28 Beauty Products With Before And After Photos That'll Make Your Jaw Drop
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Whenever someone I know has a sunburn, I become that super annoying product-pusher friend. I tell everyone about the sun soother! Really, Burt's Bees should pay me. It rubs into the skin like lotion so you don't feel greasy and you can immediately put on clothes after application. A little goes a long way! It smells good without being overpowering (and I'm picky about scents!). Most importantly, it works! I've had everything from slight burn to looks-like-a-lobster-feels-like-fire and this sun soother has eliminated the pain/itch and drastically reduced the eventual peel. Even if it does peel later on, it's minimal compared to what it would be and look like if I had not used this sun soother. I don't burn easily and love this product; my husband is as fair as they come and it's his favorite sunburn solution as well. Highly recommend!" —Jessie Patterson
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (also available in a three-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
You'll get one lip plumper and one minty sleeping mask for your lips.
Promising review: "I loved this stuff, it was magic. The evening moisturizer was fabulous. It is the first plumper that actually works for me. Will be buying more for gifts!!!!!" —Alexandra
"I discovered this product from TikTok and I had to give it a try. I tried the day lip plumper and within a few seconds, there was a subtle tingling/burning that lasted for a few minutes but as it occurred, the plumping started to happen! It made a noticeable difference and made my lips look like I had filler! I'm obsessed!! —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
@chastityst.cage on Instagram / Via 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
Check out BuzzFeed's Makeup Eraser review for more deetz!
Get it from Amazon for $20+ (available in 16 colors/patterns).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I want to start off by saying I've been to professional salons and had my eyebrows 'tinted' before — two separate salons and the results were awful. No sign of tint on my brows. The salons say 'I'm not a good candidate for brow tint'. But this tint is AMAZING. I'm literally shocked at the results. Only bad thing I could say about this is that I wish the tint lasted longer. But it lasted about two days, what more can I ask for." —T
"I was paying $60 every 2–3 weeks to get my eyebrows tinted so this stuff has saved me so much money. Never going to get my eyebrows tinted again." —Iris
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
www.amazon.com
See it in action on TikTok!
Promising reviews: "I've tried many eyebrow products over the years, but this eyebrow pen is by far the best! It's incredibly user-friendly, making it easy to create precise, natural-looking brows in just minutes. The color blends perfectly with my natural brows, giving me a polished and effortless look. I've received so many compliments since I started using it! Simply put, this has become my new favorite eyebrow pen, and I can't imagine going back to anything else. Highly recommend!" —Holly Beth
"This brow pen is a game changer! Just look at the comparison [above]! It creates the most realistic looking brows and my favorite part, it's waterproof! I wore it all day and it didn't budge. I have oily skin AND I went to the gym and it still didn't move. Highly recommend!" —Adriane Liana
Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in seven shades).
@soldejaneiro / Via www.instagram.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Y'all. This stuff smells like heaven. Somehow this scent is appropriate for summer and winter at the same time. It absorbs quickly with no sticky feelings afterward. The one thing that might deter some people from buying it is that there is a shimmer to it. Once I've used it on my hands, I notice that in sunlight, my skin has a bit of a glimmer. I personally love this and can't wait to use this lotion during the summer. I think it's 100% worth the high price tag. When I can summon up the will to spend the money, I'll be buying the body wash, spray, and full-sized lotion as well but for now, the mini lotion stays in my purse." —Elizabeth
Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in three sizes).
www.amazon.com
Promising review: 'If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I've used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hard lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!' —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.50+ (available in 12 styles/shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I HAD to write a review. I use this in the morning and night after my whole face routine and putting on moisturizer. I don't have dark bags however, my under-eyes do get a bit puffy and I was noticing fine lines. DUDE, those fine lines are fading. Last night I went to a party and woke up looking like the crypt keeper, and this stuff normalized my creepy zombie eyes in about 20 minutes. It's $9. Do yourself a favor and buy it." —Jasmine Deatherage
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles and in two- and three-packs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Good Molecules is a small biz that creates simple, effective skincare products using science-backed ingredients.
Promising reviews: "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 when my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly love all the Good Molecules products." —Hayden Smith
"Saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a try since the price was amazing. OMG, buy it. I've always had dark circles under my eyes and now fine lines and crow's-feet. While this doesn't completely eliminate my dark circles, the fine lines are really diminished. It wears extremely well under makeup and doesn't feel cakey, or like there's a ton of product on." —K.Grant
Get it from Amazon for $5.98.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is the best product I've used on my face!!! RUN AND GET THIS! I have sensitive skin. Day four, I see a huge difference in my skin; it's smooth, hydrated, and dark spots are disappearing. It's magic in this bottle." —Tareika
Get it from Amazon for $18.44.
www.amazon.com
After mixing the powder and activator, just apply the mask on your face and you'll start to feel it working instantly!
Promising review: "After years of trying different products on my sensitive, acne-prone, red, rough skin, I saw this mask and all of the positive reviews and thought, 'What the hell, I'll give it a go.' Even after the first application, I was really impressed with the results. My rough skin is smoother, I have no additional breakouts, and when I wear makeup, it blends into my skin. It also helps the deep wrinkles on my neck. I even got a compliment on my skin the other day — this NEVER happens. I use the mask twice per week. I'm in month two and recommend it to anyone with skin problems. My only caution is that it smells funky (who cares) and is a little hard to remove. I only apply the mask when I'm going to shower and wash my hair. It's zombie life for me from here on out!" —Charlie B
Get a box of eight masks from Amazon for $17.89 (available in multipacks).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Add a hydrating serum to serve as a primer over your skin as you derma roll to increase absorption. The rolling will allow the serum to sink deep into your skin giving you allllll its benefits. Make sure you learn how to derma roll properly before trying!
Promising review: "Obsessed! This is a necessity for every person's daily routine! Works so well at creating blood flow and promoting collagen production. Definitely makes a huge difference in improving product absorption as well. I notice a big improvement in any laugh/forehead lines I get and definitely think this has been helping with my acne scars! Not painful at all either." —Niloo
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two colors).
www.amazon.com
DrTung's is a US-based small biz that specializes in oral care products.
Promising review: "I had a tool similar to this years ago, but it was plastic and shaped a little differently and I just didn't see much of a result so I didn't stick with using it. But this tongue scraper is by far above and beyond anything I have used in the past. The immediate results were disgusting, which in this case is a good thing ;-). I'm very happy with the speed of shipping, quality of product, and the way in which this handy little tool performs. An added plus is the cute travel bag which comes with your purchase. Solid purchase!" —Lyra18
Get it from Amazon for $8.14+ (available in multipacks).
@livetinted / Via www.instagram.com, Ulta
Live Tinted is a South Asian woman-owned small biz that specializes in clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products for all skin tones.
Promising review: "I'll admit, I was totally skeptical of these Huesticks. I am 34-years-old, of Sri Lankan descent (medium to deep tan skin) and I've NEVER been good at makeup. I was excited to try these Huesticks, made by and vouched for by a fellow South Asian, but was worried it would look like I was ACTUALLY wearing makeup. I was pleasantly surprised after using [the shade] 'Rise' under my eyes and around my mouth, blending with a Beauty Blender and then using my same amount of cc cream and powder foundation. You really still can't tell I'm wearing makeup. I even asked my BF if he could see the orange 'glow' under my eyes before I put on the cc cream and he couldn't see it! It really was color correcting!" —Reviewer
Get it from Ulta (available in four shades), Live Tinted (available in three shades), or Amazon (available in four shades) for $26.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "When I ordered this product, I admit, I didn't think it would work. I have adult acne and visit a dermatologist regularly, my chin area is especially bad. I used one the first night I received them. It's acne sorcery. I honestly could not believe it worked. Pimple gone overnight and a flat surface remained. I do not know how they get this pimple magic to work but I am sold and have literally texted all the people in my life. It's complete magic! Do it, I promise you will be shocked!" —Heather L.
Get a 36-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in a 72-pack).
amazon.com
Promising review: "This is by far my favorite nail-care product! The pen makes application easy, and I love the subtle scent (hard to describe but undeniably delicious!) My nails feel strong and healthy, and it's also helped with growth. When opening the pen for the first time, make sure to click carefully. I got impatient and started unscrewing it, which caused oil to spill everywhere! That was definitely my fault though, just remember to be patient when clicking the pen for the first time. Overall a 10/10 product, would recommend!" —Liah
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in six scents).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I finally found a finishing spray I love. It sets makeup perfectly and gives a refreshing dewy look. I will always have an extra on hand to bring in my to-go bag." —Nancy B.
Get it from Amazon for $23.99.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have purchased this three times in the color Sienna, and it is perfect! It's totally worth all the hype on TikTok. This is a very emollient powder that sticks to the skin. I prep with sunscreen then use this. The fragrance dissipates quickly. I noticed the actual powder is bouncy to the touch. I have not used the sponge it comes with, I like to use a powder brush. It gives me full coverage, and I look flawless all day. I also don't need to blot and I am very oily. I will certainly continue to repurchase. This is the best powder I have tried since Mac Studio Fix." —Maria Webba
Get it from Amazon for $5.59+ (available in 19 shades).
Sephora
Tower 28 is an LA-based, Asian woman-owned small biz that creates vegan and cruelty-free beauty products for all skin types.
Promising reviews: "An HG product for a reason! I was unsure if Tower 28 was worth the hype (it is alllll over TikTok and Insta), so I bought the mini size of this first to test it out. I went back immediately to grab the full size! This will be a staple in my routine for sure. I have dry, breakout-prone skin and this spray didn't irritate my skin at all." —harleyclancy
"This product is such a game changer for maskne! I was a bit hesitant after I saw a TikTok video with it but after trying it, I added it to my everyday skincare routine!" —Lisa0214
Get it from Tower 28 (available in four sizes), Sephora (available in three sizes), or Amazon (available in two sizes) for $12+.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This is a really nice first step in my morning routine. It's helped minimize my hormonal acne because the PHAs gently exfoliate. I don't recommend using other acids with this. I like that it comes with little tweezers so you can pick up a pad in a sanitary way." —Scrump
"When I tell you my skin hasn't been this clear in forever. I have PCOS and hirsutism, which causes me to grow hair on my neck and chin. I'm also a skin picker, so clearing my skin has been really difficult for me. But this product has saved my skin. I'm still working on my skin picking, but when I don't, these pads help exfoliate and help with the dark marks. Thanks Anua!" —Jessyca Renee
Get a jar of 70 pads from Amazon for $22.
www.amazon.com
Mad Rabbit is a Black-owned small biz that specializes in all-natural products to heal, protect, and enhance tattoos.
Promising reviews: "Product was awesome. It rejuvenated a 5-year-old tattoo and made it look like new again. Mad Rabbit absorbed into the skin very easily without being greasy." —Janson Ward
"This stuff is the best! My girlfriend bought this before but I didn't like the scent she had, but the spreadability of this was to die for. When I found out they had different scents I was so excited. I want to get more tattoos just so I can put it all over my body. 🤣" —Iris Kotico
Get it from Amazon for $16.40+ (available in two scents).
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Hardly ever do I review but this time, sheesh! This product blew me away after only three uses! First off, it's easy to use! I've tried a ton of products for teeth whitening and all have been either inconvenient to use, or make you wear a mouthguard etc. This is a PEN/brush! Hold it like a writing pen and twist up for the solution, the solution feeds through onto the brush (which is actually the size of a tooth) and you just brushstroke on dry teeth as you are smiling! It dries on and you rinse off. Magical! I've seen a noticeable difference after only using this for three days!! My husband even said 'WOW your teeth look amazingly white'. I'm a smoker/tea drinker/coffee drinker too! I noticed the difference but never said a word to my husband about it, he's a firm believer that nothing like this ever works...LOL. Well boy oh boy, this product changed his mind instantly! He already swiped my other pen and has been using it too. We see the difference and are very satisfied. What's even more awesome is the price! Remarkable difference and it lasts! If I could give this 1,000 stars this would have earned 1,001, know what I mean?!" —Lisa Edwards
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.95 (available in single-, and four-packs).
Blume
Blume is a woman-owned, POC-owned small biz based in Canada that specializes in cruelty-free, vegan, and environmentally friendly products for skin care.
Check out a TikTok of the Meltdown Acne Oil in action.
Pair it with the gel cream for ~outta this world results~!
Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING and MAGIC. I ordered more out of fear of running out. All acne and fade products have dried or broken out my skin further, but this stuff clears my skin, makes it glow, and hydrates it. Beyond, beyond obsessed. THANK YOU, BLUME! xoxo" —Kaitlin A.
Get it from Blume for $47 or Amazon for $28.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Incredible product! Still cannot believe what a difference it has made in the lines and wrinkles around my eyes. I use it twice a day and actually use it for my entire face and my neck. My skin feels so soft and lines are disappearing." —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes and styles, and in a two-pack).
www.amazon.com
You'll get five pairs of magnetic lashes and the liner!
Promising review: "Tried these for the first time and they are awesome! I need a little practice with liquid eyeliner because I'm used to a pencil, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I let the liner dry first and the lashes went right on. Turned the fan on and they did not blow off my eyelids. They're so light, I can't even tell that I'm wearing them. I previously had lash extensions and did not like that I could not wash my eyes properly. I'm very impressed with these!" —Christine Frries
Get an eight piece set from Amazon for $18.99.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "Magic in a tiny tube. Has lasted over a month so far and my 30-year-old skin is clear for the first time in my life. Nothing else has worked, and I've tried it all. I wish I could give this 10 stars." —LC
"This product is a MAGIC ERASER on acne. This is the only product that works on my acne. It dried up my hormonal acne within one night! So I have mild hormonal acne due to menstrual cycle but after using this gel every night and following the directions in the package, it has really helped me get rid of acne and dark spots. This product did not break me out in initial use or even later. This one tube lasted me for a couple of months and a few days over. I love the results and I will buy another tube if my acne acts up again, but for now I have clean and clear skin. Thanks Differin!" —Karthick Ravi
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in two styles, three sizes, and in two-packs).
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This stuff is AMAZING. Slap a small amount on at the end of your skin routine and automatically have hydrated skin ALL DAY. My skin used to be super dry, cracked, and really red constantly, but after I got this…it all went away. It's liquid gold. Do your skin a favor and get it!! The tube lasts me a solid four months, so it's definitely worth it." —Marisa
"I had an IPL photo-facial followed by a SkinPen microneedling session and my face was tomato red, hot, and dry. Now, I've loved this cream for a while. I wish I could write a sonnet about it. It heals popped pimples, irritated skin, cuts, scrapes, burns, you name it. So after the stuff the doctor gave me wasn't doing much, I took matters into my own hands and applied some of this Cicaplast Balm. Within two hours I looked like a normal human being. I cannot praise this miracle product enough. I'm pretty sure it's crafted with angel tears and unicorn magic. I'm blown away." —Sage Pennington
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available with SPF).
www.amazon.com
It also comes with brushes!
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 this stuff holds every hair in the place you brush it." —Bailey M, Deacon
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in a two-pack).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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Black America Web
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7 Everyday Uses For Organic Coconut Oil
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- Yahoo
Takeaways from AP's report on the business interests of Trump's surgeon general pick
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — President Donald Trump's pick to be U.S. surgeon general has repeatedly said the nation's medical and food systems are corrupted by special interests and people out to make a profit at the expense of Americans' health. Yet as Dr. Casey Means has criticized scientists, medical schools and regulators for taking money from the food and pharmaceutical industries, she has promoted dozens of products in ways that put money in her own pocket. The Associated Press found Means, who has carved out a niche in the wellness industry, set up deals with an array of businesses. In some cases, she promoted companies in which she was an investor or adviser without consistently disclosing the connection, the AP found. Means, 37, has said she recommends products that she has personally vetted and uses herself. Still, experts said her business entanglements raise concerns about conflicting interests for an aspiring surgeon general, a role responsible for giving Americans the best scientific information on how to improve their health. Here are some takeaways from the AP's reporting. Growing an audience, and selling products Means, 37, earned her medical degree from Stanford University, but she dropped out of her residency program in 2018, and her license to practice is inactive. She said she saw firsthand how 'broken and exploitative the healthcare system is" and turned to alternative approaches to address what she has described as widespread metabolic dysfunction driven largely by poor nutrition and an overabundance of ultra-processed foods. She co-founded Levels, a nutrition, sleep and exercise-tracking app that can also give users insights from blood tests and continuous glucose monitors. The company charges $199 per year for an app subscription and an additional $184 per month for glucose monitors. Though scientists debate whether continuous glucose monitors are beneficial for people without diabetes, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promoted their use as a precursor to making certain weight-loss drugs available to patients. With more than 825,000 followers on Instagram and a newsletter that she has said reached 200,000 subscribers, Means has a direct line to an audience interested in health, nutrition and wellness. Many companies, including Amazon, have affiliate marketing programs in which people with substantial social media followings can sign up to receive a percentage of sales or some other benefit when someone clicks through and buys a product using a special individualized link or code shared by the influencer. Means has used such links to promote various products sold on Amazon. Among them are books, including the one she co-wrote, 'Good Energy"; beauty products; cardamom-flavored dental floss; organic jojoba oil; sunglasses; a sleep mask; a silk pillowcase; fitness and sleep trackers; protein powder and supplements. She also has shared links to products sold by other companies that included 'affiliate' or 'partner' coding. The products include an AI-powered sleep system and the prepared food company Daily Harvest, for which she curated a 'metabolic health collection.' On a 'My Faves' page that was taken down from her website shortly after Trump picked her, Means wrote that some links 'are affiliate links and I make a small percentage if you buy something after clicking them.' It's not clear how much money Means has earned from her affiliate marketing, partnerships and other agreements. Daily Harvest did not return messages seeking comment, and Means said she could not comment on the record during the confirmation process. Disclosing conflicts Influencers who endorse products in exchange for something of value are required by the the Federal Trade Commission to disclose it every time. But most consumers still don't realize that a personality recommending a product might make money if people click through and buy, said University of Minnesota professor Christopher Terry. While Means did disclose some relationships like newsletter sponsors, the AP found she wasn't consistent. For example, a 'Clean Personal & Home Care Product Recommendations' guide she links to from her website contains two dozen affiliate or partner links and no disclosure that she could profit from any sales. Means has said she invested in Function Health, which provides subscription-based lab testing for $500 annually. Of the more than a dozen online posts the AP found in which Means mentioned Function Health, more than half did not disclose she had any affiliation with the company. Though the 'About' page on her website discloses the affiliation, that's not enough, experts said. She is required to disclose any material connection she has to a company any time she promotes it. Representatives for Function Health did not return messages seeking comment. While the disclosure requirements are rarely enforced by the FTC, Means should have been informing her readers of any connections regardless of whether she was violating any laws, said Olivier Sylvain, a Fordham Law School professor, previously a senior advisor to the FTC chair. 'What you want in a surgeon general, presumably, is someone who you trust to talk about tobacco, about social media, about caffeinated alcoholic beverages, things that present problems in public health,' Sylvain said, adding, 'Should there be any doubt about claims you make about products?' Potential conflicts pose new ethical questions Past surgeons general have faced questions about their financial entanglements, prompting them to divest from certain stocks or recuse themselves from matters involving their business relationships for a period of time. Means hasn't yet gone through a Senate confirmation hearing and has not yet announced the ethical commitments she will make for the role. Emily Hund, author of 'The Influencer Industry: The Quest for Authenticity on Social Media,' said as influencer marketing becomes more common, it is raising more ethical questions — like what past influencers who enter government should do to avoid the appearance of a conflict. 'This is like a learning moment in the evolution of our democracy,' Hund said. 'Is this a runaway train that we just have to get on and ride, or is this something that we want to go differently?' ___ Swenson reported from New York.
