25 Essential Products to Begin 2025 Like You’re a Makeup Pro

1. The Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer — the magic potion that’ll have you thanking it after a long day, with your makeup still looking flawless. This pore-refining gem (with SPF 30!) smooths over your skin, giving you a silky-smooth complexion, and keeps your makeup firmly in place, even through the toughest conditions. Users rave about how well it absorbs, how foundation glides on top, and how their glam stays put, rain or shine. Plus, it comes in four different formulas tailored to your needs.

2. This fan-favorite Maybelline "Fit Me" Matte Foundation offers an incredible range of 40 (!!) shades, so you’re sure to find your ideal match. With its lightweight, breathable formula, it blends effortlessly and provides buildable coverage, all while minimizing pores to create a smooth, natural matte finish. And the best part? It’s oil-free, meaning no clogged pores!

3. Grab a tube of Glossier Boy Brow for textured, voluminous brows without any stiffness or flaking. Simply apply it like mascara, and you’ll effortlessly achieve chic brows, just like Lily Collins.

4. An under-eye brightener that helps neutralize bluish undertones and dark circles. Bonus: It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to hydrate and leave your skin glowing. Use it solo or as a base under your concealer for a more full-coverage finish!

5. And Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer with a cushion applicator that makes it easy for you to conceal any blemishes or dark circles before you head out for another day of making the world believe you totally did not stay up marathoning your latest Netflix obsession.

6. A popular long-lasting eyeliner stamp so that the nemesis of your makeup routine is no longer such a hard step. Say goodbye to wasting all your cotton balls (and all those extra minutes you could've used making your coffee) on failed attempts at a flawless eyeliner flick. This stamp will do it for you!

7. A vibrant liquid blush that's sure to earn a permanent spot in the makeup bag of all the blush-loving beauties out there. Its lightweight formula blends like a dream *and* it's got a built-in sponge for precise and easy application. And bonus! It's infused with antioxidant vitamin C to help hydrate and brighten the skin, all while making you look pretty as a doll. 🩷

8. Or a reviewer-beloved Soft Pinch Liquid Blush from Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty because a natural, glowy, baby pink look is gorgeous year-round. This delivers long-lasting, buildable pigment in either a dewy or matte finish and will lend you a healthy lil' flush — which you'll *especially* love if you're already counting down the days until you can lay out in the sun again. 

9. This Neutrogena makeup-correcting stick lets you easily clean up smudged eyeliner or mascara, helping you avoid the anxiety of making a mistake during your beauty routine. It's more hygienic than using your fingers and a more eco-friendly alternative to cotton swabs!

10. A waterproof, crease-resistant R.E.M. Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow, the same product that Sabrina Carpenter’s makeup artist uses to achieve her radiant look. This luxurious liquid gel formula is lightweight, smooth, and fluffy, offering high pigment and full coverage. Ariana Grande also slayed with this one. 😍

11. This foundation brush is a must-have for makeup lovers, no matter your skill level. It strikes the perfect balance between soft and firm, allowing you to achieve a flawless finish whether you're using powder or liquid formulas. Plus, many users rave about how easy the bristle design is to use, especially for beginners.

12. A light, sheer-tinted BB cream perfect for those who prefer an easier-to-blend alternative to full coverage foundation. This oil-free formula offers even coverage while controlling shine and calming redness. Plus, it contains a touch of salicylic acid to help with acne treatment!

13. People are raving about the E.l.f. Halo Glow Beauty Wand for giving them a gorgeous, lit-from-within glow that’s sure to earn you compliments. This lightweight, buildable formula is packed with hydrating squalane for a dewy, radiant finish. Plus, the cushion tip ensures you can easily apply it to your face’s high points with precision.

14. Essence Lash Princess mascara that effortlessly lengthens your lashes for a sky-high look. It provides massive volume without the clumps, and has amazed reviewers with how full it leaves lashes, even when compared to more expensive brands. It’s a fan favorite for good reason!

15. For those seeking a touch of glam, check out these reusable magnetic lashes that will have you capturing attention with every blink. No more dealing with messy glue or wasted lashes — these beauties attach seamlessly to the included eyeliner, making glue a thing of the past!

16. Upgrade your makeup game with an 18-piece brush set that'll have you applying makeup like a seasoned expert. These brushes are so durable, they even impressed this reviewer with how well they've lasted for two years! Plus, the included cylinder case not only helps you keep them organized on your vanity but also makes them travel-ready.

17. A dual-ended precision brow brush designed to help you perfect that popular "clean girl" makeup style. The spoolie side allows you to gently groom your brow hairs, while the angled brush helps you fill in your arches for a full, yet natural finish.

18. And don't forget about an eyebrow stencil kit to guide your brow powder application to perfection. This set includes 30 stencils to ensure your brows look flawless each time. It’s especially useful for anyone who’s had an over-plucking phase (the early 2000s were tough on our brows 🙃).

19. Try an eye primer to keep your eyeshadow fresh and vibrant all day long. It locks in your eyeshadow’s color, prevents smudging and creasing, and ensures that your look stays as stunning as when you first applied it—hours ago!

20. Try eyeshadow color removal sponges to make your makeup routine a breeze. This tool allows you to clean your favorite eye brush instantly, removing even the darkest pigment without hassle, so you can move on to the next shade with ease.

21. If you're looking for a quick pop of shine with minimal effort, try a creamy eyeshadow stick. Just swipe across your lids and you're set — no brush needed. These sticks are enriched with vitamins C and E, and they come in a variety of beautiful shades in shimmery, matte, and metallic finishes.

22. Try a pack of self-adhesive eyeshadow shields — your go-to solution for avoiding eyeshadow fallout or messy smears. Bonus: They also double as guides for creating flawless winged liner or smoky eye looks!

23. A six-piece (!!) set of high-performance matte lipsticks that feels weightless on your lips while delivering a striking pop of color. These long-lasting lipsticks moisturize instead of drying, keeping your lips smooth and hydrated all day. You'll be amazed to look in the mirror after a long day and see that the color is still as vibrant as when you first applied it. Talk about value for money!

24. Here’s an effortless guide wand and eyeliner duo that lets you achieve the perfect eyeliner without holding your breath. This innovative wand steadies shaky hands (no more worrying after that extra espresso) and comes with a flexible, replaceable silicone tip that's soft on the eyes for flawless application.

A downloadable makeup lesson guidebook—your new bestie for mastering makeup! Filled with expert tips, tricks, and clear diagrams, this guide will help you perfect everything from skincare to color correction, and ensure you know the right way to apply products based on your unique face shape.

New year, same you — but now with features that are *beautifully* enhanced: