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Makeup, haircare, and skincare that are truly worth the buy.

Welcome to the 2026 Buzzy Awards! We here at BuzzFeed Shopping have been researching, vetting, and testing products for years. There are a lot of products out there, and it can be overwhelming to find the ones that are actually worth it and backed by (real) people who really stand behind them. We feel the same way, but we get to spend hours (upon hours) week in and week out poring over product listings, digging into reviews, looking into the little details, and trying things ourselves.

For our first-ever product awards, we have selected 100 tried-and-true products across a range of categories: beauty, gifting, home, pets, parenting, style, travel, and more, each that get the BuzzFeed Shopping stamp of approval.

What set this year's winners apart? They're beloved by reviewers, BuzzFeed Shopping staff, and our readers, and they solve everyday problems and bring a little bit of joy to day-to-day life.

Sunscreen touch-ups are important, especially when you're out and about under the hot sun all day. This invisible sunstick has broad-spectrum SPF 50+ and glides over your skin ("like silk," as one reviewer puts it) without messing up your makeup, so you can whip it out while you're at that music festival and reapply while you're literally walking to the next stage. And you can get it in a glowy or semi-matte finish! Plus, the curved design of the stick makes it glide around the contours of your face perfectly.

Staff review: "There's nothing more convenient than being able to whip out a sunscreen stick when you're out in the hot sun and can FEEL your exposed skin starting to burn, but don't feel like getting gloopy liquid all over your hands. I've been able to touch up spots on my face and arms without skipping a beat, and it's kept me from ending the day with a burn. I also love the semi-matte finish and that it doesn't leave you looking overly shiny." —Jenae Sitzes

Get it from Amazon, Sokoglam, or Abib for $16.27+.

It's packed with shea butter and other hydrating ingredients (and no fragrance!) to provide speedy relief for the driest, most chapped lips. When other balms or lip masks are simply not getting the job done, you can rely on this Aquaphor ointment to heal and soothe, even in the depths of winter.

Staff review: "I have put this lip balm on before I go to sleep Every! Single! Night! (without fail) for many years. It is desert island status. My collection of lip products is vast, and those fancy and fun tinted balms have their place in my routine, but nothing compares to you, Aquaphor, when it comes to serious relief. Parched lips from a long flight? Aquaphor. Tried a new drying lip pencil? Aquaphor. Chapped, cracking lips in bleak mid-January? Aquaphor." —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get a pack of two from Amazon, Target, Ulta, or CVS for $8.49+.

Whether you choose to slap it, bite it, shake it, or squeeze it, these butt masks are designed to help firm, smooth, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin on your ~behind~. Thanks to ingredients like caffeine, marine algae, collagen, and citrus, all you have to do is place the sheets on each cheek, wait 15 minutes, and then rub the excess product into your skin. Even skeptical reviewers walked away amazed at the results, saying they could see visibly hydrated skin after just one use!

Get a pack of two sheets from Amazon or Bawdy for $10 or a variety pack from Revolve for $40.

This curling iron may not stick out from a lineup amongst others, but it's a total game changer. Simply put the end of a strand of hair with the mini clamp and then press a button for the barrel to twist on its own. But! The speed is slow enough so it's not scary, but not so slow that you feel like you're wasting your time on this holy grail hair tool. The result? Consistent, even curls for barely any effort. And once you've done one side of your head, you simply press the button to go in the other direction!

Staff review: "I've used about every kind of hair styling tool on the planet and had given up on curling irons with clamps. I was fully a curling wand girlie because I'm adept at heat styling, and it gave me covetable mermaid waves I wanted. Then I tried The Beachwaver and haven't looked back since. I have them in two barrel sizes and can now zone out while I do my hair. The directional buttons for the tool are easy to use, and if I accidentally press the button for the opposite way in which I'd like the barrel to spin, it's a quick and easy correction. I try all sorts of products for my job, but this has quickly become one that I talk about all the time, whether or not I'm asked about it. If you can clamp a strand of hair and then press a button, you can handle this. *And* it has a 9-foot swivel cord for much easier maneuvering." —Elizabeth Lilly

TikTok-famous for a reason, these hydrogel masks deliver deep hydration, giving skin a plumper, firmer, glowy "glass skin" look while reducing the appearance of pores. Wear one for a few hours or overnight (yes, it'll stick to your face even if you toss and turn) — it'll turn transparent when your skin has soaked up all its goodness and it's time to remove and toss the mask.

Staff review: "Every so often, I need the confidence of some ethereal being glowing from within, and that’s the exact kind of energy these make me feel! I love wearing one overnight before a trip or big event to create a super smooth base for my makeup, orrr when I’ve been skipping my skincare and need a lil’ reset to remind my skin I love it. I’m pretty acne-prone, but they’ve never caused a breakout — just left me with an ultra-hydrated, radiant complexion that I swear lasts a week. Or maybe that’s the confidence talking, but either way, these ingredients have worked some wonders on my skin!" —Divinia Tarin

Get four masks from Amazon, Sephora, or Soko Glam for $19.

Snails and skincare: a match made in heaven.

This viral, hydrating Korean beauty serum has become a holy grail for many people with dry, sensitive skin, and it doesn't hurt that it's a gentler, cheaper alternative to many name-brand moisturizers and serums. It's effective on all skin types, and reviewers report seeing improvement after just a few uses! Acne scars, dark spots, and fine lines are about to meet their match. 

Staff review: "I have used this for years now and am O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D. Like, the TikTok hype is so warranted. I apply this as the first step in my skincare routine after washing my face, and my skin basically drinks it up. It's super lightweight, *doesn't* leave behind any sticky residue (despite what you might expect from a snail mucin serum), and it has a long-lasting hydrating effect! It makes such a good base for my thicker moisturizing cream and sunscreen." —Jenae Sitzes

Get it from Amazon, Ulta, or Soko Glam for $18.31+. 

This isn't your regular hairbrush. It's designed to glide easily through your hair and remove knots without making you cry, thanks to its firm yet bendable bristles. You can use it on wet or dry hair, and it has an easy-to-hold, sturdy shape so you don't have to worry about the handle snapping off when you're already racing against the clock to get ready in the morning. Plus, reviewers with all different hair types and textures have found this brush helpful for pain-free detangling. From people with curls to 4c hair to straight hair, this brush has been a winner for them all!

Staff review: "I do not have curly hair, but my thin, fine hair does get tangled ridiculously easily, and brushing it out with my old brush sometimes hurts like hell. The Crave Naturals brush definitely has some kind of magic in it, because brushing my hair has never been faster or easier! And I love the size and ergonomic shape of the brush, which is easy to grip in my small hands." —Jenae Sitzes

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors and two-packs).

User-friendly for extension-like results.

For what felt like eons, tubing mascaras were reserved for luxury beauty brands, and they were M.I.A. in the drugstore aisle. That's no longer the case thanks to this beaut. For the uninitiated, a tubing mascara wraps around your lashes in tubes that are then easy to remove with warm water later. It's totally buildable for an extensions-like look without worrying about how many actual eyelashes you'll lose during removal later. 

Staff review: "I 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, but it also comes in black and soft black." —Emma Lord

Get it from Amazon, Target, Ulta, or E.l.f. for $7+ (available in three colors).

A treat for your skin that'll have you smelling like dessert.

This viral lotion is lightweight, nongreasy, and provides 24-hour moisture, so your skin will feel gloriously smooth from morning to night. Ingredients like shea butter and shea oil, vitamin E, and glycerin team up beautifully, leaving your skin feeling as soft as silk, satin, velvet (...shall I continue? You get it.). This is a must for anyone who suffers from dry skin. Plus, the whipped vanilla scent is exquisite, so it's also a must for anyone who wants to smell like fresh-out-the-oven cupcakes.

Staff review: "I influenced myself to buy this after putting it in so many posts, and DAMN! I've really been missing out, I guess! When I say that this stuff is nongreasy, I mean this stuff does not feel greasy at all. As a morning shower-er, I need my lotions to absorb quickly so I'm not all slick and oily while I'm getting dressed before work. The feeling of slipping into pants with greasy, lotioned legs is a sensory experience that is just *gags*. This lotion feels thick and luxurious but soaks in pretty quickly, leaving behind only softness and a divine scent that lasts for hours. I'm not a vanilla-scented girlie, so I went with fresh + cozy, the perfect balance of sweet and musky. Trust me when I say that I will be buying more of these when I run out." —Melanie Aman

Get it from Amazon, Target, Ulta, or Eos for $10.79+.

Interior *and* exterior hair protection all in one.

You can easily toss the Hairbrella in your bag when rain is in the forecast. It's waterproof, so your hair will be protected from rain, humidity, and mist, and, because it's satin-lined, frizz, too! This gem also features an adjustable strap to ensure the perfect fit for any head shape and any level of hair thickness (so, no, no sneaky rain droplets will be getting through). AND it has a built-in pouch for easy packing. What's not to love?

Get it from Amazon or Hairbrella for $34+ (available in two sizes, two styles, and eight colors).

Tiny but mighty pimple-fighting warriors.

Yep, these hydrocolloid pimple patches help zits disappear overnight, but because they're MINI and nearly invisible (!!), they can do the dirty work and ditch those pesky zits during the day too. Unlike the original Mighty Patches, these are ultra-thin (10mm to be exact!) and feature tapered edges to help the patch blend better with your skin so you can rock 'em outside your home without a care in the world. Bonus points! They also prevent picking and acne scarring. Simply apply the patch directly over your pimples, leave it on for at least six hours, and the rest is history. 

Staff review: "I have tried both the OG Mighty Patches and the Invisible+ versions, and I do see the difference! Upon first putting them on, I immediately noticed that they are much thinner and don't have that overall matte look that makes the originals not-so-invisible all the time. The tiny size and the tapered edges really help it go incognito, too. The gunk from my zits did become obvious after a couple of hours, but that just means that the patch is doing its job! I'll toss one of these on before a night out if I notice a little zit on its way in, and 9/10 times it's completely shrunk by morning." —Amanda Davis

Get a pack of 30 from Amazon, Target, Ulta, or Hero Cosmetics for $13.22+.

If you're part of the sweaty-all-the-time club (*raises hand emphatically*), this K-beauty powder is here to help control the shine on your face caused by excess oil production. Just dab the lil' puff over your beat to help set your makeup in place for hours. Bonus points for the included hyaluronic acid that helps keep skin moisturized and not dried out, like can happen with other setting powders. Plus, it's refillable!

Staff review: "I am a sweaty girl (especially during the summer) and living in NYC, riding the subway everywhere, and dealing with heat wave after heat wave has meant I’ve been sporting a perpetual sweat stache. I saw the girlies on TikTok raving about Laneige’s Neo Blurring Powder and instantly knew I wanted to try it out. I was already a big fan of everything else Laneige (some faves: their Water Sleeping Mask and their Bouncy & Firm Radiance Boosting Serum), so it was a no-brainer. I pat this on over my skin tint + cream blush combo and am able to go about my day without looking like I walked through a sprinkler!!! I love that the formula is super fine and has a semi-matte finish, so I don’t have to worry about looking oily/overly shiny, but it’s also not super drying. The packaging — with an included velvet puff and mirror — also makes it very easy to use on the go." —Chelsea Stuart

Get it from Amazon, Sephora, or Laneige for $22.50+. 

This dermatologist-recommended, fragrance-free moisturizer helps repair your skin barrier within one hour and provides deep hydration for up to 48 hours. It'll basically be your sword in the battle against dry skin during the colder months. Bonus: It's available with SPF 30!

Staff review: "I've been using this as my everyday moisturizer with SPF for quite some time now, and I genuinely love how it feels on my skin. It sinks right in immediately and makes my skin look so hydrated (no white cast). I have super sensitive skin, and La Roche-Posay is one of those brands I keep going back to because their products haven't caused any irritation or breakouts." —Jenae Sitzes

Get it from Amazon, Target, Ulta, or Dermstore for $11.49+ (available in two sizes).

These gorgeous sheer concealer shades give your nails a chic, natural look that's trendy yet timeless — and way less expensive than a trip to the salon. Reviewers love it because it hides any unwanted yellow tint and helps give brittle nails a smooth appearance. Containing biotin and a combination of botanical oils and vitamins, the formula helps to actually nourish and strengthen nails, while also giving them a stylish look. Reviewers also love how buildable the polish is, so you can tailor the color to your liking. 

Btw, Londontown is a woman-owned small business that specializes in nail care.

Staff review: "I would definitely consider myself a minimalist when it comes to nails — it's rare that I'm rocking anything more elaborate than a simple DIY polish, if anything. I love Londontown's illuminating nail concealer because it gives your nails this really gorgeous, natural wash of color that makes them look healthy and glowy. And you don't need a base or top coat, so it's perfect for working into a low-maintenance routine!" —Jenae Sitzes

Get it from Amazon, Nordstrom, Ulta, or Londontown for $20 (available in six shades).

These pads are designed to reduce the appearance of pores, blackheads, and excess oil and sebum with a winning formula containing AHAs and BHAs that reviewers say is still gentle on the skin. And they couldn't be any easier to use: Simply swipe the pad across your face with the soft side, then the textured side for exfoliation. Let it absorb into your skin while you take a minute to relax and enjoy the calming lavender scent.

Staff review: "These have changed the chemical exfoliating game for me. Honestly? I'm kicking myself for not trying this sooner, when they've had TikTok hype for years now. I'd been using leave-on serums and peeling masks that left my skin red and irritated afterward, and I wanted to find something gentler and easier to incorporate into my routine. Enter these swipe-on pads that are packed with BHAs and AHAs (aka, acids that can dissolve dead skin cells and actually clean inside oil glands and pores). They still provide all the glowy smoothness I want from a chemical exfoliant, but *never* leave me red and irritated. The best part? The solution the pads are soaked in dries super quickly once applied to the skin, so I can layer on some hydrating essences and serums afterward to hydrate." —Daniel Boan

Get 70 pads from Amazon, Target, Ulta, or Medicube for $18.90+.

A clean-clean feeling without any charging.

If "I'm not like all the other girls" was a toothbrush, it would be *this* toothbrush. Even if you've given up on the manual type, this beaut is worth giving a spin during your hygiene routine because it's made with soft polyester bristles and "flossing" bristles that are 10x thinner than regular bristles. They aren't a replacement for flossing (you should still do that), but they leave a much cleaner path for post-brushing flossing. 

Staff review: "I've been using these for a while, and I love them! I usually use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I get a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. I've switched to using this in the morning and the electric one at night, and I definitely see a difference in that area in particular." —Emma Lord

Get them from Amazon, Walmart, or Mouthwatchers for $9.99+.  

No, it's not overhyped — your makeup is stayin' PUT. 

This TikTok and Instagram-viral setting spray seals your look like Rose on that door in Titanic — totally unwavering. Whether your go-to is a one-step concealer or full glam, this amazing transfer-proof and sweatproof spray provides the perfect mattifying finish. MUAs love it, and I may or may not have gotten stuck in a TikTok loophole of folks coming out of the pool with makeup completely intact. I'm in awe!

Staff review: "Have you seen the videos where people spray this stuff on their full face of makeup, dunk their head underwater, and then emerge without one smear of mascara in sight?? Well, that's what convinced me to give this stuff a try — and here I am still using it about a year later. It really is THAT good. As a very sweaty girl (especially in the summer), I was always in search of a way to keep my makeup from melting down my face. This setting spray has kept it fully in tact during nights out with friends, busy days of running errands (including going to the gym), and even long hangouts by the pool. If I know I'm going to have a long day and I don't want my makeup to budge, then this is what I use. I have even bought the travel size for my trips. I know it's pricey, so I do usually keep a cheaper setting spray on my vanity too for more chill days, but that's mostly just because I get so sad when my One/Size setting spray runs out!" —Kayla Boyd

Get it from Sephora or One Size for $34 (also available in a travel size). 

There's actually no better compliment to receive than, "You smell good," and if you're part of the camp that would like to receive said compliment on the daily, Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa fragrances are pretty much guaranteed to help you achieve that goal. Choose from a variety of scent varietals — 68 (notes of pink dragonfruit and ocean air), 40 (notes of black plum and jasmine), or the classic 62 (notes of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla), to name a few. Whichever one you decide to pick up, reviewers confirm, you'll be drenched in good smells and endless compliments with this in your perfume arsenal. 

Staff review: "I picked up both the 48 and 62 scents a while back, and I can confirm, the smells are so good, I have to fight the urge not to pop the cap and drink the thing straight. The classic 62 just smells like summer in a bottle (think: beach lounging with a bevvy in hand and the sun warming your skin), and the 48, with notes of guava nectar and orchid, has that just perfectly sweetened note that evokes a memory of sugar warming on a stove. Delicious isn't strong enough of a word." —Courtney Cummings

Get it from Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, or Sol de Janeiro for $39 (also available in a mini size).

BuzzFeed hopping 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.