1. E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter that looked at the iconic (and expensive) Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter and said, "Game on, pal." Not only does this give that dewy, soft, "barely there" finish, but it's designed to hydrate your skin with hyaluronic acid, helping improve your moisture barrier for longterm glowiness, too.
Promising reviews: "This stuff is so legit I’ve gone through three bottles. Adds the perfect glow to your skin! Sometimes I use it under foundation and sometimes I use it solo with a bit of concealer. I will never not repurchase it for the price and how beautifully it sits on the skin. This stuff is viral for a reason!!" —mapagill
"If you like Charlotte Tilbury, flawless filter this is leaps and bounds better! Just buy it. The coverage is better, [it] makes my skin have the most amazing natural glow! The colors run with a more warm/yellow undertone which worked great for me! Spend a fraction of the price and just get it, you will be happy you did!" —Amazonreview
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in 12 shades).
2. L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a FAST-acting, anti-redness moisturizer with results that feel like legitimate magic — especially considering its competitor, the Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream, is over twice as expensive. Reviewers especially love this as a base for their makeup, because it leaves skin super soft and primed.
Promising review: "I’d yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous lightweight finish of a tint that indeed covers my redness beautifully. There’s no greasiness to it at all. It dries down to a beautiful matte finish. It’s super easy to use. I use my fingers. The texture is like silk. It leaves my face baby-soft, not sticky at all. It doesn’t settle into my fine lines or wrinkles, and I don’t need powder to 'bake' it under my eyes. It also covers the black circles under my eyes." —Julie F.
Get it from Amazon for $9.74 (available in four styles).
3. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes.
I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some. It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent. Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick.
Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks, because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart.
Get it from Amazon for $25 (also available in pink honey!).
4. E.l.f's Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required.
Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action.
I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black.
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades).
5. Lottabody's Coconut Oil Foaming Curl Mousse designed for all hair types to give you satisfyingly hydrated, volumized, frizz-free curls at a FRACTION of the price of its competitors. Take THAT, humidity!!!!
Promising review: "I have super frizzy, curly hair and live in New England where we have super humid summers. I have been struggling to find a product that de-frizzes my hair without making it look oiled down, and this is it. I put it in my wet hair after washing, towel dried, and put my hair in a pony tail to go to work. My hair was frizz-free all night — even working outside in high humidity. People even asked if I did something to my hair! This is an amazing product for the price. Absolutely buying again and would recommend to anyone with a frizz issue." —Marissa
Get it from Amazon for $3.98.
6. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which became the internet's holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes so fast that everyone's old concealers are doing double takes. This lightweight color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference.
The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Monica T.
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades).
7. Plus Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel, a cult-fave product for your beauty arsenal that will quickly help minimize eye puffiness and swelling thanks to its winning combo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. It's basically an alarm clock for your eyeballs, because boy howdy are they awake now!!
Good Molecules is a small business that specializes in affordable skincare products.
Promising review: "I love this product and have noticed a huge difference when using it consistently. I am on the younger side and don’t have the worst under eye bags, but on those occasional mornings where my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly love all the Good Molecules products." —Hayden Smith
Get it from Amazon for $5.98.
8. A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo that thousands of reviewers swear by for helping restore their hair and promote healthy hair growth over time. It also includes nourishing ingredients like rosemary oil, zinc, and coconut oil to help moisturize locks and give them a fuller, more volumized look.
Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic.
Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Check out a TikTok of the biotin shampoo in action.
Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery, and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo, as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it, but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on), and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever." —Diane J. Huff
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
Psst — reviewers mention this is most effective when paired with a scalp massager to work it into their roots!
9. Lumify Eye Drops, a product so beloved by TikTok that despite being more $$ than other brands, it's the number one selling brand on Amazon right now. Reviewers swear by this for instant reduction in redness in their eyes, with visible differences within a minute of use.
Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief.
Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." —Angela Leonard
Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
10. Tree Hut's TikTok-beloved Sugarlips Original Lip Butter with all the hydrating relief of brands like Aquaphor, but all of the ~~pizzazz~~ of a satisfying shea butter texture and rosehip oil flavor. This balm also has subtle, nonsticky shine that plays well with other lip products.
Check out a TikTok of the Sugarlips Lip Butter in action.
Promising review: "This isn’t a gloss — it's slightly glossy, but it’s more of a really hydrating balm. It sinks in and really softens and heals your lips which is what I was looking for. I’ve wasted money on a lot of lip products, but I ordered more of this, and I’ll continue buying always." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.59 (available in four styles).
11. A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment, an Olaplex-like repairing mask infused with collagen ingredients and protein extracts that will help restore hair health and reduce shedding when that winter dryness is coming for your 'do. All you gotta do is apply it on wet hair after a shampoo, wait five minutes, and rinse it out.
This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b to 4c curls mentioning it worked for them!
Promising review: "I have been buying this for a long time for me and my daughter. I have thin, curly hair but it gets dry in the winter and this really brings it back to life. My daughter has THICK and super curly hair and it keeps her hair so hydrated (we use it as a mask every two weeks on her). Highly recommend." —Marina M.
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets!
Get a bottle from Amazon for $8.40.
12. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen reviewers swear by as an alternative to pricey professional treatments and strips. This gets results from the very first use, lightening up years' worth of stains from coffee, tea, wine, or just, you know, existing as a human with teeth.
Promising review: "This product actually works! Very affordable, too. There are a lot of expensive teeth whitening products out there, but why spend extra money when you don't have to? Definitely worth trying!" —Mona L Cureton
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.26 (clip the 30% off coupon on the product page for this price).
13. Live Tinted's Huestick Corrector, which is a 4-in-1 eye, lip, and cheek multistick designed to neutralize dark spots and circles to help even out your skin tone before you use concealer or foundation. You can also use it as a buildable blush or lip color because it is truly a beauty MVP.
Live Tinted is a woman-owned business founded by entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala that specializes in clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products for al skin tones.
Promising review: "Almost the only makeup you'll need. I was on vacation in Vietnam and Cambodia for almost a month. Besides mascara, this is all l needed for lips, cheeks and eyelids. The product goes on smoothly, stays pretty well and is so easy to use and go. It is something I will continue to use daily. It makes a big difference, brightening your whole face. It helps make you look like you put forth an effort and care how you look. My favorite color is True." —jeanette p.
Get it from Amazon for $26 (available in six shades).
14. Nyx's Pore Filler Targeted Stick, a holy grail option for anyone with sensitive skin who may have had it up to HERE with other pore fillers and their promises. This has a "blurring" effect to reduce the appearance of pores and smooth your skin without causing any extra shine you have to blot out.
Check out a TikTok of the Nyx Pore Filler in action.
Promising review: "Love this. It truly covers my pores and I noticed it covers some of my wrinkles. I apply it right before I apply my foundation. There is no drying time needed. And it makes my skin silky smooth. I'm buying it again as I write this review. Thanks for this product." —Greeneyez
Get it from Amazon for $8.67.
15. A deliciously soothing, super gentle Briotech spray reviewers compare to the pricier Tower 28 SOS Spray. It's similarly designed with hypochlorous acid, which targets bacteria that causes acne, skin irritation, and blemishes *without* drying your skin. Reviewers swear by this handy little spray for helping not just with acne, but rosacea, eczema, dryness, dermatitis (scalp included!), and even toenail fungus.
Promising review: "This spray is amazing. I had a rash on my face and it disappeared after one use of this spray. I had a stye in my eye and the skin around the eye was irritated. This spray fixed not only the irritation but the stye went away as well. Any sort of blemish or acne is taken care of with this simple inexpensive spray. Great for after-sun care or workout redness. Everyone loves Tower 28's expensive SOS spray. The SOS spray contains hypochlorous acid, which is the exact same ingredient in the Briotech spray for much less money. It’s a miracle worker." —Squid466
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four sizes and in multipacks).
16. A RobeCurls heatless hair curler, which is the new BFF of anyone who worries about getting heat damage from hair appliances. You can easily wrap slightly damp air in the satin-covered rod at night and then wake up the next morning and pull it out to buoyant curls.
Emikeni is a woman-founded small business that specializes in heatless hair curling tools.
Promising review: "WOW!!!!! I can’t believe how well this works!!! I’ve seen this all over Instagram and TikTok, and wanted to try it. It’s so easy to put in, takes about a minute or two. Comfortable to sleep in. Then, you take it out, and it looks like you put all this effort into doing your hair. The curls turned out gorgeous, I’m so impressed!!" —Katie Porter
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
17. A redness-reducing Snail Bee High Content Essence so hydrating and soothing that reviewers notice a difference in their skin's tone and texture after just one use. If you're looking for something that will help your foundation ~glide~ on and really lock in the rest of your skincare routine, this is the all-around MVP you're looking for.
Note: this formula includes small traces of bee venom, so patch test before use!
Promising review: "I have only been using this product for a day and a half, and it zapped the redness from my skin! I tried on some foundation the other day and noticed a wild amount of texture, redness peeping through under primer, and general crustiness and was like, 'I gotta do something about this!' I started my new skin routine about a week ago and just felt something was missing. This Benton Snail Bee was added to my existing routine, and wow, did I get some results quickly! I'll absolutely be exploring more moisturizing products from Benton to add to my routine." —Apple S.
Get it from Amazon for $15.30.
18. Julep's Eyeshadow Crème to Powder Eyeshadow Stick that is basically what happens when creamy and powdery eyeshadows have a blendable, delightfully waterproof baby. This comes in matte, shimmery, *and* metallic options so you can get the precise vibe you're looking for, and a blending sponge on the end to get the pigment just right.
Promising review: "I really wanted to find an eyeshadow that was easy to put on, lasted, and did not crease. Well, I found it. Lasts all day and love the color, so I bought a second color as well." —Bridget Gwaltney
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in 53 shades).
19. And Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Base to make anyone with oily skin REJOICE!! This formula locks eyeshadow in place to prevent the pigments from creasing or smudging, which is a very rude thing for your eyeshadow to do after you've worked so darn hard on it.
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
"Saw this used by a makeup artist on TikTok giving a tutorial for women over 40. Totally changed how my eyeshadow works. No clumping or crease lines!" —wo1995
Get it from Amazon for $11.89.
20. A pomade hair wax stick designed to work for all hair types for some residue-free *instant* hold for slick-back ponytails or setting flyaways, cowlicks, and baby hairs into place, if that's the vibe you're going for this winter. Reviewers note how easy it is to glide over hair and brush back without leaving hair looking greasy or shiny.
Promising reviews: "Saw this on TikTok and saved it. Waited months to buy because I’m cautious about products that are trending. I finally gave it a go and so happy! I had to get a haircut to get rid of dead weight, split ends, etc. So I am aware that my hair is still repairing itself. I did a blow out and then ran the flat iron in my head. The stick went on smooth, only required a little bit and the no fuzz or hair sticking out at the top. Love this! Worked well and I was able to keep my naturally wavy hair straight for three days." —carla
Get it from Amazon for $7.59 (available in multipacks).
21. Milani Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper made with a sheer, creamy formula in 16 shades to give your pout the perfect amount of subtle shine and fullness, like you kissed a lil' moonbeam that also hydrated your lips.
Promising review: "I love love love this lip plumper! Not super aggressive, nice tingly sensation, not too sticky and love the colors available!" —Jacki Deckard
Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (available in 16 shades).
22. A set of collagen-infused forehead patches to deeply hydrate your skin and improve its elasticity to minimize fine lines and give you a ~refreshed~ vibe when you wake up in the morning.
Promising review: "The patches work great, I could see difference just after few uses. They stick really good and stay on all night. They feel cool and soothing and I love how easy they are to use. Highly recommend!" —M. Brinson
Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $17.97.
23. An easy-to-hold detangling brush from TikTok-beloved brand Kitsch — this elevated version is suitable for all hair types to quickly and oh-so-gently detangle hair and prevent breakage, whether you're brushing wet or dry.
Promising review: "This is one of the best brushes I’ve ever owned. It’s the perfect size and super gentle on curly hair. I love that I can brush my hair easily and fast with no pain and my hair does not break. I highly recommend getting this brush." —Veronica E.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
24. Olay Cleansing Melts + Retinol Face Cleanser for a two-in-one skincare punch — these water-activated melts only have eight ingredients to give your skin a deep clean without irritating it, with a gentle micro-foam up to clean, tone, and refresh your complexion. Reviewers especially love these for traveling!
Promising review: "I've been using Olay Melts for about six months since receiving a sample. The melts are so easy to use and rinse off very well. It has a very pleasant, faint fragrance. My skin doesn't feel tight like with other products. Since using Olay Melts, my skin feels hydrated and looks smoother and clearer. I find it to be effective for me and a great value for the money. I am a 70-year-old Black woman with combination skin and I would recommend Olay Melts to anyone." —Gladys Davis Andeson
Get it from Amazon for $15.81 (also available in versions with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C).
25. A ~weightless~ liquid cream blush with some real Rare Beauty blush energy that's having a whole moment and a half on Amazon right now. Reviewers adore how high-pigmented and blendable the colors are and how soft and dewy the effect is on their skin.
Promising review: "Creamy and blendable. These are great blushes and have lots of pigmentation. Very creamy and has a smooth application on the skin! It is a great [alternative] to the Rare Beauty blush. It lasted me the whole day and did not melt off. It has a lot of coverage and does not need too much when applying." —Harsh Argawal
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in nine shades and in sets).
26. A foot file that'll remove calluses and hard or cracked skin from your feet with some gentle, pain-free rubbing. It works whether your feet are dry or wet at the time, and will leave your heels feeling gloriously soft.
27. The internet-famous Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller you simply swipe over your face like a magic wand that makes excess oil disappear — super convenient and *way* less wasteful than using blotting strips and time wasting than fancy powders that need a ton of blending work.
Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B.
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
28. Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer, an inexpensive lightweight concealer for anyone who wants to quickly touch up before running errands or bopping into work meetings, but doesn't want to commit to a whole layer of foundation. This also helps cover dark circles without caking and reduces puffiness.
TBH, a few years ago I started using this myself (although this is former BuzzFeeder Kayla Suazo's lovely human face above), and I am mad that I wasted time with other concealers for so long. I am a deeply impatient person who likes to look good and does not like to put in effort in any way, shape, or form, and Maybelline created this so that people like me could gracelessly slap it on in the morning and be like "OKAY, REFLECTION, YOU GOT THIS" before being on their merry way. It never cakes, I look way more awake than I have any right to, and I never struggle to blend it the way I do with other concealers. 11/10 subscribe.
Promising review: "Throughout high school I never knew how to do makeup. But then I heard this product was the absolute best on TikTok. And trust me, they were not lying. It has really good coverage and hides my 'raccoon eyes.' And the best part is that a little bit goes a long way. So if you’re starting out or want to try something new I definitely recommend you try this out." —Liela Lee
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $8.78 (available in 18 shades).
29. A set of itty-bitty dermaplaning razors so you can skip expensive salon treatments — these will get rid of lil' unibrow hairs that keep dodging your tweezers or work whatever face fuzzies you might want to take care of in a gentle way right at home. Reviewers also love how much smoother their makeup goes on when they make dermaplaning a part of their regular routine!
Kitsch is an LA-based, self-financed, woman-owned business established in 2010 that specializes in hair accessories.
Promising review: "I feel like a pro. I've been paying $50+ for spa dermaplane, and by buying these (which are really well made), I can do it myself much more regularly. I did use face oil beforehand to prepare my skin. Since I've had dermaplane done before, I knew to pull the skin taut and use short strokes. Advantage of dermaplane: peach fuzz is gone, makeup goes on smoother, and serums can penetrate better." —seebee
Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in eight colors).
30. A ridiculously charming octopus-shaped blackhead remover you can use to gently scrub as part of your skin routine or in the shower to remove excess sebum to exfoliate pores and pull out blackheads, whiteheads, and other miscellaneous gunk from the day that you'd rather evict.
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok, it works great so far." —MarMarManuel
"After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me and smells great, too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like myself." —LuckLocust
Get it from Amazon for $12.50.
31. A bottle of Nyx matte setting spray for anyone who wants the all-day protection of MAC and Urban Decay's setting sprays without the price tag — this matte finish will lock your look in place in just a few seconds, even on days when the sun is trying to melt you like an ice pop.
Promising review: "Expensive isn't always better. I tried this spray before spending the day outdoors in 90-degree heat at Disneyland, and the only place my makeup moved was on the tip of my nose because I have allergies and use a lot of Kleenex. But otherwise it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on. I’ve used Mac and Urban Decay setting spray and they never worked as well as this stuff. I am completely amazed. Definitely give it a try." —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (also available in dewy and radiant finishes, and a jumbo size).
32. The iconic Alleyoop Pen Pal, which features four quick, easy-to-use products in one tiny package. Each of the three pens comes with a curated color palette of four retractable colors to touch up brows, eyeliner, lips, and highlights, so you've got an entire quick makeup arsenal in the palm of your hand.
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business that specializes in functional makeup products.
Here's what former BuzzFeeder Jasmin Sandal has to say about it:
"I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my 20s that had the ability to transport me back to a piece of stationery I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multi-tool pen... for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touchups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already-overflowing makeup bag!"
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in three shades).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.