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Aug 11, 2023

31 Genius Beauty Products

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

I mean, I personally don't know anything more genius than a little hair curler contraption that'll curl your hair without you doing any of the work — brilliant.

BuzzFeed Staff

Okay, soooo I finally got my hands on this and can not stop wearing it!! The shade it turns on my skin is just GORG. It's like watching a magic trick happen on your face because it changes right on your skin! I seriously haven't worn another blush since I tried this one out because it just makes me look so fresh faced. Obsessed is an understatement. Oh! Andddd it kinda doubles as a highlight, like, I get the most stunning glow. I love, I love, I love, can't get enough of this stuff.

Youthforia is an Asian woman-owned small business established in 2020 that specializes in environmentally friendly, cruelty-free makeup.

Check out a TikTok of the BYO Blush in action.

Promising review: "I'm done, no more experimenting with other blushes, this is my forever blush. BYO is such a unique product on the market — it's plant-based, provides a natural/beautiful bespoke flush, and can be used on the lips as well. Its color-changing formula is a game-changer as it magically picks the most complementary shade/hue for the user. Furthermore, I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup, and the oil formula is nourishing for my skin! I loved it so much I bought all my friends a BYO Blush!" —JZ

Get it from Youthforia or Amazon for $36.

This curling tool is *ideal* for people with hair between 6 and 16 inches long.

Promising review: "This thing is awesome! Works great! Took a few tries to get used to, but now that I know how to use it, I use it almost daily!! It curls perfectly & I can do all of my hair in under 15 minutes! Get it!" —TheGFamily

Get it from Amazon for $67.79+ (available in six colors and two configurations).

Promising reviews: "Like many people, I started with the Gwen Stefani 2000s trend of really thin eyebrows. Honestly, they hadn't grown back since, no matter what I used. Until I found this product. I’m on my second bottle. It's absolute sorcery, I don't understand how or why or what's in the formula but it does work." —Michelle

"Y'all. This stuff actually works. The first couple of months I felt like I was applying this clear magic liquid to my brows wondering if it's actually doing anything. Then one day, I got home and washed my face and for some reason, I couldn't get the rest of my eyebrow pencil off — IT WAS MY ACTUAL EYEBROW! I didn't realize how full they had gotten. I feel so much more confident without any makeup on and don't use nearly as much brow filler as I used to. I use it on my eyelashes too and they grew faster than the brows. Wish I would've taken before and after pictures. It's worth the money!" —Alyssa Glenville

Get it from Amazon for $38+ (available in six styles).

Mooncat is a woman-owned, vegan, and cruelty-free small business founded by Michelle Lin. Get a closer look at some of the shades in this TikTok.

Promising review: "I received my first one in the mail. It was so easy and smooth going on. Two coats later, AMAZING, vibrant, beautiful color. The way the light dances off of my nails and the sun shining off the polish have me mesmerized. Yep, I picked two more colors a week later. My daughter is now hooked as well. We love this polish and will be picking out a few more. This is the ONLY polish that we use now." —Johnine L.

Get it from Mooncat for $15.

This kit includes lash glue, lash perm, lash fixation, lash nutrition, lash cleanser, five silicone pads, three lash cleaning brushes, 10 lash micropores, 10 brushes, and five gel under-eye pads.

Promising review: "Okay I'm not gonna lie, I was worried that this stuff would either not work at all or make all my lashes fall out. Thankfully, it was neither and the results are UNREAL. I HIGHLY suggest watching some YouTube videos of other people using their perm kits before attempting to use yours. I have big fingers and small eyes so it was difficult for me to get the lift pads in the right positions but once that was over, the rest was a breeze. Unlike some of the other kits I've seen on here, this one has basically everything you need. The only other things I needed were a mirror, some tissue, and a little bit of plastic wrap to cover my lashes while waiting for the lotions to work their magic. I'm totally impressed and will definitely be buying this again! —Ryan

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

The kit includes a 40W high-power roll on wax warmer, two boxes of wax (honey and lavender scented), six packs of calming oil wipes, and 100 non-woven wax strips.

Promising reviews: "I’ve spent TONS of money and time going to spas and nail salons trying to find the perfect wax. After doing some research, I came across this bad boy and let me tell you, I am NEVER going back! It's so easy to use, and also so convenient. They send enough product to thoroughly try everything out. I also love that they send two scents, so you can find which one you love the most. The wax strips are sturdy enough to undergo the pressure you apply before pulling it off, as well as the actual pull. They get everything underneath and you can even use a single strip multiple times. No need to fly through the pack of strips anymore, when you can reuse the single strip a few times! HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you’re always busy, and on the go, or just wanting some extra self care in the comfort of your home. 💕" —Alisa G.

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

Promising reviews: "My hair had so much breakage from coloring it so much over the years and I was on the verge of completely shaving it. I saw one of God's favorites on TikTok with the hair of a goddess suggest this stuff. All I can say is wow! This cream must have been dropped from Heaven because it has saved my fried hair. Worth every penny, with this stuff, you too can be one of God's favorites." —Kirstin

"I have used this product three times so far and have noticed a significant difference in my hair. I had my hair colored and experienced dryness and breakage. This product was recommended by a YouTuber so I gave it a try and am pleased. Initially, I used it every three to four days and will now use every seven days. I feel this product has made a huge difference with shedding, tangles, dryness, and breakage. I finally found something that works for my coily, 4c hair." —Tasha

Get it from Amazon for $30.

And check out our full review of Olaplex No. 3.

Promising review: "I HAD to write a review. I use this in the morning and night after my whole face routine and putting on moisturizer. I don't have dark bags however, my under-eyes do get a bit puffy and I was noticing fine lines. DUDE, those fine lines are fading. Last night I went to a party and woke up looking like the crypt keeper, and this stuff normalized my creepy zombie eyes in about 20 minutes. It's $9. Do yourself a favor and buy it." —Jasmine D.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).

This is personally my absolute favorite setting spray. My skin is soooo so oily some days it looks like I rubbed Popeyes chicken on my face. This spray keeps me matte and keeps my makeup in place ALL 👏 DAY 👏. Like, even after brunch in DC (if you're from DC you know brunch is an all day event) my makeup looks absolutely perfect. You know when you come home from a full day out and you kinda cringe because your makeup has moved all around? Yeah, never happens with this spray. I get home, look in the mirror, and I'm still a baddie!! Nothing has ever worked this well for me, like, this spray really works harder than Kris Jenner, I kid you not. My oily skin and I can not live without this. 10/10 recommend.

Promising reviews: "When I first got into makeup, I tried the drugstore setting sprays and they did nothing for my makeup. I thought I was doing my makeup wrong or my combo skin was keeping it from staying on my face. During the midst of me discovering Urban Decay and being completely obsessed with it. I decided to try this spray. Best decision ever! Complete game changer for me. I know it's snooty, but I’ll never try another setting spray. If I have to sell a kidney then so be it, I will have this spray! Glad to have found it for a cheaper price on Amazon!" —Jennifer

Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes).

Promising reviews: "I love this product and have bought it twice now. It does an excellent job of smoothing out flyaways when I have my short hair back in a ponytail. I love that it doesn't look too slicked back either. Great balance between a natural look and effectiveness." —Bailey

"This finisher is great! It doesn't leave any residue. It really holds my frizzy hair down from humidity (it's half natural). I recommend this product, it's great for slicking down my edges as well and it LASTS ALLLLL DAY👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾" —Ciji

All I have to say is period and I need three.

Get it from Amazon for $5.94+ (also available in a set of two).

Oh, and I totally understand that laying your edges is not a necessity and isn't everyone's cup of tea! For more on this, check out "Just A Friendly PSA That You Don't HAVE To Lay Your Edges Down If You Don't Wanna."

See it in action on TikTok here.

Promising reviews: "It's so hard looking for edge control that lasts longer than five minutes on my edges but this stuff really works! It works so well and keeps your hairs from moving so even if you try to adjust any of them they'll be too stiff. Even after sweating in the gym my edges barely move and if they do, they are still a bit defined. The only thing I will caution— do not use a heavy hand because it will flake if you do. Anyways 10/10 best edge control ever!" —Keyona

"I get my hair done a lot as a Black woman and every edge control I've tried either didn't last more than an hour, or sweated out because I have a job where I do a lot of moving around and it gets very warm. This is the first edge control that actually keeps my hair in place and doesn't flake or sweat out. It's so smooth and not sticky, easy to manage and a good value for the price." —Sirena

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in eight sizes).

Promising review: "I have purchased this three times in the color Sienna, and it is perfect! It's totally worth all the hype on TikTok. This is a very emollient powder that sticks to the skin. I prep with sunscreen then use this. The fragrance dissipates quickly. I noticed the actual powder is bouncy to the touch. I have not used the sponge it comes with, I like to use a powder brush. It gives me full coverage, and I look flawless all day. I also don't need to blot and I am very oily. I will certainly continue to repurchase. This is the best powder I have tried since Mac Studio Fix." —Maria W.

Get it from Amazon for $10.75 (available in 20 shades).

I've always LOVEDDD having my hair be colorful. I've had red hair, orange hair, purple hair, blue hair, pink hair, and probably other colors I've forgotten about. I achieve the most beautiful results with Adore. Andddd the range of colors is incredible. Trying to dye my hair a gingery orange was a breeze because Adore had the exact shade I wanted. They honestly always do. I currently have Aquamarine and Purple Rage in my hair, and they are sooo pretty — like, that gif doesn't even do it justice. I look like a peacock or a mermaid. And when it fades a bit, it's honestly even prettier and brighter. My hair is a 3a/3b texture, and it was professionally bleached for my skunk stripe. With this dye I just throw it on, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then wash it out. No need for any other products, super easy, and my hair still feels healthy. It lasts pretty long; I wash my hair about every three days.

Promising review: "I’ve used five or six different brands of hair color and keep coming back to this one. The longevity is excellent, the colors are true and vibrant, and the fade-out is always pretty. The only thing that makes it a bit difficult for me is that the consistency is more watery than other types I’ve used, it's a bit like a watery gel. I prefer a cream consistency as this can be a bit drippy and messy but I think it actually covers better because it is thinner. Add in that it's half the price of other brands and that's a winner!" —FabulousJen

Get it from Amazon for $7.95+ (available in seven sizes and 66 colors).

Promising reviews: "Magic in a tiny tube. Has lasted over a month so far and my 30-year-old skin is clear for the first time in my life. Nothing else has worked, and I've tried it all. I wish I could give this 10 stars." —LC

"This product is a MAGIC ERASER on acne. This is the only product that works on my acne. It dried up my hormonal acne within one night! So I have mild hormonal acne due to menstrual cycle but after using this gel every night and following the directions in the package, it has really helped me get rid of acne and dark spots. This product did not break me out in initial use or even later. This one tube lasted me for a couple of months and a few days over. I love the results and I will buy another tube if my acne acts up again but for now I have clean and clear skin. Thanks Differin!" —Karthick R.

Get it from Amazon for $13.47+ (available in two styles and four sizes).

Promising review: "I have curly hair so I am constantly spraying to style it. This thing is amazing. It's a light mist so it's not going to soak just one spot like cheaper bottles do. Plus, it's a continuous spray so it sprays for a few seconds at a time. Love love love it." —Kayleigh

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four sizes).

Promising review: "I love this stuff! It's one of the only foundations that my dermatologist lets me use that actually covers anything. The other noncomedogenic foundations I have tried hardly cover anything. You can use a little for light coverage or use a lot for full coverage. I've applied it with a sponge, brush, and silicone sponge and it worked great with all. It even works fine if you just apply it with your fingers. I have extremely acne-prone skin and it does not make me break out. It also has salicylic acid in it which helps with breakouts." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.89 (available in 12 shades).

Maya Regí is a Black woman-owned and family-owned small biz that specializes in natural, organic hair and body products.

Promising review: "Okay so I’m a guy and I don't usually wear stuff like this, but my brother gave me a sample to see if it would help my eczema. I’ve had problems for years with both my hands and feet cracking and bleeding but this makes my skin feel so moisturized. I highly recommend this product, it smells so good too." —Derek

Get it from Maya Regí for $25.99 (available in two scents).

Promising review: "Stunning. Best affordable highlighter and looks like a high-end brand. The formula is pigmented and creamy, it doesn't feel powdery or chalky. You could never tell it's a drugstore brand. The finish is buttery smooth, and blends out like a dream. For a drugstore highlighter, this thing kills all the other high-end highlighters. Gives the skin that perfect sun-kissed glow. This highlighter is truly outstanding and one of my favorite products." —sserif

Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in four sizes and colors).

Promising review: "After I gave birth, my face was so rough, and I broke out terribly. I started using this with my daily facial routine, and IMMEDIATELY, my face cleared up and was so smooth. I was comfortable not wearing any makeup again, which was really nice. For context, I wash my face daily with a foaming oil control face wash, gentle for the skin, and then, I apply this and let it dry. Then, I apply my regular face moisturizer. Worked wonders." —Sierra P.

Get it from Amazon for $7.38.

Promising review: "The Nyx brow gel is by far the best brow gel! I have been using it for four months now and love it! It lasts all day and makes my eyebrows look laminated! Most definitely something for you to get if you love the laminated brow look!" —Madelyn

Get it from Amazon for $7.73 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "Once dried, it stays on perfectly without drying your lips! The perfect amount of shine and comfortable all-day wear. I ended up getting two colors because I liked it so much!" —MZ

Get it from Amazon for $9.96 (also available in a two-pack and 22 colors).

Promising review: "I’ve been using butter gloss for years. It's always been my go-to gloss. Small enough to fit in a mini bag, a good amount of product, long lasting, great price point, doesn't leave my lips flaky or dry, not sticky, and blends well with liners. BUY IT!!" —TH

Get it from Amazon for $4.97 (available in 36 colors and in multipacks).

Tattoorary is a Netherlands-based small biz that specializes in temporary tattoos, offering a large range of sizes, colors, and designs. Each tattoo lasts from two days to a week.

Check out what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord had to say about these babies: "I am *obsessed* with these temporary tattoos — I waited for ages to get them, and I wish I'd done it much sooner, because I've had such a blast mix and matching them every week this summer! They transfer beautifully with warm water and look like legitimate tattoos (my neighbor truly thought I'd gotten some great ink), and are so easy and gentle to remove with a light scrub in the shower."

Get them from Tattoorary on Etsy: the vintage floral tattoo for $7.99, and the little birds tattoo for $2.99.

Promising reviews: "I have been a fan of this face powder for many years and sincerely hope to keep buying it as long as I am on the planet! I have tried several other brands for face powder and they didn't even come close to what the Coty Airspun Face Powder can do. Why, oh why do the stores in my town not carry this wonderful product anymore? I am here to tell you, Coty makes the best face powder for the best coverage, shade selection, and long lasting value. There is no other face powder like it and I hope to keep purchasing it from Amazon! Thank you!" —J.B.

Get it from Amazon for $13.33+ (available in six colors and two sizes).

Promising review: "Didn't even know I needed this product until I got it!! No going back now — it's the perfect on the go essential and the pigment is beautiful. Long lasting, pretty, and compact!" —Sara V.

Get it from Amazon for $25.

Get it from ColourPop for $9 (available in 16 colors).

Live Tinted is a South Asian woman-owned small biz that specializes in clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products for all skin tones.

Promising reviews: "I can't believe I've lived without this product for so long! This is SOOOO much better than the concealers I've used in the past because it really covers up my dark circles. This product is a staple in my makeup routine! Can't live without this!" —Undisclosed

Get it from Ulta for $24 (available in five shades).

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Natalie Brown says, "I have oily, acne-prone skin and use a prescription retinol to control things, which means I MUST use sunscreen on my face every day. My mom, who had been using this Supergoop stuff the whole time, got me a bottle of this cult-favorite for Christmas last year (moms do know best sometimes!!). I couldn't be happier with it! A dime-size amount covers my entire face, because it's translucent it leaves absolutely no white cast, and 10 minutes after putting it on, my face just feels like I applied a little bit of a nice moisturizer or makeup primer, not anything that's grease-central, like sunscreen usually is. It does pill if I put it on too soon after my morning topical acne prescription, but as long as I give that script about five minutes to sink in, I have no issues. I've been impressed by the way my matte foundation glides over it, looks with it, and lasts with it."

Promising review: "I can't live without this sunscreen anymore. Very easy to apply, gives a nice finish to my face after a skincare routine. It has a very pleasant finishing touch so I've been using it instead of a primer. It is invisible so no worries about the white cast at all. Can't recommend it enough." —Napassawan M.

Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "This product is a staple in my routine. I have liked or loved everything that I've tried from Cosrx but this is the number one product I can't live without. It is a thicker serum, but goes on smooth and dries quickly. Even if you don't need it for healing or skin issues, it is very moisturizing. As someone with dry, sensitive skin and eczema, I love this product. Add this to your routine!" —Jordan

Get it from Amazon for $19.89.

Okay friends, so I have suuuuper sensitive eyes and every makeup remover there is began to make my eyes burn, terribly. I finally got one of these after procrastinating for, like, ever, and holy moly. It does exactly what it says it does — removes all my makeup with JUST WATER. No more burning eyes! This is my new holy grail. Can't live without this. Oh, and the fact that I can rewash it and use it over and over?! I'm obsessed.

Promising review: "I am amazed by this product. I would even say that this is life-altering! I have not had to buy makeup remover in three months and don't believe I will ever have to again! When I used makeup remover, I felt like I could never get all of my makeup off and I had to rub my eyes quite a bit to get it off. Even after a lot of rubbing when using makeup remover I still would wake up the next morning with makeup residue from the previous day and I never felt I could completely get my makeup off. With Makeup Eraser, there is not one bit of makeup left!! It is like magic!! Make sure you follow directions, you have to use warm water and use the correct side!" —Sprklbuz

Check out BuzzFeed's Makeup Eraser review for more deets!

Get it from Amazon for $20.

Note: The ADA recommends choosing a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher (like one of our faves, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen), so this wouldn't be sufficient *on its own* for daily coverage! (And check out more sunscreen myths and facts, according to derms we talked to!)

The Lip Bar is a Black woman-owned small biz and all of its products are vegan and cruelty free. (There are no unnecessary chemicals!!)

Promising review: "I have acne-prone skin. I’ve suffered with acne for 15 years. This is the FIRST product ever to not cause me to break out. It did not feel like I had make up on. I wore it for a major TV production and it was so easy to wear. I had it in on for 11 hours. I did purchase a shade lighter since I purchased the finishing powder which is more of my skin color. I didn't know if the tint would oxidize, so I went lighter. I’m three days post wearing it and my skin feels good and no new bumps. I am an African American woman with oily skin and acne scarring. This did me good! It starts and ends with TLB." —Hair Queen

Get it from Target for $16.99 or The Lip Bar for $17 (available in 12 shades).

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.