26 Makeup Products You'll Wish You Started Buying Years Ago

Buzz Feed

17-02-2025

1. A magical makeup-correcting stick for those mistakes that usually result in you starting your beauty routine ALL over again. This allows for quick and easy touchups that'll save you time, so you'll never leave home without it.
Amazon
Promising review: "Why didn't someone think of this sooner? For years, I've been using cotton swabs dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must buy product!!" — Katherine
Get it from Amazon for $7.03.
2. Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint so you can apply lip color once in the morning and never have to think about it for the rest of the day! It won't dry or crack *and* there are tons of color options. This is one of those beauty staples you'll wish you'd found MUCH sooner.
Amazon
I have about five shades of this and absolutely love it!! It smells absolutely amazing, and it actively moisturized my lips instead of making my lips super dry like other lip tints have. It's definitely a buildable color and will look different depending on how much you put on. This lip product consistently gives me a perfectly subtle and natural-looking look that can last me all day long! —Ciera
Promising review:"I'm horrible with lipstick, I can never make it last. But this stuff did! The best part is that it did not dry out my lips like other lip stains do. The color is rich and bold. Love it." — Wendy M.
Get it from Amazon for $6.90 (available in 37 shades).
3. A bestselling eyebrow pencil with everything you need to achieve flawless brows in minutes. The double-sided design has an angled pencil for filling and a spoolie brush for blending. How has your beauty routine survived so long without this?!
Promising review:"Spent years using a brow pomade but got tired of it drying out in the little pot so quickly. I avoided pencils since I could never find one that went on as saturated and with a creamy sort of consistency that I was used to. Tried this on a whim since I'd seen a few positive reviews via YouTube and thought the angled tip was pretty neat. I don't know if I'd want to use anything else ever again because I love it so much! Easy to apply, goes on smoothly, and the little brush on the end is great for evenly brushing product through the brows once they're filled in. Looks so natural and precise. So very happy to get out of my comfort zone and try something new." — Shannon M Slape
Get it from Amazon for $8.28+ (available in four shades and multipacks).
4. Etude House's Zero Sebum Drying Powder because, believe it or not, you don't have to deal with oily skin throughout the day. This gives you a wonderfully matte look for hours without the need to reapply.
Promising review: "My T-zone produces so much oil that the government would seize it if they found out. I gave up on blotting papers because I had to use so many during the day. I resigned myself to carrying around stolen fast food napkins, so I could blot through the day. I decided to try this powder thinking that if it didn't work, then I would only have wasted $7.00. Imagine my surprise when this powder revealed itself to be the greatest method of oil absorption known to mankind! This powder is amazing. I dust it on my T-zone before I go out the door and I am good until I leave work. What sorcery is this!? If I am out late, then I only need to reapply once. It smells like a pain relief patch (like Tiger Balm or Icy Hot) but it 100% does the job. The smell doesn't linger, so it's no big deal. I have now become so obsessed with this product, that not even a restraining order will keep me from it. This could absorb an oil spill." — Mel
Get it from Amazon for $6.50+ (also available as a two-pack).
5. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer for a quick, lightweight under-eye application instead of packing on tons of layers. It also helps minimize dark circles and puffiness so you'll be glad to *finally* add this lil' miracle to your makeup bag.
Promising review:"Best under-eye concealer ever. I wouldn't go out without applying this concealer. It blends nicely with my foundation and has never caked. The sponge applicator is soft and makes application quick and easy. I will continue to use this product and hope, like many products I've used over the years, that it doesn't get discontinued." — Morty
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in several shades).
Check out my colleague's Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer review and learn why it's her favorite.
6. An internet-beloved set of makeup sponges, which live up to the hype for expert-level blending. Reviewers say it's just as good — if not better — than the expensive name brand you've splurged on for years (ugh!!!). Use it wet or dry for BB cream, concealer, foundation, *and* powder.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am VERY picky when it comes to my makeup sponges. For years I would only use a Beautyblender because, to be honest, nothing else compared or gave the same foundation finish. These are truly a game changer! They are not 100% identical to the name brand blender in texture, HOWEVER, they DO give the same flawless foundation finish. I would even go as far as to say they soak up less foundation which means you aren't wasting as much product. And can we talk about this price point?!?! Save your hard-earned money and PURCHASE THESE! You won't be disappointed." — Lindseyy
Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in eight color combinations).
7. An eye primer you'll tell all your friends about to ensure *they* don't miss out on this sorcery for a moment longer. It keeps your eye makeup intact ALL day long without any smudging or creasing. Take that, oily eyelids!
Elizabeth Mott is a Korean American woman-owned biz!
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 straightaway! 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 $14.99.
8. A set of Lovoir winged eyeliner stamps for anyone who's officially lost count of how many hours they've spent trying to perfect the cat-eye look. It only takes a few seconds to apply but it'll last the entire day *and* it's waterproof! You'll dream of a day when you bought this ages ago.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out this TikTok of the Lovoir Winged Eyeliner Stamp in action!
This product comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty.
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 $14.98 (available in three sizes).
9. A mattifying makeup primer to keep your face looking fresh and free of creases all. day. long. That feeling of makeup melting off your face? Gone forever.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: " I could go on and on about this magic face sauce, but instead I'm just gonna lead with the pictures from my random sweat test experiment and tell you what you're seeing. I think it did a GREAT job of soaking up the oil on my nose and forehead, much better than any pressed or loose mattifying powders I use. The (picture on the right) is after I danced Lindy Hop, Shag, AND Balboa (all fairly rigorous dance lexicons in the swing dance family) for three hours in a hot, crowded bar that had to be at least 90 degrees inside. According to my Fakebit, I did 20,000 steps that night so I REALLY put this stuff to the hardest test I could manufacture! It's lasted forever, as well, so I definitely think it's a good deal for the price. It's small, but you don't need a lot!" — Queenofthehouse
Get it from Amazon for $16.29.
10. Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter when you wanna ~shine bright like a diamond~ without spending a fortune. This shimmery formula will make your cheekbones pop so well, you'll be low-key mad that you're late to the game.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Obsessed with this highlighter! It is blinding and looks beautiful on bronzed skin. I was a little nervous the color would be too gold for me, but when I applied it, it blended out to the perfect glow. Will be my go-to this summer!" — Riley Hurlbert
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four shades and multipacks).
11. A genius Lay-n-Go cosmetic bag if you can't part with your makeup but need a convenient way to carry it. This shows you all your items when it's open and closes up into a small bag for easy transport. It's time to bid farewell to your decade-old makeup bag that's hanging on for dear life.
I have had this for years now and it's my go-to travel make-up case! It holds an absurd amount of products, so I never have to compromise and leave any of my favorite makeup products behind on my trips. I love how easily it lays flat, which makes getting ready so much faster since you can see everything at once. It's especially great for getting ready in hotel rooms, where I often find myself sitting on the ground in front of a full-length mirror to put my makeup on. Instead of constantly rummaging through a tiny case, I can grab anything I need in a half a second. —Ciera
Promising review:"I was tired of fumbling around in my cosmetics case and saw this. I was skeptical, but...WOW! On my recent two-week trip to Europe, with constant laying out and packing up, this item was wonderful. I could find what I wanted quickly, right away. Packing up was just a matter of pulling the drawstring. At first, I wasn't sure about changing to this bag, but now I could not do without it." — Mojosharkey
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in three sizes and 31 colors/patterns).
12. An Almay lightweight liquid foundation because some of us long for unparalleled coverage that won't clog our pores. I'll do you one better — this magical potion contains salicylic acid so it actually works to treat your blemishes while you wear it!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love this stuff! It's one of the only foundations that my dermatologist lets me use that actually covers anything. The other noncomedogenic foundations I have tried hardly cover anything. You can use a little for light coverage or use a lot for full coverage. I've applied it with a sponge, brush, and silicone sponge and it worked great with all. It even works fine if you just apply it with your fingers. I have extremely acne-prone skin and it does not make me break out. It also has salicylic acid in it which helps with breakouts." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in 16 shades).
13. Ownest Cosmetics eyebrow soap so you can style your brows however you please. It'll make your brows look thicker using your existing hairs. Excuse me but where has this been all your life?!
Pair it with a brow pencil or powder if you want a fuller look.
Promising review: "I have the kind of eyebrows that look very full with brushing, but can quickly look like one has 'collapsed' once my hair or something else touches it. I've used nearly every product from Anastasia BH, but never had luck keeping my brows in place. Well, let me tell you, this stuff is no joke. I had to scrub my eyebrows clean tonight to get them to move. If you need some help holding your fluff, this will be your new favorite product. Also, I was able to ditch the eyebrow pencil since this stuff holds every hair in the place you brush it." — Bailey M. Deacon
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (also available individually).
14. A super-soft Makeup Eraser when you wake up and realize you fell asleep in yesterday's makeup (again). It only requires a bit of water to get rid of those remnants so you'll be cursing your miserable existence prior to this gem! But hey, you'll save $$$ on disposable makeup wipes moving forward.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am amazed by this product. I would even say that this is life-altering! I have not had to buy makeup remover in three months and don't believe I will ever have to again! When I used makeup remover, I felt like I could never get all of my makeup off and I had to rub my eyes quite a bit to get it off. Even after a lot of rubbing when using makeup remover I still would wake up the next morning with makeup residue from the previous day and I never felt I could completely get my makeup off. With Makeup Eraser, there is not one bit of makeup left!! It is like magic!! Make sure you follow directions, you have to use warm water and use the correct side!" — Sprklbuz
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in 15 colors).
Check out BuzzFeed's review of the Makeup Eraser for more deets!
15. Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation to give you the perfect shade and coverage combo you've spent wayyy too long looking for. It has over 500,000 5-star reviews for a reason, folks.
Il Makiage
This cruelty-free foundation has a natural matte finish, and it gives off a smoothing effect thanks to optically corrective powders and light-diffusing spheres in the formula.
Promising review:"I really like this foundation. On days that I don't need quite as much coverage, I mix it with my moisturizer to thin out a little. It is perfect for heavy coverage days and the foundation brush is on point! Haven't needed anything else since buying IL Makiage. Has me looking perfect every day!" — Bethany
Get it from Il Makiage for $45 (available in 50 shades).
16. An illuminating moisturizer that'll enhance your natural glow✨ right before your eyes. This liquid highlighter adds a lightweight color tint to your complexion for a dewy glow-up that can be worn alone OR with foundation.
Promising review:"Love love love this stuff. This is such a stellar product that is so versatile. Can be worn alone for some to put some glowy life to skin. Add to foundation or layer it. Beautiful. Use it as a base wear you put highlighter on top. Mix some with moisturizer. This in my opinion is better than so many high-luxury brands that make similar products. And I am pretty sure it can be used by all skin types. It's not oily feeling at all and it doesn't dry out skin either. Just a total package. Can't beat the price either." — Figgy08
Get it from Amazon for $13.98 (available in five shades and as a two-pack).
17. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick for a long-lasting lip shade with a kissable matte finish that'll have you blowing smooches at your own reflection (yes, it's that good).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I have worn it almost exclusively for four years straight, I've rebought it several times, and the best part — it's under $10 a tube. I currently own five shades, but it comes in 30 SHADES, so you're bound to find one that works for you. In addition to being long-lasting, it doesn't leave my lips all dry and cracked like other matte lipsticks I've tried in the past. And I've done the leg work — dozens and dozens of times, I've put this on before dinner, eaten a full meal, drunk some cocktails, and it still looks fantastic when I get back home! —Ciera
Get it from Amazon for $9.18 (available in dozens of shades).
18. Wonderskin Wonder Blading One Step Lip Stain Masque you'll obsess over because of how fun it is to use! It glides on a holographic blue and peels off to reveal a stunning lip stain that actually lasts. Reviewers say you can eat and drink without the need for touchups. *Immediately adds to cart.*
Wonderskin is a small business that specializes in makeup and skincare products.
Promising reviews: " I kept seeing Wonder Blading Lip videos on my TikTok. Went to Sephora and couldn't believe they didn't have it. Wound up buying it on Amazon and loving it!" — PM
"I didn't know what to expect when I received this product, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! I absolutely love it! I put it on as soon as it arrived. I kept it on for almost a minute and when I wiped it off with a damp cotton ball, the color was beautiful. It's true to its word about the 12-hour stay power. I put a little lip balm over it and enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking. It didn't come off! If you like lip stain? Get this product! It's a keeper. I will be ordering all of the shades." — Brandy
Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in 24 shades).
19. Essence Lash Princess Mascara adored by literally thousands of reviewers because it delivers on its promises by adding effortless volume and length to your lashes. If you've lost years of your life scouring the internet for the ideal mascara, your search is officially over.
BuzzFeed Editor Kayla Boyd tried this out and raves:"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:"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 workday right to the gym and sweat like [wild]...and this stuff doesn't budge! I love it!!" — Carrie E Weikert
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in black or brown and as a three-pack).
For more info and review pics, check out Kayla's full Essence Lash Princess Mascara review!
20. Or this Vivienne Sabó Classic French Mascara, aka a dream come true with its cruelty-free, lightweight, buildable formula for sky-high lashes without any clumping or flaking!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I absolutely LOVE this mascara. I have very sensitive eyes and holy moly, I'm in love. I've found my new favorite mascara! It makes my lashes look longer and it looks the same all day long. Plus, it doesn't smudge during the day. It's wonderful and a total must-buy!" — Katherine Ochsman
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
21. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey, a cult-fave product that is 100% worth the hype. It delivers a lightweight, buildable gloss that somehow flawlessly complements every skin tone. Apply a single layer for a simple look or pack a few on if you really want your pout to POP!
Amazon
My coworker Emma Lord had this to say:"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 (available in two shades).
22. An all-over color stick from Axiology that you'll use, well...all over! Anywhere you need a bit of color — this stick has you covered. It's super hydrating, too, so the only question left is which color(s) to pick.
Credo
The packaging is completely zero waste — they're tube and cap free (wrapped in paper instead) and rest in a recycled carrying case made from upcycled materials.
Credo Beauty is a woman-owned small business based in San Francisco that features cruelty-free beauty and personal care products and never stocks products that have ingredients on their Dirty List.
Promising review:"This product is fabulous. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. I thought the texture might be too crayon-like, but it's absolutely not. It blends beautifully and lasts. I chose the shade Raspberry. It's a wonderfully happy fuchsia/hot pink color." — Heidi J.
Get it from Credo Beauty for $15 (available in 10 colors).
23. A Docolor Eyelash Comb when you're ready to swear off clumpy lashes forever! This will be a lifesaver for anyone who has been messing with tweezers or *gasp* needles to separate clumpy lashes. Your prayers have finally been answered.
Promising review:"A must-have in my makeup case! I have used plastic lash combs, metal ones, and flat ones, all of which just didn't get the job done. I always went back to a safety pin, WHICH I DO NOT ADVISE! This comb is metal and arched, which is much easier to use, and the teeth glide through lashes easily. NOTE: If your mascara is dry and clumped, ANY COMB COULD POTENTIALLY PULL OUT LASHES. JUST NO. DO NOT DO IT. I put on mascara, and while it's still wet, I glide the comb through the base and go up. It's that simple. I was concerned about cleaning it with alcohol, but I asked customer service and was told it was safe." — ASConner
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
24. A NYX setting spray so you can complete your fierce makeup look with a much-needed BANG! A spritz or two of this stuff will help lock in your product with a matte finish so it lasts for hours without constant touchups.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff will make your makeup last and last! I have severely oily skin, which means that most foundations just slide right off my skin. And then I found this! I spray this on before I do my makeup, after I do any cream makeup (foundation, concealer, etc), and then again after I set with powder. This helps my makeup easily last from seven in the morning to seven at night." — Sadie
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in four styles, in jumbo sizes, and in packs of two).
25. L'Oreal Infallible foundation powder for a full coverage look that doesn't clog your precious pores. It leaves a gorgeous matte finish that stays in place for up to 24 hours. No regrets whatsoever — except wishing you bought it years ago.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I love this powder. I personally wear it over my liquid foundation to add coverage although I have heard it's good enough to use on its own. I like how it adds coverage with a satin finish without being cakey. Also you only need a small amount each time so the product lasts very long. This could probably last me a year if I wore it daily." – Sand
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in 19 shades).
26. A Beauty Bento Bouncy Eyeshadow Trio by Kaja because you should be able to take your fave shades on the go. This adorably compact three-tier stack of shadows is small enough to pack for travel days!
Sephora
Promising review: "This is genuinely one of my favorite products of all time. Gorgeous shimmer shades that are buttery and blinding! If you're considering buying one, do it! But I would only really recommend the all shimmer ones." – Rosewater
Get it from Sephora for $28 (available in nine shade combinations and finishes) or from Amazon for $24.50+ (available in seven shade combinations and finishes).