Hey, you. Yes, you. Stop scrolling for a second, because your beauty routine is about to change forever. We all have our go-to products, but what if we told you there’s a whole world of beauty holy grails you haven’t discovered yet? From game-changing primers to lip formulas that actually stay put, we’ve rounded up the ultimate hidden gems. Here are 16 makeup products that have been missing from your life all these years—and why you need them in your makeup bag immediately.
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Elizabeth Mott’s Thank Me Later Eye Primer helps make sure that smoky eye (that you finally managed to make look good) actually lasts through the night instead of melting off your face as soon as you walk out the door.
Promising reviews: “This primer is very gentle on my eyes. Easy to use and it keeps my eye makeup on from the time I put it on until I get ready to take it off for bed.” —Larry D Bush
“I have never been a big eyeshadow person, but have become one every once in a while. I’ve used this for about five months, and I am still on the first tube I ordered. A little bit goes a long way. You do have to rub it in; it is white. I can put my eye makeup on at 6 a.m. and take it off at 3 a.m., and it still looks like it was just applied. I bought it again because I’m running low. Can’t imagine eyeshadow without it. Worth every penny.” —Krisstina
Get it from Amazon for $14.79.
E.l.f.’s Putty Bronzer, which is infused with argan oil and vitamin E, not only gives you a golden finish but also a hydration boost you might desperately need. People are gonna be asking you what tropical vacation you just got back from when they see your new sun-kissed look. ☀️
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “I’m not a makeup girly, but at the same time, I am very picky with the makeup that I do wear. This is by far the best cream bronzer I’ve used! This is my second time repurchasing it; it’s just that good.” —JB
Get it from Amazon for $7.95+ (available in five shades).
The Flick Stick’s Winged Eyeliner Stamp literally puts an end to the constant struggle of trying to get your eyeliner perfectly even. Picture this: after three attempts, you finally get your left eye beautifully lined, only to spend the next 20+ minutes trying to get the right eye to match, which it inevitably never does. Once you get this eyeliner, you will n e v e r have to deal with that again!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: “Best eyeliner ever! This item was a ‘TikTok made me buy it’ LOL, but overall, I am truly happy with this purchase. Thank you! Your product is truly amazing!” —Samantha Lopez
“This eyeliner is so easy to use and makes a perfect winged eyeliner look every time! I saw it on TikTok, and I’m glad I tried; it saved me so much time rather than trying to make a winged one myself.” —Linds
Get a set of two (both left and right wings) from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three wing sizes and a combo set).
Wet n Wild’s MegaGlo Dual-Ended Contour Stick — with highlighter on one side and contour on the other — allows you to illuminate and add definition with one tool. That also means you can easily toss it in your bag for any on-the-go touch-ups you’ll need.
Promising review: “Just when I thought I didn’t have the patience for contouring, I stumbled across this. Easy to use and blends very well. And I only have to keep track of one thing. I use it for all parts of my face, every day. If you’re feeling particularly spicy, you can wrap it up with other makeup, but this is all you need on a day-to-day basis.” —Heather
Get it from Amazon for $4.97+ (available in two shades).
Easilydays’ Eye Makeup Remover Pen lets you do those little touch-ups without having to wipe everything off or wasting like four cotton swabs when you just cannot put your mascara on without getting it all over your eyelids.
Amazon
Promising review: “If you do winged eyeliner and need to make corrections, this pen makes it so easy to correct! Or if you get a lot of fallout from eyeshadows, this is a lifesaver. Easy to use, no scent, works well, and is effective for the intended use! Strong makeup-removal formula without oiliness or greasy residue. I used to use the E.l.f. and Sephora brand eye makeup remover pens, but this is way better for the value.” —Kimmy C
Get it from Amazon for $5.89.
Wonderskin’s Lip Stain Masque, which may startle you at first, goes on blue, but after letting it sit for around 30 seconds, you can peel it away to reveal a gorgeous lip stain. It’s designed to last up to 10 hours, which is wayyy better than traditional lipstick that seems to come off the moment you take the first sip of your morning latte.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
“I love this product! This is the fourth one I have bought so far. It’s easy to use and lasts most of the day. Color will be stronger depending on how long the stain was left on. I personally like the XOXO color the best, it’s more natural than some of the other bolder colors. Highly recommend this product!” —C. Raburn
Promising reviews: “I didn’t know what to expect when I received this product, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! I absolutely love it! I put it on as soon as it arrived. I kept it on for almost a minute, and when I wiped it off with a damp cotton ball, the color was beautiful. It’s true to its word about the 12-hour stay power. I put a little lip balm over it and enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking. It didn’t come off! If you like lip stains, get this product! It’s a keeper. I will be ordering all of the shades.” —Brandy
Get it from Amazon for $19.80+ (available in 16 shades).
Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray keeps your stunning face from melting or creasing for up to 16 hours. So yeah, go ahead and dance the night away.
Promising reviews: “I absolutely looooooooove this product. It’s definitely long-lasting, lasts me all day. I’m a retail manager who works 10- to 12-hour shifts, no touch-ups needed, and I have very oily skin.” —Erica Carr
“I’m super picky with setting sprays, and I really love this one!” —Hannah Rice
Get it from Amazon for $39+ (available in two sizes).
iMethod’s Lip Liner Stain is meant to be applied, left on for a little while, and peeled away to create a ~perfect~ liner that’ll stay on for up to 24 hours!
Promising review: “I’ve wanted to try this lip stain ever since I saw it on TikTok last year. It didn’t disappoint either. The lip stain is thick, but goes on smoothly and leaves such a beautiful color. It will stain wherever it touches; keep that in mind when using it. I left mine on for a little longer than suggested, and it lasted into the next day. 10/10 highly recommend!” —murphlovesit
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in five shades).
Maybelline’s Lifter Glaze Oil Balm is infused with hyaluronic acid to give you silky smooth, hydrated lips with a gorgeous tint. Some reviewers say it may even help reduce the appearance of lip lines when used regularly. And since it’s wayyyy more affordable than some other versions out there, you can grab a few to have different colors for different events.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “I love this tinted lip balm! It gives my lips the perfect wash of color while keeping them super soft and hydrated. The texture is smooth and lightweight — not sticky at all — and it feels like I’m just wearing a nourishing balm, but with a natural lipstick look. The tint is buildable too, so I can swipe once for a subtle glow or add more for a deeper pop of color. It’s perfect for days when I want a little something without doing a full face of makeup. Plus, it’s great for touch-ups on the go.” —J.P.
Get it from Amazon for $6.97 (available in 10 shades).
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Blur-fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder helps control shine and give a mattifying effect, all while keeping your makeup (that you worked sooo hard on) in place all day. And unlike some of the other products like this on the market, this one is under $15, which is a *steal*.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “This stuff is AMAZING!!! I saw a demo on YouTube and thought I would give it a try — this is such a treasure find!!! It says blur, and blur it does!! Talk about softening a look! I never want to be without this product again!! It made my 60-year-old face look 10 years younger!!” —Christine McG
Get it from Amazon for $12.71+ (available in four shades).
Similarly, Wonderskin’s pH-Activated Cream Blush Stick is designed to give you the ultimate naturally flushed look by adjusting to your skin’s pH so you can get a unique and personalized shade. You can use it on your cheeks and lips annnnd it’s buildable, so you can adjust how dramatic the color is.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “I absolutely love the Wonderskin pHlush Stick! The color it creates when it reacts with my skin’s pH is beautiful and natural-looking — like a custom blush shade made just for me. One of my favorite things about this product is its versatility. I can use it on both my cheeks and lips, which makes it perfect for a quick, coordinated look. The formula is wonderfully moisturizing and glides on effortlessly without tugging or dragging. Unlike many cream blushes, it doesn’t leave any residue, feels completely non-sticky, and blends beautifully. It also has a very light, refreshing minty sensation that feels pleasant on the skin, and I appreciate that it’s essentially fragrance-free.” —EnGee
Get it from Amazon for $26.
E.l.f.’s Soft Glam Cream Blush Stick offers a satin, buildable finish that looks natural yet still gives you a defined pop. Bonus: it’s made with shea butter, so it’ll help give you a little extra hydration.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “Blends so smoothly. It melts into your skin. Not too pigmented but definitely buildable. Looks very natural. The staying power is excellent! I put it on at 6 a.m., and at 9 p.m., it’s still holding strong. Best bang for your buck.” —LAURA KASS
Get it from Amazon for $6.16+ (available in seven shades).
CoverGirl’s Jelly Water Tint was designed to give you a subtle pop of color for your lips *and* cheeks in a lightweight and nontransferable formula. You’ll love how easily you can give your face some rosy vibes, and with only one product.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “Great lip tint that’s buildable. It dries soft to the touch with no transfer. Lasts for hours! Can be drying on the lips, so I put a lip oil over this lip tint — the tint doesn’t budge or smear. I’m buying more of these!” —Abelle
Get it from Amazon for $7.50+ (available in six shades).
MagicMinerals’ AirBrush Foundation is basically a professional makeup artist in a bottle, and for under $20! Just spray some of this on the included brush and glide it over your skin to create a gorgeous and smooth layer.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “Bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. I love the lightweight feel of it and how easy it is to build.” —Smickens
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 12 shades).
Maykoo’s Freckle Stamp lets you participate in the cutie freckle trend without accidentally giving yourself unnatural-looking dots that have people wondering what you’ve got all over your face. Just dip this stamp into the powder and apply it wherever you wanna have simulated freckles.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “This is a great product. The color is beautiful, easy to apply, long-lasting on the skin, and easy to remove. I also see this product lasting a long time too and will be repurchasing again whenever needed.” —Andrea DiGanci
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four shades).
L’Oreal Paris Blurfiller Lip Liner lets you build up gorgeous color without drying or cracking. If you’ve been looking for a perfectly creamy matte finish, the search is over.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “I haven’t bothered with a lip liner in years, but this has become my new obsession. This liner is truly about the best I’ve ever used. It is creamy in texture and glides on with ease. After lining, I fill in my whole lip. I’ve been leaving my lip with just the liner, because the color is so pretty. I find that the liner lasts even after eating or drinking something. Of course, for added color depth, you’ll want to touch up. I highly recommend.” —Nancy
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in eight shades).