36 Beauty Products You'll Wish You Started Years Ago

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2 days ago

A lightweight tinted hydrator that gives you a perfect hint of coverage while also improving your skin over time — your current foundation can't do that! It goes on just like a normal moisturizer, but has just enough pigment to reduce redness and blur pores. Oh, and the hyaluronic acid and squalane will help make your skin feel soft and moisturized.
A pomade hair wax stick — it'll be a major timesaver on those days when you want to smooth down flyaways, cowlicks, or set baby hairs into place. Just swipe it over any targeted areas you want to smooth and it'll provide some seriously strong hold without any sticky residue.
A Bondi Sands self-tanning foam that smells like delicious coconut instead of nauseating chemicals — and reviewers rave over it for providing a streak-free tan that's super easy to apply. Just apply in upward motions (preferably with a tanning mitt!) and let it sit for an hour, then wash off! Just try not to regret all the years you wasted sitting in the actual sun for hours.
A K-18 leave-in mask to help bring overprocessed and color-damaged hair back to life. Unlike other repairing treatments like Olaplex, this one doesn't need to be rinsed out: Just smooth this through your clean, towel-dried hair (but skip the conditioner!), wait four minutes, and then style as usual.
NYX's extreme hold eyebrow gel that keeps your brows in place for a whopping 16 hours. Unlike the other countless brow gels collecting dust in your makeup drawer, this one is designed to dry down without a sticky finish — and it won't flake throughout the day!
The Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which will have you singing 🎵 "where have you been all my li-i-i-i-i-ife?" 🎵 on those busy mornings when you need to look like you got a full eight hours of sleep. It's meant to blend seamlessly into the skin and adds light coverage to dark circles.
Or the Live Tinted Hue Stick Color Corrector — it's designed to neutralize the appearance of dark spots, scars, and hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones, if that's something you're looking to do. You can also use the creamy crayon design to swipe a pop of color on your lips, eyelids, or cheeks. That's basically four products in one — imagine how much space you're about to save in your carry-on makeup bag.
And a Maybelline Dark Circles Treatment Concealer that proves you don't have to keep spending a lot of money for high-end results. The lightweight formula is infused with haloxyl, a peptide complex that's meant to reduce dark circles and tighten skin. Many reviewers say it's easy to blend with just your fingers, so you can ditch the brush if you want to!
Or!! A $7 E.l.f. Camo concealer with a slightly thicker consistency that reviewers call a perfect alternative to Tarte's Shape Tape. It's high-coverage (hence the "Camo" in its name) but still blends easily, so it's perfect for concealing any dark circles or acne scarring. Sorry if you already bought Shape Tape, but this will be ready for you when you run out!
An Anua pore-clearing cleansing oil that's specifically designed to help regulate your sebum production and break down blackheads, making it a great option for all my fellow oily-skinned peeps. It also helps break down makeup, so you can finally stop wasting money on makeup-removing wipes!
A cruelty-free lengthening Essence mascara with thousands of ratings and some seriously impressive before and after photos. Oh, did I mention it's UNDER $5 and comparable to Tarte?! Unlike other mascaras at similar price points, reviewers say this one doesn't easily clump or smudge throughout the day and is suitable for sensitive eyes.
The best-selling Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream — it not only smells like caramel and pistachio deliciousness (pair it with the matching body mist to make the fragrance last even longer), but also can help tighten and firm the skin with repeated use thanks to the inclusion of caffeine-rich guarana extract.
An OGX air-dry leave-in cream, which is a must-have for anyone who is constantly running late — you can just throw in your hair after a shower, head out the door, and finally be on time for once!!! Where was this when we were in college?!! The coconut oil and shea butter add extra moisture, while the citrus oils help add shine to your curls.
E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Liquid Filter — even Charlotte Tilbury herself would be super impressed with this. This can be used in so many ways to get a glowy, lit-from-within look: apply it to your high points like a highlighter, mix with your foundation or moisturizer for an all-over glow, or get wild and slather it all over for the ultimate shine. Charlotte, dahling, this is giving your Flawless Filter a run for its money 👀.
A pack of Spin Pins that have the same holding power as 20 hair pins!!! Simply gather your strands into a bun, updo, or any other gathered style, then spin one of the pins in from the top (and add another from the bottom if you want an extra secure fit). These are designed to be slide-proof, so you can now make like Willow Smith and confidently whip your hair back and forth without messing up your 'do.
A Stila color-correcting palette to minimize dark circles, redness, and any other facial discoloration you want to cover up. It contains four cream formulas and two powders so you can correct and set in the same palette!
A popular long-lasting eyeliner stamp which will be a life-saver for all my fellow peeps with shaky hands. You can use the curved wing side to effortlessly apply liner to the outer corner of your eye, then flip over to the regular fine tip to define the rest of the eye.
A buttery soft Physicians Formula bronzer that'll give you a subtle sunkissed glow and is easy to apply thanks to its cream-to-powder formula. Apply it along your cheekbones, temples, and hairline, then lightly blend for a bronzed glow — reviewers say just a few sweeps is all you need! If you've wasted so money trying to find a natural bronzer that doesn't look Cheeto-orange, this is the one you'll wish you bought from the start.
A hydrating Cosrx repairing essence with 96% snail secretion filtrate, which provides a gentle dose of moisture that won't overwhelm skincare newbies. Reviewers mention seeing a reduction in dark spots and acne, and even people with oily skin find that it absorbs quickly and doesn't clog their pores. Who knew snails had the secret to glassy, glowy skin this whole time?!
A super dewy L'Oréal tinted serum reviewers say provides the same glow as Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It's formulated with hy-a-lu-ro-nic acid (hi, Eva Longoria!) to provide extra hydration along with its sheer-to-medium coverage, so it's truly the perfect marriage of skincare and makeup. Armani quality at a drugstore price? Your bank account is currently weeping over all your past Sephora transactions.
I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder that's so easy to use you'll wonder how you ever dealt with those messy spray cans. This one has a powder-puff applicator so you can apply it directly the roots (you know, the source of all your oily troubles), and it also adds some extra volume as you brush it through. Reviewers say it instantly absorbs oil and doesn't leave a white residue behind.
SkinSmart Facial Cleanser Spray — it can help reduce the bacteria that causes acne and breakouts in just a few spritzes. It features hypochlorous acid, which is meant to fight infection and promote healing. It's perfect for refreshing your skin after a sweaty workout, and you can even use it for body acne as well. If you're sick of spending top dollar on Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, give this a try instead.
A nail concealer that's a multitasking marvel, and it gives Dior a run for its money. It strengthens nails thanks to its blend of biotin and keratin, and it also provides a sheer hint of pink color that works great on its own or as a fast-dry top coat. It's basically a manicure in a bottle — which is an absolute STEAL at under $10. Just be sure to tip yourself when you're done.
A root touchup powder so you can stretch the time between salon appointments. Just use the attached sponge to pick up some powder and rub it directly on any grays, or use it on your hairline to create a fuller appearance. It'll become one of your new beauty lifesavers — just ask the thousands of reviewers who left a perfect 5-star rating.
A Bolden Skin-Brighting toner that'll help banish dark spots, breakouts, and enlarged pores before your very eyes. It's also super simple to add to your routine: Just swipe some on with a cotton pad after cleansing, then let the witch hazel, niacinamide, and licorice root work their magic while you move on to the other steps in your routine.
A Denman Hair Brush with a genius multifunctional design. The bristles are perfectly spaced to help detangle and shape curls at the same time, so it's basically a must for anyone who prefers beauty sleep to beauty routines.
O'Keeffe's overnight lip repair cream — yes, it's from the brand behind the iconic Working Hands cream that thousands of reviewers swear by! Its blend of beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil works while you sleep to soften dead skin and add a nice dose of hydration. Prepare to get rid of your car, bedroom, bathroom, and purse lip balms — this one is all you need.
And an exfoliating lip scrub because applying your favorite lip balm on top of dead skin is basically pointless. The sugar granules will help buff away any crusty flakes, and the kukui oil will leave behind a touch of moisture.
A luxuriously rich night cream that puts in serious work while you get some shut-eye. The protein peptides can help stimulate collagen production to make your skin feel firmer and increase its elasticity, while the niacinamide helps with dark spots and discoloration.
Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, which is basically a magic wand for your entire face and neck. The "Wrinkle Bounce" formula is especially loved by reviewers since it helps smooth fine lines and provides a glowy glass-skin look thanks to the salmon complex and collagen. Plus, your neck will be so grateful you're finally giving it the attention it deserves!
Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel that's basically like a latte for your face. It uses the power of yerba mate to soothe the delicate skin under your eyes, and also contains three forms of hyaluronic acid to moisturize. I did not know there were several types of hyaluronic acid, but I would now like to collect all of them like Pokémon.
TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum to give you that coveted ✨ glowy but not greasy ✨ look. It's packed with vitamins C and E and botanical hyaluronic acid to help fade dark spots and add a radiant sheen to your skin. It has tons of rave ratings, with many reviewers saying it instantly brightens and absorbs quickly.
Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Base that'll make the shades from your favorite palettes last all day long. You'll cry just thinking about the time you wasted applying expensive powders that just flake off in about three hours. 😢 The smoothing texture prevents your eyeshadow from settling into fine lines and wrinkles, and the matte formula keeps excess oil at bay.
Resurfacing pads made with 20% glycolic acid, which is a superstar ingredient for dissolving and wiping away dead skin cells. Simply swipe the pad over your skin after cleansing and let it dry before applying any other products. And don't worry about irritation — the pads also include allantoin, green tea, and calendula for their soothing properties.
Or a brightening facial scrub for anyone who craves physical exfoliation but doesn't want anything too harsh. The sea kelp will keep things soft and smooth while the French green clay and lemon peel lightly buff away dead skin. You'll be glowing before you even rinse it down the drain!
An affordable prescription-strength Differin retinoid gel that basically gives you brand-new skin. No, really — retinoids are known to help promote skin cell turnover, revealing a brighter complexion and helping to clear out the gunk that causes clogged pores and acne.
You, wishing you found eyebrow stencils years ago:
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.