Essential Makeup Must-Haves for Beauty Novices: Unveiling 25 Key Products for a Flawless Look
In need of some beauty solutions to step up your glam game? BuzzFeed's got you covered, no matter the occasion! Our team of experts has sifted through a sea of products and have curated a list of the top 20, hand-picked for their ease of use, effectiveness, and positive reviews.
- Flick Stick Winged Eyeliner Stamp: A fool-proof solution to achieving the perfect cat-eye, this winged liner stamp by Lovior Beauty has earned rave reviews!
"I am obsessed with these liners!! My first application took under three minutes and was perfect. These liners are foolproof. I even put it to the ultimate test and applied on my bare, unprimed eyelids. I have oily eyelids and I'm telling you this liner is long wearing and smudge proof! So far I've used the 8mm and 10mm sizes and I have zero complaints. I've gotten so many compliments and flick stick liners are now a staple in my makeup collection. My beauty routine is now much quicker and more streamlined." - Angel McDaniel
- Glossier Boy Brow: This top-rated, cult-favorite brow product by Glossier quickly and effortlessly delivers fuller, more polished brows without the crusty residue that can come with other products.
"This brow gel applies just the right amount of product to add fullness and definition while staying natural. The waxy texture once dried holds brows in place perfectly. I'm a brow gel snob and am obsessed!" - Roni
- Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush: This multi-functional beauty item by Maybelline can be applied to your cheeks, lips, and even as an eyeshadow. It provides a soft, buildable color with a dewy finish and is oil-free!
"I am a huge fan of low maintenance makeup. I love this because I can use it on my cheeks and lips. Similar to a stain, it spreads very evenly before it dries. I feel like it gives me an instant rosy glow. Perfect for mature skin!" - OldPortland
- Eyeshadow Patches: These handy little adhesive strips catch any eyeshadow that falls during the application process, ensuring that your foundation stays flawless.
"My prayers were finally answered. I've been looking for something like this for a long time. It keeps eye shadow from getting on the cheeks which tends to happen every time I apply eye shadow. These strips catch all the falling eye makeup. I'm glad I found them. Highly recommend." - Frequent shopper
- Makeup Blending Sponges: This set of affordable blending sponges mimics the texture and performance of the OG Beautyblender, making it an inexpensive and accessible alternative.
"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." - Lindsey
- BestLand High-Performance Matte Lipsticks: These long-lasting lipsticks from BestLand provide intense color payoff without the usual chapped and cracked lips.
"What can I say, I saw a TikTok about this lipstick and for $10 had to try it! The reviews are right, for some reason this lipstick is better than even $20 name brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but dries in under a minute and survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out, no smudging and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!" - Claire
- Glosshood Holyyy Gloss/Balm Hybrid: This hydrating gloss formula by Glosshood keeps lips moisturized without the sticky mess we all hate. It's infused with clean and simple ingredients, including beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and peppermint oil.
"I love this! Finally, one that does not end up all over my under-eyes by the end of the day. Beautiful colors and easy application. It even does well applied to the waterline! I appreciate that the stick is so slim, too. This stuff is MAGIC!" - Erika N.
- Maybelline Dark Circles Treatment Concealer: This miracle-working concealer covers dark circles instantly, making it the perfect quick fix.
"I can not stop raving about this product. I AM IN LOVE. This product is affordable and definitely a MUST HAVE in everyone's collection when it comes to makeup. Hides my dark circles and gives my eyes some life. I'm a brow gel snob and am obsessed! Also IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY, in case my review wasn't clear enough." - Nada
- NYX Epic Ink Liner: This waterproof eyeliner glides on smoothly, lasts all day, and is totally smudge-proof. It's the perfect formula for those summer days and nights!
"I don't usually write reviews, but I had to rave about this eyeliner because it's amazing. My go-to eyeliner used to be the Kat Von D tattoo liner, but this is my new favorite. I think the quality is even better overall, plus it's at least $10 cheaper. It basically fits all of the requirements I would want in my perfect eyeliner. It's affordable, extremely black, opaque, easy to use, waterproof, stays on for a long time, and the tip is quite thin so you can get wings as sharp as a sword. I also usually have to use makeup remover and concealer to clean up my lines, but I barely need to do any maintenance with this. My cat-eyes have been turning out so clean and beautiful. A lot of reviewers were also complaining about how this eyeliner bled everywhere, but I just wanted to say that their packaging might have been faulty because I had no problem with mine. In fact, mine bleeds less than most eyeliners I've ever used." - Caiti
- Kulfi Kajal Eyeliner: This creamy, blendable eyeliner by Kulfi Beauty doesn't smudge and lasts all day long. It even has aloe vera and vitamin E as main ingredients to help moisturize and act as antioxidants.
"I love this eyeliner! Finally, one that does not end up all over my under-eyes by the end of the day. Beautiful colors and easy application. It even does well applied to the waterline! I appreciate that the stick is so slim, too. This stuff is MAGIC!" - Erika N.
- Essence Lash Princess Mascara: This best-selling mascara gives dramatically long lashes without the price of extensions or false strips. Over 158,000 five-star reviews can't be wrong!
"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. Literally, I can not 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 work day right to the gym and sweat like crazy...and this stuff doesn't budge! I love it!!" - Carrie E Weikert
- Nyx Professional Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick: This Multi-functional eyeshadow stick by Nyx provides bold brights and shimmering neutrals, making adding a little flair to your everyday makeup a fun and simple task.
"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." - Lindsey
- Coty Airspun Face Powder: this velvety, oil-absorbing matte setting powder hides blemishes and lines without looking cakey or cracked. It's also earned over 70,000 (!!) five-star reviews!
"I am absolutely obsessed with this stuff. I feel like I've been officially converted. As someone who's used compact foundation for over a decade, this has been a huge change in routine, but I really love the way this stuff feels. Now it's not as full coverage as a compact foundation, but if used with some concealer and a setting spray--this still really can do wonders! It's super lightweight and comfortable to wear, and I've gotten a lot of compliments on how great my makeup and skin have looked." - A-Mo
- EmaxDesign Bamboo Makeup Brush Set: This set of essential makeup brushes by EmaxDesign comes with comfy-to-hold bamboo handles and a carrying case for it all. In other words: you're all set!
"These brushes definitely exceeded my expectations! I've purchased single brushes from name brands for the same price (or even more) as the price of this 12-piece set and I have to say the quality of these brushes is better than some of those name brands! There's not a single thing that I could complain about. The bristles are perfectly soft but still a bit firm. Overall they feel really well made and I haven't had any shedding whatsoever. I would absolutely recommend this set and I honestly might buy another just because LOL. The price is amazing and the quality is so impressive!" - auuu
- Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint: This lip tint by Peripera provides long-lasting color that can (basically) stand the test of time. And the best part? Even when it fades, it leaves a pretty, natural-looking stain!
"I'm absolutely obsessed with this lip color! The formula goes on very smoothly. It's highly pigmented, so it provides great saturation. It also stays in place rather well. Would highly recommend." - Karen Scarborough
- Mented Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette: This palette by Mented Cosmetics provides nine very pigmented nude and neutral shades (shimmer AND matte), so you can start with the forever-complimentary basics. They also happen to be vegan, paraben-free, nontoxic, and cruelty free!
"I've been seeing this lipstick trending everywhere and as I'm more of a tint and balm girl these days, I knew I had to give it a try. The color payoff with a shade this deep is subtle but it's definitely buildable. I like that it gives me a pinch of color on my lips that perfectly compliments my no-makeup-makeup days. I like to layer a clear balm on top for a glossy look." - Bianca Guzzo
- Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: This cult-favorite concealer by Nars provides ooutstanding, long-lasting coverage (16 hours to be exact).
"I'm obsessed with this concealer. It provides outstanding, long-lasting coverage and can be buildable as needed. If I could only choose one makeup item to wear out, it's this concealer." - Kayles0404
- Clinique Black Honey Lipstick: This lipstick by Clinique has been a makeup bag essential for many for years! It's got a silky smooth balm texture and sheer, buildable color.
"I've been seeing this lipstick trending everywhere and as I'm more of a tint and balm girl these days, I knew I had to give it a try. The color payoff with a shade this deep is subtle but it's definitely buildable. I like that it gives me a pinch of color on my lips that perfectly compliments my no-makeup-makeup days. I like to layer a clear balm on top for a glossy look." - Bianca Guzzo
- Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter: This highlighter by Maybelline illuminates your skin in the best possible way. And because it's buildable, you can go from a natural glow to a shimmering goddess like that!
"Wow, this is a vibrant highlight. The rose color looks beautiful on my skin but I have to use a VERY light hand when applying. It almost looks like a large pan of eyeshadow and can easily look like a stripe of eyeshadow across your cheeks. If you enjoy a bold highlight then this is for you. The quality is up there with high end. If you're fair I'd definitely get the rose gold over the other colors." - C. Wallace
- Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint: This innovative formula by Ilia combines makeup and skincare into one, making getting ready easier. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide work together to even tone, while the SPF 40 tint (yes, it's sunscreen too!) provides a weightless, dewy finish.
"Obsessed is an understatement. I am IN LOVE with this product! It is truly like a second (better) skin! It feels so nourishing for my skin as soon as I put it on. As someone who does not wear makeup hardly ever, this stuff makes me want to wear makeup every day! I have noticed it lasts better throughout the day when paired with the Ilia primer...I am absolutely OBSESSED with this and will repurchase!!" - srydaa
- After trying the Flick Stick Winged Eyeliner Stamp by Lovior Beauty, user OldPortland shared, "I am a huge fan of low maintenance makeup. I love this because I can use it on my cheeks and lips. Similar to a stain, it spreads very evenly before it dries. I feel like it gives me an instant rosy glow. Perfect for mature skin!"
- In the realm of beauty solutions, the Glossier Boy Brow stands out. Angel McDaniel puts it, "I am obsessed with these liners!! My first application took under three minutes and was perfect. These liners are foolproof. I even put it to the ultimate test and applied on my bare, unprimed eyelids. I have oily eyelids and I'm telling you this liner is long wearing and smudge proof!"
- The Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush is a versatile product that can be applied to cheeks, lips, and eyes. Roni enthusiastically declares, "This brow gel applies just the right amount of product to add fullness and more polished brows without the crusty residue that can come with other products."
