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 itspublishingpartners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Trying a new tubing mascara doesn't have to feel like an investment.
1. E.l.f. Soft Glam Foundationhas buildable full coverage without *looking* like you put on a layer or two (I should know, I've been testing a tube!). Its satiny finish leaves you looking all dewy and has garnered some compliments from friends who see me often enough to tell the difference! After all, finding your holy-grail foundation is a JOURNEY. Might as well try the affordable, effective ones first!
Promising review: "This is now my favorite foundation hands down. It has such a dewy natural finish. Medium to full coverage yet still lightweight. It could go up against higher end brands for less than $10. I’m a huge fan of all of E.l.f.'s products. Great quality and very affordable." —kimberly
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 36 shades).
2. E.l.f.'s Hydrating Core Lip Shine in the "Ecstatic" shade, which reviewers compare to Clinique's $25 universal shade "Black Honey"that has been sold out every time you've checked in the past few months anyway, thank you.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. The dark color is perfectly sheer. It also adds the most beautiful color to your lips. I am a CliniqueBlackHoneylip fan, and this gives me the same look for a fraction of the cost. I love it and have several that I keep in various spots. Not sticky either, which is my biggest gripe about lip glosses. My hair doesn’t get stuck in this like some glosses, but I get the shine." —Hamps5
Get it from Amazon for $7 (also available in eight other shades).
3. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, a quick, easy fix for concealing and brightening your under-eye dark circles because you don't wanna have to do a full face every single day. This "invisible" coverage oft gets compared to the $33 Becca version.
The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "Girlies with dark under-eyes, probs like myself, need to have a brightener!I used to spend $40 on Becca. This one is better, in my opinion!! It’s very pigmented and covers a blue hue in the corners of my eyes. It can be worn alone, but I prefer it under my concealer. It blends incredibly well. Very creamy and easy to apply. It will probably last me six months. A little dab goes a long way. It’s extremely buildable, too. I am just so in love. I’m a sucker for saving money, and this purchase just saved me over $30. I will recommend it to all my friends and family. Just BUY it!" —Caitlin Newcomb
Get it from Amazon for $6(available in two shades).
4. E.l.f. Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascarais a STELLAR *new* tubing mascara if you've tried pricier versions but have shied away from rebuying because of $$$. Seriously, just try this! It's so good and I'm currently working my way through a tube.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action.
I've been using this for more than a month after reading my colleague's review (see below) and can confirm that it STAYS put on my lashes until I want it gone. (Even the best of waterproof mascaras make me look like a raccoon after a few hours.) Then, it's super easy to remove the "tubes" with a few gentle swipes. I'll be buying this stuff again and as long as they make it.
Here's Emma Lord's review that convinced me:
"I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black."
Get it from Amazon for $7(available in three shades).
5. OrEssence's Lash Princess Mascaramakes for a super dramatic before and after. Prepare to get grilled about where you got your eyelash extensions or if you shelled out for a pricier option like Too Faced's "Better Than Sex" and Benefit's "They're Real."
Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed
My colleague Mallory Mower (pictured above) loves it: "This mascara was one of my first BuzzFeed shopping list impulse purchases! I was sold by all the wild customer images (it feels like this stuff makes lashes illegally long!) and positive reviews. I was *so* excited to get my hands on their brown version! I have naturally light lashes and red hair, so black lashes look really unnatural on me. I've loved using the brown and having a color that better complements my skin/hair. You can see my before and after photos above. This stuff is magic."
Promising review: "AWESOME. I’ve always bought overpriced mascara. I’m very picky and hesitant, but I saw some reviews saying how awesome this was. I’ll never go back to 'Better Than Sex' mascara because that’s what I always use, and Icompareit to that. This is the best mascara!! I’ll never go back." —patrick hauk
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
6. Nyx Professional Jumbo Eyeshadow Sticklets you play with some fun colors without worrying about blending with a brush. It comes in bright colors and shimmery neutrals, so you can pick your poison.
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Promising reviews: "I see the hype. When I applied this I was honestly shocked at how easy the product went on. It’s like an 11/10 for how smooth it is. I love this product so much already. Probably gonna buy more." —London Johnson
"I work in a downtown office with very busy foot traffic and I hate carrying a big bag on my commute. This little do-dad fit perfectly in my purse for easy touch-ups and lasts all day even when I have sweat off all other makeup! I am officiallyobsessedand will be buying in more colors! Extremely beautiful and pigmented, I received so many compliments too which is always a plus!" —Jackson
Get it from Amazon for $5.97(available in 17 shades).
7. A rave-worthyset of makeup spongesreviewers say are a great swap for pricier sponges byBeauty BlenderandReal Techniques. They do an amazing job helping you blend BB creams, foundation, concealer, and powder.
Promising review: "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years andbought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge, and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and 'bouncy.' I wash mine between each use, and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy." —chris
Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.94+(available in six sets).
8. ASokgo Lip Glow Oil hydrates, plumps, and makes WAY less of a dent in your beauty budget than the pricier $40 Dior lip oil. So you can keep your $30.
Promising review: "It’s a great alt for the Dior lip oil! Might even say it’s better! It’s definitely a more affordable option if you’re on a budget! It has great pigment and it’s not too sticky, not too smooth, just right! 10/10 recommend!" —Olive
Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in four shades and in two-packs).
9. Or, because we like OPTIONS, try out another Dior lip oil alt in theNyx Fat Oil Lip Drip. It's $9 and made with vegan squalane so you can enjoy a delightful, nonsticky finish.
Promising review: "I have Fenty Cherry Treat, a lip oil fromDior, and several other brands that were $20 or more…and the Nyx Fat Oil is better! Same consistency as the others, but a little more color, which is a good thing. About as long lasting as any other thick lipgloss. It’s always awesome to find a less expensive [option] for the high-end products I like." —Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $7.50+(available in 14 shades).
10. Neutrogena makeup eraser stick*quickly* corrects any accidental smudges so you won't have to touch up later!
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 Riordan
"I would buy this over and over again..." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $10.59.
11. L'Oréal Paris BB Creamcovers up and soothes redness while moisturizing. Folks compare it to theDr Jart+CicapairColor Correcting Cream(which is also super effective, but more than double the price). You can use it as a priming makeup base or solo for some dramatic before-and-after pics.
Promising review: "I’d yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Checks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous lightweight finish of a tint that indeed covers my redness beautifully. There’s no greasiness to it at all. It dries down to a beautiful matte finish. It’s super easy to use. I use my fingers. The texture is like silk. It leaves my face baby-soft, not sticky at all. It doesn’t settle into my fine lines or wrinkles, and I don’t need powder to 'bake' it under my eyes. It also covers the black circles under my eyes." —Julie F.
"I have been using this product for approximately a month, and it covers well. I have used it both alone and under foundation. Covers red well. It is not as smooth as some of the other high-end products, but for the price point, it’s great, and I will buy it again." —Heather
Get it from Amazon for $9.63(available in six styles).
12. A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks(aka, three Laneige-like masks) keep your pout nice and moisturized in case the last time you put on a bold red lip, your lower lip looked all flaky.
Promising review: "This is the most moisturizing lip treatment in the market. When my lips started getting dry due to the cold season I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it’s soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product." —Riya
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in four combos).
13. COVERGIRL TruBlend Undercover Concealertargets most anything you'd like to cover up on your beautiful visage. Psst, you can totally get away with skipping foundation thanks to this super blendable stuff.
Promising review: "Not only is the packaging of this concealer cute and classic, but it also provides really great coverage. You only need to use a little bit to get great coverage, the applicator is great, and I don't have any problems with creasing (although I don't have any fine lines either). If you're wanting a concealer similar to expensive brands but at a drugstore price, you'll like this!" —Kayla Williams
Get it from Amazon for $6.50+ (available in 30 shades). Vegan and cruelty-free.
14. Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tinteasily builds to saturated hues and stays put for the long haul...perfect for your iced coffee (even when it's cold!) habit.
Promising review:"OMG the velvet perfection. This product applies like an opaque cream velvet lipstick, buttery smooth, not at all drying, and pigmented. The doe-footis pointed for precision around your cupid's bow and holds enough product for full lips in one swipe. Looks great without any blotting. Transfer-proof and mask approved! Great for a long-wear look, as the stain is lasting. I like to wear this product as opaque velvet lipstick in the morning and by the end of the day it's a beautiful natural rosy stain that I can apply balm over for a natural no-makeup glam baddie look. I use ashea butter-based balm but haven't tested if other balms smudge or move the stain. Stain is mostly removable with regular cleansing balm and completely removable with a gentle lip scrub. Seriously impressed with this product, and amazing price point for under 10. This is the PERFECT lip product imho." —Kenzie Scout
Get it from Amazon for $9.90(available in 21 shades).
15. Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm with SPF 15 I personally vouch for. It's easy to put on without a mirror, is super moisturizing, and has color that tints your lips for the day. If you're afraid of lipstick, this is a safe bet. I keep not one, but two(!) in my purse at all times.
Amazon
Even on days when I'm feeling sick or have to pull myself out of my bed because I *do* have to earn a living,
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in five shades).
16. E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balmhelps protect your moisture barrier while clinging to makeup and dirt at the end of the day to wash off *without* stripping your skin. Sensitive-skinned reviewers compare it to pricier products like Farmacy.
Promising review: "E.l.f. has really stepped up their game lately! I was using Farmacy Makeup Meltaway, and I loved it, but it was very expensive. I decided to try the E.l.f brand because of the price, and it's the exact same thing! For $11, you can't go wrong with this product. I wear waterproof mascara, and this makes removing it super easy! My face feels super clean and hydrated after using this product. The product lasts for a good amount of time, too." —Haley McCaulley
Get it from Amazon for $5+(available in different sizes).
17. E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wandblends in super easily whether you use it for highlight, blush, or bronze. And there are troves of reviewers that compare the formula to Charlotte Tilbury's $42 version.
18. A barely-there-feel liquid cream blushstands up to the likes of Rare Beauty but is also super-pigmented and blendable to get that very demure look.
Promising review: "Creamy and blendable. These are great blushes and have lots of pigmentation. Very creamy and has a smooth application on the skin! It is a great [alternative] to theRare Beauty blush. It lasted me the whole day and did not melt off. It has a lot of coverage and does not need too much when applying." —Harsh Argawal
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 12 shades and in sets).
19. A bottle ofNyx Matte Finish Setting Sprayin case you could seriously use some help in the all-day-makeup department but don't wanna pay for MAC or Urban Decay formulas. I've used this before and the matte finish really does LOCK IN your look for the day!
Promising review: "Expensive isn't always better. I tried this spray before spending the day outdoors in 90-degree heat at Disneyland, and the only place my makeup moved was on the tip of my nose because I have allergies and use a lot of Kleenex. But otherwise, it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on. I’ve used MAC andUrbanDecaysetting spray, and they never worked as well as this stuff. I am completely amazed. Definitely give it a try." —DH
Get it from Amazon for$8.50(also available in dewy and radiant finishes, and a jumbo size).
20. A six-pieceset of high-performance matte lipsticksstays put despite your five-cup-a-day coffee habit and inhaling a sandwich at your desk for lunch — all without any drying or creasing by the time you clock off for happy hour.
Promising review: "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
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $8.99(available in five sets).
21. Maybelline's Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencilin case you keep going back to a brow pencil but haven't found one that's 1) cheap and 2) works well. Well, here ya go! It's subtle but super effective in the way, according to reviewers, that they find Benefit's Goof Proof and Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Wiz.
Amazon
The tool comes with two ends, one a small eyebrow brush and the other a specially edged-eyebrow pencil.
Promising review: "I bought this because it looked like the Goof Proof brow pencil, and I was tired of spending ridiculous amounts on that!I actually like it better than Goof Proof (and for a quarter of the price)! I find it even creamier and easier to use. The tip is perfect if you have a good amount of brow to fill in." —Liza T.
Get it from Amazon for $8.54(available in five shades).
22. Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealererases dark circles, redness, and acne. If a full face of makeup — or expensive concealer — isn't for you, but you would like a lil' bit of convenient, easy-to-use coverage, check it out.
Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I have extremely dark under-eye circles. Honestly that is the only reason I wear makeup, is to cover them. I've used numerous kinds of concealers.TarteShape Tape, Mary Kay,EstéeLauder (assorted kinds), IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye, Clinique, Laura Mercier, Mac, and Bobby Brown. I usually spend anywhere from $25–$30 on one tube of concealer and still feel unsatisfied with the coverage. Or it looks too heavy and thick by the time i set with a damp makeup sponge and powder (accentuating my under-eye fine lines). This little gem is great. I use this concealer every day instead of all my high-end brand concealers. It's full coverage, buildable, lasts all day, not drying and not too liquidy. I'm so happy I gave this a try, will definitely be keeping this baby in my everyday makeup bag." —Brittney
"Oh my gosh. I have spent so much money onexpensiveconcealers and this is my all-time favorite. I’m 61 and starting to get crepey skin under my eyes. Other concealers make it worse, but I also have dark circles so I feel like I need something. And this is it! Moisturizing, silky and covers the circles. I love it!" —Lynnette Smith
Get it from Amazon for $8.79(available in 23 shades).
And check out ourMaybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer reviewfor more deets.
23. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Wateris a great swap for when your bottle ofBiodermaruns out RIGHT AFTER you just spent a lot of money on groceries. It's also super gentle while tackling waterproof makeup, dirt, and oil.
Promising reviews: "I was skeptical about this product at first, but I am so glad I decided to buy it. It really removes my makeup, even waterproof mascara with ease. It has no smell and doesn't leave my face oily. It reminds me of my Bioderma that I got in the UK. And for this price, amazing!" —Kat
"I've been using makeup wipes my whole life because I didn't even know this existed. I saw it in stores, but nobody ever told me what this was. This is literally amazing, buy reusable pads and this and you're set for life. I'm really upset nobody ever told me what this stuff was.I don't understand why makeup wipes even exist...this cleanses your face, takes off your makeup. Nobody should not know what this stuff is." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $4.48+(available in three sizes and in packs).
24. Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint, which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well!
Promising review: "While I haven't tried the Benefit Lip Tint, I saw this on TikTok and appreciated the lower price point. I am SO glad I gave this a chance! I only have the Cherry color, but it is the perfect bit of natural color, and can be deepened as desired upon application. There is no sticky residue and it is not drying or irritating at all. Looks great alone but even better with gloss on top. Love!" —Mollie
Get it from Amazon for $6.40(available in three shades and combo packs).
25. Maybelline Cheek Heat gel-cream blushin case you're on the prowl for a cheaper alternative to Glossier Cloud Paint because very opinionated reviews say it's a super easy-to-use cheek color formula — like, it's REALLY hard to mess up.
BuzzFeed Shopping writerEmma Lordsays, "I'm a Glossier Cloud Paint stan so I'll continue to buy it, but I love this affordable alternative, too! It spreads on super easily and can either go on sheer or build for a bolder effect. I got the Rose Flushshade and enjoy it for ~everyday wear~ since it's so easy to squirt a bit on my fingers, swirl it into my cheeks, and be on my merry way. It lasts all day and looks super natural to boot!"
Promising review: "This is a great, cheap alternative toGlossierCloud Paint. It’s less pigmented and blends more easily, so it looks very natural." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.98+(available in six shades).
26. E.l.f. Power Grip Primercosts you very little but has some truly stunning results thanks to its just-tacky-enough texture that makes your foundation adhere and stay PUT. Have I tried it? Welp, I'm on my third bottle!
Promising review: "This is by far the best primer I’ve ever used. It keeps my makeup in place for 18+ hours. It’s a little sticky when applied but dries very quickly. I’ll neverbuyanother primeragain. I’m sticking to this one for life!" —Nicki Reed
Get it from Amazon for $10.
27. A Revlon volcanic stoneface rollerremoves oil and shine from your face. And unlike oil-blotting sheets, the ball can be popped out and washed so you can use this over and over and over again.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I was a little skeptical tobuythis. It was on sale so I said why not. It's amazing!!! I have oily skin and wear makeup every day to work. It can get really hot here, and this product works like a charm. It's better than any product I've tried that is similar, and it's even better than blotting papers. I will buy it again!! Didn't take my makeup off either." —katie bennett
Get it from Amazon for $10.03.
28. Essence's "What the Fake!" Plumping Lip Fillergives your pout a fuller look in a ~tingly~ formula with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
Check out a TikTok of the plumping lip filler in action.
Promising review: "I got this as an add-on last minute because of the price. It's small, but wow, it's impactful. A little goes a long way, and you can feel it working instantly. There is a tingle, not quite a burn. I'd def use a bit at a time when starting, but it works great right away." —Bt2turntup
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in two tints).
29. E.l.f. Liquid Metallic Eyeshadowgel swipes on super easily for a "complicated" look you can build to look like you belong at a disco dancing the night away to ABBA.
Psst — reviewers compare this to Stila's $20 Liquid Eyeshadow!
Promising review: "Not only is the metallic shade subtle enough to stand out without an 'in your face' feeling, but this product stays on all day long. I work outside a little in Arizona and staying on all day is key for me! Highly recommend!" —Valeria Skoglund
Get it from Amazon for $5.50+ (available in eight shades).
30. NYX Epic Ink Lineris easy to finagle as you put it on and forget about it because it doesn't smudge. Why can't all waterproof liners be like that?
Promising review: "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
Get it from Amazon for $9.99(available in black and brown).
31. Acolor-changing aloe vera lipstickdoes the math when it comes to figuring out *your* perfect pink. It changes based on the pH of your lips instead of having to swatch colors at Sephora.
Promising review: "I’m so happy with these! They smell SUPER nice and clean. It goes on clear and smooth, is decently moisturizing, and it’s not overly greasy. It gave me a nice pinkish-reddish tone like my lips are two shades darker, and I love it! It looks very natural and perfect!PLEASE keep these in stock, I want to keep these forever! I applied once hours ago, and also applied a different clear lip balm over it later on, and I still have color even. It seems to last so long, even through eating and drinking. It doesn’t smudge off and looks so cute! I’m so happy with these! I love the smell and the color so much! Much better and longer lasting than a lipgloss I had!" —Lin
Get it from Amazon for $3.99.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
