28 Beauty Products You Need If You Wanna Be Your Own Makeup Artist
With eyeshadow shields, brushes, and tools to achieve the perfect winged liner — you’ll be applying makeup like a pro in no time.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
Color Cleaner Sponge works wonders when switching between different eyeshadow colors. You know that ONE eyeshadow brush you love so much and want to use it for multiple colors for the same eyelook? This will make it easy to swap between different colors without mixing them!
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “This speeds up my routine. It’s amazing how something as simple as a black sponge in a tin can cut my time in half. No switching to another brush, no tissue lint, and no extra brushes to watch at the end of the week.
The price is perfect, and much cheaper than any others I’d looked at.
Does the job, makes it easy and bonus, you can wash the sponge vs having to replace it.” —Melaina Lara
Get it from Amazon for $4.69.
2.
Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon provides a rich layer of long-lasting color (up to eight hours to be exact), and it’s smudge- and transfer-proof. Makeup artists everywhere would def approve of this for a red-carpet ready look that stays on all night.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “Love this lipstick. I work in the operating room and in addition to wearing a masks during surgery, I am wearing one the moment I walk into work. Sometimes 12 plus hours. This lipstick goes on in the morning and it stays on. Why do I wear a lipstick under a mask? Because I do. It keeps my lips moist and beautiful and it doesn’t come off on the mask.” —Daniela
Get it from Amazon for $6.64 (available in 32 shades).
3.
Glossier Ultralip adds gloss and shine to lips with the perfect hint of color. Not sure where to start when it comes to lipstick selection? These lippies feature a hydrating formula and a smidge of tint so if you’re intimidated by bright lipstick colors this will be a great jump off point.
Ali Faccenda / BuzzFeed
It’s super buildable and is vegan and cruelty free.
This is an amazing lip product for summer. It’s hydrating and not sticky (which is, in my opinion, the worst thing about glosses). I love applying a light coat and then blending it in with my finger so it isn’t too shiny but it looks great without blending too. I find that in the summertime, regular lipsticks and liquid lippies can be way too drying so this balm is the perfect hybrid between lipstick and gloss. It has a gorgeous sheen that looks natural and healthy. You can even apply it on the high points of your cheeks for some glow and a pop of color (no need for blush!).
Get it from Glossier for $18 (available in nine shades).
4.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner features a waterproof formula that doesn’t budge even through sweat. The sharp felt tip applicator makes it easy to perfect your wing-drawing skills so you’ll be a pro asap.
amazon.com
Promising review: “I literally just received this eyeliner in the mail, tried it on, and had to write a review! Awesome product, buy it now. Very dark, very easy to put on (nice sharp point), and I’m a very happy customer. After a one hour-long Body Combat class in the middle of summer in a crowded room with hardly any air-conditioning, I was VERY curious to see how this eyeliner would hold up. At the end of the class I checked it out and there was NO smudging or flaking. That is seriously impressive!” —Taylor Ross
Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in 12 colors).
5.
Or Lovoir Eyeliner Stamp Pen assists if you need a quick and easy way to pop on the perfect winged liner in case you’re not confident free-handing a wing just yet.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I just want to make my morning routine as easy as possible. I love winged liner, but I don’t have the steady hand for it. This stamp makes a perfect, easy, and consistent wing every time! I love it.” —Julie B.
Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in five sizes and two colors).
6.
NYX jumbo eye pencil doubles as a liner and an eyeshadow base for brightening colorful pigments. If you want to start experimenting with cut crease eyelooks this pencil will make it easy to carve out a precise line.
amazon.com, instagram.com
Promising review: “I am lazy and hate doing my makeup, especially after a morning workout on a weekday. I wanted something I could throw in my bag and smear around my eyes in a couple of seconds, and to just add a little color without the fussiness. This fits the bill perfectly. It gives my eyes a little definition, but isn’t super noticeable. The slight shimmer also makes me look awake on days where I’m dragging. It is not intensely shiny, though, which is important to me — I’m not a disco ball! It just reflects light and looks luminescent, not glittery. Because this is so easy to use, non-irritating, and is the exact color I was looking for, I expect that I will keep ordering it as long as it’s available.” —Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $4.39 (available in 20 shades).
7.
Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer soothes and smoothes pores so your makeup will have the perfect base for application. If you’ve ever gotten airbrush makeup done, this will give you a similar effect underneath your foundation.
Amazon
Touch in Sol is a POC-owned brand from South Korea whose mission is to put the fun back in makeup.
Promising review: “Even after only the first use, I was blown away by this primer. I honestly didn’t think a primer could do what this one does. It went on very smoothly and didn’t feel greasy whatsoever. All during my super-long day at work (12-hour shift), my makeup didn’t budge and my face looked so smooth and satiny under my makeup. I have moderate to severe acne so my skin is generally fairly oily, but it’s has also been very dry lately, and this primer made it so my makeup didn’t crease at all or cling to dry patches on my skin. I can’t emphasize enough how surprised I was every time I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror to see how smooth my makeup still looked.” —MMkay13
Get it from Amazon for $15.50.
8.
Heated Eyelash Curler lifts lashes in place of expensive perming for the most glam of lashes. Pop on your favorite mascara on top then get for loads of people asking where you get your lashes done…
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “I can’t believe I haven’t came across this before!!! I usually get my eye lashes permed every three months for about $56 and this is exactly what my eye lashes look like after a perm!!!! Buying this is so much cheaper! I only hold it down for two seconds and it does the job, not hot, just a little warmth!” —Anali
Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in two colors).
9.
Kim Chi Thailor Blush brings the pink for a flirtatious cheek color in two mixable shades to achieve your perfect color. Having two shades will expand your makeup collection without having to invest in a huge palette. Wear them separately, or mix them together like a true artist.
Kim Chi
Kim Chi Chic Beauty is a queer-owned brand by the one and only drag queen Kim Chi. A portion of the proceeds of sales from their beauty brand is donated to the Trevor Project.
Promising review: “I was drawn to this one because I didn’t have a blush with these colors. I absolutely love it and not just because of the color. It blends like a dream and sits so nicely on my skin.” —Alyssa H.
Get it from Kim Chi for $15.
10.
Too Faced Cinnamon Swirl Palette offers the perfect array of neutral tones for natural to bold eyelooks. I’m obsessed with the left side of the palette since I tend to gravitate towards natural, shimmery looks but it’s a great starter palette if you want a great range of wearable shades. A bunch of the shadows can even work as eyeliners!
Ali Faccenda / BuzzFeed
Not only does this palette smell like cinnamon (yep, you heard that right), but the pigmentation is amazing. They blend so effortlessly onto the eyelids and the shimmer colors are stunning when applied with your finger. I tend to gravitate to the left side of the palette when the neutral shimmers and mattes reside, but I can’t wait to utilize the brighter purple shades as fun liners this fall. There is not one single color that I won’t use in this palette. Plus the massive mirror makes this palette all the better. My fave shades currently are “dough boy, sugar rush, luv the bun you’re with, and frost those buns.”
Get it from Sephora for $49.
11.
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer covers up dark under-eye circles pre-powder baking. Conquer a more awake, lifted eye area with a few swipes and a few stipples of this top-notch concealer.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “I have tried countless concealers for my under-eye circles, most of which cost triple the price of this one by the way. I figured I’d try this on a whim because the reviews were so great and it was so inexpensive. It’s officially become my new favorite concealer. It’s not cakey, it blends easily, it doesn’t crease and it lasts all day.” —Cheryl
Get it from Amazon for $4.33 (available in 18 shades).
12.
And Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder sets makeup for a long-lasting look that comes in both translucent and color shades. Bake your under-eye area like a true pro.
amazon.com, amazon.com
The powder comes with a little puff for application.
Promising review: “This powder is my holy grail! I am very pale with oily skin and it was hard for me to find a face powder that would keep my foundation in tact. I’d heard so many reviews about this item and I was very skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a try and it has been my go-to powder ever since. The container itself is designed so nicely and has a lot of product in it. Super happy that I decided to give this a try.” —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $5.72 (available in seven shades).
Check out our post testing out Kim Kardashian’s concealer routine for some baking tips!
13.
LA Girl’s Beauty Brick Nude Eyeshadow Palette showcases an array of blendable colors that are great to keep on hand for formal events like weddings and outings. Use its gradual left to right transitional shade range to steer you in the direction of the look you want to achieve from romantic to fully smoked-out looks.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “This shadow is way more pigmented than I had expected. It’s very easy to pick up color and it slides on effortlessly! I’ve tried the Naked palette and this compares almost the same! I’d say if you are on a budget and need a good shadow with multiple colors, LA Girl Nudes is your holy grail! It will be my go-to from here on out!” —Rachelle Mattei
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
14.
Eyeshadow shields easily stick on to the under-eye area to prevent shadow fallout and are also the perfect guide to drawing winged liner. Nothing is worse than that stunning glitter getting stuck to your cheeks and peeking through your foundation.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “These are wonderful, a great deal, and exactly what I’ve been looking for. I wear very expensive, heavily pigmented eye shadows which are impossible to get off my face without remover or washing. Problem solved! Because I moisturize prior to application, I did not experience painful removal and only needed to remove the top strip for needed adhesion. I was able to remove multiple times before I found the correct positioning and these remained intact.” —Amy Cherry
Get a pack of 200 on Amazon for $10.59.
15.
AJ Crimson Lipstick replaces lipsticks of years past with its creamy and opaque formulas. When exploring deeper shades, you can utilize them as an opaque lipstick or as a stain by applying gentle swipes and a bit of blotting with a tissue for longer-lasting wear.
AJ Crimson
AJ Crimson is a BIPOC-owned small business founded by celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson. According to their site, “I felt like there was an absolute need to bring products to women of color that actually worked and didn’t oxidize or change.”
Promising review: “The Ex-Factor shade is BEAUTIFUL for darker-skinned woman. OMG, this color gave me life when I put it on. At first, it seemed super dark; but then it was very nice on my lips. I loved it so much that I wore it to the gym 🙂 and felt amazing during my workout.” —Sandra D Troutman
Get them from AJ Crimson for $20.
16.
Refy Gloss Highlighter makes cheekbones pop with a natural shine for a supermodel glow. To say I’m obsessed with this would be an understatement. You also don’t have to worry about overapplying, a little goes a long way.
Ali Faccenda / BuzzFeed
Refy is a woman-owned small beauty brand based in the UK. It was founded by beauty influencer Jess Hunt.
Let me be the first to say that sleek, minimalist makeup packaging immediately sucks me in BUT, when the product itself is dewy, not overpowering, and looks like “your skin but better” I’m all in. This gloss highlighter is exactly that. It does stay a bit wet once you apply it so keep that in mind if you have an oily complexion. I have combination skin so I use this highlighter depending on how my skin is that day. On drier days, this is my holy grail and it looks so effortlessly beautiful on the skin I can’t get enough.
Get it from Refy for $26.
17.
NYX Setting Spray comes in a matte or dewy finish and locks in makeup all day. Nothing compares to ~finally~ finishing your entire look and topping it off with a few spritzes of a magical mist that’ll keep your hard work in place for longer. Keep both versions on hand so you can cater your spray to your look-of-the-day.
amazon.com
This spray is vegan and cruelty free.
Promising review: “Having been a ‘tomboy’ the majority of my life, learning to apply makeup without looking like a clown was my first hurdle. Thankfully, after a few years of practice and numerous YouTube tutorials later I’m halfway decent at my makeup. Well, I’m only as decent as long as my makeup lasts. With just a few sprays of this, my makeup stays exactly as it was applied and my face doesn’t even get oily anymore. I haven’t tested it but I’m pretty sure I could sleep in my makeup and wake up with it looking just as good. I definitely recommend this finishing spray and will be buying again when I’m out. (You’ll see a day and night comparison in my photos.)” —FlamePrincess
Get it from Amazon for $6.72+ (available in matte or dewy finishes).
18.
E.l.f. Lip Laquer glosses lips with serious shine. Wear it on its own or over your favorite matte lippie for a juicy pout. Keeping this handy will instantly expand your lipstick collection by allowing your matte lip products to also be utilized as glossy lip products with this as a topcoat.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “Even during this stay-at-home era, I continue to wear at least basic makeup to make ME feel good. This gloss is a perfect color and the price can’t be beat. Also appreciate that it’s both flavorless and fragrance free.” —Karen Templeton
Get it from Amazon for $3 (available in seven shades).
19.
Schick Dermaplaning Razors assist in shaping brows and smoothing skin (bye-bye peach fuzz) when you use them post shower. I highly suggest using some moisturizer as a make-shift shaving cream to make the process much easier. Post dermaplaning, your skin will be prepped and ready for a smooth makeup application.
amazon.com, Amazon
This tool also helps soften skin by gently exfoliating as you use it!
Promising review: “For the price you just can’t beat this! If you hold your skin taut and glide the razor over your skin it DOES take off the top dead layer of skin and also all the baby hairs, so it definitely does what it claims to. It’s very easy to hold and use, too. Each one comes with a nice plastic sheath to protect the blade. But the blades do dull quickly so I usually throw one away and move on to the next after two to three uses. Baby hairs do not grow back rough or stubbly and that was my original worry. Dermaplaning like this at least once every few weeks helps your skin feel and look more radiant and helps makeup go on smoother for sure. I love it. Dermatologists charge $100–$250 for what these little tools can do for you at home.” —Muffy
Get a set of three from Amazon for $4.99.
20.
Makeup sponges perfectly blend makeup and cream products (like contour) for an airbrush finish. You can even use them to apply powder and “bake” the under-eye area for a mattified look.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “I am never buying Beautyblender brand sponges again. These work just as well, are softer, and you can’t beat the price! I’ve been using these since September 2019. Personally I think they apply makeup better and don’t stain nearly as bad. Also noted that when cleansed, you don’t get tons of dye and color rinsed out. There’s none of that. I much prefer these to Beautyblender or Real Techniques, which I wasn’t that impressed with. Over five months of use, they’re still in great shape, no splits, rips, or tears. They don’t appear to absorb as much product, either, as other sponges I’ve tried. They apply and blend makeup beautifully, and I really couldn’t be happier with them. I’ll definitely be ordering again when my current ones are ready to be replaced.” —Sharie
Get a set of five from Amazon for $8.99.
21.
Onset Eyebrow Soap Kit keeps brow hairs in place that look precisely groomed. This particular kit features zero color, so if you’re just beginning to embark on eyebrow grooming, you won’t have to worry about overfilling the hairs with the wrong color. This kit will make it easy to play around with your brow shape so you can decide exactly how you want them to lay.
amazon.com
Promising review: “I love this product! Perfect size to bring along when you’re traveling and you can’t beat the price because it comes with two! One for you and one for your bestie! Definitely worth it!” —Sasha Gonzalez
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99.
22.
Professional makeup brushes ensure you’re always prepared for any makeup look you set your mind to. This set features 12 makeup brushes, makeup brush cleaner, a beauty sponge, and a travel brush holder to keep everything organized.
amazon.com, Amazon
This set has over 4,900+ 5-star reviews!
Promising review: “This is beyond classy, it is brilliantly packaged, superb quality. I have been looking for make up brushes for two years and have always gotten cheap quality ones from China. I also ordered expensive ones and they were not half the quality as this company. The well designed holder I use for my other pencils, comb and now I am organized. Sponge and cleaning tool are and added bonus.” —FeliFerg
Get the set from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two colors).
23.
And Makeup brush-cleaning shampoo keeps brushes sanitary and ready for each makeup application. These tools can hang on to so much old, gunky makeup and need a good cleaning at least once every two weeks.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
Plus, this environmentally friendly brand comes in tree-free packaging made of cotton and bamboo!
Promising review: “I got this product simply out of curiosity. ‘Maaayyybe it’s different,’ I thought. And sure it was!!! As soon as I applied this product on my brush, it was like putting a nice salon-quality shampoo on thick, fuzzy, oily, and damaged hair for the first time!!! My brush immediately became smooth and began bleeding out all those months-old foundations! For the first time, I was able to see what my brush was like when I first got it. With the price, you just can’t beat this… it didn’t smell so chemical either!” —RK
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
24.
Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow adds a glimmering sheen to the lids without all that nasty fallout that comes from loose glitters. These are easy to apply and stay put for the most glamorous of eyelooks. Everyone needs a shimmery eyeshadow in their collection for those ultra-glam moments.
Amazon
Promising review: “I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS STUFF. Great glitter payout with little to no fallout if you do it correctly, and you don’t have to worry about the mess of glitter glue and messy loose glitter. I have accidentally slept in this overnight, twice, and was able to rock the glitter eyeshadow to work the next day with no touchups, and I didn’t even use an eyeshadow primer either time, although I did use a setting spray. Give this a go if you are looking for sparkly eyeshadow.” —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in nine shades).
25.
Saie Glowy Super Gel adds a shimmer anywhere your heart desires. Mix it in with foundation or tinted SPF for a glowing complexion or apply on legs and arms for some dewiness. A true makeup-artist hack is popping this on the collar bone and shoulders for a sweet shine.
Saie
Saie is a woman-founded small business based in NYC that strives to create clean beauty for all. High-performance products with sustainable packaging and good, clean ingredients is their motto.
Promising review: “I have very sensitive skin, and I have to be really particular about the base products I use (no silicones or waxes, no powders). The ingredients in this are perfect; it’s such a lightweight texture, and it just gives a beautiful natural sheen to the skin. I use it every day now, and I feel like the bottle will last me a long time, so it’s also a great value!” —Sarah M.
Get it from Saie for $25 (available in two shades).
26.
Essence Lash Princess Mascara lifts lashes to new heights with its buildable formula. Not quite ready for falsies application? Don’t fret! This mascara will give you the same effect and is much easier to apply!
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “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. I can honestly say I can’t 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 workday right to the gym and sweat like crazy…and this stuff doesn’t budge! I love it!!” —Carrie E Miller
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (cruelty-free).
27.
Thick Clear Gloss glides on to lips for a hydrating shine that includes *zero* pigment so you can use it elsewhere too. Want to try out a glossy lid? Clear gloss. Add some shine to the highbones of your cheeks? Clear gloss. A pout that would put your seventh-grade-Lip Smackers-loving-self to shame? Clear gloss.
amazon.com
The flavors include mint, rosehip, mango, coconut, and argan oil.
Promising review: “Out of all the glosses that I’ve tried on Amazon, these are by far the best. They make your lips super shiny and glossy!! Nothing beats it for the price.” —W
Get a set of three from Amazon for $3.88.
28.
Makeup Mixing Palette comes in handy when blending the perfect lip color or foundation shade. Stop using the back of your hand and opt for this handy palette instead.
Urban Outfitters
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $6.
Look Fantastic
Palette features four powders — Bounce Cream Glow, Bounce Cream Blush, Super Glow Bronze, Super Glow Nude.
Get it from LookFantastic for $35.20.
When you catch a glimpse of your own reflection…
CBC
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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