buzzfeed Press
Even People Who Describe Themselves As “Picky” Love These 33 Makeup Products
Images
BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More “I am extremely picky when it comes to primers and this one takes the cake. Will probably be my holy grail from here on out.” —reviewer. Oh, say less. I am a contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer based in the DC/Maryland area who loves glitter, Marvel, Beyoncé, pink, wine, traveling, all things beauty and fashion, and shopping, of course! Promising reviews: "I am not a morning person, but have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. I don't use a lot of makeup, but mascara is one of the two things I never go without. I have been having trouble even with some of my go-to brands, with the mascara not staying put in the humidity. I read a review about this mascara and decided to give it a go. I love it! The 'tubing' effect gives me noticeable, lovely lashes, and it stays put all day. However, it is by far the easiest I have used in years to get rid of when it's time. One swipe with a cleansing wipe seems to get all the little tubes off — I no longer wake up with residual raccoon eyes even after cleansing at night." —cmp "I love this Elf mascara. I have sensitive eyes, so when it comes to mascara, I'm very picky. This mascara doesn't smudge and is easy to take off." —Vane Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in three shades). Promising review: "I’m super picky about lipgloss because I hate when it's really sticky or leaves my lips dry. This is so hydrating and it feels like butter over your lips. Can’t go wrong with it." —Paul+Katie Get it from Amazon for $13.30+ (available in 11 scents/shades and in a bundle). Promising reviews: "I am extremely picky when it comes to primers and this one takes the cake. Will probably be my holy grail from here on out." —Jade "This is THE BEST primer I’ve ever tried! It’s so hydrating and sticky, and makes my makeup last all day long without even having to touch it up. I will be repurchasing forever." —Emily McArthur Promising review: "I am so picky when it comes to any type of 'face' makeup. I worry about too much texture, fine lines, and cakeiness. This product is so lightweight, sheer, and yet, has lovely coverage. I don’t even use foundation anymore." —Michele Mitchell Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in four shades, two sizes, and in two-packs). Promising review: "I am a picky makeup lover. I have tried many eyebrow pencils because I have very thin, patchy eyebrows. I have high-end eyebrow pencils that don't work as well as this one. The color is great and buildable to my liking. Easy to apply and easy to clean up mistakes. Usually after 8 hours, touch up is minimal. When my hair is down, my hair tends to remove product." —KP Get it from Amazon for $10.75+ (available in 12 shades). Promising reviews: "MAC lip liners are hands down the best lip liners. I have tried others from both drugstore and high-end brands, but nothing comes close. They apply so smoothly and effortlessly, and are very long-wearing. You can blend them easily with lipstick or gloss as well. GREAT product." —Lily "I'm very picky about my 'neutral pinks' and this is the perfect one. Not too light that it doesn't show up, and not too dark that you can't pair it with a nude lipstick or gloss." —CJord Get it from Ulta for $25 (available in 28 shades). Promising review: "This blush is stunning! I’m picky about my blush, and when I went to Ulta I saw this color and wanted it, but it was out of stock. So I went on Amazon and ordered it and it’s my favorite blush. I use it all the time. The formula is very soft and blends amazingly! It does have a little bit of shimmer, but I love it!" —Rachel Wertz Get it from Amazon for $9.54+ (available in 12 shades). Promising review: "I’m picky with blenders and don’t like them being too firm. This one is perfect. I’ve used these ones for over 10 years and will continue to do so. I wish they had more fun color options, but I can’t complain!" —Rebecca Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in nine colors and a two-pack). I love love love this stufffff, omg. My skin is *extremely* oily, and I have spent my entire teen/adult life looking for products that'll make me matte, and KEEP me matte. I've tried so many setting powders, and literally none can compete with this one. I mean, pores? Nonexistent. Oily shiny face? Not up in here. I'm gagged every time. Just call me a walking IG filter, it's that good. I love how it keeps me matte without making me look like a corpse in a casket. It's like, a natural skin-like matte. Patrick, I could kiss you for crafting this magical powder. *OH!* and BTW, I am a Black woman, and the translucent, ultra peach, sweet honey, and ultra pink shades all work perfectly for me. No cakey, weird, suuuper light powder, no flashback, nothing. Looks just like my skin!! One/Size is a queer, Filipino-owned business founded by makeup guru Patrick Starr to ensure that makeup is really one size fits all, as it should be. Promising review: "I’m picky with my powder because I have combination skin, and despite being oily in some places, I’ve found that most powders emphasize my dry patches. This one doesn’t! It lasts and keeps my makeup in place." —phia25 Get it from Sephora for $19+ (available in two sizes and seven finishes). Promising review: "Omg. I am so picky and own so many products like this, but out of ALL high-end and drugstore brands, this is the most stunning on my skin!!!" —Donna Cohen Get it from Amazon for $7.50+ (available in 15 shades). Promising review: "I got the Laguna mini bronzer as my birthday reward from Sephora. Instantly wanted to buy, and I’m very picky with my products. It was a nice bronzer for my skin tone! One I’ve been looking for for some time. I’ve tried the Marc Jacobs bronzer, which was too dark, and the Charlotte Tilbury bronzer, which I wasn't the biggest fan of, but this was perfect. I’m excited to use it!" —Meg0414 Get it from Sephora for $21+ (available in two sizes and seven shades). Promising review: "This deserves six stars. It's great, amazing even. It sits well on my face, melts into my skin, and I just look good with it on. I'm extremely picky with concealer, and this one has the perfect finish and consistency." —LalaMyriam7 Get it from Sephora for $32 (available in 31 shades). Promising review: "I am super picky when it comes to foundation. I like a light to medium coverage, barely there feel with a perfect color match. This is it! This brand wasn’t even on my radar, but the sales associate led me to it when I explained what I was looking for, and I’m so happy I went home with it. Great for travel, too." —Ilolla Get it from Sephora for $39 (available in 20 shades). The color-adaptive formula is designed so that one of the four shades will work on any skin tone. Promising review: "After reading the reviews for this product, I decided to buy it. The price point was doable and I thought I'd try something different. I really like the texture, I first applied it with my finger. I used it the next day and applied it with a makeup brush. It really helped me to cover up my dark circles under my eyes. I applied it in the morning and it stayed on all day! I'm extremely sensitive to smell, and I'm happy to report that I didn't notice a smell.👏 I will definitely buy it again, and I am the type of person that is hard to please, very picky! It also works as an eyeshadow primer — I just applied a taupe color on top and that stayed on all day, too. I didn't notice any creasing either, which was a pleasant surprise. I will definitely buy again." —Brenda Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). Promising review: "I am super picky when choosing mascaras and usually opt for the expensive brands, but I tried this once and WOW, was I impressed!!!!! Took a few layers to get the false lash effect, but omg, was I surprised! It's literally gorgeous! Does not clump, and makes lashes appear longer and thicker!" —CB Get it from Amazon for $4.97+ (available in four shades and in three-packs). You'll get one lip plumper and one minty lip sleeping mask. Promising review: "I am a very picky person when it comes to lip oils. This leaves my lips perfectly smooth and shiny. I received so many compliments. It also plumps better than high-end brands. Definitely purchasing again." —Andrea Gallardo Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in two styles/colors). Promising review: "If you are on the fence, just try it!!! I typically do not use drugstore brands, and I am rather picky when it comes to makeup. I recently tried this brightening concealer that everyone is raving about — literally so good! So soft and smooth, and did not feel dry. It is the perfect combination of brightening with a bit of light coverage! Super pretty!" —N.Johnson "How am I just now using this amazing concealer? I have horrible dark circles, and this is my miracle worker! This literally blends away any dark bags under my eyes like it has some sort of magical sorcery mixed in it." —Myranda Z. Get it from Amazon for $8.67+ (available in 23 shades). Promising review: "I’m super picky about products, so I don’t say this lightly: this stuff is amazing. It offers glowy warmth to the skin, but the best part about it, and what sets it apart, is it provides coverage and blurs pores. The formula is on point, and the shade light/medium is very slightly cool toned, so it does not look orange at all on my fair-light skin. It’s sheer, so don’t be afraid to go a bit deeper if the undertone would be better for you. I really hope he [Mario] makes foundation shades in this same formula." —jessibean Get it from Sephora for $34 (available in six shades). Promising reviews: "Really like this balm. Applies smoothly, is not drying or sticky, and the color I end up with is a more toned down, slightly darker pink, which I'm happy with. The shimmer is very subtle, more of a soft glow, that's really pretty. Good stuff. Will purchase again." —HCDG "Love this lip balm! I’m very picky when it comes to lip balms/lipstick. This balm adds a little color to my lips, goes on smooth, and doesn’t taste horrible." —Jennifer E Get it from Amazon for $11.90+ (available in eight shades and in two-packs). Promising review: "10/10 would recommend. I’m super picky when it comes to my eyeliner (I’m a makeup artist) and this is the BOMB. Literally doesn’t move all day long." —Isabella Ciccone Get it from Amazon for $9.66+ (available in six colors and a two-pack). Promising review: "I’m super picky about what I use for my foundation. My skin is super textured, so the applicator really does make a difference for me, personally. I used it to spread my foundation and stippled it in, and my foundation went on beautifully." —Anida Vee Promising review: "I'm a little picky with heavy pigmented blushes, but this??? Absolutely perfect. It blends beautifully and you only need the tiniest bit of it. 100% would buy again. It's currently my new favorite blush!!!" —rebbieee Get it from Sephora for $16+ (available in two sizes, 11 radiant shades, and three matte shades). Check out a TikToker applying the foundation. Promising review: "I don’t write reviews very often, but I had to share my thoughts on this one. I am so picky when it comes to foundation, but this one has surpassed all my expectations. It doesn’t feel cakey at all, but still provides great coverage. It is so light on the skin that I barely even realize it's there. My glasses don’t rub it off my nose, which is a GAME CHANGER. It also matches my skin tone in a way other foundations just haven’t been able to. I am never going back now." —Anna Burton Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes, 39 shades, and in two-packs). Promising review: "This is THE best lash brand! I’m super picky about lashes and was disappointed when my first choice discontinued, until I found Keyyou! I’ve purchased several different styles and all of them are efficient, and super easy to apply. You can’t even tell they are on and I always get compliments on them! People usually think they are my real lashes until they find out otherwise, and they’re always surprised to learn I do them myself! They are soft and seamless! The glue works well, too!" —Jessica Lay Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in a variety of sizes styles/kits). Promising review: "I had this in my cart for several months and finally needed to replace my old mascara. WOW! I absolutely love this stuff. I’m picky and have sensitive eyes so I’m very meticulous when I choose eye makeup. This stuff is awesome. Makes my lashes look amazing, never clumps, isn't itchy, I love the brush (it gets all of my lashes), and it comes off super easily when I shower, but doesn’t smudge during the day. This is now my go-to!" —JS Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in 10 shades and in two-packs). Promising review: "My favorite concealer, and I've tried many! It works great, lasts well, even without setting powder, and looks very natural — not cakey at all! I am very picky about concealer, but this one just works well for me!" —kaykaye Get it from Sephora for $36 (available in 29 shades). Just got this in "Coco Cacao" and "Pineapple Pout," and I'm obsessed with how juicy and hydrated my lips feel, even after the oil has worn down at the end of the day. They're also stunning with or without lip liner. 911, please help my wallet, cuz I fear that I need one in each shade. I know I'm late to the lip oil party, but omg, this is definitely gonna be a go-to. Promising review: "I’m super picky with lipsticks and glosses. This product has a lot of staying power, and the color is great. Not sticky, just hydrating and smoothing." —momwithtaste Get it from Sephora for $28 (available in two finishes and 12 shades). 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 $8 (available in six shades). Promising reviews: "I absolutely looooooooove this product. It’s definitely long lasting, lasts me all day. I’m a retail manager who works 10–12 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 $25+ (available in three sizes). Check it out on TikTok! It's literally giving skin. Promising review: "I love this skin tint so much! I'm very picky about these products and this one surprised me. It feels like I'm wearing nothing, and makes my skin feel so hydrated and glowing! Will definitely be repurchasing. ☺️" —Kati K Get it from Ulta for $34 (available in 24 shades). Promising review: "I’m super picky about my mascara, and ever since I started using this one I haven’t used any other. I just love the volume it adds to my lashes. It feels super light on your lashes, and doesn’t clump together or look chunky, which I love. The mascara itself goes quite a long way, too. Plus, the tube is fairly large." —Serenity1211 Get it from Amazon for $13.60+ (available in two sizes and three shades). Promising review: "I’m very picky about my lip gloss and these excel. I have tried a zillion glosses, and will buy these repeatedly. I bought three colors, all of which are gorgeous and the textures — PERFECTION. Lasts too! Love em!" —J. Henderson Get it from Amazon for $10.64+ (available in 15 shades). * "I've Gone Through Four Bottles Now": 30 K-Beauty Products That'll Make You Wonder Why You Waited So Long To Try Them * TikTok-Famous Beauty Products Reviewers Say They’ll Buy Again * Beauty Items With Such Jaw-Dropping Results, You’ll Be Fully Convinced A Witch Invented Them * Makeup Products Reviewers Actually Go Back To Time And Time Again * Beauty Products That'll Make You Think, "Why Didn't I Start Buying This Years Ago?" Plus, lip stains and finds from Sephora, Tarte, and Walmart. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.