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25 Makeup Tips To Make People Assume You Have A Glam Squad

Not even an extreme close-up could scare you — your makeup will be looking absolutely *flawless*.

Posted on Jun 4, 2026

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by Gabriela Manjarrez BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

I'm a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who covers a variety of topics from beauty to home to travel, while having a special enthusiasm for K-beauty, quirky (but useful!) trinkets, and all things luxe and aesthetic.

1. Easily wipe away smudged eyeliner or mascara with a Neutrogena makeup-correcting stick, so you don't have to be so anxious about making a "whoopsie" during your beauty routine. This lets you effortlessly clean up those mishaps, which is more sanitary than using your fingers and more eco-friendly than using cotton swabs!

Amazon

Psst — this is also *perfect* for taking on long trips!

Promising review: "Perfect for travel or quick touch-ups. I was looking for something non-liquid to take when I travel, and this is PERFECT! It's very small and slim and works great. Easily removes makeup and works well on my sensitive skin." —sandy

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available as a two-pack).

2. Swipe Glossier Boy Brow onto your brows like mascara and you'll be rocking a pair of chic Lily Collins brows. This'll give you that textured, voluminous look without stiffness or flakiness.

AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed

Promising review: "Great, easy to use product. Goes on quickly, looks natural, but fills everything out. Good for a natural makeup day or something more dramatic, depending on how much you layer." —May-Rose R.

Get it from Glossier for $22 (available in seven shades).

3. Stamp on an instant wing with a popular long-lasting eyeliner stamp, so the nemesis of your makeup routine is no longer such a hard step. Say goodbye to wasting all your cotton balls (and all those precious extra minutes you could've used making your coffee) on failed attempts at a flawless eyeliner flick. This stamp will do it for you!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

One side is the curved wing stamp, and the other is a regular fine tip liner for defining the rest of the eye. It comes in a pack of two; one for each eye.

The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand–based brand and small biz, Lovoir Beauty. 

Promising review: "Got this before a trip I took a few days ago. I have never been able to do wing eyeliner properly, so I was excited to try this. It's very pigmented and goes on beautifully! I've tried other liquid eyeliners before, and they were so watery and not close to the dark black I wanted at all, but this product was great. I did my makeup and put this eyeliner on at 9 a.m., traveled two hours, walked around a city for about three hours, and it was warm, so I was sweating, and then went to an NBA game. After all that time (about 16 hours!), the eyeliner was just as perfect as I had put it on! I love this product and can't wait to use it more often!" —Elizabeth

Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three sizes and a combo pack). 

4. Create the ~smoothest~ canvas for your glam with a touch-up razor and dermaplaning tool — this lets you quickly shape your brows or remove any of those other fine facial hairs that you just don't have the time or patience to pluck out one by one. Have no fear — it's super gentle and painless!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It comes with a precision cover to help you shape your brows to the exact shape you want. Or leave them just how they are. Remember, removing facial hair (or any hair) is optional, not necessary!

Promising review: "Plucking the more egregious of my thick black hairs is at least a 2–3x/week effort. I opened these rather hesitantly — I mean, they are sharp blades going on your face — took a sip of Prosecco for courage, washed my face and started shaving. I could not believe how easy and quick it was. After a couple of swipes down my cheek, I noticed that it was done. I thought it was going to take a lot more skill and time. First complete face shave (full cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, jawline) over and done with in less than three minutes with outstanding results. So much easier than tweezers and depilatories!! Wow." —Tara D.

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.97 (also available in a pack of nine).

5. Achieve that hard-to-get ~flawless finish~ with this foundation brush, which you're bound to love no matter your level of experience. With a perfect balance of soft and firm, it blends like a dream, whether you're blending powder or liquid. Plus, many reviewers note that the bristle design is user-friendly (especially for beginners).

www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the makeup brush in action. 

Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok. I’m a middle-aged woman, so it’s difficult for me to admit that. I. LOVE. IT! It gives a flawless finish with little product. I have a compact foundation that comes with its own applicator sponge. I almost threw up because I didn’t like the coverage. I tried this brush with it, and it’s perfect! It also comes in a plastic case, which is great because I travel a lot with my work, and my other brushes get damaged sometimes." —Thayel M. Caison

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors).

6. Balance out the bluish tones of under-eye shadows and dark circles with a Catrice under-eye brightener — it's infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish your skin and give you a radiant glow. Wear it alone or under your concealer for a fuller coverage look! Plus, reviewers say it's a perfect alternative to Becca X Smashbox's formula. 👀

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I have hollow dark under-eye circles, and concealer never works for me bc it just makes my under eyes dry and doesn’t conceal the darkness. THIS STUFF IS MAGIC. It has a very hydrating formula, and a tiny bit goes a very, very long way. I’m so impressed and incredibly happy with this purchase!" —Val

Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades).

7. And conceal any blemishes or dark circles with Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer. The cushion applicator makes it easy for you to blend away any evidence that you stayed up marathoning your latest Netflix obsession.

Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says about it: "TBH, at the start of the pandemic, I started using this myself (although this is former BuzzFeeder Kayla Suazo's lovely human face above), and I am mad that I wasted time with other concealers for so long. I am a deeply impatient person who likes to look good and does not like to put in effort in any way, shape, or form, and Maybelline created this so that people like me could gracelessly slap it on in the morning and be like "OKAY, REFLECTION, YOU GOT THIS" before being on their merry way. It never cakes, I look way more awake than I have any right to, and I never struggle to blend it the way I do with other concealers. 11/10 subscribe."

Promising review: "Throughout high school, I never knew how to do makeup. But then I heard this product was the absolute best on TikTok. And trust me, they were not lying. It has really good coverage and hides my 'raccoon eyes.' And the best part is that a little bit goes a long way. So if you’re starting out or want to try something new, I definitely recommend you try this out." —Liela Lee

Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in 24 shades).

8. Balance out redness with L'Oréal Paris's BB Cream — perfect for anyone who prefers something lighter and easier to blend than regular foundation (or you could use this as a foundation base — this leaves your skin super soft and primed!). This FAST-acting, oil-free moisturizer gives you such wild results that it's basically telling the $54 Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream to take a hike.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’d yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous, lightweight finish with 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. 

Get it from Amazon for $10.97 (also available in other styles). 

9. Say goodbye to lash extension appointments or struggling with strip lashes with these Lilac St. Original Lashes. They apply so seamlessly, they'll have everyone doing a double-take, trying to figure out if those are your real lashes. Simply brush the glue onto the underside of your real lashes, then easily attach the clusters for a mesmerizing ~oomph~. These vegan, cruelty-free beauties can last for up to 10 days, too! Time to Stock. Up. 😍

www.amazon.com

Check out why these are a fave in this TikTok.

Lilac St. is a woman- and AAPI-owned BTW!

Promising review: "Y’all, I have been a loyal Lilac St. customer since they started, and I will never leave them. These are of the absolute best quality. I get so many compliments. They are the most natural and most comfortable to wear. I use it several times by using makeup remover and water to remove any glue. Seriously, will never stray." —Katiew

Get the starter kit from Amazon for $38 (includes two sets of Original lashes, lash glue, and an applicator).

10. Achieve a lit-from-within glow with E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Liquid Filter, featuring a lightweight, buildable formula infused with hydrating squalane for a dewy, radiant finish. Plus, its cushion tip helps you apply to the high points of your face with precision and ease. Someone better go check on Charlotte, because this is giving her Flawless Filter a run for its money. 👀

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "This stuff is so legit I’ve gone through three bottles. Adds the perfect glow to your skin! Sometimes, I use it under foundation, and sometimes, I use it solo with a bit of concealer. I will never not repurchase it for the price and how beautifully it sits on the skin. This stuff is viral for a reason!!" —mapagill

"If you like Charlotte Tilbury's flawless filter, this is leaps and bounds better! Just buy it. The coverage is better; [it] makes my skin have the most amazing natural glow! The colors run with a warmer/yellow undertone, which worked great for me! Spend a fraction of the price and just get it; you will be happy you did!" —Amazonreview

Get it from Amazon for $12.70+ (available in 14 shades).

11. Get that trendy "clean girl" makeup look with this dual-sided precision brow brush — you can use the spoolie side to brush up the hairs, while the angled end lets you easily fill in your arches for a full yet natural-looking brow.

Sephora

Life Hack: A dry spoolie is also great for removing mascara that's transferred to your lid during application. I do this all the time! 

Promising review: "I don't really know how to shape and draw my eyebrows until I use this brow brush! The width of the bristle just fits my eyebrow's original shape. It's also easy to apply with brow powder for a natural effect. Love it!" —YoyoZ

Get it from Sephora for $22. 

12. And perform your brow powder application with confidence with this eyebrow stencil kit, which includes 30 wearable stencils that ensure your brows look ~flawless~ every time. It's also extra helpful for anyone who's ever had an over-plucking phase (the early 2000s did a number on us 🙃).

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The kit includes 30 eyebrow stencils, a shaping razor, and a double-sided waterproof eyebrow pencil.

Promising review: "Really great! Surprisingly! I bought these expecting the worst and they were awesome! There are tons of different eyebrow stencil options. I found one closest to my eyebrow shape. I struggle with drawing my eyebrows to match. Their shapes are naturally quite different. This set did a great job. I used my own brow pencil; however, the light brown color is very crayon brown. I like a more taupe color for my brows." —Chls

Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $5.99 (available in four colors).

13. Simplify the makeup process with some eyeshadow color removal sponges, which let you use your go-to eye brush for your whole eye shadow routine by instantly cleaning off even your darkest shades.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes has to say about it: "I picked up this color removal sponge from Amazon after hearing about this hack on TikTok and can testify that it actually works SO well. I'm *so* bad about cleaning my brushes (I know...shameful) and this makes it super easy to clean a brush in a matter of seconds. So even if I'm trying to do a *slightly* more elaborate eyeshadow look for the day, this makes the process of switching colors as quick and painless as possible. Also, it's *super* lightweight, and I've already tossed it in my bag and brought it on vacation with me. This is one of those products I won't be traveling without in the future if I plan on doing eyeshadow at any point — and it means you only need to pack one or two eyeshadow brushes!" 

Promising review: "This product makes it even easier for me to be lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes. It also allows me to use the same brush for a makeup look since I can swish away a previous shadow and move on to the next. Great buy. Super easy to wash. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, but when I do finally travel again, I'm sure this will be excellent to travel with and make it so that I only need to bring one or two brushes." —Azaleah Bumpus-Barnett

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available as a pack of four).

14. Add a quick pop of glow with this creamy Julep eyeshadow stick, which you can just swipe across your lids — no brush required — and you're good to go! Plus, it's enriched with vitamins C and E, and you can choose from a variety of gorgeous shimmery, matte, and metallic shades.

Amazon

Promising review: "This is my fifth color. This is the best thing to happen to makeup. I can do a smoky eye or a natural one in under a minute. I suck at makeup. This makes it so easy. I am also 51. The Coco color has some shimmer. It does not crease or define my wrinkles. Putty and Clay are amazing." —kristyn

Get it from Amazon for $8.08+ (available in 45 colors). 

15. Avoid eyeshadow fallout and accidental smears with this pack of self-adhesive eyeshadow shields that *also* act as a guide for the perfect winged liner or smoky eyeshadow look!

Amazon

Promising review: "I've been a certified makeup artist for 12 years. Used for my cousin's wedding makeup, and they worked really well as far as catching fallout and shaping goes, but taking them off, they really stick, so just be gentle. Still great." —Andrea

Get a box of 120 pieces from Amazon for $6.99.

16. Master that tricky winged liner with a silicone reusable eye makeup shield, which also doubles as an under-eye de-puffer. You can pop it in the fridge or freezer and let it be a glorious wake-up treat for your skin in the morning!

Amazon

Promising review: "This moon slice is perfect and everything I’ve ever wished for. I wanted an eyeshadow shield that a) wasn’t sticky, and b) was reusable. This particular gadget gets bonus points for being made of silicone, which is stiff yet flexible and fits comfortably — and pleasantly — under the eye. I also feel the grippy nature of the silicone helps catch eyeshadow fallout better than, say, a business card. All in all, this is an amazing little tool." —Kat 

Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in two colors).

17. Avoid that pesky lipstick feathering with a self-sharpening clear lip liner. And since it's colorless, you don't have to be so cautious about mess-ups! Plus, since you can use it with any lipstick color, it's the only lip liner you'll ever need. 😉

Ulta

Promising review: "I like that you don't have to sharpen this liner! It stays on well and helps my lipstick last longer." —SoonerGal

Get it from Ulta Beauty for $8.49 (available in eight other colors). 

18. Complete each step of your makeup routine like a total pro with this 18-piece makeup brush set — they're so high-quality they even surprised one reviewer with how well they've held up after two years! Plus, the included cylinder case allows you to set them upright on your vanity *and* serves as easy travel packaging.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I was a loyal IT Cosmetics brush customer, then I went with a few Real Techniques brushes. These actually beat both of those brands — I have no idea how! I ended up tossing most of my brushes, now in favor of these. They wash easily, look nice, are soft, and very durable. I’ll keep buying!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 11 colors).

19. Add a gorgeous pop of color to your glam with a creamy Maybelline matte liquid lipstick, which quite literally feels like ~nothing~ on your lips. They stay on all day and actually moisturize your lips, rather than drying or cracking them. Plus, you'll be surprised to look in the mirror after an extra-long day and realize it's still as vibrant as when you applied it. Talk about getting more bang for your buck!

www.amazon.com, Emma Lord / BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord is committed to this lipstick. She writes: "Personally, I absolutely swear by this lipstick to the point that I haven't used anything else in years (my favorite is the muted pink 'Seductress'). I'm pretty bad at applying anything matte, but this formula and the applicator make it close to foolproof. It lasts a long time and my lips never feel chapped or dry. I also like that when it does fade, it does it in a gradual way that doesn't look obvious or patchy and require an immediate touch-up." 

Check out our Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick review for more.

Get it from Amazon for $4.18 (available in 43 colors).

20. Or achieve a more subtle touch (while requiring much less focus than a more pigmented alternative) with this nongreasy, agave-based tinted lip butter. With a nourishing mix of shea butter, vitamin E, green tea seed oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil, this'll keep your lips hydrated with a semi-sheer hint of color.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love these sticks. The colors are really nice and can be put on lighter or heavier for the desired coloring. They aren't too dark, which I really appreciate and they're buttery soft and don't leave my lips dried, streaked, or blotchy looking." —Alyssa V

Get it from Amazon for $14.25 (available in five colors). 

21. Give your mascara-coated lashes a more "falsie" effect with this fine-toothed eyelash comb. With just a quick comb-through, you can ditch the gooey clumps and achieve the full, wispy lash look you've wanted forever.

Amazon

Promising review: "Love brushing out my lashes with this after applying mascara. Gets rid of lumpy clumpy lashes and fluffs them to a natural voluminous finish. If you use drugstore mascara that is giving mediocre results, try out this lil device. A huge difference for a small price." —Sierra Jill

Get it from Amazon for $4.59 (available in six colors). 

22. Make the eyeshadow look you created 10 hours ago look like it's only been 10 minutes with Elizabeth Mott's Thank Me Later eye primer, which helps keep your eyeshadow from wearing off, smudging, or creasing and enhances its color and vibrance!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My skin is oily, and at the end of the day, my eye makeup looks bad. I started using your primer and what a difference. Now my eye makeup still looks good when I get home from work. Can’t believe the difference. I love it!" —Deb Rubin

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four styles).

23. And lock your entire glam in place with Elizabeth Mott's Thank Me Later face primer — the little potion you'll be thanking at the end of a long day when your makeup *still* looks BOMB. This pore-minimizing miracle worker (with SPF 30!) helps blur your pores, gives you a ~velvety complexion,~ and keeps your look from moving or shifting around. Plus, it comes in four problem-solving formulas.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Elizabeth Mott is a Korean American, woman-owned biz!

Promising reviews: "I wore this primer under my foundation (Nars and Maybelline Fit Me), along with setting spray (Nyx) in this photo [above right]. I had been dunked in the pool two times and went down a giant slide that caused me to go underwater three times. This was the result of my makeup! Love this product. A little goes a long way!" —Ryan Brooks

"I have extremely sensitive, acne-prone skin. I realized the makeup I was previously using was breaking me out, so I threw it away and purchased this primer with a powder foundation from another brand. THIS PRIMER THOUGH!! I hated the powder foundation I purchased and got rid of that, too, but this stays. I use this as my foundation now! It comes out green but blends into your face quickly. It covers my redness and uneven skin tone, but my freckles can still be seen. It makes my face look almost flawless, hydrated, and clear. This blew me away. I've already been suggesting it to friends, and I will continue to buy this over and over again." —LGee

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 10 styles). 

24. Say goodbye to having to *literally* hold your breath in order to obtain the ultimate, flawless eyeliner look with this easy-to-use guide wand and eyeliner duo. This genius wand is designed to help steady shaky hands (who knew that quad shot of espresso this morning would be so strong?) and features a flexible, replaceable silicone tip that's gentle on the eyes.

Guide Beauty, www.youtube.com

Guide Beauty is a woman-owned small biz founded by makeup artist Terri Bryant after her own Parkinson's diagnosis made some once-routine makeup techniques more difficult. So she set out to listen to the most common makeup struggles and develop tools to make application easier for everyone!

Check it out in action in this TikTok!

Promising review: "I have extremely hooded Asian eyelids and shaky hands, so eyeliner has kind of always been insurmountable to me, and I had pretty much given up on it before trying this. I bought it with hopes it would work, but it's now an actual game-changer in my makeup routine. Upon first attempt, I was able to do winged eyeliner for each eye in under five min., and the eyeliner has not budged since application. I haven't worn it out yet, but it feels like a pretty strong hold. Overall, I'm in love with this product." —Hailey 

Get it from Guide Beauty for $50 (available in two shades).

25. Light up your beauty routine with this makeup mirror, which will stop you from ever again having to precariously lean over your bathroom counter while you try to create the perfect brow shape. This one has a bright LED light, 7x magnification, and brings the mirror right to you (which is *perfect* for travel, too!).

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The suction is awesome; I have moved this mirror every which way and it hasn’t come off once. I’m really pleased with how well it has held up on my vanity mirror. Bending over the countertop to apply my makeup in the morning was driving me wild. It took me a day or two to get used to the magnification, but that has actually been super helpful with applying mascara. I’m very pleased." —Jade

Get it from Amazon for $24.99. 

Still searching for the perfect addition to your beauty routine? Try these:

* Newsflash: K-Beauty Isn’t *Just* Skincare — Here Are 25 Excellent Korean Makeup And Hair Products

* Reviewers Over 50 Swear By These 31 Beauty Products (And You Probably Will Too)

* Makeup Products That Literally Leave You Glowing, According To Reviewers

* To Say Reviewers Are Obsessed With These 34 Beauty Products Would Be An Understatement

Plus, easy-to-use makeup items and finds from Amazon and Sephora.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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