50 Holy Grail Beauty Products With Over 500 Five Star Reviews
Hands up who’s shelled out a pretty penny for a deceivingly beautiful makeup product, only to leave it to wither and dry out at the back of your makeup cabinet when you realise the stuff inside just really isn’t that good?
For your sake, I’d like to think it’s just me who’s spent well into the quadruple digits on beautiful canisters of makeup that don’t meet my admittedly high, beauty product standards, but there’s a good chance I’m not alone.
This is exactly why I can’t stress the importance of reviews enough. For some products, there are, quite literally, thousands upon thousands of people telling you what issue a cosmetic is best for, how to use it, and if it, well, sucks or not. Think of it like doing university homework, but way more fun.
However, I can sympathise that things can take a tricky turn when you’re roaming Sephora armed with boxes full of Benefit, Nars, and Chanel while furiously scrolling through countless reviews on your iPhone before a chirpy sales assistant approaches you.
Fortunately for you, I’ve done the hard work of researching a bunch of tried and tested products that every day people swear by and popped them together in a pretty little package so you can be well-versed on your beauty shopping needs before your next haul.
Here are 50 holy grail beauty products we found with over 500 five star reviews:
Skin
HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
Number of reviews: 1,500
Helpful review: “This powder is amazing! It’s so finely milled. I leave it for 10 minutes and it doesn’t accentuate any fine lines or dry patches! I have very oily skin and enlarged pores, and this powder helps blur out my pores and make my makeup last for a very long time!”
Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen
Number of reviews: 2,100
Helpful review: “If you have golden or olive undertones, you’re gong to love this sunscreen. It goes on so smooth and blends into the skin really nicely. It’s not oily or greasy. I love that it gives a natural glow and doesn’t look sparkly or glittery.”
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Number of reviews: 4,400
Helpful review: “Trust the hype! Yes, this product is pricey but worth the $$. Coverage is light but buildable, and the foundation blends seamlessly into the skin. It has the texture of a tinted moisturiser, but works as a foundation. Love it!”
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Number of reviews: 2,200
Helpful review: “This is perfect for the ‘no makeup’ makeup look and under foundation. It doesn’t dry out my already dry face and gives such a pretty glow and filter. I know they say it doesn’t have coverage, however I have redness on my face and I find this cancels it out enough that I don’t need foundation on top of it.”
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Number of reviews: 13,000
Helpful review: “Literally the best setting powder ever! It brightens your under eyes and… such a blurred look, like my skin looked like the texture was non-existent!”
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Number of reviews: 9,400
Helpful review: “I have incredibly greasy, oily skin, and this powder locks in my makeup for 14-hour days at work. If you are on the fence about the price or about purchasing it in general — it is worth every single penny. I have repurchased nearly a dozen times over the past few years.”
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Number of reviews: 7,100
Helpful review: “My favourite foundation for years. The only foundation that has amazing coverage and feels super lightweight. I have a combination oily T-zone and this foundation really keeps my face matte and doesn’t oxidise over time.”
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
Number of reviews: 1,400
Helpful review: “Searched a lot for my ideal foundation and finally found it with this one. It’s a bit finicky to apply. I find I need to apply a small amount with fingers. The result is a very natural application, even colour and medium coverage which is my preference.”
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Number of reviews: 5,400
Helpful review: “Let me tell you: this is the real deal. I recently set out to find a unicorn all-in-one product that would moisturize, reduce redness, didn’t feel like makeup, and would have the SPF my fair skin needs. A friend recommended this and…wow. I can’t believe the instant effect on my skin! It’s light as air, has a beautiful finish, colour-corrected my redness, and moisturizes to boot. I. Am. In. Love.”
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Number of reviews: 2,700
Helpful review: “I love this product so far; I tried it with no primer and no setting product and it looks just like my skin but better. I have combo skin, also hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and this gave way more coverage than I expected!”
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
Number of reviews: 1,900
Helpful review: “This provides great coverage, sinks in to look like your own skin, and all with an SPF of 50+. I’m over 40 and it does not make me look older, a key selling point.”
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
Number of reviews: 4,000
Helpful review: “I have tried SO many concealers on the market but nothing comes close to this. It is FULL coverage and does a great job with very dark circles.”
MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer
Number of reviews: 3,100
Helpful review: “Obsessed. I have never really been a primer person, every one I try breaks me out and doesn’t seem to do anything. This looks and feels great, when it first goes on it does feel very sticky but I think that’s the ‘grip’ part and it really does hold your makeup on. My favourite part though is it doesn’t sting my face and it makes my makeup feel BETTER on.”
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and Daytime Eye Cream
Number of reviews: 3,000
Helpful review: “It’s rare I’ve ever found something that hits all three [needs]: beneficial skincare ingredients, super comfy and lightweight feel, and ACTUALLY MATCHES ME”
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Foundation
Number of reviews: 2,300
Helpful review: “I have never left a review before but last night I cried three times and slept with it on (don’t do that). This literally didn’t go anywhere. Unlike my bf. Anyway, 10/10 I recommend.”
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Face Drops
Number of reviews: 2,900
Helpful review: “This stuff is great. I have a very fair complexion and this stuff really gave me a glow. I used about 8 drops and mixed it with scented lotion and the color turned out great. The medium does not give you a super dark tan but it will give you a golden glow.”
Too Faced Born This Way Natural Finish Longwear Liquid Foundation
Number of reviews: 14,900
Helpful review: “This foundation is literally ART ON YOUR FACE for all my oily but dehydrated skin girls. It has coconut water and hyaluronic acid. What’s great is this is matte but radiant. Very build-able!”
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
Number of reviews: 12,400
Helpful review: “I went to a party got drunk asf, vodka spilled on my face and my makeup was still on throughout the night LORD BLESS ME.”
Cheeks
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Number of reviews: 1,400
Helpful review: “Love!! This highlighter looks so beautiful. It really blends well over my foundation. I was worried about it removing my makeup, but if I blend gently it works fine. I find it looks natural, but also very glowy and can be built up.”
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks
Number of reviews: 1,600
Helpful review: “This is a staple in my beauty routine! It’s creamy and blends out effortlessly, gives a natural finish and also gives a sunlit glow.”
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint
Number of reviews: 1,200
Helpful review: “Such a natural looking lip tint goes very well with dark skin tone too.”
MILK MAKEUP Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
Number of reviews: 2,000
Helpful review: “This product is so buttery, it applies on smoothly and melts into the skin. The colour ‘werk’ is subtle yet rosy on my darker olive tone. Love it.”
Benefit Cosmetics WANDERful World Silky-Soft Powder Blush
Number of reviews: 2,200
Helpful review: “This is the best blush I’ve ever used! Goes on smoothly without any patchiness, and the colour payoff is great! Unlike other blushes I’ve used, this actually lasts all day.”
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Collection
Number of reviews: 2,100
Helpful review: “This is easily my favourite blush to use, I purchased Incandescent Electra and it creates a gorgeous glowing from within look that offers a natural flushed cheek. I love the way this shade looks on my fair skin, it’s the perfect pop of colour!”
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer
Number of reviews: 3,300
Helpful review: “I love this bronzer so much that I use it every day. It’s the perfect neutral bronzer that’s not too warm or cool toned.”
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush
Number of reviews: 1,000
Helpful review: “Absolutely adore this blush. It was exactly what I was looking for fall… It is smooth creamy blendable and buildable. No texture issues.”
Nars Blush
Number of reviews: 18,100
Helpful review: “I absolutely love Nars blushes! They’re very pigmented and the size of the product you get is fantastic. They have great colour pay off and last throughout the day on me. They’re very smooth, blendable, and have a great colour selection.”
Lips
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Number of reviews: 1,400
Helpful review: “Smells amazing! So soft! So hydrating! So pigmented! I usually don’t like ‘bright’ colors but I love this!! I recommend to everyone!”
Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick
Number of reviews: 2,600
Helpful review: “These make my teeth so white. I love the satin and matte formulas. Hydrating, wears well, insane color and gorgeousness. Light scent, cute sturdy packaging, I love that these are refillable.”
LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm
Number of reviews: 3,800
Helpful review: “A must-buy. Slightly thinner than the lip mask but barely. Easily glides on and is the perfect lip balm. I can’t rave about Laneige more, they blow every lip care product out of the park.”
Dior Addict Lip Glow
Number of reviews: 2,100
Helpful review: “I love the subtle mintiness and the shine. I got the shade mahogany, this shade wears off beautifully. For me, it looks like my lips are naturally darker after the shine has left.”
CLINIQUE Almost Lipstick
Number of reviews: 4,100
Helpful review: “Don’t be scared by the dark appearance of the stick, it goes on so sheer you can get just a touch of color or keep applying to build the shade.”
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss
Number of reviews: 1,100
Helpful review: “I usually DON’T wear plumping lip gloss because I hate the burning sensation they give. This Dior plumping lip gloss is amazing. It still has a cooling effect except it’s actually a COOLING effect! Feels like mint on your lips.”
SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick
Number of reviews: 11,100
Helpful review: “This LASTS. It’s definitely not moisturizing, but once it’s set if I throw a little balm on top it feels fine. Applied very thinly it lasted all morning, and I only had to partially reapply at lunch.”
Dior Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick
Number of reviews: 1,500
Helpful review: “The formula is just wonderful, it can be hard to apply evenly when you first use it but you get used to it. It is like ink, and when it dries, nothing comes out, just like ink.”
SEPHORA COLLECTION #LIPSTORIES Lipstick
Number of reviews: 3,700
Helpful review: “I absolutely love this lipstick! It’s not gritty in the least despite being a metallic lip color! This one applies very smoothly and stays put, too.”
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter
Number of reviews: 1,400
Helpful review: “The Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu lip butter resembles a glue stick more than a chapstick, so there is a significantly greater amount of surface area for application. And most importantly, this butter leaves your lips looking and smelling so so so noticeably soft and delicious!”
Eyes
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
Number of reviews: 18,700
Helpful review: “Without fail, my lashes look longer, curled, dark, and multiplied with this mascara. Every time. When I first bought it, I put it on in an excited rush and clumped all my lashes by applying in quick, shallow strokes. I feel this may be the issue for people who say the product clumps.”
ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara
Number of reviews: 3,300
Helpful review: “The brush is great for really lifting and separating every single lash and the comb side gets those outer corner lashes. It doesn’t smudge if I touch my eyes during the day and comes off easily when I wash.”
Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara
Number of reviews: 8,700
Helpful review: “I have to say that this is the best mascara I’ve ever used. My eyelashes are thin and short. Most mascaras just make them clump together. This mascara makes my eyelashes look full and long.”
KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Number of reviews: 21,300
Helpful review: “The tip allows very detailed and precise lines, it’s very easy to make a subtle thin line or even a cat eye.”
Stila Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Number of reviews: 11,200
Helpful review: “Doesn’t smudge, doesn’t flake, dries super fast, thin line, thick line, the blackest pigment ever, and shaped like a pen so that anyone — beginner or not — can easily manoeuvre it.”
Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Number of reviews: 2,200
Helpful review: “It gives me volume and length, and dries quickly which I appreciate to get ready quickly in the mornings. I tend to have issues with mascara transferring on my eyelids (hello oily), and this does ever so slightly, but not to a degree to make it a dealbreaker.”
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
Number of reviews: 6,200
Helpful review: “It does such a great job of lengthening, thickening, and curling my lashes. I prefer the mini/travel size because it’s easier to hold in my hand and easier to apply, and it lasts just as long as the full size.”
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow
Number of reviews: 5,000
Helpful review: “These pencils are phenomenal. I was concerned that because they were so pigmented, blending would be difficult. They are EASILY blendable with your fingers or a brush. But once it sets, it will not budge.”
Brows
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz® Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil
Number of reviews: 15,900
Helpful review: “It has a very light smooth glide. Not heavy or sticky. It looks very natural on me and I always get compliments on my brows when wearing it.”
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
Number of reviews: 2,500
Helpful review: “You will not have eyelashes that look like fake ones after using this. It will absolutely fill out your lashes and make them longer. I have short, sometimes sparse lashes and this has helped so much.”
Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Number of reviews: 5,200
Helpful review: “The brush-on gel fills in my eyebrows but keeps them looking SO natural. You’ve heard of the saying ‘my lips but better’? This is ‘my brows but better’.”
Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel
Number of reviews: 1,600
Helpful review: “After hours of vigorous sex, none of my other make up is on my face except for my brows. Seriously they look perfect!!”
Diorshow Brow Styler
Number of reviews: 1,300
Helpful review: “I’ve been plagued with having blonde brows, which are lighter than my natural hair color. I’ve tried so many different products, and this is the best. By far.”