16-07-2025
27 Makeup Products So Good, You'll Send Them Straight To Your Friend Group Chat
E.l.f.'s Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara hugs each lash to create volume and extends length with a unique technology that our readers and editors alike can't stop raving about. Enriched with jojoba seed oil, this conditions as the applicator separates and lengthens each lash. What you're left with? A long-lasting, dramatic, eye-opening finish.
Or Essence Lash Princess Mascara, which achieves skyscraper falsie lashes at such a gasp-worthy price, 30,000-plus reviewers haven't been able to shut up about it. Yep, this holy grail sculpts lashes at only $5 a tube, which, if you think about it, is less than a fancy coffee order!
Milani Conceal + Perfect Smoothing Primer casts a magical soft-focus filter over pores and uneven texture — one that also blurs and brightens. With niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in a whipped souffle-like formula, it ensures smoother makeup application and long-lasting hydration.
Promising review: "This primer is a game changer! It blurs pores, smooths skin, and controls shine without feeling heavy. My makeup stays fresh for hours, and it works great with matte foundations. Plus, it's fragrance-free — perfect for sensitive skin! If you have oily or combo skin, you need this!" —3rdeyecreationGet it from Amazon for $12.97.
Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey flushes lips with a subtle shade that thousands of reviewers can't get enough of. From the moisturizing benefits to the universally complementary hue, this no-fuss makeup enhancer has users raving about the natural-looking tint they can achieve in seconds — one that doesn't feel sticky and can be applied with ease throughout the day.
Or E.l.f.'s Hydrating Core Lip Shine captures the essence and possesses similar magical traits to Clinique's "Black Honey," but for a more attractive price. For a conditioning color that melts into lips and leaves a sheer tint, this vitamin-E-formulated gem won't disappoint. Plus, you can either just apply a couple of sweeps or buildup to a darker finish.
Live Tinted Glotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 layers beautifully over prepped skin and offers lightweight coverage in a flexible shade that can even out your complexion (while still protecting your skin). You can expect a dewy glow that pairs well under concealer and foundation — or even while flying solo.
Live Tinted is a South Asian woman-owned beauty brand founded by beauty blogger and entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala. Her brand is built around diversity and inclusion with phenomenal multitasking products that address skin concerns like hyperpigmentation. Just peep their top-selling color-correcting Huestick.I have an announcement to make: I've officially found my new holy grail in Live Tinted's Glotion. From the way it layers on top of my skincare to how it blends under my concealer and bronzer, this stuff means business. My skin feels hydrated and protected at the same time, and I've found it makes the perfect lightweight base for when I want to even out my skin tone without heavy makeup. The spout applicator is genius, allowing the product to trickle out easily across the skin. Plus, it rubs in seamlessly — unlike other mineral sunscreens you might have come across that leave behind a texture, cast, or weird-feeling film that pills. This does none of that. Something else I've noticed when I wear this? I receive a ton of compliments on the way my skin looks. So needless to say, my obsession with this brand review: "I started using mineral sunscreen as my skin has become too sensitive to chemical ones. I tried various mineral sunscreens, and all left some type of white cast, too greasy, too heavy, pills under makeup, but not this one! It leaves a beautiful, glowy finish without looking greasy. It sits well under makeup, so I can't recommend it enough!" —AshGet it from Ulta for $36 (available in two shades).
L'Oréal Paris BB Cream neutralizes redness and evens out complexions fast with a moisturizing lotion that's perfect as a primer, pre-makeup application. It's lightweight, so you won't feel like you're packing on more product than you need to, and it keeps flare-ups at bay while still hydrating your skin.
Catrice's "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener blurs, brightens, and conceals with its creamy, nourishing texture. The pinky hue is intentionally designed to neutralize the blue-green tones of dark circles, while the hyaluronic acid and shea butter formula will give your skin an instant glow. Reviewers note that this provides sheer-to-light coverage, and it's available in two shades to suit different skin tones.
Maybelline Super Stay Skin Tint knocks it out of the park with an affordable formula that rivals premium beauty brands. Reviewers rave this vitamin-C-infused, noncomedogenic foundation stays put (with the brand claiming it lasts up to 24 hours!) doesn't set into fine lines and creases, and provides feather-light coverage that still evens out complexions.
Promising reviews: "Best foundation ever. Looks like skin, feels like nothing. Can be applied thinner or thicker. The shimmer is light but pretty. I add an extra shimmer when I want to be very glowy, and it mixes well. I've searched for a product for years and never had anything I'd stick with. Now my whole family uses it. Really is a 24-hour foundation, doesn't sweat off, yet easy to wash off. I'll be a lifelong fan. Skin tint forever!! Excellent value. No smell." —J. NguyenGet it from Amazon $13.98 (available in 18 shades).
Elizabeth Mott Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer laughs in the face of oily lids and creases, since its paraben-free formula features a sebum-controlling powder that locks in your shadow. (And you're not going to want to skip out on this step if you're looking for your pigment to really pop.)
Ulta Beauty Collection Color-Correcting Setting Powder packs in skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid to ensure your look stays put without any leftover crepey-ness. Offering a finish reviewers describe as "comfy," this won't leave your skin feeling tight or dried out — no matter if you decide to dust over concealer with a fluffy brush or press in your look with a puff.
Promising review: "I love this powder so much! It helps with making my smile lines less noticeable, and it lasts all day. I have very oily skin, so this product has been my holy grail. I have repurchased twice." —JulieGet it from Ulta for $14 (available in four shades).
Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer pencils in patchy brows for a look that's natural, long-lasting, and can be tamed using the soft, built-in spoolie. And! Reviewers note that the angled pencil allows for quicker (and easier) application over a smaller, pointed tip.
Laura Geller New York Baked Balance-n-Brighten Powder Foundation covers and corrects in a demi-matte formula that conceals hyperpigmentation, dark circles, and blemishes. Simply apply using a fluffy brush to blend and sweep into the skin for lightweight, buildable coverage — that won't leave you looking cakey.
Promising reviews: "I've been wanting to try this for a long time and I'm sooo glad I finally purchased the medium shade. It covers everything perfectly without even looking like I'm wearing any foundation at all. I'm 64 and my skin is combination oily/normal and it's the best I have ever used including Lancôme, Tarte Cosmetics, Charlotte Tilbury, and Clinique. Doesn't go into wrinkles and stays flawless all day." —Laura"Finally! A perfect foundation. I love this for my skin! It matches perfectly (I got it in tan), and the coverage is amazing. I have never left a review for any product that I have ordered from Amazon, but I had to let others know. It hasn't been easy finding a foundation that matches my skin complexion, plus it goes on like a powder and covers my dark circles! Glad I finally purchased it!" —Tira HunterGet it from Amazon for $20.90 (available in nine shades and in six travel-size shades).
One Size 24-Hour Liquid Eyeliner laughs in the face of other eyeliner equivalents because this baby is waterproof, smudge-proof, and like your ever-reliable BFF, will *never* flake on you.
This is vegan and cruelty-free!Promising review: "I used KVD for years and have tried many others. This is my new favorite eyeliner. It goes on super smooth and mine stays all day." —Sephora CustomerGet it from Sephora for $19 (available in three shades).
NYX The Brow Glue sets brow hairs in place and up for success! Your over-tweezed brows from your teens are *so* jealous of your present brows since this stuff tames and fluffs all at the same time. Just give them a brush upwards for a perfectly feathered look.
Ulta Beauty Magic Marker Lip Stain that colors in your pout with a fun applicator (not to be confused with something you might've found in your pencil case as a wee tot). This transfer- and smudge-proof lippy allows for precise application, whether you're lining, defining, or filling in your look. And reviewers rave that, once applied, it stays put.
Promising review: "Bought it for the packaging…stayed for the product. I LOVE this stain! Perfect as a liner or all over. Doesn't dry my lips. More colors, please?!" —CustomerGet it from Ulta for $10 (available in four shades).
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer treats *and* defeats dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines that are taking up prime real estate around your delicate eye area. This comes with a built-in sponge applicator so you don't even have to *think* about using another tool when your mind is still on snooze.
Pür Silky Tint Creamy Multitasking Stick blends and melts into skin with a moisturizing, peptide-rich formula to deliver a sun-kissed glow that begs the question, "Who's that girl?!" Oh, it's just you and your new elevated makeup routine. Using the handy applicator, simply dab it on lips, across your cheekbones and nose bridge, plus your brow bone for a unified, year-round, influencer-inspired flush.
Promising review: "The Pur you go pearl multitasking stick is beautiful! The packaging makes it super easy to dispense the product and convenient to take on the go. The pearly color worked really well for my olive undertones. I use two methods for application: first, with just my hands, I'll warm the product up on the back of my hand, then apply it using my fingers to the high points of my cheeks and nose. The second — If I want to get a more precise application, I'll pick up the product with a brush and apply it to the inner corner of my eyes and brow bone. The product wears well and layers well both under and over powder. I'm interested in trying the pinker shade now! Highly recommend this!" —JasmineGet it from Ulta for $26 (available in six shades).
E.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray promises to hold your makeup all day with its lightweight mist that grips makeup and ensures it won't transfer onto your favorite white T-shirt. This provides a dewy finish over your look that reviewers note doesn't budge even in intense heat.
Promising review: "I use this not just to set my makeup but also to dampen my makeup sponge. I think it has made a huge difference in how my makeup looks and how much smoother it applies. It is just as good, if not better (feels less sticky), than the similar, more expensive milk makeup one." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $10.
Sephora Mini Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Eyeshadow Palette delivers four base shades to sweep over your lids and one shimmery topper to elevate the look. Purse-friendly, you can take this with you whenever you want to switch up your glam. Reviewers love the pigment and price — and I think you will, too!
Promising review: "I can't believe this palette is not more expensive. The quality is amazing. I have three of these palettes. The mushroom one is my favorite, although the strange red poppy one comes in second. The color-shifting shadow is beautiful!" —AnonymousPrice: $6 (originally $10; available in three color palettes)
Neutrogena Remover Eraser Stick touches up and reverses any makeup mistakes in a snap. Whether you're on the go and notice an end-of-day mascara smear, or you're still sat at home trying to match your cat-eyes, this fixes with precision and ease.
Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick layers on rich, creamy pigment that could be compared to the likeness of other more premium makeup brands. This long-wearing formula may be cheaper, but it doesn't skimp on rich, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep your lips moisturized.
Promising review: "Smells amazing, color is rich and texture is creamy. The matte texture makes it long-lasting. My absolute favorite lipstick. I have porcelain-colored skin, and the color secret is lovely dusty rose pink. Neutral but feminine." —Target CustomerGet it from Target for $10.99 (available in 13 shades).
MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation simplifies the coverage step of your makeup routine. By simply spraying this handy product onto the included brush, you can glide on flawless foundation that's made up of a microfine mist that A) won't streak or B) leave you with a heavy finish. And, of course, it's buildable, so you can control how much you apply with each sweep.
Nooni Tinted Appleberry Lip Oil provides a similar look and feel to costlier alternatives like, say, the Dior Lip Oil — but all for a more attractive price. According to thousands of reviewers, this Korean lip oil offers a natural-looking tint that's glossy *and* gives a natural plumping effect. Cracked lips will now be a thing of the past, thanks to the Appleseed oil and raspberry fruit extract, which provide up to 24 hours of hydration.
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Multi-Use Foundation Stick glides on buildable coverage that's formulated with heat- and humidity-resistant ingredients. Worth the splurge, users love how easily this blends, leaving a long-lasting, natural skin-like finish.
Promising review: "This product is amazing. It's creamy, lightweight, and blends beautifully without settling into fine lines. I paired it with a silicone-based primer (Bare Minerals) and a touch of Bobbi Brown vitamin-enriched base for a smooth, flawless finish." —byebyejennyGet it from Sephora for $57 (available in 18 shades).
Beakey Makeup Sponges apply and blend your holy grails with an airbrush finish every single time — plus, they also absorb less product! That means you won't be unnecessarily wasting your expensive, only-for-special-occasions foundation.
Pretty Smart All-in-One Face Palette combines three makeup staples into one convenient travel-friendly set. Add a flush of color with blush, sculpt the areas you want to contour with bronzer, and seal in your concealer with photo-blur pressed powder.
Promising review: "The product is compact enough to fit into a small handbag. It's an all-in-one palette; Yuka app rated this as an excellent makeup (all natural/ organic ingredients). A bronzer, blush and all over mineral / dewy face powder. Doesn't settle into wrinkles. Amazing coverage, perfect amount of, affordable price for clean beauty. Great for sensitive skin, washes off easily. Magnetic closure is nicely done." —KristaGet it from Walmart for $9.98 (available in two color palettes).
