1. A vegan under-eye brightener to help balance out bluish tones and dark circles. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish and hydrate skin. You’ll look like you’ve had days of sleep…even if the truth is you haven’t slept in days. (Gosh darn, those true crime documentaries!)
This medium-coverage concealer can be applied with your fingers or a brush.
Promising reviews: “This is a game changer for anyone looking to conceal and brighten dark circles with ease and efficacy.” —sonny ౨ৎ
“I believe I was born with dark circles under my eyes, and I have spent the last 50+ years looking for something that will cover my dark circles. I’ve spent a lot more money on products that do a lot less. And I was very hesitant to buy something so inexpensive as I thought it would not work. I was surprised to find my circles a lot lighter, and my eyes are looking much more alert and younger. I’m very pleased with this product!” —Lafinrsm
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two tones).
2. A pore-control Anua heartleaf-extract cleansing oil for gently and effectively ridding your face of dirt, makeup, and blackheads. This hypoallergenic formula has soothing ingredients that won’t cause clogged pores.
Promising review: “As someone with both sensitive and oily skin, finding the right cleansing oil has been a challenge! But, this is a true game-changer in my skincare routine. This not only effectively removes makeup and dirt, but it does so without causing any irritation or adding more grease to my oily skin. I use it as the first step in my double cleansing routine, and it leaves my face clean and soft without excessive dryness. Highly recommended!!!” —Bloguera por Accidente
Get it from Amazon for $17.69.
3. A skin-evening eyeshadow primer because you didn’t perfect your pink-to-orange ombré and cat-eye eyeliner for it to melt before the whole world could see it! This clear, waterproof K-beauty primer will have you thanking it later.
Promising review: “I have dry skin and have always struggled with keeping my eyeshadow in place. However, this eyeshadow primer has been a game-changer for me. I’ve tried it three times now, and each time, my eyeshadow stayed on perfectly throughout the entire night. I even received several compliments! This primer not only keeps my eyeshadow in place but also makes my eyes look moisturized and helps to hide my wrinkles. I’m truly impressed and couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommend!” —Ily
Get it from Amazon for $14.49.
4. A plant-based face serum that blends vitamin C with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, witch hazel, and jojoba oil to help brighten your skin so you can light up every room you enter.
Promising review: “I never leave reviews, but I’ve had problematic skin all my life, and this serum has really changed my skin game. I’ve been using it for 3+ months now, but I could tell a difference within the first week of using it. My skin is tighter and plumper at the same time (somehow!), more moisturized, and healthy for the first time in my life, honestly. After three months, my acne scars are fading, my face has way less breakouts. I just reordered the bigger size because I use it twice a day, and I can tell when I skip a use. I cannot recommend this product enough!” —kristin
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
5. An anti-bacterial butt acne-clearing lotion made with tea tree oil to help prevent breakouts. Truly have a bottom as smooth as, well, a baby’s bottom.
Promising review: “This stuff is PHENOMENAL! I’ve had breakouts down there since my teens, but it’s seemed to get much worse with age. I can sweat for five minutes, and boom! Breakout time. Benzoyl peroxide wash just wasn’t cutting it anymore, so I decided to give this lotion a try. After using it for only a few days, at morning and night, my breakouts were gone! Smooth as a baby’s bottom! I’m SOOO glad I decided to give this stuff a try. Seriously, a game-changer!!” —Pamela
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
6. A roll-on waxing kit whose wax is made of mild ingredients to help prevent any irritation. You’ll wanna pet your own smooth legs for hours after using this!
The kit includes a 40-watt high-power roll on wax warmer, two boxes of wax (honey and lavender scented), six packs of calming oil wipes, and 100 nonwoven wax strips. But, don’t feel any pressure to wax your body hair if that’s not your style!
Promising review: “Tried this roller wax for the first time, and it has changed the waxing game for me. Very easy to use and clean up. Not time consuming, no mess, highly recommend. No need to spend hundreds at the salons.” —Jatinder Kaur
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
7. A revitalizing hair protein treatment for conditioning and repairing dry, damaged, and over-processed hair. This collagen-rich formula is designed to work on all hair types. TBH I’m already obsessed with your hair evolution!
Promising review: “This product is incredible. Works better than Olaplex and for 20 dollars less! I have medium-length dyed hair that gets very frizzy and this is changing the game for me!!” —Mica MacKay
Get it from Amazon for $7.40.
8. A vegan and cruelty-free skin-tightening Sol de Janeiro body cream made with coconut and açai oil. Its caffeine-rich formula stimulates circulation for smoother-looking skin.
Promising reviews: “This is a game changer. I love how smooth and soft it leaves my skin. It also absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave my skin greasy or feel too heavy.” —Stacy
“I could NOT believe how quickly I saw results after starting to use this on my dear old booty. The improvement was so noticeable I’ve also started to use it on my thighs as well, just to see if I can tighten up any of my cellulite-y bits there, too. But my butt looks amazing!” —Sara Fauth
Get it from Amazon for $24 (also available in a larger size).
9. A long-lasting Essence Lash Princess mascara formulated to give you bold and intense lashes even *you* will think are falsies. Salon quality at a fraction of the cost? Yes, please!
Promising reviews: “This mascara actually changed the game for me. It’s so good” —yaraalsulaimi
“I NEVER write reviews unless I either really love something or hate it, and I LOVE THIS MASCARA. I am a mascara fanatic; I buy mascara constantly, always trying to find the best one. So, this mascara is super cheap and the best one I’ve bought so far. This mascara doesn’t clump (unless you don’t know what you’re doing) and it has great volume and thickness. You can use one coat to be subtle or you can keep building it up. It also lasts all day. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS! It’s a steal. Better than all the higher-end mascaras I’ve tried and the drug store ones. I will most definitely be buying another one when my current one runs out.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in black and brown).
10. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel for removing years’ worth of calluses quick and easy. Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let it do its magic, and rinse!
Promising reviews: “I have never been able to remove the callus from my heels in YEARS. This product here has changed the game for me. It’s a must buy, especially for those with extremely rough and cracked feet.” —Latisha
“Best foot callus remover I have ever used! Most callus removers I have purchased in the past were not very effective. So, I was encouraged by the reviews. I saw that a lot of reviewers mentioned being very careful not to leave it on longer than three or four minutes. My feet were the softest they have ever been. Love love love.” —Cheri whisker
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in three scents).
11. An exfoliating glove that’ll help you bring the spa experience home. Easily lift away dead skin to reveal soft and glowy skin.
Promising reviews: “This mitt has literally changed my dried-out skin. It’s a game-changer.” —Jane
“It’s a little gross, but it removes the entire layer of dead skin from my body. It leaves my skin super smooth, with minimal texture. The bumps on my arms have started to disappear, and my ‘strawberry legs’ aren’t as bad after I shave. I also just feel cleaner overall, and it’s wonderful.” —Evie
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (also available in a pack of two).
12. A vegan matcha-infused moisture stick you can use pretty much everywhere! Dry lips? Yup. Dry patches of skin? Absolutely. The dark circles and puffiness under your eyes? Of course.
Cocokind
Check out a TikTok of the matcha stick in action.
Cocokind is a San Francisco-based, woman-founded small business that specializes in botanical-forward skincare.
Promising review: “Just get it. This product is a game-changer and such a universal item to have in your lineup. I use it under my eyes, on my eyebrows, and on my lips and hands daily. When it’s dry in the winter, and I am dealing with patches of dry skin (eczema), this is literally the only thing that calms down the inflammation without irritation. I keep one at home, and one stays in my purse; I will never be without this staple item.” —courtney r
13. A delightfully scented foaming mousse formulated with coconut and shea oils to hydrate hair, define curls, and combat frizz. It’s also a great mousse to use atop natural protective styles like knotless braids.
Promising reviews: “This has been a game changer in my styling routine. Its lightweight formula creates soft, defined curls without weighing my hair down, giving me the perfect balance of hold and flexibility.” —april
“This stuff is wonderful. The smell, the de-tangling ability it has, plus I love how soft my hair is. My curls aren’t stiff. And on the days I want a little more hold or crispness, I just mix some of my firmer hold mousse in with this.” —Angelia Taggarrt
Get it from Amazon for $3.98.
14. Paula’s Choice BHA liquid exfoliant if you’re sensitive to scents but want to gently unclog your pores, as well as exfoliate and brighten your skin. This unscented leave-on formula is even gentle enough for daily use (though you may need to work up to it)!
Promising review: “I bought this in a dark time: My skin texture was garbage, all my pores were massive, I had clogged pores all over my face, and I was just waiting for them to become actual acne. I got this because I just wanted SOMETHING to help with my skin texture while I waited for my oral prescription. Now listen here — THE FIRST time I used it, I saw a difference. My forehead and my cheeks right to the side of my nose were flawless. I don’t know what kind of stuff was in it that provided immediate results. I thought maybe that was just ‘fake’ results, like it has something to gloss over the skin surface to give the appearance of smoothness. But then I used this stuff twice a day for four days, and alllll of the tiny red pimples all over my cheeks and forehead were gone, and my pores STAYED small! I am telling you. This product has changed my whole face in under a week. It’s so clear! I expect to have full celebrity skin going forward. You have to try this. You barely need to use any of it, too. It’s a thicker gel liquid, so it smooths on so easily, and you don’t have to use a ton like with a toner or micellar water. I’m just shook. I’ll buy this for the rest of my life!!” —K Fied
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two sizes).
15. A flat-top hexagon foundation brush since you’re tired of the splotchy application you get from your sponges. This brush leaves no streaks behind, and because it does not absorb product, you’ll likely have to use less of it. Looking flawless just got a little easier.
And it comes with a case!
Check out TikTok of the makeup brush in action.
Promising review: “This has changed my makeup game. I love it! I don’t know if it really helps to save product but it does apply it seamlessly and quickly. It’s shortened my makeup time and gives me a great, even finish.” —Marcella
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 11 colors).
16. A moisturizing and vitamin E-infused makeup-correcting stick because having to completely remove your makeup to correct a mistake wastes time you simply do not have.
17. A pack of dual-textured Medicube facial toner pads designed to help exfoliate skin, control oiliness, and minimize the look of pores. These pads are formulated with citric acid and soothing botanicals to help keep your skin balanced and clear.
Promising review: “I’ve struggled with enlarged pores and uneven skin texture for a while, but these pore pads have been a game-changer for me! What impresses me the most is how they’ve noticeably reduced the size of my pores without drying out or irritating my skin.” —Devin Moretz
Get a pack of 70 from Amazon for $17.90 (available in four other styles).
18. A cult-fave facial applicator brush so you can easily and evenly spread your skincare products over your face. You’ll love how swiftly you can apply masks, peels, and serums.
19. A detangling Ouai leave-in conditioner and heat protectant spray for shiny, smooth, and frizz-free hair. Formulated with an amino acid blend, tamarind seed extract, and vitamin E, this spray will detangle and nourish your hair while protecting it from heat/UV damage.
Promising review: “Game-changer! This is the best leave-in conditioner I have ever used! I have thick wavy hair, and with just a tiny amount of this product, I am able to brush through wet hair with ease, and no tangles, and I could not be happier with this purchase!” —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes).
20. A reparative Cosrx snail mucin essence with a hydrating and hypoallergenic formula that may help remove dark spots and fine lines. Several reviewers wrote that this K-beauty gem gave them that “glass skin” look!
Promising reviews: “I’ve been a Kiehl’s baby all my adult life but this serum has been a game changer. I have oily skin, in my 30s, Asian. I’ve noticed significant change. I love the dewy feel in the morning. My face is softer, less forehead wrinkles. Three pumps for face and neck is enough. I pair this with The Body Shop’s Oils of Life moisturizer. Great value for my money.” —Hanah D.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
21. And an all-in-one face-repairing cream with hyaluronic acid from the same company because it’ll moisturize, hydrate, repair, AND soothe irritated skin. This also contains snail mucin, which aids in exfoliation.
Promising review: “I suffer from stubborn cystic acne. I have never been able to fully clear it from my skin, even with products from dermatologists. After a couple of weeks of using this moisturizer, my skin was CLEAR. It’s truly unbelievable, and I have no words to describe how it works other than ‘it changed my skincare game!!’ I recommend this product to everyone. It leaves your skin feeling soft and firm and has no fragrance, which I love. Please try this.” —Austin
Get it from Amazon for $26.99.
22. A rejuvenating eye cream with vegan ingredients that absorb quickly into the skin to potentially help brighten and lift your under-eye area. Perpetual late nights got nothing on this cream!
LilyAna Naturals is a family-owned small business using natural ingredients to craft high-quality skincare products.
Promising review: “This product is a game-changer for me. I would have dry creases under my eyes no matter how much primer or expensive foundation I used. I use this in the AM and PM, and it has made a 100% difference.” —Angela Kilburn
Get it from LilyAna Naturals on Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three sizes and a two-pack).
23. Hydrocolloid acne patches for times when you feel a pimple coming on and you don’t know if you can control the urge to pick at it. Wear one of these overnight and wake up to find that your acne gunk has been absorbed by the patch.
24. A vegan and cruelty-free holographic nail polish if your aesthetic is a little bit futuristic and a little bit alien chic. It’s also long-lasting and chip-resistant. And don’t let the glitter fool you — this nail polish is a breeze to remove.
ILNP Cosmetics is a small biz making truly iconic polishes.
Promising review: “This nail polish line is a game changer!! Gorgeous color, super sparkly, smooth application, and long-lasting. Hasn’t chipped at all in days. I will definitely be ordering other colors.” —Brittany A
Get it from ILNP Cosmetics on Amazon for $10+ (available in a variety of colors).
25. A CeraVe body wash with salicylic acid and ceramides that’ll help you deal with any “chicken skin” flare-ups. This can exfoliate your skin and leave it feeling moisturized!
Promising review: “I’ve had keratosis pilaris on my arms for as long as I could remember. I’d exfoliate and moisturize religiously, and it’d make a very slight difference. This body wash is a game changer! I’m usually pretty skeptical, and as someone who has spent SO MUCH MONEY on skincare that people rave about, I’ve learned to not expect much…but truly, I love this body wash. It makes my skin so soft and smooth — even though my KP isn’t entirely gone, the difference is noticeable. The bumps aren’t as big and red, and there is less of them. It is pretty expensive for the size, but it’s well worth the investment.” —Hna9
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
26. A hypoallergenic cream-to-powder highlight because it’ll give you that sunny glow you’re after. Radiance looks good on you!
Promising review: “Game changer. I usually wear bronzer and highlighter and this is an amazing combo of both!! Smells amazing and looks sooooo good!” —Ashley Hall
Get it from Amazon for $10+ (available in three colors).
27. A Color Wow anti-frizz spray built to help combat humidity by repelling moisture. Just blow-dry to activate!
Promising review: “This product is a game changer for anyone with dry, fragile, color-processed hair who is looking for an instant transformation. I can now easily comb through my hair when wet, and it blow-dries to be smooth, silky, and strong, with lots of body and bounce. It’s amazing. Highly recommend. Will use forever” —KMK
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes; also available in extra strength formula and a curly hair formula).
28. A sleek, rechargeable folding travel mirror so you can check in on your fierce lewks anytime and anywhere. It has three light modes to choose from to help you ensure your lipgloss is still poppin’.
Promising review: “I am a performer and travel the area doing gigs. I usually get ready at home, but from time to time, I have a gig where I will do a costume change. I have been looking for a good light mirror that was easy to travel with for a while now. The fact that it’s about the size and shape of a tablet lets me know it’s going to fit in my costume bag perfectly. Frequently, the venues I perform at have very little ‘dressing room’ space. You know what I mean if you’ve ever done your makeup in a bar bathroom. So having something that is easy to bring with you and lights you well is a game-changer. A+ kids.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $20.24+ (available in five colors).
29. A daily facial spray for calming stressed-out skin. Dealing with post-workout breakouts or eczema-induced redness? You might wanna add this rescue spray to your skincare regimen.
Sephora
Tower 28 is an LA-based, Asian woman-owned small business creating nontoxic, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty products for all skin types.
Promising review: “This saved my skin. Game-changer for my acne-prone, extremely sensitive skin.” —BacconandYEG
Get it from Tower 28 on Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes) or from Sephora for $12+ (available in three sizes).
30. A super popular L’Oréal hyaluronic acid face serum if you’re looking for something that absorbs quickly into the skin, relieves dryness, and offers a sheer and dewy finish. It also contains vitamin C to give a boost to your skin’s inner glow.
Promising review: First off, I’m a 47-year-old woman, and up until a year ago, I had oily skin and still got zits and blackheads and omg my pores…then hormones change, and my skin did too. I’ve been using it about a month, and the difference is obvious. My skin feels moisturized but not greasy AT ALL. And my skin feels more supple, and my pores are a lot less visible.” —Jamie J. Berry
Get it from Amazon for $19.28+ (available in two sizes).
31. A creamy color corrector stick with hyaluronic acid that you can use to balance out dark circles and dark spots and even out your complexion. You can also use this multistick to add color to your eyes, lips, and cheeks!
Live Tinted is a South Asian woman-owned small biz that specializes in clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products for all skin tones.
Promising review: “I have pretty prominent genetic blue circles under my eyes. I’ve spent most of my makeup years trying brighteners that were light pink. This has completely changed the game for me! The product itself is very nice, lasts a long time, blendable, and the packaging feels luxe. I’m on my second tube. I love it!!” —Makeup Lover
Get it from Live Tinted on Amazon (available in six shades) or from Ulta (available in six shades) for $26.
32. An antioxidant-rich tattoo balm and aftercare cream perfect for helping new ink heal since it forms a protective barrier on your skin to help moisturize and soothe. It’ll also help make old ink look new by enhancing vibrancy, clarity, and contrast.
Mad Rabbit is a Black-owned small business specializing in all-natural products to heal, protect, and enhance tattoos.
BuzzFeed writer Mallory Mower swears by this stuff: “I use Mad Rabbit products on my own tattoos. Every product is vegan and cruelty-free (making it great on sensitive skin). I’ve recommended it to all my friends with tattoos. The soothing gel is lightweight and calming, the sunscreen is effective without feeling heavy, and the balm makes tattoos look gorgeous (my arm pictured above, left). I’m truly surprised by how well color pops with this stuff!”
Promising review: “Game-changer! Never going without it! This really works. Brightens up tattoos, enhances color, and makes your skin feel wonderful! I’ve been using it daily on old and newer tattoos and just love the results. Will buy again and again!” —M Duitsman
Get it from Mad Rabbit on Amazon for $18.99 (available in two scents).
33. A Honeyskin face and body cream because it’s formulated with Manuka honey, shea butter, and wild oat extract that work together to help soothe, nourish, and restore skin. Reviewers with eczema and rosacea have noted how this has helped calm their skin.
Promising review: “This moisturizer is a game-changer! I am going through menopause, so at first I thought I was dealing with hormonal adult acne, but it kept getting worse — turning into a perpetual rash with small pimples and red bumps. I was reluctant to be in photos, and I even stopped caring how the rest of me looked because I was so distraught about how my face looked. I don’t wear foundation, so I knew that wasn’t the cause. I even stopped using any moisturizers for a while trying to isolate the cause, but that only resulted in a scalier version of red rash and bumps. I finally realized I was probably dealing with rosacea and went in search of something to alleviate it. Literally hours after I first applied it to my face, the redness and bumps were noticeably reduced. Within two days, almost all traces were gone. I still have to be careful of rosacea triggers, but this product has literally given my self-esteem back. I can’t say enough good things about it. The icing on the cake is that my face is more soft and wrinkle-free because this moisturizer is so rich — something that my older skin really needed, but it was hard to finish a product that didn’t make everything worse. Many thanks from a grateful customer!” —Margie
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes).
34. A Bedhead hair waver tool with different settings to help you get the perfect shiny, frizz-free waves. It also boasts a tangle-free cord for easy storage.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
