1. A pair of lightweight tinted lip balms if you've been dying to try Clinique's Black Honey lip balm, but $25 is too steep a price to pay for just one stick. This cheaper alternative is subtle, buildable, and packed with nutritious ingredients. Enhance your lips' natural color with this non-sticky and long-lasting balm!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Even BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord is shook:

"I bought this because I crave that Black Honey and will buy it until the day I die, but I am always paranoid of losing it, so I almost never let it leave my bag. I have tried probably five or six "almost" versions of Black Honey that came close, but this one genuinely spooked me. It has the same easy glide, same buildability, and the same refreshingly hydrating effect. It was a two-pack, so I gave one to my BFF, another Black Honey fan, who also could not detect the difference!"

Promising review: "I am shocked at how much this lipstick is like Clinique Black Honey. It is a perfect match. I was raised on Clinique and know their product, especially the Black Honey line. But this product is perfection without paying the Clinique price. Will be a regular customer." —Boulware Family 83406

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in one other color and individual packs).

2. Or a moisturizing lip oil that also acts as a lip stain because we're in our multitasking era. This silky oil will help soothe and soften your lips without the SMACKITTY SMACK of stickiness that most glosses leave behind.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I’m a big fan of the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, but I must say that this one is just as good. It’s hydrating, and I love that the ingredients are clean and safe for sensitive skin. It’s versatile, and I like to use it on its own or layered with a lip liner. It lasts hours on my lips and leaves a pretty yet light stain when I wipe it off. If you’re looking for a gloss alternative that isn’t sticky but provides shine, hydration, and a wash of color, then get this! 100% recommend!" —Rebecca

"I will keep repurchasing this. I love it so, so much. I get compliments all of the time when I’m wearing it, so it’s now a staple in my makeup routine." —Elise

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 13 colors).

3. A long-lasting and lightweight pressed powder foundation — this mattifying formula is suuuper buildable and breathable, so you pretty much won't even feel it on your face. And it offers oil/shine control for any troublesome T-zones out there.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "This powder foundation is my go-to when I want total coverage without sticky, heavy liquid. It hides any imperfection you may have without it being cakey. I absolutely recommend it." —Jovanna

"I was looking for a pressed powder I could toss in my handbag and use occasionally, but I got something I'll be using every day! The coverage is great, and this powder feels so smooth. I don't know it's there, and it looks so good on my face! It feels like a way more expensive product than its price. I love it when I find a less expensive product that can replace my expensive ones! Will be purchasing this one again." —ann

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in 14 shades).

4. Or a medium-coverage L'Oreal True Match liquid foundation for a color match so precise, you'll feel it was made specifically and uniquely for you. And hey, maybe it was. The extremely blendable formula will leave you with a natural-looking finish, and because it's so lightweight, it won't "settle into fine lines or look cakey."

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "As a light, muted, neutral with a touch of warm olive, it’s hard to find shade matches. The N2 is my skin, but better. Zero smell, glides on, looks high-end, and does not flare my rosacea. I’m shocked. This has replaced all my foundations." —Laura Seymour

Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in lots of shades).

5. A pair of waterproof freckle pens if you weren't blessed with natural freckles upon birth. And these will look natural, too, since this quick-drying formula is waterproof and anti-stain.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolute game-changer!! I was using Freck and was always striving for the results I get easily with these freckle pens. They are super easy to use, look so natural, and actually last. As someone who has freckles naturally, my goal is to just enhance, so blendability is super important to me, and this pen gets 5 stars; that’s how real they look. I also have sensitive skin, and these are fine, absolutely no irritation or breakouts whatsoever. Amazing!!!" —Jay

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two shade combinations).

6. A vegan Catrice under-eye brightening concealer that can 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.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

This medium-coverage concealer can be applied with your fingers or a brush.

Promising reviews: "This stuff is amazing. I have dark circles above my eye/eyelid and under my eyebrows. I applied a very small amount, and no dark spots at all. It glides on easily and doesn’t look like makeup. It’s very natural. I’m honestly shocked it actually works, especially for $6." —wendy asmann

"Don't waste your time on anything else. It's friggin' phenomenal, and it applies easy and stays on well. I have a very low-maintenance makeup routine, but this is an essential part of it now." —Danielle

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

7. A water- and sweat-resistant Makup brow sculptor for brows that look so flawless, you'll swear they're completely chiseled from marble. Yes, as in "sculpted by the gods." This vegan and cruelty-free formula has the strength of wax but dries like gel with a clear matte finish!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Makup Beautyis a small business that specializes in makeup products. 

Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this product. I have my brows microbladed, but I love the look of the bushy laminated brows, and this product is my holy grail now. It lasts all day, and I don’t need to have my brows laminated by a professional. I recently went on vacay in Cancun, which is humid, and these brows didn’t move. Highly recommend!!" —Tammy J.

"This product is an exact comparable to Refy's brow gel for a fraction of the price. I love it and won't use anything else." —Candice Head 

Get it from Amazon for $9.98. 

8. Or an extreme-hold Nyx tinted eyebrow gel because it'll not only help you create the perfect brow shape, but also help you keep that shape for up to 16 hours. This flake-resistant brow mascara offers a natural look you'll be glad you can get every single day.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "This puts brow soap to shame. It’s a no-hassle brow glue to keep your brows fluffy and on point the whole day. I use this first and then fill in my brows, and I love it! It’s an essential part of my bag, and I use it every day. Whether I’m wearing makeup or not, I gotta have my Nyx brow glue!" —Curl

"This is a great product if you want that hold! It really does keep the brows exactly as you want them. I used to use the one from Anastasia, but it's nothing special and far too expensive. This is my new go-to!" —Mel

Get it from Amazon for $9.88+ (available in five shades).

9. A moisturizing multipurpose blush stick you can use to add some color just about anywhere on your face. This easy-to-use stick will help you create a long-lasting glow. Plus, I've heard whispers that it's similar to the kinda pricey Pixi On-the-Glow Blush.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this and my daughter immediately tried to steal it because she thought it was the real thing. Ha! This is so easy to use, and a little goes a long way. This will last for a while. And was a fraction of the price of the brand name." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three shades). 

10. A long-lasting Essence mascara for bold and intense lashes even *you* will think are falsies. Salon quality at a fraction of the cost? Yes, please!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am absolutely in love! This mascara delivers everything it promises — amazing volume, length, and definition — all without clumping or flaking. It doesn’t weigh my lashes down or feel heavy, even after multiple coats. This is a must-have in my beauty routine. It offers stunning volume and length at an unbeatable price, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality mascara that delivers dramatic results." —Becky

Check out BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd's Essence Lash Princess mascara review.

Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in black and brown).

11. Or a lash-extending E.l.f. Cosmetics tubing mascara that uses tubing tech to extend the look of your lashes beyond their natural length by wrapping around them. This long-lasting and lengthening formula leaves no lumps, no flakes, and no smudges. Plus, it contains 5% jojoba seed oil to condition lashes while giving you an epic lewk!

Emma Lord/BuzzFeed

Plus, BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord is a big fan:

"I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black."

Promising review: "I’m in shock at how great this mascara is. I think I’ve tried literally every drugstore brand and most of the higher-end ones, and this is THE BEST!!! No clumping, long, thick lashes, and so easy to remove. Did not smear or flake my entire shift waiting tables in the heat. Love love love it." —Felicia D.

Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades). 

12. A Maybelline concealer so you have a flawless canvas for all the bold looks you've been excited to experiment with. Dark circles? We don't know her.

Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed

Check out our Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer review to learn more.

Promising review: "I love this concealer! It's the absolute best I've ever used. Nine hours after I put it on, I looked in the mirror to see if I needed to fix my makeup before going out to dinner, and my concealer still looked like I had just put it on. There was no ceasing under my eyes (and I've got plenty of fine lines), and none of it had moved anywhere. I couldn't believe it, it looked so fresh. I'm reaching for this one daily now and will definitely be repurchasing." —Jill S

Get it from Amazon for $5.46+ (available in 27 shades).

13. An Etude House drying powder for controlling your skin's oil production and keeping your face from looking like a pan after you've cooked bacon in it (read: greasy). Reviewers have also applied this to their hair for a freshly washed look.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This powder is a lifesaver for oily skin. It’s super lightweight and goes on clear, so it doesn’t feel heavy or cakey. I just tap a little on my face, especially my forehead and nose, and it keeps me looking matte for hours. No more greasy shine in photos! It’s also gentle and doesn’t clog my pores. Definitely a great little product to keep in your bag. Korean skincare products are known to be the best!" —David Le

Get it from Amazon for $6.89.

14. A creamy and buildable Catrice face palette with two lightweight blushes, bronzers, and highlighters — mix and match shades for a perfect-for-you glam look. This compact, vegan, and cruelty-free palette is also great for on-the-go application.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I love this palette. The blush is so pigmented, and so are the bronzers. Good travel size. I am a professional makeup artist who travels weekly, and it’s easy to throw into my touch-up kit for backstage too, as it doesn’t take up much room and is very light." —Deja Victoria Seif

Get it from Amazon for $8. 

15. A bottle of self-tanning drops that you mix with your favorite moisturizer for a glow that'll develop over 24 hours and last up to seven days! No more boiling in the sun to get a perfect tan.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Over the years, I have tried many, many different self-tanning drops. Finally, after trying probably close to 20 different types, I have found the one I am going to stick with! All it took was a few drops mixed in with my daily moisturizer, and I could tell a noticeable difference within about an hour. I am extremely happy with these tanning drops, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for drops that offer an easy application and a wonderful, natural-looking tan! I could not be happier with the results!!" —EdoggSRQ

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

16. Or a hydrating Revlon face and body glow moisturizer for an illuminating tint and a sun-kissed glow that lasts all day long. Like, 24 whole hours. Go get your shine on!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love this! Beautiful finish. Nice light scent. I will continue to buy!" —Deanna Cloudgirl

Get it from Amazon for $9.88+ (available in four shades).

17. A waterproof and transfer-resistant Nyx setting spray aptly called "The Face Glue" because it's so committed to making sure your makeup doesn't slip. I'm talkin' 24 whole hours of wear. But don't worry! You won't feel sticky after using this breathable and lightweight formula.

Amazon

Promising review: "I'm about to purchase my third bottle of this setting spray. I spray it after I'm done applying my makeup, and I don't need to touch up my face for the rest of the day. My makeup lasts all day until I wash it off. The mist is fine and settles quickly." —JH

Get it from Amazon for $9.97.

18. A pore-blurring Maybelline primer that'll help soften the appearance of, well, pores, while hydrating and offering a soft matte finish. You will look like baby. Which tracks because you are baby.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I hesitate to recommend this product because it seems like as soon as I love something, the price goes way up. This is by far the best under-makeup primer around. Run, don't walk. However, don't blame me if it becomes more expensive. I warned you! It will still be worth it. (Note: Their lip balm is the bomb as well.)" —AnonyMiss

"I have really oily skin and have been struggling to find a good primer that doesn't either dry me out or leave me looking super oily and gross by the end of the day. This one is GREAT and doesn't make my skin look oily and gross. It spreads easily, so a little goes a long way!" —Jessica Cervantes

Get it from Amazon for $7.38.

19. A creamy Nyx lip liner for definition that'll make passersby stop and question why they don't own the same liner. This glides on easily and resists bleeding so you'll have kissable-looking lips all day long.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love this lipliner. I have fair skin and the shade Peakaboo Neutral is perfect. I am 66-years-old and need help shaping my lips to look even and fuller. It glides on smoothly." —Corinne Barnes

Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in 12 shades).

20. A cream-to-powder Wet n Wild eyeshadow stick as moisturizing as it is pigmented. Each stick contains passion fruit seed oil, argan oil, and vitamin E; go get absolutely nourished, bro! Plus, it can also be used to add color to your lips and cheeks.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Super smooth, super affordable, excellent eyeshadows. These are my absolute favorite eyeshadows! They don’t pull your skin, stay looking good all day, and even have a twist at the base in order to bring up more of the pencil. Plus, they have so many colors that you’re surely going to find one you like." —Jean Dewitt

Get it from Amazon for $1.94+ (available in 21 colors).

21. A liquid matte Maybelline lipstick because nothing really beats a bold, highly pigmented red lip that lasts for up to 16 hours. Nothing.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is the best lip color I’ve ever bought!! Love the matte look!! It stays on no matter what!!! I received my first one and have purchased two more colors since then!! I’m 54 years old and have been through so many lipsticks, but this is the last one I will ever buy!! You can add a little clear gloss over it for a different look, and it won’t smudge!! Love it!!! 💋💄👄" —leslie j falls4242

Get it from Amazon for $5.34 (available in 42 colors).

22. A rainbow eyeshadow palette that will make just about any lewk possible! This highly pigmented palette contains cool and warm tones as well as mattes and glitters, so go absolutely awf.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This palette really shocked me. It is clearly [an alternative] for the James Charles palette, but it's 10 times better pigment-wise; the shimmers are so pretty and stronger, and the pigments pop instantly." —Drew

Get it from Amazon for $7.39. 

23. A highly pigmented E.l.f. Cosmetics camo liquid blush for a soft and dewy flush you'll want the world to see. This buildable and blendable formula is super easy to apply and super lightweight!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I want to start off by saying, this stuff is SUPER PIGMENTED! A little goes a very long way. I was so shocked at how a tiny dot can go so far and at how much color I got. This stuff will last me a lifetime; it doesn't take a lot at all. It gives a beautiful color and blends beautifully. It just melts right into the skin, so natural. This blush is worth every penny. I'm definitely getting other colors for sure. Grab it!" —AJ

Get it from Amazon for $6.65+ (available in 12 shades).

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