20 Exceptional Beauty Products Worth Every Last Drop

A sunless tanner, personalized blush, and more elite finds that'll earn their keep and stay out of the graveyard of half-used products under your sink.

1. A tub of rejuvenating eye cream to tighten, brighten, and lift those tired eyes and make it look like you actually got enough sleep and didn't stay up late rewatching The Office...again.

Promising review: "I never ever write reviews. I have tried every eye cream out there. Not one does what is says. This was immediate! I saw softening of my wrinkles and crow's feet. It’s amazing. I will be buying this again and again." 

2. An easy-to-use collagen-coating hair mask so it looks like your hair hasn't undergone years of abuse at the hands of bleach and blow-dryers.

Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it "the miracle product I've been searching for."

Promising review: "I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it; that wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was very skeptical about this product because I have never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy was I wrong to doubt this product, it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone natural or with curly hair." 

3. A paraben-free self-tanner for getting that sun-kissed glow even if there is approximately zero time in your schedule for sun-bathing — you can expect results in just one hour! The mouse texture is applies evenly and doesn't have that *distinct* smell you've likely experienced with other sunless tanners. 

Promising review: “If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quick, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I’ve used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!” 

4. A cruelty-free eyeshadow primer because with all the hard work you spent on that smoky eye, you should be able to enjoy it all day without smudging or creasing.

 

Promising review: "This is the best eyeshadow primer I have ever purchased! I was on the fence as other primers have left my eyes feeling sticky or heavy, and after long periods of time I still tend to get creases. Not with this primer. A little goes a long way with this primer. It lasts all day, and I have even gone to work a few times still wearing 'last night's makeup' because it holds so well. I am amazed with the quality for the price — and even though the tube is small it has lasted me a little over a year since I only have to use such small amounts."

5. A coconut-scented nail strengthening cream if you hate deciding between eye-popping manicure prices or sporting short, brittle nails that are constantly chipping. Fortunately, there's a third option! This non-greasy formula is packed with calcium, moisturizing oils, and vitamins to strengthen nails and condition cuticles. 

Promising review: "So my grandmother told me about this product when I was young, about 20 years ago or so. I use it all the time! THIS STUFF WORKS! It works really well too. My nails grow really long in a few weeks and I get to decide when to cut them off. Women ask me about them all the time, 'How do you get such white nail tips?' Well, it's because of this." 

6. A lightweight sun milk that delivers a silky smooth layer of SPF 50+ protection without the long dry times, white cast, and greasy texture. It's *the* ideal option for everyday wear under makeup. Yes, even a full face of foundation!!

In the photos above, you can see a reviewer before applying the sun milk, after application, and how the product looks under makeup.

Promising review: "Can I give it 10 stars? This sunblock is amazing! I put this on right before my makeup and don’t have to reapply even when I’m outside all day. I personally like the matte version but have tried the others and they all provide the same great protection."

7. A non-aerosol dry shampoo powder packed in a travel-friendly compact to prolong wash day and revive greasy locks so you can basically roll right out of bed and into the office and STILL have coworkers complimenting your fabulous hair. 

Promising review: "I am so glad I gave this product a try, as it works amazingly well on my fine, oily hair. I have used just about every dry shampoo product on the market, and this is by far the best one yet. My hair looks beautiful, and I can now go nearly a week without washing (while still having absolutely gorgeous hair)! I used to have to wash my hair every other day when I was using my former favorite dry shampoo (and it made my scalp itch on day two). This product is definitely worth a try, it may soon be your favorite!" 

8. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel so you can quickly remove years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without endless scraping and scrubbing. I'd start picking out a new pair of sandals STAT! 

Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for five to 10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.

Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again. BUT please follow the directions...left it on my super-dry thick-callused heels for only three minutes and the callouses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore."

9. A hydrating snail mucin repairing essence for soothing *all* skin types (reviewers love how gentle it is) with the potential to help heal acne scars, fade dark spots, and smooth fine lines...all for under $20!! 

Promising review: "My skin dries out severely during the winter all the time, and I have to constantly use Vaseline to keep it moisturized (normal cream doesn't work on me). Imagine my surprise when my SO tried to put snail goo on me, eww!! I resisted for weeks refusing to use this product as she constantly vouched for its abilities. After a month I finally gave in, and boy it is amazing! My hands feel more moisturized than ever for longer and it doesn't leave a disgusting greasy feel as Vaseline. Take it from a once nonbeliever, you have to try this. Even if it doesn't work for you, you paid a fraction of what you would've paid for any other name-brand moisturizers." 

10. An anti-bacterial butt acne-clearing lotion made with tea tree oil because swimsuit season is upon us and your booty deserves the same blemish-busting TLC as your face. Sun's out, bum's out, amiright?

Apply this gentle treatment 3–4 times a day, or 4–6 times if the situation is more serious. 

Promising review: "This product really is effective! Immediately, I noticed softer and smoother skin. After multiple uses the bumps and redness started to improve as well! It has a great smell, is easy to apply like lotion, and doesn’t leave any sticky or unsatisfying residue. I will most definitely continue to use the product!" 

11. A gluten- and cruelty-free lengthening mascara if you're tired of getting excited about mascaras that never live up to their promises. This one is different — or at least according to the 231,000+ 5-star ratings.

 "As someone who isn't a big fan of false lashes (the glue irritates my eyes and I'm terrible at applying them) this budget-friendly holy grail does the trick for both lengthening and volumizing my lashes. After you've given it a minute to dry, it lasts all day long and doesn't smudge or fade. It seriously gives the effect of false lashes, without the discomfort." 

12. A hydrating lip-plumping gloss that'll have you doing a double take in the mirror. Are those my lips or Angelina Jolie's signature pout?! The set is complete with a minty sleeping mask, so you can give your lips the VIP treatment day and night. 

You'll get one lip plumper and one minty sleeping mask for your lips.

Promising review: "I loved this stuff, it was magic. The evening moisturizer was fabulous. It is the first plumper that actually works for me. Will be buying more for gifts!!!!!"

13. A cruelty-free coffee face scrub blended with shea butter and antibacterial ingredients like tea tree and rosemary oil, so you can ward off acne and buff away bumps without that dry, tight feeling afterward.  It's made from up-cycled coffee grounds sourced from London cafes, so you can pat yourself on the back for doing something good for your skin and the planet! 

Promising review: "This coffee scrub is by far one of the best I've ever had. You can just tell by the way is feels on your face that it's entirely natural and good for your skin (and your soul!) I love the fact that I can get rid of unwanted blackheads without feeling like I'm sucking all the moisture out of my skin. And it's made up of repurposed coffee grounds which is such a great way of being more sustainable in your everyday life!"

14. A color-changing BYO Blush Oil to skip the "What color blush matches my skin?" phase and go straight to the "Wow, I look gooooddd!" part. This formula reacts to the pH of your skin, giving you a personalized look without any extra work.

Youthforia is an Asian woman-owned small business established in 2020 that specializes in environmentally friendly, cruelty-free makeup made with at least 90% renewable ingredients.

Fun fact: All of Youthforia's makeup is designed with ingredients that won't muck up your skin if you sleep with it on! 

Promising review: "This blush product is awesome. For me it only takes two very small dabs on both cheeks for desired result. I also dab on my lips for a great under-color base! I hope they never stop making this product!"

15. A box of Mighty Patch pimple patches containing hydrocolloid so you can stop that zit dead in its tracks with gunk-absorbing powers that speed up the pimple healing process. The sticker format can also help prevent you from habitual picking or popping. 

BuzzFeed Shopping's Ciera Velarde says: "I've used this specific brand for years now and have found them to be the best at reducing the size and redness of breakouts! Whenever I notice a zit popping up, I put one of these one right before bed, and it stays put all night, even when I toss and turn a lot. By morning, it's much less noticeable and is practically nonexistent when I cover the zit with makeup. It's such a great practically zero-effort way to treat blemishes!"

16. And a Hero Cosmetics post-blemish rescue balm for after the big pop to soothe irritation before a long-lasting scar sets up shop on your face. Simply pat your pimple with this gentle, nonirritating formula to relieve dryness, calm angry redness, and help reduce hyperpigmentation. 

Promising review: "This product is great. It definitely speeds the healing process and minimizes the appearance of active pimples, but I am finding it is doing a good job of addressing older scars as well. I have been using this product in conjunction with CeraVe foaming acne wash, and my hormonal cystic acne is almost cleared up (after only a week), and the scars from previous breakouts are less visible. After batting hormonal cystic acne for years, this seems to be the winning combination." 

17. A lightweight blurring primer because pores are like potholes that slow down the journey to your fiercest makeup looks. Repave the roads with this velvety layer, packed with hydrating green tea extracts and soluble collagen to help minimize wrinkles and pores so the rest of your makeup goes on smooth as buttah. 

Promising review: "I wanted to give this product 10 stars but was only limited to five :( This stuff is AMAZING!!!! I'm almost 30 and my face has become super oily — like I can fry chicken on it by the end of the day. So for months I've neglected wearing any kind of foundation or makeup in general. After reading reviews I figured I would give this a try. The glow it gives you is AWESOME!!! It makes my skin so soft. I'm probably going to wear just this and no foundation 50% of the time. After the Texas heat...and the sun..and amounts of sweat...my face was PERFECT...STILL! No oil...no smears...no pores...This is literally sent from heaven!!!! My ONLY dislike is the fact that you can't purchase this in 5-gallon buckets!"

18. A L'Oreal temporary root cover-up spray if stray grays are starting to creep up quicker than your next salon appointment. Just spray on the fast-drying formula for quick, seamless coverage that'll last until your next shampoo. 

Promising review: "I cannot live without! Let's just say my grays are becoming more aggressive and it's just not possible to avoid them in between colorings. I've used both the dark brown and black depending on how dark my base color is and it works great. Never had an issue with color matching and it stays in until you wash. Easy to apply, just use caution near the hairline — wipes off skin easily but you wouldn't want to miss it haha." 

19. A multi-tasking, plant-powered vitamin C serum with over 92,000 5-star ratings that can help minimize the appearance of a long list of skin woes like dark circles, sun spots, redness, and even breakouts. 

Promising review: "This stuff is amazing! I am 39 and have dark spots in my face from sun damage and some scarring from cystic acne. Holy cow, this has lightened my dark spots by at least 75%. Honestly a miracle. And for the price! Other brands are four times the price. Try this out for sure. Stick to it and give it some time. I saw an amazing difference, so so happy with it. Also, some of the best customer service I’ve ever had."

20. A splurge-worthy Elta MD tinted sunscreen to save your sensitive skin from being drowned in layers of product. This oil- and fragrance-free formula offers top-notch protection from harmful UV rays with a light tint so you can skip the rest of your makeup altogether, if you want. 

Promising review: "Obsessed with the formula for this product. The skin tint color is neutral for fair-tan skin tones and blends seamlessly. The only sunscreen that doesn’t irritate my sensitive/acne-prone skin. There’s a good amount of product in each tube and last quite a long time! I can’t go a day without it!" 

21. A bestselling tightening cream so you can join the legions of reviewers who have given it 5 stars for its visible results and delicious scent. It's infused with caffeine, coconut oil, and guarana extract to firm and smooth skin while adding a little shimmer. 

Promising review: "I am 60 and I could not get rid of the cellulite on my legs. I started using this product six weeks ago and can noticeably see a difference. I apply morning and evening, before bed for optimal results. It goes on smooth and has a creamy, nonsticky feel. The smell is dreamy, and even my husband has commented on the improvement. Make sure you apply in a circular motion for optimal coverage, absorption and circulation."

22. A vegan exfoliating body scrub for anyone who struggles with persistent KP. This buffs away bumps by combining the benefits of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion into one gentle, at-home treatment. Just in time for tank top season! 

Promising review: "I bought this after discovering that my ingrown leg hairs weren't actually ingrown hairs, but KP. This product was very well reviewed and although I avoid gritty scrubs because of my sensitive skin, I thought I'd give it a try. Wow. I haven't even finished the first tube and I'm seeing some amazing results just using twice a week. I am very impressed. This stuff really works. So happy to have beach-ready legs this summer!"