even a fraction of their flawless complexions, I'm totally game. I'm also trying to be better about exfoliating in general, but I'm also scared of overdoing it or using something way too harsh for my face, so a product with exfoliating properties (especially one that I use every day), REALLY, TRULY has to be super gentle, so I don't find myself with beet-red cheeks.

And much to my relief, this rice powder totally fits the bill. Added benefits: It helps lessen the appearance of pores on and around my nose, as well as alleviate the usual uneven skin texture/tone I suffer from. Who knew I'd love rice in form besides eating? And it also contains crushed pearl extracts (great for brightening effects and feeling fancy!) and green tea and algae, two skin superfoods I always hear about. Plus, I just love warming it in between my hands and watching it turn from powder to foam. Might as well make skin care fun, amirite? —Sarah Han

Get it from Tatcha for $65; or Sephora for $15 (0.35 oz) or $65 (2.1 oz).

3. MAC Lipstick in "Sin" is a classic matte burgundy for fall that actually stays true to its color (and doesn't pull an unwelcome surprise-now-I'm-dark-purple on ya).

Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed

The texts and Gchats between my best friend Jill and me are 65% complaining about things and 35% talking about lipstick. So in August when my thoughts were (naturally) turning toward fall and fall lipstick colors, I texted her, "Ugh, I need a perfect burgundy to match this one shirt I want. But every one I try is suddenly just dark purple!" Seven seconds later her recommendation came back: MAC Lipstick in "Sin." I hightailed it over to the MAC store and bought it; I didn't even try it on. That's how much I trust Jill's lipstick opinions and thorough knowledge of my skin tone. We should probably spend some time apart.

And...of course...I love it. I am no newbie to MAC lipsticks — I wear Ruby Woo on the extreme regular (by the way, if you're having a problem with dryness, I suggest layering it over NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils; it really works!). So I blot on just a bit of a hydrating lipstick in a similar shade, then apply a thick layer of Sin. It's perfect! Perfectly matte and easy to apply. It doesn't last all day, but I keep a mirror on my desk for after-lunch reapplications anyway. So if you, like me, are just sick and tired of every fall shade suddenly turning an alarming shade of purple on your lips, this just might be the color for you! Hope you enjoyed another edition of "Maitland looks angry, but she's really trying to show you what the lip color looks like and therefore is not smiling." Thanks for reading! —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get it from MAC or Nordstrom for $17.50.

4. Anastasia Subculture Eyeshadow Palette ups the ~edge~ of your eyeshadow game for the fall with a stunning collection of grungy mattes, bold metallics, and autumn-leaf brights.

Angela Krasnick / BuzzFeed

I love playing around with eyeshadows, and all summer I’ve stuck with peachy palettes, but now that it’s fall I wanted to try something new. The new Subculture Eye Shadow Palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills is the perfect transition-to-fall palette. So many dark *and* bright colors to play around with! An important caveat: Many people who have reviewed this palette mention that the eyeshadow falls off easily when picked up by the blending brush — and I found this to be true. Though it’s not a deal breaker for me, it’s something to be cautious of.

I tried different color combinations for a week and everyone I work with pointed out how much they loved my eyeshadow. I’ve tested a variety of different smokey eyes and my favorite is a take on the Pumpkin Spice Latte, using all of the orange hues in the palette. The colors are much more vibrant in person and last all day long. To finish off, I love dusting my eyes with the shimmery shades “Cube” and “Electric.” —Angela Krasnick

Get it from Sephora for $42.

5. Ciaté Wonderwand Gel Kohl Liner's unique gel-kohl hybrid formula lets you smudge and smoke away without sacrificing staying power — once it sets, it lasts just as long as a gel liner.

Nichole Francois / BuzzFeed

Alright, y’all: I’m an avid fan of liquid eyeliner and tend to go for a sharp wing —

however, I’ve recently been loving the Ciaté Wonderwand Gel Kohl Liner (in black). It’s unique because one end is a gel-kohl pencil and the other end is an angled brush (used to smudge the liner). The liner is super creamy and easy to apply without any tugging on the eyes. More good news? Because Wonderwand is a hybrid of kohl and gel, it’s easy to blend, and then after it sets it doesn’t crease — and provides the longevity of a gel liner.

If you’re looking for an eyeliner that’s going to stay sharp and precise, this probably isn’t the one for you. But it’s perfect for creating smoked-out or more natural looks, just in time for fall (I’d love to try the dark fig color too). I adore the angled brush — the bristles are silky and work great for smudging — and I love that it's actually attached to the eyeliner so I don't have to rummage around for a separate eye brush. It’s a fantastic addition to your makeup collection if you love tightlining your eyes. I’m also obsessed with Ciaté’s packaging — the stars are ADORABLE. —Nichole Francois

Get it from Sephora for $18 (available in 10 colors).

6. DryBar on the Rocks Clarifying Shampoo wipes every bit of grease and product buildup from your hair and tosses it down the drain (where it belongs), leaving your mane feeling stronger and refreshed with its all-star activated charcoal formula.

Anamaria Glavan / BuzzFeed

My hair is (sadly) very thin and very straight, which makes it prone to greasiness and breakage. I wash it every other day and rely on heaps and heaps of Verb Dry Shampoo to make it not look awful on the days between washing. I also use clarifying shampoo once or twice a week to give it a good clean — but ones I've tried in the past have also stripped my hair of ALL moisture, which makes my previously mentioned breakage problem even worse. It's a sick, sick cycle.

I decided to try out the DryBar on the Rocks Clarifying Shampoo, a gentle shampoo with activated charcoal that promises to purify your mane. And (drumroll, please) I love it! It gives me a longer-lasting clean without making my hair overly dry or stripping its shine, and it makes my balayage hair look WAY more nourished. I still use dry shampoo the day after using this product, but more for added volume than for oiliness. And another wonderful thing? This formula is never tested on animals.

While this IS a bit of a splurge, it’s one worthy of your money — especially if you have oil-prone hair. And like other clarifying shampoos, you should only use it once or twice a week...which means the bottle will last you a long, long time. I’ve been using this in conjunction with the On the Rocks Conditioner, which makes my hair look way less frayed. I only use a little bit of conditioner on my ends, so this will probably last me even longer than the shampoo! —Anamaria Glavan

Get the shampoo and conditioner from Sephora for $26 each.

7. Wander Beauty on-the-Glow Blush and Illuminator is basically the opposite of intimidating makeup: It's ridiculously easy to swipe on and create natural but subtly sculpted cheekbones in a flash.

@wander_beauty / Via instagram.com, Emma Mcanaw / BuzzFeed

I’m extremely bad at makeup. You could show me a beauty tutorial 50 times and I would still walk away looking like Chucky. Alas, I have never dabbled in the contouring fad, so everyone knows the truth: I don’t have Kim Kardashian’s cheekbones. BUT. This highlighter stick is perfect for those of us who sweat at the thought of doing anything besides slapping foundation on (I struggle with that too). It’s meant to be makeup on-the-go but I just use it as my highlighter for days I want to feel *fancy*. On one end is a cream blush (my shade is "Bare"), and the other a shimmery highlighter. All you need is one or two swipes from each end and voilà, you have cheekbones! I love this because it still looks subtle, so you don’t have to worry about overdoing it. Just a little pop of color and ~shine~ that makes your skin glow. I guess that’s why they call it a glow stick.

Its price tag is a little up there, but let me tell you, I’ve been using this stuff for at least three years and I have bought a total of TWO sticks. And the second one still looks new! This lasts and lasts and lasts because you really don’t need a lot per day at all. Plus, my face doesn’t feel cakey like with other blushes. I’ll also point out that my skin is so, so sensitive — a real joy — and this has never made me break out or caused any other issues (which I think says a lot because I’ve had issues with ridiculous things like cotton, literally the most gentle thing on earth). If I’m not having issues with this, I'd like to think 99% of the world won’t either.

Makeup rookies, rejoice! Go look like you know what you’re doing, even though all you did was drag a stick across your face. —Emma Mcanaw

Get it from Sephora for $42 (available in four blush shades).

Stunning? Makeup whiz? Who, me??

Toei Animation

You're much too kind! ☺️

Disappointed that the post is over? Check out all of our previous roundups here!

Some products were provided to BuzzFeed free of charge.